Page 70 of Brandt's Rule

“Barron, one does not tease their best friend about their mate,” Delilah said.

“When one’s best friend has his head up his ass, one does,” Barron answered.

“Brandt, knock him off the chair again,” Delilah said.

“Boy…” Kaid said.

“Yeah, I know. Don’t talk to my mother like that. I was just kidding and she knows it.”

Delilah blew her son a kiss and he blushed. It was clear he adored his mother.

“Hey, we too late to eat?” a deep, yet raspy voice called.

“Goldy!” Janie called. “No, of course not. Come on in.”

Goldy stepped into the room a minute later with Sadie leaning heavily on him.

Janie got up and kissed them both. “Hey, baby,” Goldy said, hugging Janie tight.

“How you feeling, Mama?” Janie asked.

“Oh, I’m okay. Little less energy than I’d like, but I’m so much better,” Sadie answered.

“She’s a little better. There’s no so much about it,” Goldy said truthfully.

Janie turned to Tempest. “Tempest, these are my parents. Sadie and Goldy. My mom got Covid and has had a hard time recovering from it. Bam and Daisy both did what they could to help her heal, thank goodness, but still… it’s been rough.”

“Well, I’m old,” Sadie said with a laugh. “What did you expect them to be able to do?”

Tempest got up and walked over to Goldy, holding out her hand to him. “I’m pleased to meet you,” she said.

Goldy shook Tempest’s hand and inclined his head at her. He even took off the welder’s cap he always wore out of respect for her. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Glad you found your way to us.”

“Me, too,” Tempest said. She turned her attention to Sadie. “Mrs. Sadie, I’m very pleased to meet you.”

Tempest held out her hand, and Sadie placed hers in Tempest’s.

“I’m so glad I got to meet you, too. I heard Brandt’s mate was something special, and I have to say, even without all the special senses this lot has, I can tell that just from looking at you. You have a soft heart.”

“Oh, thank you,” Tempest said, still holding onto Sadie’s hand. “It’s funny how the fates always kind of steer us where we need to be even if we don’t know what it is they expect us to do when we get there.”

“Isn’t it though? I’d have never dreamed in a million years that this would be my fate, but I know in my soul, these people are mine,” Sadie said.

“Mama, come have a seat. Are you hungry?” Janie asked.

Sadie didn’t answer Janie right away, she was caught in Tempest’s gaze.

Bane slowly stood, but Daisy raised a hand to tell her father to wait. A full minute later Sadie reached out with shaky arms and hugged Tempest. “What was that?”

Tempest smiled at her and patted her as she eased away. “Just a minute to let you know how much I appreciate meeting you.”

“Let’s sit and have a bite,” Goldy said, steering Sadie toward the table.

“It’s really good. I’d never had pulled pork before. I think it’s my new favorite thing,” Tempest said.

“Oh, and Janie’s is the best,” Sadie told her.

“We’ve got dessert, too,” Janie said. “I know lately sugar is the only thing that doesn’t taste bad.”