Page 68 of Her Big Bad Wolf

When I got to the kitchen and saw my cabinet doors open, I growled.

“I’m letting you stay here and you’re still going to steal from me?”

“We’re hungry,” Cam said.

“We didn’t mean anything by it. I thought we could have food on account of us staying here,” Noah tried to argue.

“It’s Saturday. Why are you even up? Even I know there’s no school on Saturday. Don’t kids usually sleep in?”

They shrugged.

“Not when we’re starving,” Mason said.

“I fed you well last night. You’re not starving. Besides, if you’re up, then you can help with chores.”

“But. . .”

“Not buts, Mason. Chores first then food. That’s the way of the farm.”

Much to my surprise, they listened to me without question.

“Are we still going into town for shoes?” Noah asked.

“Yes, but we have to tend to the animals first. It’s dry enough for you three to collect eggs while I get everyone fed.”

“Can I help feed the animals?” Cam asked.

“Sure, why not?”

I spent the next hour showing him around the farm and introducing him to the animals.

“That one’s Gertrude, right?”

“Right. How’d you know that?”

He shrugged. “You talk to her a lot. That’s how we knew when it was safe to get stuff. Because if you were out here, you were yapping to that goat. And if not, then we were safe.”

I groaned. “Do you hear this load of crap, Gert?”

She shook her head and made a very unladylike noise that had Cameron laughing.

Maybe having these kids around wouldn’t be all that bad.

By the time we were finished up and ready for breakfast, Vanessa arrived.

I walked out to meet her after shooing the boys inside to wash up and get ready for breakfast.

“Good morning,” I told my mate, wishing I could take her in my arms and kiss her.

Where had that thought come from?

“You’re up awfully early,” she replied.

I shrugged. “Just normal farm stuff.”

“Are the boys awake?”

“Yup, they just helped me finish up and we’re heading inside for breakfast now. Thought I’d take them down the mountain to pick up some shoes. If they’re going to help me around here, they really need good work boots. Would you, uh, want to ride along?”