Easier said than done, of course, but every time the urge to word-vomit on him grew too strong, I would look at the peaceful expression on his face while he rested, and that would give me the fortitude to hold on a little longer. Leo was my top priority. Even if his feelings had changed, I still wanted him to be his best. To be happy, healthy, and whole.
So, my day passed with relatively little drama. The biggest discomfort I endured was sleeping on a pile of blankets on my bedroom floor. I was sure Leo would be more than happy to share the bed with me, but that would make me far too anxious. I was an active sleeper, often tossing this way and that, so the thought of my nighttime antics making Leo lose even a few moments of sleep was simply too much. No, I could sacrifice a few nights of sleep to ensure Leo healed properly.
Ricky arrivedat about noon the next day, hauling two deer carcasses. My mouth watered at the thought of so much fresh venison.
“Please tell me you know how to process that?” I said as he made his way past my greenhouse.
Thankfully, he did know, and by dinner that night I had a whole venison roast in the oven, and Ricky went into town to buy potatoes. It required the last of the cash I had on me, but I took comfort in the fact that my bills were paid, and I still had a hundred dollars in my bank account thanks to the money I had deposited from my time gardening at Chadwicke’s estate. Was that enough for the coming month? No. But I still had time. And once Leo was on his feet, I would go back to working full timeat the grocery store. Hopefully, I’d also be able to pick up one or two extra shifts. The overtime would definitely help me.
Just before dinner, Leo sat up in bed, his nose in the air. “That smells delicious. What is that?”
It was the first time he’d commented on smelling anything or shown much interest in food since we’d brought him home.
“I’m roasting some venison. Ricky brought two deer back from his hunt.” Thanks to his huge haul, I was pretty much set on protein for at least the month if I was smart about it, even with four shifters in my house. Granted, if it was only me, two deer probably would have lasted me nearly a year.
“Venison?”
I swear to God, Leo actually licked his lips. If it were any other moment, I had no doubt my eyes would greedily follow his tongue, but considering the situation, I managed not to be a complete hornbag.
“I can’t even remember the last time I had venison in my human form...”
The sterner, more anxious part of me insisted he was still in far too delicate a position to handle something with butter, so many spices, and the thick gaminess to it. But that part ultimately lost out to the mother hen inside me.
“You know, as long as you have some water with it and chew very thoroughly, I don’t see why you couldn’t have a small piece.”
The smile that spread across Leo’s features made my stomach flip. “Well, if the doctor says so.”
And there I was, grinning back at him like a buffoon, but I didn’t care. Because only a couple of days earlier, I’d wondered if I’d ever joke or laugh with him again.
Then Leo’s smile faded ever so slightly.
“What is it?”
“I… I don’t want to push things, but I would like to sit at the kitchen table with everybody else.”
I hesitated. While I knew it was quite beneficial for humans to have positive interaction during the healing process, I worried about pushing things too far too soon. But really, since wolves were pack animals, what if that healing effect was even more exaggerated?
“I’m a little concerned about the stairs,” I answered honestly. If Leo had earned anything at that point, it was honesty.
Leo grimaced, and I was relieved that he understood where I was coming from. “You’re not wrong on that point. I think I could get down them, but I don’t know if I could get back up.”
While I appreciated that he took my objection seriously, his crestfallen expression made my heart ache. He asked for so little, I had to find a way to accommodate him.
“I’m sure Ricky would be more than happy to help you down and up the stairs, if you’re comfortable with that.” I said it gingerly, because even though Leo and Ricky were close, I would understand if the alpha’s pride was a little fragile. Leo took pride in being a large, strong man who could take care of others. While I liked to think he could trust his beta enough to help him up and down the stairs, I’d understand if it was too much for him right now.
To my relief, Leo’s smile returned full force. If only all of our troubles could be resolved by leaning on a friend.
“As long as he doesn’t drop me, I’m game.”
“I’ll go ask him. But first, I need you to promise me that you won’t push yourself too hard. If you feel yourself starting to tire out, if sitting up becomes painful, I need you to tell me immediately. Will you do that?”
“I sure will. Scout’s honor.”
“I’ll go talk to Ricky, then. He’s out watering the plants.”
I’d told myself that this was the year I got sprinklers for all the parts of my garden, but my unexpected guests and their considerable dietary needs had pretty much postponed that until the next growing season. However, it was quite difficult to be resentful of that when they were more than happy to water my garden for me. Hell, it certainly saved me a lot of time.
“Sounds good.”
