“Thanks to my parents.” she grinned, “I was never really too into that stuff either but I think I could be now that it’s going to be our home, permanent or vacation home, as yet to be decided.”
“You have a free hand, babe.” he pulled her toward him and she breathed in his scent and her heart jolted. He affected her like no one else ever had and she loved the sense of belonging. It would have been nice to spend the night here at least, she didn’t mind sleeping on the floor with Liam, but duty called.
They locked up and got back into the car and they settled in for the two-hour journey home. She might ask India and Imogen to help with ideas for the cabin. Imogen had transformed the Den in the months that she had lived there and India had made a lovely home in Garrett’s cabin with her new stepdaughter, Kali. Her baby was also due soon and Kandis felt a wave of envy, she wanted so desperately to have a baby too. A few months ago, she would have scoffed at the idea but she had changed so much since then.
“Penny for your thoughts.” Liam smiled and she shook her head.
“Just thinking about how to decorate the cabin, I might enlist Imogen and India’s help, they seem to be a pair of little homemakers.”
Liam knew that a few months ago Kandis would have said that with a sneer but she was genuine this time and he knew that most people had just scratched the surface of the real Kandis but he was seeing more of the real thing beneath her hard shell with each passing day. He loved everything he saw in her and he wished with everything in him that she could see herself as he saw her.
“Would it be possible to build a mezzanine like Seann's cabin has to give us a little more room,” she asked.
“I actually thought we could go a little further and put an open staircase in on the long wall and create another two bedrooms and a bathroom up there and a sun porch off the kitchen would be great on the side of the cabin, with a view right down the mountain.”
She raised her eyebrows and he grinned.
“I would like nothing more than to fill those bedrooms with babies and if we have more, we can build on an extension.” he reached over and took her hand. She laughed and the words slipped out between her lips before she had a chance to check herself.
“I love you, Liam McGuire, that sounds perfect to me.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Kandis
Her cheeks flushed pink as she realized she had spoken her thoughts aloud and she raised her eyes to his as he quickly pulled over on the side of the road. He leaned over and captured her mouth before she could utter a word of protest and despite herself, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back fiercely.
He pulled back and the look in his eyes gave him away before he even had a chance to utter a single word.
“I love you too, darlin. I have for the longest time but I was afraid to spook you by telling you, except when you were asleep. I told you all my deepest, darkest feelings when you were asleep in my arms.” he smiled.
Her heart was bursting with joy at his revelation. He loved her and she loved him. They were a mated couple in love, something she never thought would ever come to her.
“I do love you, Liam, more than I knew I was capable of loving another person,” she admitted and realized it wasn’t so hard to be vulnerable after all. She knew with certainty that he would never intentionally hurt her, everything he ever did was for her comfort or happiness and she knew she had found a rare diamond in Liam McGuire.
They drove home, each with their own thoughts but his firm grip on her hand was as comforting as anything she could think of. The icing on the cake for Kandis would be to have a baby and she wanted it so badly it was overwhelming. An innocent little child that she could lavish all the love she had been holding inside her for all these years, she had more than enough to go around. Liam and a houseful of kids, whoever would have guessed that’s what would make Kandis Scott the happiest woman on earth. Lachlan and Faye would make fabulous grandparents and she had so much to make up to them for their unconditional love and patience, a grandbaby would be a nice start to building bridges.
The compound was quiet when they pulled in through the gates and Liam drove straight to his cabin, hoping Kandis wouldn’t insist on going to hers first. She didn’t say a word and he took her hand as they got out and walked up to the front door. He didn’t know what to expect any more than she did and he held his breath as he opened the door wide.
The paint smell was faint but the scent from the dozen vases of fresh flowers that dotted the cabin was stronger and he knew they had indeed been busy. The walls were painted a very pale yellow and there were several scatter cushions and curtains to match the new paint color.
Everything had been spring cleaned, even the window’s sparkled and the table was set for two with beautiful yellow and white china, a snow-white tablecloth and etched wine glasses. The silverware was also new, he had only a drawer full of mismatched forks and knives before.
“It's beautiful,” she said in wonder as they walked through the main house and into the master bedroom.” Who did all of this?”
The room was spotless and the new linen on the king-size bed was also a stranger to him. He owed someone big time for doing all of this, it was so much more than he had expected and must have cost them a ton of money.
“Your Dad had it painted but there were plenty of willing helpers. If you don’t like it, you can change it, choose anything you want,” he said, putting his arm around her.
“I love it, Liam, it’s exactly what I would have chosen if I had done it myself,” she said as she smoothed her hand over the layered bedding in shades of navy and white. Someone had her taste to a tee and she thought she knew who it was.
“I think Imogen and India had a big hand in this.” she waved her arm around the room, “I must say thank you to them. They owe me nothing and yet they keep on giving, it makes me feel more than a little humble.” her eyes shone with happy tears.
The bathroom had been scrubbed until it was shining too and new towels hung on the rail and Kandis was so grateful to everyone who had taken the time to do this for them. Her parents, Imogen, India and she recognized little Sophia’s handwriting on the ‘Welcome Home’ card and helium balloons on the kitchen countertop.
Liam opened the refrigerator and it had been fully stocked for their homecoming too. There were several prepared dishes ready to go in the oven and she guessed Imogen and Roisin had cooked them. They were so blessed to be a part of this huge loving, sometimes dysfunctional family that was their pack.
Kandis opened the closet and as she had guessed some of her clothes were already here. They could collect the rest later from her old home because this was where she belonged now and she couldn’t be happier about it.
“Roisin is cooking tonight, she said it's our home-coming meal.” she smiled as her phone buzzed and she read the text. I would like to go and see my parents before then, I have a lot to thank them for and we will see the others later tonight anyway.”
“I’ll get our things from the car then we can take a walk over there, you’re a little closer to them now by moving in here,” he disappeared out the door and she took another look around her new home.
It was lovely and she was sure she would be happy here, anywhere for that matter as long as she was with Liam. She had some nice things her Mom had bought her over the years, linens, glassware and also some of Grandma’s things that she had boxed and kept for her. She was probably trying to instill some nesting instincts in her but she had been wasting her time back then. Now, she was sure she could get a little more into this homemaking, maybe not like Roisin or her Mom, but she was willing to give it a try.
Liam dumped their travel bags on the bed and she had a last look around her new home before they walked the ten minutes to her parent’s house hand in hand.
If Faye was surprised to see her daughter coming for a visit without twisting her arm first then she didn’t show it, but she was trying hard not to look too pleased when Liam put his arm
around her daughter’s waist and she leaned into him. She insisted they stay and have lunch, telling them Lachlan would be home at any time.
Kandis set the table for four and Liam sniffed appreciatively as Faye put a dish on the table and lifted the lid. Beef stew and huge fluffy dumplings, his absolute favorite!
Lachlan came in through the front door and Kandis hugged him as she thanked him for painting the cabin. He looked over his shoulder at his mate who just smiled and urged them all to take a seat while the food was still hot. Faye put a dish of mashed potatoes and green beans on the table and they filled their plates and talked as they ate.
Lachlan was busier than ever and Kandis realized how much he must have juggled to be able to fit in Liam's cabin at such short notice. The guilt weighed heavily on her shoulders, she had a lot of making up to do and although they had been slowly repairing their relationship, she had so much more to be grateful for. She needed to find a way to make it up to them.
She helped her Mom clear the table and Liam went outside with Lachlan to help rearrange some of his heavier equipment in the garage. Her father was probably prying him for information on their relationship while he had him cornered. Kandis made coffee for everyone and when they sat down again, Faye put a strawberry cheesecake on the table and reached across and put her hand on her daughter’s.
“I won’t make you uncomfortable by asking you questions, Kandis, but you looked so content and happy when you and Liam came in and you are different around him. I am guessing things are good between you two?”
She couldn’t stop the huge smile that spread across her face.
“Mom, it’s so much better than good, it’s perfect, he’s perfect and I love him. The best part is that he loves me too.” She pulled the neck of her shirt aside and her Mom looked like she was going to cry when she saw the bite mark on her neck where Liam had claimed her.
“Did you claim him too, love?”
She nodded and her Mom squeezed her hand and she had tears in her eyes.
“I guess you will be moving into his cabin, I hoped you would be and I moved some of your things, but not all of them. Your father dropped everything to get the cabin painted and Imogen and India did most of the other stuff. You have a lot of people here who love you, Kandis, you always did, you just had a little trouble seeing it.”
“I don’t even know where to begin thanking you, Mom, you put up with so much crap from me and I was horrible. I am so sorry for everything I put you and Dad through these last few years.”
“The only thanks I will ever need is to see you finally happy, Kandis, you deserve it, sweetheart, no-one should have had to endure what you did, but you are the strongest person I know.”
Kandis felt the tears sting her eyes but blinked them away. She was done crying for a past that she could never change.
The men came back and they ate dessert and she could tell by her father’s gleeful expression that she had been correct and that her father had been squeezing Liam for information. She didn’t mind, she knew he only wanted the best for her and when they finally left, her heart had never felt so light and free. Her past was finally... in the past. She had such a bright future to look forward to with Liam and she tucked her hand into his arm as they walked back to their new home together.
They just turned into their driveway when Zac came running down the road, full speed and he was shouting at the top of his lungs.
“Come quickly, it’s Sophia, I think she’s dying!”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Liam
The young wolf looked as if he was going to be sick and Liam didn’t know what the hell had happened but they ran back as quickly as they could to Zac and his girlfriend, Bethany’s place. Sophia was Bethany’s little sister and was still human. He called Rafe, who was the pack doctor while they were moving and asked him to meet them at Zac and Bethany’s cabin.
He and Kandis both had a real soft spot for the young human, taking her on visits to town as she was generally restricted to pack lands for the next two years until she turned eighteen and could safely transition. She was uncomplaining for a sixteen-year-old and Liam’s heart was pounding in his chest, he hoped the kid was going to be okay.
They reached the small cabin and Kandis just pushed open the door and ran in. Bethany was crying, her eyes red and sore and there was a young wolf who Liam recognized as Lucas, who was one of Artie Green’s boys and Lachlan’s apprentice standing by the window. He had his hands in his pockets and head hung low, he looked scared to death. Sizing up the situation he followed Bethany and Kandis into the bedroom and barked over his shoulder for the kid to stay put.
“Don’t move a damn muscle, son, until we are done in here.”
He didn’t know what had happened but the young punk was involved somehow.
Bethany and Kandis went to the other side of the bed and little Sophia looked so still but he could hear her heart beating but it was irregular and weak. He touched her forehead, it was clammy.
“What happened to her?” Kandis said quietly.
Bethany pulled back the sheet and Liam saw the bite marks on her neck, wolf bites!
“She begged me to change her, she said she was sick of being different and being stuck here in the compound like a prisoner.”
Liam swung around, Lucas was standing in the doorway and he looked wretched, but Liam was struggling to feel sorry for the kid, Sophia could die because of him.
Kandis flew at him and Liam caught her around the waist before she could reach the kid and he wondered if he knew how lucky he was that he caught her in time. She could put a grown man on his ass in seconds, he wouldn't stand a chance against her.
“Wait in the other room for Rafe and show him in when he gets here.” he barked, dismissing him and Lucas went back to stand at the window to watch for the doctor.
He kept a firm hold of Kandis until she calmed down but he knew she was hurting. She saw Sophia as a victim and wanted to protect her, but Bethany confirmed that she had tried to persuade her and Zac to change her too and they had both refused repeatedly, Lucas was just easier persuaded than her sister.
Rafe came in without knocking and knelt beside the bed. They filled in the details while he examined her.
“When was she bitten?”
“LUCAS, get in here!” Liam yelled and the kid came back to stand in the doorway.
“Last night, she was fine right afterward but she wasn’t answering her texts all morning and I came over to see how she was doing.”
“She said she felt like she had the flu this morning and I sent her back to bed with some hot tea and Tylenol and she went back to sleep.” Bethany said, “Lucas came over and I came in to tell her she had a visitor but I couldn’t wake her up and sent Lucas to get help.”
“What the fuck were you thinking?” Kandis growled, “She is only sixteen years old.”
“So was I when I transitioned,” he said quietly and Liam had to hold Kandis tightly as she tried to break free from his grip.
“You were born this way! She wasn’t and sixteen is too young to transition when you are bitten, the human body isn’t strong enough to endure this at so young an age.”
“I didn’t know, she said it was okay. I’m sorry.”
He looked so miserable that Liam felt a pang of pity for him but Kandis was beyond furious.
“We need to get her up to the Den where I can monitor her more closely,” Rafe said.
“I’ll take her,” Liam said and they wrapped the petite girl in blankets and Liam lifted her effortlessly and disappeared out the door, Rafe picked up his bag and followed him.
Bethany stuck to Kandis and Lucas took a step back as she passed him, boy she was pissed at him. Kandis called Imogen and filled her in and took Bethany’s arm as they followed Liam at a slower pace.
“Zac, don’t let him out of your sight, bring him up to the Den in an hour, Seann will want to speak to him about this. You better hope she makes it buddy.” her face was a mask of stone an
d Lucas winced under her gaze.
Imogen met them at the door and Hope had already prepared a downstairs room for Sophia who was still unconscious. Liam lay her on the bed and left the room so that Imogen and Kandis could settle her in. Rafe pulled out a chair and took her vitals again and Hope cooled her down with tepid water to help break her fever. Rafe was in the process of renovating a cabin to turn into a clinic for the pack but as yet it was unfinished and his equipment wouldn’t be here for another week, so until then a room in the Den was his makeshift office.
Imogen sat Kandis at the table and insisted she drink some strong coffee while they waited on Rafe and Hope to assess their patient. India and Garrett came in and they told them what had happened too and Garrett shook his head.
‘Lucas is a good kid. I am surprised he would be involved in something so stupid. His father will have his hide for this.”
India squeezed her hand. Everyone knew that Kandis had a huge soft spot for little Sophia. She, along with Bethany and Zac had settled so seamlessly into their pack, they were already family.
Liam and Garrett caught up on pack news and India did her best to distract Kandis, asking her about their trip away. She described the cabin and Liam told them he was buying one from the elderly couple they met and told Garrett there was one coming up for sale that he thought he and India may like.
“We should take a look, Indi,” Garrett said, “It’s a beautiful area and would be nice to have somewhere to get away from it all. I know Seann would let us use his cabin but this way we could go at the same time as your sister, or Liam and Kandis if we have our own.”
Seann and Imogen joined them and Liam and Kandis shared a look. He thought this was as good a time as any to ask their opinions on moving the pack to the mountain and it would keep Kandis distracted while Rafe was working on Sophia.
Children of the Moon: Book Three Page 9