Epilogue #2
“Sure!” Carter replied, excited to help the alpha’s mother.
“Do you know if she has any antivirus software on her computer? What about something to identify malware? Or it could just be a badly installed update to something. Most people don’t realize how an update that didn’t finish installing right can really mess up their computers. ”
Kasey gave him a dry look. “You’ll have to check for yourself, Carter. You should know I didn’t catch a dang word you just said.”
Rey chuckled, leaning a hip on the table nearest to them. “Kasey never learned much about computers while growing up. He was too interested in chasing tail and shooting his rifle.”
Seth gave Kasey a raised brow. “Chasing tail, huh?”
A fine red colored Kasey’s high cheekbones. “I was a typical teenager, baby. It’s not like I actually got much.”
Rey snorted. “Yeah, sure, Kasey. I can think of about five girls in school who would beg to differ.”
Kasey scowled at Rey while Seth put a hand on one hip. “What about you, Featherstone? You weren’t exactly celibate,” Kasey said.
Seth rolled his eyes and patted Kasey’s pec. “Put away the ruler, boys. None of us were virgins when we met. Just don’t want to hear stories, okay, mate?”
Grinning at Kasey’s disgruntled expression as the alpha wrapped his arms around Seth and nuzzled his temple, Rey shrugged innocently at Kasey.
Mates were possessive of each other, but they were still adults and both of them knew those people came before they’d met each other.
Carter snuggled into Rey’s side, ignoring the green-eyed monster in the back of his mind.
He knew Rey would never stray, but his insecurities were still tough to beat back some days, and he did his best to shove them down.
A few minutes later, Nevada approached them. “Hey, shorty! Congrats on the exceptional work,” he said to Carter with a grin.
“Thanks, Nevada!” Carter said, smiling in return. Nevada had started calling him “shorty” after hearing Thayne on speaker calling him the nickname. Carter had tried to talk Nevada out of it, but the guy didn’t give it up, so Carter gave in.
“I wanted to introduce my cousin, Stone. He moved to town a couple of weeks ago, and he’s going to be working at Rey’s shop starting Monday.”
A tall, broad-shouldered but slim Native American stood a few feet from Nevada. Carter could see dark circles under the man’s eyes, along with a haunted appearance in his brown eyes. Carter held out his hand to Stone. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”
The smile didn’t reach his eyes when Stone gently shook his hand with a calloused palm. “Hello.”
Nevada clapped Stone on the shoulder. “Stone’s not much for chatter, but he’s a brilliant mechanic and an even better wingman.”
Stone gave his cousin a frustrated glance. “I already told you I’m not going drinking with you, cuz.”
The familiar term made Carter miss his cousin even more than usual. He listened to Nevada pestering Stone to go out with him. “You might want to give in, Stone. He’s rather persistent,” Carter advised, rolling his eyes at Nevada. “Maybe he needs time to settle in, Nev. He just got here!”
“Everyone has to let loose sometime!” Nevada cried.
Stone wandered off, Nevada following close on his heels, and Carter watched them go.
He wondered about the sadness in Stone, but it wasn’t his business to ask.
Maybe if they became friends. He turned back toward Seth and Kasey, nestling into Rey’s side a bit more.
They spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon laughing, passing out brochures, discussing various tasks with potential business clients for Carter, and eating in between.
Carter kept straying over to the adoptable animals, but Rey would drag him back to the front.
Seth got up to make his speech, and much to Carter’s dismay at everyone’s attention being on him, ensured he made a big deal over Carter’s help with the research, ordering, and installation of the new diagnostic equipment.
“These new machines will help save more pet lives and even livestock as well. We’ll be able to diagnose cancer and other illnesses sooner, which will allow for faster lifesaving treatment.
I can’t thank you all enough for your continued support of this clinic and for being here today to help us celebrate!
“Don’t forget to check out the brochures about our low-cost spay or neuter and vaccine programs. And of course, cuddle with one of the many adoptable animals Loving Care Animal Rescue has brought to this event.
Donations are graciously accepted to help support this wonderful rescue and help many more like the ones here today. Thank you!”
Seth climbed down off the step stool he’d stood on and accepted hugs and congratulations from those around him.
Carter stood with Rey behind him, arms wrapped around him. Smiling, Carter looked up at Rey. “Thank you.”
“For what, sweetheart?” Rey asked, kissing Carter’s cheek.
“If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have been here to help Seth with this. I wouldn’t finally feel as though I belong somewhere.”
Rey turned Carter in his embrace, running a broad hand down his back while cupping the side of his neck. “You’ve always belonged right here with me, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
He placed a gentle kiss on Carter’s lips, then pulled away. “I have a surprise for you, sweetheart.”
Carter furrowed his brow, but excitement set in, too. Aside from his parents and Nick, no one had ever cared enough to surprise him with anything. “What kind of surprise?”
“Well, it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, would it?” Rey said, smiling. He took Carter’s hand and tugged him toward the clinic and through the front doors.
Chessie stood near the receptionist’s desk, her back to them. Carter could hear her whispering and cooing at something in her arms. When she turned around and Carter set eyes on a gorgeous golden retriever puppy, his heart raced, and his hopeful gaze flicked between Rey and the puppy. “Rey?”
“I know how much you want a dog, little wolf. Say hello to your new pup,” Rey replied, gesturing toward Chessie. “It’s a boy.”
“Really? He’s really mine?” Carter asked, awe and disbelief ringing in his tone.
“All yours, sweetheart. Go on. Go get him,” Rey said, nudging Carter with one hand.
Carter moved to where Chessie was and reached out with a shaking hand to touch the soft golden-brown fur. “Oh, he’s beautiful,” Carter said, his throat tightening with emotion.
Chessie gently handed the puppy to him. “He’s a sweet little thing.”
The puppy eagerly greeted Carter, bouncing in his arms and licking Carter’s cheeks and chin. Laughter rang out in the nearly empty clinic. He buried his face in soft fur, tears spilling over. “Oh, Rey, he’s adorable.”
Rey stroked his fingers through Carter’s hair. “You mentioned wanting a puppy at the summit and I remembered one of the pack’s dogs had recently given birth. I would have had him for you sooner, but he only turned two months about a week ago and couldn’t be parted from his mother till now.”
Words failed Carter, probably for the first time ever. Still holding the squirming puppy, Cater launched himself at his mate, squishing the pup between them, and peppered Rey with kisses. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. I’d do anything for you,” Rey rasped, touching Carter’s cheek. “Everything we need is in the back. I had Chessie order anything she thought might be necessary.”
“I kind of went overboard for the little one,” Chessie said, flushing. “But he’s so adorable. It’s been so hard not to steal him away these last couple of days he’s been here at the clinic.”
“What are you going to name him?” Rey asked.
Carter thought about it for only a split second. He’d had a name picked out for years. “Thrall.”
“Thrall?” both Chessie and Rey asked in unison. “What the heck is a thrall?”
“He’s one of my favorite NPCs in World of WarCraft!
” Carter launched into a story, excitedly describing the gruff but caring orc.
He adored the way the orc took care of his people, protecting them and fighting for them.
By the time he’d finished, he noticed the indulgent smile on Rey’s face and a glazed look on Chessie’s. “Sorry,” he muttered, flushing.
“Never apologize for being passionate about something,” Rey admonished gently.
“Ever,” Chessie added. “I’m just not much for video games. My nephews play them and tell me about their characters, but it just doesn’t interest me. But it’s never a bad thing to enjoy something that makes you happy.”
She gave Carter a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek, then dropped a pat on Thrall’s head. “Hello, Thrall. I can’t wait to see you again soon!”
Rey went to retrieve a crate in a box and the bags of items they needed for Thrall before guiding a still grinning Carter out of the clinic.
Everyone stopped them to gush over the new puppy and say goodbye.
It was late afternoon by the time they were on the road toward home.
Carter never took his eyes off Thrall, so in love with the furry critter already.
“I love you, mate,” Carter said, leaning his head against the seatback.
“I love you, too, little wolf.” Rey reached over to stroke a finger over Thrall’s head. “Let’s go home and get this little guy settled in.”
Carter snuggled with his new baby the entire way, secure in knowing that his mate truly loved him and accepted every facet of him without judgment or censure.
He looked forward to their life together and a future filled with love, laughter, and soft, cuddly furbabies. And maybe a not so furry baby, too.