Chapter Fourteen
“Hey, have you ever had some love action on a plane?” Rocky couldn’t help it. He was bored. The plane taking them back to Arrowtown was fascinating for all of five minutes and while Mal curled up in his seat reading on his phone, Rocky wanted to “do” something. “I’ve heard it can be a lot of fun.”
“For us maybe, but not the plane staff.” Mal tapped his screen, turning another page. “But yes, Rocky dear, seeing as you asked, I have had love action on a plane at least once a week for the past two years, oh, and twice a week during the festive season. Why do you ask?”
“Wait… What?” Rocky almost fell out of his seat. “You have not. You…you…the only time other than this that you’ve been on a plane was when we were traveling to New York in the first place.”
Mal glanced up from his phone. He looked slightly exasperated. “If you knew the answer then why did you ask the question? Is this your attempt at seduction – in which case it needs work - or are you bored? Because I’m thinking the benefit of that first trip over this one was I had a sedative for you. Read a book or answer some messages or something.”
“Being in a plane makes me edgy.” Rocky looked out of the window. All he could see was clouds. “It’s not a natural way to travel.”
Sighing, Mal put his phone in his pocket and his hand landed on Rocky’s arm. “What’s wrong? I can feel something going on through our bond. This isn’t just a wolf shifter’s dislike of airplane travel. What’s worrying you? Don’t you want to go home?”
Turning away from the clouds, Rocky studied his mate’s face. The caring was evident in his eyes. Flicking a glance at a steward who was busy with something up by the cockpit, Rocky leaned closer and whispered, “How many people do I have to apologize to? In town. You know. Because of my cake addiction.”
“You don’t have to apologize to anyone,” Mal whispered back. “I know it might be a dent to your alpha ego, but the people who love and care for you know that you weren’t in your right mind when you were doing shit things. You were under a curse, a horrible one. You can’t be held accountable for behavior caused by that.”
“Are you sure?” Rocky wished he could be as certain about things as Mal was. “I don’t remember a lot of it toward the end there. Are you sure I didn’t smash a kid across the face just so I could steal their muffin?”
“No children were harmed, or even inconvenienced, by your need for cakes.” Mal kissed his bicep. “You broke into Fergus’s bakery, that was the only criminal thing you came close to doing. Ra and Cam have already fixed the door and the window you smashed when you were trying to escape Cam and get to the cake. But it was all fixed before we even arrived in New York.”
Rocky frowned and tilted his head. “Why would I break into the bakery if it was closed? Fergus never has any food in the display cabinets there. He sells out every day. Was just the smell of the shop driving me crazy?”
“Fergus had finished a special occasion cake. I can’t think what it was for right now, but he had displayed it on the counter, ready for pick up the following morning. It was sheer fluke Cam had gone to the bakery, getting something for Fergus, and got you out of there before you got to the cake. So that’s what I mean. No actual harm was done except maybe to my ear drums. You were desperate to get to that cake before Doc got you sedated.”
Mal shivered, and Rocky realized despite his mate’s happy tone, that night had been difficult for him.
“I’m so sorry, Mal. It’s never been my intention to hurt you ever.” Rocky lifted the arm rest between their seats and pulled his mate against his chest.
“You were forgiven before we got on this plane,” Mal said, wrapping his arms around Rocky’s neck, his head heavy on Rocky’s chest. “At least it’s not something you’re likely to do again, is it?”
“Considering I don’t remember it the first time, nope.” Rocky kissed Mal’s hair and murmured into it. “Is there any chance other people will just forget about it? They will, won’t they?”
“Nope, I don’t think they will.” Mal was giggling. “Our town is a small place. The night the sheriff went mad under the effect of a curse and broke into the bakery will rank up there with the story about the time Darwin bit a man’s balls to save his mate, Deputy Joe killed his uncle who was terrorizing sheep, and Fergus got thrown out of the window by goons in his house.
“In fact, your story will probably rise to the top of all the mad things that happen in Arrowtown because your story has a special ingredient - a mysterious curse element attached to it. Cam’s regulars will spend the next year discussing the ins and outs of that over their pints every day.”
“Oh, no,” Rocky groaned. “I’m going to have to give up my job, aren’t I? We are going to have to move out somewhere remote, where no one can laugh at us and then you’re going to make me pick up a spade and work in the garden, aren’t you?”
“You can be so silly sometimes.” Mal slapped his chest. “Our friends love us. You do a good job as sheriff, and everyone loves what you do to keep them all safe. If you don’t believe me, you’ll see soon enough,” he added as his phone dinged and he reached for it.
“Who’s that?”
“Our very own Deputy Joe.” Mal smiled as he glanced at the screen. “He’s waiting at the airport for us, and he said he can see the plane.”
“Joe’s picking us up?” Rocky was surprised at that. “I thought Ra or Simon…”
“They’re finishing off the preparations for our welcome home party,” Mal said, his smile widening. “It’s being held at Cam’s bar. Everyone who wants to attend is invited – a celebration of our mating. Why do you think I made you wear your nice shirt?”
“Shit. Really? A party for us after all I did. Oh, my gods.” Rocky quickly swiped at his eyes. “Don’t let anyone see me cry, Mal. Absolutely do not let that happen. That could ruin a guy’s reputation.”
“As if, you doofus. As if.” Mal’s kiss was quick against Rocky’s facial hair, but before Rocky could respond, Mal was sitting back upright in his seat. “Put your seatbelt on,” he said with a grin. “It’s time to land.”
/~/~/~/~/
Cam’s was packed. There were people spilling out into the street. Rocky wandered through the crowds, keeping a close hold on Mal for sanity’s sake, nodding and smiling, but inside he was stunned.
Deputy Joe had been waiting in his cruiser at the airport, Doc was with him. Deputy Joe broke into a run and hugged Rocky the moment he set foot on the tarmac. Hugged. Him. “You had us all so worried, boss,” Joe said, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
Doc stepped forward and waved a cupcake under his nose and when Rocky scrunched his nose up at it, he dropped it in Joe’s hand and then he hugged Rocky, too. What is going on with these people? Doc had never hugged anyone to Rocky’s knowledge, except his own mate and kids.
They’re being nice, Mal had sent back as he was engulfed in hugs as well.
“Congratulations for you both,” Joe said. “But we can’t linger here. I’m under strict instructions to get you two back to town.”
After collecting their bags, they all piled into the cruiser. Mal asked Joe about what had been going on in town while they’d been gone and conversation flowed easily. But Rocky didn’t feel as if he had much to say – have we only been gone a week? Rocky felt as though he’d been living in a fog for years.
Driving into town, that feeling persisted. It was as if everything was in focus for the first time. Just as he’d smelled Mal properly once they’d exchanged bites that first time, now it was as if Rocky could “see” more clearly as well.
“Did someone paint the shops and businesses while we were away?” He whispered to Mal. “Everywhere looks so bright and clean and homely. It’s really nice.”
“No painting required. You’re just seeing things as they truly are.” Mal patted his hand, and Rocky made sure to hang onto it.
Did the curse really rob me of so much?
It was the same when the car arrived at Cam’s bar. Yes, it was busy with so many people. There was a huge banner across the door proclaiming “Welcome Home Mal and Rocky.” But the first people Rocky saw were Ra and Simon, the rest of their original group behind them. Tumbling out of the car, almost face planting in his rush, Rocky wrapped his arms around Ra’s waist. “I never thanked you,” he whispered as Ra hugged him back hard enough to break his ribs. “If I did anything stupid, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Ra said gruffly. “You’re family. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
And that seemed to be what everyone else thought, too. Hugs and well wishes followed Rocky and Mal into the bar. When Rocky caught sight of Cam with a protective arm over Fergus’s shoulder, he stopped in his tracks, suddenly scared. Cam looked intimidating on a good day.
But no. Rocky had to make things right. Flicking his hair over his shoulder, he strode over, standing directly in front of Fergus.
“I don’t remember that night, but please believe me, I am so very sorry. To you and Cam,” he added as Cam’s harsh expression softened. “I hope you both know I would never intentionally hurt you or anyone else in this town. If I had been in my right mind it would never have happened.”
“Oh, darlin’” - Fergus’s face lit up as he laughed - “thank you. But it takes more than a cursed wolf shifter to dull my shine. Between Brutus, my momma, and me, we’ve decided to expand our savory line. Make sure you call in some time real soon.”
“You’re looking a lot tidier than the last time I saw you.” Cam nodded. “Let me pour you some drinks and by the way, welcome home.”
“So, Fergus, how much longer is it until your little one’s due?” Mal said brightly as Rocky tried to hide his tears. People are being so nice to me. “It can’t be long now is it?”
In his head, Rocky heard Mal say it’s like I told you, mate. These people love you. This is our home. All Rocky could do was nod, but then he spied someone else coming toward him.
Can you save me from Mrs. Hooper? She’s got two of her boys with her and there’s probably a wooden spoon in her handbag.
That one’s all yours, babe. Mal was laughing through their bond. You’re the sheriff in this town. You can deal with it.