Page 33 of Leif

Mel gasped as snow began to fall. Huge flakes swirled around us, but the cold didn’t press in close. Instead, we were warm and comfortable, holding onto one another and just loving the beauty.

“I haven’t been so happy since…” Hitch choked up and clung to us.

Mel squeezed him gently, and I held onto both of them. “This feels like home. But the place doesn’t matter. We could be anywhere. Being with you two feels like home.”

Hitch lowered his head, tucking into her shoulder as his shoulders shook.

“We’re a family, okay? We’ll never replace the one you lost, but we’re here to love you no matter what. Okay?”

He nodded, and she glanced at me with a sad smile. All around us the snow swirled and began to pile up on the ground. Then it all began to melt, and the trees and grasses turned green once more as a sunrise rose over the horizon. I found myself impressed with his talent because I knew the sun wasn’t actually rising.

And I realized he might also not know his limits. But there were things that he could do that might help.

“I’d love to meet your parents.” At my suggestion, he lifted his red, watery eyes and blinked at me. Then the pretty scenery blinked out.

Suddenly, we were in a happy home. A woman with black hair and pretty gray eyes hugged a younger Hitch as his father tousled his hair. The trio was clearly getting ready to sit down to a meal.

They all settled at their spots around the table, and his father smiled at him. “How was school today?”

Little Hitch rolled his eyes and shoved some peas around his plate. “Fine. School is boring.”

The adults shared a tolerant smile. “School is important. Learning is important.” His mother leaned in close and smiled at him, the back of her hand touching his. “You’re a smart boy.”

Warmth filled me as I watched the loving family moment. When it faded out, Hitch’s eyes overflowed.

Mel squeezed him tighter. “Thank you for sharing them.” Her whisper coaxed a nod from Hitch.

“I’m gonna go,” he said with a smile at us. “You guys seem like you need a moment anyway.”

But I caught his shirt and held him in place. “I think you should be part of this.”

“Part of this?” He looked confused as I let him go and faced Mel.

Before I could say anything, Mel’s phone rang. Hitch gave me a shrug, then slipped off as Mel stared at her phone.

“It’s Ryder.” She glanced up at me, her eyes wide and worried.

“So answer it.” She didn’t need my permission, but I had no idea why she was looking at me like she was asking if it was okay for her to answer it. I sure as hell wasn’t going to tell her to wait.

She touched the green phone and held the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

I didn’t hear the words, but I saw Hitch through the window. He held up a little box, and I nodded. With a huge grin, he left the window.

“I don’t understand.” She sounded confused, and I focused on her. Her lovely eyes met mine, narrowed and puzzled.

More talking as Hitch popped out the door, watching us with a huge grin on his face.

“But, they fired me.”

I smiled. I guess Roy had done what he could after all. I owed the fucker a thank you. And maybe more than that. After all, I’d missed more than a few years of family get-togethers with my uncle. Maybe I needed to try to mend that bridge. Maybe it was time to man up and mend the fences I’d broken and come clean to my parents about the things that mattered.

They wouldn’t be happy I was bringing home a human woman rather than some royal dragoness.

But it was my life, and I was going to live it my way. With this little family I’d found. I smiled at Hitch as Mel’s head tilted back toward the sky.

“So, I’m not fired.” A goofy, relieved smile crossed her lips as Hitch clapped silently behind her.

“Oh, thank goodness. Thank you for telling me! I’ve got to go. Bye!” She hung up on Ryder. Her face shining as she glanced at me. “I’m not fired! Apparently, your word meant enough that someone higher up changed their mind! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She bounced up and down before pressing a kiss to my cheek.

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