“You okay?”
I let out a shaky breath, as though I were trying to laugh. “Yeah, I’m fine. We’re just coming.”
Following him to the front door, I peered out through the little window. The world outside was white, with a grey streak of path going directly to Erik’s car. He’d parked it as close as he could.
I took my time getting to the car and made it safely inside without needing assistance, though I appreciated Erik being nearby. Now I knew he was strong enough to throw me over his shoulder and carry me round, I was pretty sure he could prop me up if I slipped.
Settling in the front seat because that had more room than the back, and it was easier for me to manoeuvre my leg, I smiled as Sonny asked, “Can you put the radio on? They must be playing Christmas songs, right?”
I turned it on and Erik eased the car round the lake towards the road, back towards the village.
Chapter 26
Erik
It had been harder than I expected, letting my mates leave my cottage. And no, there was no doubt in my mind that Declan and Sonny were my mates. My tentacles longed to wrap around them and dig deep into their skin to mark them with our suckers.
That could come later. When they were used to the idea.
In the meantime, I was driving them to someone else’s house for Christmas.
Declan radiated tension and I was sure there was a slight niggling worry in Sonny’s scent, though it was so faint I hadn’t managed to pin-point it yet. It was just enough to make my animal twitchy inside me.
When Sonny had opened the door to the cottage, I’d had to clench my muscles tight and restrain my tentacles because they’d wanted to shoot out of me and shove that door closed so I could keep my mates on the inside, wrapped up tightly with me where I could sooth away that tension and that worry.
I had to take a deep breath to calm myself or I really would half-shift in front of everyone and then my secret would be out. Declan and Sonny didn’t count. They were my mates, I felt safe with them knowing.
I just drove steadily and carefully along the roads, feeling Declan relax slightly when we got to the main roads which were already cleared.
Once I’d parked, I went round to Declan’s side and held the door open for him, wanting to reassure him with my presence and maybe also to make sure his mum – who I knew would have seen us arrive, even if Sonny hadn’t texted as we pulled into her road – saw me treating her son well. Maybe if she knew Declan was being well looked after, she would back off a bit.
Sonny bounded up to the front door, looking excited and adorable in my red scarf and a green hat I’d pulled onto his head before we left the cottage. His hair was still wet and I didn’t want him getting a head cold, especially after his fever.
Lilian greeted us at the door and was gracious, immediately treating me like one of the family and not an interloper.
“I’m so glad to see you all back safely,” she said. I could smell the anxiety in her scent, and it was clear she’d been stewing in it all morning, worrying about Declan on the icy roads. “Why don’t you go through to the living room? Erik, will you pour everyone a drink? Sonny will show you where everything is.”
I was swept inside and kept busy, which I think was Lilian’s way of making sure I was involved. It was also clear that Sonny was very much at home here, possibly more than Declan was. Lilian treated him like an extra son and I realised that something in me reached out, longing for that same thing.
I pushed it down.
As the morning wore on, I tried to watch Declan closely while not looking like I was doing exactly that. I kept my senses open, scenting his change in emotions, watching the minuteexpressions flicker across his face, hearing the tiny change in his tone as he answered questions about why he’d been snowed in for five days.
When it was time for Christmas dinner, we filed into the dining room and I tried not to marvel at the way the table was laid out, glittering with polish and candlelight. It looked magical, the sort of dinner I’d only ever seen in the films.
We sat down and I was grateful to sit beside Declan. That was deliberate. Lilian had sat us beside each other. She was actually very thoughtful, just a worrier.
I wasn’t sure what Declan’s father thought of me or the fact that Declan had suddenly turned up in a relationship with me, until he declared, “You look well together. Congratulations, son,” and apparently thought that was everything he needed to say.
At least he didn’t seem to dislike me.
Lilian made sure everyone was digging in, and I watched from the corner of my eye as she got everyone else’s plate piled high before taking any for herself. Sonny was right about her. She needed someone to look after her as much as Declan and Sonny needed me to look after them.
When the conversation turned to Christmases past, Sonny and Declan leaving for their jobs in the city, and I felt the mood turn maudlin, I decided to try something new. I wanted Declan to talk about the future, not the past.
“I didn’t get a chance to tell you this morning, Declan, but I messaged the practice manager and she said she’d be happy to interview you for the job. She was keen, actually, because we’ve had some bad experiences with agency staff. If she thinks you’re capable and reliable, she’ll sign you up straight away and get you your own mug before you’ve had a chance to sit down.”
Sonny snorted with laughter. He’d had a couple of drinks already and I could tell instantly that he was a lightweight. Isubtly poured him some water and passed it across the table to where he was sitting opposite Declan, hoping the Christmas dinner would soak up the booze.
