Page 51 of Baby and the Beast

Casimir stood abruptly, moving to stoke the fire. His broad back was tense. "I can take you if you think it's safe for her to be out in this weather."

Nash gaped at him. "What? You'd do that?"

"Weather might give us a window," Casimir said, still facing away. "Two, three days maybe."

"But you don't even know if this place exists. Why would you help us?"

Casimir turned, his expression unreadable. "You need to get there. I know these mountains. Makes sense."

Nash studied him, sensing there was more to it than simple practicality. The big man had barely spoken about himself in the days they'd been here, but Nash had seen how gently he handled Copper, how his eyes softened when he thought no one was watching.

"What about your home? Your supplies?"

Casimir shrugged. "I can come back after."

Nash felt a strange tightness in his chest. "I don't want to take you from your life."

"My life?" Casimir's laugh was brief and humorless. "This isn't living, Nash. This is surviving."

The words hung between them. Copper stirred, making small noises that indicated she'd be hungry soon. Nash adjusted her in his arms, mind racing.

"What if it's not there?" he asked quietly. "What if I've dragged my daughter across the country for nothing? I mean, she's a shifter baby, so she's sturdy, but even so."

Casimir came to sit across from him. "Then we figure something else out."

"We?"

Casimir looked away, seeming surprised by his own words. "You won't be alone."

Nash swallowed hard. The promise in those simple words meant more than Casimir could know. He'd been alone since leaving his territory—truly alone for perhaps the first time in his life. Foxes were social creatures, despite their reputation. The isolation had worn on him almost as much as the physical hardship.

"Why?" Nash asked again. "Why help us?"

Casimir was silent for so long Nash thought he wouldn't answer. Then, in a voice so low, Nash had to strain to hear:"Because I couldn't save someone once. And I've been paying for it ever since."

Nash's eyes went to the scars on Casimir's face. He wanted to ask, but the pain in Casimir's expression stopped him.

"If you're going to take us," Nash said instead, "there's something you should know."

Casimir raised an eyebrow.

"The rescue center... it's not just for shifters in trouble. It's also for humans who've been affected by shifter politics. People who've lost their homes, their families." Nash hesitated. "People who need a fresh start."

Understanding dawned in Casimir's eyes. "You're saying I could stay."

"If you wanted," Nash said carefully. "It might be better than this... surviving."

"You don't know what I've done," Casimir said, his voice rough.

"I know what you've done for us," Nash countered. "That counts for something."

Copper began to cry in earnest, and Casimir stood. "No," he said. "I'll take you, then come back."

Baby and the Beast

Chapter Five

Casimir heard the baby crying as soon as he opened the cabin door to come inside to get breakfast after checking the property and making sure they weren’t attracting any hungry visitors, but no, both sheds were secure and dry. He paused after he’d shut the door and removed his boots and jacket because Copper was crying fit to bust. Then he heard the shower running.

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