Tiny Treasure (Eternal Flames Maddox Book 4)

by Cree Storm

York stepped back, but stayed close as Timmy knelt on the ground and placed a small bouquet of flowers Pascal had given him on the small grave, whispering, "Thank you for being there when I needed someone to talk to. I know that they don't understand how I could get so close to a nest of eggs, but that's okay. We know what we meant to each other. I don't want you to worry about me. I have Yorkie now, and he always listens when I talk. I have a best friend, Pascal. He is so great and my chimera is back and they really want me around. Sunny wasn't even mad about the crown. Then there is Lonny and his clutch, they are all helpful and with his mates and the shimmer and blaze, I'll be safe. So you go with your momma and I'll visit as often as I can." Standing, Timmy rasped, "I really loved you."

  York lightly squeezed Timmy's shoulder. His mate turned into him and cried. York picked his mate up and held him close, whispering words of comfort and love. Turning, York was surprised to see everyone was still there. The ones that had been laughing were suspiciously sniffing and wiping their eyes.

  "Are we going to have to do this every time one of Timmy's animals dies?" Ollie whispered to Jett.

  York didn't give Jett a chance to answer, leaning close he hissed, "Keep talking fox and I will send out the hounds."

  Everyone followed York to the front of the house, where, to his left was a large three-story ranch house and to the left was a barn with a smaller version next to it. Taking a deep breath, York reluctantly pulled Timmy's arms from around his neck, softly saying, "Nugget, we all knew how sad you would be today, so we wanted to do something to help cheer you up."

  "Don't let him fool you, Timmy, this was all York's idea," Pascal shouted.

  York set Timmy on the grass. "That may be, but it took everyone here and even some of those that couldn't be here today, to make this a reality in such a short time."

  Timmy blew his nose, rasping, "I don't understand."

  Illan smiled. "York came to me with a wonderful idea. I'm going to let King Suneth explain it to you."

  Timmy looked at his king, and King Suneth asked, "You know that the chimera has come to Crystal to assist Illan and Justice with keeping its citizens safe?"

  Timmy nodded.

  "Well, we needed a place to call home, but you know how we like our privacy. It isn't always safe when we are forced to shift for our twenty-four-hour period. York came to me about this place. It belonged to Doris, a long-time resident recently killed," King Suneth stated.

  Twix sighed, "Doris and I were very close friends and she had no children and left me her home in her will."

  "Oh, Twix, I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend," Timmy murmured.

  Smiling, Twix said, "Thank you. I didn't know what I was going to do with it. I didn't feel it was right to refuse, but I also already have a home. So, when King Suneth and York came to me, I knew what they were proposing was the right thing to do. It was something I knew Doris would be proud of me for doing."

  "We purchased the ranch, Timmy," King Suneth quickly said.

  Timmy smiled wide. "That's wonderful, Sunny. We always wanted a place to really call home. It's got a lot of land for you to have the horse ranch you always wanted. Qavex, Juddan, you, and Asbuth can build that training area you guys always talked about. Oh, and I bet the kitchen is huge for you to practice all your recipes in, Nuzan. You might have to share with Canuz for his baking though. I bet that the east side will be great for your pottery room with the lighting and all, Sylux, and the barn should be big enough for Ozcog to work on the bikes."

  "Actually, the barn is taken, but I plan on building a garage for that purpose," Ozcog replied.

  Timmy's brows drew together in confusion. "Taken? Oh I guess Qavex will need it for his horses."

  Shaking his head, King Suneth replied, "Nope, the barn is not for that either."

  "Then what are you going to do with it?" Timmy asked in confusion.

  York knelt down to his mate. "I was kind of hoping you would be okay with us moving into it."

  "You want us to live in a barn?" Timmy gasped, then quickly said, "I mean──um──well, if you want to move into the barn, then I guess we can. We may need to sweep and stuff to get the hay out, but I would love to be near my chimera. Wait! What about your job at the firehouse in Maddox? I don't want you to give that up, Yorkie. You love being a fireman."

  York placed a finger on his mate's lips, then moved it to kiss him. Slowly pulling back, York replied, "Illan and Wyndingo are going to let me come to Crystal to work. I'll join Day's team and it is no hardship for me."

  "But your friends! You can't leave your friends, Yorkie. I won't let you give up everything for me," Timmy said shaking his head.

  York loved how his mate cared enough to not want him to leave everything so his nugget could be with his chimera, but it really was not necessary. "Nugget, I'm not giving up anything. I will still have a job I love, and as for my friends, they are less than an hour's drive from here. What is important to me is that you are happy. I want you to be with your family. Did you think I didn't notice how you disliked all the noises in Maddox? Or how it is so crowded. How many times did you say there are too many fumes from all the vehicles? Now, how about I show you what I would like for us to call home? I want us to do this, Nugget. Besides, Illan was telling me he needed an assistant and wants you to be that man."

  Timmy drew in a sharp breath. "Really, Lonny? You want me to come and work with you?"

  Illan nodded. "Absolutely. I have been told I am a workaholic and if I don't start getting home by five every night, I'm going to be in big trouble."

  Blinking rapidly, Timmy turned to Justice and Avery. "I promise. I'll make him go home. He will be there."

  Justice and Avery smiled at Timmy, both saying, "Thank you."

  Timmy's eyes filled again and tears slipped down his cheek. Jumping into York's arms, Timmy blubbered, "I love you, Yorkie. You really are the best mate in the entire world."

  "I love you too, nugget. Now, let's go see the barn," York whispered past the lump in his throat.

  Walking in carrying his mate, York was still in awe at all that had been accomplished. Opening the large door, York smiled at the deep indrawn breath Timmy made when he stepped inside.

  The bottom floor was one large open floor plan. In the living area sat a large, stone washed sofa, with a chaise lounge on the end for York to cuddle up on with his mate. Across from that was a stone fireplace with a large, flat-screen mounted on the wall over the mantle. York couldn't wait to lie on that sofa, cuddling with his mate as the fire danced in the fireplace and they watched movies on that TV. The coolest thing about it all was that the silo acted as the chimney so the exterior still looked like a barn. Another matching colored couch and two matching recliners made it a comfortable location when visitors came to visit them, and the strategically placed black floor lamps would provide his mate with the ability to read all those paranormal romances he loved to read at night while York watched the news.

  Pointing to a closed door before the kitchen, York said, "That's the regular bathroom for down here. There's another bigger one upstairs."

  "This is amazing!" Timmy said so low York almost missed it.

  Walking further into the room, the large kitchen was to the right, with state of the art appliances and a large bar with three stools to separate it from the dining area.

  There were two spiral staircases, one on each end of their home. Timmy started climbing and sniffling once again. "I can't believe you did all this, Yorkie."

  York snorted, "It might have been my idea, but it was Twix, Rhys, Pascal, Ollie, Toby, and Nelson that made it happen. Illan and his clutch helped me clean it out and get it ready. And Nash had a security expert put in the alarm system. It's connected directly to the firehouse and the police station, as well as the main house. I'll show you how to use it and give you the codes later."

  Timmy stopped and looked down to where everyone stood smiling wide. "Thank you all so much!"

  Pascal rushed up behind them as Timmy walked in
to the top loft. Their ultra-king size bed with matching dressers took up a large portion of the space. Two doors sat open, allowing them to see a large walk-in closet, and a massive bathroom with double sink, whirlpool tub, and two-man shower.

  Pascal ran to one end of the barn and opened the loft door, then ran to the other end and opened the other loft door. "We made a balcony for you to be able to go outside and there's a hot tub that faces the forest. This way if you want to get frisky with York, you don't have to worry about people seeing you.”

  The others all came upstairs and Twix and Rhys smiled at each other. Twix said, "Timmy, stand on the throw rug. We did something that not even your mate knows about."

  Timmy did as Twix asked and York watched as Twix pressed a button. The roof started to part and a glass dome had York's eyes widening in shock.

  "We thought that it might be cool to be able to look at the stars and moon at night. The really cool thing is that the glass has a special tint that blocks the sunlight, and acts like a regular window. However, the most unique feature is this," Twix said pressing another button.

  Timmy squealed as he started to rise in the air, Twix said, "When you want to do your special perch, you can get on this and it will take you high enough so you can overlook the ranch while your solidified. This way you are out of sight of predators, and the dragons and phoenix will always fly around the ranch, to keep the jewel safe. We may not know who has it, but I also put this feature in the main house as well. We didn't want to leave you exposed in your most vulnerable time."

  “How did you do all of this? I mean I know you have wicked powers but…” York asked as he looked around.

  “With the help of Pascal, Ollie, and Toby. They boosted mine and Rhys’ powers a little,” Twix answered.

  Timmy sniffled as he looked down at his friends. A small yip had Timmy turning left then right. "What was that?"

  Pascal looked around. "It sounded like it came from downstairs."

  Twix hit the button to lower Timmy and once back on the floor, York took Timmy’s hand and led him back downstairs with everyone quickly following. Another yip and then a whining sounded was coming from behind the closed bathroom door.

  York smiled. "Why don't you go and see what that could be?"

  Timmy slowly made his way to the door. York watched as his mate opened the bathroom door and a large, black, English Mastiff puppy with a black mask and tiger stripes leapt from the room and knocked Timmy on his butt, licking and climbing all over him.

  The laughter coming from his little nugget warmed York's heart.

  Timmy got a hold of the pup. "Yorkie, he is wonderful. Thank you."

  Shaking his head, York said, "Not me, this was all Illan. He got you the puppy. The rest of us each got you another type of animal and they are out in your barn."

  "Yep, you are the proud owner of a petting zoo," Juddan said with a smile.

  "Well, you might not want to pet the one I got you. It's a porcupine," Ollie said puckering his lips and moving them side to side as he looked anywhere but at the people in the room.

  Jett laughed. "I got you a skunk."

  Pascal pursed his lips and crossed his arms. "What the heck kind of gift is that?"

  "Hey, they need lovin’, too," Ollie argued.

  Timmy smiled wide as the dog licked him and kept trying to climb higher. Giggling, he said, "I can't wait to see them."

  "Well, you can do that while we set up the food. Today we are having a party," Illan said happily.

  "A party? What are we celebrating?" Timmy asked.

  "Adding the gargoyles to our family," Justice said clasping his mate’s hands.

  Everyone filed out, heading to the patio where the barbeque was set up. Plenty of tables and chairs surrounded the area, and everyone helped to get things going as they laughed and joked. They all needed this to relieve the stress of everything that had been going on, and to come closer together to create a bond with the gargoyles, celebrating the new alliance they would share. But as everyone worked, none of them noticed the large man watching them from the forest line.

  CHAPTER 15

  Timmy sat on York’s lap with his new pup fast asleep in his arms as he listened to his mate talking to Wyndingo, and watched all of his new friends and his chimera laugh and get to know each other. The sun was beginning to set and Jett, along with his mate, Zev, were lighting a fire in the big pit at the end of the patio. It wasn’t cold, but there was a chill in the air. Timmy cuddled in closer against Yorkie’s chest and laid his head on his shoulder. A sense of peace filled him, and Timmy couldn’t remember ever being this happy.

  He never thought his life could ever be this good. He had his chimera, a mate who loved him, a best friend, a whole bunch of new friends that seemed to like him for who he was, and they were all part of a big family.

  Then there was his new house, that he would live in with Yorkie, and his chimera was only a few yards away in their new home. A new job he would be starting in a few days and he had a new pup that his Lonny had given him. Then, of course, there was a barn full of other creatures he was yet to meet.

  Pascal walked over with a smile on his face. “Hey, Timmy, would you like to check out the barn and meet your new pets? We should probably check on them for the night, before everyone heads home.”

  “Oh yes, that’s a good idea,” Timmy replied as he wiggled from York’s lap and stood. Turning, he placed the still sleeping pup on Yorkie’s lap and smiled when his mate immediately wrapped his hands around the pup to protect him.

  “I’m going to go with Pas and check on my other babies, is that okay?” Timmy asked York.

  York gave him a big smile. “Of course, it is, Nugget. Like I said, you don’t have to ask for my permission, but thank you for letting me know where you were going so I wouldn’t worry about you,” York said, then leaned up, puckering his lips, and Timmy giggled.

  He loved that his mate wasn’t shy about showing him attention around others, and how loving he was. Timmy leaned down and kissed York’s lips and a jolt of electricity shot through him. As much as he loved having everyone here, now he couldn’t wait for them all to leave to that he could have time alone with his Yorkie in their new home.

  “Go on gorgeous and save that thought for later,” York said and gave him a wink.

  Timmy’s eyes opened wide. “How did you…”

  “Your sinful thoughts are written all over your face, my beautiful mate. But save those thoughts for later, when we’re alone.”

  Timmy smiled shyly as he felt heat rise up his cheeks and knew he was blushing. Pascal grabbed his arm and pulled him away as he laughed. “Come on, Casanova. Let’s go check on your babies.”

  “Casanova? I’m not Casanova. He really liked the ladies. Not that I don’t like girls, but not like that. Eek. I wouldn’t know what to do with all those girlie bits. I like manly bits. Girls would want me to lead because I’m the man, but I don’t want to. I like having a big strong man to take charge, but still let me be me, you know?” Timmy rambled on as they walked to the barn arm-in-arm.

  Pascal opened the barn door and answered as they entered, “I know exactly what you mean. I wouldn’t know what to do with girlie bits either. I like men. Big strong men, but I don’t think I could be with a man who was too alpha, you know? I want a big, strong man, like you said, who would take charge, lead me, but also let me be me. I want a partner, not a boss or father.”

  “Oh, Pascal, look,” Timmy exclaimed as he ran to the first stall, dropping on his knees and reaching out to pet the pure white little horse.

  “That’s from York. He thought you would like a horse, but figured they might be too big for you, so he got you a Shetland pony. He’s actually not a pony at all, but that’s what they call this breed. They’re in the miniature horse category but this one you can actually ride on, unlike the other mini’s. They say the Shetland is the strongest of all breeds of horse or pony, reportedly able to pull its entire body weight, while most breeds can only m
anage half. They are very gentle and very loyal, which makes them ideal pets,” Pas explained as he knelt down next to Timmy and pet the horse.

  “He’s so pretty. I will have to thank my Yorkie for him. My mate really thought about what I would like and what would be good for me, didn’t he?”

  “Yes, he did. You’re very lucky, Timmy. You got one of the good ones,” Pas said, then stood, walking away to the next stall, but Timmy saw the sadness in his friend’s eyes.

  Timmy stood and followed Pascal, but just as he was about to ask him about why he was sad, Pascal spoke. “So, what are you going to name all your new creatures?”

  “I’m not sure. I was thinking maybe Charlie for my pup. I always liked that name and he just looks like a Charlie to me.”

  Pascal giggled. “Charlie? Okay, I like it. Charlie it is. How about your pony?”

  “What did you call him again? He is a him, right?” Timmy asked as he looked back at the horse who was now braying softly.

  “Yes, he’s a him and he’s a Shetland pony.”

  “How about Shelly? I like Shelly.”

  “Shelly?” Pas said and thought about it for a minute, then smiled bright. “I agree. I like it. Now we just have to figure out the rest of them. Look over here, King Suneth and your chimera got you these two little guys,” Pascal said as he pointed into the next stall.

  Timmy moved closer and his eyes went wide as he squealed in delight. “Piggies! Oh my goodness. I love piggies.” Timmy dropped to his knees and thrust his hands through the planks, holding them out to the little cuties. One was more pink with black spots and the other was almost all black with a white face and legs, and a little pink nose.

  “Here’s some carrots to feed them,” Pascal said as he joined Timmy, sitting on the hard-packed ground. He gave one carrot to Timmy and they both held them toward the pigs as they came closer, then began to chew on them.

  Timmy felt something bump against him and squealed. A black with white stripe skunk rubbed against his right foot and a fat creature with needles for fur rubbed against his left foot.