“Yeah, I think,” Hellen said.
“You never said that before,” Remi said.
“Doesn’t really matter at this point, does it?” Hellen asked.
“What kind of animal was it?” Bailey asked.
“Alligator,” Hellen answered.
“A gator? Honestly, Hellen, you’re going to get yourself bitten in half one day. You didn’t tell us that before, and you didn’t say it wasn’t… quite as wild as it could have been,” Remi said, trying to remain vague about what they were talking about in the company of a human.
“I thought I had.”
“No, you didn’t. And you know you didn’t.”
“Doesn’t much matter. I have no proof, just a feeling I got. Not worth getting everybody involved in what’s most likely just an unlikely possibility at the wedding today,” Hellen said, watching her brother and Analise pose and kiss for the photographer again. “They’re so happy.”
“They’re supposed to be. That’s what happens when you find your mate,” Remi said, his eyes focused on the other side of the yard.
“Is it? Maybe it’s not that way for everybody,” Hellen said.
“What’s not that way?” Tempest said as she wandered over and plopped down beside Hellen.
“Happy mates,” Hellen said.
“Oh. Most are, some aren’t. Can we eat now?” Tempest asked.
“Come on,” Hellen said, laughing as she stood up and took Tempest by the hand, pulling her up as well. “Let’s go get you some food.”
Tempest smiled and happily allowed Hellen to take her to the buffet table. “Thank you! Someone finally cares that I’m starving!”
“You hungry?” Remi asked Bailey, holding out his hand to her.
Bailey took his hand and followed him toward the food.
At the same time they arrived to get in line right behind Tempest and Hellen, a beautiful blonde haired woman did, too.She stood there, her blue eyes wide as she and Remi locked gazes.
Neither spoke, and time seemed to stand still.
“Remi?” Bailey asked.
No answer.
“Remi? You okay?” Bailey tried again. When she still got no answer, she reached out and placed a hand on Tempest’s back to get her attention.
Tempest turned around and found Bailey staring at Remi and the young woman.
Bailey raised an eyebrow as though asking what was going on. “Remi?” she tried again, and again, Remi didn’t hear a word she said.
“Hey Remi, who’s this?” Tempest asked.
Remi just kept standing there staring at Cristie.
“Remi!” Tempest said sharply.
Remi tore his gaze away from Cristie and looked at Tempest.
“You good?” Tempest asked.
