told them I’d help you cut the cake.” He chortled and closed the distance between us. “Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing.”
I flipped open the box and stared at the white icing with MOONGLOW written across it in fancy letters. My aunt had made it especially for our first day. She’d decorated it with a crescent moon and tiny yellow sprinkles as stars. It was simple, delicious, and melting on my fingertips as I sliced the first row.
I tried to remember the original plan to act like a calm, rational human being. “Is Tak still in jail, or did the Council finally come to their senses?”
Lakota folded his arms. “That’s a long story. I didn’t think they were going to let him out, so while they questioned him, I took food out to the families he’s been helping. It wasn’t easy to find them all, and when they heard what was happening with Tak, they went to the Council and pled for his release. They were living illegally on the corners of private land, so they knew the risk of coming out in the open.”
“Why did they do it?”
“I guess they didn’t want to see a man arrested for doing them a good turn. The Council released him, but I don’t know. I have a feeling things will never be right between us.” Lakota rubbed his chin. “I don’t usually make friends on the job, but Tak was different.”
After wiping icing off the knife, I sliced a second row. “What happened when he got home? He was worried what his father would think about his actions. Not so much taking the fall for the murders, but what he’d been doing all that time. Stealing from the tribe… even if it was to help others.”
“That’s the thing about family. Sometimes you spend your whole life fearing that you won’t live up to their expectations, then they turn around and surprise you. Shikoba was proud of Tak for being a man and standing up for what he believed in, even though his silence had kept him in jail. He ended up giving a piece of his land to one of the families so they can build a homestead, and he hopes that other Shifters in the region will be as compassionate for the lost.”
I set the knife on a napkin. “No kidding? Wow. That was an awesome gesture. I bet Tak really liked that.”
Lakota took the knife and began cutting the cake in the other direction. “The Council was so impressed by it that they offered Shikoba a seat.”
“Did he take it?”
His blue eyes twinkled at me. “I see the worry in your eyes, but Shikoba isn’t quitting his job as a gemstone dealer anytime soon. That’s his bread and butter. He accepted the position. The Council has been less than inclusive over the years, and they think it might help to mend the rift in the community. Shikoba makes good money, and he offered to create opportunities in the more populated areas of the territory—building retail shops to sell blankets, jewelry, and other goods the tribes make. Locals are free to sell their wares and apply for jobs, and some of the Shifters in the community need work. It’s a good plan. It’ll build up the economy and create friendships.”
Shikoba was a wealthy man, but you would never know it. I didn’t remember any flashy cars on his property or expensive electronics. “Maybe he should open a casino for tourists,” I suggested. “That would create a lot more jobs.”
“I’ll tell him. He might take it under advisement, but I don’t know where he stands on gambling.” Lakota eased up beside me and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “You look pretty today, wife.”
I gave him a lethal glare. “Keep your voice down.”
Lakota grasped my hand and drew my finger into his mouth, sucking off the white icing. I wanted to pull away, but all I could do was watch his lips gliding over my fingertip and the hot look in his eyes.
He let my fingertip rest on his bottom lip. “Or what?”
When my cheeks flushed, I spun around to get the paper plates.
Lakota came up behind me and caged me against the counter, his body pressed against my back, his mouth to my ear. “I missed my wife.” He slid his hand between my legs, briefly reminding me of our passionate lovemaking. Something about the way he cupped me was wonderfully possessive. “I came back for you, Mel.”
“No, no, no,” I