But she gasped in surprise and delight when he shifted, the hawk taking flight and circling above her before he settled on one of the lawn chairs. He cocked his head as if wondering why she was all the way over there.
She moved closer, hesitating before running her hand down his back again. “You’re gorgeous. The colors!”
He spread his wings, giving her an even better look at the browns and reds.
She carefully ran her fingers across his wings, perfectly designed to let him soar through the sky. “You’re amazing.”
Simon folded his wings back against his body, sitting up a little straighter than before.
“And smug,” she told him. “Extremely smug.”
The hawk shot her a look, spread his wings, then flew up with only a couple of powerful beats of his wings. Soon, he circled high in the sky and Madison had to raise one hand to shield her eyes against the sun.
He swooped down a few times and Madison laughed. How had he learned to do that? Had his parents taught him like birds taught their young? Had he learned with friends?
After a few minutes, he dove down, landing in one of the trees further down his backyard. From his perch, he flew back to her, shifting back and looking very pleased with himself.
She pulled him in for a kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing close. She could feel the heat and strength of his body through the fabric of her dress, and his hand ran down her back possessively.
He was the one to break the kiss, resting his forehead against hers. “That wasn’t even a mating display.”
She giggled at the mental image. “Is it bad that I want to see that?”
He kissed her again. “I’d be happy to. When there’s more time.”
She was about to say that mating displays didn’t have to take very long, but the heated look in his eyes told her there’d be more to it than just the display. “Looking forward to it.” She leaned against him, wishing she could remain in his arms a little longer. “But I should go back to my tent to get things ready for when the others arrive.” She hadn’t even left yet and she already missed him.
“You’re right. Hey, let me know when they arrive. I can see if the mayor has time and we can drop by for a visit.”
“That’d be great!” And having the mayor visit would be wonderful too. “We should plan a few more visits over the next four weeks. It’ll be useful to discuss things with her face to face with the students there as well.” They had to learn how to handle locals as well as birds. “And I could show you where our nets are so you don’t fly into them.”
“Looking forward to the tour.” He leaned in to kiss her again.
She pulled back before she was drawn into another intense kiss. “I really need to go.”
Her willpower could only take so many kisses and naked skin.
7. Simon
The mayor had immediately agreed to his suggestion that they visit Madison and her scientists later that afternoon, and Mayor McFadden was brimming with impatience the moment she got into his car.
“This is an important meeting.” She had a slim folder with her, and he recognized Madison’s notes on top. “I want to know who’s visiting my woods.”
“Madison will make sure the students don’t go where they’re not supposed to,” he reminded her. But he understood why she wanted this to go well. He was as nervous as she was. Meeting Madison’s team wasn’t as big a step as Madison meeting his family this Friday, but it was definitely a significant moment.
Why did she leave? Was our nest not good enough?
Simon ignored his hawk’s opinions on whether he needed more pillows to make his bed extra comfortable. He didn’t want to think too much about Madison moving in with him. They hadn’t discussed a future beyond the next four weeks. He was certain they’d have one, just not whether that’d be in Kirkwood or Pinevale.
He could move to the city and live closer to work. Pinevale was half an hour away, so visiting his parents every week wouldn’t be a problem.
We can’t fly there! His hawk hated the city. Simon had tried shifting during a lunch break two or three times when he’d just started working at the museum, but quickly given up. It was so much noisier as a hawk, and the traffic and people milling around underneath him overwhelmed his senses. There were too many things to see and notice, and it had left him with a pounding headache.
Shifting less often wasn’t that big a problem. He could do that when visiting his parents with Madison. They’d figure something out.
“How many students are joining her?” the mayor asked.
“I think she mentioned four.” He threw a quick look over his shoulder at the large shopping bag he’d brought with him. It wasn’t jostled around too much whenever he turned a corner, which was good.
“What’s in that bag, anyway?”
“Something to celebrate us all working together.” That’s what he’d say in front of the students.
The mayor turned, reaching out to glance inside. “That should definitely get them on our good side.”
It was a fifteen-minute walk to the camp-site after he’d parked, but it was nice to enjoy the woods with two feet on the ground for once rather than from above.
“Doctor Adams, your visitors are here!” A young woman called out in a Spanish accent after spotting them, her black hair tied back. “Good afternoon!” She smiled at them both, gesturing for them to follow her. “I’m Daniela.”
Simon introduced himself and the mayor, following her to the campsite. Two new tents stood next to Madison’s, and one was close to being set up. Madison was gesturing at the bright orange tent, but
