the tiniest detail, it was Libby.”
“She’s talented. And she clearly loves what she’s doing,” Riley said, smiling while watching Libby laugh and interact with everyone near her trying to make Christmas crafts.
“She’s something,” Travis said, watching his mate with pride as she effortlessly made anyone she interacted with feel like they were her sole focus.
“She is. You’re a lucky male. Speaking of, she’s one of my pack, and I have yet to congratulate her. I’ll see you in a bit,” Riley said. He pushed the stroller over to Libby and waited until she finished her conversation. The minute she turned to him, he grabbed her up in a hug. “I’m happy for you, Libby. You’ve never looked happier,” Riley said.
“Thank you, Riley. I don’t think I’ve ever been as happy,” Libby answered.
“Anything you need?” he asked.
“Not a single thing. We decided that I’ll move my things in here, and eventually rent my place out. I just can’t part with it.”
“That makes good sense. Besides, it gives you another income,” Riley said.
“Exactly. So, instead of being close by, I’ll be here. Will that be a problem?” Libby asked.
Riley shook his head. “Do you know that Maia is still a member of her father’s clan? And her brother’s pack? We’re a family, Libs. Do you stop loving, protecting, and watching over a family member because they move away or get married?”
“No, of course not,” Libby answered.
“Same. We’re a Pride, and there are rules and we have an alpha because when a group of shifters get together, one has to lead or there will be problems. But the first rule of my Pride is, if you don’t want to be here, you don’t have to be. Second rule is as long as you want to be one of us, you are.”
Libby smiled at Riley and hugged him tightly.
“Hey! Hands off my man!” Maia called out jokingly as she walked out of the tree line and toward them.
“Damn! She always catches us!” Riley teased.
“I know! We never get a dang break!” Libby agreed.
“Ya’ll know if I thought for a second you were serious I’d have to kill ya, right?” Maia said, walking up to Riley and ducking under his arm as he raised it for her to walk under. She pressed herself against Riley and hugged his waist as his arm came down around her, pulling her near.
“Where you been?” Riley asked.
“Picking out a tree. I found the perfect one!” Maia answered. “I hope Cristie likes it, if not, we’ll go with whatever she likes. I promised her she could pick one out as long as it’s straight.” Sebastian started cooing at her and she looked down at him, let go of Riley and squatted down beside the stroller. “Hi, little man! Who gave you a Christmas cookie?” she asked.
“I did, why?” Riley answered.
“Because his face is blue, yellow and red, and he’s got a death grip on what’s left of that cookie,” Maia said laughing.
Riley looked down at his son and smiled. “It’s a good cookie, huh Bastian?”
Sebastian lifted what was left of his cookie and waved it at his Doddy.
“He agrees,” Riley said snootily, looking out over the crowd.
“Mama! Doddy! I finished my ornament! Look!” Cristie called out, hurrying over to them.
“It’s gorgeous,” Maia said, taking the still wet ornament from her.
“Let’s go pick out a tree then,” Riley said, taking Cristie by the hand.
Chapter 19
Riley and his family, accompanied by Lucas, walked through the trees that were available as they talked and laughed. They were basically following Cristie as she meandered from one tree to another. Eventually they made it into the section of trees furtherest out from the barn and the house. “This is where I found the one I really like,” Maia said.
“Which one?” Cristie asked.
“I’m not telling. You get to pick out this year’s tree,” Maia said. “So, get to picking, baby,” Maia said. Cristie ran first one direction, then another. Maia followed her, then would pop up to play peekaboo from behind a tree with Sebastian, who’d then laugh like crazy at his Mama.
Lucas walked with them, smiling at the baby and Cristie having so much fun, but he was also keeping his eyes on the trees far off in the distance — the ones that were not ready for harvesting.
“Is there a problem, Lucas?” Riley asked, noticing right away that Lucas was distracted.
Lucas gave a single shake of his head, then grimaced. “I don’t think so.”
“Think so?” Riley asked.
“Just got a feeling. Feel like I need