table at my guest.
Looking away from her wasn't easy. Especially when she
shared my hunger, moving her succulent lips with enjoyment, bobbing
slightly in place during her first few bites as the pleasure traveled
through her.
At least I was able to give you some enjoyment,
beautiful. I only wish I could show you a whole lot more.
“ I came to Glacier to get away and clear my head,”
she said, just a few bites away from finishing her steak. “This
wasn't exactly what I had in mind. But damn if it isn't at least a
little enjoyable and relaxing.”
I winked. She laughed and reached across the table,
running her fingers over my hand. I almost grabbed her again and
began stroking her fingers, but she caught herself and withdrew her
arm.
“ Sorry. You're the first person I've really
connected to since I moved, except for my friend Jenn.” She
said the word 'person' slowly, as if she wasn't sure it applied.
I raised one eyebrow. “You were right the first
time, Sam. Shifters are people.”
“ Oh! Of course. I didn't mean any offense.”
That familiar, lively red shame dotted her cheeks.
“ None taken. Where did you come from?”
“ Sioux Falls. Lived in South Dakota all my life,
but never went any further West than Bozeman until last summer. I had
to get out of there after things fell apart with Mister Wrong.”
She took a big sip of the tea.
I shrugged and nodded. I'd heard of the places she
mentioned, but I was far less traveled than her. Bozeman and Sioux
Falls might as well have been on the Moon.
“ I like it here, even if it's been a bumpy
transition. I'm sure this won't be my last trip to Glacier. I'll be
back in the Spring.”
My ears pricked up. Was there hope in her voice, or was
it just my imagination?
“ I'd like that. If we ever meet again, I can show
you parts of the park no human knows. The canyons, valleys, and
streams between worlds. They're all beautiful.”
“ Definitely. But right now, I have to –“
“ I know,” I said, gently raising my hand.
“We have to get you home and let the dust settle. Will you be
good to go tonight?” I asked the question reluctantly.
“ Yeah. Just need a couple hours for my food to
settle.”
Just my luck. Ah well, perhaps it's better to do this
fast, without getting too attached.
“ Good.” I nodded. “Like I mentioned, I
have to go out on my rounds near sundown. I'll come back a few hours
after that. Be ready then.”
I gathered up our plates and cleaned them. Sam lingered
at the table, humming nervously to herself and finishing her tea.
She looked at me with big scared eyes when I started to
get ready to go. Outside, the autumn light was fading fast, giving
way to nighttime's vast darkness.
“ Don't worry. I'll only be gone for a little
while. Stay here and wait for me. I'll come for you as soon as I know
the coast is clear.”
I rose, threw my leather vest on, and headed out into
the growing dusk.
“ Don? Is that you?” I heard her voice
seeping through the heavy door, gentle and scared.
“ It's me,” I said, pushing my way inside the
cabin. “Are you all ready to go?”
She looked out into the night and folded her arms. Her
backpack was slung over her shoulders, a piece of the human world
that had to return to it – just like Sam herself.
“ Yeah. We're really going to make it through all
the trees and hills out there?” My heightened hearing heard the
loud force of her swallow.
“ I'll be with you the whole time. Once we're
outside Horseshoe Creek, we can go at your pace. I'll take you all
the way to the nearest road, where cars and trucks pass by at night.
Won't let you out of my sight until we wave one down. A good one,
someone we can trust to carry you home.”
But nobody too handsome either. I'll be damned if I'm
giving you to anyone else.
She managed a smile, slightly comforted. I could do
better.
“ And here.” I walked over to her, took off
my vest jacket, and wrapped it around her shoulders. “You'll
need this