Page 36 of Abundant Moon
“I’ll do the cleanup and leave the cooking to you then. How did you get started in the business?”
“I got a job at the Grand Rapids Press right out of college, assisting the local food critic for articles in the dining and entertainment section. I made all the arrangements, took the photos, and gathered information needed for the final piece. The guy was an idiot who couldn’t tell the difference between a hot dog and pheasant under glass. For some reason the readers liked him, despite his big mouth and attitude.
“Anyway, he was a bit too fond of the drink as they say, and I got stuck protecting the newspaper’s reputation. One day he showed up for an assignment drunk as a skunk, and passed out in the car. I took his place, submitted the article under my own name, and demanded they give me the job. Ancient history now!”
When they sat down to eat, Ash took the conversation to the next level.
“So what are your plans? I don’t want to leave here, but you already have a career and... what I’m trying to say is I won’t hold you back. I can’t be away from you, Robbie, so if it means moving somewhere else...”
Robert stopped eating, placing his fork down on the table. Ash’s scent revealed the depth of his displeasure at the thought of leaving Gladstone, and Robert loved him all the more for even suggesting it. He got up and slid onto his mate’s warm lap.
“Thank you. That’s the sweetest offer I’ve ever had, and I don’t deserve it. I don’t exactly know what I’m going to do yet, but I want to stay here with you, Donna, Erin, and all the others. This is my home now, and we aren’t going anywhere.”
Ash’s scent changed abruptly and he pulled Robert into a scorching kiss of thanks.
“I’m sure glad to hear it, babe. I’ll help you figure it out, and I earn enough money to keep us afloat while you make up your mind. Are you OK with living here in the apartment? I’m saving to buy one of the new cabin style homes we’re going to start building in the spring, but if you’d rather have something else we can...”
Robert silence him with a soft kiss, pulling back to reassure his mate.
“Ash, honey, I’d live in cardboard box as long as you’re with me. There’s no need to decide everything today; we have plenty of time. Actually, Donna showed me the plans for those homes, and I absolutelylovea couple of the floorplans. Since you’re going to help build them, why don’t you tell me all about it while we finish breakfast. Afterwards, you’re going to pound me into the mattress like you promised a few days ago. How about it?”
Ash never talked or ate so fast in his life.
Chapter 20
LRC RECORDING STUDIO, Mid-February
“And cut! Why don’t you gentlemen take ten while we check the recordings?”
Robyn waddled over to the work station to view the footage with Jonah. With only six weeks until term, her twin-filled abdomen grew exponentially by the day. Though moving slower, she was sassier than ever and feeling just fine, thank you. Jonah marveled at her selfless attitude in bringing Jack and William’s children into the world. It defied everything he knew about his best friend, but never once considered teasing her.
William, who’d been watching in the background, leaned over to kiss her cheek, and followed Jack and Evan to the small kitchen in search of a cool drink. He doted on her more than Jack, and Jonah wondered how much they would miss her constant presence in their lives after the babies were born. Another new experience for Gladstone, though there were reports of Triad Mates in other packs – all due later than Robyn. Jack remained confident things would turn out fine, without acrimony or drama, even as the rest of Gladstone collectively held their breath.
The Delta school module they were working on today focused on the recent incident with Robert and how the True Elders were able to rescue the poor man from a horrible fate. All agreed to keep his identity a secret, using only a pseudonym and no identifying personal information. When Jack initially reported the event to Alpha Sheppard, the man demonstrated extreme interest. For modern shifters, this was an almost unheard of problem, eliciting both curiosity and sympathy for Robert’s situation.
He and Ash were only now settling into what might be considered a normal life for a mated pair. Claiming a family emergency, Robert put his travel schedule on hold to give he and Ash more time to get acquainted and discuss their future. His wolf remained unpredictable in his demands to run free, meaning Robert dared not leave Gladstone until the dust settled. Practically speaking, he now dressed in cheap, simple clothing in the event his wolf decided to initiate a shift without warning. Ash began carrying a backpack with extra clothing and shoes whenever they left the apartment, just in case.
Robyn and Jonah approved the film footage and sound quality, moving the project to post-production. Now at the end of her half-day shift, Robyn and her mates took their leave of Jonah, on their way to visit Katrine, Mandy and the girls before heading home. He’d be seeing them soon enough at tonight’s combined celebration and pack meeting; after a quiet afternoon by himself.
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NEW MOON ARTIST’S CO-Op
Mandy reached out to put up the ‘CLOSED’ sign when Jack opened the door for his mates. The shop hours only lasted until noon for the winter, and normally her family of four would be preparing to go home by this time. She waved the trio inside, locking the door after them.
