“Don’t forget the socks. I’ve had two offers of knitted bed socks in the last month.” He kept his face serious but Nana laughed all the same.
“Knitted bed socks. How am I supposed to compete with that?” she asked.
“I suppose you could devise another way of keeping me warm on a cold winter’s night.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. Nana’s face flushed pink and she looked down at the marble floor. “There’s Mrs. Shutter.”
“George, thank you.” Mrs. Shutter, a woman of around sixty years, handed him the keys. They’d known each other for years, although their relationship was, and always would be, platonic. Widowed for a couple of years, she’d been the mate of a bear. Mrs. Shutter, or Ida as George called her, knew all about the mating bond and even though she liked his company, she knew he was out of reach. Which was why Ida’s face lit up with curiosity when she saw him holding Nana’s hand.
“Let’s give it a try.” George took the keys and slid them into the keyhole and turned. There was a slight give, but the key did not turn. He tried again. “It’s not budging.”
“Do you want me to help?” Nana stepped forward, her presence stirring sensations in his body.
“Don’t you two make a cozy couple,” Mrs. Shutter said, coming over to watch.
“Ida, this is Nana. Nana, Ida.” George made a quick introduction and then focused on the door. “Usually a good knock just about here frees it.” George raised his fist and brought it down hard just to the right of the keyhole, then he turned the key. It opened easily.
“George has a magic touch,” Ida nudged Nana and giggled. “I remember the first few weeks after I met my husband. We were inseparable. I hope you both have a wonderful time getting to know each other.” Ida sniffed loudly and dabbed her face.
“Can I get you anything?” Nana asked as Ida’s face crumpled.
“No, I’m fine, thanks for asking.” Ida composed herself and then said, “I’ll keep myself busy with all the visitors we expect today, Thorn has been all over the news telling them about the exhibit. It’ll be good for the town.”
Ida turned away and busied herself straightening the leaflets for visitors to pick up, even though they were already straight. Nana’s heart ached for Ida, her loneliness was palpable. “Take care, Ida.”
“I will, don’t worry about me.” She smiled graciously. “And congratulations, to both of you.”
“Here’s the key.” George handed the key back to Ida. “If you have trouble again, try hitting it.”
“I’ll remember.” She smiled, her eyes red-rimmed, as she put the key back in the box for safety.
“That’s where you store the key?” Nana asked as they walked back through the exhibits to where Calder and Elia stood side by side against the backdrop of a reimagined Bear Creek. From this angle, the exhibit looked even more impressive.
“Only the key to the wooden doors. There’s a metal shutter that comes down at night.” George stood before Calder, who seemed even bigger now that he was out on display. “Larger than life.”
“I’d love to have seen Bear Creek in those days,” Nana said. “It looks so quaint.”
“Yes, we were lucky that Magnus was able to paint it accurately. Although Calder and Elia lived before he…” His eyes widened as he realized how close he had come to telling Nana about how Magnus had painted it from memory. “Before there were any detailed paintings of Bear Creek.”
“Magnus?” Nana asked. “Is he a local artist?”
“Yes, he’s lived here all his life,” George said, skirting around the truth. After the excitement of the opening of the new exhibit was over, he needed to talk to the dragons about Nana. She was his mate and keeping their secret might prove tricky.
So will telling Nana that dragons exist, his bear answered. She’ll think you are lying.
Then we’ll have to prove to her we are not, George answered.
The TV crews had set up their cameras to follow Mr. Duffield as he exited the secure area where the sword was stored. They would follow him as he placed the sword in Calder’s hand and pinned the brooch on Elia’s sky-blue cloak.
George held his breath when the door to their right opened and Thorn appeared. He looked around the large room, half filled with people and equipment. Then he nodded and a tall man, broad-chested and upright despite his older years, exited the corridor, holding the sword up for the cameras to see.
The room erupted in flashes and pictures of the sword of Calder Harrahand were captured and images beamed around the world. Nana crowded into George as the noise in the room grew louder. George maneuvered them back out of the way as Mr. Duffield walked across the museum floor and placed the sword in Calder’s hand. Then the brooch was pinned on Elia, and finally the glass doors to the exhibit were shut and the alarm switched on.
“He takes his job very seriously, doesn’t he?” Nana asked.
“He does, he’s been here for as long as anyone can remember, he’s another bear who never found his mate and gave his life to the museum and all that’s in it.” George lowered his voice. “We often joke that one day he’ll become one of the exhibits himself.”
“I feel sorry for him already,” Nana said
“Is the sword safe in there?” one of the media people asked loudly.
“Yes, we have taken every precaution to safeguard the sword,” Mr. Duffield replied.
More pictures, and a short speech from Mr. Duffield and then the media began to disperse. Nana and George watched with some amusement until finally, only a few stragglers from the press remained.
“All done,” Thorn said, approaching Nana and George.
“You mean and now it all begins,” George replied as he looked at his watch. “The museum is about to open.”
Thorn looked at the waxwork model holding the sword. “I wonder how many kids are going to be walking out of here today pretending to be Calder Harrahand?”
“Hopefully, a lot. And more than a few adults, too.” George slid his arm around Nana’s shoulders. “There is something manly about a bear shifter with a sword in one hand and his woman in another.”
Nana laughed. “I believe if you’d said that to Elia, you would have felt the edge of her sword against your throat.”
Thorn laughed. “Nana has a point.”
“So does Calder’s sword,” George replied.
“But not your sense of humor,” Nana told him.
“On that note, I have to go and do some paperwork.” Thorn stood for one long moment looking at the waxwork figures and then turned away.
“And I am scheduled to clean the bathrooms at Chance Heights, and get ready for the children who are arriving tomorrow,” Nana said. “While you help the kids with the new assault course.”
“See you tomorrow, Thorn. I’m scheduled to help here in the morning.” George waved as Thorn headed upstairs to his office, leaving George and Nana to exit the building.
In the parking lot, a bus was arriving, filled with children who were attending the opening day of the exhibit. “You can stay if you want,” Nana said. “I don’t mind.”
“No.” George shook his head. “I promised I’d help you. And anyway, there are so many volunteers in today, I’m needed more tomorrow.”
She kissed his lips, looking happy and relaxed. He wanted to believe it was because she enjoyed his company, but as she scanned the parking lot he was a certain part of her good mood was due to Vito not being present.
Which was fine with George. Although his bear still wanted to tear Vito limb from limb.
Chapter Seventeen – Nana
They returned to Chance Heights by mid-morning and drank coffee with Sage, Luke and Marcus while discussing the plans for the day.
“While you were out, we got the chores done for the new arrivals tomorrow,” Marcus informed them. “This leaves the rest of the day clear to begin the new assault course. Or at least planning it.”
“I’m ready to do the hard work,” George said, flexing his muscles wit
h a smile.
“You want to go there, old man?” Marcus asked and stood up, showing off his huge biceps.
“Put them away, both of you,” Nana said and rolled her eyes at Sage, while also hiding a smile.
“Great, another boy child,” Sage said good-humoredly.
“Men never grow up,” Luke told them. “It’s a fact.”
“Whose side are you on?” Marcus asked as he picked up his coffee mug and refilled it. “Coffee, George, Nana?”
“Yes, please,” George replied and sat down at the table next to Sage, who offered him a cookie. “Thanks.”
A lump formed in Nana’s throat and she had to fight the need to cry with happiness. All tension between Marcus and George had dissipated, their one-upmanship was purely fun. Nana could begin to picture her life filled with happiness.
“How was the opening of the exhibit?” Sage asked. “I’m going to go along to the museum and take a look in the next couple of days. I’d love to see that diamond. I’d love to have that diamond. Maybe I’ll find a mate who will shower me in them.”
Marcus huffed. “What would you rather have, a mate who is rich and showers you with diamonds or one who can wield an axe?”
“I’d like a mate who can do both,” Sage replied sweetly. “I don’t see the two as being mutually exclusive. And anyway, my mate might go up into the mountains and find a gem or two.”
“George, do you know where exactly it was found?” Luke asked.
“Why, do you want to go and search the mountains?” Marcus asked.
“The area has been thoroughly searched,” George replied, looking awkward. “I’m afraid you won’t find any more treasure in there.”
“Treasure. I wonder if there’s a treasure map?” Luke said.
“You just want to dress up in that pirate costume you have in the bottom of your closet.” Marcus dodged as Luke threw a punch his way.
“Right, enough talk about treasure. We have all we need to be happy,” Nana reprimanded them. “Tell me more about the decision to postpone building the assault course.”
“We talked it over and thought we’d spend the winter working on it and use it in our ads for next year.” Sage sipped her coffee and then added, “We thought we could have a grand opening with prizes and invite the press.”
Luke chuckled. “This biggest diamond in the world buzz created by the museum has shown us what good strategic advertising can do to get the word out.”
“I’m impressed,” Nana told them. “And to think I once had to help you with your homework.”
Marcus stretched. “Don’t mention school.”
Sage laughed. “You enjoyed school, you just didn’t think it was cool to admit it.”
“There is nothing cool about school. Especially the teachers.” Marcus eyed George, who didn’t rise to the bait.
“I don’t know, you seemed to think that green-eyed, red-haired schoolteacher was pretty cool last week,” Luke said and earned himself a glare.
“You know, I believe you kids need to get outside and let off some steam,” Nana announced and got up from the table.
George stood up. “I believe I have steam to let off, too. How are we going to make the plans?”
Sage reached for a notepad and pencil. “Already on it. I’ve sketched out the area. I’ve added the landmarks we need to work with. And the tallest trees where it would be great to have a treetop walkway. I also highlighted where I think we could put in an amazing zip wire with views of the creek.”
“What you mean is, you have done your homework,” Luke said, putting his hand on Sage’s shoulder.
“She always was teacher’s pet,” Marcus teased.
“Not anymore,” Sage replied with a grin. “That role goes to Nana now.”
“I am no one’s pet,” Nana informed them bluntly, although she gave George a smile that said otherwise. Goodness, what was happening to her, was she flirting with a man in front of her children? Heat crept to her cheeks and she stalked out of the kitchen.
George followed, a broad smile on his face as he caught up with her. “You know, I thought I heard you purring last night when I kissed you.”
Nana turned to face him, her eyes wide. “George!”
“What? They are all grownups. They know about the birds and the bees. And the bears…”
Her cheeks reddened further. “Shh.”
He took hold of her hand and turned her to face him. “Maybe you have to kiss me to shut me up.”
She sighed theatrically, and then said, “If you insist.”
George’s body shook with laughter and his eyes crinkled as he slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close. It was as if she were reliving her youth, a youth she never had. With Vito out of her life and the children ready to accept George, there was nothing to cast a dark shadow on their lives.
This was their time. And as George’s lips met hers and he ran his tongue along her lower lip, sending shivers down her spine, she knew it was going to be the best time ever.
“Urgh, you’ll scar us for life,” Marcus teased, unusually animated as he and the others left the house.
“I’m sure Nana has more scars after living with you for so long,” Sage said defensively. “Just think of all the dirty underwear she’s washed.”
“Let’s talk about something better than scars and dirty underwear, shall we?” Nana suggested. The scars inflicted by her life here were nothing compared to those inflicted in her life before. Those scars were deep, red and ugly, not a thing she ever wanted anyone to see. Not even George, who she trusted more than anyone, and who was capable of seeing the worst of her without allowing it to affect him.
“We were thinking about where you and George were going to live,” Luke offered as a new topic of conversation.
“You were?” Nana asked, glancing at George.
“I’d be interested in your ideas,” George told them.
“We thought you might like a house of your own,” Sage began. “And so, we got to thinking about the barn down in the lower meadow. We always talked about converting it into an all-weather work area, but we’ve managed this long with the barn.”
“Are you sure?” Nana began.
“Absolutely,” Marcus interjected, which seemed to end the discussion.
“I could sell my house to fund the conversion,” George offered.
“Do you want to go and look at it?” Sage suggested. “Come on.”
“What about the assault course?” George asked. “I don’t want to delay the work on that.”
Luke shrugged. “We have the whole winter to complete it. This is more important.”
Nana stopped in her tracks. “You don’t have to do this. The building should be converted for one of you.”
“Don’t argue with Marcus,” Sage said and linked arms with Nana, propelling her forward. “We all want to do this for you. You have to let us.”
“Sage, it’s too much,” Nana said as they reached the stone barn and Sage flipped open her notebook to where she’d drawn out a rough sketch of what the new house might look like.
“No, it’s not. Let us do this. Please.” Sage hugged Nana close. “And this way we never have to lose you. You’ll always be here, where you belong.”
As the others crowded in and hugged her, too, Nana acknowledged that this was where she belonged. From the moment she arrived, this was home. And the Chances were her family.
They talked over plans for the stone barn, and then walked across to the woodland area where they planned to create the new assault course. For Nana this was as near to a perfect day as she could imagine. As she sat watching her three children and her mate talking animatedly about log piles and cargo nets, she finally let her defenses down.
The birds sang in the trees which swayed in the breeze, while in the distance the sound of the creek gurgling and bubbling comforted her. These were the familiar sounds of Chance Heights, although they often mingled with the sound of happy children playing in the fields. Add
in the exclamations of a child who had seen a bee carrying pollen for the first time, or a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis, and you had the soundtrack of her life.
“Happy?” George asked as he came to sit beside her.
“Yes,” Nana answered without hesitation. “And you? Is this what you expected when you found your mate?”
George slipped his arm around her and they watched the young people climb trees. “This is what I wished for. But I got to a certain age and realized children were not going to feature in my life, I was too old.”
She half turned and stroked his cheek. “You’re never too old to be a father. Sage, Luke and even Marcus are not too old to need advice. You have a lifetime of experience to pass on to them. It’s my only regret, that they only had me as a parent.”
“They haven’t suffered for it,” George assured her. “They are all well-rounded adults.”
“I’m proud of them all,” she admitted, not willing to take credit for them. “They are good people.”
She leaned on George’s shoulder and closed her eyes, at peace with the world and everything in it. George hugged her close, and she felt safe and loved.
Chapter Eighteen – George
George lifted his head off the pillow and groaned as he glanced through bleary eyes at the clock on the nightstand. Beside him, Nana stirred and opened her eyes as his phone continued to ring. After an evening in front of a nice fire that warded off the chill in the air, Nana had asked him to sleep over, and he’d accepted.
This wasn’t how he expected to wake up the next morning. Swinging his legs out of bed, he grabbed hold of his pants and dragged them toward him, while panic slowly grew inside his chest.
“It’s Thorn.” The panic blossomed, filling his stomach with dread. If Thorn was calling at this hour, it must be trouble. “Hello.”
“George. Someone stole the diamond.” Thorn’s words bounced off George’s brain before they fully registered.
“Someone stole the diamond?” George repeated. Nana sat up in bed and leaned over his shoulder, listening to the conversation intently.
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