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Chapter Sixteen
Sawyer
A storm always creates situations that need tending to as soon as possible. Tadeo had gone out to check on the stock and on his fencing repairs, while I dealt with pack members’ who had damage. Most could be handled after the storm finished its work and blew out to the east, but a few had broken windows and other immediate needs. It was after six and dark when we made our way home, having met up at the community building when we finished for the day.
“I wanted to roast a chicken tonight, but it’s too late to start.” It was another of the dishes I could manage. Anyone could really. “I should have slow-cooked it.”
“You thought we’d be back. We can fry some eggs or something.” He rested his hands on my hips as we walked single file on the narrow path we’d dug out this morning. If it had snowed any harder during the day, we’d have been doing it again tonight. “Dinner isn’t our biggest problem tonight anyway.”
The cabin came in sight, the living room windows glowing in the darkness. Enough clouds remained to keep the moonlight from lighting the landscape. “Do you think she’s still there?” Short of hog-tying her or one of us standing guard, we couldn’t stop her from leaving if she wanted to.
“She seemed fine last night.” Tadeo was so close, his breath warmed my ear. “But it’s her choice in the end.”
“And that’s what she wanted. To decide for herself.” I moved faster as we approached the porch. “Do you smell something burning?”
We burst into the cabin to find Analise staring into a pot on the stove. Smoke poured from it, and Tadeo elbowed her aside to grab a pot holder and carry the burning mess to the sink. He reached for the faucet and grimaced. “I think if we run water in it, it will smell worse. Someone pass me the lid.”
I left the bag I’d carried from the center on the floor and handed the lid to him. “Here.” I leaned in. “What is it, or what was it?”
Analise joined us in our staring contest, which nobody won because Tadeo clamped the lid on the pot and no more smoke leaked out after a moment. “It was rice,” she said. “And peas. Now we have no sides.”
We both turned to face her. “Sides to go with what?” Tadeo asked, sniffing the air. “All I smell is burned rice.”
She pointed to the oven. “It’s in there, but I’m not making any promises.”
“I’ll go.” I felt as if I was offering to lead us into a battle. Opening the oven, I held my breath against even worse disasters than I’d already seen. “It’s the chicken,” I reported over my shoulder. “Give me the pot holders please.”
Analise approached and tried to peek past me, but I waved her back. “I think it’s done,” she said. “According to the recipe, at least.”
I lifted the pan to the stovetop and set it across two burners. “It looks pretty good.”
“Do I smell cinnamon?” Tadeo sniffed the golden-brown bird.
“You didn’t have any cumin, so I substituted. A couple of others, too.”
“Well, it’s interesting,” I said. “And we never used the corn from the other night, so I can make that salad on the side. Also, I think we have some home-grown peaches for dessert? One of the pack ladies puts them up every summer and always gives us a few jars.”
“First, you both need to take a shower.” Analise, wearing another set of giant sweats, gave the order like a queen, but when we spun to face her, she took a step back. “I mean, you’ll probably be more comfortable if you take a nice shower and warm up.”
I winked at her. “Better. Why don’t I show you how to get started on the corn while we do.”
“I’d like that.”
I found the roasted corn in the refrigerator and also the potatoes, which I’d forgotten. Leaving Analise slicing the potatoes and shaving the kernels from the cob, I joined Tadeo for the fastest shower we’d ever taken together.
Dinner was great, even if the chicken had an interesting spice palette, but it was juicy and Analise glowed at our praise. We told her about our day, and she asked a lot of polite questions and we complimented her for her efforts to feed us. But once the dishes were washed and the leftovers put away, we faced one another and the big question.
“Analise, you are our mate. The Goddess sent you to us, we are sure.” I spoke for us both, as I often did, but Tadeo picked up where I stopped.
“But we don’t want to pressure you. If you would rather not stay here, with us, we’ll help you get settled either here or elsewhere, and we’ll pledge ourselves to protect you to the best of our ability. Because you may choose to stay or go, but we honor the Goddess by honoring you.”
Her eyes filled with tears, and I wanted to hug her and tell her it would be all right. That we would hold her close all of our days, but until she made her choice, it was not my right.
Time stretched out, her lips trembled, and finally the words tumbled out. “I wanted to show you how grateful I am by cleaning the house and by making you dinner.” She winced. “Sorry about the rice.”
Tadeo shook his head. “Don’t worry about that. Everyone makes mistakes when they are learning. And the chicken was…great.”
I’d never hear him tell a fib before. It was edible, and juicy, but not great. Yet, studying his face, I knew he meant it. Tadeo was falling as hard for her as I was. But then, of course, we wolf gods would feel the same about our new mate. “You don’t need to be grateful, Analise. We’re glad you’re here. If you need more time, you can have that, too. But if you do, I think we’ll all need to wear clothes to bed tonight.”
Her laughter was like bells, and she dashed the tears from her eyes. “I can’t believe how my life has changed in just a couple of days. When I prayed to the Goddess, I thought perhaps eventually she’d lead me to someone. But you were there so quickly. Both of you, and I don’t know if I deserve you, but if you’re sure you want me…I don’t think anyone needs to wear clothes tonight.”
