The Snow Leopard's Heart (Glacier Leopards Book 4) Read online

  "Nina?" she whispered.

  "Um," Nina said. "Can I...get out?"

  Joel shifted immediately, standing up from the booth and allowing Nina to slide out and get up herself. Her mom immediately folded Nina into her arms, hugging her tight.

  She smelled just the same. Nina inhaled, overwhelmed by the flood of memories the scent evoked.

  "My baby," her mother was whispering. "My precious baby. All alone for so long. I couldn't believe it when we got that letter. I had no idea it was you when I opened it. But it had a return address! I left right away, got on a plane and came here. I've missed you so much. I love you, baby, and I'm so sorry."

  Her mother sounded choked with emotion, almost sobbing the words. Tears had risen to Nina's eyes also, and slowly, she brought her arms up to come around her mother and hug her back. "Hi, Mom," she whispered.

  Her mom pulled back and looked her in the eye. "Nina," she said. "I stood by your father all those years ago, and let him tell you to leave, and I have regretted it ever sense. I’m so sorry. I just want my daughter back. I want you in my life, and I want to know you again."

  The tears spilled out of Nina's eyes and down her cheeks.

  Then a large form moved into view. Her dad.

  "Mavis," said her dad, "let's take this more slowly. Figure out the situation before we commit to anything, all right? Remember, we talked about this on the plane."

  Slowly, Nina pulled back from her mom and turned to face her dad. "What do you mean?"

  "How about we take this outside," her father said. "See, everyone's watching."

  Everyone was watching. And this was her job, after all. She didn't need to be coming in here and making a scene on her night off. Thank God Ethel wasn't here right now.

  "That's a good idea," Nina said. She felt shaky and strange, and she reached instinctively for Joel. He put his arm around her instantly, and Nina felt as though a sudden well of strength had come over her.

  "Are you okay?" Joel asked her. He was watching her parents suspiciously, she realized suddenly—feeling protective of her.

  His presence dispelled some of the anxiety she was feeling. She had a sinking feeling that she knew why her father was hesitating.

  But she had Joel with her, so she could weather anything. Especially something she’d gone through once before already, when she was so much younger and alone. She nodded. "Let's step outside. We can talk out there."

  It was a warm night, and they gathered in the parking lot, out of the way of the restaurant's windows.

  Nina’s mother hugged her again once they were outside, but Nina backed away a few steps and she let go.

  Nina wanted her mother to take her in her arms again, say that she was sorry and that everything was okay. She’d been wanting that for seven years now, even if she’d pushed the desire so far down that she hardly ever thought of it before.

  But she was an adult now, and there were other things she wanted. And she knew the look on her father’s face. She’d seen it back when she was sixteen.

  “Dad,” she said steadily, “why don’t you say what you were about to say back in the restaurant.”

  “Nina,” her father said, “or—or whoever you are. Your mother has missed you so much that it doesn’t matter to her what sort of unnatural creature you’ve become. But I came to see for myself whether you’re a human or you’re truly—something else.”

  Nina looked him in the eye, surprised at how unafraid she was. “Dad,” she said, “I’m truly something else. I’m a shapeshifter. I have a human side and an animal side, and that’s always been true of me, and it always will be true.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a tear trickle down her mother’s cheek. Something inside her despaired.

  “Then we’ll be going,” her father said.

  That was when Joel took a step forward.

  “You sorry excuse for a father,” he said.

  Her father looked at him. “Excuse me?”

  “How dare you abandon your daughter like that,” Joel said, getting fired up. “Kicking her out of the house for who she was? At sixteen? Coming all this way only to reject her again? What sort of man are you, to do something like that to your child?”

  “A man who knows what’s right and what isn’t!” her father shouted. “People turning into animals isn’t right. It isn’t natural, and it’s dangerous. I love my daughter, but she’s turned into something I don’t recognize. I have to protect myself and my wife from it.”

  Joel looked furious. “You can take your protection and—”

  “Joel!” Nina stepped forward, and Joel fell silent, tugging her into his side. She could feel him shaking with rage. “Dad,” she said, “I haven’t turned into anything. This is what I was always like. And—” she couldn’t believe she was saying this, but the words felt so right in her mouth. “And if you can’t handle that, then that’s okay, because I don’t need you anymore. So you can turn around and go home, and we never have to look at you again.” She slipped her arm around Joel’s waist.

  “I was hoping for a different outcome to this trip,” her father said heavily, “but I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting it. Come on, Mavis.” He started to turn away.

  Nina’s mother stayed standing where she was.

  Her father looked over his shoulder. “Mavis, come on. We’re leaving.”

  “No,” said Nina’s mother.

  Her father turned back, frowning. “Mavis. We agreed that if it turned out that Nina was still some kind of monster—”

  “Darryl, stop it,” her mother snapped.

  Her father’s face turned angry. “Mavis, you aren’t going to keep insisting that—”

  “I am going to keep insisting!” Her mother stepped forward, standing between Nina and her father. “We agreed on nothing. You dictated what was going to happen, even when I explained that I felt differently. Well, guess what, Darryl: you can’t force me to leave if I don’t want to.”

  Nina’s heart was beating fast. She clutched hard at Joel, who leaned down to kiss her on the top of the head. Could this be happening?

  Her mother turned back. “Honey, please believe me—I was shocked when we learned what—what you are. I was afraid of what it might mean—for you, for us. But I would never have wanted you to be gone for so long. I looked for you after you left, but I could never find you. I just wanted you back. All of you. I feel differently now, and I want to learn better.”

  “Mavis,” her father ground out.

  Her mom shot a look over her shoulder. “But he hasn’t changed his mind one bit in seven years, and in my mind, that’s no kind of father. So, Darryl, if you’re insisting that I choose between you and our daughter, I choose Nina.” Her eyes teared up, but she blinked them away. “You’ve turned into a hard and bitter man, and I don’t want to live with someone like that anymore. So go home. I’m staying with Nina.”

  Her father glared. Joel took a step forward.

  “You heard them,” he said, and his voice was hard and implacable. “Your daughter doesn’t want you here. Your wife doesn’t want you here. So get out, and don’t come back.”

  The glare transferred to Joel. “I suppose you’re one of those unnatural beasts, too.”

  “That’s right.” Joel’s voice had gone low and dangerous. “So it’s not the smartest idea to get me angry, now, is it?”

  Nina saw fear dawn on her father’s face. She wondered if that fear was what was fueling all of this anger and hatred, if he was just scared of something he didn’t understand.

  It was a sad thing to think about her father, that he might just be a scared man who didn’t know how to deal with being afraid.

  “Dad,” she said, “if you ever want to come back, and get to know me, and learn about what I am, you should. I’d like that. But if you can’t do it, then you should leave now.”

  Her father stared at her. “What happened to you?” he asked.

  “Nothing,” said Nina. “I’ve always been like this. O
r, if you’d rather a different answer: I grew up. Goodbye.”

  Her father shook his head. Her mother watched him with an implacable face.

  “She said goodbye,” Joel said.

  “I’m not leaving without my wife,” her dad said.

  Joel stepped up to him. “I’m afraid you are.”

  ***

  Joel thought he might never in his life been as angry with anyone as he was with Nina’s father right now.

  That man was no kind of father. He couldn’t imagine a situation in which he’d abandon Zach like that, call him an unnatural monster and never want to see him again. And Zach wasn’t his responsibility like a child was.

  As he stepped up to the man, he saw the same fear in his eyes that had been there when he looked at his daughter. This man was terrified of what he thought Nina was, and now Joel too.

  And fear was making him cruel. It was overwhelming any human feeling he might have had, in the desperate desire to get away from the thing that scared him.

  Joel felt a flash of understanding. He’d been overwhelmed by fear today, too. He’d behaved like a coward, running from Nina because he couldn’t face the idea that they really were mates, and that might be a good thing for them.

  But Joel had stopped. He’d turned himself around, faced his fear like a man. He’d stepped up, taken responsibility, treated Nina with respect, and now he was happier than he’d ever been.

  Nina’s father, on the other hand, had let fear turn him into an ugly excuse for a person.

  “I don’t see what you think you can do,” Joel told him. “Your wife has said she’s not going with you. I’m not going to let you touch either her or Nina. You can leave while I’m still in human form, or you can refuse, and see what I look like when I’m shifted.”

  The fear in Nina’s dad’s eyes expanded. Joel could almost see it take over, leaving no room for any other thought.

  “A—all right,” he said finally. He tried to look past Joel at his wife, but Joel stepped aside so he was fully between them.

  “Go,” he said. “Get out. Now. This is the last time I ask in words.”

  Finally, Nina’s dad turned away. Joel watched narrowly as he went to his car, got in, and pulled away. “And stay away,” he muttered as the taillights disappeared down the road.

  When Joel turned back, Nina and her mother were talking softly again. “I knew he’d never change his mind,” Nina’s mother was saying sadly. “I was just going to come alone, but he wouldn’t stand for the idea.”

  “You don’t have to worry about what he’d stand for anymore,” Joel said grimly.

  “Mom,” said Nina. “Did you really mean all that? You didn’t want me to leave?”

  Her mother shook her head, tears coming once again. “No, baby. I wanted you back so bad.” She hugged her again, and Nina wrapped her arms around her mom and cried.

  Joel smiled at the sight of them together. Nina deserved this. After so many years of no family at all, to get her mother back...that was worth being thankful for.

  And no one else had to matter.

  Nina pulled back suddenly. “What are you going to do?” she asked. “If you’ve really left Dad—you’re out here with nothing. I—” she looked at Joel. “Maybe she could....stay with us?”

  Joel had about an instant to contemplate living with his mother-in-law before Nina’s mom shook her head firmly.

  “Absolutely not, baby! Like I said, I thought it would go this way. I have a savings account that’s completely separate, all mine, and I’ve got twenty years’ experience in sales. I’ve got plenty of time before my money runs out, and I’m sure I can find a job, no trouble.” She looked around. “Goodness, it’s beautiful out here. You know, I wanted to move out of the city for years, but I was afraid to leave in case you ever came back and we weren’t there anymore.”

  “But Dad—” Nina said haltingly. “You must be—I mean, he’s your husband.”

  Her mother shook her head sadly. “Honey. I’ve been watching him slip further and further away from the man I thought I married for years. And it started when I realized he truly could abandon his own child. It’s been over for a while. He just didn’t know it until today.” She hugged Nina again. “The only reason I didn’t leave him before now is that I wanted us to be in that house in case you came back.”

  “You’re not—you really don’t mind? That I’m a...shapeshifter?” Nina looked fragile, like the wrong answer would shatter her. Joel stepped forward and put his hand on her shoulder.

  “I’ve had a long time to get used to it,” said Nina’s mother sadly. “I wondered, I prayed, I researched...and I still don’t know what it is that you are, except it’s something magical.” She looked at Joel. “Your young man here, he’s the same thing?”

  Nina nodded. “Mom, this is Joel.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am,” said Joel, holding out his hand. “I’m truly grateful that you’ve come to see Nina.”

  She shook, looking him up and down. “Polite. I like that in a boy. And you can thank Nina, for writing us that letter.”

  Joel glanced at Nina. “I wrote a lot of letters,” she whispered, looking away. “That was the first one I sent.”

  “Then I’m grateful you sent it,” said her mom firmly. “Now, honey, do you need anything? Money, clothes, a place to stay? You said you’re living with Joel here, is that a long-term thing?” Her eyes pinned Joel with a considering look.

  “Yes, it’s long-term,” said Nina, and a thrill went through Joel, hearing her say it. “We’re—we’re fixing up a cabin together.”

  “But we also have a house, until it’s finished,” Joel interposed quickly, not wanting Nina’s mother to think that he was housing her daughter in some broken-down cabin. “My brother and his fiancée live there too.”

  The considering look softened a bit—but didn’t go away. “And what do you do, Joel?”

  Joel was proud that he could confidently say, “I’m a ranger at Glacier Park.”

  Nina’s mother’s eyebrows went up. “A ranger, really? Well. That’s a good job.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” said Joel. “Nina’s not going to want for anything, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  Nina was watching this exchange with her brows furrowed. “I lived on my own for seven years,” she pointed out.

  “But now you don’t have to,” her mother said, turning to her. “You should do whatever you want, honey, but—I don’t want you to have to be alone. You understand?”

  Nina blinked quickly. “Yes, Mom,” she said in a husky voice. “And I’m really, really happy about it.”

  Her voice broke on the last word, and her mother pulled her into a hug again.

  Joel was struck again by how happy he was to be able to help someone else. To not be in the role of the person who needed supporting, Zach’s little brother who wanted to be alone but couldn’t be alone, and bounced around not sure what he wanted.

  Instead, he was Nina’s mate, a man with a good job who was building them a home. And that was what he wanted to be.

  Epilogue: one week later

  The door of the cabin still squeaked mightily whenever it was opened. The sound woke Nina up, and she stretched luxuriously in her nest of blankets by the dying embers.

  She’d worked a morning shift at the diner today, and after she’d gotten off work, she’d come home to take a nap by the fire until Joel came home. She twisted her head to see him, upside-down, as he toed off his boots and set his hat on the table.

  He smiled when he caught her looking. “Hey.”

  “Hey. Come here, why don’t you?”

  His smile deepened. “My pleasure.”

  Nina kicked off the blankets as Joel came over and knelt in the nest, leaning in to give her a thorough kiss. “How was work?”

  “Fine. I was a little tired after someone thought it was a great idea to go on a midnight run last night.”

  “I regret nothing,” he said, muffled again
st her neck.

  Nina wrapped her arms around him, and after a second of consideration, her legs as well. “Me neither,” she admitted. “How long before we have to leave to meet everybody?”

  Joel extracted a hand so he could look at his watch. “Half an hour.”

  “Plenty of time. Get these clothes off.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Joel had to pull back from her embrace to do it, which left her cold in the open air. She’d gone to sleep naked, deliciously aware that she was anticipating just this moment.

  Sleeping naked was a new thing for Nina, and she loved it. She’d never felt comfortable enough anywhere she’d lived to do it before. She was used to sleeping shifted, wary of predators or curious humans.

  Instead, she could leave her clothes off, curl up with the softness of blankets against her skin, and not have to worry about anything but an amorous mate when she woke up.

  The mate in question had stripped to the skin and returned; Nina felt a wash of heat over her skin as he covered her body with his. “What do you want?” he breathed against her mouth.

  Nina tilted her hips. “Just this. You inside me.”

  Joel kissed her fiercely, his fingers dipping down to test how slick she was, open her up. Nina could’ve told him that he didn’t need to. In the week they’d been together, she’d found herself wanting him inside her almost constantly. She’d soaked through more than one pair of panties thinking about it, and there’d been some embarrassing moments at work. Nothing like having to make a customer repeat an order because she was clenched tight thinking about her mate’s—

  “Oh,” she groaned, as she felt him sliding in. Big and thick and exactly what she needed. Which was the sort of pornographic thought she’d never dreamed she’d have, before she’d met Joel.

  Now, though—

  Now, this was the best thing in the world.

  “God, you feel so good.” Joel’s voice was down in its deepest registers, rumbling in his chest. He took hold of her hip with one big hand and tilted her up, thrusting shallowly until he caught that spot that made her clench and wail. “You’re so beautiful like this, Nina.”