Willow sat at the counter of the Honey Depot. She curled her hands around her coffee mug, watching the hot steam drifting up from the cup. Even in the middle of the summer she loved a good cup of hot coffee. Especially when it was paired with a perfect apple fritter. She leaned back and stretched. Her stomach groaned in protest. She was stuffed. But she couldn’t resist all the amazing sweets here, especially after she had been away for so long. They were just like old friends. Old friends. Wow, what a way to describe donuts. Maybe Bruin was rubbing off on her more than she realized.
Her mother looked over at her and laughed. “You’ve gotten too thin with all your travels. It’s good to see you eating so much.” Her mother eyed her stomach hopefully. “Are you finally eating for two?” Willow grimaced. She might not be pregnant yet, but she certainly didn’t feel thin right now. “Thanks Mom. I think. And no. Not eating for two.”
Not yet anyway. She wished she was pregnant, and she was certainly having a lot of fun trying, but definitely not yet. Hopefully it would be soon though. Seeing Track and Treena getting so big made her heart ache for kids of her own. For little tiny bearen of her own.
Her mother continued. “Anyway, it’s good to have you back.” Willow reached over and squeezed her arm. “It’s good to be back. Are you coming to Bruin’s big surprise party tonight?” Her mother smiled. “Yes. I normally wouldn’t go that far out, but all of the nice police officers and firemen have been coming by to make sure I’m going. I feel like I can’t let them down. Besides, Bruin is as sweet as they come. I would never miss a party in his honor.”
Willow smiled. Her mother adored Bruin. And who wouldn’t? He was as sweet as they came. So loving and so full of joy. She just wanted to make sure he knew how much she loved him. The party was going to be great, but she really wanted a special time for just the two of them. Her picnic was packed, ready and waiting, but she still didn’t know where to take him. None of the usual spots seemed right. Well, as long as she was here she might as well ask. Maybe her mother would have an idea.
“Mom, do you know any good picnic spots? I want to take Bruin somewhere special for his birthday this afternoon.” Her mom frowned. “What’s wrong with the normal spot at Rainy Bluff?” Willow got it. She and Bruin both loved Rainy Bluff and the beehives, so it was a natural choice. But it wasn’t very private and it definitely wouldn’t be a good get away. Too many people knew them, and everyone would want to stop and chat.
“I just want something new, something a little more special. There’s going to be so many people at the party that we won’t have much time together. I want some time for just the two of us.”
Her mother laughed. “Well, I can appreciate that. Sometimes I need my space too. Anyway, I do have one place in mind. There’s a spot way out on Highway 92 that could be great. I was out there last week looking for new locations for bees and I found a big field of wildflowers. It’s hard to get to but it’s secluded and it has great views. And lots and lots of flowers. Sunflowers especially. I think Bruin will really like it.”
Willow smiled. Happiness and relief filled her. Finally, she had a place to take Bruin. Something special just for them. “Thanks Mom.”
Her mother opened her mouth to respond when a brash voice boomed across the dining room. “I’m back. Did you miss me?” Surprise filled Willow as she turned to see Mac strolling into the restaurant, a cheeky grin on his face. She heard her mother sigh beside her, then whisper under her breath, “God, not again.”
Willow laughed. She knew how difficult Mac could be, especially when he had his mind set on something. But in this case he was planning a party for Bruin, so she would definitely cut him some slack. Besides, she would need some help loading up the truck, and Mac was just the male for the job.
She smiled at him and called out. “I missed you Mac, even if no one else did.” The grin on his face widened into a huge smile and he strode across the room and squeezed her into a big hug. “Are you here to whip this crew into shape? Thank goodness. Everything needs to be just right for tonight!”
Willow laughed. He certainly wasn’t subtle. No wonder he had been driving everyone crazy. “I’m just here to visit. And get some advice. My mom was just telling me about a special picnic spot. I’m taking Bruin for a special birthday picnic before the party.”
“Before the party?” Mac frowned. She could see him thinking about it. “You had better not be late!” Willow laughed. Mac was on a mission. “Relax Mac. We have hours. We won’t be late.” Mac grumbled. “Ok, ok. Good. Where are you going anyway?”
“My mom was telling me about a place out on Highway 92.” Mac grinned. “Oh, yeah. I know that place. All the way out at Mile 56. It’s perfect.” She looked at him suspiciously. “How do you know about it?” He laughed. “When you do as much running as I do you find all the good spots.” She stared at him, thinking carefully. Maybe there was something to that. The wolven did like to run the woods all around Serenity. If anyone would know a good spot it would be them. And Mac wouldn’t mess with her. At least not normally. It was hard to tell with the party coming up, but she would trust him this time. If he steered her wrong she could always tell Rogue and let her sister deal with him.
She smiled. “All right. Mile 56 it is.” She paused, and looked at Mac. “But before I go, do you have time for a favor?” His grin slipped and he looked suspicious. “What kind of favor?” He raised an eyebrow. Willow laughed. “Come on. It won’t take long you big baby.”
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Ten minutes later Willow walked through the kitchen and pushed open the back door to the parking lot. It had been great to catch up with her Mom. But now she had said her goodbyes and it was time to spend some quality time with her mate. Her arms were weighed down with bags as she walked through the gravel parking lot to the big black Chevy Suburban she was driving. Mac trailed after her, loaded down with bags and a big cooler stuffed with picnic treats.
Mac grumbled. “This isn’t fair Willow. When you said you were planning a picnic I didn’t realize it would be for an army.” Willow laughed. Messing with Mac was too much fun. “Well, a small army maybe. But you’ve seen Bruin eat. You know how much he loves the food from this place!”
She glanced across the parking lot at the shiny sports car parked at the far end, safely away from all the other cars. “Besides, now you can show me your fancy new Porsche.” Mac grinned. He was definitely proud of that car. She knew he would enjoy showing it off.
Willow set her bags down and opened the back of the Suburban. She always felt a little ridiculous driving such a huge truck, but she had to admit it was handy. You could stuff almost anything in the back. Including a bear if you needed to. A few grocery bags and a cooler would barely make a dent.
Mac slid the cooler into the back as Willow held the door. “But two skillet cookies? That’s too much even for Bruin!” Willow smiled. “He likes the leftovers too. We may share some of the rest of it with you if there’s anything left, but those skillet cookies are all his.” The skillet cookies were the main reason she had come back this morning. She needed a place to cook her specialties and if she tried at Ella’s house there would have been hungry males eating everything as fast as she could make it.
But here at the restaurant she could cook in peace. And if she was going to have a special date for Bruin she wanted to cook for him, to prepare all his favorites just the way he liked them. She thought through the list. Apple pie, strawberry pie, a few fresh donuts, a few bottles of ice cold lemonade in the cooler. And best of all, a fresh jar of summer honey. She grinned. Bruin would go crazy when he saw it.
Mac kept going. “Well, don’t let him eat too much. I don’t want my birthday present to get spoiled.” She laughed. “Spoiled? What could you possibly have gotten him?” Mac looked offended. “Don’t worry, he’ll love it.” His expression shifted, and he looked suspicious again. “I’m not sure I can trust you though. You might tell him. Let’s just say there’s a special order of honey and leave it at that. I know how much that bear loves honey. Light knows I’ve had to hear about it enough.”
Willow laughed. “Ok, fine. You can keep your secret for now.” She pointed over at the Porsche as she climbed up into the truck and started the engine. “You had better drive carefully though. Nice and slow. I’d hate to see what honey would do to the inside of that pretty little car!” She laughed as Mac sputtered and stared as she pulled out of the parking lot. She could tell he had never considered that. Oh well, he would figure it out. But it was time for her to go. She had a special surprise for her mate.