Chapter Four : First Nicknames

As I held Dorothy's hand, we walked down a worn path within the woods, a path that I had taken many times. Little Toto was in her basket, as usual, resting comfortably, but ready for the next adventure. It wasn't long before we came to our destination. It was to me the most beautiful place in the Enchanted Forest.

Dorothy must of been in awe at the sight before her eyes. She gasped, taking in every blade of grass and every colorful flower that made up the lovely meadow. There were large shady trees and a small bubbling brook... and there, right in the middle of it was the most gorgeous cottage. It was entirely breathtaking.

"Ohhh wow, what's this?" Dorothy asked happily as she set little Toto down to explore the lush terrain. "Who lives here in this lovely cottage?"

"It's mine," I said. "It was my parents' cottage, before- before the Werewolf hunters killed them."

"It's so absolutely... enchanting," Dorothy said. "May we take a look inside?"

"Sure, I'd love for you to see the cottage where I once lived with my parents," I agreed, leading Dorothy up to the front door.

The cottage had been cared for lovingly for all these years. One day it was to be mine, the place where I would live when I was ready to leave my Granny. I spent all of my free time at the cottage, going through my parents' belongings, dusting the furniture, and making sure that it would be prepared for the time when I choose to move.

As we walked inside, we were greeted by all my little pets. They came running, eager to see the person who had tenderly cared for them and saved them after they had been abandoned in the forest. There was a kitten named Titus. He had soft yellow and white fur. Toto entered, sniffing Titus. He seemed to make friends with the little guy almost instantly. There were several other pets as well. My baby bat was in a large cage in the center of the room, surrounded by a library full of books. In my free time, I loved to read. My mother had loved reading, too, and had collected books from all across the Enchanted Forest. I had read a great deal of them, but still had a couple of shelves left to go.

Dorothy was taking a look at all my precious pets. She met the bat I had named Darkness, then the owl who had been given the name of Chauncey. "Your Granny was right. You do have a LOT of pets," Dorothy stated as the animals surrounded her. At that moment, Bittersweet, my cute little squirrel had climbed on the back of the love seat and had made her way to one of Dorothy's shoulders. Bittersweet started to nudge one of Dorothy's long braids, asking for some attention.

"Awww, she likes you," I said with a great-big smile.

"Are you planning get any more pets?" she asked as she gave Bittersweet some tender strokes she had been seeking.

"Who knows," I said. "Maybe."

"We used to have a lot of animals, back on the farm... in Kansas."

"What kind of animals?"

"Pigs, cows, turkeys, horses, sheep, chickens... you name it, we had it. But Toto; he's my pet and he was always my favorite. He never leaves my side."

"I wish my granny would let me keep my pets at the Inn, but she's afraid they will frighten the guests. I've been keeping them here, where they are safe and well-loved. Most of them were starved and abandoned... little orphans, just as I once was..."

A tear stung at my eyes as I thought of the parents I could not remember, yet I knew without at doubt that they had loved and protected me. When the Werewolf hunters came to the cottage, they had hidden me in a secret chamber under the nursery's floor. I had been kept safe until Granny could come and find me. I had survived a brutal and vicious attack.

"It's hard being an orphan," Dorothy said. "Never knowing your parents."

She too had lost her parents during infancy. Her aunt and uncle had raised her and cared for her, loving her as their own. She was lucky to have them, just as I had been lucky to have my beloved Granny.

"Sometimes I do feel like I know them," I said. "I have all their belongings. I can read the books that my mother read... and I can read my papa's journals."

"That is amazing," Dorothy said. "Will you show me all of the rooms?"

"I'd be happy, too,' I said. I lead her into the little kitchen. It was complete with a carved oak table. Every piece of furniture had been created by my father with his own two hands. All of the quilts, the rugs, and the curtains in the cottage had been lovingly sewn by my dear mother. This was my home - my true home; the place where I longed to reside.

"It's beautiful," Dorothy said. "I'd love to live here. It's so peaceful."

"Wait until you see the master bedroom," I told her with a wink.

We walked through the dining room and down a hallway, then we came to the room that had belonged to my parents... the room in which I had been born. There was a king-sized bed, a fireplace, and a large porcelain tub for bathing. Dorothy blushed slightly when she looked at the tub and I could tell automatically where her thoughts had gone.

"My parents were very romantic," I said as I touched the satin coverlet upon the bed. "They wanted many children. But they only had me."

"Sadly, I am an only child as well. Uncle Henry and Aunt Em tried for a baby... but it just wasn't to be. I used to pray that I would get a little someone to play with... that's when finally, they got me Toto. He was a present. The best one I ever received."

"What was it like living in Kansas?"

"Nothing like the Enchanted Forest. It was kind of boring actually. All I could do was walk around the farm and help out Aunt Emily with all the chores. All I miss about it is Auntie Em... and of course, Uncle Henry."

"I'm sure they miss you, too."

I took Dorothy's hand and lead her to the last bedroom. It was the nursery. It was MY nursery, the place where I had once slept safe and secure after my parents' lovingly and tenderly tucked me into the cradle that my father had created with his own two hands. In the cradle was a cloth bunny my mother had made. She had made it so carefully before my birth. Now it set forlornly within the cradle, the sacred place where I had slept before the Werewolf hunter's had came to destruct our lives.

"Ruby, it is... There are no words," said Dorothy as she drank in the sight. This was a place of love- a place where I longed to return.

"Is there anything else?" she asked softly. "Any other rooms you haven't shown me?"

"Well, there's the loft. There are some beds up there..." I replied. "As I said, my parents longed for a lot of children. They were going to fill up all the beds, but..."

"I'm so sorry." Those were her words as she pulled me into her arms, caressing my long dark curls. Her touch soothed me so much more than anything else ever could. She cared. She truly cared and she shared my pain. She too was an orphan. She too had lost her beloved parents.

"This is why you take in all the animals?" she asked me knowingly.

She was still holding me. She would not let me go.

"They are my family now. My pets and Granny. And now you and Toto, too."

I got a lump in my throat as I spoke the next words, "I hope you stay."

"If I stay, I want to give you a special nickname. Something unique," said Dorothy as she pulled back a little and looked into my eyes. Her eyes were glowing playfully. "Would you mind if I call you Wolfy? You are such a beautiful and remarkable little wolf."

I couldn't help it. A little giggle escaped my lips. Wolfie? I guess that would be our little secret, but I loved it very much.

"Only if I can call you Kansas."

"Of course," she said.

I reached out to boldly kiss the tip of her nose. It was her turn to giggle as it was so unexpected. "This is been fun," she said. "I love your little cottage. Thank you so much for showing me. But now, what would you like to do?"

"I don't know," I said. "What would you like to do?"

"Could we go outside and play in that brook?" she suggested.

"Great idea," I responded. "I think that would be fun."

The look of excitement upon her face pleased me more than anything. "Let's go," I said enthusiastically.

Author's note - Stay tuned for Chapter Five : First Secret Crush