The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

Chapter 7 Eve’s plan

Ethan

All the air in my lungs leaves in a great whoosh. “What did you say?”

Paisley looks up at me with wide, green eyes the exact shade of her mother’s. My daughter inherited my bronze skin and dark hair, but she’s Jane’s perfect miniature in every other way. Sometimes the resemblance is so great it actually hurts to look at her. Maybe that’s why I imagined she said she was with her Mommy. I was thinking about Jane, so I conjured the words in my head.

Except when Paisley answers me, she repeats the same impossible phrase. “I met Mommy today. She found me and bought me pancakes. She shrugs innocently. “And then she

gave me to Ms Linda to bring home.”

Linda. I think, the name ringing a bell in the back of my mind. Wasn’t that the name of Jane’s maid of honor at our wedding?

When I don’t answer, Paisley slides her hand into my pocket, retrieving my wallet. She flips the leather pouch open, pointing to the picture in the main photo slot. Jane’s beautiful face smiles up at us from the glossy print, her lush silhouette bathed in a golden halo of sunlight. I didn’t even realize Paisley knew the picture existed. I’ve kept all my surviving photos of Jane hidden since Paisley was a baby, terrified that if she saw them I’d be forced to tell her about her mother’s tragic fate.

“This is my Mommy, isn’t it?” Paisley asks, poliny dl lie picture.

“Yes, angel.” | confirm softly. “That’s your Mommy. But it isn’t possible that you met her today.” I broach carefully, knowing the moment has finally come where I have to tell my pup the terrible truth.

“But I did!” Paisley insists. “This is the lady I met. She was pretty and kind, and she smelled so nice! Like sunshine!”

at my pup in shock. It’s not possible… but if she’s seen the photo… if she knows what Jane looks like… And then Linda… Abruptly burying my nose in Paisley’s neck, I inhale deeply, trying to scent every last shifter who’s touched her since we parted. I can smell Linda and Frank, but stronger than either of their aromas is one I do not recognize. At least, I

smell of it she was quite affectionate with the pup. Moonflowers, jasmine, and there, lingering around the edges – sunshine. Jane always did smell like the bright afternoon sun to

her?” My wolf is clawing at the surface of my skin, begging to

love and carried me ’round so I didn’ have to walk. And even though she said you couldn’t buy her for me, I can tell she

a laugh, I stare into Paisley’s sweet little face, “You offered

know why.” My pup looks up at me in confusion, begging me to help her understand. “Daddy, why haven’l met

to her. The more Paisley has shared the more convinced I’ve become that she’s right. I can’ t explain the strange electrical current weaving through my body, insisting that Jane isn’t dead after all. Still, that possibility lends more questions than answers. Besides, what

and I got separated a few years ago.” I finally answer, deciding this is the safest

Mommy playing hide ‘n’ seek with you?” Paisley asks, “Like how you and

small head in my palm. “Yes, little one. That’s exactly right.” This is one statement I have no problem agreeing with: If Jane is out there somewhere she has absolutely been hiding from

going to find

my word, Paisley.” I vow, “If Mommy is out there, nothing in this world will

our search outside Eve’s atelier. I’m

forgive myself if Paisley’s mother was out there and I didn’t do everything in my power to reunite our

grows stronger still. Belatedly I realize that if Jane was in Eve’s shop, then my old friend would probably have seen

.

the receptionist warmly. “Good morning, is Eve

I’ll let her know you’re