He cleared his throat. "I know they'd planned to retire to Arizona, but everything happened so suddenly, I don't know."
"Okay. Did you ever ask them? I mean like call them? Can it still be run as an inn? I need an income, regardless of what my magic or fate are telling me, I can't live off of air."
Sucking in his bottom lip, his teeth grating over his goatee, she didn't like the way he hesitated.
"Honestly, I never thought much about any of it. The place should be easy enough to get fixed up. They haven't been gone long."
So far, he was kind, helped old people, had gorgeous green eyes, and had so many muscles that his muscles appeared to have muscles. She wanted this to all be a mistake, or maybe not.
She took a half step back. Her ex had looks and money - and Jeff had smooth-talked his way into someone else's pants. Good looks wouldn't ever end up in a happily ever after, but this guy was more. She didn't need magic to figure it out though, what she was looking for would never be a man like this. She was dull, curvy, and odd. She wiggled, and realized a bit of popcorn might still be down her bra - men like him didn't date women who could squirrel away snacks in their cleavage.
If a sleek, not nearly as good looking warlock couldn't accept her; what the heck would she offer this guy.
Hazel's incessant clucking interrupted her internal debate.
Hitching a thumb over her shoulder. "You don't know anything about chickens do you?"
"Other than cooking them?"
By the laughter that came out of him, she assumed the look on her face had said everything she couldn't find the words to.
"Just kidding. But no. Annie, the owner of the coffee shop down there, has some though. She can probably help."
"You might want to unwrap her from that seat belt though."
Marci rolled her eyes. "Right." Just as she freed Hazel, the bird flapped wildly, a wing catching Marci in the eye. She fell back.
"Careful now."
Caleb's arm wrapped around her waist before she hit the ground and an odd peace swept through her, and her magic settled down as he stood her up quickly and his hands fell away.
"Let's get you into the house before the chicken wanders off."
The sting of stronger magic set in like pins and needles over her the second he removed his hands. "Wait. What? Why would she wander off? I feed her whatever she wants. She ate half of my cheeseburger last night. She's spoiled. Besides, I'm the best she's got. The family that hired me to find her didn't want or expect a chicken. "
Heat crept up Marci's neck. This guy was trying to tell her how to raise her dang chicken. First, her mother told her how to live, and now this. Then she realized Hazel was pecking her way down the street.
"Hazel! I put up with your roosting, your scratching, and the pooping everywhere. You're obviously incapable of judging people's character. Just no. Come back here."
Marci walked over and scooped up the chicken, who began squawking and flapping as though the world depended on this very moment.
"Fine." She dropped Hazel back down the three inches to the ground where she landed feet first and picked right back up with her exploring. "Just fine. Don't worry about me. Let's see how well you do at night with the animals."
Heat burned her cheeks and embarrassment squeezed around her chest like a vice. This was her new life. She closed her eyes, blew out a long breath, and shook out her hands.
Let it go.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to distract her. She seems sweet though. She'd probably like Frank."
"Who's Frank? Wait; tell me later." She was starting over. Hitting the reset button.
Seconds passed, as her heart settled down allowing her brain to regain rational thoughts. Hazel took off on little hops and flaps to the grass closest to the curb. She'd be fine there for a while, Marci could find her again if she got lost anyway. Not that she was sure she would look for her as of right now.
"Can we go inside now? I'm trying to keep it all together, but I'm tired. My fiancé preferred the company of just about anyone but me, and the idea that I can't even keep a chicken happy ... well, it's a lot. So, let's go do this. Take me to the haunted mansion."
"It's not a haunted mansion. Wait. What? Fiancé?"
She turned around and took in her future. "Yeah. Teach my mother to take his side." She took a step forward and let out a breath that carried away everything she'd allowed to weigh her down. Almost.
4
Caleb attempted to smile, but he didn't know how convincing it was or if he looked like he was in pain.
His bear scratching at his soul trying to get out. The damn thing panted, like a dog restrained on a leash trying to get to his owner.
He had to bite back the shift. His skin rippled. Breathing past the urge, he got one thing under control, only to realize he had a bit of a human issue that he couldn't adjust well enough to hide the fact he was walking like a pirate with a freaking peg leg.
The bear roared at him.
Fine. Fine.
"Marci? Wait. About a fiancé? You didn't mention anyone else with you."
He looked back at the truck and still only saw a chicken pecking at the lawn.
Fuck. What the hell did he care? He didn't care. His bear growled. Oh, they fucking cared.
Marci had sheer determination in every step. "He left me. Or well, maybe I left him when he was caught with his pants down. Who cares."
Without his shifter hearing, he'd have had a hard time hearing her words as she nearly ran up to the house. He caught up as she stopped at the door.
"So, there is no fiancé?"
She nodded, still not turning away from the house.
"No. Not anymore."
"You said fiancé though."
"Sorry. Habit. Can't you feel that?"
He pursed his lips. "Feel what?"
"The spirits? This place has odd energy. Maybe this is what I am here for?"
The place was old. "Okay. If you say so, this town is old. Has a long and interesting past like most mining towns."
She looked up. "I need to start researching things I get into. I keep following my instincts, and, yeah."
He snorted. "Yeah. Except with that fiancé apparently."
Her head jerked his way. "I want to be offended. But yeah. Fine. Moving on. So, do you have a key to get in here?"
Holding the key up, he nodded. Caleb unlocked the door and pushed it open pausing. He paused, the door always open and before she walked in, he said, "you're aware it hasn't been open for a year. Right"
Marci shrugged and pushed past. His bear growled as the wind blew her scent to them, Caleb grit his teeth. This strange woman had awoken something that woke the human side of him just as much as the bear, and he had no fucking idea what to do.
His eyes followed the sway of her ass as she nearly charged in. No need to say ladies first when she didn't bother waiting. Biting the inside of his cheek he tried to keep a strange, yet obvious feeling from clouding his judgment. Jealousy. The idea of another man touching her pissed them off; his bear didn't take kindly to anyone but them touching her.
Shit. Why had Marci come now and why wasn't he able to ignore it? His bear grumbled and stomped around within him. Okay. He knew why. He hadn't touched a woman in far too damn long. The unofficial vow of celibacy had reached its expiration. His bear roared.
He let her go in before him, or well, she pushed past him on a mission. Pausing at the threshold, he tried to breathe. He needed to get his shit handled. She seemed to have a tough exterior, but behind it, he could see the cracks. She wasn't a no strings attached kind of woman. He wasn't the kind that had anything to give.
As she screamed though, his hackles rose, and he prepared to give his life for her.
Caleb came to a halt as Marci flailed around in front of him. He tried to track her, his hands rising and falling as she spun and danced all over the foyer.
"Get it off. Get it off." She screamed over and over.
He stifled a laugh. The whi
te string glistened in Marci's hair. She'd found one of what he suspected would be one of many spider webs.
He reached out to her and grabbed at her waist trying to help her.
Regret rose in the pit of his stomach as she freaked out and lost her balance.
Well, for shit's sake. This woman should be kept away from any hills and holes in the future.
"Marci? Stop screaming. It's just a spider web."
He threw an arm out and braced for them to hit the ground. Caleb stopped the fall, but he'd never seen someone turn so pale.
He reached down to quickly remove the spider. The snow had more pigment than Marci did right now.
"Marci? Breathe."
He flicked the tiny spider corpse toward the open front door. The need to kiss her jogged around his head before jumping off a mental cliff and dying.
He gulped in air. A cool fear numbed his body long enough to focus on reality.
"Marci? Your lips are blue. Are you holding your breath? Just breathe. "
He leaned over her and moved his face towards her. She didn't move. Her eyes were bright with fear. The woman charged into a house she said was haunted, but was done in by spiders? Could she have died from fear?
The sonic beat of her heart meant she was alive, but he couldn't hear her breathing. Her chest didn't move.
He inched closer and whispered near her ear. "You need to breathe."
Unmoving and unnaturally round eyes focused on an invisible spot on the ceiling as he heard her suck in air.
"It's off? Are you sure it's off?"
"Yes. It's somewhere near the door. I bet that chicken of yours will enjoy the snack.
"Did it bite me?"
The warmth of each exhale hard to ignore against his cheek, as he started to pull away.
"Glad, you took my advice and started breathing again. Now, just give me one more second as I pull the web off. Try not to inhale too deep."
His damn bear was nuzzling up to where Marci's body touched Caleb's.
"Stupid bear."
"What?" her words shrill.
"Marci, stop. It's okay. No, it didn't bite you. It's pretty dead."
"But, did you call me stupid?"
She didn't try and get up.
"I said stupid bear because he's stupid."
He paused. God, he hoped she didn't ask anymore.
"I'm going to need my arm back." Their noses were nearly touching, and the manic fear on her face faded. Caleb gently pushed aside a strand of hair.
Her voice just above a whisper said, "You're sure it's off?"
He swallowed. "I got it," he whispered, his words catching on a sandpaper tongue.
"And the bear?"
His voice low and quiet. "I'm a bear shifter."
"Oh. Why is he being stupid?"
Caleb froze. He couldn't say because his bear wanted her and nothing would stand in his way. He couldn't say because he wanted her too. He didn't want to give in to a need that would end up hurting someone.
Every breath brought her scent to him, a sharp smell of exotic flowers. Shit.
Mustering every ounce of restraint, he pushed himself up. Extending his hands, Marci laid her palms in his, the touch of her soft skin making the need to pull her closer worse. A pulse foreign to him thrummed through his body.
He couldn't let her go, even if he'd wanted.
Her eyes locked onto his. The world faded. His bear reared up on his hind legs. Pushing him. Their hands fusing with magic he'd never known, Caleb pulled her towards him. He didn't know if she spoke or if he imagined the words. Kiss me.
He leaned into her; she didn't pull away. She was close enough that the heat of each breath tickled his skin.
"The house," he said, trying to remember what he was there for.
"What?" she said.
The energy flowed through him; he could feel her all around him. She might have been in front of him, but he needed more. Moving an inch closer, he waited once more for her to pull away. A roar within pushed him to close the last inch to claim her mouth.
The world spun around in a haze. Caleb couldn't tell where he started and she ended. His mouth swept over hers. Her lips moved against his. All the sorrow and regret within him seemed to have disappeared with the taste of her.
He wanted more. He wanted to taste Marci, needed to feel the freedom his soul felt with her. He pulled his hand out of hers and reached around grabbing at her ass. Pushing against him, she responded. Gripping her thigh he lifted her; her legs spreading as he pushed her up against the wall. Pulling away he kissed a trail up her jaw to her ear.
Her chest rose and fell, a mirror of his own need.
His dick throbbed behind his jeans. He couldn't get close enough. The haze around him electrified everything.
Holy shit, he needed her. He'd been so empty, so alone, as if his world were so large and vast no one would hear him scream.
She moaned.
He pulled his face away to see her. "Who are you?"
Her chest heaved as she tried to catch the air escaping both of them.
"I don't know anymore. Just kiss me."
He didn't need to be asked twice.
Someone cleared their throat, and they froze, both their heads turning to the noise.
The haze masking the moment cleared.
His bear growled at the interruption. Caleb let out a snarl until he saw who it was. Still, the old ladies in this town were a cockblock right now.
"Please. Do finish. I haven't seen a show like this since my Henry passed, and he and I would -" she stopped and let out a laugh.
Caleb gripped Marci closer. "Annie. What the hell. This town." He leaned into Marci, praying that either his dick would settle the fuck down or Annie would take the hint and leave. He couldn't hide the bulge in his damn pants, and he didn't want to.
"Uh. Sorry," Caleb whispered, as he gently let her down.
Deep breaths. Think of ice. Snow.
Of course, he then thought of Marci naked as he warmed her cold body with his own.
"Caleb. You turn and look at me."
Reaching down he adjusted himself through his jeans.
"Oh for crap sake, young man. You think I haven't seen worse. Now you turn and look at me."
Marci giggled, and he shot her a glance. The air infused with the scent of her arousal had his hands itching to touch her, his dick begging to claim her, and his bear clawing to mark here, but instead, he was here staring at Annie laughing at them.
He wanted to know what she'd sound like as he buried himself balls deep in her. That would have been a mistake though.
Turning around slowly, he saw Annie standing with a tense look on her face.
"Caleb. One. We've set you up with so many women why this one? We don't even know her. Young lady. We don't know you. You have to understand we don't let just anyone in this town."
Annie tilted her head. "That being said, we have been expecting you, or well, someone like you. I'd still love to know why you're the one." Annie studied Marci.
Marci cleared her throat. "I. I'm Marci. I agreed to run this inn... Do you mean why am I the one to run the inn?"
Annie shook her head. "Oh, for goodness sake. I mean for Caleb here, the one to wake up this big ol' grumpy bear. But, yes. The inn is a staple to our quiet little place; I'm glad you were chosen I suppose."
"For Caleb?"
He swore her voice sounded three octaves higher.
Annie chuckled. "Oh, my dear. I would say you will be taking care of a lot more than you bargained for."
Caleb gurgled. "Annie? Seriously?" Her eyes flicked to his crotch and his face heated, his hand flying to cover the bulge quickly retreating the longer this woman taunted him.
"Yes. I would say a lot more than you expected. Lucky girl."
"Annie! Why are you here?" Caleb barked.
"Young man, I would not be embarrassed if I were you. But, back to business, I suppose. I came to ask about why a chicken is pecking around out front. Also, E
velyn Emerson, I doubt Marci's met her yet, came rushing over when she saw the two of you outside. She was out walking that damn cat of hers. If you ask me she's not firing on all cylinders anymore."
"So, is this about my chicken? I just assumed I could bring her, is she a problem?"
"No. It's not about the chicken. She's fine. I simply wanted to meet our new resident. I assume Caleb will give you a few of the town's rules."
"Rules?" Marci asked.
He took a step away from Marci, his hands fighting the will of his bear. "There are some rules; I don't think I know them all though. Do I?"
Annie moved forward, pushed Caleb aside and scrutinized Marci like she was a cow at the cattle auction. "You know what you've needed to know, but now that she's here, I feel like everything is working out as it should be. I'll be in touch soon. Just keep each other safe - and warm. I hear the snow is moving in."
He backed away from Marci, but he didn't get any closer. He didn't trust himself right now. The words Annie used were off though.
"Annie? What did you mean by she's the one? How would you -"
"Shoosh, Caleb. Go start bringing in her stuff. I need to talk to her."
His feet didn't move.
"Caleb McIntyre, go."
He backed away to the door, listening to her.
"Now, Marci. You're a witch. We can work with that. Evelyn wasn't surprised, but I suppose I was. It's been a while since we've had another witch here. Her granddaughter is going to have some strong words about this whole thing with Caleb though, but never you mind her. I think you'll do just fine. I don't think we expected you to come so soon though. Darn spells never work as you expect."
"You're a witch, too?" Marci asked.
Caleb paused at the threshold and waited. What the fuck spell was she talking about?
"Of course dear. Let's talk about this later though. Please stop by the coffee shop when you've settled things here."
He wanted to ask about the spell. What spell? What had they done? Impatience got the best of him.
"Miss Annie? What did you do?" His feet pounded against the wood floor.
"Oh, never you mind, boy." She walked over to him -- her tone kind. "We take care of our own here, Caleb. We would never do anything that wasn't meant to be. For now, you worry about getting Marci settled in."
Snowy With A Chance 0f Mating (Move Over Fate Book 3) Page 3