Page 52 of Beastly Mountain Man

Caprice arrived breathing hard, cheeks bright from cold and exertion.

She held out her hand.

“Thank you.”

I gave it back.

She looked at Bear.

“You’re on probation.”

Bear leaned against her legs.

Caprice immediately scratched his neck.

“Probation seems generous.”

“It allows affection. Management requires flexibility.”

“Convenient.”

I laughed and brushed snow from her hat.

She caught my wrist before I could lower my hand.

Her smile softened.

“You’re having fun.”

“I am. And judging by that smile, so are you.”

“So am I.”

Caprice looked out across the open area we’d destroyed with footprints, paw prints, falls, and scattered chunks of broken snowballs.

“I haven’t done this in years.”

I waited.

She sounded surprised more than sad.

“My brother and I used to do this when we were kids. Somewhere along the way, getting soaked became laundry and inconvenience instead of fun.”

“That sounds like adulthood.”

“It does.”

She glanced at me.

“I’m not renouncing adulthood.”

“Good. I’d worry about your production.”

Her smile came back.

“I’m renouncing nothing. I’m just acknowledging that there’s snow inside one glove and I’m not interested enough to fix it yet.”

“You will be when your fingers get cold.”