“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.”
He shook his head. “See, you are a brave bunny.” Then he added, “Have you told your parents?”
She shook her head. “No. We didn’t exactly leave on the best of terms, and I’m not exactly sure me telling my mom I’m getting married after knowing you for only two days is going to go down well.”
“But they have to be at the wedding. Your dad should be the one to give you away. Shouldn’t he?”
“Tony could do it,” she offered.
“Are you sure? This is a once in a lifetime event, Zoe. We’re mates, we marry once.”
“You think my mom would want to come to a town full of bear shifters?”
“We could marry in your hometown.”
“Merry Woods? I’m not sure my mom would like an invasion of shifters there, either.”
“We don’t have to decide now, but I do think you need to give it some thought, talk to Tony. I want us to be happy, and I’ll do whatever it takes for that to happen.”
“You and me on a beach?” she ventured.
“OK, my mom would never forgive me.”
“It was worth a try,” Zoe said.
“OK, coffee is ready.” He took down coffee mugs and set them on a tray. As he worked, he tried to stop his excitement from getting out of control. He was going to get married!
Damn, he needed to buy a ring!
Chapter Fourteen – Zoe
“You’re sure you’re OK about me leaving town with Caleb?” Zoe asked Tony as they walked along the street. They’d been to a movie, chosen by Tony, which had made her jump out of her skin. Her rabbit was hiding in her burrow somewhere, afraid to come out.
“Sure. Viola wants me to help some more in her garden, she’s teaching me how to grow vegetables.”
Zoe erupted into laughter. “How does she feel about letting a rabbit into her vegetable patch?”
“Funny. You are so very funny,” Tony said, but he was laughing too. “Do you ever think how different we would be if we had parents like Viola and Stanley?”
Zoe hooked her arm through his. “I used to. I used to lie awake and dream we had the kind of mom who would come and watch us at concerts, who would come and watch us at sports.”
“You never did any of those things,” Tony reminded her.
“I know, but if I did…” She sighed. “I worry I’m going to turn out like her.”
“You? Never.” He stopped, turning to look at her. “Zoe, look what you did for me. What you’re still doing for me. I know it took you out of your comfort zone, but you did it, you didn’t just make a nest in a burrow and hide away. You saved me by bringing me here.”
She laughed. “You know, I think you saved me. If you hadn’t got into trouble, I was in danger of being a lonely bunny in a burrow.”
“Whoop! Whoop! If it isn’t Tony. And who’s this, your girlfriend?” a voice called from across the street.
“Oh shit,” Tony muttered.
“Who is this?” Zoe asked.
“He’s no one.”
Whoever this no one was, he was big, his shoulders broad, and his manner aggressive. If she had to guess, Zoe would say he was definitely a bear shifter, although he was nothing like Caleb or any of the other guys working for Dylan. Another shout made her turn around, to see him coming across the street, with two other youths flanking him. “I thought I’d run you out of town.”
“What does he mean?” Zoe asked.
“Nothing,” Tony answered. “Come on, let’s go.”
“That’s it, run away,” the guy teased, and then his voice hardened. “And keep running. I told you this is my town.”
Tony stalked away, and Zoe followed, catching him up. “Is this the guy who gave you the black eye?”
“Yep.” Tony was hunched over, receding into himself, as if everything he had accomplished over the last few days was swept away.
Zoe turned again to get a good look at them for when she reported this to the sheriff. The three teens were following them, giggling and whispering to each other, getting closer, but she couldn’t make out their features well enough to be able to describe them.
Then they pounced. Two of them grabbed Zoe, while the third, the one with the big mouth, squared up to Tony, pushing him away when he tried to help Zoe, who was trying to pull away from her captors.
“What the hell do you think you are doing?” Zoe yelled.
“I decided that someone needed another lesson in staying out of my town.”
“It’s not your town,” Tony said, his fists clenched at his sides.
“Tony, just walk away, he’s not worth it.” She saw Tony’s eyes flick to hers. “Go on, they won’t hurt me.”
“How do you know?” the ringleader said, his tone icily cold. “No one else is around to see.”
He was right; there was no one else on the street. But if she yelled really loudly, surely someone in one of the houses would hear and call the police.
“I need to do this.” Tony’s voice cut through her thoughts. “I can do it.”
She watched her little brother as he decided to be brave and stand up for what he was, and who he was. No longer willing to be intimidated by a bully.
Zoe shook her head. “You don’t have to.”
“I do,” he repeated.
“Then let’s do it.” As the two young men circled each other, Zoe hoped the training Caleb had given Tony was enough to stop him from getting seriously hurt.
Tony moved with a fluid grace she’d never seen in him before. He never lunged forward to attack, but instead took the advantage whenever his opponent lunged at him, or tried to land a blow on him. Then Tony grasped the upper hand, seeing his chance and taking it.
When the teen threw a wild punch at Tony, he grabbed his hand and pulled him forward, overbalancing him so he landed on his back on the ground, winded. Tony moved to strike him, but stopped short. “Yield.”
“What the fuck? This isn’t some show.”
“Then get up and fight.” Tony released the guy, who scrambled to his feet, looking wary. Then something caught his eye, another group of people, young people, were heading their way. A sense of dread filled Zoe; this was not going to end well. Tony couldn’t beat them all.
She pulled at the two guys holding her, struggling to get free. Catching them by surprise, she freed one hand and punched the other guy in the face, making his nose bleed. She was free. “Come on, Tony. Let’s go.” She tried to grab him, but he wasn’t moving.
“I’m not running,” he said.
“We are outnumbered.”
Tony turned and looked behind them, and he blushed, his face coloring in embarrassment. Zoe followed his gaze; it was fixed squarely on a pretty girl, who walked with the same self-confident swagger of the guy who had attacked them.
“What are you doing, Ace?” she asked, rushing over.
“I’m seeing this piece of shit off.”
“What?” She came right up to Ace and pushed him back. “You are such a prick.”
Zoe wasn’t sure about the colorful language, but she found herself instantly liking this young woman. Deciding to let things play out, she stood in silence and watched.
“Are you OK?” she asked Tony.
“Yes,” he said, his voice nervous. Wow, he liked her, really liked her.
“My brother has always been a bully.” She smiled at Tony. “But you had him on the ground. Not many people can say they’ve done that. Maybe because he’s such a meathead. All brawn and no brain.”
“Shut the fuck up, Alice,” Ace said.
“Or what? You going to hit a girl?” She took a step forward, and Ace stepped back. “No, because you know this girl can take you.”
“Shut up!” he said loudly.
“Then say sorry.” She dropped her voice so that only the small group of people around her heard. “This is not the way to behave. You are on your last warning with Declan. Don’t mess up, or your ass will be in juvie.”
Ace looked up at her, and then across
to Tony. “No.”
“Why? Why are you picking on him?” Alice asked.
“Because he was talking to you, I saw the way he looked at you…”
“Don’t tell me you’re jealous of me talking to someone else. Listen, you will always be my brother, so get over it.” She shoved Ace toward Tony. “Let’s make up and go get smoothies.”
Zoe had to hide a smile. Quietly, she hoped this young woman was her brother’s mate, but she sure wasn’t looking forward to having Ace in the family if that was how things turned out.
“Sorry,” Ace said.
“That’s OK,” Tony muttered, his words empty of any sentiment of good will, but it was a start.
Zoe smiled at Tony, who walked toward her, leaving Alice tearing another strip off Ace. “That was brave of you.”
“Fighting?” Tony asked.
“No, making friends with Ace. You could have taken him.”
“I could have, couldn’t I?” he asked, his face lighting up. “Caleb taught me I should only ever defend myself.”
“He’s right.”
“It doesn’t make me a coward?” he asked.
“No, why would you think that?”
“Because when Mom found me in the garden one day, pretending to be… you know.”
“A lion.”
“She yelled at me, telling me I was a small little creature with no backbone who would never amount to anything. That I should learn my place and stop roaring, because all I’d ever do was squeak.”
“Is that why you got into trouble? In college?”
“Maybe.” He turned to look behind them and Zoe saw the longing in his eyes. He wanted to be friends with other kids his own age, and that was good. Really good. “It’s all right for you, you never wanted to fit in. You never needed it.”
“That’s not true.”
“That’s how it seemed, so when I went to college I decided to try. I was fed up of being small and insignificant. I wanted to be that lion. I didn’t want to be a small rabbit.”
Tears pricked her eyes. Mom hadn’t just told him to be quiet, she’d told him to stop dreaming, that he was small, insignificant, and if he had any sense he would forget all about shifting, because it was abnormal. When Tony was old enough to shift, it had taken Zoe a long time to coax the bunny out of her brother. As far as Zoe knew, he had never shifted when their mom was around.
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