The solemn look came with a nod. He stroked a hand over Taggart’s head before doing the same to Soren. “I’ll be careful, I promise.” Seconds later he left, closing the door too, but he didn’t shut it completely.
Taggart sagged back against the soft pile of pillows behind him, glancing at Soren. “Thank you for keeping me safe.”
Soren kissed him with a fierceness that left Taggart’s heart pounding, while gentle fingers stroked Taggart’s cheeks. “You did the same for me. We are family, and we have to take care of each other.”
He was right, and Taggart took solace from that as they snuggled and picked at the food slowly while his mind raced with ways to ‘work smarter’ like Arlo needed him to. He wasn’t sure how much damage had been done to his equipment, but it didn’t matter because one visit to his storage container, where he kept a supply of electronics in case something happened, would fix that.
Thinking smarter, yeah, he could do that. He had to, lives depended on it.
Soren
He could feel his mate sinking into his thoughts, and decided the best thing he could do was distract him. Arlington’s words, about working smarter and putting an end to the council for good, had no doubt sent his mate’s mind whirling as it filled withideas and possibilities. That was okay for tomorrow, but not for today. Today, Soren wanted to think about a future where there were no icky things coming for them when they were just trying to live their lives.
And speaking of life.
Soren pressed his cheek against Taggart’s shoulder, nuzzled and hugged him a little tighter. “When I was in the kitchen cooking, I started thinking about the backyard, our wallow and the little garden patch I’m planning to put in.” Soren lightly stroked his mate’s side as he spoke. “It’ll be awesome to cook with fresh herbs, especially when I make cheesy stuffed shells and meatballs. I love the smell of fresh basil and rosemary.”
“Mmm, cheese stuffed shells and meatballs sound wonderful,” Taggart murmured, licking his lips.
“I’ll make some as soon as I get the kitchen back in working order,” Soren promised. “I’ll even make a loaf of garlic bread to go with it.”
“Yummy.”
“There was something else I was thinking about, for outside,” Soren admitted, holding Taggart’s gaze.
“What’s that?”
“A bird bath fountain big enough that a meerkat could fit too.” Soren grinned widely. “With sweet-smelling flowers all around the base. We can nap in between them and feel the sun warm us while we listen to the wind chimes.”
“There aren’t any wind chimes,” Taggart said with a heavy sigh. “I kept meaning to pick some up, but when I remembered, I couldn’t find any I liked the sound of, then I’d forget about wanting them until I was sitting back there alone, listening to the crickets.”
“Why don’t we pick some out together the next time we pick up supplies,” Soren suggested. “And I’d bet we could make some suncatchers too, if we picked up some things from the craft shop.That way we can watch the colorful light slash across the ground while we sunbathe.”
Taggart’s eyes grew bright and sparkly. “Sounds wonderful.”
The whole time they talked, Soren kept caressing him, wanting to keep his mind on the moment and the outdoor oasis they were planning.
“How hard would it be to plant berry bushes along the fence line, so we’d always have plenty for jam or jelly, or just to snack on?” Taggart asked eagerly.
“Easy, we’d just need to figure out which ones grow the best in this region,” Soren explained. “Then we can pick from there. I can make syrup from them too. And muffins. And cobbler. Lots of yummies, really, especially in the fall. Fresh baked pies, breakfast tarts and Danishes.”
“Stop, stop, stop, you’re makin’ me hungry.”
“I’m making myself hungry, too,” Soren admitted, giggling. “The best part will be just eating berries fresh off the bush, sun-warmed. You in your meerkat form standing on your hind legs to grab all the ones you can reach. Me perched on a branch, deep in the bush, pecking away at them in between tweets.”
“I’m going to love listening to you sing for me.”
“And I’m going to love tweeting away happily while we enjoy our time out there,” Soren declared. “It’s gonna happen. Today might have delayed things a little, but we’ll have all of that and more. I can’t wait to tend to the bushes and flowers and start pruning the herbs in the garden. It’ll be peaceful being among the plants in any form.”
“Will you teach me how to care for them, too?” Taggart asked, his brows merging in concentration.
Soren nodded excitedly. “Of course. We can do it together when you’re not busy working.”
“I-I think I might need you to come and find me when you are ready to do it, so I won’t lose whole days in my office, staringat screens. I can’t remember the last time I went outside in the middle of the afternoon just to enjoy the sunshine.”
“Is it because you were lonely and it was easier to get lost in your work than to think about the things you didn’t have?” Soren asked, trying to be both blunt and gentle.
“Definitely. I love my home, but sometimes it was hard to enjoy it when I was by myself.”
