He did. And wasn’t that just what Carter had been thinking about? “Puppies this young need a lot of attention and care,” he pointed out.
“They do,” Aaron said. “I can take them.”
“But?” Carter knew Aaron had something on his mind.
“I just don’t know how settled I can get them with the family,” Aaron said. “Not only is there a lot of them, but we have several big predator shifters. Even though they would love and care for these three, their scents might be scary for such little ones. Especially after what I think happened to the rest of their family.”
Carter pressed his lips together as Aaron batted his eyelashes at Carter. Like he already wasn’t the cutest thing ever and needed to pile on the cuteness.
Aaron picked up the little girl that was chewing on a piece of jerky. “Can you say no to this face?” he asked, holding the little girl up beside his own face.
He wasn’t sure who he was supposed to be unable to deny, Aaron or the pup, except Carter couldn’t say no to either. “I’ll need help.”
Aaron beamed.
“I have work,” Carter added.
Aaron nodded.
“We need supplies for them too,” Carter said.
“I bet Hudson and Bas would love to help. I can make them a list,” Aaron responded.
The brave little guy climbed clumsily off the edge of the blanket to jump on Carter’s leg.
Carter sighed.
“They’re going to be the best babies ever!” Aaron said cheerfully.
Carter was not naive. He knew that Aaron was working him hard. He just didn’t mind. With Hudson staying with Bastian the last few nights, the house had been quiet. And Carter did have the room, a nice backyard, and time. So much time. “Fine. As long as you promise to help.”
“I will!” Aaron kissed the little female pup on the top of her head then set her back down.
“We should get them out of here.” Carter didn’t feel the same creepy feeling as in the dream that they were being watched, but he also didn’t know what was out there.
“Okay.” Aaron started to gather the two pups close to him and Carter picked up the brave boy.
“I hope I can find my truck again,” Carter muttered. He had the map, not that it had done him much good—it wasn’t until he’d allowed himself to think about Aaron that he’d stumbled into the right area.
“Did you park on the main lot?” Aaron asked, rising. “How did you even find this spot again?”
“I did,” Carter said. “And I Googled the state park and where water was. I don’t work today so I wanted to get an early start.”
Aaron nodded, holding his bundle close to his chest.
The brave boy seemed content being in Carter’s arms, so he kept him nestled in the crook of his elbow.
“I think it’s this way.” Carter pointed behind him.
“If we get lost, I’ll call one of the others, as long as we have reception,” Aaron said.
“This does seem safer than just popping in from a dream,” Carter teased.
“No kidding,” Aaron agreed.
“What happened after I…woke up?” If that was what happened. He’d been so close to kissing Aaron.
“I backtracked like we said we would do,” Aaron told him. “I found a rock and marked the trees that would lead me back. I wasn’t sure how far I was from the house.”
