Tyboll didn't speak much during dinner, but he ate an alarming amount of food. "Good food, she-wolf," was the only thanks she got from the cantankerous he-bear.

She didn't let his less-than-stellar social skills bother her. "You're welcome, and Thursday night now belongs to both of you," Mandy said looking between Patreous and his father. "I promise to cook each week, but the three of you have cleanup duty."

The young bear turned startled eyes to his father, but Tyboll ...