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“Yes,” Hedra said. “My mom is human, but my dad is a cheetah shifter, and my four older siblings are shifters, so I was pretty involved in the shifter world growing up.”
“That must have been fun growing up with shifter siblings,” Shay said.
“Depends on how you define fun,” Hedra said.
Shay laughed. “So, you’re not close to them, is what you’re saying?”
“Actually, I am. They teased me a lot for being human, and I had to hold my own against them in sibling fights. They had no mercy just because I was human. But they’re fiercely protective when it comes to anyone else messing with me.”
“That’s really sweet,” Daisy said.
“Yes and no,” Hedra said. “It’s not so sweet when you invite your human boyfriend to meet them, and he has to stare down an entire room of hostile cheetah shifters.”
Ryan laughed. “Oh God, that sounds like a nightmare.”
“One guy nearly wet his pants,” Hedra said. “Another cried a little when one of my brothers growled and showed a bit of fang. He wasn’t serious, but it scared Martin enough that he broke up with me two days later.”
“Shit,” Shay said.
Hedra shrugged. “I would have broken up with him anyway. I need a partner who can hold his own against my siblings. Besides, my siblings treating me like I wasn’t a human growing up has worked in my favour. Especially with Boone’s grandmother.”
“She’s a pistol,” Ryan said. “I’m so glad it’s working out, though. Grayson said Boone was panicking before Chase suggested he meet with you.”
“Chase is your cousin, right?” Shay said.
“That’s right,” Hedra said.
“He’s cute,” Shay said. “I saw him at the office once when I went with Ryan to drop off lunch for Grayson.”
“I can introduce you,” Hedra said. “He’s single and will be more than happy to be the first shifter you bang.”
Shay laughed so hard that the couple next to them glanced over. “Oh God, you’re great, Hedra.”
She grinned at Shay. “Thanks.”
“So, will you return to working at a hospital once you’re finished working for Boone, or will you continue to do private nursing?” Daisy asked.
A vision of Dianne’s body in the hospital bed flashed through Hedra’s head, and she swallowed hard. “Private nursing again. Assuming I can find another private nursing job.”
“You didn’t like working at a hospital?” Shay asked.
“Um, it just wasn’t for me,” Hedra said.
“What department did you work in?” Ryan asked.
“Emergency for a few years, but then I tried different departments. I worked in neurology for a while and then pediatrics and cardiology,” Hedra said. Her back started sweating, and she tried to think of a natural way to change the subject.
“That was in Rosehaven, right?” Ryan said. “Grayson and I had coffee with Chase last week, and he mentioned your family is in Rosehaven.”
“That’s right,” Hedra said. “I worked at Saint Mary’s Hospital after I graduated nursing school.”
“When did you move here?” Shay asked.
“Only about a month and a half ago,” Hedra said. “I lived in Emerton for a few months and worked at a doctor’s office, but I decided to move here when they had to lay me off. My parents and siblings wanted me to return to Rosehaven, but I didn’t want that. I compromised by moving here. My parents were happier that it was much closer to Rosehaven, and I at least had some family around with Chase and his parents. I had my stuff in storage while living in a motel and looking for a job. Then Chase introduced me to Boone and his grandmother. I’ve had to keep my stuff in storage, but it’s worth it for what I’m saving by not paying rent.”
“Sure, and all you have to do is avoid an old, angry tiger shifter’s claws,” Shay said.
“Honestly, the poodle poop is worse,” Hedra said.
