“Too much information, folks. This is where I leave you.” Connor bent over and kissed the baby on the head. “See you around, little Lloyd. Look after those crazy parents of yours.”
As he walked away, Connor’s mountain lion made an appearance.We want to make cubs, too.
“Yeah, I know,” he assured the beast in quiet tones. “It’ll happen. Just you wait.”
It would happen. He and Elaine had even begun talking about expanding their family, but neither of them had a definite timeline. They wanted to enjoy each other first. There was no rush. Their relationship had begun in sadness and grief. Right now, it just felt so good to wake up in each other’s arms, grateful for another day. They wanted to make the most of each day they were granted. Every night, they came together, their bodies and minds in harmony. In fact, Connor had discovered his new favorite activity, falling asleep with Elaine curled up next to him. Nothing gave him a greater sense of peace than to close each day with his woman’s hair brushing his cheek. Life was perfect. A baby would be wonderful, but he wasn’t about to mess with perfection. It would happen when it was meant to happen.
As Connor passed by one of the cabins, a loud cymbal crash disrupted his train of thought. It was followed by therat tat tatof a drum.
Of course, the sound came from Soren and Gioia’s cabin. Spying an open window, Connor approached and peered inside. He couldn’t help himself. Soren might be a good friend, but he was also a famous drummer, and Connor liked catching him at practice now and again.
Instead of Soren, young Gunnar was seated at the drum kit, working up a sweat.
Soren stood in front of him, conducting. “One, two, three, four! That’s it, dude. That rhythm is sick.”
At the far end of the room, Gioia was seated, knitting. She bobbed her head as her men practiced the tricky percussion piece.
Gunnar spotted Connor and waved, twirling his drumsticks, just like Soren always did. Gioia looked up and waved as well.
Soren walked to the window. “Connor. Bonfire tonight. Bring your family. What do you say?”
My family. He would never stop getting a thrill from hearing that. “We’ll be there.” He nodded at the teen. “Keep up the good work, Gunnar.” With another wave, he left them. Knowing how much Soren loved practicing with his stepson, Connor didn’t want to disturb them any longer.
He checked his watch as he cut across another path. In a nearby clearing, he saw Byron, Percy, and Suzan. The three of them kneeled in the dirt near one of the flowerbeds, digging out some old undergrowth.
Aside from being artists in their spare time, both Percy and Byron were landscapers at the resort. They’d obviously convinced their mate to spend a day in the muck with them. From Suzan’s flummoxed expression, she must not enjoy getting her hands dirty in this fashion.
“Don’t we have some sort of machine to do this work?” Suzan asked.
Byron laughed. “Come on, gorgeous. Are you telling me you’re afraid of a little dirt?”
“I’m not afraid of dirt. I just don’t like putting my trowel in the ground and accidentally slicing the worms in half.”
Percy pulled a big, fat worm from the ground and held it up. “Do you prefer your worms whole?”
Suzan jumped. “Connor,” she called, spotting him. “Would you please tell my mates their chances of remaining happily married depends on their ability to get the worms out of my face?”
“Percy. Byron.” Connor shook his head. “I learned not to dangle worms in front of a woman’s face in grade school. You are seriously behind the times.”
“Thank you, Connor,” said Suzan, trying not to grin.
Percy held the worm closer to Suzan’s hand. “But I think this one likes you.”
“He wants to come home with us,” said Byron.
Suzan shuddered, making her men laugh.
“If you don’t put the worm down now,” warned Suzan, “you can take it to bed instead of me.”
As Byron and Percy disposed of the worm, groveling before their woman, Connor made his exit.
Shifter men might be dangerous predators when roused, but when threatened with lack of sex, they became pussycats.
As he continued toward the dock, he encountered Anton and Marci. The couple stood under a linden tree, gazing at one another. Their hands were linked. Anton stroked Marci’s hand and brought it to his lips. She lowered her head and nuzzled against his chest.
Sensing a private moment, Connor turned. He didn’t want to disturb them.
However, Anton spotted him and waved him over. “Hey, Connor. How are you?”
