Page 9 of Ultimate Freedom

Pearlie ran to greet him and nuzzled her face against his shoulder as if she knew where his recent wounds had been the worst. He nudged her gently with his head before she ran back to where Glen’s lap waited.

Demi couldn’t let the large animal leave without the treat she’d saved. “Nito. Come here. I have a present for you too.”

The wolf, who wouldn’t leave the mat by the door, just stared at her. Then as if he accepted she was fine, he turned around to go back outside. “No, wait.” Demi rose awkwardly from her chair and slowly made her way to the fridge, Whit right beside her.

There she took out a parcel wrapped in butcher paper and found the ham bone she’d saved for the wolf. She lowered it so he could take it from her hand. He hesitated. They hadn’t quite gotten to the point where he accepted food she didn’t just lay in front of him.

She nudged it closer, and he slowly took it and turned to leave.

Whit still beside her in case she needed his support, moved to accommodate the wolf. “I’ll let him out.” He opened the door and purposely patted the animal’s back without flinching with fear. Demi, seeing that move, quickly turned to face him, and saw the pride he couldn’t hide.

Whit and the little bastard had finally made friends.

***

By the time Lexie and Norrie arrived with more gifts and lots of premade food, the cabin smelled like paradise. Between Demi and her two slaves, they’d gotten the dressing made, and the turkey stuffed and into the oven with lots of time to spare.

Later, after unwrapping the pile of gifts from the girls and putting the empty apple pie plates aside, Demi sat back in her chair. Filled with pride, she looked around the room and beamed. Not only had Norrie loved her new sweater but Lexie had seemed to really appreciate the box of cookies and the two jars of jam she’d wrapped up last minute for her.

They all laughed when Rudy mentioned quite loudly how much he loved jam too, angling for some of his own to take home.

“Don’t beg, man. It’s embarrassing.” Glen teased him. “Besides, I know where she hides her stock.”

Once Glen and Rudy relaxed in the living room, talking quietly with Lexie, Norrie sidled over to Whit and Demi who were still at the table. “I have a favor I need to ask, Whit. But if you can’t, I’ll understand. It’s just that I trust you more than anyone. You’ve done it all before. And you’re good—”

“Hey. Stop with the butter. Just spit it out.”

“I need someone to look after the store for a few days. I want to go back to L.A. with Lexie to help her settle things before she moves here for good.”

Whit didn’t hesitate. “Sure. Starting when?”

“Tomorrow?” Norrie’s low voice turned questioning. She winced when she saw his eyes flash. “I know. It’s so soon. But we didn’t think the FBI would want her to return right away. Seems there’s questions they need answers to. Plus, her family hasn’t seen her for some time since she was basically in witness protection. She feels she owes them an explanation. I’m just worried for her to go back there alone.”

Demi saw how much it meant to Norrie and broke in. “We understand, Norrie. The doc went through a tough time with that psycho. It’ll be hard for her to return to the old mess without backup.”

Demi had seen the growing relationship between the two girls and was thrilled for both women who might have thought that romance had passed them by.

She turned to see that Whit was watching her reaction, and she nodded her head encouragingly toward him. “I can help if it’s too much for you alone.”

He began to chuckle, and Norrie shook her head before speaking. “This crazy-assed broad doesn’t get it, does she?”

“Not even a little.” Whit rolled his eyes.

Turning to Demi, Norrie patted her hand jokingly and spoke as if Demi were a child. “Honey. You were shot. You need to rest. You can’t work. Not for some time.”

Making a grotesque face at them both, she pretended to pout. “Fine. I’ll just stay here in the cabin, twiddle my thumbs, and rot away.”

Whit put his arm around her shoulder and asked very seriously, “Are you sure you’ll be able to manage? Glen and Rudy can hang around for a few days. I don’t think his brothers will be here until after the New Year.”

Perking up, losing the pretend act, she said, “Oh well, if they’ll be here, that makes all the difference. I’ll have someone to do my chores… and keep me company.”

As if speaking to a child, she added, “Whit, I’ll be fine. We’ll all be fine. You go and do what you should. If it’s to help Norrie, please don’t stop on my account.”

***

Once he and Norri had settled the details, she knew that the despair she kept hidden stemmed from regret. Again, her fantasies about how she’d make them a romantic dinner and tell him about her past, her feelings for him, and her hopes for their future would have to wait.

It had become very important that she fill him in on all her secrets. And that couldn’t be rushed in the dark before making love. She needed to watch his expressions. See for herself the proof that it wouldn’t matter to him that she had come from such a rotten beginning… an abandoned throwaway.

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