“He’s bunking in one of the rooms above the social center. He comes up to my room for a shower.”

“Impress upon him that he needs to stay here until this storm passes.”

Nadine smiled bitterly. “He has a broken hand, Captain, and he’s been branded a Wolf lover. He’s too vulnerable right now to go out among the humans.”

Monty winced at the way she said “humans,” but he couldn’t blame her for feeling that way. The HFL had burned down her shop and home and would have killed her and Chris. No matter what Simon thought about getting more tangled up in human concerns, the Wolf had stepped up and offered Nadine and Chris shelter and protection.

Twyla studied the men, her eyes lingering on Monty. “This storm is part of the trouble that had you asking me to get to Lakeside as quick as I could?”

“Yes, Mama.”

Now Twyla looked at Burke. “How bad is the bad going to be?”

Burke studied Twyla in turn. “Here in Lakeside? I don’t know. When it comes time for the reckoning, I hope our efforts to work with the terra indigene will count for something. Across Thaisia? We just hope for the best now.”

A kitchen timer dinged. Nadine jumped up. “I have to get those cookies out of the oven.”

“Miss Nadine?” Twyla said with quiet courtesy, stopping the other woman. “You run this shop?”

“Working here. Tess runs it. I don’t know where she is right now.”

“I think the three of us should talk soon.”

Nadine nodded and rushed into the back.

“And I’m thinking that Mr. Simon and I should talk soon too,” Twyla continued.

Monty laid his hand over hers. “Mama?”

“Whatever provisions they have here for humans living or even staying overnight isn’t going to fit the number of people they’re going to take in and shelter. Doesn’t matter how you wiggle things; they’re going to need help. I’ve got two good hands and I know how to work. So does Sierra. And the children can do what they’re able. You asked me to come and help you with Lizzy, and I will. But right now there’s a lot to do and not much time to be doing, so I’m not going to sit by, Crispin. That’s not my way.”

“I know, Mama, but—”

“What can you do?” Simon asked, walking over to their table.

Monty wondered how long the Wolf had been standing in the archway listening.

“You tell me what needs to be done, and I’ll tell you if I can do it,” Twyla replied. “One thing I know right off. You’re going to be feeding more people than you’re used to, and that might not be easy in this coffee shop.”

“We have Meat-n-Greens in the Market Square.”