She winks, pulls open the door, and a chorus of voices greets us; the entire Spellman-Brownlee clan has arrived at the same time. While I expected Jake, as the werewolf alpha, mayor, and fire chief, to be prompt, I’m still surprised a group of faeries can manage to be on time for anything. Miss Dragonfly would have missed her own funeral arrangements if the undertaker and I hadn’t coordinated everything.
As Nash steps through the door, I immediately check the length of his whiskers. Sweet moonglow, his thick brown beard is grazing his belt buckle!
Little Olivia dashes over to me and points at my bandaged arms. “How’d you get all those owies?”
“I had a little accident,” I tell her.
“Do they hurt?” Her green eyes are serious as she gazes up at me.
“They did hurt, but they’re better now.”
“That’s good.” She slips her small hand into mine. “I’ll hold your hand in case you’re scared.” An unexpected lump forms in my throat, and I have to swallow several times.
“Glad to see you’re up and around,” says Catbeam in her screechy voice; everyone else murmurs something similar.
My eyes meet Nash’s, and instead of the fierce scowl I’m expecting, he gives me a slow head nod. “I understand you were looking out for Sophie when you were injured.”
“Yes, sir.”
Nash reaches out his hand and shakes my free one. “Thank you.”
I nod, feeling suddenly embarrassed by all the attention. “I’d do anything for Sophie,” I say softly.
Nash arches his dark brows. “Let’s have dinner, and then we can have a chat.”
“It’s time to sit down,” urges Olivia, who tugs me over to the table and points out the chair next to her.
After everyone is served, Sophie sits down across from me and proceeds to play footsie with me under the table. Is shetryingto make me more nervous than I already am? I refuse to play along. She finally gives up and starts toying with her food, shooting me little glances from beneath her long fringe of lashes.
Now I’m wondering if I’m expected to say something to Sophie’s assembled family. I tilt my head and mouth, “What?”
Sophie gives a side nod at the end of the table where Nash is sitting. “Beard!” she mouths back.
I raise my shoulders in a half-shrug. “So?”
Olivia asks, “What’re you and Aunt Sophie whispering about?”
Ah, the innocence of children… and their ability to not miss a thing.
Sophie’s eyes widen as if she has no idea what Olivia is talking about. “The weather,” she replies stiffly. Cassia and Jake snigger at the same time, reminding me they had the same human mother.
After we’ve had our fill of beef and chicken tacos, fresh guacamole and homemade nacho chips, and refriedbeans, Phoebe passes around plates of Door County cherry pie with fresh whipped cream on top. I’ve just placed my fork down on my empty plate when Jake clears his throat.
I immediately still; this is my alpha, and although he is also Sophie’s cousin, it’s Jake’s status as leader of my pack that gains my full attention. “I just want to say I’m relieved to see you’re feeling better, Barker… er, Teddy… and I’m happy to report you received the highest score in your first firefighter’s exam; I know you’re going to miss a few classes, but given your test results, I have no problem keeping a spot open for you. If the rest of your training goes as well, you’ll be on the volunteer roster by the end of October.”
Sophie and Cassia applaud, and the rest of the table follows suit, even Olivia, who has no clue why she’s clapping.
I’m thrilled and humbled at the same time; this is the second dream come true in as many days. How can a guy get so lucky? “That’s great news, Jake… Thanks for letting me know.”
I sense Nash’s eyes on me so I swivel my head in his direction. Nash leans forward. “I understand Doc Demetrius asked Sophie to serve as your nurse while you’re healing—” he waves his hand at Sophie but his gaze never leaves me “—which I find highly irregular. My daughter is a baker, not a nurse.”
“Oh, Dad,” mumbles Sophie. “It’s no trouble at all, and?—”
“That’s beside the point,” interrupts Nash, rubbing his beard, which has grown thicker and bushier since hisarrival. I can’t see the length since it’s hidden by the table, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s now below his belt. “I don’t understand much about werewolf mating bonds—” he shoots a glance at Olivia, who’s stabbing one of the cherries from her pie “—but I don’t like the idea of Sophie nursing you under the circumstances; seems irregular if you ask me.”
Catbeam snorts. “Seems to me you’re missing the point, Nash.”
Sophie’s father glances at his mother-in-law in surprise. “I’m not sure I’m following.”
