I surmised that Xander was the boy I half-remembered bringing me in, and inner me smiled at the way the man spoke to me as if I were a human. The sensation in my body was beyond the point of pain by that point, which was both terrifying and oddly comforting.
“I’m almost done cleaning this side of you. Then I’ll need to roll you over and check out the other side, which is going to suck. How about you don’t bite me when I do that, yeah? If I’m bleeding and you’re bleeding, there’s no way I’ll be able to see where the bandages go.”
He kept tending my wound and chattering away. He was right about rolling over. It sucked. But from the words he spoke, I was doing less horribly than I felt. If I could heal just a little bit, I’d be able to shift and speed things along dramatically.
“I did call the vet, just so you know. I don’t want you to think I’m being a cheap-ass loser.”
I had been thinking a lot of things as he spoke to me and tended me so carefully, and him being a cheap loser had not been one of them.
3
August
The bunny was getting better. Or so I thought. I’d spent enough time on the farm that I knew a bit about dealing with injuries, but I was far from a vet—or even a vet tech, for that matter. The YouTube videos I watched when the vet Grams used told me just to put the fellow down sight unseen helped a little bit, but it was still a crap shoot.
I had expected Xander to come over again to see how his bunny was, but he didn’t. I almost stopped by his house to give him an update but then some barking dogs were silenced by a single shotgun fire that was followed by a dog crying...and I thought I might not be welcomed over there. His family was good and fucked up. I had assumed that was the case when he’d stopped by, but there was no denying it after I heard a dog being shot. At least a second shot hadn’t come.
I needed to get that other dog out of there.
And there I was thinking like I owned the place. Which I did, but only long enough to figure things out. I wasn’t planning on staying forever.
Probably.
I had a life back in the city. Sure, no one would describe it as exciting, but I had a small group of friends and a routine I enjoyed. That was something.
“Hey, little one.” I gently patted the bunny’s head. It wasn’t a good idea to pet wild animals, but he did better when I touched him. It was weird. Like my petting him gave him comfort. It was probably more wish fulfillment for my actions to do some good.
“I need to go check on the horses and the pig.” I stroked his head again. “I’ll be back, though. I promise.”
He looked up at me and moved his head in a way that could have almost been taken as nodding in agreement.
I had so many chores still to do before the night fell. I pulled on my muck boots, grabbed my work gloves that lived in the mud room, and headed out. When I first came to the farm, I saw this as what it was—a huge chore. But now that I was in a routine, it was more like taking care of my family.
Which was not good.
I needed to leave soon.
I had a career.
And a home—or place to live, anyway.
“Oh, Grams,” I spoke aloud as I headed to the barn. The horses were out in their pen, so I took the time to clean out their stalls and make sure they had fresh water and food. They would be at the barn entrance as soon as they heard the latch click, looking for their dinner. I’d been really impressed the first time I saw Grams do that, thinking that rounding up the horses would be a hot mess.
“You watch too many movies,” she teased. “These ain’t no rodeo animals. They’re pets, and what do pets love more than anything?”
“Their owner?” I guessed.
“Wrong.” She made a sound like a buzzer going off. “They like to eat. They know it’s food time.”
She had been right, of course. She always had been. Although, in a way, she’d been wrong too. The animals on this farm mourned her loss. Daisy the pig came looking for her every day as if she would magically appear. Henrietta the goose honked where her car used to be parked. The cat meowed on her chair on the porch and once in a while on her kitchen stool.
Those animals loved and missed her.
So did I.
Sure enough, the horses came trodding in one at a time, walking straight into their stalls as soon as they heard me. They had been brushed already, but Becca, the miniature horse, only ate while being brushed. Thankfully, being a mini made that a doable task. I closed the stalls one at a time until I got to hers. She stood there by the hay, just waiting for me.
“Spoiled girl.” I picked up her brush and began to groom her. She immediately started eating. “You know, not everyone would be willing to do this for you.” As I spoke the words out loud, I heard the truth in them. When I sold the farm, I would need to rehome her to the right person.
The vet had told Grams that Becca would eat eventually. The poor thing was already underweight, the result of someone who thought it would be super fun to have a horse they could bring in the house and then realized horses were work and that they smelled. Grams ignored his advice, and when he came back the next visit excited about her progress, Grams, according to her version of her story, told him that was what food would do to you and walked away.
Knowing her, she probably filtered that story for me and there were likely some choice cuss words in there as well.
Once the horses were done, I went to deal with Daisy. She seriously thought she was a dog, and unlike the horse, had free rein of the property. I walked over to her pig house, one designed for a dog complete with the word Dog on the front wall.
A sharp whistle had Daisy running over. “Silly pig. You want dinner.”
While feeding the pig, my mind kept wandering back to that poor bunny and then to the asshole next door. It was none of my business. I knew this. I had no proof he did anything wrong to the boy, but as far as I was concerned, a man who killed dogs was never too far from abusing humans.
“Eat up, Daisy.” I closed her small enclosure, something I only did at night, and peeked in to make sure the goose was fine. The fowl didn’t like to be bothered, so I tried to stay away from them. The only one she seemed to like was the cat. Even still, their visits were only long enough to boss her around. Those two were quite the pair.
My stomach began to rumble.
“Guess it’s time to feed myself too. Night, guys,” I called to them all, talking to them like they were family. Just like Grams had always done.
Leaving them was going to be hard.
4
Jase
August created a warm nest of towels in a box and left me a plate of hay and some carrots. It nourished my vegetarian side, but I was anxious for the day I could eat a steak as a human again. A nice grilled tri-tip was sounding better and better as the days passed. Not to mention, I had other cravings that needed to be satisfied.
There’s a reason rabbits procreate so readily. We’re horny as fuck. I don’t know the biology behind it, but whenever I was in my bunny body, I was always in a strange state of arousal, seeking out a mate. The bunny friends I met in an internet group for those of us blessed with the recessive gene had similar experiences in their animal forms. But most of them were mated so they had someone to help them sate those needs. Unfortunately for me, I usually got stuck with some videos and my hand after I shifted back to human.
Of course, I’d never been in my bunny state for more than a few hours at a time, and I had a feeling my need for release would be tenfold by the time I finally had a hand again.
Watching August walk around the house naked before and after his showers was also messing with my head. The first time he walked into the kitchen where my box was stationed, I turned away, wanting to give him some privacy. But then I remembered he had no idea I wasn’t 100% rodent. In fact, he probably didn’t even know shifters existed. As soon as I realized that, I gave myself permission to fully perv out on the guy, watching his cock swing as he walked and craning my neck for a bette
r view when he bent down to pick up the water dish on the floor just a few feet in front of me.
I’d pretty much been in a constant state of arousal since I started healing. When I finally released all this pent-up need, I expected it would be the biggest load of my life. But thinking about that moment just made matters worse. Instead, I tried to focus on August and his constant chatter. Truthfully, it was kinda nice to hear him talking to me about the other animals and his concerns over Xander. But it also made me want to shift back into my human form even more.
“I think one of his dogs was shot today.” August sighed as he cradled me in the crook of his arm and rubbed my belly.
No human had ever handled me in this form before, so it was disconcerting at first. But now I looked forward to those moments when I could hear his heartbeat thudding in his chest and the soft breaths against my fur as he spoke.
“I’m not positive, but that’s what it sounded like. So, he might not be by to see you for a few more days.” August looked out the window then down at me. “Or should we go check on him? I mean, I don’t think he’s in any real danger, but now I’m getting kinda worried.”
August carried me to the window and stared out toward his neighbor’s house. “You’d tell me if we needed to check on him, right, Bunny?”
I twitched my nose and did my best head nod without making it obvious I could understand what he was saying. It’s not like I actually knew the kid or what was happening at his house. I just wanted August to feel heard...and to keep talking.
August nodded down at me then walked back to the fridge and pulled out a beer. “Yeah, you’re right. He’s probably just comforting his other dog. He’ll be by soon.”
The beer looked so good. It was one of the first times when I wanted to shift out of August’s grip and become human again...so I could have a damn beer. But I still wasn’t strong enough. Once the blood I’d lost was fully replenished, I’d be able to regain my human form and walk right out the front door.
Or into August’s bed.
I hadn’t fully decided what I’d do at that point. It wasn’t like I could just tell August I was a bunny shifter. He’d never understand and would probably tranquilize me and hand me over to researchers...or a mental institution.
I curled into the warmth of August’s chest and dozed off.
“...think I’m crazy, right?”
I opened my eyes and saw August staring down at me.
“And you’d be right. I am crazy.” He chuckled humorlessly and took a swig of his beer.
I glanced at the table and saw three empty bottles lined up beside him. He was so warm, and he smelled so good. I could stay tucked up against him forever. My eyes started to drift shut again when he jostled slightly.
“I mean, look at me. I’m sitting here, talking to a rabbit as if you’re my best friend, and actually considering what my life would look like if I stayed on this damn farm.”
Stayed? What else would he do? This was his home, wasn’t it?
“Just because this was my favorite place to be when I was a kid doesn’t mean this is where I belong as an adult.” He shifted his weight so he was lying on the sofa with me still on his chest.
I moved up a few inches so I was burrowing in his neck. If I could have shifted, I would have. I would have become a human man, naked and aroused on top of August’s sexy body as he was pinned to the cushions. But I wasn’t ready to shift back. Not yet, anyway. I just needed a few more days, and then I’d be healed enough to shift.
“But fuck, I like it.” He lifted me up with both hands and held me in front of his face so he was looking right into my eyes. “And you, sweet thing, make me feel like this is exactly where I should be...doing exactly what I should be doing.”
My heart was racing when he rubbed his nose against mine then tucked me back against his neck.
“Who knows? Maybe I’ll just have to take you back home with me when I leave. I’m kinda getting used to having you around.”
5
August
“You look pretty amazing, little fellow. I bet you’re anxious to get back to your life in the wild. Heck, maybe you have a mate and a passel of babies waiting for you. I heard rabbits have a thing for procreating.” I laughed at my own bad humor. “They don't say going at it like bunnies for nothing. Am I right?”
I swore the little guy shook his head at me, and frankly, I deserved it. Standing there and talking to a bunny as if he were my buddy was insanity at its best. Yet there I was, almost dreading the day he left. Because I knew that day was coming soon.
“You can stay, though. I mean, if you don’t get all healed up and back to normal, you can stay here.” I rubbed the top of the little guy’s head and sat down to put my shoes on. I’d gotten so used to wearing muck boots around the farm that tying my shoes felt like a pain in the ass.
I needed to get out more.
“I’m going to check on the kid and then run some errands. I’ll tell him you said hello. He’ll know it’s bullshit, cause bunnies don’t talk, but maybe it will make him smile.” I stood up and brushed off my jeans. “I have a feeling he doesn’t smile a lot. I found a picture in the barn I think he made for my grams of her and Lux sitting on the porch. That cat…” I shook my head, thinking of how much time I’d wasted trying to get him back inside where I knew he once enjoyed at least part of his day.
I didn’t blame him. Had I lost the most important person in my life, I probably wouldn’t be too keen on being reminded of the hurt daily. And being in the kitchen on the stool I remembered him often sitting at might do just that. But what the fuck did I know about cats. I was projecting again. I’d been doing that a lot lately.
Spending so much time alone had me really thinking about what I wanted in my life. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized it was this farm. I just hadn’t figured out yet if it was my longing for the days of old or my longing to put down roots that was pulling at me so strongly.
I needed to figure it out...quickly.
“See ya in a bit.” I rubbed the bunny’s head again just as the sound of a car on the gravel driveway caught my attention. “Oh, looks like we have visitors,” I told the little furball as I pulled back the curtains and saw a police car in the driveway.
That was never good.
I walked out to greet the officers as they emerged from their car.
“You must be Angeline’s grandson. The one she was always bragging on,” a slightly older man said with a sad smile.
I gave him a nod. “Yes, sir. I’m August.”
“She is very missed. I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thanks, Officer.” I held out my hand. “So, is this about the shooting next door?”
“No, but maybe we should start with that.” He took my hand in his and gave it a shake. “Deputy Ron Stanford, and that’s Officer John. Shall we take a seat on the porch?” He was already heading that way. He’d only been sitting down for a second when Lux jumped on his lap, and he beamed.
“I see you and Lux have already met.” I smiled as I joined him on the porch, taking a seat in the rocker.
“Lux and I are good friends, aren’t we?” He rubbed under the cat’s chin. “I’m the one who brought him to your grams. Figured he’d fit in here.”
“He does.” All the misfits that inhabited the place fit in just right—including myself. “So, what brings you here?”
“A strange finding in the field not too far from here. We found an abandoned car and clothing, but no man. Thought you might have seen him.”
My brain began imagining the worst. “Shit, I thought my neighbor shot one of the dogs. Fuck. What if he shot a person?” Talk about leaping to a conclusion. Maybe I was spending too much time alone and talking to furry critters—and feathery ones.
“Whoa there, buddy. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, although I think we need to check on your neighbor. Which direction?”
“Over there—has a kid named Xander.” I pointed in the direction of t
he gunshots. “Really, the man probably only shot a dog. Not that it isn’t awful to shoot a dog, but it’s not the same level of awful as shooting a human. Okay, fine, it is the same awful in my opinion, just not under the law. I’ll shut up now.”
It was official. I needed to talk to humans before I turned into that weird person everyone in town walks away from if they get too close in the grocery store.
“I’ll check on the kid. That’s what you’re worried about, right?”
“Yeah. He brought me a bunny that had been hurt and he seemed—like he might need help.” At the time, Xander didn’t seem to need immediate help, but since help sat there in front of me, I might as well ask. “You need to go over there about the missing guy anyway, right?” I fed him an excuse, something he probably didn’t need, but it eased my fear about possibly making things worse for the kid.
“Not my first time to the rodeo.” The deputy winked. “And if you see a naked guy running around, please give dispatch a holler—Sheriff Martin thinks he might be trouble.” It didn’t sound like the deputy did, so at least there was that. “If he is running around naked, chances are he needs medical assistance of some kind, so best to be careful. We didn’t find any drugs at the scene, but they usually aren’t far behind when it comes to things like this.”
Great. There was probably a drugged-out naked man running around near my farm. Just what I needed.
And funny how my brain went to it being my farm, which was probably exactly what Grams had intended.
Some Bunny To Love: River’s Edge Shifters #1 Page 2
