To Love a Stray

Chapter 31

I must say a big thanks to all the fans and followers who have encouraged me during this story.

A big Shout Out to Cherrie Gangell, Jaz Cullen and Pocketbooklover. Nothing like chatting to friends to restore the faith in my writing.

Micah:

It is late afternoon before Cantrell and the rest of the Board have spoken to those they wanted to. I know both Sam and Mitchell had been seen briefly along with Edwin. Now with all the visitors gone we slowly get back to our usual homes. Wade and Marissa are back in their small home while Mitchell has taken Jazzy to the main house with Malcolm and Timny along to help.

I head up the hallway to check on Rosy and Steven and find Steven and Mikkarl in the sunroom. Steven is stretched out comfortably on one of the beds that are used in the sleep out while Mikkarl sits on another nearby. Since Rosy's return with Terry and Dacey the sunroom has been turned into a bedroom of sorts for the boys.

"When did Doc say to change to cat form?" I ask Steven quietly as I walk over to look at his bullet wound.

"Doc said to let the wound seal over night and change tomorrow. He did say it might take a couple of changes before the stitches can come out. He doesn't think there is any significant damage done other than a hole in my hide," Steven says with a grin. "It should make an awesome scar,"

I am only half listening to him as I glance towards the small bedroom with it's metal bar door. I can see the door is open and wonder what kind of a mood Rosy is in, is she still upset with me over my loss of control in the shower? Even now I can still see Rosy charging towards the gun ...

", Micah, earth to Micah are you listening?" Steven's dry, droll tone pulls me from the remembered nightmare and I glance his way.

"I said, Rosy is back in our old room. Last I saw she was curled up on the far bed with Wynn and both of them were asleep," Steven says with a sly look that is unlike him. "Why don't you go in and check on her. You both would probably benefit from a chat,"

"I'm awake," Rosy's voice startles me and I look to see her standing in a doorway, one forearm resting against the side of the door jam while she stands with one foot on top of the other.

"How are your ribs?" I ask avoiding meeting her gaze directly. I am too ashamed of the way I took her against the wall to face her just yet. I acted like a teenager and lost all control, Rosy deserves better than that.

"Its healed," Rosy says evenly. "One rib is a bit sore, might be cracked,"

"You get plenty of rest," I mutter as I turn away. "I'm sure you need all the rest you can get to help it heal." I head for the lounge room where most of the others are gathered but stop before I reach the end of the room as I remember the rest of the reason why I wanted to see Steven.

"Someone will be bringing the ... Lilly over to the quarters shortly. I'm hoping she will eventually prove she won't expose our existence to other humans. Mitchell and I thought that we should give her a chance for Rosy's sake," I say recalling the conversation I'd had with both of Rosy's brothers. I glance at Rosy to see a shocked look on her face.

"What harm can she do to us?" Steven asks dryly. "It's not like she tried to shoot anyone or anything like that,"

"Don't worry, you can frisk her if you're scared she's hiding a deadly weapon," I tightly.

"No thanks," Steven says. "Be just my luck that she bites. She's probably got distemper or something,"

"But I thought ..." There is bewilderment in her voice as Rosy stops speaking for a few moments. "I assumed Lilly wouldn't be allowed to live,"