The Snow Leopard's Baby (Glacier Leopards 2)

ithout thinking, Leah held up her hand for a high-five. Jeff smacked her hand and grinned.

Partners, she thought, and said, “Parent win.”

If possible, Jeff’s smile seemed to grow even bigger. “Do you want coffee and breakfast?” he said. “I was just about to whip something up. I grabbed a shower after she went down, so it’s all yours if you want one while I’m cooking.”

Leah nodded, suddenly realizing how sticky and grimy she felt. “Thanks. Be right back.”

“I’ll have food waiting.”

She showered quickly, washing off the sticky sick-baby feeling, and felt much fresher and more awake when she got out. And then when she got back to the kitchen, Jeff handed her a mug of coffee.

“Mmm,” she said. “I’ll set the table.”

“Thanks,” Jeff said, giving her a quick coffee-flavored kiss and turning his attention back to pouring pancakes on a griddle.

Leah found plates and glasses and silverware without much trouble and laid them out on the table, thinking about how this felt. She and Jeff were getting ready together, getting breakfast on the table together, after a night of taking care of Emily together.

They were partners. And even with a sick baby, even on four hours of sleep...somehow, it was wonderful.

When the table was set, she went back into the kitchen. Jeff was bending over the pancakes, watching them carefully. Leah came up behind him and wrapped her arms around him, amazed that this was hers, now. That she could do this.

“I thought about this,” Jeff said softly.

“Hm?” Leah was distracted by the feeling of his tall, muscled body against the entire length of hers.

“Back in the cabin, when I was making us oatmeal. I wanted to come home and have this—be making you breakfast in the kitchen and have you come up behind me, just like this.” He turned his head and she stood up on her toes to kiss him.

He broke the kiss after a long moment and smiled. “Emily running around at our feet.”

“That’ll be sooner than you know,” she said.

“Can’t wait.” He kissed her quickly and turned back to watch the pancakes.

Soon enough, everything was done, and Jeff piled their plates high with pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Leah realized that she was starving, and fell on the food with an appetite.

She realized after a while that Jeff was watching her with a fond smile. “I love watching you eat my food,” he said. “I’ve been cooking just for myself for years now, and seeing you appreciate it like that...I love it.”

Leah cut herself another bite of pancake. “Well, I love eating your food, so feel free to keep cooking like this. It’s all absolutely delicious.”

“Let me know if you want seconds.” He grinned.

Eventually they were both full, and just lingering at the table sipping coffee. After a few minutes, Jeff set his mug down and leaned forward. “Leah, there’s something I want to tell you.”

Leah couldn’t help the jolt of fear that went through her. Was there something wrong? Had he changed his mind?

Everything had been so perfect so far; there had to be some bad news waiting in the wings, didn’t there?

“It’s about shifters,” Jeff continued. “There are some...mystical things about us.”

“You mean other than the fact that you can change into a snow leopard?” Leah asked. But she relaxed a little bit. Maybe this wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Jeff chuckled. “Yes. Other than that. One of the most important things has to do with how we mate.”

“Um,” said Leah, “I don’t remember noticing anything too odd the other night...”

Jeff laughed, surprised. “No! I didn’t mean that. I mean, how we pair up. Get married.”

“Oh. Okay,” Leah said cautiously. “What is it, then?”