| |
Hope glared at the table, trying not to show her amusement. Ari and his brothers got along, like her and her brothers and sisters. Her grandmother was acting funny. She didn’t know quite what to make of that.
Her grandmother didn’t realize it, but Hope had heard what she said. This dragon-shifting thing had given her super hearing. Hope wondered if her grandmother really knew what they were. If she did, how did she know it?
Movement at the back door had Hope glancing over. She dropped her spoon, squealing, and ran to the door. “Daddy!”
“Hope. Where the hell have you been?” He hugged her to him. His angry tone was belayed by the tightness of his arms around her.
“I figured I might as well check my traps. I was attacked by wild dogs and treed until they went away, then cougars.” Hope gestured to Ari. “He and his brothers saved me from the cougars. The cougars smelled the blood from the dog bite. I wasn’t able to get home sooner. They brought me as soon as my leg healed up.”
Her father gave her another quick hug and set her aside, walking over toward Ari. “How can I thank you for saving Hope?”
Ari stood grasping Hope’s father’s hand. He grinned at him. “By letting me keep her.”
Her father reared back in surprise. “That’s not what I had in mind.” He glanced at Hope. “I’ve been negotiating an alliance on her behalf.”
“What?” Hope put her hands on her hips and glared at her father. This was the first she had heard of that. Though, she thought smugly, she was already a dragon. He couldn’t take that away, and that meant she would have the husband she wanted, and that was Ari. “How come I’ve never heard of this?”
“We’ve too many mouths to feed. You’re getting to the age you need a husband. And I haven’t seen you looking around. You’ve rebuffed the ones that have shown interest.”
“That’s because I wasn’t interested. Who have you been negotiating with?” Hope was unconsciously tapping her toes, trying not to roar at her father. It never did do any good to rile him up.
“With one of the men from the farm. Jacob. He’s a good man and he’s willing to give us a percentage of the food if you marry him.”
Jacob?” Hope was seething. Jacob was a weasel. Her father liked him, but none of the women or girls did. There was just something about him that was slimy. He was always getting too close or trying to touch you. “I will never, ever marry Jacob.”
Her father glared at her. “You will do what I tell you to do. If I want you to marry Jacob you will.”
“I thought if someone forced a woman around here he was hung?” Ari slid an arm around Hope’s waist. Hope could tell he was upset. The tenseness of his arm around her was a dead giveaway.
“And with Jacob, it’s just going to be a matter of time.” Hope glared at her father.
“What do you mean?” Her father snapped.
“Jacob is always making inappropriate comments and touches to all the girls. I know he tried cornering Faith. If she’s missing, maybe you should check with Jacob.” Hope knew her tone was snotty but Jacob was a bad one. None of the men seemed to notice because he was a hard worker. That’s all they cared about.
“How come no one said anything?” Her father asked.
“Because you don’t listen. We say Jacob’s name and you all start going off on what a good worker he is. Why do you think none of the women want to go anywhere near his farm?”
Hope saw her father’s lips tighten. She could tell he was mulling it over. Maybe he was adding up some of the things that had been said.
Ari pulled her closer. Hope snuggled into his enticing warmth. Crag was just watching, while Hark and Rog whispered together.
Her father looked at her, eyes narrowing. He saw her snuggled into Ari. He gestured at the two of them. “We’ll discuss this later. I’ll check with some of the other men and have them talk to their women. If what you say is true, it needs to be stopped before any of the women or girls are hurt.”
Hope stepped forward and hugged her father. “Thank you, daddy.”
“Now, how about some introductions?”
Hope hugged him again and stepped back next to Ari’s protection. “This is Ari.” She gestured toward the table. “And these are his brothers Crag, Rog, and Hark.” She turned Ari. “Ari, this is my father Henry.”
Ari and Henry shook hands. “Nice to meet you, sir.”
“I’ll reserve judgment.” Henry drawled.
Ari laughed. “That’s just fine.”
“Dinner’s done. You men need to wash up.” June gestured towards the hallway.
Henry nodded. “You men, follow me.”
They followed Henry as the children darted back into the kitchen. Their laughter cheered the place up. Hope knew the routine and quickly extended the table to fit the adults, and added another table for the children. Hope helped set up the plates and silverware. The children settled down, then she began serving each of them.
The men reentered, talking quietly among themselves. Henry gestured and they all settled back at the table.
“Hope, do you need any help?” Ari asked.
Hope flashed him a smile. “No, Ari. This is all routine. We have it down.”
“Thank you for asking though.” June smiled at him.
His brothers didn’t bother to stifle their amusement.
“No problem.” Ari glared at his brothers.
Hope shook her head, smiling to herself. They sure did like to give Ari grief; however, he definitely gave it back. Hope knew she would have a wonderful new life when they convinced her father.
Hope saw her grandmother slide in the room. She was warily watching Ari and his brothers. Hope went over to her.
“Grandma, Ari’s not going to hurt you, or me.” She whispered.
Her grandmother’s looked at her, eyes wide. “You’re one of them now, aren’t you? Didn’t it hurt?” Her grandmother’s tone was low and concerned.
Hope blushed brightly. “No. No it didn’t hurt one little bit.” Hope’s face grew hotter. She suppressed a smile. “Not one little bit. Now, Grandma, let’s sit down and eat.” She gestured to the table and glared at Ari and his brothers.
They were all smirking.
“But I might just hurt them.” Hope grumbled under her breath.
Her grandmother gave a sharp laugh. Hope’s eyes widened. She hadn’t realized grandma had heard her. She settled her grandma in her chair, making sure she was not sitting next Ari or his brothers. She kept sending suspicious glances their way. Hope knew her grandmother did not trust them, not yet. She was stubborn, so Hope had her work cut out for her.
“Just try it, little fireball. Two can play at that game.” Rog grinned evilly at Hope.
“And who ended up hurt?” Ari and his brothers laughed while Rog grumbled. Hope settled in the chair next to Ari. He lowered his hand to caress her thigh, sending shivers through her body.
June set the last platter on the table and sat. Henry picked it up, served himself and passed it around. They all settled down to eat.