“I’ll kiss you,” I bartered.
“It’s not about a kiss, it’s about nature. This is nature happening and you cannot intervene.”
I glared up at him. Then I pulled free and stomped to the tree, stating, “Fine! I’ll climb up and get him.”
I didn’t get within three feet of the tree trunk before my h*ps were captured in big hands and I was pulled back.
I struggled forward. “Don’t try to stop me.”
“Woman, you are not climbing up a gods damned tree!”
I looked over my shoulder at him. “You wanna bet?”
He yanked me back and I collided with his hard body. “Yes, I’ll bet.”
Oh dear. I wasn’t going to win this fight.
So I tried a different tactic and cried pleadingly, “Tor!”
He stared down at me. I tried to stare up at him beseechingly.
Surprisingly, I won.
He let me go and strode to the tree, grumbling, “When we get home, remind me to speak to my physician about the state of my sanity.”
“Thank you, honey,” I called quietly.
He stopped at the trunk and cut his eyes to me. “You owe me.”
Oh shit.
“I’ll pay,” I promised.
“You bet your beautiful arse you will,” he muttered then he climbed the tree like he was a ten year old boy yesterday and did it five times daily. Then he climbed down just as agilely all the while cradling the tiny Aggie in one hand.
I rushed to him and bent my head to an Aggie who didn’t look too good.
“Oh Aggie,” I whispered.
“Chirp,” meaning, “Cora.”
“Baby, we got you,” I told the bird.
“Cora,” Tor called and I tilted my head to look up at him not noticing I had the fingers of one hand wrapped around the wrist of his hand holding Aggie and the other hand resting on the wall of his chest. “His wing is mangled. Beyond repair.”
“Oh God,” I breathed.
“You and Salem need to go to the road, I’ll take care of Aggie,” he continued and I blinked.
“Take care of him?”
“He’s in pain. He’s been up in that tree for awhile, no water, no food. He’s not half dead, he’s mostly dead. I need to take care of him.”
I tilted my head to the side. “Take care of him how?
“Take away his pain.”
Oh no. I was pretty sure I knew what he was saying.