“No, it shouldn’t, and we can totally do this. I’m so excited.” Ryan came to kneel next to him on the pad he’d put down to keep his knees from getting sore. “What can I do to help now?”
“You can take this rasp and start working on shaping the angled edge I want along the top of the hood here. See where I did the initial bit?” He showed Ryan the angle he’d tested, which he thought looked great. It would deepen maybe an eighth of an inch with sanding.
“Sure. I won’t be in your way?”
“Nope. I’m working down at the foot.” He figured as long as neither of them really pushed it back and forth too much, they should be golden.
“Cool. I… thanks for letting me come out. Up. Whatever. I love the home we’re making.”
“Me too. How are you doing with making friends with Ben and Sara and her mate?”
Ryan started filing. “Okay. The kids adore me. But the adults… I think they think I smell funny.”
“What?” He raised his eyebrows at Ryan. “Do they sniff you?”
“Not exactly, but I do see them wrinkling their noses once in a while.”
Liam laughed. “Maybe you need to bathe more.”
“Ha ha, very funny. I’m swimming in the underground pool twice a day, most days.” Ryan waved a hand. “Maybe it’s just like Theo always says. My wolf is playing games and is hiding. If I have one.”
“If Theo thinks that you have a wolf, then you have a wolf. I think—” Liam stopped and kind of grinned over at his brother. “Well, I don’t know what I think. But if there are two of us who can shift. If Theo believes you can, then I imagine it’s just a matter of time. Maybe you have to meet your mate.”
“How weird was it?” Ryan asked. “I mean, to all of a sudden have somebody who was yours.”
“It was wonderful. I didn’t know how to feel. I didn’t know what to do, even.” In fact, it was so overwhelming that sometimes Liam just didn’t think about it because it was so huge. Literally, Theo had called to him in his mind. Seriously, called to him in his mind, and he’d heard it. “It’s wonderful, and I can’t imagine not having him.”
“Well, I’m so glad you found him, just like I’m glad Rory found Fen. I know both of you were so restless.”
“You are too, Ryan. That’s why you came up here.” Liam tilted his head, shaving a little more wood off the end of the footboard of the cradle. “You’ll find what you need. The mountain will provide it. I’m starting to believe that with my whole soul.”
A knock sounded on the closed door, and Theo called out to them. “I’m taking Gael to the pool if you guys want to come.”
“How did he even know we were here?” Ryan murmured.
“I’m starting to think Theo is a little bit like Niall. Maybe a touch of seer in him.” He smiled and called out, “Coming, babe. You just go on ahead.”
“Sounds good. I’ve got towels in the diaper bag and bottles. Someone bring cheese.”
That was a clear and definite order if he’d ever heard one.
“Bringing cheese. Aye, aye, Captain.” Ryan could be such a turd, but it did amuse him to tease Theo, and Theo gave back as good as he got.
“I’ll put the tools away if you go get the food.” That way, he could go see Theo and Gael and give them some kisses maybe before Ryan got back.
“Sounds like a plan.” Ryan put the rasp back on the pegboard before heading off.
Liam carefully stowed everything else, then wiped off sawdust with a towel before going to join Theo down at the pool.
He grinned when he saw his mate walking Gael along the edge of the water. “Hey, love.”
“Hello.” Theo gave him the smile that was always only for him. “How is your secret lab coming along?”
“Good. I’ll be ready to take over the world soon.”
“I would ask what you’re doing, but you never tell me.” Theo chuckled as Gael splashed with his little feet. He was getting so mobile, and he had thought Gael was much younger than he was when they’d first arrived. But he realized that the poor baby had just been undernourished.
“It’s a secret, but I’m sure you have some ideas. How many things could I be doing in a room like that?” Liam moved close to take Theo in his arms from behind, peering over Theo’s shoulder at Gael, who looked so happy to see him. He put his hands on Theo’s belly, which was getting bigger every day, and he felt the flutter of movement under his palm, which made his breath catch and his whole body go on high alert.
