A FEW MONTHS LATER

Connall glanced up from his conference call, something through the bay window attracting his attention. He and Gregor were on the webcam with the new majority owner of B3 Engines, Terrance, for a routine check-in. Terrance’s company was also in high performance tech, and what everyone had feared would be a hostile takeover had actually turned out to be a mutual step forward. Having more hands on deck meant that Connall could officially reside in Montana half of the time without issue. He’d installed a state-of-the-art satellite system, which usually ran without issue, and nobody had to know he was buried in the middle of nowhere.

“Hang on, guys,” Connall said, pushing to standing. He’d built himself a cozy little office treehouse, what he sometimes called his bachelor’s yurt, though he was just a few months away from not being a bachelor ever again. He and Bernadette had fast-tracked the wedding, opting for a small but elegant ceremony in Seattle in the early summer. He was doing most of the planning, ironically, since she didn’t care much for planning big events. And who was he kidding—he was the king of details anyway.

Gregor and Terrance chatted in the background as Connall spied on the commotion outside. Bernadette had descended to the forest floor—one of her favorite tasks, he’d come to realize. He smiled as some wolf pups circled her eagerly.

“Okay. I’m back.” As long as Harry didn’t get sacrificed to the wolf pack, he was fine with the occasional meet and greet with the wolves. They’d done a good job keeping Harry separate from the wolves. His now much bulkier pup cocked his head up to look at Connall as he settled into his chair. He smiled at the inset screens of his brother and Terrance. “Now, where were we?”

When Connall had let the company slip to outside investors, one of the biggest gambles of his entire existence, life had taken a surprising turn for the better. Not only was B3 approached by Terrance’s company looking to merge and grow to greater heights, not a single employee was laid off or fired, and he’d managed to find his way back into Bernadette’s life. With his own treehouse, no less.

Connall reached down beside him, seeking the velvety ear of Harry, who tended to accompany him during conference calls. Harry had his own fenced in area nearby, separate from the wolf sanctuary, which had now grown to almost three hundred acres.

The added space meant plenty of costly improvements but significantly more monitoring and research potential. Bernadette was happy as a clam and had hired on a few more researchers to join the team. At full capacity, there were seven of the science nerds grouped in the research hut, humming to each other about urinary habits and predatory techniques. Connall loved all of it, even if it wasn’t his passion.

As long as he had Bernadette and his own work, he was a happy man. Harry shifted at his side. And Harry, of course. To keep his own sanity, Connall spent at least ten business days per month back in Seattle, so he could maintain that crucial connection with his employees and their lives. It turned out that the time apart each month turned him and Bernadette into even more voracious lovebirds than before.

Connall wrapped up the call with Gregor and Terrance. After Terrance signed off, Connall said, “Gregor, one more thing.”

“What’s up, brother?” The image went pixelated for a moment, freezing his brother’s cool smile.

“I’ll be sending over the bridesmaid dresses for Kara and Jess,” he said, clicking over to another screen on his computer. “Bernadette is going to make her final selection tonight after dinner.”

“Brilliant. Kara wants to arrange the flowers, by the way. She’s spot on with stuff like that. Theater and all.”

“Of course. The job is hers.” Connall smiled. Preparing for his own wedding as a family had been one unexpected joy of many. “We’ll be back to visit for the weekend in a couple weeks. Family dinner then?”

“You know it. But not at Alistair’s microhouse.” Gregor laughed.

“I’m not sure their house is even big enough for them anymore, now that Jess is pregnant again.” Connall snorted. “See you soon, brother.”

They ended the call, and Connall stretched, his chair creaking as he did. As soon as he stood, Harry was at his side, eager for some sign that they might venture outside. Connall slipped on his coat, attached Harry’s leash, and the two of them headed out over the walkway toward the main treehouse, which he was so glad to call home now.

In the distance, Bernadette spotted them, waving from the ground, her smile infectious even from so far away. She cupped her hands around her mouth, and her voice reached him, faint but potent.

“I love you!”

Connall grinned, blowing kisses her way. This was their daily routine. He pushed into the side door of the treehouse, planning to show her just how much he loved her with a special homemade lunch: today, and every day they spent in the treehouse for the rest of their lives.