“Geez. It’s so messed up.”
“Yes. It is.”
“I don’t understand how any shifter can stand in judgment of who another mates with since it’s fated and they know it.”
“Think of it like this: it’s the same thing as heterosexuals standing in judgment of homosexuals in any society. Those who are attracted to the opposite sex fail to recognize that they were in a sense fated to that lifestyle, and they refuse to acknowledge that perhaps someone else is fated to a different lifestyle.
“So the shifters who are in a relationship with another shifter of their same race have twisted their minds to the extent that they believe those who choose to mate outside of the pack must have done so in complete disregard for the laws of nature. Many such individuals are unwilling to see reason on the topic.”
“Makes sense. What a shame.”
“It is. And over time, what’s right will prevail. Let’s hope your work for the college will help move us quicker in that direction.
“I’ve organized a women’s group where I’m already working on this issue among Native American shifters. I’m trying to get the older generations to see reason and stop perpetuating the younger generations to maintain the belief that we should mate only within our pack, with a member of the opposite sex, and only one of them.
“It’s a tough road, but I’m making headway, and I’ll be happy to help you out any way I can. I’ve been working with mostly older women, and I know you’ll be tackling the young children and their parents, but I’m sure there will be times we can help each other out.”
“Sounds good.” What Amanda was really excited about was having someone she could go to who would listen and provide advice, especially now that she knew she was up against a challenge far greater than the one proposed by Lucy Burnhart.
There was little chance her new boss was a shifter. Logan had informed her there were far fewer Caucasian shifters in the area than there were Native Americans. The Natives had been there for centuries. Most of the whites were transplants from other areas of the country, including the Masters, who were from Oregon originally.
A knock at the door had Amanda glancing up. “Did Sawyer invite anyone else to come help babysit me?” Amanda joked as she stood and padded across the room.
She peeked through the peephole to find Mary standing outside. When she whipped the door open, she beamed. “Hey. What are you doing here in the middle of the morning?” She opened the door wider. “Come in.”
Mary stepped inside and hugged Amanda for a few seconds. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you had company.”
Joyce rose and stepped their direction.
“This is Joyce Hamilton. Sawyer’s mom.”
“Oh.” Mary smiled. “So nice to meet you. I’m Mary, Amanda’s sister.”
“So what are you doing here? I’ve never known you to leave work.” Amanda turned toward Joyce as they all three headed back toward the living room area. “Mary owns a preschool in Cambridge.”
“That’s right. I think I knew that. You’re a friend of Laurie’s.”
“Yes.” Mary perched on a seat and took a deep breath. “I can’t stay long. I just wanted to see how you were doing and tell you what happened this morning.”
“I’m fine. What happened?”
“Some women from my church have been pulling their kids out of my preschool all week. I knew something was up. Their idea of a mini-boycott. It’s not as if five families can break me. I assumed they had a subtle message to impart. The last one came in this morning. And she casually spilled the beans.
“I had hoped it had something to do with Jazmine. Maybe people found out about us and the church was getting all high and mighty about my lifestyle.” She turned toward Joyce. “Jaz is my partner.”
Joyce nodded. “I’ve met Jazmine in town. I think I knew that too.”
“Anyway,” Mary continued, “I was wrong. Somehow the church found out about your job. They’re trying to get me to influence you to back off.”
Amanda gasped. “Seriously?” She gripped the arms of her chair so hard her knuckles turned white. “I hope you told that woman—”
Mary held up a hand and interrupted,” Believe me. I told that woman.” She smiled. “I was beyond clear. But I wanted you to know. Since you haven’t started the job yet, I don’t know how they’re so informed.”
“I know.” Amanda glanced at Joyce and then back at Mary. “There’s a kid in one of Lucy Barnhart’s classes who goes to that church. He told them.”