Mr. Jones hugged the cat, cradling her in his thin arms. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to leave you alone, I wanted to come, but I couldn’t talk, I couldn’t make anyone understand…oh, Minnie, my Minnie!”
The cat purred. Her outline stretched, shimmering…and then there was a woman in Mr. Jones arms.
A very naked woman.
Dai cleared his throat, hurrying forward. Shifters were generally casual about nudity, but it was far too cold for an old lady to be standing around without a stitch of clothing.
“Uh, ma’am?” He tugged off his jacket, settling it around her shoulders. “This will keep the wind off until we can get you inside.”
Minnie only had eyes for her mate. She was still purring, a hoarse, throaty rumble in her human throat.
“Minnie says thank you,” Mr. Jones said. “She has Alzheimer’s. She often forgets how to talk out loud. Or even how to turn human.”
“That’s why your neighbor just thought your wife was away on a trip, right?” Chase asked. “You had to have an excuse for why she wasn’t around a lot.”
“I didn’t know what else to do.” Mr. Jones’s arms tightened around his mate as though he would never let go again. “Minnie couldn’t remember enough to tell me how to contact any shifters who might have been able to help. And even if I’d had a way to get in touch…Minnie didn’t want me to tell anyone. She thought the shifter authorities might insist on locking her up somewhere far away from ordinary humans, since she can’t control her shifting. We were both afraid someone would take her away from me.”
“That will not happen.” Ash turned to Lyla. “Mr. Jones is still frail after his stroke, and will require support and care. I understand that this facility is intended for shifters only, but—”
“Shifters and their mates,” Lyla interrupted. The practical woman’s eyes were suspiciously bright. “Of course they can both stay here. We have a special charity fund for cases like this, where senior shifters have fallen on hard times. They’ll never be separated again.”
“Thank you,” said Minnie suddenly. Her voice was hoarse, rasping. Joy shone in her eyes. “Thank you.”
Something flickered across Ash’s face. It was so fast that Dai wasn’t sure whether he’d just imagined it…but he could have sworn it was a smile.
“You are very welcome.” The Commander reverted to his usual crisp, businesslike tones. “Ms. Marshal, I have some paperwork that requires your signature. Then we can leave you in peace.”
“I’d like a last word with the happy couple,” Griff interjected. “Pass on some contact details, a shifter I know who works in the legal profession. Michael can help get Mr. Jones’s will set up, to stop any mistake like this happening again.”
“An excellent idea.” Ash looked at Lyla, who nodded assent. “If you would come with me, Ms. Marshal? The relevant forms are in our vehicle.”
Dai hung back with Chase and Hugh as the others headed off. The pegasus shifter gave him a wicked grin. “Some first day on the job, huh?”
“Fires are going to seem positively dull after this,” Dai said ruefully. “Still, this is exactly why I joined the service.”
Hugh gave him a skeptical look. “To reunite star-crossed lovers?”
Dai smiled. “To help people.”
“So, are you going to join our happy team?” Chase asked Hugh.
Hugh scowled at Chase. “That was a private conversation.”
Chase shrugged, looking unrepentant. “No such thing as a private conversation inside a crowded fire truck. So, are you?”
Hugh folded his arms. “I said I’d think about it.”
Dai had also overheard Ash murmuring to Hugh on the drive back to the retirement home. He would never have commented on it, though.
“You really should. We could do with someone with your talents.” Chase cocked his head to one side, regarding Hugh with bright-eyed curiosity. “What are you, anyway?”
“Raised to have good manners,” Hugh snapped. “Unlike some people, apparently.”
“Come on, don’t be shy,” Chase wheedled. “I mean, I’ve known shifters who could heal, but not like you. Give us a hint. Bird, mammal, or reptile? Four legs? Wings? Bigger than a breadbox?”
Dai elbowed Chase. “Drop it,” he muttered.
“But-” Chase started.