Page 23 of My Boyfriend Marks Trees
Mom had a suggestion. “You could always invent an emergency. Say coyotes are threatening the livestock. Gives you an excuse to be outside and them in here.”
“That’s not a bad idea, actually.” Much as he hated lying to Charly, they were too new in their courtship for him to reveal his hairy secret.
He spent the night tossing and turning, taunted by the fact Charly slept just across the hall.
Let me out, and I’ll go watch over them,his wolf offered.
Because waking up to a giant beast won’t scare them.
The pup won’t be afraid.
Greta might be enthralled with an oversized dog—Insulting!—however he couldn’t predict how Charly would react. Especially since the dog would disappear as suddenly as it appeared.
Since he wanted to hear them the moment they woke, he left his bedroom door ajar and fell asleep. He woke suddenly, prickling with a sense of being watched, and yet his wolf didn’t react.
He opened his eyes to see Greta standing by his bed, staring at him.
She grinned. “You’re awake.”
“And so are you.”
“Mom’s still sleeping. She snores,” Greta informed him. “So do you.”
His lips tilted. “Like a wolf?”
“Wolves don’t snore. You’re like a bear.” Greta giggled.
“A bear who likes honey. And I know where we can find some, along with some pancakes.”
Eating made-from-scratch chocolate chip pancakes and chewing on bacon while drinking orange juice was how Charly found them when she entered the kitchen looking a bit frantic. She calmed at the sight of Greta.
“Munchkin, you should have woken me. Sorry if she?—”
Mom shook her flipper. “Don’t you dare apologize for getting some rest. We’re early risers, and she was no trouble at all. As a matter of fact, princess helped make breakfast.”
“I got eggs with Ares!” Greta announced. “He has lots of chickens. And after we eat, I’m gonna see bunnies and goats. You coming, Mama?”
Charly shook her head. “I have to go to work. Remember we talked about you being a good girl for Ares while I’m gone?”
“I will be the bestest princess,” Greta declared.
It was Charly who struggled. She didn’t want to leave, and Ares even told her, “Call in sick.”
“I can’t. I need this paycheck.” Charly’s lips turned down.
“We’ll be fine,” he reassured. “I can text you picture updates if it makes you feel better.”
Her lips curved. “I’d like that.”
“See you at dinner.” He drew her close enough for a soft kiss. “It will be just the three of us since my mom and sister will be leaving for the airport this afternoon. I am going to make my famous fajitas.”
“Can’t wait.”
She thanked his mother and sister for their hospitality and wished them well on their travels. With that, she left, and Ares let Selene and his mom take turns with Greta until they had to get ready to go.
He and Greta waved as they left, and it was finally time for the goats, which were a huge hit, especially the little ones when he dressed them in pajamas.
When dinner rolled around, Charly returned to find Christmas music, the smell of food sizzling, and an exuberant greeting from Ares and Greta.