Marilu Mann - Changing Focus

“What do you mean ‘do I dream of wolves’?” The dull ringing in her ears made her feel as if she’d been hit on the head.

Micah crawled up on the foot of the bed from his position on the floor. She drew her feet up but he simply sat cross-legged in front of her. With his mouth set in a tense line and his eyebrows furrowed, he reminded Olivia of the…

“Wolf? You are telling me that you are…that I am…that everyone…” Her voice trailed off as she stared incredulously at the handsome but apparently crazy man in front of her. What he was intimating could not possibly be true.

Then Olivia remembered a dream she’d had as a small child. The dream had been of a wolf running through her backyard and transforming into her father. That, like the ones she had of herself running with wolves, was just her brain manifesting her internal beast in a way she could understand. Her therapist had assured her of that. Humans don’t turn into animals. She shook her head violently.

“No!” Flinging one hand up, Olivia bounced backward on the bed only to hit the wall. “You’re trying to drive me insane, aren’t you? Why, Micah? Was kissing you such a bad thing? Is this how you want to get rid of me?”

Micah dragged one hand through his hair as he shook his head. “No, Olivia. Remember when I said I thought I’d heard your last name before? Volksson? Do you know what that means? It means ‘son of the wolf’, Olivia. Many of our kind have last names that reflect their animal.”

“Reflect? Like a totem or a clan animal?” Her shoulders dropped six inches as she realized that she was overreacting. Giving a nervous laugh, Olivia reached out to pat Micah’s hand. “Oh my! You will never believe what I though you meant!”

“No Olivia, not like a totem or a…” Micah suddenly moved off the bed, his head swiveling toward the door just before it opened.

“Uncle Micah, you said we were going for a sled ride!” Talia oriented on Olivia with a pout. “You aren’t even dressed yet!”

Throwing a look at Olivia, Micah grabbed the child, lifting her high over his head. Turning her upside down, he nuzzled her hair until her giggles rang through the room. Olivia shooed them out so she could get dressed. Leaning against the dresser with one hand, she studied herself in the mirror for a moment.

“Olivia Marie, this is one weird ride you are taking. Get dressed. Write the story. Get out of here. That’s the plan.” Giving herself an emphatic nod, she skimmed out of her clothes and layered from silk long johns up to a thick wool sweater before heading downstairs to join Micah and Talia.

She couldn’t stop the grin when she saw Talia bundled to within an inch of her life. Micah’s look of determination as he wrapped a scarf around the child’s neck warmed Olivia’s heart. The man might not know it, but he was bonkers over the kid. A yearning for that kind of connection tried to make itself known and she ruthlessly pushed it aside. Entering the room, Olivia laughed.

“Trying to make Talia look like the poor kid from that movie?” Olivia staggered around holding her arms straight out from her sides. “I can’t move my arms!”

Infectious giggles erupted from Talia who immediately began mimicking Olivia. Micah grabbed for the trailing scarf but it was too late. He scrambled to his feet, chuckling.

“Fine! You do it then! And,” he waggled his eyebrows at her in a fair “evil villain” impersonation, “you are next, my dear!”

Talia screamed with glee as Olivia flung her hand up to her head. “Oh no! It’s the evil scarf wrapper!”

Micah pounced while she was distracted by Talia. Heat radiated from his arms as he pulled her against his chest. She saw a glint in his eye but before she could react, he kissed her then released her to the sound of Talia clapping her hands.

“Micah!” Olivia’s cheeks were hot and she knew she had to be scarlet.

“Here’s your coat and gloves, Liv. Grab a hat and put a scarf on or I will.” Micah scooped Talia up under one arm and headed out the door as he finished winding her scarf. Talia’s laughter echoed from the porch as Micah pretended to drop her, catching her just before she hit the snow piled by the stairs.

“Why that man!” Olivia couldn’t help it. She started to laugh. If he was trying to keep her off her balance, he was succeeding very well. The kiss he’d just given her had been a total scorcher and then he’d turned around and teased Talia. She pulled on the coat followed by the gloves. Tugging the hat down on her head, she threw the scarf over her shoulder and headed out the door.

Talia stood at the edge of the driveway, watching Micah gather up barking and bouncing dogs. He took them to the sled one at a time, checking each harness before putting it on the dogs. Olivia watched appreciatively as Micah bent over to attach the harnesses to the traces for the wicker sled. The curve of his ass in those tight faded jeans was enough to make her drool. She frowned when he turned to slide into an insulated jumpsuit. What fun was that?

“Okay, you two! Let’s go!”

Olivia followed the running Talia more slowly but her hurried steps reflected her excitement. A twinge struck her. This must be what it felt like to have a real family. Brushing the thought aside, Olivia took up a position in front of Micah. His gaze ran up and down her as he checked what she was wearing. Heat pooled in her belly when his look lingered on her breasts. She remembered what he had said about wanting her.

“This won’t do, Ms. Decatur.” His breath warmed her cheek as he grabbed her scarf to pull her close to him. “We have to make sure that delicate skin is protected.” He lowered his voice, “And I have to imagine what it would be like to have you tied up in my bed using this scarf.”

Before she could draw enough air to scold him, Olivia found herself gently pushed into the sled. The dogs were anchored somehow but she could feel the jerks and tugs as they tried to surge forward. The barking nearly deafened her. Talia clambered in place to rest between her legs and Olivia wrapped her arms around the child to hug her.

Micah covered both of them with a blanket he’d had draped over the sled. The seat under them was just a thin cushion, but no cold came through it from the snow below them.

She focused on the lead dog as Micah shouted, “Away”. Micah ran behind the sled and Olivia felt the impact as he jumped up on the runners. She leaned her head back to look up at Micah, only to get an eyeful of his erection. Olivia jerked her head forward again.

Even wrapped up as she was, Olivia could feel the bite of the wind but she didn’t care. The joy of the dogs as they ran was contagious. She watched as they headed down a path through the trees. All of the scenery seemed strangely familiar then she realized that she’d seen it in her dreams.

“Gorgeous, isn’t it?”

Micah spoke quietly. The dogs had stopped barking as soon as they’d started running. He explained that the animals would use all their energy for pulling the sled, not for barking at one another. She looked back at him, careful not to let her head brush his crotch again and nodded.

He pointed out various things including an immature bald eagle sitting high in the top of one of the trees as they zoomed down the path. Olivia almost wished she’d brought her camera, but knew the sights would stick with her long enough for her to add them to her article.

This was definitely Micah in his element. He was such an obvious part of this landscape and so comfortable here. In spite of the fact that he hadn’t been born here, this was his place in the world. Olivia felt a spurt of jealousy immediately followed by guilt. Micah couldn’t help it that he’d found the perfect home and she hadn’t managed that for herself yet.