Rejection and Redeemed

Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

R obbie walked into the dining room a few minutes later.

“Everything alright?” Berni asked as Robbie sat down.

“The wound is still infected, but we had a good chat while I was looking at it.”

“I’ll spend some time with him later, he might have questions,” Berni said, sipping his coffee.

“He has,” Robbie agreed. “You could chat with him while Fran goes to bed and gets proper rest.”

“I slept,” Fran protested, putting his cutlery down. “I need to look after him.”

“And you can do that when you’ve had proper sleep,” Robbie replied.

“But—” Fran started to say.

“Fran, Jacob is concerned about you not sleeping properly. He asked me to make you rest.”

“Oh.” His shoulders slumped down. “He’s probably sick of me hanging round his room,” Fran replied softly.

“I’m sure he’s not Fran,” Emory said, touching his arm.

“He’s not. He’s concerned about you, plus he admitted he’s beginning to care for you,” Robbie told him, with a smile.

Fran smiled. “Really? I had secretly hoped he was.”

“See, told you. He just needed to spend time with you,” Ezzy said, buttering some more toast.

“I believe I told you the same thing,” Berni said. “I’ll sit and chat with him while Finn goes to the hospital to collect the new medication. If you’re still asleep when I’m finished, Ezzy will sit with him.”

“I can sit with him as well, Fran, he won’t be alone. And once you wake up, you’ll properly be able to look after him again,” Finn added.

“Fine, fine, I’ll go to bed.” He looked at Berni. “Can I stay here?”

“You know you can. Your usual room has been made ready for you,” Berni told his nephew.

“Thanks,” Fran replied.

“I’ll lend you some clothes so you can change. Also, Cuz, how do you feel about Joe being your dad’s mate?” Ezzy asked.

Fran smiled. “Thanks and happy. I mean, it’s weird basically having a stepfather who’s younger than I am, but Dad’s finally found his mate and won’t be lonely anymore.”

“Plus, we can pull him into our little band of trouble,” Ezzy said grinning.

Berni laughed. “Looks like I’m getting my wish of more people living in the castle.”

“Good, this place was getting dull,” Ezzy told him.

Finn snorted. “I don’t believe that for a second.”

“You’re right, but now we have new friends to mess around with,” Ezzy replied, just as the door opened and Emory walked in.

“Sorry I'm late, I overslept,” Emory said, sitting at the table.

“I let you sleep after yesterday,” Ez told him.

“Thank you, sweetheart,” Emory said, kissing his cheek.

“Are you working this morning, Uncle?” Finn asked.

Emory nodded. “Yeah, I’m having breakfast and then going in.”

“Do you want me to drive you? I’m off there after breakfast as well,” Robbie offered, eating some bacon.

“I can always pick you up when you’re finished,” Ezzy added.

“Thanks. Please, Robbie, have you checked on Jacob today?”

Robbie nodded and told him how he was.

“I’ve been thinking about his infection. Did you run a trace for silver?” Emory asked.

Gasps were heard around the table.

Robbie groaned. “I never gave that a thought. What if one of those wolves had silver on their claws?”

“It would have to be the one Dad didn’t fight, otherwise he’d be ill and he isn’t,” Fran pointed out.

“I’ll find out from Jacob if he fought a wolf that Frank didn’t. If that shifter does have silver on his claws, I’ll rip those claws off of him. The use of poisoned claws was outlawed a long time ago,” Berni said in a hard voice.

“Yeah, not too sure rogue wolves care about laws, Dad,” Ezzy replied.

Berni nodded. “You could be right. But I’m not leaving the cells until I have the answers we need.”

“With Uncle Frank busy, can you wait for me to get home and I’ll come with you and help?” Robbie asked.

Berni nodded. “I can.”

Just then the door opened and Clairmont walked in. “Gentlemen, just to let you know I have taken some toast up to Master Jacob, along with orange juice, a banana, and a slice of bacon. I’ve also just peeked in on His Lordship and Master Joe, and they are happily getting to know each other.”

“Thanks, Clairmont,” Berni replied.

“Bacon? Bet that made Jacob happy,” Fran said with a smile.

“It did. Bacon cures everything,” Clairmont said with a grin.

“It really does,” Emory agreed.

Robbie shook his head but didn’t say anything, he just finished drinking his coffee.