Clarus snorted in response to the young woman. “If you ever tell Cid, I’ll deny everything.” The old man knew he liked the birds, it perhaps didn’t know the spot in his heart they held. Not like it mattered, chances seemed to be that he would never see Cid again. Running into Cindy had been surprise enough, and he’d barely recognized the girl he hadn’t seen since she was a child. It was the logo on her hat that had caught his attention.

He reached over to pat the stupid bird’s long neck, giving it a quick pitying glance before returning his attention to human company. “And no one else would ever believe you anyhow.” Anyone who knew him, anyhow. Or anyone who couldn’t see past his cold exterior to the loving, good-humored man beneath. “What is our goal today, Miss Cindy? More discarded parts?”