For my buddy Travis, who asked me for a "fairy tail ending" according to the text he sent me. (Sorry, doll. Couldn't resist teasing.)

:Red Riding Hood:

He shifted the basket to his other arm absent mindedly as he worked on the problem in his mind. He was so close to figuring out a pulley system that would allow him to wash his clothes without standing in the river. The rest of the villagers bathed in it. Hardly sanitary for his laundry activities. He came to a fork in the path and took the left branch. Usually he took the right one, since it was a shorter, more direct path to Meemaw's house. But Momma and Dad were at it again, arguing over Dad's propensity to overindulge at the tavern. He wanted to stay gone as long as possible, which is why he had volunteered to take the fresh rolls and eggs in the first place.

The woods along this path were denser, more dark, but he didn't mind. He walked along, mind on other things for several minutes. Slowly he became aware of footsteps. He paused and looked around. He didn't see anything or anyone, but the feeling of being watched persisted. He resumed his steps but listened carefully. Sure enough he heard footsteps from the left. He stopped again and huffed with annoyance.

"Who is there? Show yourself!"

Nothing. Sheldon glared to the left and began walking again. He was so focused on ignoring whoever it was, he was shocked to suddenly feel hot breath on his neck. He jerked and spun around. All he could do was stare. Slowly he dragged his eyes down her body. Her hair was long and blonde. Her eyes were the same color as new spring grass. The leather vest barely covered her amble assets, leaving her flat stomach bare. The pelt around her hips was short, stopping only a couple of inches below her pelvis. Her feet were shod in fur boots. His eyes widened even more when a tail uncurled from around her thigh to flicker back and forth behind her.

A tail?! He looked back up to her face and noticed the pointy furred ears sticking up on her head. She grinned widely and showed off her canines. She raised a hand and wiggled her fingers at him. The slim digits were tipped by pointed nails.

"What are you?" he asked curiously.

She looked at him in surprise. "You're a brave one. Last guy to take this path ran like a frightened deer as soon as he saw me. Big, beefy guy with a mace." She pouted a bit. "Not good to eat. He gave me indigestion."

Sheldon frowned. "So that's what happened to Kurt. A lot of girls in the village were sad when he disappeared."

She moved a bit closer, her tail curling up over her shoulder. She licked her lips and looked him up and down. "What about you? Are you tender? Can I eat you?"

Sheldon shook his head. "I would prefer you didn't. I don't relish the idea of dying in such a manner."

She laughed with surprise. "Oh my! You are adorable!"

Sheldon blushed. He had never had a female compliment him. Not even an inhuman one. "Thank you. You are attractive, as well."

She gave him an appraising look. "So, cutie pie, where are you heading?"

Sheldon pushed back the edge of his red cloak and lifted the basket a bit higher. "I am taking bread and eggs to Meemaw's house."

She moved closer, licking her bottom lip lightly. Sheldon felt his heart rate increase. Her lips pulled up on one side in amusement . Sheldon shuddered as her tail moved around to brush across him. He looked at her studiously.

He reached up a touched the tip of his finger to her ear. "Your ears are quite large."

She nodded. "So I can hear you coming..."

He looked deep into her gaze. "Your eyes are huge."

She winked one. "So I can see you in the dark."

He raised one of her hands to look at it. "Your fingers are quite long."

She trailed one down his chest. "And quite agile."

He smiled shyly. "You have an intriguing mouth."

She grinned widely. "Wanna see what I can do with it?"

Xxx

It was getting dark out when Meemaw heard a knock on her door. She opened it to find her grandson holding out a basket. "Moon Pie! I was expecting you much earlier. Did something happen?"

Sheldon blushed a faint red and looked back toward the forest. "I got distracted Meemaw. I brought you those rolls and eggs Momma promised. I guess I better start back before it gets any later."

Meemaw set the basket on the table. "Are you sure? The woods aren't very safe at night. There's talk of a she-wolf in the area. She is a man eater."

Sheldon grinned shyly and blushed even brighter. "Yes, she is."