MARJORIE

  (NANNA)

  “I’ll always come for you, Harley.” I softly shut Red Phoenix Volume Four as Filly's eyelids closed.

  Humming, I pulled the blanket over his little shoulders, saving room for Georgia the mirka to curl up behind his neck. “Twinkle, twinkle, little star. How I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high. Like a diamond in the sky. Twinkle, twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are.”

  I ran my hand over Georgia’s soft fur as I sang the two of them to sleep. Then pulled the bedroom curtains closed on the snowy afternoon outside.

  After tucking the graphic novel Filly loved so much next to his pillow the way he liked, I exited on quiet feet. Making my way carefully down the steps, I headed for the kitchen and took a pack of sausage out of the freezer to thaw for later. We’d need dinner, wouldn’t we? And I knew just what to make to keep a smile on little Filly’s happy face.

  I hummed my way to my suite, leaving the door open in case Filly woke early from his nap. Rhoda was away in the city center meeting with a boutique owner about her handmade skin care line, so I was looking after the youngest member of our little modified family for the afternoon. Hopefully, Rhoda would land an account at the shop and get plenty of new orders.

  I loved helping Rhoda with the Wild and Wonderful products. It gave me something easy to do to pass the time, and watching Filly was always a joy. He was so much like my own Landon had been. Quiet, but full of curiosity.

  A story lover.

  Settling into the recliner, I kissed my finger, then pressed it lightly to the framed photo on the table. My James and our son when he was seven, smiling at the camera like they hadn’t a care in the world.

  Deep breath in. Time to explore, Marjorie. They’re waiting out there somewhere.

  Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

  I picked up Pitch’s book. We hadn’t gotten many chapters of Unknown Cosmos yet, and what we did have seemed like utter nonsense.

  Walking under water? Eating with mermaids?

  I couldn’t help grinning to myself. What would it be like to put my fingers on Selles’ scaled arm? To touch a mermaid? Would I get to sometime soon?

  I pulled the knitted afghan around my shoulders and let my imagination wander. A world of music. Little creatures dancing and singing. Carefree.

  I drifted. . .

  A giant combination lock was before me. I turned the dial, but couldn’t remember the code. It was numbers, right? What were they? I needed them. But for the life of me, I could not remember what to do with that lock!

  Bll-ll-ling. My alarm pulled me out of the dream and back to life. Oh! There was someone warm and furry in my lap. No, not my kitty Roxie. She was a permanent member of Pastor Rick’s family in Cheyenne now.

  This was someone smaller, but just as precious.

  “Hi, Georgia. Won’t Filly be lonesome when he wakes up? Did you dream, sweet girl? If so, I hope it was more than riddles like my dreams,” I told the thrumming mirka.

  I dutifully recorded the dream in my notebook, hoping someday I’d find answers there. Because I had questions, for sure.

  “Come on, Georgia. Want a snack while I get dinner ready?”

  In the kitchen, I handed my mirka friend some red peppers, then filled the casserole with everything that tasted wonderful—cheese, eggs, red polenta, and sausage. Filly was a fan of breakfast for dinner like me, and since his mom was meeting Tyne for dinner in the city, we’d have the whole dish to ourselves.

  I set the timer and closed the oven door on my pan, and at that moment, Georgia scampered upstairs. Not long after, the sound of pounding feet thundered in the hallway.

  “Filly! Good nap?”

  He handed me Red Phoenix in reply.

  “Come on then. You read me Little Hen, then I’ll read a chapter of the graphic novel.”

  Filly grabbed the Trauwin-language children’s book and headed to the sofa. I joined him, and together, we sounded out the words. The two of us were learning the language of the locals. Filly had an easier time than me since he’d picked it up quickly from playgroup and preschool, but I was getting there.

  Once we finished the little story, I read another chapter of Red Phoenix, just like I’d done for Sam when she was a girl. The aroma of breakfast casserole wafted from the kitchen, smelling like familiarity and all good things.

  I was a long way from Earth now, and even though I was with a youngster who wasn’t blood, I felt at home. In a house not my own, with a child not born of mine, I was family.

  And it was the best sort of day I could’ve had.

  Now, if only I could puzzle out the dreams and whether or not they meant something.

  And if they could take me to where my true family awaited… beyond.