Not long after, a brown-coated wolven strides up, extending a paw-like hand to Walt, who takes it in a firm handshake.
“Best of luck tonight, sir,” the wolven says deferentially.
“Thank you, son. I thought my public life was over when I handed the department to you. But here I am back at it, and at a party for myself, no less.” Walt chuckles self-consciously, embarrassed by the attention.
“We’ll be all the better for it. Plus, I look forward to working with you again. We’ve got to keep them on their toes,” the wolven jokes.
Walt turns to me, gesturing back at the wolven. “I’m not sure you’ve met. This is Kiernan Lykander. He worked on my team for years and then took over as the head of the parks department when I retired,” he introduces us.
“Norrell Snowstrider,” I state, grasping his hand in hearty handshake.
“Nice to make your acquaintance. Walt is the best mentor I could have asked for,” Kiernan extols. “This is another good excuse to keep up with our weekly lunches. I think we’re going to have a lot of fun with the upcoming projects I have planned.” He aims a knowing smile at Walt who returns it just as fervently. It seems he handed over his department to a fitting successor.
It is late and Ada is visibly tired, though she tries to fight through it to stay the duration of the party. She leans into my side. I support her by wrapping a hand around her hip to take some weight off her feet. The feel of the curve of her body against mine is bliss. The memory of it does not do justice to the real thing, like her body was made to fit against mine. My attention never wavers from the softness of her body and the cushion of her hip under my hold.
When she sags even further, I reluctantly ask Walt to grab her a chair. I would hold her in my arms, but I know that is only a dream right now. When she takes a seat, I position myself next to her in case she needs anything.
Clancy joins us around midnight, letting us know the results will be tallied quickly. He frowns as he sees Ada sitting in thechair, clearly tired. He then fixes me with a level stare as if I have something to do with her exhaustion. I hold myself back from making a face at him and instead look on as Walt, Acton, and Ada talk to another friend who just arrived.
Clancy’s phone rings and he steps away from us. When he hangs up, he trots to the front of the room and loudly clears his throat.
“The results are in!” Clancy announces. The small crowd hushes to hear him. “The new town council members are Walt Sutton, Bo Aelfric, and Iara Calder! Congratulations to the winners, and especially to our good friend Walt!” Clancy sweeps his arm to Walt who is still standing beside us. The crowd erupts with applause and cheers.
An unmistakable flash of surprise crosses Walt’s features, like he cannot believe he won despite everyone telling him he would. He faces Acton, who pulls him into a crushing hug, his heightened emotions causing a few wayward vines to snake across Walt’s back. Ada jumps up from the chair and joins them, wrapping her arms around them both.
“Do I go up there? Should I say something?” his muffled voice asks them.
Ada’s tinkling laughter travels through the air. “Of course! It’s your moment.”
Walt stumbles toward Clancy, who shakes his hand vigorously and claps him on the back. He then turns around toward the crowd with an awestruck expression on his face. Ada is still laughing, wiping a happy tear from her cheek. She angles her face toward me, so bright-eyed and elated that I am struck by her natural beauty all over again. She leans in for an unexpected hug. My body melts around hers, as I wrap an arm around her lower back and another behind her head, tucking her into my chest snugly but not too tight. I do not want her to feel trapped. She soon shifts so that she stands next to me again but leavesone arm clasped on my shoulder from behind. My hand returns to the curve of her hip, bracketing her to me as she stands for Walt’s speech.
Walt’s voice is endearingly shaky, overcome with the emotion of the moment. “I gave my best years to this town. But I think I have a few more left in me,” he says to more cheers and whistling. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone in this community. You’ve embraced me wholeheartedly over the last fifty years. This town means everything to me. I promise I’ll show up every day doing my best to keep this cherished place strong and thriving. I will never stop nurturing that trust and support you’ve always shown me. I’m the luckiest man alive. I want to thank my niece Ada, who gave me the idea to run for office. And of course, the love of my life, my mate Acton who never wavers in his support for me. I owe this amazing life to him.”
Ada brushes a streak of tears from her cheek as Walt wraps up his short speech. I squeeze her hip as I smile down at her, happy for her and Walt. She looks up at me tenderly and laces her fingers over mine. We stay like that until Walt thanks the crowd again and the party disperses.
Chapter 16
Ada
Cara comes over when I have the house to myself one Saturday morning. Norrell is out at Walt and Acton’s doing some work on Acton’s back garden rainforest project, probably involving heavy lifting.
When she steps inside, she has the same wonderstruck look on her face as she did the first time she saw it. “Can I tell you again how beautiful your house is?” She leans in for a hug, but as soon as we let go, her attention returns to the grand details of the foyer. It’s her first time back here since Samhain.
“Hon, you can say it until you’re blue in the face. I don’t mind a bit,” I joke. “Come in and sit a spell.”
When we settle into the living room with coffee and freshly baked buttermilk biscuits with strawberry jam, the boys join us as I’d hoped, probably because of the food. I promised Cara I’d finally introduce them.
“Are these the famous Vanilla Paws and Earl Grey?” Cara murmurs to the cats.
“Yes, these are theinfamousfluffballs. Traitors to the bone,” I accuse lovingly as I pick up Earl Grey off the floor and set him on the sofa next to Cara. I take my own seat on the sofa opposite.
“You are so cute. Who could stay mad at you anyway?” she croons as she scratches under his gray chin.
“So how is everything going at Ben’s and your place? Do you feel settled in?” I’m curious about her honest response since we’re alone.
“Yes, it was the easiest part of the whole situation. Ben offered to redecorate or get new furniture if there’s anything I don’t like. But why would I change anything? He has fond memories of the furniture and dishes he inherited. Plus, I barely have anything to my name, so a fully furnished house is a dream come true. I don’t think he believes me yet. But we’re getting there,” she says with a quick burst of laughter.
“He just wants to make sure you’re happy. He’ll like it if you put your own touches on the place since it’s your home now too,” I reassure her.
