Page 91 of Sass in the Grass

“Yes. I really don’t mean to be this way!”

“Honey, I’m not offended. You’ve been the way you are for a long time. You used it as a shield. You just don’t need that shield with me.”

Jovian’s hand covered his, well, as much as his little hand could. “I know that.”

“Good. That means a lot. Now, finish eating. I have an early class, and I’m sure your friends would love to spend a little time with you.”

“Why?”

There it was, that insecurity he had that never stopped taking him down into dark places. “Jovian, they like you. They put up with your mouth and attitude before I ever did. Stop worrying they’re after something.”

“How did you know that?”

“Because I’m a quick study of subjects I like. And I enjoy studying you. Now, eat!”

“Yes, Daddy,” he purred.

“Stop. I cannot fuck you right now, even if I am dying to! Eat!”

The giggle that came then just tugged on his heart and made him laugh, too.

They got ready and took off from the cabin, but didn’t get far before Cherokee noticed some tracks on the trail.

They were faint, as it hadn’t rained recently, and were just in the soft soil. Pointed to the camp. He kneeled on the ground to assure they were what he thought, and Jovian joined him. “What is it? A wolf?”

“Jovian, there are few wolves left in Colorado, and this isn’t one. Much too big. We had this class. What is it?”

Jovian lowered his head to get closer, then took out his phone and took a picture, spreading his fingers on the screen to enlarge it. “The foot pads or whatever, they’re rounder, and there are three…what are they called?”

“Lobes.”

“Right. Three lobes on bottom and rounder on top. And the toes aren’t even, so it’s not a dog or wolf or…wait…I know this…coyote! It’s not…”

“Any canine.”

“Right! So…” he lifted himself and then slowly turned to Cherokee. “It’s a cat! A mountain lion!”

“That’s right. Very good.”

Jovian’s eye cut back to the phone and then to the print on the ground. “They’re pointed to the camp!”

“Yes, they are. Do you have any bars?”

“One, yeah!”

“Give it to me,” he said, then took the phone. After calling the office, True answered, “Pride Camp, Trudeau Phillips, speaking.”

“True, it’s Cherokee. We’ve got a big cat coming toward you. The prints are pretty fresh. I’m heading back to the cabin to get a rifle. Get yours out and call Parks and Wildlife.”

“On it. Be safe.”

“You too and get the campers into the Mess Hall or cabins and keep them there until we find the thing.”

“I will.”

When he looked back at Jovian, he saw his boy was pale and shaking terribly. He gathered Jovian into his arms and carried him quickly back to the cabin, placing him on the bed. “Baby? Are you okay?”

“There’s a lion! An actual lion headed for the camp!”

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