Page 3 of Bigfoot's Wife

I hold up a hand, cutting off her babbling stream of apologies. "It's okay." I force a tight smile. "Really. Water under the bridge."

But even as I say the words, the familiar weight settles on my shoulders. The scandal that robbed me of everything—my reputation, my self-esteem, the career I'd dreamed of since I was a little girl playing school with my stuffed animals. In one fell swoop, I went from Miss McCann, beloved third-grade teacher, to Boom Boom Bambi, the home wrecker who enticed an otherwise pious "man of God" into her sinful web.

Never mind that I had no idea he was married. Never mind that he was the one who pursued me relentlessly, showering me with attention and promises of undying love. In the court of public opinion, I was guilty before the trial even began.

Just then, a tall, broad-shouldered Sasquatch strolls by. I think his name is Colywnn, but honestly, they all look pretty similar to me at this point. All except Olwydd. But that’s only because Olwydd is by far the handsomest of the bunch with his wide nose, high cheekbones, and sculpted muscles under that fine fur. Not to mention his buoyant personality.

"Hey!" Steph calls out, waving him over. "Quick question—do you guys need teachers or teaching assistants to work with the kids here? I'm asking for a friend." She jerks her thumb in my direction, subtle as a sledgehammer.

I open my mouth to protest, but Colywnn's already eyeing me raptly. "Are you interested in a job working with kids?"

"I, uh..." I stammer, caught off guard. "Well, I love kids. I was…used to be… a teacher. Third grade, but?—"

Colywnn's face breaks into a wide grin, revealing a set of surprisingly white teeth and long, fang-like canines. "We're always in need of good teachers," he says. “Actually, you’d be perfect.”

I stare flabbergasted. “I would?”

“Absolutely. We’ve been considering adding a human studies class—human history and culture. Who better to teach it than a human?Would you care to join us today for a trial run?"

For a moment, I'm speechless. Is it really that simple? No resume, no references, no background check, no opening my closet door to reveal the horrible skeletons inside?

I glance to the other women, all watching me with encouraging smiles, then at Colywnn, patiently waiting for my answer and square my shoulders.

"I'd love to."

CHAPTER 2

OLWYDD

Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.

The chair creaks ominously under my weight as I bang my head on my sister’s kitchen table. "I just don't get it, Braith. She runs from me like I'm carrying the plague."

My sister slides a steaming plate of gravy-smothered biscuits in front of me. "Maybe you're coming on too strong, baby brother."

I snort, shoveling a biscuit into my mouth. “Babybrother? I'm a foot taller than you."

"And about a decade younger," she quips, leaning back against the counter. "Now, about this human woman..."

"Bambi," I mumble around a mouthful of biscuit. "Her name is Bambi."

"Right, Bambi. Have you considered that maybe it’s a cultural difference? That maybe humans do the mating thing differently?”

I pause mid-chew, my brow furrowing. "Different how?"

Braith shrugs, her furry shoulders. “How would I know? I’m just saying. Hey, maybe you should ask Gruffydd.”

After all the grief I gave him about Kiki? The mere thought makes me groan aloud, drop my fork onto my plate, and go back to head banging.

Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.

“Hey, knock that off. You’re gonna crack my?—”

Before she can finish, a whirlwind of fur and unbridled energy bursts into the kitchen as my three nephews enter tumbling over each other and chattering a mile a minute.

"Uncle Olwydd!"

“Morning, champ.” I grin as Osian, the oldest at ten, bounds over.

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