Legend Has It Book II ~ Complete

Chapter 6 Baby Steps

PHOENIX

Although it was rather fun showering with Gen while swinging from a hydraulic lift, I hoped I never had to see the damn thing again. I was beyond sick of this being an invalid s**t!!

I knew I still had some Healing to do. Speech Therapy, learning how to put one foot in front of the other and why the f**k can’t I MindLink?

I felt as if I were lying to my wife by putting on a happy face sometimes. There was a lot I couldn’t convey to her.

I’m not doing it completely on purpose, babe.

The electronic journal was helping. I was almost ready to share with both Al and my wife. Those two were my top priority. I wanted them to see the deep recesses of my mind, even though it was dirty and disgusting.

I was remembering snippets of what happened after Frederick pulled me into another world and I am pretty sure I need the help of Gen and Doc to help me process and reconcile the torment. The more I remembered, the more my current—we’ll say situation—improved. I’m convinced that unlocking my memories of that night is the key to my recovery.

For now, I was ready to test whether or not I could pull myself up and put one foot in front of the other. I would be eternally grateful to Gen for suggesting we give staff some time off this morning so I didn’t have an audience.

You can blame my stubborn pride, but I hadn’t taken that mental step yet. Gen did. Bless her. I f*****g love this woman!

I am going to be 100% before our child is born.

{~>*•*Oooohhhh! He found his Mate, I suddenly remembered. Definitely didn’t want to intrude mentally, just in case. I knew Natalie normally went to work early, but Gen might have given her the day off.

She gave everyone a couple of hours off, dumbass.

The best place to start was the kitchen. Everyone either stopped by for coffee, or ordered room service. I could use another cup for this hangover, myself. Ugh. I am never going to drink with that fucker again!

I let myself in through the Staff door and searched for Esther first. Her sons, Hank and Eugene, were loading up their carts to deliver orders.

“Good morning, Beta!” They waved.

“Have either of you seen Dan?”

“We haven’t, but mom’s out there and so is Phoebe.”

“Thanks, Gentlemen.”

I helped myself to some coffee before I proceeded to the Dining Room. As usual, Esther flitted around like the social butterfly she was. She seemed a little distracted.

“Good morning, Beta Conrad.” Dr. Lockwood waved me down.

“Good morning, Doc. Nurse Darla, how are you this lovely morning?”

“I imagine I’m doing better than you,” she grinned. “It appeared you did some serious day drinking yesterday.”

Ugh! I dropped my head. “Yeah.”

Darla laughed.

“A friend in need is a friend indeed,” Al winked. I like him.

“Speaking of, have you seen my friend?”

“I have not. Darla, have you?”

“I have not yet made the Gamma’s acquaintance but I haven’t encountered anyone fitting his description this morning.”

“Miss Phoebe is back there with the young man who accompanied you yesterday.” Al pointed to the far corner.

“Thank you, Doc.”

I heard Darla explain that Chance was also from Blue Moon and how they had no clue his father was a survivor from Silver Moon as I greeted other guests on my way to Phebes.

It looked as though Phebes, as I had known her since was a lot littler, had a full carafe of coffee. Good. I needed a refill by the time I got there.

“Good morning, Phebes. Chance, thank you for your help yesterday,” I offered sheepishly.

“Oh, you’re welcome. Thank YOU for a story I’ll be sure to pass on to my descendants,” Chance grinned mischievously.

“That ‘Yeehaw cowboy’ was classic,” Phoebe laughed.

“Phebes!”

“I know, I know, you’re never drinking with that fucker again, right?” She said in her best impersonation of Phoenix.

“Did you just curse??” I was flabbergasted.

“Oh, like you and my brothers are perfect!” She rolled her eyes and Chance appeared to be doing his best not to outright laugh.

“You may join us, Conrad,” he offered.

“I’m actually looking for Dan.”

“We haven’t seen him,” Phoebe volunteered. “He’s probably with Natalie. I assume you know Gen gave us a couple of hours off.”

“Natalie is doing a little research for me,” Stella said behind me. “How’s your head, cowboy?”

I groaned. I wasn’t going to live yesterday down for a while.

“Thank you for your help yesterday, Chance. You, too, Phoebe,” Stella said to them.

“Why do they get to be the heroes?”

Stella simply arched an eyebrow. I knew why.

“Would you two like to sit down and join us?” Chance offered.

“If you two don’t mind, I might as well. I’m too keyed up about what’s happening at 10.” Stella looked a little worried.

“Here, let me get your chair, Mama.” I had referred to my best friend’s mom as mama since I could remember. “Will Pop’s be able to make it?”

“Yes. He just ran out to Morty’s for a bit. They’re preparing to take the first convoy of supplies tomorrow. I understand you, your father and Dan have been quite busy looking,” she turned her attention to Chance.

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be assisting with the packing and transportation, too.”

“And we appreciate that,” Stella, ever the Hostess, tried to stay on top of everything happening. “Have you been made aware that as a civil employee, you’re eligible for a suite here?”

“I had forgotten, but Phoebe reminded me.”

“Good. Good. My daughter could show you some of the vacancies, if you like. She knows almost as much about the process as Kelli and I.”

Ahh, I think I noticed Phebes blush just a little. Did she have a little crush on Chance? Or was she uncomfortable with a little praise? Either way, it seemed the two had hit it off as friends, at least. Maybe I could pull her aside later for some brotherly advice. I don’t think there’s a huge age difference, but Phoebe still has over a year before she’ll get her wolf. Chance recently turned eighteen and had a jumpstart on finding his Mate.

“That would be great! Ashlyn will be tickled to have my old room. Ahh, I think that’s Romeo I see down the hall.” Chance waved to someone behind me. “Yep. And he looks way too perky.”

The four of us were soon receiving kisses on our heads. “Eewww, don’t kiss me you drunken fool.”

“Drunk on love,” Daniel sang.

Oh Goddess, help us all.

{~>*•*LUNA—reminded me. “Phoebe, dear, give him one of your cards.”

Well, that’s one way to get her number.

Whether Stella was simply being a great Hostess or trying to play matchmaker, I couldn’t tell. This could be tricky ground.

It surprised the hell out of me that Phoebe seemed to be subtly flirting. Maybe that was wishful thinking? Girls had never really expressed an interest in me, so I’d never had a girlfriend.

On Blue Moon, nearly everyone was blonde haired and blue eyed. I took after my Silver Moon ancestors with cinnamon hair and green eyes. Not once had I ever wondered if a girl was flirting with me. Now I did. Now, I low key hoped one was.

::Finally!:: Magnus doesn’t say a lot, but I suppose we’re still getting to know each other.

One thing was sure. I didn’t want to hurt her. Oddly, I felt the need to protect her. Was it natural male instinct? Or could the Mate Bond present itself in about 13 months?

Phoebe’s birthday was on November 1. The Halloween festivities doubled as her birthday party. I wondered how I would approach my boss—her uncle—about having that time off?

{~>*•**•*<~}

DR. LOCKWOOD

Genevieve pulled me aside while family and friends celebrated the King’s first steps since he was injured.

“He’s probably going to sleep like a log after this, but he wants you to read his journal soon. It’s for our eyes only—no, I haven’t read it yet. He wants us to get our copies at the same time.”

“I’ll be sure to write down my room number for you in case we don’t get to it this morning.”

“Thank you, Al. Um, between you and me, I’m still worried. He still can’t MindLink.”

“I visited your library and found a couple of books I hope will help. It’s not something I’m versed in.”

“Thank you, Al. I’m so glad you’re here. Even if we can’t figure this out, you can help us cope, I think.”

“That is certainly my goal. I’d like to thank you for allowing me to witness this, however, if you’ll excuse me, I do think I will let you enjoy this time with loved ones and do that reading. Reach out to me when you’re ready.”

I quietly made my exit and decided to go fill Esther in and yes, do that reading.