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FORTY-THREE
TIMBER
It was amusing to Timber that Karen had been so adamant about him proposing to Lyra. It had been on his mind ever since the fight when he came out victorious, and she spent the entire day with him in the shifter hospital room. He knew she was his mate the second they’d met, but he had somehow grown even more madly, deeply, and fondly in love with her every moment they’d spent together since.
Marriage was more of a ceremonial notion for humans, so it hadn’t been in his mind until he knew she felt the same way. The marking he had made on her neck was far more meaningful to his kind, and she had turned to him so easily, so full of trust, letting him take her as his without a second thought.
So it felt like kismet when, after eating breakfast together, a blissful, full of light and laughter morning, that he headed out to Karen’s to ask for her blessing. It was an old-fashioned gesture, but Timber felt that of all people, Lyra’s mother would appreciate it.
Especially since she had been so afraid of him falling for and running away with some imaginary secretary.
He grinned to himself as he pulled into her driveway, having told Lyra that he had some errands to run for the council. Her eyes had flickered, semi-knowing, but she kissed him warmly the way she always had.
“Don’t be long,” she said in a husky voice.
Timber quivered thinking about her mouth trailing over his naked skin, and he knew without a moment of doubt that he was going to spend the rest of his life worshiping the woman. She was his queen, his cosmic goddess. He would do anything she requested.
Karen was surprised to see him on her doorstep, looking chipper and dapper in his three-piece beige suit. It was something he started wearing to the bear council meetings, feeling like he had to set an example for the rest of their kind.
They sat in her living room having tea, with Karen gazing suspiciously at him over her steaming mug.
“I would like to ask you for your daughter’s hand in marriage,” he said with pride.
“Hmm,” she grunted. “Is this because of my phone call this morning?”
Timber beamed. He felt like his face might crack with joy.
“Not at all. I had been thinking about it for some time, but your phone call reminded me that I wanted your blessing first.”
Karen was reluctant, eyeing him like he was a beast ready to steal her daughter away from her. It took him offering to let her come with him to purchase the ring for her to lighten up.
“Of course,” she said happily.
They traveled together in his SUV to a jewelry store that he had previously researched, one of the most prominent and popular in the region. Lyra’s birthday was in July, and he wanted to get something unique with her birthstone, which was a ruby.
He and Karen walked around the store together like they had known each other for years. It filled Timber with glee to see her pointing at certain cuts, remarking about her daughter’s inclination toward odd shapes.
She finally pointed one out to the associate that had been helping them, pressing down on the glass with the end of her fingertip.
“There.”
Timber came to her, towering over the small and formidable woman. She was pointing at a solitaire cut ruby piece encrusted with diamonds, glistening in the midday sun like the center of a robust heart.
“That is it,” Karen said, so certain. “I am sure of it. Lyra will love it.”
Karen helped Timber out with the sizing, choosing a shining gold band to hold the ruby piece together. She gasped at the price, but Timber had waved his hand, grinning widely.
“Nothing is too much for my beloved."
It was the first time he really saw Lyra’s mother smile. Behind that smile were years of protecting her daughter as a single mother. Her quiet strength was something Timber had come to admire, knowing that Lyra had adopted the same trait without really knowing it.
She had finally warmed up to him, and that made him feel even more elated than he already was. They chatted easily and smoothly as he drove her home, the velvet box nestled into his jacket pocket.
He held the door for her as she climbed out of the car, then said his goodbyes with a tight embrace. She was smaller than Lyra, her head pressing into his solar plexus before having to crane her neck up to him.
“Thank you for today,” she said, sounding humble. “I know my daughter is going to be treated well by you. And don’t worry, I won’t tell her about today.”
Timber felt his throat tighten with happiness. He touched Karen’s shoulder, then rubbed it compassionately.
