“Should I bring something?” she asked. “When we come for dinner.”
“Oh. No.” He shook his head. “Unless you want to.”
“I don’t want to arrive empty handed, not if your mom’s cooking. I thought she wasn’t well.”
“She is and she isn’t. She finds a lot of things a strain, but she hates not being able to live a full life.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. Stopping, she turned to him, her face softer. “I never know how to act around other people’s parents.”
Her words tumbled out, and then he understood her problem. “Just be yourself.”
“I can do that.” She still looked pensive. “We never took friends home, and so I never went to other people’s houses, even when I was invited, because I knew I could never return the invitation. Even when I was a young child.”
“Listen, my mom will want to like you. If you want to bring her something, then flowers. She’s pretty much stuck in the house, when she’d rather be in the garden, so flowers will cheer her up.”
They began to walk again, Caleb holding her hand, keeping her upright as the night closed in and they could no longer see too well. He knew these trails so well, he could run them wearing a blindfold.
“When I came to Bear Bluff, I expected to work from home and not have to mingle with people. I have reclusive tendencies,” she admitted. “Running around after Tony made me get out and speak to people. And now, meeting you… You make me feel as if I can be a normal person.”
“Sometimes you have to face your fears,” he said.
“With my brave bear at my side.” She pushed her hips into him gently. “Thank you. For being so understanding.”
“You are welcome.”
“Do you know what my biggest fear is?” she asked.
“No,” he replied, happy beyond words she had begun to open up to him.
“That I’m going to be like my mom.”
It was Caleb’s turn to stop. He pulled her into his arms, and held her against him, wanting his love for her to flow from him into her. “You are not your mom.”
“But what if that’s what happens, when we settle down and have kids? I’ve been thinking about it since we met. How Tony gets into trouble, and I find it hard to let people in. I say I gave up my life in my hometown, but really, I gave up one house for another. I didn’t have friends; sometimes, I don’t think I need people at all.”
He placed his lips on hers, a gentle, soft kiss. “Tell me, do you think you could walk away from me? Walk out of my life and not crave to be back in my arms?”
She frowned as if studying something inside her. His heart beat rapidly in his chest. If she said yes, she could just walk away, he would be devastated.
“Part of me does. But then there’s this fluffy part of me that is ecstatic we are together and will never let me leave.”
He grinned, letting out the breath he had been holding. “You had me worried there.” He sighed. “So here’s what I see. You will never be like your mom, because you have that furry rabbit inside of you. And for that reason, I solemnly swear to protect the little critter with all my bear strength.”
She smiled. “I’ve always thought being a rabbit shifter was lame. But you know, I think that little bundle of fur is the bravest creature I know; she’s willing to take a chance when I wouldn’t.”
“A chance on me?” he asked.
“Yes, that first day we met, I’d have walked away. Even though I saw the look in your eyes, and knew what we were to each other, I’d have left you where you stood. Only she wouldn’t let me.”
“Maybe you should tell your brother about that inner strength.”
She cocked her head. “Have you just dangled a little morsel of knowledge in front of me?”
“I might have. But if he asks, it didn’t come from me.”
“Your secret is safe.” She kissed him, looking happier. “Thank you. For being you, and for being mine.”
He chuckled. “I’m yours, and you are mine, and no one will ever come between us.”
“Let’s hope that’s true when you meet my family,” she said.
“Nothing. No one. Ever.” He was certain; he just had to get her to believe it, too.
Chapter Twelve – Zoe
Driving up to Caleb’s parents’ house made her question whether she could go through with this. Her mood wasn’t helped by the fact she was making the journey alone. Caleb and Tony were already there; they had been running late on their job, which Dylan had insisted needed finishing today. Not wanting to ruin the evening, Caleb had suggested he take Tony home with him straight from work. He promised to be there when Zoe arrived.
“Waiting outside,” Zoe had insisted, feeling childish.
“I’ll wait for you outside. Don’t worry,” he promised.
But she did worry. She worried about what to wear, she worried about what she would say, until she thought her head would explode. Then she sat herself down, and thought it through.
With Caleb’s words from last night in her head, she went over not only her feelings and emotions, but also Tony’s behavior. Was Caleb right? Did her brother suffered from insecurity over being a small animal, rather than a bear or a tiger?
She remembered when they were younger, before the shift was upon them. He would crawl around the back yard pretending to be a lion. Roaring at the top of his voice, until their mom would come out and tell him to be quiet.
Had this somehow manifested in his bad behavior: was it his way of acting out, of a small person trying to get attention? Tomorrow, she was going to spend some time with him alone. Perhaps a movie and dinner out, a celebration of their new start, which, after a third day of working with Caleb, seemed to be real.
Her mood lifted. If Tony could change, then so could she. She’d walk into Caleb’s parents’ house expecting them to like her.
The drive was quick; the flowers she had bought earlier in the day sat on the passenger seat. Holding on to her confident mood, she turned into the driveway of Down End Cottage. It was exactly as Caleb had described it, a cream-colored cottage with roses growing up over the front door. It was perfect, and she loved it instantly, from the rose-bush borders, and the old apple tree, to the two men fighting on the immaculate lawn.
She stopped the car alongside them and got out, her feet scrunching on the drive. “What the hell are you doing?” she asked.
The two men stood and stared at her, as if she were mad. “Caleb is teaching me aikido,” Tony said.
“Why?” Zoe demanded.
“So I can defend myself,” Tony offered.
“Hey, Zoe, calm down.”
“Calm down? You are teaching him to fight!” She wanted to grab Tony and shove him in the car, and drive him home, never to see Caleb again. “I thought you were helping him, not encouraging him to fight.”
“Hello.” A voice from the cottage drew her attention.
“We’ll be there in a second, Mom,” Caleb said, and then to Tony he added, “Would you give me and your sister a moment, please, Tony?”
“Sure,” Tony said, aiming a scowl at Zoe, which ripped her heart in two. Why was she the bad guy, couldn’t either of them see that encouraging Tony to fight would make things worse?
“Thanks,” Caleb said, approaching her, his broad chest naked. She’d completely missed that he was stripped down to the waist. So wrapped up in her anger, she had seen red, not the honey-gold skin of her mate. “Eyes up here.”
Closing her mouth, which had been hanging open, she focused on his face. “Why would you teach him to fight?”
“I’m not. I’m teaching him to defend himself. Not to attack, not to initiate a fight.”
“That’s not what it looked like.”
“I know, and I’m sorry, but to learn to defend, you have to see how an attack works. It’s all about using the other person’s body against them.” He was close to her now, his fingers reaching out to trace the swell of her breast, and a warmth flooded her body. “Just
like I’m doing now.”
“I give up,” she said softly.
“I don’t want you to give up. I want you to give in to me; give in to trusting me.” His hand slipped around her waist and he pulled her close to him. “I want to use my body against you in so many ways.”
He kissed her, right there on his parents’ lawn. A deep, longing filled her; she wanted to let go of her old reservations, and let him into her life completely. She didn’t know what was holding her back: she was his mate, and yet Tony seemed to have a better relationship with Caleb than she did.
“That’s better,” he murmured against her lips. “Are you ready to meet my parents?”
“I’m not so sure, I’ve already made a fool of myself.” She took a step back, hanging her head and feeling foolish for overreacting.
He tilted her chin up and smiled. “We all make fools of ourselves. We’re all human; well, mostly human. Let it go.” He kissed her lips quickly. “Come on, let’s get this over with.”
He took her hand and led her across the lawn to the house. His mom and Tony had disappeared; she hoped Tony was coping better than her. She was shocked to see he was.
When Caleb took her to the kitchen she found Tony seated at the table, a glass of lemonade in his hand, fussing with a big black and white cat who was rubbing himself along her brother’s legs. He looked relaxed and at home. More than he ever had at their own family home.
“Thanks, Viola,” Tony said, when Caleb’s mom put a plate down in front of him, with a deep-filled ham sandwich set invitingly on it.
“A growing boy needs to eat.” She winked at Zoe. “He’s a credit to you, Zoe.”
“He’s my brother,” Zoe said, not sure what Viola meant.”
“I know, dear, but while Caleb was having a shower, in your honor, Tony told me all about how you’ve looked out for him.” She smiled. “My son is lucky to have a woman like you as his mate.” She came around to Zoe and before she knew it, Viola had pulled her into a hug. “Welcome to the family.”
“Thank you,” Zoe said, sounding stiff, even to her own ears. “Thank you,” she tried again, with more warmth.
“Caleb, pour Zoe a glass of wine. Homemade.” She ushered Caleb to get some glasses, which he did. “Caleb’s father, Stanley, likes to dabble in the art of brewing. Try the blackberry, it’s my favorite.”
“Thanks,” Zoe said, accepting a glass of the deep purple liquor. She took a cautious sip; it was very fruity, and very strong. Too many of these and she would be drunk before dinner. But she liked the feeling of warmth that spread through her, and it took the edge off her nerves. “It’s delicious.”
“My dad has been making wine for as long as I can remember,” Caleb said. “When I was younger, I was fascinated by the sound it made when it bubbled up.”
“Used to keep him amused for hours,” Viola said with a smile. “Always was a simple boy.”
“Thank you, Mom,” Caleb said grinning. “I appreciate you letting my mate know how lucky she is.”
“Oh, she knows that already, don’t you, Zoe?” Viola said, going back to the oven. However, just as she was about to take the lid off a pan, she grabbed hold of the countertop.
“OK, Mom, let’s get you a chair and you can supervise. I don’t want you to spill anything hot on yourself.” Caleb moved so fast, and his mom was safely sat in a chair with a glass of water in her hand before she had a chance to object.
“What can I do to help?” Zoe asked, and between them, while Viola gave orders, they all prepared a wonderful roast dinner. Even Tony helped, doing whatever Viola instructed with no argument, even going outside to dig up some carrots from the kitchen garden.
“There,” he said, coming in with them. “And if you want, I’ll come by tomorrow and help you weed it.”
“I’d like that. I can’t seem to keep on top if it right now,” Viola said.
“Why didn’t you say?” Caleb asked.
“I don’t like to ask.”
“Mom,” he said, crouching down in front of her, “I came back to help you. That means you have to tell me what you need help with.”
“It’s not easy, admitting you can’t do everything you used to. Maybe when these tests come back, they’ll straighten me out,” she said, helping Tony cut the carrots up.
“Until that happens, you are under strict instructions to ask for help,” Caleb said firmly.
Viola rolled her eyes at Tony in a conspiratorial way, which made him smile. Zoe had never seen her brother act so naturally around a stranger before. But as she looked around the kitchen, she realized that he wasn’t in a room with strangers, he was in a room with his new family.
And so was she. Unexpectedly, she found she liked that idea.
Chapter Thirteen – Caleb
“This is a picture of Caleb when he was your age.” Caleb’s mom passed the picture over to Tony, who in turn passed it to Zoe.
Great, his mom was in full flow now. They would see his life passing in front of them in the scary array of embarrassing pictures his mom and dad had taken of him since the day he was born.
“You really weren’t that buff then, were you?” Tony stated.
“Nope, I hope that makes you see what is possible.” Caleb flexed his muscles, but no one was looking, they were too busy looking at a picture of him in a muddy puddle when he was five. He’d seen his dad, as a bear, rolling around and wanted to be just like him.
“Wait until you have kids, son, you’ll be taking all the photos you can, just so you never forget these special moments,” Caleb’s dad said.
“I don’t think I’d do it to the poor kid,” Caleb said, as Zoe giggled. What they were looking at now, he didn’t want to know; all he wanted was to take her outside and kiss her.
“How’s the job going?” his dad asked, stretching his legs out in front of him. He’d got in late from work, and it worried Caleb how tired he looked. When he moved back, he was going to have a serious talk with them about slowing down.
“Good. I like the house more the longer we work there. I’m thinking of making Dylan an offer on it.”
“Make sure he gives you a sweet deal, since he’s getting your skilled hands at such a cheap rate.”
“I will. Don’t worry. Although working with Tony has made me understand more about what he’s trying to achieve. I’m happy to earn less if it feels as though I’m making a difference.”
Caleb was beginning to put things in order in his head. Now that he had Zoe in his life, moving back to Bear Bluff was a no-brainer. However, he had to go back to his old life and tie up loose ends. He had a couple of jobs lined up, but had managed to pass those on to other carpenters who were more than happy to take on the work. He had contacted a real estate agent too, but he had to travel back to clear his furniture out, and then leave the keys with them so they could arrange viewings. He’d miss his house; he’d spent many years filling up his free time with improvements to the property. It should sell fast, and for a good price.
The thought of leaving Zoe was not something he relished, but it had to be done. He wanted to trade his house for a home with his mate.
“Anyone want coffee?” Caleb asked, getting up. He needed to move around. His mom’s cooking was wonderful, and he’d eaten too much, as usual.
“I’ll come and help,” Zoe said.
“Aren’t you afraid you might miss something?” he asked good-naturedly, indicating his mom and her photo album.
“I think I’ve seen enough to know you had a great childhood, and have come out of it a well-rounded adult.” She took his hand. “I’m also incredibly jealous.”
“Of me?” he asked.
“Yes, you had such fun.” She pulled him into her arms, and rested her head on his chest. “Promise me this is what our kids can expect. Happy, carefree childhoods.”
“Most certainly.” He kissed the top of her head. “Even if they are cute little bunnies.”
She laughed. “They can ride on your back; I expect they’d
like that.”
“Oh, so now I’m a pony.” He tickled her and she laughed, pulling away from him, but he caught her and held her tight. “I don’t care if our kids are three-legged hens, they will be happy and they will be loved.”
She stroked her finger over his lips. “I love you, Caleb. I love the way you make me smile, I love the way you are with Tony, I love your family, and I love the way you make my insides turn to Jell-O.”
He kissed her and then whispered, “I love you, Zoe, every bit of you, everything you do, and every way you make me feel.”
“So what happens now?” she asked, surprising him with her bluntness.
“That’s up to you.” He moved away from her and began to make a fresh pot of coffee. “I came here for five days, and although I’m not going back to the city to live, I do have a life there I have to wind up. I’ve dealt with work, but I have a houseful of furniture that I have to bring back.”
“Can I come with you?” she asked.
“Isn’t this the evening for surprises?” he asked. “I didn’t think you’d want to come with me.”
“Of course I want to come with you. I can bring my laptop so I don’t have to reschedule work. And I have to trust Tony at some point, right?” she asked.
“You do.” He cocked his head on one side and smiled. “You’ve changed, Zoe.”
“I think both Tony and I needed to change. Coming here, meeting you and your family.” She turned away from him as her voice trailed off.
“Hey, come here.” He moved to stand behind her, his arms circling her waist, and he kissed her neck. “It’s OK. Whatever you feel, it’s OK to let it out.”
“Will you marry me?” she asked.
He couldn’t speak.
“I’m sorry, I should have waited for you to ask.”
“Yes. The answer is yes.” He turned her around to face him. “What’s going on?”
“I love your parents. I love that they love each other, and they love you. I want to be a part of something that’s normal.”
Who Bears Wins: BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance (Return To Bear Bluff Book 4) Page 6