Cinderella's Guardian by Khloe Wren Page A

loved being able to shift and run as a leopard in the dense forest, to feel the cold of the snow on the pads of her feet. She shivered as remembered excitement raced through her. The feel of fur against fur when Dominic would nuzzle against her had made her heart melt and her body heat. But, as wonderful as it had all been, she'd missed Kelly something fierce and couldn't wait to get back to her fostered daughter.
    "Kelly won't even be out of bed yet, beautiful. What's the rush?"
    "Please Dominic. I need to see her."
    He leaned in to kiss her, before he whispered against her lips, "why didn't we collect her yesterday then?"
    With a nervous smile, she responded, "I had something I had to do, before we picked her up."
    Dominic raised an eyebrow at her in question, but she wasn't telling him. At least not yet.
    "All will be revealed very soon, mon amour , I promise."
    While away, she'd had an idea. So far, she'd kept it to herself, not wanting to get everyone's hopes up. Well, she had discussed it with Choden. Adele had great respect for the Tibetan Buddhist culture, but she didn't know much about it. So she had asked Choden if he would help her. Of course the gentle monk had readily agreed, thinking her idea wonderful.
    Then soon after they had touched down yesterday, she'd received a phone call from Constable Alex Ross. Using DNA they had identified the remains of Kelly's mother. Her body had been found washed up on the beach further down the coast from Strahan about eight months ago. After thirty days her body had remained unclaimed, so following protocol, she had been buried at the Strahan cemetery in an unmarked grave.
    That information had changed her plans. She'd originally wanted to hold a memorial at the remains of Cole's house, but now she'd have it at the gravesite. She'd also contacted a funeral home and made plans to have a headstone made for Kelly's mother. The police were still researching her history, finding out details. Even simple things like her full name were still unknown. Kelly knew her first name was Lisa, but no more. Her poor petite fille couldn't remember ever celebrating her birthday. Such a sad life Kelly had lived. Even before Cole had captured her and her mother, they'd been on the run. Living day to day and barely surviving.
    Her time spent at the Police Station had been beneficial. Constable Ross was very helpful. He'd explained how they were searching for details and paperwork on Kelly and Lisa. Currently, he was preparing the necessary forms for Kelly and Adele to apply to Victims of Crime for a grant. Adele was hoping the grants would cover the cost of the headstone, and the burial costs they owed. Now they needed to wait for the government cogs to turn. But her plans were concrete enough that she could tell everyone about them. She'd resisted telling Dominic—not because she liked secrets. She hated them. Adele was a firm believer they had no place in a relationship but Dominic was simply too adorable when he begged her to tell him about it, for her to resist teasing him a little. A tap on her nose brought her back to reality.
    "Where'd you go? You looked very deep in thought there."
    "I was, and I'll reveal all at your parents' place. You ready?"
    "Yep, sure am. Has this big secret got anything to do with your disappearing act yesterday?"
    "Most definitely."
    With her sweetest smile in place she snatched the keys from Dominic's hand and raced out to the car. She didn't make it. As she giggled, Dominic swept Adele off her feet and carried her to the passenger side of the car. She unlocked the car and Dominic awkwardly opened the door without releasing his hold on her. Placing Adele in the seat, he leaned in for a searing kiss. Getting her so hot, she barely felt him take the keys from her fingers.
    "You just relax, beautiful. I'll drive."
    "Yeah, you do that." Because after a kiss like that, my brain can't function well enough to drive.
    She knew she had a goofy grin on her face, but didn't