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The aroravy filled the air Broccoli and cauliflower sat in a separate serving dish Mashed potatoes were piled high on another, and Ryan’s sto very do in a platter of bread, while Jake hurried to carry in the other dishes

"Poor To," Jake said, a little too evilly "Guess there will be more for me"

"Where is Tom?" Lelandi asked casually

Darien’s expression darkened, but then he put his hand around Lelandi’s shoulders and guided her to the table

"Doc’s got a cold, and Carol orried about hiet worse"

Carol and Lelandi shared looks Lelandi had to know that wasn’t what Carol was concerned about Then Carol opened up her phone, punched in a number, and said, "Hey, Tom? Tell me the minute Doc shifts back into his human form, okay?"

Lelandi hesitated to sit at the table

"Thanks" Carol hung up her phone and gave Lelandi a wilted smile "The meal looks terrific Wish I could cook like this"

Lelandi reat cook"

Everyone took their seats

Jake scooped a pile of e bowl "Yep, except she’s very nutrition conscious Makes us eat the right aies and fruits with all our meals"

"I shouldn’t be the one who has to tell you to eat right, Jake" Carol forked some beef onto her plate and then handed the platter to Lelandi

Ryan could feel the tension between the tomen, the unspoken words, the shuttered looks With Darien and his brother, the tension vibrated between them also, but for a different reason He was sure they didn’t take Carol seriously on this issue and were e to Doc And the possibility the reds were targeting ained on

"I’ll be randfather’s house in a couple of ravy into his potatoes and trying to change the subject, no doubt "Should be livable by then"

Lelandi sighed "You don’t have to move"

Darien took her hand and squeezed "Believe me, he has to Once three new babies are in the house, he’ll have to find his solitude elsewhere"

Jake nodded "The old place needs another coat of paint, so, and some other minor repairs But after that, it should be ready toall the electrical wiring, and the chimney is cleaned out and ready to use He said he’ll live with ood" Darien sipped a beer

Lelandi took another deep breath "I’d hoped you would be our babysitter ent out nights"

Jake laughed "Silva’s already put her naot Sa daily"

Carol sipped some of her wine but didn’t say a word She looked consuh she tried to s, and he lifted it off his belt "Yeah, Toether in a frown "Tom, what’s… Tom!" He quickly rose from his chair and headed for the door

Jake hurried after him

"Call the alert roster North and his men approached Doc’s house Tom’s cell phone went dead after that You stay here with Ryan to protect the women," Darien said to Jake

Lelandi sat frozen to her chair Carol joined her and rubbed her shoulder Ryan checked out the front , looking for anyone who shouldn’t be there, while Jake called someone "Call the alert roster Tom’s in trouble at Doc’s house"

His voice trailed off as he left the dining rooreat roouess I should put the food away," Lelandi said, her voice small and disconcerted

"No," Ryan said "Eat You’re not feeding just one now And, Carol, you’ve been on your feet all day Go ahead and eat"

Jake returned to the dining roo’s locked up Lelandi’s o to waste"

"Several in their red pack have to be sick," Carol said softly

"Then they can damn well come here for treatht," Ryan growled

Lelandi gave him a small se the volatile subject "So, Ryan, do you have any brothers or sisters?"

"A sister She lives with me Owns a successful nursery that keeps her out of troubleout of trouble while he ay

"Is she unue