Kaylee turned and saw Gramma and Ne-ma whispering and giggling as they approached the bar counter.
“Thanks for the drinks, Gareth,” Ne-ma grinned.
“You're welcome! Are you leaving now? The night's still young, like you!” Gareth grinned back.
Gramma and Ne-ma tittered and winked at him. “Goodnight, Gareth. You're such a nice boy, so...you're next!”
“Next? For what?” he sputtered.
Gramma and Ne-ma simply waved and waltzed out of The Round Table. Ne-ma poked her head in one second later and shouted, “What time is dinner tomorrow?”
“Seven-thirty,” Kaylee answered laughing.
“Okay, see ya!”
Gramma, Ne-ma and their grandsons, together with their mates and cubs were all coming over to their place for dinner tomorrow. Gareth had agreed to close the pub early so they could all have dinner together. It was a very special dinner.
Ne-ma might have forgotten her own birthday, but Kaylee hadn't. She could remember her grandaunt's birthday very well. It was exactly one month before hers.
Gareth eyed Winston and Kaylee suspiciously. “What are you two grinning about?”
“Nothing!”
“Gramma and Ne-ma said I'm next. I think you know what they're talking about.”
Kaylee laughed. “I have a pretty good idea.”
“Are they going to cast a spell on me?” Gareth shuddered.
“Something like that.”
“What kind of spell?”
“The kind you read about in fairy tales.”
“I don't read fairy tales! I only know that fairy tales all end with 'happily ever after'. Oh, wait.” Gareth's eyes became as round as saucers. “They're going to cast a happily-ever-after spell!” Gareth gulped audibly. “Gramma and Ne-ma's spells don't always work...”
Kaylee smiled. “It worked for me and Winston.”
Gramma and Ne-ma had indeed cast a happily-ever-after spell, for Winston. If his true mate made a wish to find true love, then their paths would cross and their fates and their lives would be linked. Kaylee was Winston's true mate, and she had made the wish. She had made the wish just before she turned her car towards Shadow Point and drove right into this small town and into the life she'd always wanted.
Kaylee felt Winston's strong arms circle her waist from behind. She leaned against her mate and tilted her face to him. “Now let me get my man a beer,” she whispered against his lips.
Winston chuckled and gave her ample rump a loving squeeze.
As Kaylee flitted through the crowd with her tray, she caught Lorni Jones's eye and flashed the girl the thumbs up. Sam was a good guy, and Lorni looked so radiant and happy.
Happily-ever-after came only at the very end in fairy tales. But Kaylee knew that in life, happily-ever-after didn't just happen at the end.
It happened every day.
Kaylee smiled as she gazed around the busy little pub. She saw Sam and Lorni, her friends and neighbors, and her family. She saw Winston and Gareth laughing together, and when Winston's eyes met hers, she knew without a doubt that her happily-ever-after was happening right now, right here.
~ End ~
About the Author
Natalie Kristen is a writer who enjoys mixing the sweet with the spicy, the light with the dark, the possibilities with the unimaginable. She enjoys exploring paranormal and dystopian worlds, deep desires and inspiring romances. She is hopelessly addicted to coffee, chocolate, reading and writing. She loves to hear from readers so please feel free to follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or visit her blog for the latest news and updates.
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/NatalieKristenBooks
Blog:
nataliekristen.blogspot.com
Twitter:
@NatKristenBooks
Taming The Lion: BBW Paranormal Lion Shifter Romance (Gray Bears Book 5) Page 6