Page 31 of His Human Rebel

I let out a snort of smoke. Lucy is my favorite human. I enjoy Mica, but I like Lucy’s bold speak. I have a feeling she and Stella will become fast friends.

Eventually my mother, my future bound, and the other two humans all walk upstairs to “see the kittens.”

Lorn returns to work with a pat on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, we can all pick up the slack.”

I’m left alone downstairs with my father, my two brothers, and my friends Burl and Erid. We are all seated in the pop-up chairs, with fire ale. They are disgruntled over the fact that I purchased a mail-order bride without telling anyone first.

“I do not need to explain myself to anyone,” I respond.

I need to return to work, but these grumbling fire starters stay so long I’m concerned I won’t get anything done today.

Erid continues to try and quiz me about the purchase of Stella, but I say very little.

I had no need to tell anyone what I did. I do what I want. I live out here on the ranch so I can live my own life. I gave the main responsibility to Sten because again, that has too many ties. I live out here quieter, smaller and I like it like that. No one comes over much and for the first time since I've lived here, my entire family has arrived. And they have far too many opinions.

My mother has been here once, briefly. Father has been here several times, but he hadn’t seen the finished product. Burl has been here the most. He's helped me and I have helped him. I know that this is the first time that Erid, Thorne and Sten and I have all been here together.

“I like the house,” Thorn says.

“It’s small,” Sten comments. “And it needs furnishings.”

“You did a good job, son. Reminds me of the domicile my great-uncle created.”

“Which great-uncle?”

“You never met him. He left and moved to the fire island.”

“Oh, that's why we have relatives there to this day?”

“Yes. And he also built his own lodge there by hand. Still standing to this day. I think they've turned it into overnight lodging.”

My mother comes back downstairs with all the other humans in tow. “I'm taking Stella with me to town,” she announces. “Your female doesn't have the right kind of clothes and this needs to be fixed immediately.”

“Immediately?” I grin, doubting the emergency of the situation.

“We'll take her shopping and make sure she has everything she needs and then we will bring her back.”

I stand, walk over and take Stella’s hand and gently pull her aside. “Is this what you want? My mother means well, but she is also extremely bossy. Are they talking you into something that you don't want? You don't have to do this. You could just stay here.”

“I can hear every word you’re saying,” my mother grouses.

“No, I want this,” Stella tries to whisper, but her voice carries. “I like the idea of spending time with your mother and Lucy and Mica. But you’ll have to watch the kittens while I'm gone. They're in the cage and they've been fed so it's easy. If you leave to go back to work, just make sure they are still in that cage.”

“I will.” I look over her shoulder at my mother. “She needs to nap every day. Bring her back in a few hours.”

Stella waves a hand. “Oh, I don't always need a perfect nap in a bed. If it turns out we’re pressed for time, maybe I can doze off in the car on the way back, as long as no one minds me doing that.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll care for her.”

“As long as they treat you well.”

“They will.” Stella smiles up at me and then gets on her tiptoes and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Goodbye, Rake. I'll see you later.”

I stand on the porch, sipping at my fire ale as I watch my mother and all three humans get into my mother’s luxury vehicle and drive away. My father, brothers, Burl and Erid are all standing behind me. Burl and Thorn each hold a child in their arms.

“This is going to be a good match,” Thorn says. “I think through that random purchase you got lucky and found someone right for you.”

“I agree.” My father grunts

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