Chapter 417 Chapter 417
“You want to pay attention, so I don’t nail your hand to the board?”
Noah jerked his chin back to look at Blair. “Sorry.” He moved his hand out of the way.
After it was up, Blair turned to look over where Emersyn and Daisie were hanging sheets on the clothesline. “We have a dryer.” He looked at Noah, “but the fresh air smell is better.”
Noah shrugged, “clean sheets, fresh air or not work for me.”
“Right.” Blair shook his head, “then they bring them in and toss them in the dryer anyway because it’s too cold for them to dry properly.” He sighed. “She’s good for her right now. Daisie.”
Noah looked back over at them. If anyone could soothe the pain and worry it would be Daisie. The child was a walking wonder to him. She saw the good in anything, somehow. He wished he could have half the faith in things that little girl did. “Yeah.” He glanced around, there wasn’t anyone close to where they were working. Now might be the only time to catch Blair alone. “I was, uh, talking to Coop earlier—”
Blair turned to look at him briefly as he double-checked the measurements for the next piece. “Is everything okay?” He frowned, “well, beyond the obvious shit I mean.”
Noah shrugged, not sure now how to ask him. “Yeah, he was telling me about his past, to help me, I think.”
“His past. Shit, I’ve never heard him talk about his past.”
This surprised Noah, why would he tell him and not the men that grew up here?
“Listen, I know Coop’s talks are cryptic, or they feel that way,” he smirked, “I went to him for help when...”
A door slamming had them both startle and turn. Nichelle was stomping toward them, the expression on her face made both men freeze and watch her.
“What now?” Blair said under his breath.
She zeroed in on Blair before she reached him, “did you know I don’t get a graduation?” She flung her hands up, “because we’re on lockdown from some psychopathic idiot?”
Blair opened his mouth and then snapped it shut so hard Noah heard his teeth click together. “Graduation? You just started the...”
“Not for that.” She spat at him, “I finished early, the normal program for the high school requirements.” She stopped a few feet from them, “I worked my tail off to do it too. Eight months early and now I find out that there is no graduation for me,” she put her hands on her hips and glared at him.
When a female stood like that, it never ended well for whomever she was focused on. Noah stepped back a step, panic forming in his guts.
“Isn’t graduation in the spring? Usually?” Blair asked her hesitantly.
“Yes.” She enunciated it thoroughly, dragging out the s sound at the end. “But not for me, not now, not then.” The hands came off the hips to wave around, “I should be on a stage, smiling, wearing one of those stupid caps with the tassel thing, but I don’t get that. The Alliance has pulled strings,” she made quotes marks in the air, “for special certificates.” She dropped her hands back to her hips and gave him a hard look, “do I get to walk across a stage and be recognized for all my hard work?” She paused and Noah looked to Blair, he wasn’t sure if he should answer or not. “Nope. I get a box and glitter in the mail. What the hell do I need glitter for?” She growled and it wasn’t a sound a young female made, it was from her animal, and it sounded like a warning in Noah’s ears.
Blair cleared his throat and took a step closer to her.
“You,” she pointed to him, “are going to talk to the king and fix this.”
Blair stopped moving.
Noah glanced around wondering if there was anyone close by for backup. He saw Kobie was standing near enough, but she didn’t look concerned, she watched Blair like he was being tested at this moment. His cat stirred; he could feel the young tiger inside her now too.
“I will see what’s going on.” Blair’s tone was soft and soothing, and Noah had no idea how he could do that right now. Noah wanted to go kill something to make this girl happy.
“If you want a stage and presentation, honey, then you’ll get it. All the others that have earned it will as well.” Blair stepped closer to her now, placing his hand on her shoulder. “Even if we have to build it ourselves.” Blair glanced at Noah, and his expression said to back him up.
Noah opened his mouth and had no idea what to say, the panic inside him starting to smother him. He nodded his head and hoped that would be good enough at this moment.
“See, Noah agrees, you’ll get your stage and graduation.”
Just like that the young woman was disarmed as her shoulders slumped and the cat he’d sensed seemed placated. Noah looked at Blair, really looked at him, and had no idea how he’d managed that with a light touch and a few words.
“I’ll get it sorted.” Blair confirmed, “but right now I need someone to round up the kids for their afternoon online classes.”
Nichelle nodded, giving him a quick smile. “I knew you’d fix it.” She looked at Noah and smiled and he quickly forced his mouth to form a smile. “I’ll herd the kids.” She turned on her heel and darted across the yard.
Blair blew out an audible breath and rubbed his hand over his hair. Kobie was walking toward them now, she had one of those mate-only looks on her face and Noah went right back to feeling uncomfortable.
“Did you know about this?” Blair asked her.
“We just found out when Beth called.” She glanced in the direction Nichelle had gone. “She’s worked hard. Considering she’s had no family support, it’s nothing short of amazing. She’s smart,” she smiled at Blair, “and has decided she’s going into the medical field.”
Blair huffed out a breath, “that’s,” he frowned, “that sounds expensive.”
Kobie chuckled, “it’s going to be complicated.” She stopped close enough she could rub her hand over his chest. Noah had noticed all the mated females seemed to do this a lot to their men, he didn’t understand the significance of it, but every time it seemed to settle the man down. She stretched up and kiss him on the mouth, “you did good,” she smirked, “I was ready to strip and go after her.”
Blair groaned, “yeah me too.” He motioned to Noah, “and his cat was ready to wage war.”
Noah’s eyebrows went up, he hadn’t realized his emotions were broadcasting that strongly.
“I better go help with the kids.” She kissed him again and walked away.
Blair dropped his head down and blew out a breath again.
“I don’t know how you do it.” Noah confessed, motioning around them, “deal with all this.”
Blair grinned, “I have no idea.” He turned to watch his mate walking away, “I suspect the love and guidance of my woman has a lot to do with it.” He nodded his head a few times agreeing with his own words, “sorry, what were you saying before the wrath of Shell descended upon us?”
Noah blinked, he’d forgotten they’d been talking, or he’d been trying to talk.
“Noah. Blair.”
He turned to see Calum standing in the drive. He waved them to come over.
“He looks serious,” Blair said and started going in that direction.
Noah sucked in a breath, trying to change gears again and make his body move to go over. His mind started churning out possible reasons Calum wanted to talk to him. Noah’s cat was still close and just as unhappy about the false alarm to fight. With luck, he thought, maybe Calum had someone they could go kill or chase down. Noah’s heart thudded hard in his chest. He needed to focus and put the brakes on. He could never let his cat lead, not ever, it would be a trail of blood if he did. All those years it wasn’t just Noah that suffered, his animal did too. They’d both lay there in pain at night, Noah unable to accept what he was a part of and his cat desperately needing out. No, there was no way his cat would ever be driving this body, not if it killed him to keep control.