Chapter 282
Chapter 282
“So, Gabriel, are you all set to shower on your own, or would you like a hand with washing up?” I asked gently, standing at the bathroom doorway.
He lifted his small hand, signaling me to stop. “I’m big now. I can handle everything myself,” he said confidently.
“Alright then, little man. Just holler if you need help reaching your back, and Finn will come in, okay?” I added with a smile. Gabriel gave me a thumbs-up in response, but I caught the look of sheer panic on Finn’s face. “What’s wrong?” I asked, sensing something was off.
“How am I supposed to help him?!” Finn whispered urgently, almost yelling. “I’ve never done any of this before p>
I chuckled softly. “Calm down. It’s not rocket science. Didn’t you have pups in your little rogue pack p>
Finn’s expression darkened. “After Sammy and me, not really. Most pups only stayed long enough to move on to another pack. It was safer for them to be in the bigger group. Either we never found any pups, or our amazing leaders just ignored them. I’m betting on the latter p>
Suddenly, Gabriel’s voice rang out. “Finn! Help! I got soap in my eyes p>
I scooped up Trinity, who willingly curled into my arms, her tiny body relaxing against me. It was reassuring to know she’d cooperate when it really mattered. I heard Gabriel’s giggles echoing through the bathroom and smiled to myself. Finn was definitely in trouble. I began pacing slowly outside the bathroom door, cradling Trinity. She looked exhausted, but I was determined to wash away every bit of grime and check carefully for any injuries or scrapes that might need attention.
About five minutes later, the water stopped running. I heard the soft rustle of movement and hushed voices mixed with more giggles just before the door creaked
open. I couldn’t hold back my laughter, which startled Trinity awake.
“Which one of you was supposed to be in the shower?” I asked through my amusement.
“Ha ha, very funny,” Finn shot back, smirking. “Let’s see how good you are at reaching for the soap without slipping p>
“Is that a challenge?” I stepped closer, locking eyes with him, those warm navy-blue eyes sparkling.
He closed the distance as much as he could, Trinity still between us. His breath, warm and scented with spicy clove and ginger, brushed against my face, making a flush rise to my cheeks. I inhaled deeply, savoring the scent, then walked past him and shut the bathroom door behind me.
“Alright, sweetheart, let’s get you cleaned up. We’ll be quick because I want to win my challenge—and because you look so sleepy. Sound good?” I whispered.
She smiled softly and gave a tired nod. I had her test the water temperature, then rolled up my pants and set my shirt aside. Sports bra and leggings-perfect for this little adventure. We stepped into the shower together, and I positioned her under the warm stream while I gathered everything we’d need.
Her hair fell to mid-back, and I braced myself for what I might find tangled in it. She soaped up carefully, and I helped her double-check all the important spots before moving on to her hair. I worked slowly, gently detangling and removing bits of leaves and dirt from the forest. Peyton had done a decent job caring for her-it wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d feared.
Once we finished, I called out, “Finn! Can you bring my bag in here, please p>
A muffled “Yeah,” came from the other side before the door swung open. “Wait a minute! I didn’t realize clothes were optional when we were helping them! You cheated!” Finn exclaimed, tossing my bag onto the counter.
“You’re such a sore loser,” I laughed, pulling out a t-shirt for Trinity to wear to bed. “Here you go.” As I slipped it over her head, I noticed she was smiling at Finn again. I rolled my eyes playfully, dressed her fully, and ran a brush gently through her hair.
It was a lighter shade than mine-where I had nearly black hair with red highlights, hers was a rich dark chocolate brown with subtle red tones. I wondered how much lighter it would look once dry. “Alright, let’s get you tucked in p>
“Can I stay with Finn?” Trinity asked, glancing nervously between us.
Finn looked toward me with the same uncertainty. When he didn’t respond, I turned to her. “I think that would be okay. Do you mind sharing the bed with me too?” I held out my hand. Without hesitation, she took it and followed me down the hall.
Gabriel was fast asleep, sprawled out in the middle of the king-sized bed. I helped Trinity climb up beside him, and she snuggled under the fluffy covers. She patted the spot on her other side, inviting Finn to join.
“I’m going to check on the others, then I’ll be in,” Finn said quietly, adjusting to having the four-year-old cling to his arm as he got comfortable.
Miss L Author
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