Page 19 of Light of Christmas

Loganisleadingusto my surprise of the day and I fucking love it.

The look in her eyes when I told her I knew what this place was broke my heart. But I wasn’t going to lie to her. I promised myself after she found out about the missions that I would never keep secrets from her. And I was being honest when I said the only thing I knew about this place was they had an area where you could meet and play with otters.

My girl loves otters, and I would do anything to see a smile on her face. And this was on the plans for the future.

My plans for the day were just to relax since we only had a few days left. Not that I will ever admit to Logan, but my body fucking hurts after skating and spending hours worshipping her body.

Logan stops before we round a corner and steps in front of me, facing me.

She looks nervous, so I pull her close and kiss her forehead.

“Okay. When we walk around the corner, it’s not going to look like much. But just trust me. And I know you have to be in the right headspace to do this, so if you aren’t, we can just leave. I promise it won’t hurt my feelings, okay?”

“Angel. I’m sure whatever it is, I will love it.”

Logan hesitates but nods and guides us around the corner.

As soon as we do, I see a sign hanging over two large wooden doors, The Wolf Café. When we get closer, the handles on the doors are in the shape of howling wolves.

I open the door and Logan steps in, handing a ticket to the hostess, and whispers something I can’t hear. I step through and stop in my tracks. The café opens up to a large room with floor to ceiling windows. Chairs sit scattered in small groups in front of the windows and tables sit further back, closer to the counter where workers are taking people’s orders.

The room is so bright from the sun reflecting off the snow outside.

“So, we have two options. We can sit by the window. Or I brought blankets, and we can sit outside. It’s your choice.”

“Why would we sit outside?”

Logan looks around the room, grabs my hand, and maneuvers us around tables until we reach two empty chairs next to the window.

She points out the window and that’s when I see what she is talking about. A pack of white wolves are about fifty yards away. I look around and see more.

I feel Logan’s arms wrap around my waist and I wrap my arms around hers. She pokes her head around the side of my arm, and I look down at her.

“This is the wolf sanctuary. All of the wolves here have been rescued from hunters. Some were found by hikers that were hurt in some way and brought here to get better and their injuries were too bad to be released back into the wild. The babies were orphaned by their parents and were adopted by the packs that were already here. This place goes on for miles into the woods, but they built the café so that people can observe them but not intrude on them.”

I’m speechless. This place is amazing. I didn’t know what to expect when Logan brought me in here, but it definitely wasn’t this.

Logan taps my arm and I spin around to look at her. In her hands, she has my tablet and sketchbook.

“You don’t have to. But I thought if inspiration struck, you would want these. I booked the reservation until they close so we can stay here as long as you want. Or we can leave now. It’s up to you, Bear.”

I take everything from her hands and set them down in the chair. I pull her into me and hug her tightly.

“This is perfect, Angel. Thank you.”

Logan leans back and I can’t hold back. I press my lips to hers until I feel her melt against me.

We stand there, still wrapped in each other, and watch the wolves. The room is almost silent, the only sounds coming from the coffee maker and the fireplace crackling on the far wall.

“What’s the plan? Do you want to go outside or sit here?”

I glance over my shoulder and see the patio. It’s covered and you can see the person who designed it put work into keeping the wolves out and the patrons in. But I also know that it was fucking cold when we got here and now that the sun is going down, it's even colder. My stubborn girl would do anything to make me happy and I know if I said I wanted to go outside, she would. But the view from this spot is perfect and I won’t be distracted by my balls freezing off or Logan being cold.

“Right here is perfect, Angel. Thank you.”

“Of course. Sit down and draw or don’t. I’m going to get us some coffee. Are you hungry?”

I’m about to object and tell her I will get it myself, but she gives me a look not to argue.