Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 122684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 491(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 491(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
And now he was working in an actual laboratory beside a man who had devoted his very long existence to science. In his study, one wall was lined with framed diplomas from an assortment of schools, where Bel had taken night classes and graduated. It might not be his dream exactly, but Wyatt was just giddy to enjoy even this small taste of it all.
Of course, it didn’t hurt that Bel was proving to be an incredibly patient teacher and companion. He showed no frustration at Wyatt’s seemingly endless supply of questions and even kept a running list of books and resources to acquire for Wyatt to help in his quest for more knowledge.
Lifting his face from where he’d been peering through the lenses of the microscope, Bel blinked a couple of times as if trying to get his eyes to readjust to his surroundings. “I can feel you smiling.”
Wyatt huffed a laugh. “Would you like me to stop?”
Bel grinned at him, turning his gaze on Wyatt. There was answering laughter in his bright blue eyes. “Of course not. It’s just interesting how clear the emotion comes through. It’s as if you and River have your own pathway through my brain. Definitely more similar now to how I can feel Rafe than to how I can feel the thoughts and emotions of the animals.” Bel paused and made a little sound in his throat as he pulled a small notebook out of his pocket.
Wyatt loved that notebook. Bel kept it with him at all times and wrote down thoughts that occurred to him throughout the day. Each morning before he turned in, Bel would transfer those thoughts into various journals and computer programs for him to pursue later. Wyatt was sure he and River filled those pages now.
“You’re saying your sense of us has changed?”
Bel nodded. “I’ve never had that happen.”
“Well, we have been staying with you for a month. Extended exposure to us could have affected you.”
Bel’s head cocked a little to the side, and his smile grew. “Has it really been a month already?”
“A month yesterday, actually.”
The vampire returned to his little notebook, made another note, and shoved it into his pocket. “Then I think this makes for the perfect occasion.” Bel pushed to his feet and walked over to one of the cabinets, where he pulled out what looked to be a dark-blue shirt box with a silver ribbon.
“What’s that?”
Bel returned to the table, placed the box in front of Wyatt, then moved to his own stool. “Just a small gift to make your working in my lab official.”
“Bel, you shouldn’t have. You’ve already given River and me so much.”
The vampire waved a dismissive hand at the comment. “Merely necessities of life, though I believe this also falls into that category. Go ahead, open it!”
Tamping down the strange swirl of nerves and excitement building in his chest, Wyatt slid off the slender ribbon and lifted the lid. His eyes fell on a white lab coat that looked identical to the one that Bel was wearing, and his breath caught in the back of his throat.
“I’m sorry it took so long to arrive,” Bel murmured softly. “I attempted to handle it myself, and that was a terrible mistake. I tried to order it from the tailor since they already had your measurements, but they hadn’t a clue as to what I was talking about when I said I needed a lab coat. I had to hand the whole mess over to Carl.”
Only about half of that registered in Wyatt’s brain. With trembling fingers, he carefully lifted the jacket from the box. It was simple but well made—he could tell the material was sturdy. And it was easily the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
“Do you like it?” Bel asked, a slight waver in his voice.
Wyatt reverently returned the coat to its box, launched himself off his seat, and snatched up Bel in a tight hug, earning a surprised squeak from the vampire. “It’s perfect. Thank you. Thank you so much,” Wyatt said, burying his face in Bel’s silky hair as he tried to swallow past the lump in his throat. His eyes burned with unshed tears, but he didn’t care. He needed to hold Bel.
Strong arms wrapped around him, holding him so tight. “I’m glad to. You deserve this, Wyatt. Never question that. You deserve to be happy and to have the life you dreamed of.”
Wyatt’s heart expanded in his chest, and his breath caught again. No one had ever said such things to him. Only River had cared to ask what he wanted to do with his life, what his dreams were. But they hadn’t been in a position to pursue any of those dreams. Bel was actively attempting to remove barriers and put him on that path again.