Without Reservations

again. “Oh, Keaton, I thought that too, but now I’m not so sure that both of you didn’t get a very good deal.”
    Chay had expected her to come around, but she’d surprised even him. He had no idea it would be this soon. He was grinning like an idiot, but he didn’t care.
    His father caught his gaze and winked at him, then set his suitcase down.
    Chay winked back, so happy he felt he’d bust.
    Lena let go of Keaton and grabbed Chay. “I’m sorry, Son. Please forgive me?”
    Chay nodded, fighting back tears as he hugged his mother. “There’s nothing to forgive, Mom. You had a shock. You’re over it now.”
    Smiling, she pulled back, tears in her eyes, and patted his cheek.
    “You are such a good boy, Chayton. I love you.”
    “Love you too, Mom.” Chay tugged her over to the couch and sat down.
    Joe clapped Keaton on the back. “You didn’t think I was going to let my boys go off and fight a big bad wolf on their own, did you? I’m going with you.”
    Chay sputtered. How had his dad even known they were going?
    Keaton grinned. “Cool. How about you, Lena, are you going with us?”
    She shook her head. “No, Keaton. Joseph would be afraid for my safety. Besides, someone is going to need to puppysit, yes?”
    “Yes, ma’am. I’ll get Pita’s food, bowls and bed.” Bit bounded out of the room, a smile on his face.
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    Pita took off after him, toenails sliding on the wood floor.
    Chay watched them leave and turned back to his dad. “What are you two doing here?”
    “Doc Baker called me about Remi…” He looked over at Remi. “How are you, Remi?”
    “I’ve been better, Joe. I’m a little freaked, but I guess being a—
    werewolf?—is better than the alternative. Chay saved me.”
    Jake cleared his throat, bringing Remi’s attention to him.
    Remi looked at Jake, blinking rapidly to keep his eyes from changing, Chay supposed. “Chay, Jake and…”
    Keaton walked back into the room, bowls in one hand and a bag of food under his arm, Pita bouncing along behind him.
    Remi’s eyes twinkled. “…and Little Bit saved me.”
    Keaton slapped Remi on the head on his way past and disappeared down the hall.
    Chay laughed. Oh lord. He supposed at least Remi wasn’t terrified of Bit…that was a good thing, right? Which was hilarious in itself. Bit was tiny in comparison. Okay, yes, Keaton was the more powerful wolf, but to someone without werewolf senses… “Dad, how did you even know we were going?”
    “Don’t look so stunned, Chay. Keaton and I talk quite frequently, we’ve become friends.” Dad looked past his shoulder. “Right, Son?”
    “Right, Dad.” Keaton came back in carrying the puppy’s bed, bowls and food. Setting the stuff on the floor, he winked at Chay. “I called him when you were in the shower this morning.”
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    Without Reservations

Chapter Twenty-One
    “Keaton!”
    Keaton looked up as his mother ran toward him, her arms out. He caught her, staggered backwards and almost fell into the luggage carousel. Fortunately, Chay stopped his momentum. “Uh, hi, Mom.”
    She started kissing his jaw, his cheeks, his forehead. Finally, she pulled back, holding him at arm’s length, looking him over, her pale blue eyes taking in everything. Her golden blonde hair had a few more gray strands, but other than that, she was the same petite little whirlwind she’d always been. “Oh, honey, look at you. So handsome.” She plucked at his hair. “Your hair is longer than it was at graduation.”
    What? How would she know? “Mom, you didn’t see me at
    graduation.”
    She frowned. “Of course I did. You didn’t think we’d miss you getting your doctorate, did you?”
    “I didn’t see you.”
    “No, you didn’t. Your father insisted that we leave you be and stay downwind of you. I have pictures though. We were very proud of you.”
    “Joanna, for crying out loud, let the boy get his luggage.” His dad strolled up, towering over Keaton and his mom, pulled Keaton from his mother and gave him a hug.
    “Hey, Dad.”
    “Hey, Son. Glad you’re home.” His big brown eyes stared over his shoulder to Chay, who still had his hand in the middle of Keaton’s back.
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    He smiled, bobbing his gray head, and extended his hand. “You must be Chayton.”
    “Chay, please. Nice to meet you, Mr. Reynolds.” Chay shook his hand and tipped his head slightly, showing