Stray

Sima Shaikovsky has always had a knack for finding strays. So when she's on her way home from the Mackenzie Farm and sees a stray hanging out on a street corner, of course she stops. But this stray isn't like most others.

He's human.

Theo Andino isn't best known for his voice. He's best known for having the world's worst case of wanderlust, a fact the leader of his new symphonic metal band takes advantage of. He lays down a challenge: Theo has to stay within the confines of Port Kenneth for an entire year.

Theo takes him up on that. After all, he's a lucky man and he's going to prove that to his band. Being picked up on the street corner by not only Sima but her sister-in-law too is just his first lucky break. He's sure of it.

As stuck in Port Kenneth as Theo, only for different reasons, Sima's at first resistant to her stray's plans to explore the city and conquer his wanderlust. But as Theo discovers the magic of Port Kenneth, Sima begins to see it too, and gains the courage to face the past that's trapped her.

Strays never stay, she tells herself repeatedly. But then Theo makes a choice that alters not only his life, but Sima's as well.

The follow-on to Populated and Saving Sima, Sima is still dealing with a past history of both physical and emotional abuse. Readers, if this will be upsetting to you, please be kind to yourselves.