“You could never do that,” Mavis said with force. “You’re nothing like him.”
The frown didn’t quite disappear, but he said, “I’m glad to hear it.”
“Just be yourself.” She found that this hint of insecurity, in what was otherwise such a confident, self-assured man, was endearing. “She’ll like you without any trouble, and I know she’ll come to love you.”
He kissed her. “I can’t wait.”
“Thank you for making this trip something more than that confrontation with Daryl,” Mavis said impulsively. “I was sure it was all going to be terrible. But this evening has been wonderful.”
He pulled her close, kissing the top of her head. “I love you.” The words rumbled in his chest, so that Mavis almost felt them more than she heard them.
She closed her eyes, filled with happiness. “I love you, too.”
***
They flew back the next day. Nina was working until later that evening, so Mavis restrained herself from rushing right over to the diner to give her a big hug, which was what she truly wanted to do, after all that.
“What would you say to going out to the Park?” Wilson asked her, after they’d unpacked the few things they’d brought, stopping first at Mavis’ place, and then at his hotel room.
“Oh,” Mavis said in surprise, “that sounds lovely.”
It did sound lovely. One more way to cleanse that acrimonious confrontation from her mind. To put something else beautiful between her and the memory of Daryl spouting vicious words about the people Mavis loved the most.
It was fading already, with Wilson’s love there to remind her of what was really important. But the memories piled on top of each other sometimes. It was hard to completely move past them.
But Wilson took her hand as they went out to his car, and held the door for her like he always did, and it was like one more step away. One more step into this new, wonderful life that she was starting to really believe might belong to her.
They drove out to the Park, and when they got out of the car and went in, the first person they saw was Nina’s mate, Joel.
“Mavis!” he said. And then straightened his posture a bit. “And Colonel Hanes. Hello, sir.”
“Hello, son,” said Wilson. “Good to see you again. Had a nice time out with you all the other night.”
“Glad to hear that, sir.” Joel’s eyes flicked back and forth between the two of them. “How are you, Mavis? Nina said you looked nervous at the wedding, and you said you had something to take care of today?”
“I’m just fine,” Mavis said firmly. “Nothing for you to worry about.”
Joel looked a little suspicious, but he nodded without questioning her.
Nina had told Mavis that Joel had lost his parents at a young age, and that he missed them very much. Mavis had instinctively responded by mothering Joel a bit—cautiously at first, because she didn’t want to bring up painful memories. Or, like Wilson had said, overstep her bounds.
But Joel was clearly hungry for a mother-figure in his life. He tried to play it cool, like he was a big stoic man, but he was always happy to see her, eager for her to come over and bake with them or other mom-like activities.
Mavis wondered suddenly if he’d be happy to have a father-figure in his life, too.
Also...“When were you out with the pack?” she asked Wilson.
“The other night,” Wilson said, “after I’d experienced a disappointment. The pack helped me out some. Good solid group you have here.”
After Mavis had been too afraid to accept that they were mates, she interpreted. He’d gone and asked some of the other leopards for advice.
Wasn’t that...sweet. “I think so, too.” She smiled at Joel.
There was a hint of a blush on the young man’s cheeks, and he quickly changed the subject. “Are you two out here to see anyone, or are you just going on a hike? It’s a beautiful day for it.”
“A hike,” Mavis said. “Can you recommend somewhere that’s likely to be open and empty? I’d rather not be walking shoulder-to-shoulder with a bunch of tourists, today.”
Joel smiled. “No problem. It’s too early in the season for big crowds, anyway. Here,” and he pulled a map of the Park from his back pocket and found a pen somewhere, marking off a trail. “Head up this way. It’s a beautiful route, full of early flowers, not strenuous at all, and there’s no one at all up that way, I just checked it over.”