When her mate had tired of speaking to the nighttime and receiving no answer, he issued his warning and began to walk away. She settled down in the tree and watched him as he moved silently, powerfully away from her. Her mate was a strong mate. A beautiful mate. There was a time she’d believed when she found him, she’d be happy ever after. Now though? Now all she wanted to do was run away and hide.
There was no way she could show herself. If she did, he’d reject her as her own people had, and she quite frankly didn’t want to have to deal with it. She watched him go until she couldn’t see him any longer, then she dropped out of the tree and began to follow him, her feet not even touching the ground as she moved. She’d heard the other male speak his name and used that name when she whispered words of a promise to him. “I will not cause you humiliation, my mate. I’ll watch just a little while longer, before I’ll leave you and your life unsullied, my Lucas.”
Chapter 21
Travis had just taken a seat when there was a knock at the door. “Bet that’s Roman or Lucas,” he said, getting to his feet. He walked over to the door and pulled it open.
“Hey, Travis. Wanted to let you know we checked it out. Couldn’t find anybody, but, I’m sure someone’s there,” Roman said.
“Scent anything?” Travis asked.
“Naw. But there was no sound at all. It’s like everything out there just went silent.”
“That says a predator is nearby,” Scotty said from the table.
“My thoughts, too,” Roman agreed.
“Feel threatened?” Travis asked.
“No. Not at all. But, Lucas said he feels stalked. I told him whatever it is don’t like Bears, and he said whatever it is only likes Bears.”
Travis chuckled. “Well, either way, since we’re not Bears, we’re good,” Travis said.
“Ya’ll good for the night, or you feel like you need me to stay on?” Roman asked.
“No, we’re good. Nothing out there is sending out any kind of threat. Whatever it is wants to be left alone. Won’t be the first to move through seemingly undetected,” Travis said.
“Alright, then. I’ll head on home and be back tomorrow. What time ya’ll setting up?”
“About 8:00 A.M. We open for business at 10:30 A.M.,” Travis answered.
“I’ll see ya’ll then,” Roman said. “Okay if I bring Lucas back?”
“Of course,” Travis said. “Tell him I appreciate his help.”
“I will. See ya’ll in the morning,” Roman answered.
Travis closed the door and locked it as Roman turned and walked away.
Roman stood on the porch for only a few minutes before he saw Lucas striding toward the front gate. “They got it,” Roman called out. “I’m coming with you.”
“Alright,” Lucas said, turning at the sound of Roman’s voice and waiting for him to catch up.
“They’re going to set up about eight in the morning. Travis said he really appreciates your help,” Roman said as they let themselves out of the gate and headed toward the truck.
“I enjoyed being here tonight. I’ll come back tomorrow if he doesn’t mind,” Lucas said.
“Naw, he don’t mind. He’d appreciate it.”
“I’ll tag along, then,” Lucas said. He glanced into the bed of the truck as he walked around to get in the passenger side. “Damn, how many trees we got in here?”
“Yours, mine, Maia’s, Lazarus’s, and one for the diner,” Roman said.
Lucas shook his head. “That’s a lot of trees.”
“Yep,” Roman said.
“You gonna decorate yours?” Lucas asked.
Roman shrugged. “May as well. If I don’t, Maia’s just going to come over and do it anyway. She’s gonna force me to enjoy Christmas whether I like it or not,” Roman said with a grin on his face.
“She will do that,” Lucas said, as they sat with the engine started, waiting for it to warm up a bit before they drove away. “Last Christmas was nice. It’ll be nice again.”
“It will. It’ll be okay,” Roman said.
“I know it’s tough on you. But you’re not alone, Roman. We all care about you. You’re one of us,” Lucas said.
“I know. That’s what will make it okay.” Roman put the truck in gear and backed out before pointing it down the highway in the direction of home. “Think I’ll go shopping next week. Pick up a few things. You want to come?”
“Sure,” Lucas said. “You gonna buy me some caramel corn?”
“Caramel corn?” Roman asked.
“Yeah. The feed store started giving away caramel corn for the holidays. They have the machine right by the front counter and offer you a bag when you walk in.”
“Hell, yeah. We’re all getting caramel corn. I’ll get you two bags if it’s free. That in itself is enough reason to go shopping.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
~~~
Travis and Scotty finished their dinner. Scotty headed off to bed while Travis washed their few dishes, then went into the bedroom to see what was keeping Libby. He found her stretched out across the bed, still dressed in the clothes she’d worn that day. She’d never made it into the shower.
“Hey, wake up, hon. Let me get you undressed and tucked into bed,” he said, taking her boots off and then her socks.
“Hmm?” she asked, trying to sit up.
“You fell asleep,” he said, pulling her thermal shirt off over her head.
“Sorry. Guess I’m more tired than I thought,” she answered, reaching down to unsnap her jeans.
“I got that,” he said, brushing her fingers away so he could finish undressing her. He pulled her jeans off and switched positions so he could take her bra off her.
“Did you eat?” Libby asked.
“Yeah, me and Scotty both did. Are you hungry?”
“No. Just want a hot shower,” she answered.
“You could take one in the morning,” he suggested, intent on putting her in bed.
“Rather have one tonight,” she said after he’d removed her bra. Libby slid to the edge of the bed. When she put her feet on the floor to stand up, Travis helped her by holding her hands and pulling.
“Thanks,” she said, stepping into him and allowing him to hold her against him.
“I’ll never get tired of this,” he said, laying little kisses on her hair and face.
“Me either,” Libby agreed.
“You want help?” Travis offered, waggling his eyebrows.
“I could use a little help,” Libby said, raising up to press her lips to his before sashaying into the bathroom clad only in her panties.
Travis’s Tiger rumbled in his chest as Travis started after her.
Twenty minutes later the bathroom door opened, and a very naked, very proud Tiger with a very satisfied smirk on his face made his way to the bed. He propped his prosthetic against the night table as he always did, then got settled, settling down into the mountain of pillows he liked to recline on.