Page 31 of Wolves & Watercolors
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about it. Let’s go get the next clue.”
Brushing past him, I navigate out of the garden and break into a jog to catch up with Onyx and Ember. They lead us across the meadow and past the diner to another two story cabin. A towering maple tree hides a small treehouse in its thick branches.
Onyx scales the ladder and we crane our necks back to watch him search the tree house. It doesn’t take long for him to find it, and then he climbs back down. A few feet from the ground, he holds out the card to Ember. His shirt has slipped sideways, revealing an oval scar in the crook of his neck. It looks like a series of dots painted in white ink or pale pink. What on earth would have caused that? His collar covers the marks again when he jumps to the ground.
Ember clears her throat and reads, “Find a crib, take a peek, and find the prize you seek.”
“Back to the baby shower?” I ask.
“Yup!” Onyx gives me a thumbs up, and then takes off.
I can’t keep up with them. My lungs tighten painfully and my muscles protest. Cedar slows his pace to stay with me. I wave him on, but he stubbornly stays by my side. Affection for his loyalty bubbles up in me, and I suck in deep breaths and force myself to keep moving. Finally, we make it back to Hazel’s cabin.
Ember leads the way to the secondary bedroom they’ve converted into a nursery.
Hazel sits in a rocker, her hand resting on her belly. She lights up when we crowd into the room. “Have a good time?”
I double over, resting my hands on my knees. “Wish there wasn’t quite so much running.”
“But we won!” Onyx says, squeezing Ember and lifting her feet off the ground.
“Are you ready to hear our baby name?” Hazel beams. Slate slips past us to stand beside my sister, and she reaches up to take his hand.
“So what is it?” I say, straightening.
“We decided no matter if it’s a girl or a boy, we are naming the baby Timber,” Hazel declares. Slate’s face breaks into one of his rare smiles as they look at each other.
“Timber,” I say, testing it out. “I love it! It’s so cute!”
“It really is a great name,” Ember says. She leans over Hazel and hugs her.
“Thanks,” Hazel says. “It was Slate’s idea.”
“Good job, Baby Daddy,” I tease. He ignores me.
“Are we first?” Marigold says from the main room. The door swings open, and her expression shifts into a scowl. “One of you better tell me!”
“Sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Onyx says.
“Onyx!” Marigold says.
“Goldie,” he replies with a grin.
“You should just tell her. Otherwise she will pester us until the baby comes,” Cedar says. I find myself drifting closer to him. In a room full of couples, it’s nice to have someone to pair with.
Marigold and Onyx argue like siblings, while Ember and Jasper watch with identical smirks. Eventually, Hazel shoos them out. I’m disappointed when Cedar leaves too. Unfortunately, I’m getting rather attached to him.
The third group returns eventually. We’ve already cleaned up the remaining snacks, so they wish Hazel and Slate the best and leave. Even Marigold goes home with Jasper after she’s satisfied with the clean up.
Once it’s just me and my sister, I transport her gifts back to the nursery. Hazel settles in the center of the rug and unpacks all of the baby items. I carry things to wherever she tells me while she tucks items into the dresser in front of her.
“Happy with your baby shower?” I ask. She hums in affirmation, continuing to fold the tiny onesies into the pine drawer. “So, I was wondering about something.”
She hums again, swaying slightly as she folds a baby blanket.
“So it’s no big deal.” Chewing my lip, I take the empty gift bags and fold them, laying them in a neat pile. With a deep breath, I force the words out. “I like hanging out with Cedar. He seems really nice. Does he have a girlfriend or anything?”
Hazel’s eyes snap to mine while her mouth opens, closes, and then opens. “Rory,” she begins.
