“Now that sounds just perfect,” Elizabeth said.
“I’m all for it,” Sheri said. “ I sure love Seattle.”
***
After work, they headed home to change into swimsuits. No wolf swimming tonight. Sheri was in and out of the house in record time. “See you there!” she called.
Elizabeth rushed to get in her one-piece blue swimsuit to follow her. David kissed her shoulder, debating whether they could let themselves get sidetracked for a moment. It was tempting, no doubt, but then he pulled on his board shorts. There would be time for that later.
Elizabeth ran out of the bedroom and dashed through the house. “Race you there,” she yelled.
“You got it.”
Elizabeth was already out the door by the time he grabbed some beach towels and bottled water and headed outside.
She was slipping off a pair of sandals next to a lounge chair. “I beat you.”
He laughed. “Not yet,” he said, nodding toward Sheri already heading back to shore from the swimming platform in the middle of the lake.
She smiled mischievously. “Wanna bet?” And she took off again, running to the water’s edge and plunging in, swimming strong strokes out to the platform.
David put the towels and water bottles on their lounge chairs, glad he had four of his own for when a couple of others dropped by in the summer to enjoy a visit, though if they needed more chairs, they could bring some more over.
Sheri walked out of the lake, smiling. He handed her a towel.
“Thanks.”
“No problem.” He nodded out toward Elizabeth, who’d reached the platform and was sunning herself on the wooden planks. “I’m glad she loves to swim.”
“Yeah, for being from such a northern territory, we both love it,” Sheri said. “I hurried up, thinking I would give you two some privacy.”
Smiling, he shook his head. “Elizabeth wanted to swim. First.”
“Yeah, I figured it would take you guys longer than that.” She winked. “She’s so happy here with you. She worried so much about just seeing you again, I know, even though she wouldn’t let on.” She held a hand up, shielding her eyes as she peered out over the lake toward the platform. “I’m happy she’s so happy.”
“Thanks, Sheri.” David figured if anyone really knew how Elizabeth was feeling about everything, it would be Sheri. “I’m really glad you’re here too. Even though she knew most of us, you’ve known her forever. It makes a difference, having you here. For all of us.”
“I feel the same way.” Sheri patted him on the bare chest. “Just keep up the good work.”
He smiled. “I fully intend to. Anytime you and Elizabeth need some together time alone, you just let me know. I know how important friendships can be.”
“Well, truthfully, we’ll need to pick up a few more things at the store. I brought what I thought we would need, but you know how that goes. If we weren’t staying here long-term, that would have been one thing.”
“Of course.”
Sheri smiled and gave him a hug, which he hadn’t expected. “Thanks for taking me with you.”
“We’re really glad to have you here.” He stared out at his own little slice of paradise, appreciating the moment, the view, his happiness, the vision of Elizabeth as she stood up and did a running leap off the platform, slicing into the water with a clean dive.
The rest of his pack began showing up, breaking the spell—or maybe adding to it, he wasn’t quite sure.
“What are you doing standing around? Let’s go!” Cameron said, joining David and slapping him on the back before dashing into the water. Sheri dropped the towel and ran after him, ready for another go-round.
David raced in too, diving into the water and swimming as fast as he could to beat his friend.
The race was on with everyone cheering—Owen telling David he could never make it in time to catch up, Gavin telling Cameron he should have gotten more of a head start to win, Sheri swimming along gamely, trying not to suck in a bunch of lake water while laughing. It was hilarious to hear them cheering each of them on, and David had to concentrate on beating his friend and not laughing and swallowing a bunch of water. Even the kids were in high spirits, yelling in their loud, high-pitched voices to hurry, hurry.
“Uncle David, you can win! Daddy, you can win! Go, Sheri, go! Beat ’em!” He knew they had the concept down that the one who reached the finish line first won, but they didn’t seem to want any of them to lose. Family was family, after all.
David had nearly caught up to Cameron, either because he’d slowed down a bit for having a head start, or because David really had rallied enough to catch up, and at the last moment, they both reached the platform at the same time. They laughed and everyone cheered, then cheered again when Sheri slapped her hands on the edge next to them.
They climbed out, laughing, and congratulated each other.
The kids were already heading out to join them, and Elizabeth, who’d been paddling around watching the race, swam over, gliding next to them until they all reached the platform, the rest of the pack splashing and calling out to one another. David pulled Elizabeth up, tucking her between his legs as they sat close, their wet bodies sun-warmed and slick. She leaned against him, secure in his arms amid his family, his land, his life.
David tilted his face up to the sky and closed his eyes.
Paradise, indeed.
***
Elizabeth loved it here. The area was beautiful, the lake an added playground, and the cabins were all within sight of each other but far enough away to have privacy too. What a great place to raise a family. She hoped if Slade and Sheri weren’t interested in mating each other, another male wolf would show up and Sheri and the new male would fall in love. But Cameron and the others might not want another male wolf encroaching on their territory. What if the new wolf was an alpha and a royal and wanted to take over the pack?
Then again, she didn’t think any of these wolves would bow down to another male wolf, since the men had grown up together in Seattle and had been best of friends all this time. They were a tight group, and being turned made them even closer. They would stick together.
Sheri was smiling, looking happy to be here even if she didn’t have anyone to date. Elizabeth was glad she was here, and in that moment, in David’s arms, she made a decision.
She didn’t want to drag out getting to know him all over again. He was eager, and so was she. What they needed was time together, just the two of them. She didn’t want Sheri to feel left out, and she hoped she would understand, but she really did need some time alone with David.