Page 44 of Wind Rider

“I’ll just say that I think he has a better understanding of my leadership style now,” Mari said.

Sora snorted.

“Sora! There you are!” O’Bryan called as he jogged up the sandy shore toward them with a little black fur ball chasing him.

“Chloe! My baby girl! Come here to me!” Sora gushed.

The instant Chloe spotted Sora the puppy attempted to sprint over the sand to her Companion, but her little legs kept getting caught by rocks and shells, slowing her until she began a yipping whine that sounded like someone was beating her.

“Goddess, she’s loud!” Mari said, eyeing Sora, who remained seated. “Aren’t you going to save her?”

“No, I can’t. Rose told me that Chloe’s getting spoiled by me carryingher around all the time—that she needs to develop her baby muscles—so I can’t save her.” Sora put down her mug of tea and leaned forward, encouraging the puppy. “Come here, baby girl! You can do it!” She clapped her hands and then stretched her arms out to her pup.

Complaining all the way, Chloe finally made it to her Companion and Sora picked her up, showering her face with kisses as she told her how brave and strong she’d been.

“That little girl definitely has a voice on her,” O’Bryan said, joining Mari and Sora with his own mug of morning tea. “She was done nursing and Rose asked me to bring her here because as soon as she was full, Chloe sat her butt down and started crying for you.”

Sora smiled at O’Bryan over the top of Chloe’s head. “Thank you. I was just going to finish my tea and then go find Rose.”

Mari watched the blush Sora’s grateful smile caused as it worked its way up from O’Bryan’s neck to his cheeks. Sora, of course, didn’t notice. She was too busy kissing and cooing to her Chloe.

“You’re not gull-egg hunting with Nik and the rest of them?” Mari asked.

“No, they have plenty of help. I was working with Jaxom and Mason to reload the boats. Antreas said we need to get back on the water as soon as we’ve eaten.”

Sora groaned. “So soon? The sun isn’t even over the trees yet.”

“Hey, don’t worry. Your stew will give you plenty of energy, especially with the addition of gull eggs!” O’Bryan said.

“Again with those gull eggs. I’m hoping they’re worth the hype,” muttered Sora.

“You know what? Iamgoing to join the hunt for eggs—just to be sure you do know how delicious they are.” He ruffled the top of Chloe’s head, causing her to squirm with happiness, and then headed inland.

Mari raised a brow at Sora.

“What?” Sora said.

“You know what.”

“No I do not. Tell me what.”

“He likes you,” Mari said. “A lot.”

“Well, I’m likeable,” Sora said.

“Humph.”

“What’s that mean?”

“You know what it means,” Mari said.

“Enlighten me,” Sora said.

“Hereallylikes you.”

“Yeah, you already said that. And I know he likes me. I like him, too. So what?”

“So, what are you going to do when he starts courting you?” Mari asked.