Thread: Cousins (Cheshire Pup & HotTexasCowboy)

Shauna had been anxious all morning. She would try to sit at a work bench and polish a stone or two, but inevitably rise again moments later an pace. Has her plane landed yet? she insisted for the umpteenth time, and Milo patiently looked up from his accounting software, picked up his smartphone, and checked the airline schedules. It's due in twenty minutes, he would say, and then, Another ten minutes, Shauna, and finally, The tower reports the flight has just touched down. We should have been there to meet her! Shauna insisted with exasperation. Milo sighed at a conversation they'd had before. She insisted on taking a cab. She was a willful child, remember. Apparently the years with Uncle Ahmad hasn't completely beaten that out of her. We can only hope, he thought. She'll need her strength to start recovering from the last few months, but he knew Shauna would help all she could, as would he. The trip from the airport is, what? Fifteen minutes? Shauna interjected ten minutes later. She has to get off the plane, make her way through the concourse, get a cab, and then it's more like twenty minutes, I'd say. Shauna, please try to relax. She needs support, not smothering. She'll get here when she gets here. Milo was a year or so older than Shauna, and it was in his nature to be the steady rock to her more excitable mien. He was dressed casually, in cargo shorts and a sleeveless tee shirt that draped loosely over his lean, well-muscled form as befit his hiking and rock climbing duties. His sandy hair was thick and a little ragged at the neck and ears, easily forming their natural curls. Shauna had dressed up a bit more, wanting to make a good impression on their cousin. Her smooth blond hair was carefully brushed as it fell about her shoulders. The pale blue blouse was sleeveless but marked by vertical ruffles on either side of the center buttons. It, too, was loose, given the forecast for another typical warm, Arizona desert day. Front pockets added enough material to hide her nipples, even though she usually did not wear a bra over her firm breasts. The altitude helped keep away the oppressive heat of the lower valleys, but it was still dry and warm by mid-day. Her gray capri pants hugged her long, lean legs and held to her hips and ass like a second skin. While she was often barefoot around the house, today she slipped into a pair of bare heeled house shoes. Despite his apparent casual disinterest, Milo could hear the road through the open window near his workstation, and detected the tires of an approaching car sliding to a stop at the curb. He rose quietly, not wanting to send Shauna into an unnecessary tizzy, and headed to the front door to look into the street, seeing the taxi there. Already a purple hooded figure was moving up the walk toward the door, pulling a wheeled travel bag behind her. She's here, he called over his shoulder and opened the door. Hello, Daphne. I'm so glad you're-- he started. But Shauna's DAPHNEEEE! cut him off as his sister dashed past him and threw her arms around their cousin's neck in a bear hut. You should have let us meet you at the airport! she insisted, before finally releasing their visitor. Milo, get her case, she added without a second thought, slipping her arm around Daphne's back to escort her into the house. Milo suppressed a playful smile at being treated like a porter. He knew it was Shauna's excitement that concentrated her attention on making Daphne welcome. He picked up the case and moved it down the hallway to the bedroom they'd set up for their cousin. He placed it on the bed, adding it to the half dozen or so boxes that already decorated the room. A few weeks, he thought ironically, maybe a couple of months. It looked more like she was moving in for a good while. He mentally shrugged. He'd always liked Daphne as children they'd been as close as thieves, and still friendly from their letters and video chats. He could live with this, and Shauna seemed near ecstatic. Shauna was ushering Daphne into their living room. The couches and chairs were settled about, chosen more for cozy comfort than perfect style. Milo and Shauna didn't 'entertain' often, but when they did it was with close friends. Most of their neighbors were on a friendly but slightly stand-offish relationship. Milo sensed that several of them were trying to keep secrets from them, still 'sizing them up' even after three years in the neighborhood. Something sub rosa was going on, and only those who'd passed muster were allowed in on the secrets. Nobody was unfriendly, but Milo and Shauna hadn't quite made the 'club' yet. Shauna guided Daphne to a love seat and hugged her to her side as they snuggled together. We've missed you so much, Cousin. You're so welcome to stay here as long as you need, she effused. After you've been through so much...