He hadn’t expected to claim his mate while they were looking for Norton. He certainly hadn’t pushed Hannah at all. Yet it had happened. Twice. Once before they slept and then again when they woke.
To warm them up, Hannah had whispered in his ear as she wrapped her legs around him and pressed her warm, sensuous body close.
He didn’t need warming, he was hot through and through but if his mate needed him, he had to do whatever it took to make her happy.
His cougar laughed. You keep telling yourself that.
They were both in good spirits. Finding the poker chips yesterday had given Hannah hope and seeing her happy if even for a short time was worth the long days of tramping across the mountain.
Instead of organizing the opening of the bar, his cougar reminded him.
Thanks for reminding me. O’Malley made a mental note to use the satellite phone at a more appropriate hour to call Axel, and ask how things were going.
But that was for later and right now he planned to light a small fire and burn the rest of their supply of wood so they could share a morning cup of coffee. Together with a good breakfast, he hoped Hannah would have the strength, both physical and mental, to face the day ahead.
Today is the day we reach the section of the trail that was blocked. His cougar’s tail flicked from side to side as if he were annoyed.
Yes. Today we might find out what happened to Norton. Did he leave the trail and meet a bad end? If not, we need to find any clue as to where he went and why he hasn’t contacted his family.
Perhaps he decided they were his past and he wanted a new future, one not marred down by his family. His cougar wasn’t serious, but there could be some truth in his words.
That’s not something we should share with Hannah, O’Malley told his cougar, who chuckled.
I can’t share it with her since I cannot speak. His cougar curled up and rested his head on his paws.
Maybe that’s what she likes about you the most, O’Malley said. You listen without prejudice and don’t offer her advice. You don’t judge her when she cries but you can comfort her in ways no one else can.
I’ll take that as a compliment. His cougar sighed and stretched out. Tell her anytime she needs me, I’m there for her, even if it’s just because she needs a furry shoulder to cry on.
I will.
O’Malley glanced toward the tent where his mate was dozing. Quickly assembling the fire, he lit it and put the water on to boil. Taking out two small packets of coffee, he tipped it into a couple of tin mugs and added the water. After a quick stir, he carried the instant coffee back to the tent.
“Here, this should help wake you up.” He handed her the cup.
“I am awake. I just don’t want to get up. It’s still warm in here and it’s so cold out there.” She half sat, keeping the sleeping bag wrapped around her as she blew on the hot coffee. “Oh, this is surprisingly good.”
“I’ll fix us some breakfast. I can’t promise it’ll be as good as the coffee.” O’Malley perched on the edge of the sleeping bag with his feet outside of the tent. “Then we need to break camp and move on.”
“I’ll get dressed and take the tent down while you make breakfast,” Hannah offered. “I think I must be getting used to the mountain terrain, I don’t ache quite as bad today.”
O’Malley grinned and wriggled his fingers. “It’s my magic touch.”
She laughed. “You might be right.” She caught hold of his hand and held it in hers. “You can use them on me anytime.”
“If only we were here on a vacation, we could spend the day in bed.” He got up and went back to the fire. “One day we should come back here and explore the trails.”
“Not for our honeymoon,” she warned.
He looked at her over his shoulder. “So you’re planning our wedding already?”
“Isn’t that where our relationship is heading, or don’t all shifters believe in marriage?” She placed her coffee cup down on the ground outside of the tent and ducked inside the sleeping bag. She emerged triumphant with her clothes.
“If that’s what you want,” he replied evasively.
“Does that mean it’s not what you want?” She looked confused as she quickly dressed and then pulled on her boots.
“It is.” He took a pan out of his backpack and added some water. “But this isn’t all about what I want.”
“Now I’m confused. I thought we were mates, meant to be together forever because you are a shifter and fate decided that’s how it should be.” Her forehead creased as she stood up.
“Are you asking me to marry you?” He grinned as she picked up a twig and threw it at him.
“You’re a funny guy.” She came to join him by the fire.
“So I’ve been told.” He handed her a bowl of oatmeal flavored with dried blueberries.
“Thanks.” She stuck her spoon into the creamy mixture and took a tentative bite. “This is good. Maybe you should think about serving these rehydrated meals at your bar.”
“Now who is the comedian?” O’Malley picked up his bowl and the remainder of his cup of coffee and moved to sit closer to Hannah. “I have a great chef and I think he’d invent a horrible end for me if I even mentioned serving this gloop to our diners.”
He lifted his spoon and let the oatmeal fall off it in a lump. He was being unfair, the trail rations they’d eaten so far had been good. Both taste and texture were enjoyable. Although when you’re hungry, anything could taste good.
“So, the bar.” Hannah slowly spooned the oatmeal up and ate it, savoring the
