He didn’t need to worry.
“Jeez, I thought I’d freeze my furry paws off before I ever saw civilization again.” Damon untangled a six-foot, bright blue scarf from around his neck and dumped it into Peter’s hands, followed by his hat, gloves and oversized winter parka. He glanced at Jim who was guiding Lillie down the stairs. “Why the hell did you build a place so far north? Are you taking over for Santa or some shit? The entire ride up here I kept expecting to see brightly dressed gnomes leaping from tree to tree singing Christmas carols.”
“Sorry, you missed them. We sent them off on vacation for a month.”
Damon stepped forward, then paused, eyeing his shoes and the wide granite floor.
Jim shook his head. “You’re never going to grow up, are you?”
His friend waggled his brows. “Whatever for?”
He took a running start before skidding rapidly toward them, perfectly balanced with his arms extended. Lillie laughed before ducking out of the way.
Damon spun past, completely out of control as he crashed into a side table.
Lillie let go of Jim’s arm and hurried over to help the wolf to his feet. “Are you okay?”
“He’s fine,” Jim growled, folding his arms over his chest and glaring at his friend. “Don’t bother being sympathetic. He just wants you to pet him.”
“Sir, I am shocked at the accusation.” Damon grinned though, slipping his arm around Lillie as he brought her back to Jim’s side. “I didn’t even try to sneak a kiss.”
“That’s because you know you’d look funny without your teeth,” Lillie commented sweetly, patting his cheek as she escaped his clutches. “And you don’t really want poor Jim here to hurt his hand on your face, do you?”
“Of course not.” Damon stepped back to a safe distance before lifting his laughing gaze to meet Jim’s. “I see you decided against sending the trollop packing.”
Jim pinched the bridge of his nose. “Did you have a particular reason you’re here? Or did you travel all this way just to annoy me?”
Damon paused. “Actually, I’m a master of multitasking. I thought I could do both…”
Only Lillie’s sparkling laughter gave Jim the patience to refrain from threatening Damon with fleas. She caught them both by the hand and backed toward the kitchen. “Come on. I know Mrs. Natty was making cookies this morning.”
She danced away, and Jim couldn’t stop a sigh of happiness from bursting free.
“You’re positively giddy,” Damon observed. “Henpecked looks good on you.”
“Shut up.” He pounded his friend on the back as they cut through the swinging doors into the kitchen. “Some day you’ll meet your mate, and I will gloat and taunt and throw you a big party.”
Damon slipped to the tall windows overlooking the now snow-filled swimming pool, staring out at the wintery scene. “Sure. If you insist.”
In the background, Lillie was discussing a snack with the chef, and Jim watched for a moment as his lovely woman spoke, her hands flying in excitement as she organized, of all things, milk and cookies.
Jim turned away to stand beside his silent friend. “Deep thoughts?”
“Mysteries of the universe. The answer is forty-two. We already know this.”
“Ahh, but what’s the question?” Jim leaned on the wall beside the window. “Enough blathering. It’s good to see you, but I didn’t expect you to visit until the spring. You’re allergic to snow.”
Damon wrinkled his nose in disgust as he stared outside. “Nasty, sticky stuff. Makes great base if you scoop it into a glass and pour liquor over it like civilized people do.”
Jim waited. His friend would get to the point eventually. Maybe.
“Come sit by the fire,” Lillie commanded them, and Damon and Jim exchanged glances before trotting after her obediently.
The wolf settled into the chair closest to the heat with a long rumble of satisfaction. “This? Makes the trip worthwhile.”
“Good to know my fireplace ranks higher than I do,” Jim poked.
“Fireplace and cookies. Jeez, you’d think I’d pick only the fireplace over you? Some best friend you are.”
Lillie snuggled into the loveseat beside Jim and slipped her hands around his arm. “Are you going to stay for a few days?” she asked.
Damon shook his head. “Can’t. Got things to do, and I don’t feel like checking in with the Takhini pack to let them know I’m around. Too much politics. I can safely stay the night without ruffling too many feathers.”