Chapter 13
“Okay, I think I’ve got everything,” Avaleigh said, digging through the large purse hanging from the strap resting on her shoulder.
“Love, we’re not in the city, or even close to it. You won’t need everything in your purse,” Daniel said.
“I might. You don’t know what I’ve got in here,” Avaleigh said with a grin. She was known for always having anything anyone needed in her purse. Didn’t matter if it was spare change, a Tylenol or a bandaid, or the phone number to a taxi company or a local towing company.
“The only thing I can imagine you might need today is some sunscreen, or maybe something for bug bites. Maybe a spare pair of socks if it rains later,” Daniel said.
Avaleigh smirked at him as she opened her purse again and rearranged things for a few seconds.
“Got it, got it and got it!” she said, producing a small spray bottle of sunscreen, a bottle of Absorbine Jr., which while actually meant for sore muscles actually did wonders for bug bites, and a rolled up clean pair of socks.
Daniel laughed and hugged her close. “I should have known.”
“You’d think so,” Avaleigh said with a laugh.
Carrik stumbled into the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee.
He pulled out a chair at their kitchen table to drop into.
“I have to admit, out of all the conveniences we’ve spoiled ourselves with, the automatic coffee pot is one that I am most thankful for.
Give me a minute to gulp down this coffee and I’d be happy to walk you over to Boon and Angelle’s house,” he said as he sucked in several mouthfuls. “Oh, goodness, that’s good.”
“Nothing like the first sip, is there?” Daniel asked.
“There’s really not,” Carrik agreed, taking another sip.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m sure we’ve got it,” Daniel said.
“You sure? I don’t mind,” Carrik said, offering his services once more.
Daniel kind of looked at Carrik, his mind wondering just how incapable Carrik considered him to be. Daniel pointed to himself. “Dragon. Just like you. I’m pretty sure I can find it. Could have found it yesterday if I’d needed to.”
Carrik nodded resignedly. “You’re right. I have a bad habit of assuming that everyone from the outside world is clueless. It’s not fair, and very close-minded of me to do so. Especially when I’m well aware that you’re a Dragon. Apologies.”
“Not necessary. I know you didn’t mean offense. And we do come from a very different place, so it would be understandable regardless. I’m just reminding you. Thanks for the offer, though.”
“Have a good day. If somebody confronts you about being here, just tell them you’re a guest of mine and Lily’s. And of Boon’s.”
“Will do,” Daniel said. “We’ll see you later this evening.”
“Oh, yeah,” Carrik said. “Any requests for dinner?”
“I think we’re having lasagna. I’m going to teach Lily my secrets,” Avaleigh said.
“Ohhh! Looking forward to that,” Carrik said, getting up to pour himself another cup of coffee.
“We’ll see you later, then,” Daniel said, taking Avaleigh by the hand and leaving Carrik to try to shock his system awake by drowning himself in caffeine.
Daniel and Avaleigh stepped out onto the porch and right away, Avaleigh was slamming her eyes closed and shuffling through the contents of her purse for her sunglasses.
“Found ‘em,” she said, slipping her sunglasses on quickly and looking around herself with appreciation. “Woo, that’s better.”
“Let’s get going, then,” Daniel said, as they stepped off the porch and turned toward their right.
“It’s really pretty here,” Avaleigh said.
“It is. It’s like living in the woods. No, it’s not like living in the woods, it is living in the woods. I could get used to this. Any time I wanted to, I could walk out of the house and take flight.”
“You could. And it’s so quiet here. It’s quiet back home, too, but here, it just feels different.”
“I remember Tempest telling us that Lily keeps a glamour in place to prevent any humans from stumbling into the area. I wonder if that could have something to do with it,” Daniel said.
“It might. But even if that’s it, I don’t mind it. I like the feeling.”
“Me, too.”
“Maybe we could look into having a place here later, if Angelle decides to live here, that is,” Avaleigh said.
“I’d definitely want to be able to come visit at least.”
“Same. And if they have kids, I’m going to want to be here a lot,” Avaleigh said.
“Can we not talk about Angelle having kids any time soon?” Daniel asked.
“Why not? Don’t you want grandchildren?” Avaleigh asked.
“I do, very much so. But I’m not ready to think about what she’d have to do to make them,” Daniel said.
Avaleigh burst out laughing. “I think you’re going to have to get used to the fact that Angelle is not a child anymore. She’s met her mate and she’s about to take that next step.”
“I know that. I do. And I’m even kind of happy for her. But… baby steps. She just needs baby steps.”
“Okay, well, while you’re hoping for baby steps, we might need to speak to somebody about a place for us so we’re not always intruding on them in their home.”
“Them?” Daniel asked.
“Boon and Angelle, and Carrik and Lily.”
“Oh, yeah, you’re right.”
“I’m very proud of you, my love,” Avaleigh said.
“Why?” he asked, slowing his pace and reaching his hand back for her to take.
“Because you’re adjusting very well to Angelle coming into her own.”
“I’m amazed by you. I thought for sure you’d be fighting it with everything you had.”
Avaleigh smiled as she held his hand and strolled beside him. “I didn’t have to. You did, and that allowed me to see just how much I needed to advocate for her, instead of trying to hold her closer.”
“You’re right. And I know that Boon isn’t a bad male. But don’t tell him that, yet. I feel like he still needs to work for it.”
“Your approval?” she asked.
“Yep. I am the father, earn my approval.”
“If I’d have had a father to give you such a hard time, would you have bothered to earn his respect, or would you have just snatched me up and run away?” she challenged.
Daniel smiled, then he looked down at Avaleigh walking beside him and clinging to his hand. “You had five fathers, or brothers, should I say? And each was more protective than the last. I had to earn the respect and approval of all of them.”
Avaleigh grinned up at him. “And you did. You never wavered in that.”
“Because nothing — not a single thing — was going to separate me from you.”
“And that’s what you want to see from Boon.”
Daniel nodded.
“Hopefully, they won’t have so much to overcome.”
Daniel looked down at her thoughtfully. “You’re right. I hope they have it much easier.”
“They already do.”
~~~
Angelle turned over in bed, a little confused as she began to take in the unfamiliar room.
Then in a split second it all came rushing back.
She lay there for a minute or two, her arms and legs splayed out, breathing deeply, a silly smile on her face, as she realized this was most likely home.
If all worked out as it seemed it was going to, she’d live her life here, raise her children here, love her mate and build a life with him here.
She stretched her body, enjoying the feel after a good night’s sleep, then she recognized a scent wafting to her through the house.
She sat up and inhaled deeply. “Coffee,” she said to herself.
She got out of bed, and without a thought to her bed-head-hair, or flushed skin from sleeping cocooned in all the covers, she stumbled toward the familiar scent beckoning her to leave the bedroom.
She opened the bedroom door and stepped out into the hallway, her gaze taking in the family room.
Surprised to find Boon wasn’t in the room, she peeked around the corner toward the kitchen and realized he wasn’t there either.
Deciding he must have gotten up and gotten an early start while allowing her to sleep in, she made a quick stop in the bathroom.
Only minutes later she opened the door and without paying attention to what was in front of her, instead looking back into the bathroom she’d just used, she stepped out of the bathroom and walked right into Boon.
“Good morning!” he said happily, as he reached out to steady her as she bounced off him.
“Oh! I’m sorry,” she said, grabbing his upper arms to steady herself at the same time he put one hand firmly on her waist to help her keep her balance. “Good morning.”
“Did you sleep well?” he asked, as he made sure she was good before offering her the cup of hot, steaming coffee he held with his other hand.
“Ohhh, I need this,” she said, taking the coffee from him and sipping it appreciatively.
“I thought you might. I considered making tea, but tea is something you make to enjoy later in the day — to me anyway. Coffee is the jolt you need to force your body up and ready for the day.”
“I didn’t know we have a coffee maker, or I’d have set it to make coffee for us,” Angelle said.
Boon refilled his cup, as he looked questioningly at her over his shoulder.
“What?” she asked. Then it hit her. “Oh. There’s no automatic coffee maker.”
“No, there’s not. But we do have one that you put on the stove and it perks excellent coffee.”
“It is really good. So rich,” she said, taking another sip.
“Lily has one of those automatic ones. And Maverik does, too, I noticed. But I think it tastes better from this kind of coffee pot.”
“Can you teach me how to make it?” she asked.
“I can. I will,” he said. “And you didn’t answer. Did you sleep well?”
“I really did. I slept so heavy.”
“I’m glad.”
“Did you?” Angelle asked.
“I slept here and there.”
“Oh, no. Maybe you’re not used to anybody else being in the house. Did I keep you up?”
Boon laughed. “Not exactly, no.”
“Are you sure?”
“Completely. You know I’m glad you’re here,” Boon said. He wanted to say more, but something caught his attention. His head turned toward the front door, and he got up, quickly moving across the floor without making a sound to look out of the window.