Free Touchdown Daddy by Ava Walsh Page B

still there, which was a relief. She couldn't have gotten her car out of the snowbank even if Andre had left her keys, so she didn't waste time thinking about it.
    He had taken the keys to his truck as well, so in the meantime, all she could do was make herself some food and wait for a chance to get away. Her dress was still wet, so she spread it on the floor in front of the fire to dry.
    The still and quiet of the cabin was a little unnerving. Mary was so used to constant noise and work that she really didn't know what to do with herself while she waited for the opportunity to make her move. Part of her wanted to stay. It was a cozy cabin, and in the daylight, Mary saw it had a lot of potential if only it was a little tidier.
    She would have been tempted to blame the state of things on Andre being a man, but she knew better. None of her brothers were this messy! Perhaps it was because they knew she controlled what food they put into their bodies, and didn't want to face her wrath over laundry. Maybe they would get this messy without her there. No, it's because Andre is a Bear.
    But that didn't seem right either.
    Mindful of the tractor's rumbling, Mary returned to the bedroom. She hadn't seen them the previous night, but one whole wall was dedicated to books. They were in every size she could imagine, and she chose one at random. She might as well be doing something while she waited. Books were a rare treat, and she soon found herself immersed.
    Her rumbling stomach was what broke her from the written spell hours later. The tractor's noise had stopped, and when Mary looked out the window again, she found Andre was nowhere in sight. She stepped outside and called his name, but there was no answer.
    Not knowing how much time she had, she quickly prepared to leave, chewing on some dry bread as she stuffed some crackers and her dress into her blanket bundle. Before she took off her borrowed clothing, she checked the windows again to make sure Andre wasn't close by.
    The air felt light and fresh, and her Wolf’s nostrils flared as they sucked it in greedily. The scent of Bear was heavy, but she found she didn't mind. It was almost a pleasant scent. Pine was sharp and crisp, and as she rotated her ears, she picked up the soft bleats of sheep. Her head swiveled. Behind the cabin was a little barn, probably where the animals were housed. She'd never thought of a Bear as a farmer before. For some reason, she thought Andre must hunt all through the winter.
    I wonder if he hibernates.
    She shook her head, dispelling the thought. It didn't matter. She had to get out of here before her family found out where she was and made her go home. How would her father punish her for her disobedience? She didn't want to find out.
    Still, she was strangely reluctant to leave the cozy cabin and the Bear who had rescued her from the blizzard. She would have liked to have looked into his eyes one last time.
    The pine trees were heavy with snow, branches that normally pointed upright almost flat from the weight on them. It would be a perfect day for playing goose hunt with her younger siblings–Mary bit back a pang of regret. She had to look after herself now! They probably won't even miss me.
    She rounded a corner, and there was Andre. He stood in the middle of the road, bare-chested, looking godlike with the snowy background. Mary stopped in her tracks.
    "I told you I can't let you leave."
    It was all he needed to say. Mary's ears flattened against her head, and she turned.
    A sudden thought occurred to her – she was naked ! Even with her thick coat of fur, she was naked, and he was looking right at her! She tucked her tail between her legs, pressing it flat against her belly, and glanced back. Andre looked like he was laughing, and she scampered back along the road, embarrassment burning in her cheeks.
    ***
    Andre didn't follow to make sure she returned to the cabin. Or at least, she didn't think he did. She waited a while in the building, keeping