“Of course, I’m coming back,” Addison said. “Just try and stop me. And I’ll have all kinds of fun presents for you.”
Zane wouldn’t let go. Kendrick stepped forward and unhooked him from around Addison’s legs. Zane struggled but his strength was no match for his father’s.
Zane threw his arms around Kendrick and clung to him, refusing to look as Addison climbed into the truck and slammed the door. Brett and Robbie watched forlornly as the pickup rolled away, though they returned Addison’s cheerful wave. Kendrick wanted to join Zane in yowling, feeling empty as the truck turned the corner, and was gone.
* * *
The trip to San Antonio was uneventful, to Addie’s relief, except for two incidents.
The first happened after Addie had enjoyed herself buying new tops, shorts, jeans, underwear, and a cute skirt she couldn’t resist. She felt a little guilty that Kendrick was paying for all this, but Addie had become an expert at finding the very best clothes for the least amount of money possible. Her sister, Ivy, said she should be called Shopping Master and give classes.
Addie would pay back Kendrick every penny when she could, she vowed. She made it her policy not to be in debt to anyone.
As they emerged from the discount store, Charlie insisting on carrying the bags, Charlie stopped her and gestured into the crowd. “Are those Shifters?”
He whispered it, and Addie came alert, her heart beating faster.
She glanced to where Charlie indicated. There were two of them, a couple lanes of parked cars away from Addie and Charlie. The two men strolled easily through the lot, making their way to the hardware store in the strip mall, but they attracted attention just by being there. Addie wasn’t the only one who’d turned to stare.
The Shifters resembled Kendrick, but then they didn’t. Both were large and solid in body, strength obvious. They didn’t display themselves—they wore modest T-shirts and jeans—but sunlight glinted on their Collars.
They shared with Kendrick the extreme confidence that ran to arrogance, the graceful way of doing something as simple as walking, and a way of being aware of every detail around them.
A third Shifter, younger than the other two, jogged through the parking lot toward them. The first two stopped and waited for him.
One of the older Shifters was tattooed on his neck, down his arms, and on his chest—the tatts obviously ran under the T-shirt. He had more swiftness of movement than the other two, his brown eyes quick. He wore his hair buzzed almost completely, with only a black shadow on his head.
The younger was restless, but no less large than the tattooed guy. He had dark hair, a thick shock of it, and unlike the other two, had a ready smile and laughter.
The third made Addie halt for a stride. He was larger than the others, and he looked uncomfortable to be in this parking lot, surrounded by people, cars, and even his fellow Shifters. His hair, though, caught her attention most of all. It was black streaked with a distinctive red-orange.
Except for the color, it looked very much like Kendrick’s hair.
A tiger.
At that moment, the tiger Shifter’s gaze moved to fix directly on Addie.
His eyes were yellow-gold, distinct even at this distance. His face was still, as was his body, no movement at all, though his friends were speaking to each other, their voices rumbling with the same deep timbre of Kendrick.
Addie made herself continue walking but the golden gaze trained on her, and she couldn’t look away.
The younger Shifter noticed the tiger’s motionlessness. “What’s up, big guy?” The sentence floated across the shimmers of heat off the parked cars.
The tiger dragged his gaze away from Addie and answered in a low growl. Addie, released, jogged a few steps to catch up with Charlie.