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!”

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.

lingering around the edges – sunshine. Jane always did smell like the bright afternoon sun to me. Is it possible her scent could have changed this much? Is it really possible she’s alive? I never did see

is clawing at the surface of my skin, begging

her love and carried me ’round so I didn’ have to

stare into Paisley’s sweet little face, “You

My pup looks up at me in confusion, begging me to help her understand.

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 if I’m wrong? After all, it’s not like I’m impartial. I want Jane to be alive

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

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

cupping my pup’s 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

to find her?” Paisley inquires,

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

our search

woman she met was Jane, but I can’t risk assuming she’s wrong. I would never forgive myself if Paisley’s mother was out there and I didn’t do everything in

inside it grows stronger still. Belatedly I realize that if Jane was in Eve’s shop, then my old friend

.

the counter, I greet the receptionist warmly. “Good morning, is

I’ll let her know