For a second, I couldn’t tell if she spoke the words, or if I only imagined hearing them.
“You’re shorter and thinner than me, but I love a good maxi dress, and I have safety pins.” She opened the closet. “Blue, red, or animal print?”
“I’m not picky.”
“Then animal print it is. My mother-in-law keeps buying safari themes for me, and this is the best excuse I’m ever going to have for getting rid of one.” She pulled out a long dress with thin straps and a high waist. “Zebra okay?”
The print was so loud, I could barely hear her over it. “Zebra is fine.”
“Good.” She tugged it over my head then let it cascade to my ankles before reaching into the neck of the dress. She unfastened the knot on the towel, which dropped onto my feet. “I’ll get this washed and put back in the cabin.”
The communal dressing area in my previous job meant I didn’t mind a little public nudity among friends. “Thanks.”
“Hold still, and I’ll get you pinned so you don’t flash anyone.” She caught my eye, hers smiling. “Unless you want to, that is.”
“Um, no.” I kicked the towel away. “I’m good.”
About the time she announced me done, I noticed her angle her head to one side.
“He’s here.” She took a few steps to the left then back to the right. “Where do I hide?”
The urge to pinch myself and make absolutely certain I wasn’t dreaming surfaced again. “Why do you have to hide exactly?”
“Do you think I want him to know I aided and abetted you?” She scoffed. “Please.” She flipped a hand at me. “Samzilla let you in. I just didn’t kick you back out.” She winked. “If anyone asks, this was all his fault.”
“Duck into the bathroom with your family.” Catching the spirit, I walked out with her. “I’ll handle Midas.”
Once she was hunkered down with her mate and son, I strolled to the front door.
Midas, proving gwyllgi had excellent hearing, said, “Knock, knock.”
In my sweetest voice, I called out, “Who’s there?”
“Midas.”
“Hmm.” I inched closer. “Midas who?”
“Midas well let me in. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Hey!” I flung open the door. “I’m the funny one in this relationship.”
“Then you only have yourself to blame for rubbing off on me.”
Folding my arms over my chest, I inched closer. “So, you admit it.”
“That you’re a bad influence?” He tilted his head. “Yes.”
Barefoot, I kicked him in the shin. “That I’m funny.”
“I would say funny looking, like I used to tell my sister, but we both know you’re beautiful.”
“Aww.”
Midas slid his gaze behind me. “You might as well come out, Kate.”
“I’m not here,” she sing-songed. “Go back to being adorable together.”
Crooking his arm, he held his elbow out for me. “Can I walk you to the cabin?”
“You shifted and chased me through the woods. I’m not certain I feel safe with you alone in the dark.”
A flicker of…something…pinched his features before he wiped them smooth.
Lately, he had been smiling easier, laughing quicker. I had almost forgotten how somber he could be.
“I might require an escort,” I kept going, desperate to dig myself out of the hole. “Samzilla?”
True to his mother’s word, he emerged from his bath dry as a bone. “Hadwee!”
Sam squished when he walked as he trailed his son, and he left wet footprints behind him.
The kid bulleted at me, naked as a jaybird, and I knew what I had to do.
I scooped him up in a practiced swing, setting him on my hip, the way I had with my little brother.
“This is my champion of choice.” I checked with Kate and Sam. “As long as his parents don’t mind.”
“Well…” Kate slanted her eyes toward Sam. “It’s not like he’s had his bath, so why not?”
Leaning in, I whispered to Samzilla, “Will you protect me in the scary woods?”
“Yep.” He wriggled to get down. “I big grr.”
Reddish-pink magic swirled around his feet, and he splashed in it until it covered his head. His giggles were infectious, and I couldn’t help smiling. And, okay, my heart melted with the magic when I saw my first baby gwyllgi.
About the size of a beagle, he was covered in downy gray fur like you expect to see on baby chicks.
“Oh. My. Goddess.” I squealed, but I couldn’t help it. “He’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Gwyllgi pups are the most adorable thing you’ll ever see,” Kate agreed. “They’re also nearly indestructible, thank God, because they’re the sneakiest, most destructive, dare-deviling things you’ll ever see