* * * *
“I think you made my hair too big.” Elaine caught her reflection, her big reflection, in one of the lodge windows as she entered with Fleur and Jani. “Seriously, Fleur, I appreciate you giving me a makeover, but the hair’s in another solar system.”
“It looks great.” Fleur glared. “Stop touching it. And it’s not big. It’s full of body. There’s a difference.”
“Well, maybe I should just pop into the restroom and remove some of the eye shadow. It’s really dark. I’m not used to this shade of gray.”
“I’ve given you a smoky eye, just like the picture in the magazine. It makes your pale eyes pop.” She turned to her mate. “Don’t you think so, Jani?”
“They are popping.” He winked. “You both look beautiful.”
Layla danced in front of them, dragging her brother. Under her winter coat, she wore her new party dress and her puffy boots, but she was more interested in her mom’s ensemble. She kept opening the flaps of Elaine’s coat to look at “Mommy’s party dress.”
Elaine hadn’t dressed up in a long time and was sure she stuck out like seventeen sore thumbs. The paths had all been cleared of snow for the event, so Elaine was able to put on some borrowed heels from Gioia. In them, she felt as tall as the trees.
Her dress, borrowed from Marci, seemed snug, but the girls had assured her it was a perfect fit. Copper in color, it was dotted with a few beads in the same shade. It came down to just below her knees, flaring softly. It was the sort of dress that swished as she walked, the kind that encouraged a woman to take pride in her wiggle. At the same time, it wrapped around her torso like a second skin, plumping up her cleavage. She tried not to look at her décolletage and made a mental note not to bend over during the course of the evening. Nothing like offering the world a peep show.
“This is the biggest party the Ursa has ever seen,” continued Fleur. “And to think you were going to wear jeans.”
“Nice jeans. No holes.”
Fleur put up a hand.
“I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m being silly. I haven’t dressed up in ages. Thanks for helping me, Fleur. You look gorgeous, by the way.”
Fleur twirled and smiled. Dressed in a form-fitting black dress, so different from her customary sneakers and slogan T-shirts, she was a vision of loveliness. She’d lined her eyes in kohl and had thrown on several silver bangles. “Rock chick chic,” she called it. Whatever it was, Jani couldn’t take his eyes off her.
Jani ushered them into the lodge. They all gasped. The Ursa had never looked so beautiful.
The reception area was ablaze with light. Tea lights had been placed in strategic points all over the great room, and everything twinkled. All the new furnishings had arrived, and the sofas were dotted with bright red pillows and attractive throws. Ryland had commissioned some new wood pieces from Byron Moon, their own personal wood sculptor. Although Byron typically created sculptures of animals for the forest pathways, he’d built several gorgeous tables for the facility. The wood grain shone under the many lights. His brother, Percy, a landscape painter, had provided his own works of art in the form of several paintings. And Fleur, who was turning into a photographer extraordinaire, had offered her talents as well in the form of numerous photos capturing the local wildlife.
Fleur squealed when she saw her photos hanging in the room. “Look!” She dragged Jani off to check a couple of them out.
Jani grinned, so proud of his mate, had no choice but to follow her.
“Mommy,” said Andy, craning his neck. “It’s all sparkly.”
She’d slicked his hair back for the evening, but she couldn’t resist ruffling it. “It is, baby. It’s beautiful.”
“Wow. So are you.”
Elaine turned upon hearing the deep voice. Connor stood before them. Although he was scheduled to work security the first couple of hours, he’d been given the rest of the evening to enjoy himself. Rather than wearing a uniform like the hired security personnel, he wore a suit, a nice one. It was black and cut perfectly, showing off the bulges at his arms and shoulders. He’d slicked his hair back as well and looked like a grown-up, hairier version of Andy. His tie caught her eye. Its striking blue color looked familiar.
Elaine had to remind herself to breathe. “Thanks. You look, um…”
“Daddy Connor!” Andy jumped into Connor’s arms.
Connor’s worried gaze flicked toward her.
“That’s a new thing. I’ve been trying to explain…”
“Andy, come here, little man.” Connor put him on the ground and crouched next to him. “I’m honored you would call me that, but you know I’m not your dad, right? Lloyd was your real dad and the best one a kid could ever hope for. You understand that, right?”
“Yeah, I know. I just like saying it.” His finger slipped toward his nose, but Elaine brushed it away. “Should I call you uncle again?”
“That would be great.” He held up his hand. “Fist pump?”
Andy fist pumped him, and they both said “Whoosh” and pretended to make hand explosions.
