4. Olwydd

CHAPTER 4

OLWYDD

I stroll into the control center, my mind still buzzing from my encounter with Bambi.

"Yo, Dafydd," I call out to my fellow guardsman seated in front of a bank of monitors. "How'd it go last night?"

Dafydd's bloodshot eyes meet mine. "Quiet and uneventful."

"Welp, hopefully that trend continues on into today." He rises and I settle myself into the chair he vacates.

The control center is our monitoring room—a techno-cave straight out of a human spy movie. Walls of screens flicker with live feeds from cameras hidden throughout the Kentucky woods above Grotto. As Squatch security, it's our job to keep an eye out for any nosy humans who might stumble too close to our secret sanctuary. That includes the Squatch-hunting groups, especially a group of nut jobs known as the Bigfoot Spotters Society.

As Dafydd shuffles out, I scan the monitors. Nothing but trees, rocks, squirrel, deer, and the occasional bobcat.

My mind wanders back to Bambi. That smile, those eyes, the way she handled my nephews... I've got it bad, folks.

Speaking of nephews, an idea strikes me. I whip out my phone and dial Braith.

"What now?" my sister's exasperated voice crackles through the speaker.

"Hey, sis," I say, trying to sound casual. "So, about the boys?—"

"Oh no," she groans. "What did they do?"

"Nothing! I was just thinking...maybe I could pick them up after school?"

There's a long pause. "Who are you and what have you done with my brother?"

I laugh nervously. "Can't a guy just want to spend time with his favorite nephews?"

"Uh-huh," Braith's voice drips with suspicion. "That's not it. What gives, bro?"

"Come on, Braith," I plead. "Help a brother out."

"I don't know…" She hesitates and I know my sister. She's trying to get at the truth. "Wait a minute. This has to have something to do with the human, Bambi. So what is it? Does she work at the school now or something?"

Busted. "What? Pffft. No."

"Olwydd..." She coaxes.

"Maybe. Okay, yes. I'll owe you one."

"Oh no, little brother. You'll owe me way more than one."

I groan. "Name your price."

"Let's see," she muses. "Amlawdd and I could use some alone time without the kids for once. You can pick up the boys if you also help with homework, make them dinner, and clean up afterward."

"Done!" I don't even have to think about it. At this point, I'd probably agree to scrubbing her toilets for a month, anything to get closer to Bambi.

Braith chuckles. "Alright, it's a deal. But Olwydd? Be careful. She's human. If she decides to stay, she gives up everything. If she leaves, you could lose everything."

I nod, even though she can't see me. "I know, sis. Trust me, I know."

"Okay, see you tonight then— late tonight. Oh and Olwydd..." I can hear the smirk through the phone line. "It's a pleasure doing business with you, brother."

Hmph. I deserve that.

As I hang up, my eyes drift back to the monitors. Nothing but trees and wildlife.

I lean back in my chair, a wide grin on my face as I entertain thoughts of my beautiful Bambi and about picking up the boys later.

I can't help myself, I log into my personal laptop and open the file I've looked at probably a hundred times in the past few days.

When the human women first arrived, I did a favor for Gruffydd and some of the other Squatches and dug up everything I could find on the specific human woman each was interested in.

The algorithm we used to find potential human mates employed a very intricate and complex set of criteria.

Of course, we couldn't know absolutes beforehand. The algorithm was based on probabilities. For instance, the probability that they were single, of child bearing age, heterosexual, and open to a monogamous relationship—with an entirely different species. But equally important was the probability that they'd agree to remain in Grotto indefinitely.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out what that means.

It means that, for whatever reason, each human woman here in Grotto was having difficulty thriving topside in their human world. Kiki, for instance, was in a witness protection program and had some very dangerous men scouring the country for her.

For Bambi, my sweet Bambi… I click through the file I dug up on her and, as usual, it sparks a seething fury beneath my skin. The horrible things that were said about her in the magazines, newspapers, and news programs. The more I dig, the clearer it becomes that she was used, toyed with, victimized. As happens every time I view it, I feel a strong desire to right a few wrongs but even more so is my desire to wrap my arms around her. To comfort and protect her.

The rest of my shift creeps by in a blur of daydreams about my sexy human teacher. Okay, she's not mine. Yet. But she will be.

When it's finally time to head to the school, I practically sprint to my transport.

I pull up to the school caverns, and my heart does a little jig when I spot Bambi herding the last of her students out the door. She looks up, and our eyes meet. For a moment, time stands still.

I head toward her, crossing the distance…until my nephews come barreling out, breaking the spell.

"Uncle Olwydd!" Jac squeals, launching himself at me.

I catch him mid-air, spinning him around. "Hey, squirt! How was school?"

"It was cool," Elis pipes up. "Miss Bambi's a good teacher."

"Is she now?" I grin, my eyes finding Bambi again. She's watching us, a soft smile on her face. "Well, I better go thank her for putting up with you hooligans."

I saunter over, Jac still clinging to my back like a furry backpack. "Hi there, beautiful."

Bambi rolls her eyes, but I catch the hint of pink on her cheeks. "Hello. I see you've been promoted from chauffeur to pack mule."

"All part of the uncle service package," I wink. "So, about that dinner..."

She sighs. "It's probably not a good idea."

"Come on," I wheedle. "What's the worst that could happen? You discover I have terrible table manners and never want to see me again?"

"Is that a possibility?" I love how the corners of her mouth twitch as though she's trying to suppress a laugh.

I press on, channeling my inner smooth-talker. "I promise to chew with my mouth closed. Mostly. And I'll even comb my fur. What do you say?"

Bambi bites her lip, hesitating. "I'll...think about it."

Victory! Well, sort of. But hey, I'll take what I can get.

"Great!" I beam. "I'll eagerly await your decision. In the meantime, have a wonderful evening, teach."

As we head back to the transport, I feel her eyes on me. Or maybe that's just wishful thinking. Either way, I've got an extra spring in my step.

The moment we're in the transport and out of earshot, the teasing begins.

"Uncle Olwydd and Miss Bambi, sitting in a tree," Osian sing-songs.

"K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Elis and Jac join in.

I groan. "Really, guys? What are you, five?"

"Yes!" Jac announces proudly, "I am five."

I can't help but laugh. "Fair point, squirt. But come on, cut your favorite uncle some slack."

"You like her," Osian states matter-of-factly.

"What gave it away? My smooth flirting or the fact that I'm voluntarily spending time with you rugrats?"

"Hey!" Elis protests. "We're delightful!"

I throw my head back and bark a laugh. "That you are, kiddo. That you are."

As we pull up to their cave, I brace myself for the chaos that's about to ensue. "Alright, gang. Your parents are having a night out tonight, so you're stuck with me."

"Yes!" Jac pumps his fist in the air.

"Don't get too excited," I warn. "We've got homework to do."

Their collective groan echoes through the cave.

"Come on, it won't be that bad," I assure them, with more confidence than I feel. "I'll help you get started."

Osian eyes me skeptically. "No offense, Uncle Olwydd, but didn't Mom say you almost failed math?"

I puff out my chest. "That was then, this is now. I'll have you know, I'm great at math. Why, just the other day, I calculated the exact trajectory needed to throw a paper airplane across the control center and hit Taredd in the back of the head."

The boys exchange dubious looks.

"Alright, alright," I concede. "Maybe math isn't my strong suit. But hey, I didn't do well in school, and look how awesome I turned out."

"Mom says you're a cautionary tale," Elis pipes up helpfully.

I clutch my chest in mock pain. "Et tu, Elis? You wound me, nephew."

We settle around the kitchen table, books, papers, and laptops spread out before us.

How hard can it be, right? I'm a grown Squatch. I've got this.

"Okay, team," I clap my hands together. "Let's show this homework who's boss."