Page 32 of Midlife Animal Rescuer Wolf

“I haven’t got any more pennies,” she said. “Could I at least get my money’s worth, sir?”

He couldn’t resist a chuckle. “I was just thinking about... us. Well, you, actually.”

Her eyebrows rose slowly, both with surprise and curiosity. “Already? We’re about to have that conversation now, eh?”

“What talk?” What was she talking about?

It was her turn to laugh. It was a rich sound that carried into his ears and quickened his pulse. Her blue eyes twinkled. “I’m just messing with you, wolf man. What exactly about me?”

He shrugged, staring ahead. He’d had some time to think about it, if he was being honest. Finally, they were leaving the woods. Heading home. Their little adventure in Paradise Woods—if he could call it that—was about to come to an end. But what did that mean for them?

“I guess...I’m just wondering what’s going to happen now that we’re almost out of here,” he said. “You said you’d rather not go back to Everland because of Jerry.”

There was a momentary pause on her end. Then: “I did say that.”

He pressed his lips together before going on. “And I don’t think your ex-boyfriend’s going to bother you anymore, regardless of where you choose to live, which means you don’t really have to leave your town anymore.”

“You’re right.”

Bryon exhaled softly. “And even if you did leave Everland and move elsewhere, even to Sylva, it doesn’t exactly mean...” He trailed off, feeling his insides churn slightly. “Why was this so damn difficult? “What I’m trying to say is, I guess spending time with you has given me a fresh perspective—”

“I’m moving to Sylva, Bryon.”

“—on the possibility of shifters and humans... wait, what?” He stopped dead in his tracks then. Had he heard her correctly? “What did you just say?”

“I said I’m moving to Sylva,” she repeated with another chuckle. “I already made up my mind earlier. It’s what I want, Jerry or no Jerry. I’d like to move to your town.” She shot him a smirk. “You did say it was a nice town.”

“It is.” His heart was suddenly beating so fast he thought it might pop any second now. “That... that’s great. It means I’ll get to see you more often.”

Her eyes gleamed again. “Oh, I look forward to that, wolf man.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “Wolf man?” Something about the way she said it was endearing, filling him with a gentle warmth, but... “I’m not sure it’s advisable to call me that. At least, once we’re out of the woods.”

Miranda gave a nod. “I understand, Bryon. I promised to keep your secret, and I have every intention of doing so for as long as I live. That applies to the others at Green Sanctuary, too.”

“Thank you. I’ve got to admit, that’s very reassuring, though it’s a little strange. First time I’m hearing a human say...” He trailed off, frowning, and shifted his gaze to her again. “What did you just say?”

She blinked innocently at him. “I said I’d keep your secret.”

“You mentioned the others at the sanctuary. I never said they were supernaturals.”

“Just because I’m human doesn’t mean I’m an idiot, Bryon. I already figured it out.” She rolled her eyes at him. “You said your friends are like family to you. Said they’re animal rescuers. You’ve got similar goals and you understand each other. You’re a shifter who doesn’t trust humans. And there’s a good chance that the friends who understand you so well are also supernaturals.”

She smirked at him, and Bryon couldn’t help but feel a little foolish. “You’re right. It’s not too hard to figure out if you’re paying attention.”

“You’d be insane not to expect me to pay attention with everything that’s happened to me today.” She shook her head with a sigh, then turned her blue-eyed gaze to him. “So... how am I doing so far? For a human, that is.”

He almost let out a guffaw. “Not bad. You’re more understanding and willing to learn than most.”

“I have a feeling I’ll have to get used to your backhanded comments about my kind,” she said, and they both laughed. She looked down at the foal sleeping in her arms. “But it’s not like you’re wrong, anyway. You’re a good man, Bryon Sanders. Human or not.”

With that, she drew closer, gripping his shoulder to support herself as she tiptoed and kissed him. It wasn’t a fiery kiss, but a gentle one, and Bryon felt the tiniest of flutters in the depths of his belly. When she pulled away, smiling softly at him, his lips were tingling.

“Thank you,” he told her, “for the vote of confidence.”

They held each other’s gaze for a moment longer, the woods around them almost dead silent. Then the foal stirred against Miranda’s chest, forcing the pair of them to look at it.

“Let’s keep moving,” Bryon said, “and get this little guy to the clinic.”