Timber woke up in her new bedroom a few weeks later and was immediately surprised by the sight that greeted her eyes. There were dozens of yellow balloons everywhere. Some were floating on the ceiling, some were tied to the gold handles of her new furniture, and the rest completely covered the cream-colored floor. It took a minute of blinking and staring before she realized it was not a dream. Then she remembered that it was her tenth birthday. Joy expanded within her and she felt as though she were swelling up like one of the many balloons in her room.
She sprang up on all fours, Turned, got dressed as fast as she could, and bolted down the stairs. Grace was in the kitchen making cinnamon apple French toast, scrambled eggs, pork sausages, and hash browns. Chad was squeezing fresh orange juice in a pitcher on the island next to a bouquet of fresh, orange chrysanthemums, and Emily could be heard moving around in the family room.
"Happy birthday, Timber, Honey!" said Grace. She moved away from the stove for a moment to hug her niece.
"Happy birthday, Timber!" said Chad.
"Timber! Timber! Timber!" cried Emily happily as she ran into the kitchen and wrapped her arms around her cousin. The force with which she ran into Timber nearly knocked her into the kitchen island. "It's your birthday! Happy birthday!"
"Thank you so much!" said Timber gleefully.
"Did you like the balloons?" asked Grace as she started putting everything on her special serving plates.
"I loved them!" said Timber with a smile. "How did you know my favorite color is yellow?"
"Observation," said Grace.
"Your aunt knows everything," said Chad and Timber laughed. "Table, please, you two."
Timber and Emily sat down at the dining room table which had been decorated with a variety of yellow flowers. Chad and Grace brought out breakfast. Timber didn't realize how hungry she was until the food was right in front of her. Being the birthday girl, she was allowed to go first. She filled her plate with everything she wanted. She waited for the rest of the family to fill their plates to eat because that was the rule. As soon as Chad put the juice down, Timber politely attacked her ham. She couldn't remember the last time she had a ham that good and she savored every bite.
"You're hungry, I see," said Chad, laughing at Timber quietly.
"Very," said Timber. "This is the best breakfast I've ever had, Aunt Grace."
"Thank you. So what do you want to do today, Timber?" asked Grace.
"Well, I was thinking about talking to you about it anyway," said Timber between bites of cinnamon apple French toast. "I want to learn how to cook. You're an amazing cook and I want to be too."
"That's wonderful, Honey, but I can teach you how to cook any day," said Grace. "What do you want to do that's special?"
Timber thought for a minute. She had lived in Fort Bragg for a couple of months already but she had never been to the beach because it started to get cold by the time she was comfortable going anywhere. She decided she wanted to go so she told Grace and Chad.
"That sounds like a great idea. It's a beautiful day outside today. After breakfast, we'll get ready and go. Then we'll go to the Laurel Deli Cafe for hot chocolate."
"Hooray!" exclaimed Emily. "Wait, what about presents?"
"Emily, they were supposed to be a surprise!" sighed Chad. Emily threw her hands over her mouth.
"I'm sorry!"
"It's okay," said Chad grinning at Emily's red face and wide eyes.
"You have gifts in the living room to open after breakfast," said Grace. Timber stopped eating and looked down at her lap. "What's wrong, Darlin'?"
"You've already done so much for me," said Timber, shrinking into timidity. "You took me in, gave me a home, a warm bed, and new clothes and now you're giving me more. I don't deserve it. I don't know. Maybe it's only hard because Mom and Dad aren't here."
Chad and Grace looked at each other.
"I know this is your first birthday without your parents," said Grace, gently. "Thanksgiving and Christmas will be difficult as well. As for everythin' else you mentioned, we're happy to do this. We love you, Timber. You're our little girl too. I may not have given birth to you, but I love you the same way I love Emily. Chad and I see you as our daughter too and that will never change."
Timber sat still for a minute as happiness filled her. She couldn't help but smile.
"Should I call you 'Mom'?"
"Only if you want to," said Grace.
Timber could see the hope in her eyes and she wanted so much to make Grace happy, but Grace was not Elizabeth. There was no one who could replace her and Timber knew that. As much as she loved her aunt and uncle, she still wanted her parents back. She shook her head gently and apologized. Grace smiled and reassured her that it was okay. Timber still felt torn. Grace was beginning to become a mother to her, but at the same time, she felt like calling her "Mom" would be an insult to her mother.
Timber knew Elizabeth would not have minded, but she still felt wrong. Elizabeth and Grace could both understand Timber when she used her body to communicate in her wolf form, and they were both nurturing and warm. They were both mothers by nature but Grace lacked understanding from experience. Timber couldn't explain her meat cravings, her urge to explore with her nose, or the occasional need to chew on something tough. Grace was purely human whereas Elizabeth was also part wolf.
After breakfast was finished and cleaned up, Emily grabbed Timber by the hand and pulled her into the living room. Timber's jaw hit the floor. The coffee table was both covered and surrounded by colorfully wrapped gifts. There was an enormous box in the back that could have easily fit Emily inside with extra room. Timber could see at least twenty gifts but she knew there were more. She looked down at Emily, who was grinning and bouncing with joy.
"Open that one! Open that one!" she squealed, pointing at a tiny gift that was badly wrapped in newspaper and lots of tape. Timber assumed it was from Emily.
"Where did these all come from?" Timber asked in complete disbelief.
"Your family," said Chad. "Your aunt called the family in Louisiana, Tennessee, and Georgia. She told them we had adopted you and that this was your first birthday without your dad and mom and she wanted to make it special. This was their response."
"Go ahead, Honey," said Grace. "Open them."
"Open this one first!" said Emily, bringing over the newspaper-wrapped gift.
Timber sat cross-legged on the area rug and took the squishy little package from Emily and smiled at her effort to wrap a gift by herself. Timber unwrapped the gift with great care only to see a small stuffed toy wolf with grey fur and blue eyes.
"It's you!" said Emily enthusiastically as she bounced on the floor. "See? Do you like it?"
"I love it, Emily, thank you!" said Timber. She squeezed her cousin.
"You're welcome!"
Emily grabbed a pink package with a gold bow and handed it to Timber.
"This one next! Open this one next!"
"Why?" laughed Timber, taking the box and putting it on her lap.
"It's PINK!"
Emily threw her arms up so fast she fell backward onto the rug. She landed with a thud but her laughter was so loud, Timber couldn't help but join in while she helped her back to a sitting position.
Timber spent the rest of the morning opening gifts, playing with Emily, and laughing with Chad and Grace. Soon the hardwood floor and the area rug were completely covered with colorful wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows. Timber had gotten a variety of stuffed animals, a couple of Barbie dolls, and a friendship bracelet-making kit. She received a large collection of books like "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", and "Pippi Longstocking", CDs from popular artists and bands, and a blue and silver boom-box to play them on. She had also received a dozen birthday cards with cash inside, which Timber immediately decided to put away to start saving.
Timber saved the biggest box for last. She enlisted the help of her cousin who was very eager to tear open the box that was bigger than she was. It was the only one from Grace and Chad and when it was opened, Timber knew why. Underneath all that paper was a brand new lemon yellow bicycle with a matching helmet and a basket in the front. Timber let out a cry of joy, sounding exactly like Emily as she spun in a circle several times before rushing to Chad and Grace and giving them each a huge hug.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"Do you want to ride it?" asked Chad. "It's going to be another hour before we go to the beach."
"I don't know how to ride without training wheels," said Timber.
"That's what I'm for," smiled Chad. "I'll teach you. Come on, let's go outside."
Timber jumped up and down beside Chad and yelled happily. She grabbed her new helmet while Chad grabbed the bike and they went outside. Once on the sidewalk, Chad helped her put on her new helmet. He helped her put on wrist and knee guards and then started coaching her. Timber was a fast learner. She fell several times but got back up and tried again. She was riding alone back and forth across the leaf-covered sidewalk within a half hour. She was so proud of her small accomplishment that she almost didn't want to go to the beach. She rode up the street and back one time before it was time to put the bike on the side walkway beside Emily's purple tricycle.
At noon, lunch was packed and the family was on the way to a beach on the north side of town called Pudding Creek. Pudding Creek Beach was below an old wooden train trestle that had been converted into a walking path with an enormous dune by the parking lot. Pudding Creek flowed down onto the beach, crossing the sand and flowing into the Pacific Ocean. When the family parked and she had unbuckled her seatbelt, Timber Turned. When her door was opened, she jumped out and ran around to Emily. The pair climbed up the dune as fast as they could with Chad and Grace right behind them with the picnic basket. Once at the top, Emily tried to run down, but it was too steep. Timber caught the back of her shirt with her teeth before she fell on her face. They walked down slowly until they reached even ground.
"Don't go near the water without us," said Chad. "Emily can't swim yet."
Timber looked at him and barked to acknowledge that she heard his instruction. She and Emily began chasing each other under the bridge posts while Chad and Grace set up lunch. Timber was enjoying the way the sand felt under her snowy white paws. She liked the way the beach smelled like salt, water, and sand, and the way the waves sounded as they crashed against the shore. She used so much energy pushing against the sand when she and Emily were called to eat, she was panting heavily to cool herself down.
"Are you goin' to need a fork, Timber?" asked Grace, as she lay down beside her.
Timber shook her head and Grace put a sandwich in front of her. She bit into it and got peanut butter stuck to the roof of her mouth. The family burst out laughing as Timber tried to get the sticky substance out of her mouth with her tongue.
"Oh, dear. I accidentally gave you Emily's," laughed Grace. "Emily, do you still want your sandwich?"
"Yes, please, Mommy." Grace gave Emily the peanut butter and jelly sandwich and gave Timber the one with pulled pork. "There, that's better."
"Oh, Mommy, I forgot to tell you," said Emily, "my teacher said I'm V.I.P. next week!"
"Oh, Honey, that's wonderful!" said Grace with pride.
"I'm so proud of you," said Chad, hugging his baby.
"Ms. Blanton said I need to make a poster with pictures of things I like," said Emily.
"When does it need to be done?" asked Grace.
"I don't remember," said Emily.
"That's okay," said Chad. "I can call her Monday morning."
The family sat munching on sandwiches, chips, apple slices, and crackers with a spicy crab dip. Timber was given a taste of crab dip but it was too hot. She got to her feet and tried to wipe the flavor out with her paw but it didn't work. Her tongue hung out as she frantically looked for something to cool her mouth down. Finally, Chad opened a bottle of water and began slowly pouring it onto the sand. Timber lapped it up as it fell until the heat was gone. She lay down on the sand, panting.
"Timber might be sensitive to the peppers you put in the dip, Honey," Chad said to Grace.
"I agree. Are you all done eatin', Timber?" Timber nodded. "Emily, are you finished?" Emily nodded, too. "Well, you two can go play for a little while longer before we go to the deli. Remember, stay away from the water, please," said Grace.
Timber and Emily got up and started slowly. Timber went with her while she looked for seashells. There were not that many on the dry sand but there was plenty of seaweed. Timber picked some up in her mouth and began to chase Emily. Emily laughed loudly as she ran away from Timber. Soon the game turned into a tug of war. Timber could have easily overpowered Emily and forced her forward with ease but she decided to give her cousin a confidence boost and she let herself fall forward onto the sand.
"Look, Daddy! Mommy! I won!" she shouted.
"Congratulations!" laughed Chad.
Timber wagged her tail and dropped the seaweed. She nuzzled her nose into Emily to hug her. When she looked up, there was another family with their dog coming down the dune to the beach. Timber liked to look at dogs but she never liked getting close to them. She stayed with Emily and walked back to Chad and Grace, who had finished cleaning up the picnic. The family waved and Chad and Grace waved back. Unfortunately, their dog was not on a leash. The pit bull ran over to Timber and Emily and Timber sensed trouble.
Knowing her unique scent would give her away, Timber ran to keep it away from Emily. She ignored her uncle as he called for her and continued to run up the river. The pit bull was in full pursuit. Timber ran into the shallow water, hoping to deter the larger dog. It didn't work. He charged her. Timber stood her ground until the last second and dodged. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her family and the strangers come around the corner
"TIMBER!" screamed Emily.
The dog went to bite the back of her neck but Timber clawed his face. From that second on, it was a full fight. Timber wasn't accustomed to fighting a real opponent that could hurt her. She was also having trouble keeping her footing as they snapped and clawed at each other. Timber was actively trying not to kill the dog, but he was so aggressive, she was afraid she would have to in order to stay alive. It was a difficult fight with loose mud beneath her feet. She slipped once and she paid the price. The back of her neck was bitten and her head was forced under the murky water. She threw the back of her body sideways into Pudding Creek so she could twist her head for air.
The dog let go and Timber wasted no time. She sunk her teeth into his jugular vein and thrashed her head until the dog fell. Not wanting to take a chance, she snapped its neck. She let go and blood filled the water around them but Timber couldn't move. Her neck was torn and her legs were exhausted. She stood over her dead assailant shaking. She had never killed anything but food before. The sight at her feet frightened her. She looked at her uncle who was now in a shouting match with the other man.
"Your stupid dog killed my dog!" the man yelled.
"She was defending herself!" replied Chad loudly.
"I don't care! My dog was training to be a champion fighter! He was gonna make me a fortune!"
"You took your trained fight dog to the beach without a leash? What kind of stupid are you?"
"I ain't stupid. I finished the tenth grade," yelled the man. He pulled a switchblade from his pocket. "I'm going to kill your dog!"
Chad then did something that Timber thought he was incapable of. He punched the man in the jaw. The man fell to the ground and dropped the knife. Chad kicked it out of his reach as he got up again while his companion screamed at him to let them leave. He delivered a blow to Chad's abdomen, making him double over. Timber forgot her pain. She rushed at the man, as fast as her wounded body could go. She jumped toward his throat but hands grabbed her in midair. Chad pulled her to his chest and held her head.
"Get the hell away from my family or I will pull this trigger," said Grace coldly from behind Chad.
Her voice was filled with anger and her Southern Louisiana accent was thicker than usual. The man backed away with his hands up. Timber peaked around. Grace was holding Emily close to her side with one hand covering her daughter's eyes and pointing an old-fashioned-looking pearl-handled revolver at the man with the other. The look in her eyes was enough to make a grown man cower and cower the man did. He grabbed his partner and ran up the dune.
"Lay Timber on the sand, Chad," said Grace as she put her gun away. "Then take Emily to the car. I'm goin' to stitch Timber up. Emily doesn't need to watch."
"I want to help Timber," protested Emily.
"Fine," said Grace. "You can distract her. Just talk to her."
Chad put Timber on her side and Grace pulled out a sewing kit from her purse. Emily sat down on her knees in front of Timber. Chad put one hand on Timber's face and one on her back hip. The next thing Timber felt was a sharp pinch at her wound. She tried to pull away, but Chad had her pinned down so tightly against the sand, she couldn't escape. Emily was telling her a story about a leprechaun who liked to eat pizza but Timber was not listening. She was in a great deal of pain as her aunt stitched her together. When she felt Grace stop, Chad let her up. She sprang to her feet and licked them both as her tail wagged furiously.
"I'm goin' to assume that you're feelin' okay," said Grace.
Timber barked and turned in a circle. Her shoulder and neck still hurt, and movement was limited, but she was so happy to be with a family who loved her enough to protect her. The pain seemed almost nonexistent. Timber was having trouble Turning completely, so her collar was put around her neck and the leash was attached. They dressed her in a pretty yellow dog sweater (Emily had insisted repeatedly that she have a pretty sweater in case she got cold) to hide her wounds and brought her into Laurel Deli Café. Grace ordered hot chocolate for everyone.
Timber and Emily went to look at the antique steam engine with Chad and he explained to them how it worked. Timber was fascinated by the engine and dragged Emily around, looking for a plaque that would tell her about that specific engine. After finding it and reading it, Grace came over with four cups of hot chocolate. Timber lapped hers up from her cup on the floor, letting the warmth fill her entire body. She licked the cup clean and yawned. She stretched her front legs, jumped onto Chad's lap, and curled up.
"Grace, do you see this?" he said excitedly. "Timber's on my lap."
"I told you she'd come around to you," said Grace with a warm smile. "We can stay a bit longer. I'll take Emily to try and get a toy from the claw machine."
Timber ended up falling asleep on her uncle's lap. When she woke up she was in her bed, tucked under her blankets, with her nightlight on in case she woke up late. She got out of bed and Turned. Her neck was still stiff but it didn't hurt anymore. She glanced in the corner of the room to find that all of her birthday presents with the exception of her bike had been brought up for her. She smiled and left her room.
"Timber's awake!" announced Emily when Timber was halfway down the steps.
"How are you feelin'?" asked Grace, looking up from her sewing.
She was sitting in her wooden rocking chair that she had gotten when Emily was born and stitching the hem of one of Emily's dresses. It was a tad too long so Grace was adjusting it. Judging by the condition of her green wool skirt, Emily had just been sitting on her lap.
"Aside from a mean dog, I'd say today was a very good day," said Timber. "I'm happy. I'm also hungry. What's for dinner?"
"Your favorite meat," said Chad, poking his head out of the kitchen. "A buddy of mine hunts deer. I got some venison steaks from him."
"I've never had cooked deer before," said Timber, tilting her head. "It sounds good."
"I was just about to start it," said Chad.
Timber waited as patiently as she could while she watched TV with Emily but when the smell of cooking steak reached her nose, she began salivating. She went into the kitchen to watch the meat cook on the stovetop. Chad laughed and cut off a small piece of fat. Timber grinned and Turned. Chad tossed the chunk up in the air. Timber jumped, flipped, and caught it in her mouth. It melted when it hit her tongue and she wagged her tail as she swallowed. She jumped up and down, barking for more. Chad and Grace laughed and Chad cut her off another piece and tossed it for her. Timber caught it effortlessly and smiled.
"That's all you get for now," said Chad with a chuckle. "I don't want to ruin your dinner. It'll be ready in twenty minutes. Go play with Emily."
Timber obeyed. Timber thought her tenth birthday was certainly going to be a memorable one as she went into the living room to join Emily once again. Grace brought down Timber's new CD player and all of her new music and Timber went through them and chose one. Grace showed her how to use it and then hit play. Timber and Emily danced all over the living room, laughing with glee.
Timber had quite forgotten her incident at the beach despite some stiffness and her movement being slightly limited by her injuries. She jumped up and down and waved her arms wildly beside Emily. Despite experiencing her first birthday without her parents, Timber did not feel like the sad orphan she thought she would. She was happy and loved and that was better than all of her birthday presents combined.