by Melissa Haag
“They’re eating oatmeal in the main room. Come down when you’re ready,” he said, standing.
I nodded and with clean clothes in my arms, shooed him out the door.
* * * *
Mary and I showed Rilla the rooms on the first floor and the clothes in the entry. Her adorable son ran around us in his fur. It was really hard not to play with him like he was a frisky puppy, which was totally how he acted.
They picked a room near the back of the house that Mary and I hadn’t yet swept. It also had no glass in the window. But Rilla didn’t seem to mind at all. She set the clothes they’d taken just inside the door, then she and the cub went off to find her husband. Thomas had offered to show the man the rest of the buildings.
As Mary and I walked to the common room, I thought of what we had to offer new families.
“It just doesn’t seem like clothes are enough,” I said, thinking aloud. “The men only wear pants because I asked. Would you be wearing clothes if Winifred hadn’t said something?”
“It’s getting cooler out at night, so probably.”
“Funny,” I said, knowing she was just being smart. “How can we make this place more comfortable for those who aren’t sure if they want to be a part of it or not? I know you were willing to sleep on the floor, but that’s going to be hard and cold in the winter.” But no worse than snow and frozen ground, I supposed.
“I like my bed. But if I had to choose what I like best about it, it would be the pillow. I could go back to sleeping on the floor if I had a pillow.”
“Then, we have our project for the day,” I said with a smile. “We’ll see if we can come up with a way to make some pillows.”
“Just so we don’t have to weed.”
When we pushed our way through the main room doors, the room was empty and the breakfast dishes waited. It had been a hectic morning. I didn’t know who to thank for getting up early to make the oatmeal. It wasn’t Mary. I’d pulled her from her bed so she could come with me to greet the new family.
I went to the stove and saw someone had been kind enough to put a pot of water there. It was already boiling. Mary and I got to work. Before we had half the dishes clean, Rilla and Ann joined us with their children. Together, we finished the dishes quickly.
Leif walked in from outside as we stacked the dried plates and bowls. In his arms, he carried a bunch of the reeds.
“If you’re finished with the trough, can I use it? Weaving works better if we keep this soft,” he said.
I nodded and watched him set them in the trough. He pumped some water and poured it over them.
“Ready?” he said with a smile.
“What are you doing?” Rilla asked, curiously eyeing the leaves.
“Leif is going to teach us how to make baskets so we can store things,” Mary said.
“I would love to learn that, too,” she said. Leif handed her several of the leaves and took a few more himself. They brought them over to the table.
“We’ll need to spread out to have enough space to work, but let me show you how to start.”
Before I could join the rest at the table and watch Leif, Gregory came in from outside.
“Not you two,” he said looking at Mary and me. “We’re going back to the marsh.”
Mary and I both groaned.
“What you brought back was a good start,” Leif said. “But we’ll need more to make enough baskets to store what’s in that garden. If you pick enough, we can make mats for the floor, too. And bring back whatever tops you can. It makes a soft stuffing.”
Gregory held the door, waiting while Mary and I shared a look. We’d both slept deeply because of the day before. I hadn’t asked her how her back felt, but the idea of spending another day doing the same thing made me want to run for my room. I was willing to bet she felt the same way.
Yet, going back to the marsh meant mats for people to sleep on and possibly stuffing for the pillows she and I had just talked about—Leif had probably overheard us. Making this place into a home would take some work, back-breaking, sweat-inducing work.
“Come on,” I said with a sigh.
Together, we walked out the door.
On the ground just outside, I saw two finished baskets. One was the baby’s and the other Leif must have made the night before. Mary picked up both and started following Gregory across the clearing.
I took two steps, then I found myself swept up from behind. I squealed and automatically wrapped my arms around Thomas’ neck. My pulse jumped as he grinned down at me.
His boyish smile and the amusement pouring from him warmed me.
“Ready?” he asked.
In his arms, I felt like I was ready for anything. I nodded, and he ran.
* * * *
When I would have kicked off my shoes and stepped into the cattails, Thomas stopped me.
“It’s getting too cold for you to do that. You stay here and stack what we pick.”
Stacking the fronds the three of them pitched onto dry ground wasn’t very hard; but within an hour, my back wanted to quit. I stretched, twisting this way and that, in an effort to relieve the ache.
“Ready to stop?” Thomas asked. Mud smeared his arms up to his elbows as he stood calf-deep in cold water. His pants were rolled up to his knees.
“We were never ready to start,” Mary grumbled. She and Gregory were similarly dirty and standing in the water. Gregory moved over to her and gently rubbed her shoulders. I watched her sag against him.
“Yes, I think we have enough for today,” I said.
Cattail tops filled both baskets, and a very large stack of leaves waited beside them. If Thomas carried me, it would leave more for Gregory and Mary to carry.
“I know I’m slow, but I think I’d like to walk back,” I said. Hopefully the walk would loosen up my back muscles.
No one argued with me, and we worked together to tie the leaves into bundles. Gregory and Thomas carried the majority. I managed the last two bundles while Mary carried the baskets. When we had everything in our arms, Mary and Gregory took off, running ahead. Thomas and I walked through the trees.
Again, I wondered if I was doing enough to make the buildings into a place where people would want to live. Were pillows, mats, and clothes enough? Would it sway the rest of the pack when they returned?
“Have you heard from them?” I asked. He didn’t ask who I meant.
“They don’t contact me. But I did let them know about Ann and Leif’s daughter. I think they sent the new family, too, by sharing that news.”
“How’s your head? It hasn’t seemed to bother you since they left.”
His gaze softened as he glanced at me.
“It’s been better since they left. One or two of them tests my hold daily but the rest of the time it’s tolerable.”
“Do they know about me?”
He shook his head.
“You asked me not to say anything. I won’t. But others might. It’s only a matter of time.”
I frowned, worried. What would happen when they found out?
“I can feel your concern, Charlene. It will be all right. Even if they do find out, they’ve separated into smaller groups to spread out and cover more territory. They won’t be able to cause trouble until they’re back together, here.”
That worried me more. With Bine living in town and most of Thomas’ pack leaving daily to look for work, it left very few to help Thomas if the need arose. At least he kept Gregory close. Then I realized there was one person I hadn’t seen at all since Claiming Thomas.
“Where’s Grey?” I asked.
Thomas sighed and looked off into the trees. “He worries as much as you do. He’s left the pack so there’s one less rope to hold.”
“What?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“It’s not as bad as it sounds. He’s with Winifred. They’re preparing him to be an Elder.”
“Elder Grey?”
He nodded. Though his expression was blank, I felt th
e wave of sorrow that consumed him.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. Grey is doing what he has always done, sacrificing his future for the future of someone else. Only this time, his sacrifice will benefit all of us, not just me.” He caught my confused look. “Being an Elder means you serve the people, never yourself. He can never have a Mate once he becomes an Elder. If he even thinks about it, he’ll die. He’ll never have cubs...”
I’d lived with them long enough to know a Mate and cubs were at the top of every man’s mind. To give that up to protect not only his brother but me and the future of his people was humbling.
I shifted the bundles in my arms and reached out, gently touching Thomas’ shoulder. “Tell Winifred to thank him for me.”
Thomas nodded. We walked together in silence for several meters before I heard a rustling ahead. Gregory and Mary ran toward us. Mary wore an amused smile. Gregory ran just a few steps back and to her side, keeping an eye on her.
They stopped in front of us, and without a word, Gregory took Thomas’ load. Mary held out her arms for mine.
“You don’t have to,” I said.
“Tub’s half full,” she said, “and there’s more water hot on the stove. If you hurry, you can have the tub first. Take too long, and it’s mine.”
I surrendered what I carried and looked up at Thomas as they took off running. There was only one way to hurry back.
Thomas opened his arms.
* * * *
I leaned back in the hot water, sighing yet again. It was heaven. My sore back didn’t feel sore anymore, and my hair no longer smelled like marsh.
Voices carried through the door. Rilla, Ann, and Leif were still working on baskets. Mary, Gregory and Thomas had been watching what they did, trying to learn, when I’d closed the door. When we’d returned, all of the leaves gathered from the day before had almost been used. Rilla was working on mats for sleeping since it was an easier weave, and Ann and Leif were making the baskets.
I knew I should get out of the water, dress, and join them, but I couldn’t quite make myself move. My fingers weren’t pruned enough. I closed my eyes and relaxed further.
Someone tapped on the door.
“Charlene,” Thomas said. “If you fall asleep in there, I will come in.”
“Chill,” I said, opening my eyes. “I’m almost done.”
I sat forward and reached for the towel I had waiting on the chair. Standing, I wrapped it around me and squeezed the excess water from my hair. Minutes later, I was dressed and opening the door.
Thomas looked up from his spot at the table and smiled at me. My stomach did its funny dance it liked to do. I turned away from him. His amusement filtered in through our link as I went to the stove and checked on lunch.
Someone had started a soup. Vegetables, fowl, and pasta floated in the broth.
Hands settled on my shoulders as I gave it a stir. Thomas’ amusement faded and something that felt like hunger replaced it. I turned my head to look at him. His hands skimmed down my shoulders, feathered over my upper arms, then transferred to my sides. I was fully clothed. His hands didn’t stray from my sides. Yet, if felt completely indecent. His hunger wasn’t for food; it was for me.
My lips parted, and his gaze shifted down to them. I wanted to tell him to give me some space but I couldn’t speak. His hunger consumed me and became my hunger. I set the spoon aside and turned, slowly. His head lowered. My pulse leapt, and I licked my lips.
“How’s the soup?” Mary asked. Barely contained laughter laced her words. But hearing her voice was enough to break the spell. Thomas’ hunger turned to mild annoyance.
I exhaled slowly and ducked around Thomas. Heat marked my cheeks as I headed for the common room’s doors.
“Mary, finish your basket,” Thomas said from behind me.
His irritation filtered through the connection we had. I wasn’t sure if it was at Mary or me because I was trying to put some distance between us.
One of the men chuckled as I left the room. Seconds later, I heard the door behind me and knew Thomas was following me. I didn’t look back at him, and he didn’t try to catch me until I was in the upstairs hallway.
Thomas’ hand curled around my upper arm before I made it to my door. He didn’t try to pull me to a stop. He didn’t need to. His touch was enough. Had he not touched me, I would have stepped inside my room, closed the door on him, and hid away at least until my blush faded.
Instead, when he touched me, I pivoted and took us both by surprise. I reached up, grabbed his face, and pulled him down for a kiss.
For several moments, just our lips touched. Then, his hunger returned in force. His hands settled on my sides again. He steered me back against a wall. My hands slid up into his hair. I opened my mouth to him. He growled and kissed me hard.
My head spun. I wasn’t sure if it was the kiss or if maybe I wasn’t breathing.
His lips left mine and trailed along my jaw to my neck. It was then that I noticed he was moving me again. Step by step, we were shuffling closer to my room.
I panicked, fisted my hand in his hair, and yanked hard.
“Ow!” He took a step back and scowled at me while he rubbed his head.
“What do you think you are doing?”
“It’s called kissing,” he said, dryly.
“No, you were trying to back me into my room. Why?”
He stopped rubbing his head and stared at me a moment. I felt the rush of hunger once more. But now I knew what he meant to do with it, and it didn’t wash me away.
“No, Thomas. You promised. Nothing more than I’m ready to give.”
“But I thought that was a yes.”
“That was a kiss, remember?”
He looked mildly annoyed with me for a moment then sighed.
“I’m sorry, Charlene.”
He stepped close and slowly pulled me into a hug. I resisted at first until I felt his sincerity.
“I’m sorry,” he said again.
He held me in the hall for a while then pulled away.
“I’ll save you some lunch. Mary will come up to sit with you.”
He was giving me space while still making sure I was protected. My heart softened a little.
“Thank you,” I said, then turned away and closed myself into my room.
A few minutes later, Mary came in. She had a partial mat, and extra leaves. She sat on the floor, spread out her work, and looked up at me.
“So what earned him the hair pull?” she asked. She didn’t sound amused, just concerned.
“He told you?”
She nodded and started weaving another leaf into place.
“When he asked if I would come up here. He said you were upset enough with him that you pulled his hair, but he couldn’t leave you alone, even if you were mad at him. So what did he do?”
I blushed but confessed everything.
“I kissed him. He assumed it was a sign for more and was trying to nudge me into the room.”
“Yeah. Sleeping in Gregory’s room is nice, but I have to watch what I do. They’re always trying to read into things, hoping you’re finally saying yes without using the word. I haven’t pulled his hair yet, but I’ve come close.” She took a new leaf from her pile and started to weave that one in. Her calm acceptance had me blurting my concerns.
“Mary, I’m really not ready. I know he’s worried about what will happen when the pack returns and he thinks...mating,” I swallowed hard, “will help with that, but I’m just not ready. What am I supposed to do?”
Her hands stilled as she looked up at me.
“Is it okay if I ask Winifred to join this conversation?” she asked hesitantly.
I thought about it for a moment then nodded. Mary sat quietly for a minute, then a corner of her mouth quirked in a smile.
“First, Winifred wants you to know she supports whatever decision you make and applauds you for standing up for what you wanted and pulling Thomas’ hair. She’s not
pushing one way or the other. She said you need to think about the reasons why you’re not ready.”
“I’m too young,” I said automatically.
“Do you think I’m too young?” Mary asked, and I knew she was speaking for herself.
“Yes, I do.”
“Why?”
I stared at her.
“How old are you?”
“I’ll have been born sixteen years ago when the leaves fall.”
“And don’t you think that’s a little young?”
Mary shrugged.
“I don’t feel young. I’ve hunted with my family since I could walk. I’ve been learning about the dangers of the human world since before I could speak, and I have listened to the history of our race. Like you said, we’re dying. Don’t I have a responsibility to try to keep us going? And I love Gregory. It’s not like I’m even sacrificing my happiness for the sake of everyone else. Once we’re Mated, he’ll never leave me. He’ll always care for me and love me in return. This isn’t something that fades or goes away. The only reason I’m waiting, is because I don’t want you to be upset with me. I saw your disappointment when I let him Claim me.”
“Oh, Mary,” I said, moving to kneel beside her. “I’m so sorry. I never meant to make you think I’d be upset with you. I won’t be.” I hugged her and she wrapped her arms around me. “If you felt my disappointment, it was because I thought you’d leave. None of your kind really seems to like being here.”
“Living here is different,” she said, pulling back. “But we stay because you make this place somewhere we want to be.”
My eyes watered.
“I’ve never had a better friend than you,” I said. “If Gregory makes you happy, don’t hold back because of me.”
“If Thomas makes you happy, don’t hold back because of age or doubt. Waiting won’t change how he feels for you. Once our kind finds a Mate, it’s for life.”
And if I were honest with myself, that worried me more than my age. She watched me for a minute then went back to weaving, letting me think things through.
If I Mated with Thomas without telling him the truth, what kind of life would we have?
* * * *
