“Wait,” I said as it dawned on me. “You’re notreallygoing to—”
Morgan’s body tensed to spring. He went from zero to a hundred, bolting across the grass like he was flying. Then, at the moment it seemed too late, he kicked off, his hooves hitting the ground as hard and fast as a bullet. Clods of dirt sprayed out behind him as he leapt.
Time slowed as his body sailed through the air. My heart raced. The fence seemed too high—six, seven feet, I wasn’t sure—but I thought there was no way Morgan would make it. He would scratch his belly, or get his legs tangled in the links, or—
“Morgan!” I cried out.
I couldn’t take my eyes off his graceful form. His front legs extended out in front of him, and his back legs tucked neatly underneath his body.
“Whoa,” Remington murmured, his eyes just as wide as mine.
Just as quickly as he’d started his charge, it was over. Morgan landed nimbly on the other side of the fence in one piece, with nary a scratch on his hide.
He shot me a cocky glance and pawed at the grass with his hoof proudly. “Yes, Dax. I really am going to make that jump.”
Me and Remington scrambled through the hole to join him. We briefly resumed human form so I could hug him to death.
“You scared the piss out of me,” I mumbled into his neck as I embraced him.
“You wouldn’t be scared if you knew deer can clear a six-foot fence easily,” he teased.
“Hmph. It’s not that I doubt you. It’s just my job to worry about you.” My hand on his back slid gently down to his belly. “And the baby you might be carrying now.”
Morgan’s eyes softened. He kissed my nose. “I don’t do stupid things, Dax. I’d never push myself unnecessarily.” He smiled and it made his whole face glow. “I wouldn’t put our baby in danger, ever.”
“I know, my love.”
Morgan blushed. God, he was gorgeous. I caressed his cheeks, soaking in the beauty of his mature face. The single silver strand in his thick brown hair was sexy as fuck.
A soft groan from ahead interrupted us.
“If you guys are done, can we get a move on?” Remington called. “If you stop to kiss every five minutes, we’ll never get there.”
I snorted while Morgan stifled a laugh. “Come on, before Remmy abandons us.”
* * *
When we reachedthe familiar alcove of Dr. Pine’s home, my heart skipped. Before now, everything had a dreamlike quality, but now faced with the looming reality, I had to prepare myself for the possibility that things wouldn’t go according to plan. I’d always been a realist, never an optimist like Sage or an idealist like Hugo. I didn’t get my hopes up because it was easier not to.
But that changed when I met Morgan.
His hand roamed up my arm in a calming gesture, and to rouse me from my thoughts.
“Well?” Morgan asked. “Is this the place?”
“Yes. I’m just a little nervous now that we’re actually here.”
Morgan briefly rubbed his cheek against mine, like a deer would do. “It’s going to be fine, Dax.”
“If you say so.”
Remington, who had been putting up with our mushiness for the whole journey, sighed and began scampering up the slope towards the alcove. We followed in human form. As we entered the lip of the small cavern, we were greeted by pleasant coolness that was a relief after travelling under the summer sun. Inside was the whimsical scent of herbs and spices and gods knew what else.
Remington had already reunited with Dr. Pine. She was giving him a pat on the head in wolf form and ruffling his fur.
“You came all the way to see me, did you?” Dr. Pine said sweetly.
Remington pointed his snout at us.
