Page 58 of Ash

Anton had never been a father who played games with his son, or even toys. But when he felt like his son might be able to hold carving tools, he'd begun to teach him.

It hadn't been an easy road. Ash could still remember the way he'd cut himself, sometimes deeper than he'd carved the wood, but that's when his bear came in handy.

His father's bear was there to help teach his bear to help heal and even to protect against the dangers that youthful exuberance could cause.

Ash was already designing the headboard for his bed with Suzannah.

He had no skill at drawing, but he could carve the images in his head onto the wood.

His bear puffed with pride inside of him.

Standing on the back step, he smoothed his hand over his shirt hoping that he looked presentable.

And he did.

He hoped.

When Hetty opened the back door, she gave him a smile. "That shirt looks new, Ash Thomas. Are you... going courting?"

His bear chuffed and shook with laughter.

Ash stood up taller and gave her a nod. "Yes, ma'am. Is Suzannah here?"

Hetty gave him a wink and turned back into the room, cupping her hand around her mouth. "Sweetheart? Your beau is here."

Ash heard her before he saw her.

He heard her heart beat faster and the quick steps across the linoleum flooring.

And he heard the quick intake of breath before she appeared in the doorway.

That's when he saw her beauty standing there, her eyes sparkling with joy, and her heart beating sure and true in time with his own.

"Hello, beautiful." He held out the bouquet that he'd picked for her. "I brought you flowers."

Hetty sighed.

Suzannah blushed.

And his bear pushed him forward.

Ash stumbled forward a little, grumbling at his beast.

Before he could ask him why he'd been so rude, Suzannah gave him the answer.

She brought a napkin covered plate out from behind her back and held it out to him. "I made you honey bread rolls."

Yes. Smell that.

His bear was slavering and begging to be released, but he calmed himself when Ash reminded the oversized pooh bear that Suzannah was still getting used to the idea of shapeshifting.

Taste. His bear smacked his lips and slobbered through their link.

Suzannah gave Hetty a kiss on her cheek and stepped outside.

When she reached the ground beside him, Suzannah leaned in for a kiss and he gladly gave her one. Then she moved her hands and the full, unadulterated scent of honey and bread reached him.

He lowered his chin and watched with rapt attention as he pulled a roll from the cluster in the tin she was holding.

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