The Merry Moose’s Mates (Male-Order Mates #16)

Chapter Seventeen

Shay

“I’m going to step into the hardware store for a bit,” I whispered to Briar. Austin and Alice were busy making sure we got everything on our grocery list but hadn’t made it past the produce aisle yet.

“Are you sure? We can go in later.”

“It’s okay.” I winked at him. “A bit of a surprise.”

“Go on, then,” he said. “We’ll be here.”

I walked across the street and then down the block a bit to the hardware store. There were nondescript concrete floors, and the entire place smelled like lumber.

“Looking for something? How can I help?” a man wearing jean overalls and a plaid shirt asked from behind the counter.

“Linseed oil? Tung oil? Either one would do. Or plain old mineral oil if you don’t have those.”

“I’ve got just what you need. A woodworker, are you?” He came around the corner and walked deeper into the store. They didn’t have much stock but, as many small stores were, the place was spotless. Inventory was low, but the shelves held high-quality items.

“A little here and there but, by profession, I’m a logger. Or was. I just moved up here.”

“Oh, really. That’s great. Here you go. Take your pick.”

He showed me the oils and said he preferred the linseed over the rest. I picked up a can of it along with some rags and a small brush for the details. As I walked back to the market, I spotted a craft store. A quick trip inside got me a length of red satin ribbon that I thought worked perfectly for my present.

I did hope they’d like it.

The meaning behind it was right from my heart and carried a promise of things to come. A promise for our future.

“Shay!” Alice called out. They were already in the parking lot, loading up bags. Alice had a gingerbread cookie in her hand. “The lady at the bakery gave it to me.”

“That was nice of her,” I said. “Did we get everything on the list? You were in charge of it, little lady.”

She giggled at that. “We did. Everything crossed off, right, Daddy?”

Austin nodded and ticked his chin at my bag. “Got everything you need?”

“I did,” I replied. “Just a few things. Are we ready to get back home? Nothing last minute?”

Briar paused, the last bag in his hands. He stared at me, his mouth open.

“What?” I asked.

“I just…you called it home. I know we’ve all been living together but…it hit me in the chest, you know?”

We all shared a hug right there in the parking lot.

“We get it,” Austin said. “We do. Now let’s really get home. We humans are freezing.”

Once we got home and all the groceries put away, Alice got busy coloring in a book they’d picked up, and Briar was teaching Austin a recipe for what he called perfect chocolate chip cookies.

I had work to do.

I took my new supplies and headed for the shed. The letters were hard to carve with my big fingers, but I thought I’d done pretty well.

Before long, Austin walked in, and I threw a towel over the item I’d been working on.

“What are you up to, big bear?” he asked, shutting the door behind him.

“Working on my Christmas gift for all of you.”

Austin had dealt with a liar of an alpha before, I wouldn’t do that to him but at the same time, I wanted my gift to be a surprise.

“Out here alone and in the cold?” He walked over and snuggled into my embrace.

“I don’t get very cold,” I said, rubbing his back for warmth. “I’m a bear shifter, and I’ve got some extra fluff to keep me warm.”

Austin pulled back. “You’re not worried about that, are you?”

I shrugged and tucked him in tighter. “Nah, just something I feel self-conscious about.”

“Well, don’t. I love it. You’re strong and cuddly and enjoy your food. Besides, in my head, I call you my teddy bear. Teddy bears are fluffy.”

We held each other and kissed for a while, whispering words of care and love to each other.

“I’ve got to get inside and check on Alice. I mean, I’m sure she’s fine, but I need to.”

I nodded and hesitantly let him go. “I know. You’re a good father, Austin. You are.”

“Don’t take too long out here,” he said, shooting me a look over his shoulder.

“I promise I won’t. Just putting on the finishing touches.” He giggled, and I swore I heard him say something about putting some finishing touches on me as well.

I had no problem with that notion. None at all.

I hung my gift in the shed to dry. Sure, there was a chance that someone would see it, but from what I could tell, Briar didn’t come into this shed often.

I stood back, looking at the small but profound object. I was kind of proud of it.

Huh.