The guys came back wearing their shirts and pants .
“Why don’t you all take a seat at the table, and then we can relax and chat?” Karen called from the stove .
“I think that’s a splendid idea,” Elsbeth said. “Abbey, would you pass me those darn crutches, so I can hobble over?” Grayson ran his eyes over Elsbeth’s bandaged leg .
“I’d be very happy to lift you over there, if you’d permit me?” he offered .
“Oh –” Elsbeth worked her jaw, looking a little taken aback. “Actually, yes, if you wouldn’t mind,” she said at last. Grayson nodded, and, in a swift movement, he bent to her, lifted her up very easily and carried her over to the big kitchen table on the other side of the open-plan kitchen diner .
“Now, where would madam like to be seated?” he asked grinning at her .
“Here, please,” she said, pointing to a chair at the side of the table .
“Sure, but I think as the queen and matriarch of the household, you should have the prime spot here?” He moved over to the end of the table, where there was a big, carver-style chair .
“Okay, yes, that would be lovely,” Elsbeth said, pink and flustered. He deposited her carefully, making sure that her leg didn’t bump against anything. Brock, Madison and Abbey came and sat down too, while Riley stayed with Karen in the kitchen .
“This is a lovely place,” Grayson said, looking around the room. It was their childhood house, and Madison loved it. The kitchen diner was huge and rustic, with wooden beams, and a big, old kitchen table. The floor had flagstone tiles and the walls were hung with a mixture of local artists’ paintings and paintings they’d done themselves as kids. It was a warm, cozy space .
“Do you like the Christmas decorations?” Abbey demanded .
“They’re great,” Brock said with a grin, looking at the strings of brightly-colored foil decorations spanning the walls. All the potted plants were wrapped in tinsel, as were many other random objects .
“I did all the tinsel,” Abbey said proudly .
“You did a fantastic job.” Brock smiled at her, and Madison’s heart twinged at his knack of knowing exactly how to speak to her. He’ll be a great dad someday , she thought, and then she mentally slapped herself. What’s wrong with you ?
“Mom and Sophia did all the other decorations, because I’m not big enough to stand on the ladder yet .”
“Aw, your turn will come soon enough,” Brock said, looking at her fondly .
“Ok, guys, it’s ready,” Karen called. Madison jumped up and went to get Sophia. She came downstairs all pink and damp from her bath, and looking very sheepish. She’d evidently been doing some thinking while she was by herself. She slid into her seat quietly, instead of arguing about where she should sit, as she usually did .
Madison went into the kitchen and ladled out some more cups of mulled wine, and Karen brought the casserole to the table. It smelled incredible. As Karen took her seat, Madison noticed that she was glowing, her eyes brighter than she’d seen them for years. She’d heard Karen and Riley laughing a lot in the kitchen. Now she watched them covertly as they exchanged a couple of glances. She crossed her fingers under the table, hoping very much that they’d end up getting together .
They did a toast with the mulled wine, then everyone started eating ravenously. With all the drama of the day, it was gone 10pm, and the pretzel Madison had eaten at the parade seemed like a very long time ago .
“Wow, this is incredible, Karen,” Grayson said. “Best meal I’ve eaten in I don’t know how long .”
“It’s delicious,” Brock and Riley agreed .
“You’re a fantastic cook,” Riley said, and Karen beamed .
“I taught her everything she knows,” Elsbeth said, with an ironic expression on her face and everyone laughed. “What do you gentlemen usually cook at home?” she said, speaking to everyone, but looking at Grayson as she spoke. Madison could tell that her mom was captivated by the handsome, witty older man, with his dashing silver hair and rugged good looks .
“We bears usually exist on a pretty basic diet,” Grayson said. “We’ve got barbecuing down, and I can do a nice marinade or two when I make the effort. But that’s pretty much the limit .”
“In that case, I’m very glad that we’re able to provide you with a nice home-cooked meal. Even though I unfortunately haven’t been able to assist with it this time around .”
“Yes, mom, thank you,” Karen said, laughing .
“Well, I can’t believe it’s Christmas Eve tomorrow – although I think I say that every year,” Brock said .
“Me neither. It kind of rushes up on you,” Madison said .
“I hope everyone’s done their Christmas shopping. Otherwise, it might be a little late,” he said, glancing towards the window. The snow hadn’t stopped, and was virtually coming down in sheets. Even going back to her place two streets away would be an effort .
They all emptied their plate and the bears had seconds. Karen had correctly anticipated just how much they’d need to eat. The conversation continued when they’d finished eating, with no-one in a hurry to leave the table, although everyone kept yawning. It felt like a cozy, relaxed family dinner, as if everyone had known each other far longer than they had. The guys were lively conversationalists, constantly cracking jokes at each other’s expense. They talked about their business, explaining that Brock worked as a tree surgeon and Riley and Grayson worked as carpenters during the summer .
“The Christmas tree thing was just to tide us over during the freezing months, but it’s actually become our biggest earner. So much so that we might get to take a couple of months off next summer,” Grayson said .
“Will you go on vacation?” Abbey asked .
“Yeah, we’ll probably do a lot of hunting and fishing, but that’s nothing new,” Brock said with a grin. Abbey looked a little confused. Madison thought how she’d always known about shifters. She’d understood that it wasn’t something to share with people who lived outside of the town, but it hadn’t been a secret apart from that. It had just been an alternative identity. It seemed sad that it had now become something to conceal from the younger generations .
When the mulled wine was finished, Madison got up from the table .
“Time for bed, I think,” she said. “So who’s coming with me?” The wine made her sound casual, but inside she felt anything but .
“Well, I think mom should stay here tonight. There’s no way we can take the chair out in the snow .”
“Oh, I’d be very happy to bring you across, if you’d like?” Grayson offered. Elsbeth’s face took on the gracious expression it’d had when he brought her to her chair earlier .
“Well, there are a couple of things that I really need back home,” she said .
“I’ll take you,” Grayson said. “It’ll be my pleasure .”
“And I’ve got room for one more,” Madison said, her heart beating fast .
Brock got to his feet .
“That’ll be me,” he said with a grin. Madison saw Karen shoot a glance at Riley. Only a sister would have known that she was also excited and nervous to have a man she was attracted to staying under her roof .
“Ok, let’s go,” Madison said. “Night, Karen, kids, Riley.” Everyone said goodnight, and she picked up her mom’s crutches and made for the front door. Grayson swept Elsbeth into his arms as easily as he’d done earlier, and Madison mused that she’d never seen her mom looking so young and girlish before .
“It’s just around the corner,” she called to the guys as they walked out into the blizzard, the freezing, wet air lashing their faces. Grayson had wrapped Elsbeth’s coat right over her head so she was protected from the elements .
A few long minutes later, they burst into Madison’s place, gasping from the shock of the cold .
“Brutal,” Brock concluded, pulling his boots off .
“It is,” Madison said. Her face was stinging and her lungs burned .
“Where c
an I bring you, Elsbeth?” Grayson asked .
“One floor up, if you wouldn’t mind,” she replied .
Grayson clumped up the stairs with his bundle, leaving Brock and Madison alone together, in front of the Christmas tree. They turned to face each other, and the tension in the air seemed almost palpable .
“Beautiful tree,” he said .
“Thanks!”
“And thanks again for having me stay .”
“Anytime.” She should have showed him where the spare room was, but instead, they continued to stand stock-still, holding each other’s gaze. Brock’s beautiful, intense eyes seemed to burn into hers, making her feel lightheaded. He took a step forward, bringing him within two feet of her. Her heart hammered in her chest and she fought the urge to look away, but somehow she managed to keep looking into those dark pools of eyes .
The stairs creaked, signifying that Grayson was on his way down. They stumbled apart, guiltily .
“Oh, I should’ve brought mom’s crutches up,” Madison said .
“It’s ok, I’ve got it,” Grayson replied, jumping down the last couple of steps, snatching the crutches up from where they were propped against the bannisters, and heading back up the stairs again. Relief and panic mingled in Madison’s veins. She stepped away from Brock .
“I’ll just get some blankets for the couch,” she said, and regretted it instantly .
“Sure,” he said slowly, as if in a trance .
She went to the airing cupboard and pulled out a couple of brightly-colored wool blankets .
“I bought these in Nepal when I was travelling there a few years ago,” she said as she brought them over to the couch and laid them out. “They were handmade in this little family workshop.” She was babbling, but she couldn’t stop herself. She wanted him. And he’d been about to kiss her. At least, I think he was? Why else would he be standing there looking at me so intently, his pupils dilated in those gorgeous eyes ?
“Madison,” he said .
“Yes?” she replied, straightening up and turning around at the same time. He was right in front of her. He bent his head and his lovely, full lips came up close, and suddenly they were on hers. His mouth was soft, yet insistent, and she tingled all over, her lips instinctively parting, welcoming his kiss. He touched the tips of her shoulders with his fingertips, then ran them along her upper arms. And then Grayson called, “knock, knock!” Brock pulled away, but regarded her steadily, as if communicating his pent-up desire to her .
“It’s ok!” he called back, and Grayson came downstairs, grinning mischievously .
“Just checking,” he said. “Madison, your mom is a very charming lady. You’re lucky to have a mother like her .”
“I know,” she replied with a smile .
“Well, I’m about ready for sleep. I was thinking we should flip a coin for the bed,” he said .
“Oh, I’ll be sleeping on the couch tonight,” Madison said. Brock gave a shocked laugh .
“Uh, I’m afraid you won’t. There’s no way we’re going to intrude on you, and steal your bed for the night!” he said .
“No, I insist,” she said, equally firmly. “You wouldn’t even have to sleep here if it wasn’t for the fact that you heroically rescued my niece today. I’d happily sleep on the floor as a mark of my gratitude .”
“Madison, we’re bears. When we’re in our bear form, we can sleep on a hard floor comfortably. And in our human form, we can still crash on a pretty hard bed with no issues at all,” Brock said. “It would be completely against our nature to agree to sleep on a bed while you slept on your own couch. We appreciate the thought, we really do, but I’ll be spending the night here. No arguments.” And with that, he plopped himself down on the couch .
“Ok,” she faltered. “In that case, I’ll just tell you that there’s a bathroom over there, with towels, and there are a bunch of new toothbrushes in the cupboard under the sink. Please make yourself at home, and feel free to eat anything in the kitchen .”
“Thank you. Good night, Madison, Uncle Grayson .”
“Goodnight, Brock. Grayson, I’ll show you the room and check that the sheets are on the bed,” she said, and led him upstairs .
A few minutes later, Madison went into her room, shut the door behind her and took a deep breath. Her mind was whirling, and her lips were still tingling from their kiss. She ran a finger across her lower lip. Is that even possible? It seemed kind of crazy, but at the moment their lips met, it was as if an electric charge was running through her body .
When she lay down in bed, she tossed and turned for a while, unable to get thoughts of Brock out of her mind. He was the hottest, most protective and sexiest guy she’d ever met in her life. And he made her feel so vulnerable .
She’d spent more than a decade being a steely-natured lawyer, who never let her guard down, even with her ex-husband, but Brock made her feel like he was really seeing her for who she was. And that was a scary, yet thrilling thought .
6
B rock woke up slowly, drifting in an out of sleep for an hour or so. Like all bears, he found it very difficult to get up during the dark winter months. When he finally opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a huge Christmas tree, glittering with baubles and tinsel. He was in Madison’s house. Madison! She was single. And he’d kissed her last night. After so many years of dreaming about her, he had finally touched her and kissed her soft lips. And now she was upstairs, probably still sleeping. He tried to picture her, imagining her wearing a silky nightdress, maybe in a soft pink, with thin shoulder straps. She’d be lying on her side, her long dark hair spread across the pillow, dark eyelashes splayed on her cheeks. Damn, I wish I was there beside her, holding her in my arms, listening to the sound of her breathing as she sleeps, he thought. She was so strong and independent but he also sensed a vulnerability in her, and he yearned to protect and cherish it. So many times the night before, he’d been on the point of asking her about her divorce. She must’ve left the guy. There was no way a man would walk away from a woman like that .
He strained his ears for sounds of her sleeping, but he could only hear Uncle Grayson’s growly snores. He hoped they weren’t audible to human ears as well. He yawned and stretched with the satisfaction of having had a good night’s sleep. The couch was really comfortable, and he hadn’t woken once during the night. He sat up and put his shirt on, buttoning it as he walked over to the window and pulled the curtain aside. He gave a low whistle. The snow was deep, maybe three feet in places. Even their four-wheel-drive truck would have a hard time getting through it .
He padded across the hall and into the kitchen, enjoying the coolness of the tiles beneath his bare feet. He opened the fridge and surveyed the contents. There were eggs and bacon, and a loaf of bread on the counter. He hesitated. He really wanted to do something nice, but maybe Madison was saving the food for something, and she’d be mad if he started cooking up a storm in her kitchen without asking permission. Surely it was okay to make coffee though, and the coffeemaker looked simple enough – a lot like the one he had in his cabin at home. He filled it up and switched it on, and soon the delicious aroma of good coffee filled the air .
Just as he was wondering whether to pour it and take some cups up to the others, the stairs creaked under the weight of a slow, heavy tread .
“Good morning,” Elsbeth called as Grayson brought her in and deposited her on the sofa. “You make me feel like the Queen of England,” she said, regarding Grayson with sparkling eyes .
“Anything for you, ma’am,” he said, dipping his head in an exaggerated bow. “I don’t know how you’ve been coping with those stairs before though .”
“Oh, very slowly. I’ve also spent a few nights on the couch, when it’s been too much effort to get up to bed. It’s rather comfy, isn’t it ?”
“It is,” Brock said with a grin. “I didn’t stir all night. Now, can I get you some coffee ?”
“Yes please, dear. With milk; no sugar .”
“Same for me, please, bud,” Grayson said .
“And how about Madison – would she like a cup ?”
“I’m sure she would. You could take it to her, if you’d like?” Elsbeth said, and to his surprise, she winked at him .
Brock couldn’t pour the coffee out fast enough. He made sure he didn’t overfill Madison’s cup, and he was soon walking carefully across the hallway and heading up the stairs .
Her door was still shut, but he could hear her stirring, turning over in bed, and sighing softly. He knocked gently .
“Come in,” she called. As he opened the door, she was pulling herself up into a sitting position. She looked breathtaking. Her hair was a little mussed, falling around her shoulders, and her eyes were huge and soft, as if they weren’t yet ready for the day. Best of all, she was wearing a silky nightgown with thin straps. It was emerald green, rather than pink, but he thought he actually preferred that color on her .
“Good morning! I thought you could use this,” he said, coming over to her .
“Good morning to you too, and I could absolutely use a coffee,” she said, smiling with a hint of shyness. She took the cup from him and sipped. “Delicious,” she proclaimed. She scooted towards the center of the bed. “Please sit – if you like?” He sat down. She smelled amazing – so sweet and feminine. He picked up the scent of rose oil, almonds and musk .
“Did you sleep okay?” he asked .
“Yes, best sleep I’ve had in ages. Must’ve been all that excitement yesterday. But, more to the point, did you ?”
“Yes. Your couch is amazingly comfy .”
“That’s what mom says.” She picked up her cup and wrapped her hands around it, before lifting it and drinking from it. “Are you guys working today ?”
“We were thinking of opening the store, but I think everyone in the town must have their trees by now. More to the point, I’m not even sure how we’ll get up there in the snow.” She looked thoughtful .
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