18. Sedrick #2
I placed a shaky hand on the counter. Relief nearly stole the breath from my body. I’d had Hue look over Dillon too, and just like my nephew said, he was fine. Just a few bruises were left, and they’d be gone in another day or two.
“Best get back to the wife and kiddos.” Hue made his way to the door.
The bag hanging from his hand looked too big for a brownie, but he handled it like it weighed nothing.
“Phil woke up long enough for me to give him something for the pain. It knocked him right back out again. He’ll sleep most, if not all, of the night.
Let him rest. I wouldn’t move him for a couple of days either. ”
“Thank you.” The words seemed insufficient, but they were all I had beyond paying the brownie.
Hue waved me off. “It’s what I do.” Standing within the open doorframe, Hue leaned back so he could look me in the eye. “I’ll put a word in with that exterminating company Peaches told me about. Those gnomes you’ve got are a nasty bunch and need taken care of before someone else gets hurt.”
I didn’t know if Hue’s word would hold more weight than Peaches’s and Phil’s, but I appreciated the effort and offered another, “Thank you again.”
Instead of walking into the night, Hue moved closer.
Crooking his finger, he motioned me to lean down.
His voice was conspiratorially low when he said, “I’ve known Phil for a couple of years.
He’s a good pixie. A little too big for what’s typical, and he’s had to work some pretty shitty jobs to make ends meet.
I’m glad you gave him a chance.” Hue slapped my thigh like we were the best of friends.
“Despite what happened today, it’s a good fit.
” With those parting words, Hue walked a couple of steps from the house and disappeared.
Brownies didn’t need modern-day transportation.
I leaned back against the house. I hadn’t felt this exhausted since I’d found out about Will and Kelsie.
“Mr. Voss.” Peaches’s soft voice blended with the sounds of the night, almost disappearing into them. When I turned my head, he was standing in the doorway, half in and half out. The light from inside the house threw odd shadows against the darkened half outside.
Peaches’s calm voice didn’t indicate a problem, and I remained silent, waiting for him to continue. A smattering of pixie dust floated into the night, but thankfully it wafted out into the open air.
“Um . . . I just wanted to tell you again how sorry I am. I didn’t think .
. . I mean, I don’t think I’ve ever seen gnomes act that way before.
I expected them to get a little riled up when I placed the barrier, but they ran through the forming thorns like .
. . I don’t even know how to describe it. ”
I blew out a deep breath. The evening wasn’t warm like it would be during summer, but it wasn’t cold either.
“I understand, Peaches. Don’t beat yourself up.
At the end of the day, it was my decision.
I should have just paid the emergency fee the exterminators asked for and been done with it.
” The price would hurt, but I’d work it out. There was no other choice now.
“I . . .” Peaches didn’t have much else to say.
“The healer says Phil will be fine,” I said as much for Peaches’s benefit as my own. I needed to hear those words—repeatedly. Most likely, Dillon and Ruthie did too.
“Phil’s tough.” Peaches’s chin went up as if I might doubt his words.
“Yeah, I’m figuring that out.” I just hated the way I was learning.
Peaches remained silent for a while but finally said what he’d probably come out to talk to me about. “Is it okay if Phil spends the night here? I don’t—”
“That’s already been decided. The healer doesn’t want Phil moved for a few days. I’m happy to have him stay with us.” I was maybe a little too happy. Not that I liked why Phil needed to stay, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit his continued presence soothed my wolf and me.
“Good.” Peaches sighed. “I’m not sure there’s much more I can do here. I’ll call to see if I can find a ride back to the boarding house. Mr. Buttons doesn’t have a car, but he probably knows someone that does and—”
“I can drive you.” I pushed away from the house and headed for the door.
Peaches backed up and let me inside. “You don’t have to.” Peaches’s wings fluttered, and he snapped them down before too much dust was released.
“I know.” I’d already started to root around for my keys but remembered I’d left them at the office.
Thankfully, I had a spare set for the truck in one of the kitchen drawers.
“If Phil’s gonna stay here for a while, I should pick up some of his things.
I want him to be comfortable. Just let me go check on Phil and the kids. ”
“Are you sure?” Peaches worried the edge of his flimsy, pale yellow shirt.
“Hue said Phil will be asleep most of the night, if not all. He should be good. Besides, he’s got Dillon and Ruthie with him, and I don’t think I could pry their little bodies out of that bed if I tried. Quite frankly, I’m too damn tired to put in that kind of effort.”
Peaches softly spoke, “Okay.”
I was already down the hall, peeking into my bedroom.
Phil was in the same position I’d initially found him in, but he looked more peaceful, and the room didn’t reek of blood like it had a couple of hours ago.
Just as I’d thought, Dillon and Ruthie were cuddled up on the bed, one on either side of Phil.
Phil’s delicate wings were draped over each of them, forcing me to stare through a haze of pink to see my niece and nephew.
Dillon was on the side of the bed closest to the door. He woke easily when I tapped him on the shoulder.
“Uncle Sed? What’s wrong? Is—”
“Phil’s fine,” I soothed. “The healer gave him something for the pain and to make him sleep. He’ll be out for a while. I need you to keep an eye on Phil and Ruthie for me while I drive Peaches back to town and get some of Phil’s things. He’ll be staying with us for a few days.”
“Okay.” Dillon tried to sit up but stopped when he felt the press of Phil’s wing. He didn’t try to wiggle free. Instead, he snuggled back down. “I’ll take care of them.”
“I know you will.” I made sure to put a lot of confidence into my voice.
“You should get all Phil’s things,” Dillon said as he squirmed closer to Phil. “He should just live here.”
I raised an eyebrow. The thought had merit. A lot of merit. But I’d need to speak with Phil about it first.
“I’ll be back soon,” I assured Dillon.
“Be careful, Uncle Sed.”
I glanced back at the bed before I walked out of the room. Dillon’s eyes were half-lidded, but he was still awake. He’d be awake when I got back home too. With me gone, Dillon was the top alpha. He’d take care of our pack.