“I’ve got you.” My voice comes out like a growl.
Snagging the shovel I left nearby, I scoop up the small fire pile, and with steady hands, I quickly move the few steps to the bonfire. There’s a small flare as the twigs get incinerated, but the large fire continues on as it was.
A round of applause goes up around the campsite and I humor the crowd with a little bow, “Thanks to this little reminder, we’ll go over fire safety tomorrow.”
There’s some laughter before everyone goes back to what they were doing before the fiery interruption.
“Thank you,” Elouise’s voice is full of embarrassment, so I’m not surprised when I turn around and find her cheeks a bright shade of pink.
“Don’t worry, Smoky, I’ll take care of you.”
It’s hard to tell in the flickering firelight, but I swear I see her pulse skip in her throat.
That’s right, Babe. I’ll take care of you however you need.