Page 6 of Baby Me

“You need to still take it easy, Kate. Use the crutches wisely,” Dr. Lockheart advised, and Kate flawlessly batted her lashes at him. There was no doubt that he deserved every ogle the woman gave him. Still a very eligible bachelor, Charlie, as I’d known him since we were kids, hadn’t found “the one.” When we used to come up here with my parents, we always dined at his mom’s. Tonight, I was taking Kate to the Lockheart Diner, and I couldn’t wait for her to meet what I called our extendedfamily.

“You heard the doctor, Kate. Take it easy. The last thing you want to do is overwork yourself and take longer toheal.”

“I am healed. Look.” She wiggled her foot, then slowly stood up. She placed most of her weight on the side where she’d had the cast and took three brave steps before sitting down. Her left leg was visibly weaker, and as soon as she caught our glares, she rolled her eyes. “Crutches. I got it. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. I can’t wait to call Mom as soon as we have asignal.”

Having a signalwas code forgoing to townbecause that was the closest place with an actual connection to the outside world. While I could have told Kate that we actually had a signal at the cabin, I hadn’t. When we first came here and she began recovering from her injuries, I never turned on the wifi in Jax’s bedroom. Seeing how nice it had been for Kate to rest and relax over the past month, I had first decided not to mention it for a while, and then forgot about it. But now I made a mental note to do so before she went to bed tonight so I could surprise her with the news in themorning.

“I’m sure she’d love to hear from you,” Isaid.

“Use your crutches for a few days. Don’t overdo it, and let Cameron help you. I know how keen you are to get back to your regular life, but give your body and mind the time they need to recuperate.” Dr. Lockheart handed her a small booklet, which I assumed contained her exercise routine that we’d spoken about. My good friend was the only one I trusted to come up to the cabin. “Your muscles need time to strengthen, so don’t be toohasty.”

“Got it.” Kate gave him an over-enthusiastic thumbs-up, grinning from ear to ear. If she thought she was happy now, I couldn’t wait until she saw what I had planned for theday.

“Call me for anything else youneed.”

“Thank you, Dr.Lockheart.”

“You’rewelcome.”

Just as we said our goodbyes, I heard an odd noise outside. “Why don’t I walk you out, Charlie? Kate, stay in. I’ll be rightback.”

If she heard the worry in my voice, she didn’t say anything. I put on my jacket, walked Charlie to the car, waited until he left and then went around the back. A quarter of the trees’ leaves had fallen to the ground, littering it in orange, yellow, and red tones. It was a beautiful sight, but when I heard the same shuffling noise again, I paused. I quietly paced to the shed where my father’s old hunting rifle was secured. I dusted it off, loaded it, and went back outside. The noise was likely made by an animal, but the last thing I wanted was to stumble upon a lost bear. They didn’t come near the cabin often, but with winter around the corner, I wouldn’t have been too surprised to findone.

Back at the house, Kate was standing behind the sliding glass door with her arms crossed over her chest, as if she knew I was looking for something. I stood still in the middle of the clearing, listening to the forest. I had closed my eyes and was concentrating on the sounds that did not belong there when I heard the noise again. I opened my eyes and strained my gaze to the left. A darker shadow moved behind the tree, and I prepped my rifle and aimed. If a bear was this close, I’d only get one shot if it decided tocharge.

But the shadow moved quickly to the right and then disappeared into the forest. I lowered the rifle and went back to thehouse.

“Did you see that?” I askedKate.

“Yeah, but what wasit?”

“I don’tknow.”

“It was too small for a bear.” She twisted the corner of her shirt. While I was out, she’d managed to change into a pair of leggings, and they fit her toperfection.

“A wolf?” I wondered outloud.

“No, too tall. Not big, but tall. I could have sworn it moved like ahuman.”

“All right. That seals it. I’m not leaving your side from nowon.”

“Aw, come on. I thought today was the first day of me getting some freedom.” Kate pouted, and I pulled her gently to me to place a kiss on herlips.

“I promise you will still have your own space, but not until I’m sure the area’s secure. All I want is for you to besafe.”

“Cameron, I think you may have forgotten that I’m not a baby, and I can take care of myself. You have nothing to worry about. We’ll go to town, and we’re going to have the best time ever. I won’t have it any other way.” When I didn’t argue and sighed with reluctance she almost squealed with happiness. I’d missed thatsmile.

“Now, Kate. When I saytown, it’s more like twenty houses scattered here and there, with one street that leads straight into the mountains and absolutely noentertainment.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve lived in a small townbefore.”

“Not thissmall.”

“Good. That means there won’t be too much walking, right?” She grabbed her phone and her purse, and aimed for the crutches next. “It also means less people to worry about,right?”

“Hey, you heard the doctor. No straining your muscles. They need torecover.”

“My muscles have been recovering for the past two months. Now they need to be worked. They really need to be worked.” She lowered her voice and looked at me from underneath her half-hooded lids. I felt my dick twitch the moment she mentionedworking her muscles, and promised myself that I would definitely work themtonight.

---