“You don’t have to say anything.” Carter let go of Caroline’s hand and came toward Ronni. Instinctively, Lucas tightened his grip on his mate’s hand. But a quick sidelong glance from Ronni set him at ease. “It’s an open offer. Go ahead with your fundraising and if you can’t buy the land, you could use the funds you raise to rebuild the shelter on land we donate.”
Ronni took a couple of deep breaths. “That’s so very generous of you.”
Carter shrugged. “What’s the use of having money if you can’t do something good with it? My career, the brewery, it was never about making money. It was about creating something. The beer is just a very welcome product made by people who value their jobs.”
“It’s our way of helping the shelter.” Caroline’s expression softened. “We both realize you all do a wonderful job with little financial reward.”
“Thank you. I’ve been so worried about what we’d do if the price of the land skyrockets at the auction. It’s their home. Some of the animals have been at the shelter for years. As long as they can remember.” Ronni smiled sadly at the thought.
“Why is that?” Caroline asked.
“Oh, they might have behavioral issues that mean they would be a risk to other animals or even their owners.” Ronni’s mouth turned down at the corners. “Some of them didn’t have a good start in life and are scarred because of it.”
“Well, that’s why we intend to help and support you and the other volunteers.” Carter’s face broke out into a wide smile. “And to do that long-term, we’ve decided to hold a beer festival here each summer with all funds raised going to the shelter.”
“Really?” Ronni stuttered before she sobbed loudly. “That would mean so much to us.”
“You’re very generous,” Lucas said, slipping his arm around his mate’s shoulder. “I just wish I had the money to...” He stopped talking, not knowing what to say. He could protect his mate from whatever might try to harm her. Physically, at least. But not against a world where wealth ruled.
“I wish I had the patience and knowledge to help kids the way you do,” Carter said humbly. “Fiona visits often and she’s always singing the praises of Chance Heights Activity Center.”
“I think what Carter is trying to say,” Caroline began, “is that we want to give back in a small way to say thank you for the amount of good you both do in a big way.”
“Now that we’ve dealt with business, do you want to try some beer?” Carter slapped Lucas on the back.
Lucas nodded. “I’d love to.”
“Let’s leave the men to it,” Caroline said as she linked arms with Ronni. “I have some delicious chocolate cake from the bakery in Bear Creek that needs eating.”
“Thank you. Both of you,” Ronni said with heartbreaking gratitude.
“You are welcome.” Carter clapped his hands together. “Right, beer.”
Lucas followed Carter away from his mate and toward the place where the nectar of the gods, or nectar for the bears, was made. “So this is it?” Lucas stared up at the huge wooden beer barrels.
“This is it. We make the beer traditionally.” Carter picked up two large tankards and took them to a keg with a tap on it. There he filled the tankards with the honey-colored liquid.
“Where did you come up with the recipe?” Lucas took a long drink of beer. “It’s a little early in the day, but that tastes amazing.”
“I ran off into the mountains because I hurt someone.” Carter gave Lucas a lopsided grin. “I didn’t mean to.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It’s all water under the bridge. Thanks to people like you, she got her life back together.” Carter looked down at his beer. “I hope you don’t mind me offering to help Ronni. It takes a strong man to allow someone else to help their mate.”
Lucas shook his head. “It’s tough. I want to be able to make it all right for her and I can’t. It’s made me question my path in this life.”
“And?”
“And I know I’m walking the right one.” He waved his hand in front of him as if it were a fish swimming upstream. “I might just have to make a few adjustments.”
“Good man. We all have to look inside ourselves sometimes and check our compass. The day Caroline came and found me on that mountain was the day I realized what a self-centered jerk I was.” Carter looked around. “If she hadn’t come and found me and dragged me back to reality, none of this would be real.”
Lucas raised his tankard. “To the women in our lives.”
“To mates.” Carter drank deeply.
“And family,” Lucas added.
“And friends.” Carter drank again as the two men fell silent, each thinking of their own lives and the people who shared their journey with them.
Chapter Eleven – Ronni
“So where to now?” Lucas asked as he drove away from the mansion.
“Are you sure you are okay to drive?” Ronni asked.
“Perfectly. I didn’t drink much beer. Although it was tempting. Big barrels of honey beer.” His eyes lit up at the prospect. “But I promised I’d help you, so I only had a half a pint. Maybe less.”
“Thank you.” Ronni leaned across and kissed his cheek. “It was very kind of Carter and Caroline to offer us the land for a new shelter.”
Lucas gave her a sidelong look. “Am I right in thinking you want the animal shelter to stay where it is?”
Ronni nodded. “Yes. It’s a perfect spot. Not just because all the buildings are set up as we want them, but because there is a small wooded area where the dogs can run. And it’s quiet, not much traffic passes that way and there aren’t many houses, so no one complains about the dogs if they bark.”
“Then why don’t we go and see if we can rustle up a few more entries for the auction?” Lucas turned toward Bear Creek. “We can visit a few of the shops, and the museum and the local paper.”
“The museum?” Ronni asked.
“Yes, I was thinking it would be an amazing place for us to hold the auction. And since George still works there part-time I’m sure he can help us with the arrangements.” Lucas sat up straight and adjusted his position.
“I’m impressed. You have been giving this a lot of thought.”
“I’m not just a pretty face.” Lucas winked at her and she cracked a smile. Relief that they had a backup plan had lifted a huge weight off her chest. She hadn’t realized how suffocating the pressure had been until now.
“So what did you and Carter talk about?” Ronni asked.
Lucas also seemed happier, more confident after his talk with Carter, and she was intrigued as to what happened. But if Lucas chose not to tell her, that was his prerogative. Even though they were mates, they certainly didn’t have to share everything.
“Mostly we were just shooting the breeze.” Lucas rubbed his chin thoughtfully while they sat at a set of stop lights waiting for them to change. “But he said nice stuff. About how we both made a difference to the world. It was almost as if he were jealous of me.” His brow creased.
“That surprises you. Why?” Ronni asked.
“Come on, he’s an actor, he gets to play Captain Orang in the Space Monkeys movies and he’s there telling me that I do a great job working with kids. That’s not something that happens every day.” He tapped the steering wheel. “It’s not even the kind of thing I’ve ever considered.”
Ronni laughed to herself. “You mean you finally realize that money does not buy you happiness and that it’s important to love what you do and make a difference to as many lives as possible.” She leaned forward as they drove down the main street through town. “Christmas decorations already!”
“Yeah,” Lucas said wistfully.
“You like Christmas.”
“Of course I do. Don’t you?” Lucas asked.
“I don’t know. I suppose this year since Cal’s son is more aware of everything it will be more special. But usually I volunteer to look after the shelter, so everyone can be with their loved on
es.” She gave Lucas her best cheesy smile. “But this year I have someone special.”
“I don’t mind if you want us to spend some time at the shelter. We could hook up a TV and watch old movies.” He cast a glance sideways. “Perhaps you can introduce me to that lumpy sofa everyone keeps telling me about.”
“Maybe I could ask Santa for a sofa bed.” The muscles in her lower back cramped at the thought of sleeping on the old sofa.
“Maybe we could.” Lucas pulled the truck into the parking lot in front of the museum.
“You know, you have great taste. The museum would be an amazing venue for the auction.” Ronni hadn’t been inside the museum for a good number of years. But she remembered coming here as a child, the sweeping staircase that rose up from the cool marble floor of what was once a grand ballroom.
“It would be a great venue.” He got out of the truck and went around to the passenger side and helped her out. She slipped her hand into his.
“Thank you,” she said.
Ducking his head, Lucas kissed the back of her hand. “And I know I have great taste.”
“Charmer.” She swatted him playfully and then took a deep breath as she looked up at the gargoyles set on top of the ornate stone facade. “To think someone used to live here.”
“Peregrine Manning. My ancestor did him a favor and in return, he gave Chance Heights to our family.” Lucas looked down at her. “The museum makes Carter Eden’s mansion look like a humble hovel.”
“Wait, go back a little. What did your ancestor do for Peregrine Manning?” Ronni asked.
Lucas stopped walking and stared up at the gargoyles. “He put two dragons to sleep.”
“He did what?” Ronni looked around, realizing her voice had attracted the attention of a couple of people leaving the museum.
“He put two dragons to sleep for several centuries.” Lucas put his fingertips to her lips. “This is a secret you can’t share with anyone. But since it’s part of our family’s heritage and you are going to carry the next generation of Chance children, then you should know.”
“Dragons? So this is kind of a myth?” Ronni asked. Then she shook her head as she studied his expression. “You don’t think it’s a myth.”
“It’s not a myth.” Lucas slipped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “You’ll meet them one day.”
He pulled her toward the museum entrance. “Come on.”
“Just like that, you tell me dragons are real and then expect me to carry on as normal.” Ronni ran her hand through her hair.
“They’re shifters like us,” Lucas said the words as if it would explain everything away.
“Dragon shifters.” Ronni shook her head again. “It’s hard to believe but then I suppose to someone who doesn’t know about shifters at all, it’s hard to believe we are real.”
“Ask my brother, he’ll tell you what it’s like to have to explain this to someone who doesn’t know about shifters.” Lucas held the huge, ornately-carved door open for her. “Ladies first.”
Ronni stopped on the threshold and took hold of his other hand. “I’m so happy we are both shifters. That we understand exactly what the other thinks and feels.” She laid her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. “This feels so right.” She looked up at Lucas at his handsome face with his boyish smile. “Doesn’t it?”
“It does.” He lowered his head and kissed her.
“And you are telling me the truth.” A frown creased her brow. “These dragons are hundreds of years old? And they are alive now?”
“They are.” He chuckled. “Maybe they’ll donate some of their treasure to the shelter.”
“If you weren’t my mate, I’d think you were making fun of me.” Ronni swung round, wishing she’d changed out of her work clothes as they entered the magnificent building.
“I’d never make fun of you.” Lucas looked around the entrance area that had been turned into a gift shop and cafe where visitors could sit and enjoy the atmosphere of the old building. This truly would make a wonderful venue for the auction.
“Where do we go?” Ronni asked.
“George works in the basement whenever he can. He likes digging through all the artifacts down there.” Lucas nodded to the person working at the information desk and she smiled brightly at him before her eyes rested on Ronni. Her expression was an open question...what was a man like Lucas doing with a woman like Ronni?
“Hello,” the woman said brightly. “You’re from the animal sanctuary, aren’t you?”
Ronni nodded. “I am.”
“I adopted a couple of naughty kittens last year.” She came around the counter and pulled out her phone. In an instant, she’d scrolled through the images and thrust the photo of two beautiful, sleek cats in Ronni’s face.
“Oh, I remember them. They were from a small litter of kittens that arrived unexpectedly.” Ronni’s expression brightened as she remembered finding a very proud and purring mother cat cleaning her kittens. “Luckily the momma did all the work herself.”
“I’m so happy I got to see you and thank you. I always thought about popping in and telling you how grateful I am, but I know how busy you are.” The lady looked up as a young mother with a couple of children entered the museum. “Back to work.”
“Bye,” Ronni said lamely as the woman walked away. “I don’t even know her name.”
“All you need to know is that you touched her life.” Lucas pulled her forward. “She’s grateful for what you do. It’s easy to forget that sometimes.”
“Sounds as if you are speaking from experience.” Ronni tilted her head up and gazed at the high ceiling as they walked deeper into the museum. “It’s a pity Peregrine Manning didn’t give your ancestor this house.”
“Is this the kind of place you’d like to live?” Lucas asked as they walked up the staircase to the first floor.
“Not really. It’s not exactly homey, is it? But just think of all the cats and dogs I could keep here.” She laughed at the expression on his face. “I was joking. A little bit at least.”
“I was thinking it would be a great playhouse for the kids. We could install monkey bars across the staircase. And rope swings. Plus a pole to slide down.” He couldn’t keep his face straight as she looked at him appalled.
“For a moment there I thought you were serious.” She took one more sweeping glance around the building before focusing on the reason they were here. “I thought George was in the basement.”
“He might be, but first I wanted to show you this.” He led her along a corridor and then through two glass doors. “This is the museum gallery.” Lucas slowed his pace and looked at a row of paintings more closely before he stopped in front of a small oil painting of a man and a woman holding hands. “These are my parents.”
Ronni leaned forward and peered at the painting. “They’re standing in front of your house.”
Lucas nodded. “George found it down in the archives. He persuaded the curator to put it on display.”
“Is it a likeness to them?” Ronni raised her hand and pointed at the man. “I can see the resemblance to you.”
“I think it’s a good likeness, but I can’t remember them. All I can do is compare the picture to old photographs.” A wave of sadness swept over him and Ronni straightened, concern for her mate flowing through her.
“You must miss them.”
Lucas shook his head. “I never knew them. It’s hard sometimes listening to Marcus talk about them. Being the eldest he has memories, real memories of them. But to me...it’s almost as if they were never real.”
“I’m sorry.” She placed her hand on his arm. “Thank you for showing me.”
“George thought it was appropriate to hang it here since there is a family connection to this building.” He stared at the painting.
“Lucas.” A deep male voice carried across the gallery and Ronni gripped Lucas’s hand and swung her head around to see who was approaching.
“Thorn.” Lucas s
miled a wide, relaxed smile. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I just got back.” Thorn’s gaze flicked to Ronni and down to their clasped hands. “It looks as if I’m out of the loop where news is concerned.”
“Oh.” Lucas took a step forward and pulled Ronni with him. “This is Ronni.”
“Ronni.” Thorn lowered his head and his eyes danced with amusement. “Someone finally tamed the last of the Chances.” Thorn switched his attention back to Lucas. “Emilia will be pleased.”
“How is she?” Lucas asked.
“As hot-headed as always.” Thorn chuckled. “And as magnificent. I could not have wished for a better mate.”
“Or a more suitable mate.” Lucas glanced sideways at Ronni and she thought he was going to add more, but then changed his mind. There was an undercurrent of tension between them, but it passed as quickly as it had appeared. Was Lucas embarrassed that his own mate was not magnificent and hot-headed?
“What about you two? How long have you been together?” Thorn asked.
“Since about this time yesterday.” Lucas shrugged. “Young love.”
Thorn beamed. “And you brought Ronni to the museum to look at the paintings.” He stepped around Lucas and approached the painting of Lucas’s parents. “Such memories hang here, captured for eternity by paint on canvas.” He sidestepped to look at another painting of a young woman outside a stone cottage surrounded by roses.
“We came to see George,” Lucas began, “although you might be able to help us.”
Thorn reached out and touched the glass that protected the painting of the young woman, then he turned on his heel and faced Lucas and Ronni. “What can I do?”
“Ronni manages the animal shelter, you know the one between Bear Creek and Bear Bluff.” Lucas waited for Thorn to acknowledge the information and then continued. “The land is being sold. And we're trying to raise money to buy it.”
Thorn’s good-natured smile faded for a moment. “And you want me to ask Emilia and her family for those funds?”
Lucas’s forehead creased. “No,” he protested quickly. “We are holding an auction to raise the money we need. What we came to ask was if we could use the museum as the venue.”
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