The Road to Glory by Blayne Cooper, T Novan Page A

don’t have to worry about pregnancy ever again."
    The male blinked. The only thing his mate loved more than sex was Pringles. Thank God her ass finally got too fat to squirm its way into those cans. That was downright embarrassing. "So what makes you think you won’t get pregnant?"
    "I’m gay."
    "Noooooo!" The male fell out of his nest, right into the back of RJ’s pickup. He landed on his head.
    His mate could see by the dazed, stupid, nearly stoned look on his face that he was fully conscious and had suffered no appreciable damage. Just her luck.
     
    *  *  *
     
    RJ opened the door to the bathroom, allowing a heavy cloud of steam to escape into the garage. She stopped dead in her tracks, causing Leigh to bump into her back.
    Pete was sitting on her workbench, talking quietly to a scared-looking boy who appeared to be in his late teens.
    She flipped on the light and everyone squinted and covered their eyes for just a moment.
    Pete patted the teen’s thigh comfortingly and ambled over to RJ and Leigh. He quickly looked over both women and smirked at RJ, who blushed. Twinkling brown eyes swung around to Leigh. "I see RJ reminded you where the shower was."
    Leigh fluffed her wet hair with the towel around her neck. "She was a gracious host." The short woman leaned forward and winked at Pete. "The shower was spectacular. Thanks, Pete."
    This time it was Pete who blushed, causing RJ to laugh loudly. She was definitely getting to like Leigh.
    "Well, if you should ever tire of beautiful, tall brunettes …"
    "You’ll know the lobotomy was successful."
    Pete’s shook his head and chuckled. My, my, Fitz. You’re up to your eyeballs in trouble with this one.
    RJ reluctantly put an end to the play when she asked Pete, "Who’s the lad?"
    Leigh shot a quick look at the boy. He refused to meet her gaze, instead finding something very interesting about his sneakers. Oh, boy. She winced, hoping he was older than he looked and wondering just how long he and Pete had been waiting outside the bathroom. Leigh sighed, then gave a mental shrug. Nothing to be done about it now. Besides, some things were simply too good to keep quiet.
    "I hate to intrude on you girls’ productive evening," Pete’s eyes conveyed true regret, "but I’m afraid I’m in need of Fitz’s professional services."
    Leigh looked blankly at RJ for a moment, then remembered what the taller woman had told her. "Welcome Wagon?" At this hour? With this kid?
    "Ahh …" Pete nodded approvingly. "She told you then." He patted RJ’s back. "RJ is a great asset to Glory."
    It was obvious that Leigh was still confused, so RJ broke in. "Pete is a sort of mentor to troubled kids. He’s got connections everywhere and when he finds one he really believes wants to turn things around for himself or herself, he brings ’em here for a fresh start." RJ shrugged. "They’re sort of my specialty. Like I said before. I help get ’em settled. Find ’em places to live and jobs."
    Leigh nodded. There was a little town outside Sioux Falls that had a few state-run halfway houses. They were in the news often, and the town didn’t appreciate their presence. Leigh looked long and hard at the boy. He was wearing torn jeans and a ragged t-shirt. His hair was blonde and greasy, and he looked like he could use a good meal. His gray eyes were round and slightly haunted. Damn. She lowered her voice and asked, "Is it safe?" She looked into RJ’s eyes, clearly worried.
    "It’s perfectly safe," RJ said immediately. "They just need a bit of help getting started. And Pete here," she poked Pete’s belly, "is sometimes a little old for these boys to relate to."
    "Hey!" Pete straightened indignantly. "I’m not that old."
    "’Course you’re not," RJ lied and pushed Pete toward the boy. "I need a minute."
    Pete took a step back but didn’t leave them completely alone.
    RJ shot him an irritated look but quickly focused on Leigh. "Will you come back soon? This might take a while and no doubt