Chapter 14 #2
“She did,” Judy replied with a smile for Emma who was basking in all the attention.
“And she remembered to loosen her clothes so they didn’t get ruined.
” Judy patted the little girl’s hair then shifted focus to Tracy.
“She’s a fast learner, and she was fine with the other kittens.
I helped her get dressed when she was human again. ”
“Thank you so much,” Tracy said, sounding grateful. “I haven’t been able to get her to do that at home.”
“Before you leave, you should sit in on one of the nursery sessions. We teach them all sorts of basic stuff. We’ve been dealing with baby shifters a long time, so we’ve developed a few tricks over the generations that usually work like a charm.
” Judy’s smile was open and warm. There was a reason she was one of Hank’s favorite people. She was a true sweetie.
“I’d like that. My kind don’t shift this early, so it’s been a real learning experience,” Tracy admitted.
“I’ll bet.”
They chatted a bit longer about the children, and Tracy realized, yet again, that she had a lot to learn about little jaguars.
She also understood how important it was for Emma to be around others like herself.
That was something Tracy could fix. Hank was making it easy for her to do so.
She just had to figure out where she stood with him before she decided just how involved she was going to allow herself to become with him.
Who was she kidding? She was already up to her eyeballs—and more interesting places—with him. But she still really needed to be sure this was the real deal before she could commit herself all the way to everything that being with Hank entailed.
Would she have to give up her Pack? How would that even work? How could she be the lone wolf among a Clan of jaguars? They all seemed welcoming enough now, but long term, could it really work? She just wasn’t sure.
“If you want, you could bring Emma back for the afternoon session. Abuela is coming to tell stories of the Clan’s history.
She’s very popular with all the children.
Most of the adults too, actually,” Judy invited.
“We’re happy to include Emma, and it’ll give you a bit more freedom to explore the island. ”
“Thanks. I’m not sure what we’re doing this afternoon, but if it works out, I’d like that. I’m sure Emma would, too.” Tracy lifted her baby girl in her arms, and after a few moments where Emma said bye-bye to her new friends, they left the nursery.
Hank escorted them to another community building where a small crowd was gathering.
“This is the dining hall. Everyone who’s working on the building projects eats lunch here most days.
I figured you wouldn’t mind meeting more of the locals,” Hank said with a wink, “and this way, we don’t have to cook. ”
Hank led her through the cafeteria-style line where they made selections from a great buffet, then seated them at a large table that was soon filled to capacity.
Tracy was introduced around. Most of the jaguars were younger than Hank, but she soon learned that though he was universally liked by every age group, the younger set had great admiration for his sense of humor and ingenious practical jokes.
Over the delicious meal, they regaled her with some of his more infamous antics. Like the time he put shaving cream in Mark’s boots then called a fire drill in the middle of the night. Apparently, Hank’s willingness to prank even the Alpha cat made him a bit of a hero to the younger set.
They also seemed to love the time Hank had painted Nick’s favorite security vehicle pink. It had taken stealth and a lot of pink spray paint, but he’d managed to do it three times in a row before the head of security caught him at it.
The chase that took place all over the island after that was apparently legendary. Both men had shifted, and the two jaguars were seen leaping from tree to stone to ground and doing things that even the other jaguars thought were impossible.
“Fear of losing a limb was a great motivator,” Hank admitted with a chuckle.
“Nick was threatening to rip my arm off, and he was mad enough that I was afraid he might follow through.” They all laughed.
“But it sure was funny watching him drive around the island in a pink Jeep for a few days at a time before he could get it repainted.”
Tracy could just imagine the stoic head of security having to keep his chin up while parading around the green paradise in a hot pink vehicle. Too funny.
There was a common theme in all of the pranks they described that Hank had pulled.
First, he never hurt anybody or destroyed their belongings.
His pranks were not malicious in any way, and he always managed to make the person he targeted laugh…
eventually. His humor was good-hearted, not mean-spirited. She liked that.
After lunch, they dropped Emma back at the nursery and resumed their tour.
Hank took her around the perimeter of the designated public areas, so she could begin to learn some of the markers that denoted private territories.
It wasn’t certain, by any means, that she’d stay on the island, but Hank was applying pressure, both subtle and not-so-subtle.
If she could just have a little time to think.
She was dealing with information overload and an emotional roller coaster at the same time.
She had to slow down for a few minutes and clear her mind.
A run would be really good, but she was almost afraid to go wolf on an island full of giant, predatory cats.
Besides, the wolf acted on instinct. The woman was the thinker, and she needed a little space from the very distracting and disturbing presence of the man who wanted to be her mate, in order to do it.
“Would it be okay if I just walked around by myself for a bit?” Tracy asked Hank suddenly. He’d just finished their circumference of the public areas, so she knew the general layout of where the private territories began and felt safe enough if she stuck to the community paths.
Hank looked as if she’d struck him. She didn’t need the added pressure, right now, of being responsible for his feelings, but she still felt guilty about putting that look on his face.
Darnit.
“I just need a little space,” she went on, trying to soften her words. “A little time alone to think.”
Hank stepped back from her, trying to hide his feelings, but her inner wolf felt she’d hurt him, somehow.
Still, he backed off. He seemed reluctant but resigned, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
She’d had a little too much togetherness for a woman used to living on her own since the birth of her daughter.
“Stick to the communal areas, and you’ll be fine,” he told her, backing away another step. “Do you know how to find the path to my territory?”
He’d only pointed it out like three times. Tracy rolled her eyes and nodded. “I can find your place. No problem,” she assured him.
“I’ll be in my office until just before the afternoon session at the nursery ends. You can find me at home, or meet me at the nursery then. Or, if you need more time, I’ll just pick up Emma and bring her back to my place. We’ll be there when you’re ready.”
She was glad he was being so reasonable about this, but she probably wouldn’t need that much time. She was still a mom, and she still wanted to be there for her daughter.
“I won’t be that long. I’ll probably meet you at the nursery, and we can go on together from there.” Surely, her ruminations wouldn’t take so long she’d miss seeing Emma’s excited little face after her day with the other cats and the Clan’s grandmother.
She walked away from him first, slipping down the path toward the town hall somewhat aimlessly.
She’d seen a sort of park space with benches around a tiny pond with a waterfall near the school.
She would see if it was empty, and if so, she’d start off there.
The sound of trickling water had always been peaceful to her.
Maybe that and the lush, green surroundings would help her think.
Tracy was sitting on one of the benches when she heard someone walking nearby. Not a shifter, judging by the loud footsteps. There were few humans on the island, so it might very well be the Alpha female. Sure enough, a few moments later, Shelly came over to stand by Tracy’s bench.
“Do you mind if I join you?” Shelly asked politely.
“Not at all.” Truthfully, Tracy had been getting nowhere on her own. She was still as confused as ever.
Shelly smiled and took a seat. “Thinking weighty thoughts?” she asked after a moment’s consideration of Tracy’s expression.