Page 78 of Wolves & Watercolors
The door swings open and Hazel stands there, baby Timber asleep in a sling. Her left arm hooks under the baby while her right hand grips the door.
“Rory,” she says, looking between us with her brows pinched.
“Hazel, I don’t mean to spring something else on you, but I want to stay.” Aurora rushes to get all of her words out. “I love it here, and my gallery manager said the paintings I just sent are way better than anything I painted before, so it makes sense for my career.
“And I don’t really want to be away from you and Timber. And I kinda love Cedar, yeah I definitely love him, and I want to stay with him. Plus I have this magic that I can use to help, so I’ll pull my weight. I can help Cedar with the garden or whatever else…”
Hazel’s eyes widen as her sister continues to spew out convincing arguments. Just as Aurora’s pitch rises to songbird levels, Hazel turns on her heel and disappears into the cabin.
Aurora stutters to a stop and turns to me, her lips parted in shock.
Slate’s muffled voice drifts through the open door and then Hazel, sans baby, launches herself at Aurora. She flings her arms around her neck and hugs her aggressively as they tangle in a mess of limbs and wavy brown hair.
“I’m so glad,” Hazel cries while Aurora mumbles something about making room and helping. Their hug devolves into swaying and gripping each other’s upper arms. Tears well in Aurora’s eyes and Hazel sniffles.
“You’re not mad?” Aurora asks, her voice thick.
“Why would I be mad? This is amazing. I didn’t think you’d like it here, but you seemed so happy, I started to hope.” Hazel’s words tumble over each other.
“It doesn’t feel real, but Cedar and I made the decision.” Aurora trails off, covering the claim mark I gave her last night. Reluctantly, she removes her hand.
“No way.” Hazel’s mouth falls open again. Aurora gives her a sheepish smile, and I step closer to reassure her. As she leans forward, Hazel narrows her eyes. “That looks like it’s a few weeks old.”
“It’s from last night.” Aurora pinches her bottom lip with her teeth. “So, as it turns out, I can heal people too. Or at least myself and Cedar.”
“Why did Cedar need healing?” Slate asks, filling the doorway. Timber sleeps in his arms, oblivious to the emotional reunion happening on their porch.
Aurora’s attention refocuses on the baby. Gingerly, she lifts her out of Slate’s hold and rests her against her chest.
“What happened?” Hazel asks quietly.
Sighing, I admit, “A few low life idiots were harassing Aurora at her motel when I arrived. One of them had a switchblade and used it on me. But I’m fine. You can’t even tell he cut me.” As proof I lift my borrowed shirt to reveal unmarked skin.
Slate’s frown tells me I'll be drilling self-defense with him for the foreseeable future to make sure no one gets the drop on me again.
Aurora’s eyebrow quirks as she looks between us. Maybe she senses my emotions or simply reads the silent communication between me and my cousin. She bounces on her heels and pats Timber’s back softly.
“Hi, sweetheart. Guess what, I’m going to stay here with you,” she coos. Timber sleeps on.
The sight of her holding a baby squeezes my chest into a pleasant ache. It’s so easy to imagine us with our own little ones. Like Slate grew up with me and Onyx, Timber can grow up with her cousins.
“So if you’re staying, where are you going to live?” Hazel asks, sinking into a patio chair.
Aurora should talk with her sister. I brush my hand along her upper arm, and she hands over the baby. Timber barely whines and quiets as soon as I begin swaying.
“Well, I’m thinking I’ll stay with Cedar. I mean, he asked me to.” She curls up on the chair closest to Hazel.
“We’ll figure something out,” I say.
“You could always use Slate’s old trailer. It’s empty and pretty nice. That’ll work until you’re ready for your own cabin. I think we need to build a few new ones.”
“That’s a good idea.” Slate praises his mate and she reaches up to take his hand.
“That would be perfect. Thank you,” I say.
Aurora is watching me with her bottom lip caught between her teeth, but it’s not anxiety seeping through our bond. Apparently she likes seeing me hold a baby too. Later, when we are alone, I’ll ask her all about what she’s thinking in this moment.
Hazel reclaims her sister's attention, and the girls chat about the trailer and plans for getting Aurora settled. Timber stirs and I begin pacing. Slate falls into step beside me, his dark green eyes thoughtful.
