Page 6 of Rumble of the Crumble

The words ‘we’ll see ‘bout that’ made my tummy buzz at how he didn’t suggest he would. “I’d like that,” I admitted, feeling flustered.

Having time to relax was a rarity since we arrived in Valentine. Between the matings, the abductions, and the babies, I don’t think I’d relaxed for a second.

Butch jumped out of his vehicle and around to my door before I had a chance to move. He opened it like I was someone special and guided me up the stoop to his front door, his hand tucked under my elbow.

“Wait! The meat.”

He jogged back down the stoop, reached into the car, and pulled out the pack of steaks. Then he joined me again.

His home was exactly as I expected. Basic, comfy furniture, no photos or homey touches. It was the place for someone who didn’t spend much time here but needed to relax when he did.

“We need to get the grill on.”

He led me through to the garden, which was even more basic. A patio with a grill and a large bed, presumably where he slept.

Butch caught me gazing at the soil. “I have a normal bed, too.”

“Huh?” I turned, and the corner of his mouth quirked up.

“I have a normal bed in my bedroom. Sometimes I need a mattress to sleep on.”

“Oh.”

“It must seem odd to you, spending time in the dirt.”

I shrugged. “You’re shifters. We’ve all got different needs. At least you don’t cannibalize each other.”

He stared at me. “What?”

“It was something Doc Picker said about potato shifters. They have to eat parts of the potato when they mate.”

“That’s just weird.” Butch sounded vaguely disgusted.

I snorted. “It takes all sorts in our wacky world.” I meant it as a joke, but he nodded like I’d said something profound.

“You’re right. Who’d have thought to put lions and rhubarbs together?”

Butch left it at that as he fired up the grill.

“Who’d have thought?” I whispered, my heart pitter-pattering at how much the idea wanted to grow on me.

Chapter Four

Butch

I think Leonidis expected to man the grill, but in my house, I’m alwaysthe stalk in control of the grill.

“I’m a lion,” he said dubiously, when I unwrapped the steaks. “I like them mooing.”

“Show it the grill and put it on the plate. Understood.” My mate didn’t look convinced I could cook to order, but he nodded and didn’t take over. Instead, he helped prepare a large salad while I sliced zucchini, squash and bell peppers for me.

“Why do you have a grill?” he asked. “You don’t eat meat. I thought you took your food from the soil.”

“I bought it initially because I have out-of-town friends who are carnivores,” I explained. “But I like to spend an evening relaxing on the patio, eating grilled vegetables too. Crimson sometimes joins me for dinner. We discuss anything we need to about Valentine over a meal.” I smiled wryly. “We discovered there are fewer arguments that way. She likes my cooking.”

Leonidis couldn’t hide a sudden frown. “You and Crimson?”

“She’s Valentine’s alpha and I’m the sheriff,” I pointed out as I started grilling my vegetables. They would take longer than the steaks. “The town is our responsibility. Even in a little town like ours, there’s always trouble.” I felt rather than saw him twitch. “Even before your pride arrived, there were always young stalks getting up to mischief and out-of-towners causing chaos.”

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