Page 28 of Wrong Turn, Right Bear
I leaned over the back of the couch. “Not 12’s or 13’s?”
He placed two fingers between his brows and squinted. “These creases are like the number 11.”
I tossed a cushion at his head but he ducked. “You’re so lucky you didn’t say lines.”
“Would there have been a difference? Creases? Lines? Does one suggest aging more than the other?”
Another cushion went flying and he caught it. “Our baby will be perfect whether human or shifter. Ask me how I know?”
I rolled my eyes, expecting him to make a joke. “Go on.”
“Because we’re the little one’s parents and we’re cool.”
“Though you said you were hot and I suspect there’s only one cool person here and it’s me.”
My mate handed me a cup of steaming hot chocolate. “Maybe some of your coolness will rub off on me.” He kissed my nose.
“Doubt it.” I sighed. “You’re either born cool or you’re not.”
“Okay. Let’s be serious for a minute. You’re worried that if the baby is a shifter, you won’t have anything in common.”
He’d guessed correctly. How could I guide and teach my little one if they could turn into a bear? Their beast might hate me.
“Dad’s are supposed to be someone their kids can look up to?”
“Right. And what makes you think our child won’t love and admire you? In the space of two days, your world was turned on its head. Most humans wouldn’t have coped with what you discovered. You have more courage in your little finger than many people have in their heart. Our baby will look up to you as someone to emulate.”
FOURTEEN
THEO
I was in our temporary office aka the spare bedroom.
I’d finally convinced Ash we needed a proper office near the lake and restaurants where the tourists milled about. And while many of them booked online, cutting out the need for face to face contact, there were a lot of older folks who visited Boulder Pass year round. Not all of them were computer savvy.
But even if they were, coming face to face with our headquarters as they finished their swim or as they strolled along the lake eating ice cream piqued their curiosity.
For now I was working from home while the new headquarters was being finished.
The front door banged and I glanced up. Ash was supposed to be gone all day, leading a group of hikers up the valley.
“It’s me.” Mollie. Maybe she’d come to rescue me from paperwork and permits.
“That’s enough for today.” She held out both hands and I took them, pleased to be given even a minute’s respite from work.
“A day off sounds amazing but with the baby coming, I need to get everything in order.” Once our little one arrived, I would have limited time—or perhaps none—for the first few months.
“Nope, I have my orders.” She opened the shoe cupboard and picked up the infamous hiking boots before replacing them. “Sneakers are fine for where you’re going.”
The last part of that sentence was ominous. Good guys said that to bad guys at the end of a movie when the baddies were headed to prison.
Mollie grabbed my coat and sun visor and steered me to the car. I had stopped driving because it was uncomfortable with my big belly.
“Are you taking me out to lunch? Because I have to warn you, I have a huge appetite.” After having to force myself to eat in my first and early second trimesters, I now relished the taste and aroma of food. All food.
“Not exactly. You are going to eat but not with me.”
“Oh gods, is Ash expecting me to give him head? I can’t get on my knees.”
