“Okay, I accept your view. But I always knew where everything was.” Mac might not have been telling the whole truth. He’d often had to dig through his stuff to find what he wanted. But he’d had so much else to do. In the days before his dad died, his life had been carefree, filled with sports and social activities. He’d taken it all for granted. Until he was forced to grow up overnight.
“A little like that office of yours?” Sue teased as she continued to hound her eldest son.
“It’s organized chaos,” Mac insisted.
“Now, it’s simply organized. At least your office is,” Saffron told him. “Should I go and inspect your room?”
Mac arched an eyebrow at her. “If you want to come and see my room, you don’t need to come up with an excuse.” Her cheeks flushed pink and her dimples showed as she ducked her head and picked up the brownie that had been sitting on her plate since they’d sat down at the table.
She’s nervous, his bear told him. At least, she was nervous, now she seems very much at home.
Good, because this will be her home. Our home. Mac had been worried about this meeting. If it had gone badly, he didn’t want to be in a position where he might have had to choose between his mom or his mate.
“Shall I get more coffee?” Sue got up from the table as the sound of truck tires crunching on gravel told Mac his brothers were back from their first job of the day. A quick glance at his watch told him they must have used shifter speed to complete the job and get back here so fast.
They are eager to meet Saffron. After all, she is going to be a big part of their lives, too. His bear was right. With Saffron working at the sawmill, they are going to see a lot of her. They might be worried she is a two-headed dragon who will make their lives hell. His bear chuckled. That I would like to see!
“Hex and Beck are here,” Mac informed his mom who got two more mugs down and filled them with coffee. His brothers would sense Mac was in the kitchen with Saffron and head straight there instead of going to the office.
They want to meet the woman who will one day be their sister-in-law, his bear said. It’s a pity there is no news on that proposal.
Mac’s bear was hung up on the idea of joining Hex and Beck and making a double wedding into a triple wedding. No. No news. As you well know.
Mac was against the idea. He didn’t want to rush Saffron down the aisle when she had so much else going on in her life. Her worry over her nephews and particularly in Wes’s impending first shift didn’t need to be compounded by talk of weddings.
You don’t know until you ask her, his bear replied.
She needs to take her time and find a way to tell her sister about us. Give it time, Mac told his bear firmly. However, his words did nothing to temper his bear’s excitement at the prospect of a triple wedding.
“Hey.” Hex was first through the door, his eyes sweeping the room until he saw Saffron. “I’m Hex.”
“Hello, Hex.” Saffron stood up and straightened her sweater before she went around the table and held out her hand to Hex.
“Is it too soon to hug?” Hex asked.
Saffron’s cheeks dimpled. “Never too soon.” She accepted his hug graciously. “Unless you are some creepy guy. Then I don’t hug.”
Hex laughed as he broke their embrace and took a step back. “So, you are the woman who has tamed my brother.”
“I don’t know that I’ve tamed him,” Saffron insisted as Beck came into the kitchen.
“Take the credit,” Beck told her as he hugged her briefly. “You might not have tamed the man, but you have tamed his bad moods. I’ve never seen him smiling so much.”
“That’s because Saffron has tamed Mac’s desk and sorted through that massive pile of paperwork,” Hex told Beck. “You did see it, right? I thought he was trying to build a tower out of it like he did that time with Legos.”
“Oh, I remember,” Beck nodded.
“Of course, you remember since you were the ones who knocked it down,” Mac replied hotly.
“Okay, coffee and brownies,” Sue said as she placed the coffee mugs down on the table. Their mom always knew how to diffuse an argument.
“I thought I could smell brownies,” Hex said and scraped a chair across the kitchen floor as he sat down.
“Brownies always were the best thing to split up a fight,” Sue said fondly. “Some things never change.”
“Oh, these are good,” Hex said. “Maybe we should argue more often.”
“Don’t you dare,” Sure replied firmly. “You three are getting along better than ever. Let’s keep it that way.”
“Mac said you moved to Bear Creek with your nephews and your sister,” Beck said as he helped himself to the gooey chocolate goodness.
“I did, yes. My sister, Nina, told me about shifters after her husband died. I honestly thought it was something they made up. But my sister was adamant it was true and wanted to move here before they were old enough to shift. I suppose I indulged her because I thought it might make her happy more than anything else. Then I met Mac and it all fell into place. She was telling the truth.” She raked her hand through her hair nervously.
“That’s a brave thing to do. Starting a new life here,” Hex said gently.
“Or foolish.” She ducked her head and stared at her plate, triggering Mac’s unease.
She is leaving something out of this story, his bear said. There’s a piece of it missing.
She’ll tell us when she’s ready, Mac replied. If we push too hard now, she might shut down on us. We have only known each other a day, remember. It’ll take time for her to learn to trust us.
“Well, we are here to help,” Beck told Saffron.
“It’ll be good practice for when we have children of our own,” Hex added.
“Yeah, rub it in, why don’t you?” Beck told Hex.
“Hex and his mate are expecting a baby,” Sue told Saffron.
“Mac said. Congratulations.” Saffron finished her brownie and sipped her coffee as she watched Mac’s family interact.
“Saffron is going to talk to Wes and Jonas later today,” Mac picked up the conversation. “Once she’s told them she’s met shifters, I thought we’d show them our bears. We could go into the forest and have some fun.”
“I’m up for that,” Hex said.
“Me, too. It’ll be a welcome break from all the wedding stuff,” Beck admitted. “I’m certainly glad we’re getting it over fast. Some people go through this torture for months.”
“Don’t let Kassia hear you say that,” Sue warned.
“Oh, I don’t mean I don’t want to get married. And I know how much this all means to Kassia and Martha. But all I want to do is put a ring on her finger. I don’t care what kind of flowers are decorating the aisle.” Beck sipped his coffee.
“It’s going to be stunning,” Sue replied. “And you only get to do it once.”
“I’d appreciate any help with Wes and Jonas,” Saffron told them. “It’s hard not knowing how to help them so I’m incredibly grateful for any help and advice you can give them.” She directed her next comment to Hex and Beck, “And in return, if there is any way I can help you with the wedding plans, then just ask. Organization is my thing.”
“I think the wedding is under control but there is one thing you might be able to help Kassia with,” Beck’s gaze rested on Mac. “We were talking last night, she said you have offered to help her set up a business.”
“I did?” Mac’s forehead creased and then he recalled the conversation. “Yes, I did. She said she wanted to set up her own business”
“She’s very excited about it but doesn’t know where to start and with the wedding stuff and helping at the diner, she’s feeling swamped,” Beck admitted. “Although that stays between us because she’s trying to put a brave face on it.”
“I would love to help her come up with an idea,” Saffron replied enthusiastically.
“I’m sure Martha would like to lend a hand, too,” Hex offered. “She’s g
oing a little stir crazy now that she’s no longer working.”
“That will soon change once the baby comes,” Sue told her youngest son.
“Don’t I know it,” Hex said.
“So many big changes for your family,” Saffron said to the people seated around her.
Mac reached out for her hand. “Very big changes. It’s like we’ve been stuck in a rut for years.”
As he glanced around the table at his mom and his brothers, a wave of love and pride swept over him. They’d gotten through the crap the world had thrown at them and finally, they were about to reap the rewards.
We’re happy, his bear said. And long may that last.
Chapter Twelve – Saffron
“Your family was great,” Saffron told Mac as she packed up the office for the day. She’d worked hard rearranging the office to create a better flow for appointments. She’d also jotted down the names of all of Mac’s employees and what their roles were since Mac stored most of this stuff in his brain.
“They like you,” Mac answered as he leaned against the doorframe and watched her put on her coat. “They like you a lot.”
“And my family will like you. A lot,” she assured him. Her shoulders slumped forward as she pictured herself telling her nephews about Mac and the bear shifters in Bear Creek. Not that it should come as too much of a shock. Honestly, she was more worried about their reaction to finding out that Mac was her mate. Especially Nina.
It would change things completely. Saffron shared an incredibly close relationship with the boys and she didn’t want that to change. She didn’t want them to feel threatened by Mac. She also didn’t want Nina to think she was being abandoned again. Saffron was there for her sister and nephews no matter what. No matter how things panned out with Mac, she would not leave her sister to cope alone unless she found a way back to good health.
However, she was certain that when they all got used to the idea, things would be just fine. More than fine, in an instant the boys would have three role models who would be there for them and teach them the way of shifters.
Something she was completely useless at. Mac’s explanation about the strength of the mating bond and other aspects of shifter life had only proven just how much she didn’t know.
“Let me know how things go when you tell them,” Mac said as he stepped out of her way and turned around to walk her to her car.
“I will. If I get a chance, I’ll give you a call. If not, I’ll drop you a text.” She unlocked her car and dumped her purse on the passenger seat.
“If you need me to come on over, just call me. I’ll be there in a heartbeat.” He brushed her hair back from her face and leaned forward. His lips pressed against hers and she reached out and slid her arms around his waist. His kisses always made her knees go weak.
Mac slid his tongue along her lower lip and she opened her mouth, tasting him. Her body ached for him. She’d never wanted a man as much as she wanted Mac. However, she had never rushed into sex at the beginning of a relationship and she was too old to start now.
Even though the voice in her had yelled at her that this wasn’t just a one-night stand, Mac was here for good, forever.
“I should go.” She broke their kiss and leaned her head against his chest, listening to the beat of his heart.
“I don’t want you to,” he told her, his voice husky with emotion.
“I have to.” Saffron looked up at him. “The boys and Nina need me.”
“I know. And I’m not asking you to choose, I just want you to know how much you mean to me.” He slid his fingers along the line of her jaw before he lowered his head and kissed her once more.
“Are you trying to persuade me to stay?” she murmured.
“No.” He stepped back, and her hands dropped to her side. Every part of her every instinct told her to reach out for him, hold on tight and never let go.
“I’ll speak to you later and I’ll see you tomorrow.” Saffron forced herself to get into the car and start the engine.
“I might come and sit outside of your house later and gaze up at your room.” Mac placed his hand on the roof of the car and leaned down to look through the window.
“That would be creepy,” Saffron told him although she did like the intensity of their relationship. It was hard to resist a man who craved to be with her.
“I can’t help myself.” He blew her a kiss and then tapped the roof before stepping away from the car.
“I can’t help myself either,” she said to herself as she put her foot down on the gas pedal and drove away. When she looked in the rearview mirror, he was still standing there watching her until she disappeared from view.
Forcing herself to think of something other than Mac Winter, she switched on the radio and sang along. Mentally she began making a list of what she needed from the grocery store. Until her first paycheck from the sawmill, money was still tight, and she was buying only what they needed to get through each day.
Which meant sticking to the essentials and not splurging on anything they didn’t need. The move to Bear Creek had taken most of her savings and she hated living so precariously.
She sighed. They’d get through it. They’d certainly gotten through worse.
Pulling up outside the grocery store, she ran in grabbed some bread, spaghetti sauce, and some apples and oranges before she headed home.
Home. She liked the house they’d rented. It was on a quiet street on the edge of town, but it didn’t feel like home. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
Would the sawmill feel like home? Meeting Sue and the rest of Mac’s family was great, but it was hard to picture herself living there. Mac’s mom had run the house for so long, Saffron doubted it would ever feel like her own home.
Yet, the boys would love it there. All that space, all that freedom.
“Hey, I’m home,” Saffron called out as she came through the door.
“In here,” Nina called from the kitchen.
“Hi. Do you want me to carry those?” Wes ran down the stairs and grabbed the bag of groceries. “I’m starving.”
“Thank you.” Saffron appreciated the gesture even if her nephew had an ulterior motive. Suppressing a smile, she slipped out of her shoes and padded toward the kitchen where her sister was waiting for her. “How was your day?”
“I finally unpacked the rest of the kitchen. I even found your favorite coffee mug.” Nina offered Saffron a large mug of coffee. Sometimes size was important. “How was your first day of work?”
“It was good. I like it. Obviously, it’s a big change from what I’m used to. But the view from the office is amazing. Trees, mountains…” She stopped talking in case she added that the view of her boss was even better.
Wes placed the bag on the counter and took out its contents. “Fruit?” An apple rolled across the counter, but he caught it before it dropped on the floor.
“We have some ice cream in the freezer, you can have that after dinner, but until then, you can have some fruit. It’s good for you.” Nina might look frail, but she still held her son’s respect.
Saffron went to the sink and washed her hands before she began to prepare dinner. Should she talk to the boys before dinner? Or after dinner? Or during dinner?
“You’ll waste water,” Jonas pointed at the running faucet as he came into the kitchen.
“Oh, sorry.” Saffron had slipped into a daydream featuring Mac stripped down to his waist as he chopped wood.
“What’s wrong?” Nina asked with concern as Saffron quickly turned off the faucet and then dried her hands absently. “You seem a little preoccupied. Please, don’t take the job at the sawmill if you hate it. We can manage.”
“Nothing is wrong,” Saffron replied. Although she obviously wasn’t too convincing since her nephews both glanced at each other, their expressions worried. “I like it at the sawmill. Mac is a good boss.” Color flooded her cheeks at the thought of Mac. Her thoughts were not entirely appropriate considering the company.
�
��Something’s happened,” Nina knew her sister too well. Saffron was not going to be able to keep her secret for long. Mac entering her life had changed her, and she couldn’t hide it from her family.
“Do we have to leave Bear Creek?” Jonas asked quickly as he bit into one of the crisp juicy apples.
“No, of course not,” Saffron replied. “This is our home now.” Her forehead creased. “At least, Bear Creek is our home although we might not stay in this house forever. Which wouldn’t be a bad thing. This was only temporary while we got ourselves on our feet.”
“You’re babbling.” Nina pulled out a chair and slowly slid into it. She rested her elbows on the kitchen table and leaned forward, waiting for an answer.
“I met someone. Yesterday actually. I met someone yesterday.” She was not making this easy on herself at all. They all knew she’d met someone.
“We know, you met Mac Winter who is now your new boss,” Jonas said matter-of-factly.
“I did.” Saffron hesitated but the boys needed an answer. “And when I was talking to him, I found out that he was a shifter. I mean, he is a shifter.”
Wes and Jonas didn’t answer, they simply stared at Saffron. Going to the cupboard, she went through the motions of making dinner while the boys digested the information. She didn’t dare look at Nina, she was sure her sister would guess the whole truth.
“Are you sure?” Wes asked. It wasn’t the question she’d been expecting and Saffron was surprised when she turned around and faced Wes.
“Yes, I’m sure.” She nodded. “He told me.”
“Are you sure? I mean, did you see him shift?” Wes asked suspiciously.
“No, but Mac and his two brothers have offered to help you with your first shift.” She refilled her coffee cup and came to sit with them at the table. “I thought you’d be relieved, even happy, that we’ve found a shifter so soon after moving to town.”
Mac (Winter - Shifter Seasons Book 3) Page 9