Chapter 85 Sweet and Nostalgic
Night fell.
They’d eaten a light meal at dinnertime and said goodnight to Timber, then came back over to the bunker, sitting in the chairs near the tent.
Sage and Canyon talked about inconsequential things while they watched Serenity settle for the night: things like restaurants they liked, hobbies they enjoyed, and books they’d read, carefully avoiding anything that might have to do with family, or shiften, which made it easy for Sage to not mention her daughter.
The night brought a sharp chill to the air, encouraging Sage to snuggle close in Canyon’s jacket. He’d already covered her with a blanket, while he wore only an SPD hoodie. She inhaled slowly, drawing in his scent where it lingered in the heavy fabric.
“What would our young look like?” Canyon asked.
Sage looked at him, trying to read his face. Her thoughts went to Paisley and she shook her head.
“Like you, hopefully,” he said, answering his own question.
She smiled, a warm flush filling her. “If they’re males, they’ll take after their father.”
He looked out at the town as if contemplating fatherhood, his face serene. “Tell me about that time before,” he said. “When we were together.”
She smiled, thrilled to talk about it. When she’d hated Canyon, the memory had eaten at her like acid, but now it felt different: sweet and nostalgic.
“We met at Grizzly’s Groceries,” she said.
He nodded his head. “They’ve got great steaks.”
She laughed. “That’s exactly how we met—over a steak, and then you took me to Carnivore Cuts.”
He nodded, appearing impressed with his past self. “I approve.”
She gave him a teasing look. “You begged a little.”
He grinned. “I bet I did.”
“We went to WyldeWoode Waystation Hotel—the Penthouse.”
He raised his eyebrows. “You must’ve really wanted to get in my pants.”
She laughed. “You paid, not me.”
He took her hand and kissed her knuckles, then nibbled on one. She bit her lower lip, and watched, feeling charmed by this male.
“We were there for three days and nights. We didn’t leave the room once.”
“Damn. Sounds like a good time.”
They lapsed into comfortable silence. Sage pulled her hand back under the warm blankets. She could think of a thousand things to say, but she kept quiet, listening to the wind all around them, drinking in the glittering sight of Serenity stretching out in the dark.
After a while, she realized she was falling asleep. She looked at Canyon, and his chin was on his chest, his eyes closed.
“Canyon,” she whispered, plucking at his sleeve.
He opened his eyes, piercing her with his gaze in the dark. Her breath hitched. The male was solid, and strong, and she wanted him.
“Sleep,” he muttered.
“Okay,” she whispered. Her mind was wired, while her body was exhausted, but would they really sleep?
He stood and unzipped the tent. They kicked off their shoes, then went in, Canyon peeling off his hoodie and shirt, then dropping his pants, revealing dark boxers.
He folded everything neatly in the moonlight, then climbed into what looked like two sleeping bags zipped together, his head facing toward the tent opening.
He opened the bag and motioned for her to get in. “It’ll be warm once we’re both in.”
Sage threw the blanket on top of the sleeping bags, then took off her jacket. She left her shirt on, then unbuttoned and stepped out of her pants.
“Sexy ass,” Canyon said, growling softly.
Sage smiled and climbed into the sleeping bag and entwined her legs with his, murmuring, “You’re so warm.”
He pulled her close, making her the little spoon. She turned her head so she could stargaze, and he kissed the top of her head, snuggling closely, his breathing slowing quickly.
Sage felt safer than she ever felt at home in her own bed. She snuggled close to the strong male and stared at the stars until her eyes drifted closed.
Sage slept, wrapped up in the arms of a vod on one bluff, while her family hid from the vod on another.
***
:4 a.m. Time for Timber’s 5th Foxglove application—
Sage opened her eyes, hearing Wulf speak from somewhere nearby.
“I’ll get it,” she said. She fumbled around in starlight to find her pants and pull them on.
“I’ll come,” Canyon said, his sleepy voice sexy.
Sage unzipped the tent and left it, bringing her jacket and shoes.
She swung the jacket over her shoulders, looking up at the stars, and the view stopped her breath in her chest. Canyon came and stood next to her, his chest and legs bare.
He pulled his pants on, then stared at the stars.
Sage held his arm and they curled their fingers together.
Wind picked up, swirling tendrils that had come loose from Sage’s braids.
The moment felt magical, like a promise of better days coming.
Canyon kissed her softly on the mouth. “The concrete’s cold,” he said.
Sage laughed, hopping from foot to foot. “Sure is.” She pulled her shoes on and Canyon did the same, then they walked hand in hand to the campsite. Wulf met them at the bottom of the bunker steps and wheeled quietly next to them, throwing light on their path.
“Where’s Timber?”
Canyon pulled her to the truck. She looked in an open window and saw him curled up as a massive black wolf in the passenger seat, a white bandage on his foreleg.
Canyon reached in the window and shook his right flank. “Gotta change your bandage,”
Timber uncurled then looked up at them. He stood and jumped out the window, then stretched his back. He flopped over on his side, appearing to go back to sleep.
Sage squatted near him and worked quickly. In minutes, the bandage change was finished.
“Should we wake him?”
“Nah, let him sleep. He’ll be fine.”
Wulf wheeled close. :I will watch over him—
“Thanks, Wulf. We’re going back to sleep.”
:Goodnight—
“Goodnight.”
They returned to the tent. Canyon stripped down to boxers again, and Sage kept her shirt and panties on. Inside the sleeping bag, Canyon made her the little spoon again. He fell asleep, quickly, not moving, his breathing deep and even.
Sage stared at the stars, feeling adrift, even as Canyon held her tight.