Page 21

Nova

Colt didn’t come by the bar tonight, he said he had something to take care of.

My shift dragged, but I’m happy to finally be home.

This is home, isn’t it?

It took a little while for my mind to accept it, but when he hooked his truck to my camper and hauled it to the cabin with me inside; I realized my fate was sealed.

His truck is in the driveway, and I frown, wondering why I haven’t heard from him.

Getting out of the car, I make my way to the porch, climbing the steps quickly. Heading inside, I don’t see him. I toss my purse on the couch before heading down the hallway. The bedroom door is ajar, and I push it open to find him sitting on the bed, a big box next to him.

“Hey, baby.” He grins, looking guilty as hell.

“What did you do?” I ask and he smiles, looking carefree and happy.

My heart melts and I walk towards him, but he puts his hands up. “Stop.”

I’m glued to the spot as he stands from the bed, taking the few steps to meet me.

“I missed you.” He coos, kissing me softly.

I don’t see this softer side of him often. Let’s face it, we aren’t soft people. We’re rigid and scarred, the ways of the world molding us into the abrasive humans we are. But I’m soaking it in, enjoying the moment, nonetheless. I’m also curious. “I haven’t heard from you.” I murmur against his lips.

“I know. It killed me not to talk to you or see you today, but I knew if I did, I’d ruin everything.”

“Ruin what?”

He steps to the side, waving towards the bed. I’m hesitant, taking careful steps to the edge. There’s a scratching noise as I lean over the box, squealing like a little girl as soon as I see it. “Oh my God!”

Bouncing on my toes, I spin around, running into Colt’s arms, squeezing the hell out of him. For the first time in my life, happy tears stream down my face, and I sob into his chest.

He grips my biceps, pushing me back to meet my eyes. “Happy?”

“Fuck yes!” I shout, covering my mouth as I laugh.

He steers me towards the bed again, wrapping his arms around my middle from behind. Reaching into the box, I pick up the gray and black fluffball and bring him to my chest. His little fingers dig into my shirt, and I melt once again for the baby raccoon in my arms.

“How?” I ask, sniffling as he crawls up my chest, nuzzling into my neck.

“I have connections, baby. I asked around and found a breeder who has bred them for years. He’s completely domesticated and came from a loving home. He’s five months old. He’s been handled by children, and they say he loves peanut butter.”

“He’s so adorable!” I whisper yell, trying not to scare him.

Colt chuckles. “What are you going to name him?”

I think for a few moments and come up empty. Just then, my little furball lifts his head and our eyes meet, my heart splitting open, making room for another living soul to love. He sniffs my chin, rubbing the top of his head against me. “Bandit.” I whisper.

“Come on. I’ll show you the spare room where I set everything up.”

My heart is so full, I feel like I’m going to explode, and the waterworks begins again as soon as he opens the door to the other bedroom.

He steps inside, pointing to all the supplies he bought and set up for our new family member. “The breeder told me everything I needed to know. There’s a litter box in the corner. He said he’s already potty trained so we shouldn’t have to worry about that. I hung the swing over there. He said they like shit that moves and things they can climb on. I got him some balls too. I bought him dog food, and there’s vegetables and fruit in the kitchen. He needs more, but I figured you’d want to shop for him too.”

Walking over to the covered dog bed that looks like a little cave, I carefully place Bandit inside and watch as he curls up in a ball, asleep in seconds.

His food and water bowls are close by, a jar of peanut butter with a spoon beside it on the table next to the swing.

Spinning around, I pin Colt with my gaze, and his brows furrow. “What?”

Without saying a word, I close in on him, his eyes darkening as I get closer. I don’t stop once I reach him. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pull him down, kissing him hard. He grunts against my lips, crushing me against his body. His hands trail down to my ass, lifting me easily. My legs lock around his waist as he presses me against the wall, deepening the kiss.

“Thank you.” I breathe.

He chases my mouth, gripping the back of my neck, crushing us together again. We’re lost in each other, nothing else existing around us until the cutest noise I’ve ever heard fills the room. I burst out laughing into Colt’s mouth and he pulls back grinning.

“What is that sound he’s making?” I ask.

“They are extremely vocal animals. They purr and scream. And they do something called chittering.”

“It sounds more like a purr. That means he’s happy here, right?”

He cups my cheek in his palm. “Yeah, baby. He’s happy here with you.”

I smile, letting my legs fall from his waist. He sets me on my feet, kissing me on the forehead. “Is he okay in here by himself? This is a big change for him and as much as I hate to leave him, he needs his rest.”

“We’ll leave the door open. When he wakes up, he’ll come find us.”

“Okay.”