Kendall stood rooted to the ground, and Fiona ran back. “Come on. Get in the front.” She dragged Kendall to the truck and closed the door.
“She’s in shock.” Fiona didn’t hide her worry. “The doctor should check them both.”
Kendall didn’t recall much of the ride back to town. They stopped at a large, single-level home, and Fiona darted to the door and rang a bell. The door jerked open and an elderly woman filled the doorway. She wore her long white hair in a thick braid while her face was a map of wrinkles.
“What have we got?” she asked in a brisk voice. Her sharp blue eyes glittered with impatience.
“A knock on the head. Concussion. He shifted, and that helped but he’s woozy,” Arve replied.
The woman scowled and let out a hiss. “It’s the half-breed. He shifted, you say?”
“Yes,” Kirk said. “He had trouble shifting back. No one had taught him how.”
“All right. Bring him in.” The woman stood aside to let them pass. “I’ll do what I can. He might have to go to the human hospital.”
“Can you check my friend?” Fiona asked. “She’s in shock.”
Arve and Kirk maneuvered Sax from the truck while Fiona dragged Kendall after them.
Kendall dug in her heels, tired of people shoving and tugging her places.
“Kendall, snap out of it,” Fiona barked. “Don’t you think if any of them had wanted to eat you, they would’ve done it by now? Sax loves you. He tried to save you from the Anders.”
“The Anders boys did this?” the old woman demanded, her tone abrupt as Arve and Kirk placed Sax on a bed.
Nothing wrong with the woman’s hearing. “They kidnapped me and left Sax unconscious on the beach,” Kendall said.
“Are you intending to report this to the authorities?” the woman asked.
“It depends on Sax.” Kendall directed her next words to Fiona and Arve. “What happens if a…one of you break the law?”
“The matriarch of the family deals with it,” Arve replied.
Kendall scowled. That system sucked. “Will they avoid punishment?”
The elderly woman cackled as she prodded Sax’s head. He winced. “I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes. Hand me my clippers. I need to shave off some of your pretty black hair to clean the wound. No stitches necessary since his shift helped him heal. Head wounds always bleed profusely. I’ll keep him here for the rest of the day. Maybe tomorrow. See how he responds to my natural medicine.” She shifted her attention to Kendall. “Shock, you say?”
“Shifters were a mystery to her.” Fiona shot Kendall an apologetic glance.
“Not now,” the woman declared. “What ya gonna do about it, girl?”
“I am going home to take a hot shower. Then, I’m due at work,” Kendall said with dignity. The scratches on her leg weren’t bad—no worse than her sore wrists. After her shower, she’d doctor herself. She’d ponder the situation while slapping around bread dough. That always helped with clarity. “Will he be all right?”
“He’ll recover, girl,” the elderly woman promised.
On hearing the woman’s confidence, the tension in Kendall released. “Have you located Sax’s vehicle? They took it somewhere. And Pieter Anders owes me a phone. It was his fault it fell down the long drop.” She frowned. “I got the impression he wasn’t in favor of kidnapping me but his brothers made him help.”
“I’ll find the vehicle and tell Mrs. Anders,” Arve said. “Fiona, you take the truck and get Kendall home. Are you certain you’re well enough to work?”
“I want to work.” Kendall lifted her chin in challenge.
“Ran and Tate are at the building site.” Kirk picked up his phone. “I’ll get a message to them.”
“They’re due back today,” Kendall said.
“Take Kendall home,” Arve instructed Fiona. “We’ll take care of everything.”
Kendall followed Fiona to the truck and climbed into the passenger seat.
Fiona broke the silence. “Are you all right?”
“How did you react when you found out?” Kendall asked. “Wait! Can you shift too?”
“No, I’m a human like you. The ability to shift is something they’re born with rather than a disease they catch from a bite. I was excited when I discovered the truth.” Fiona never hesitated. “I read paranormal romances, so perhaps the idea wasn’t such a shock when I learned about shifters. The shifter ways can be brutal, but my men love me. After the crap my ex-husband put me through, this was like walking in the park on a sunny day. Easy-peasy. I trust my men, and I’ve never regretted my decision to stay. You intend to go home, anyway,” Fiona said, her statement implying what is your problem? “Take the day off. You’ve had a rough night.”
“I’m due at work.”
“Don’t get snippy with me.”
“Sorry. I…” Tears filled her eyes. Once again, her entire world had tilted upside down, everything she’d believed, everything she’d hoped, everything she’d understood crumpling to dust at her feet.
Fiona pulled up outside Sax’s house. “I’m sorry too. I’m a real bitch when I don’t get enough sleep. Call if you need me, okay? If you have questions, ask me. The truth is Sax, Ran and Tate might transform into polar bears, but they’re still men who care for you. Don’t turn your back on them because you’re afraid of their differences.”
An hour later, Kendall was at the café and cooking up a storm. Chopping onions gave her an excuse to cry while punching down the bread dough helped with stress release.
Emily arrived and came to an abrupt halt in the doorway. “How long have you been here? You’re crying.”
“Onions.” Kendall sniffed and pointed to a large soup pot. “I’m making French onion soup.”
“Yum! What should I do?”
“Make a batch of blueberry scones and we’ll need savory muffins. You could make a chocolate cake too if you have time. How does a beef curry sound? Plus, I’ll whip up a pot of dahl for the vegetarians.”
“Excellent.” Emily got to work, leaving Kendall to her own thoughts.
Somehow, she got through the day by keeping busy and chopping onions. A knock at the rear door had her head jerking up. The door opened before she could get there, and Ran stepped across the threshold.
“Kendall.” He approached with caution. “Aw, babe. You’ve been crying.”
“Onions,” she replied with a trace of defiance.
“Would you like a ride home?”
“Where is Tate?”
“He’s with Sax,” Ran said. “I hear you’ve had quite an adventure.”
A tear rolled down her cheek.
“Aw, babe. Can I hold you?”
Kendall flew at him, his arms wrapped around her shoulders and she pressed her face against his chest. She felt the thud of his heart and smelled the crisp scent of outdoors. All day, she’d experienced a sense of loss and her emotions had jumped all over the place. Ran’s embrace tilted everything back into perspective. While her perception of reality had changed, Ran cared for her. He and his brothers would never willingly hurt her. She knew this instinctively. She’d trusted them before, and this new information shouldn’t make a difference.
“Let’s go,” Ran rumbled. “You can take a shower to get rid of the onion scent, and we’ll check on Sax. Bertha seemed happy with his progress, and Mom was there when I left, fussing around after him. She’s as proud as anything.”
Kendall waved goodbye to Emily and allowed Ran to usher her outside. The SUV sat waiting for them. “What happened to Jamie and his brothers? Where was the vehicle?”
“Our SUV arrived at Bertha’s place this morning. Jamie’s mother is meting out punishment. I wouldn’t want to be the Anders brothers.”
“She shouldn’t punish Pieter. Jamie forced him to help.”
“I disagree. A punishment will persuade him to speak up next time.” Ran drove them the short distance to home.
Kendall took a shower and washed her hair. She dressed in jeans and a cotton
sweater and went to find Ran. He was busy with phone calls. Work, by the sound of it.
She made them a cup of coffee. He smiled his thanks, and she drank her coffee while he finished his call.
“Bertha told us Sax can come home. What do you want to do? Stay here with us or go to Fiona’s? Sax told Tate that we should ask.”
“I…no. Here.” She replied without hesitation, Fiona’s reaction plus her thoughts formed during the day helping her to put her fears into perspective. She’d cared for each of the brothers before she knew their secret. Knowing they shifted into polar bears made no difference.
20 Trouble From Home
“Ran and Kendall have arrived,” Tate said.
Sax straightened abruptly, the move jolting pain through his tender skull. Bertha had told him to expect discomfort for a few days yet, but she seemed confident he’d recover.
“Are you sure she’s okay?” he asked.
“I told you. Ran said she’d been crying,” Tate said.
Sax ignored his younger brother’s impatience. Tate hadn’t seen her fear firsthand. First, the Anders had kidnapped her, and he’d terrorized her in his bear form. Hell, he’d scared himself with his unexpected shift. Tate and Ran were excited with his newfound ability and already chatted about the things they could do together. Sax worried more about Kendall and how shifter heritage affected their relationship.
“What if she goes home?”
Tate lifted his chin in determination. “We won’t let her.”
“Then we’re no better than Jamie Anders and his brothers,” Sax snapped.
“You are better than them,” Kendall said from the doorway.
Ran shunted her to the bed. Sax’s apprehension tightened his muscles and set his head throbbing.
“I was only thinking of myself.” Kendall perched on the edge of the mattress. She smiled at Sax and hope soared through him. “It occurred to me today while I was punching dough and pretending it was Jamie Anders that the situation probably terrified you as much as me. You couldn’t communicate and your head had to be sore. I’m sorry you went through that ordeal. How is your noggin?”
“Not too bad. Bertha keeps forcing an evil concoction down my throat. This seems to help.”
Bertha shuffled into the room. “I heard that, young Saxby. I might be ancient but there is nothing wrong with my hearing. So this is the girl who has you in an uproar. Pretty. Strong build. Childbearing hips.”
“Can I go home?” Sax blurted.
“We need to talk,” Tate said with a peek at Kendall.
“Yes, we do.” Kendall exhaled. “I have things I need to tell you.”
“It’s time for an honest discussion,” Ran said. “And we should leave before Bertha scares Kendall off with more childbearing hip comments.”
Bertha shook her fist at Ran. “You make a joke now. You’ll be grateful when the time comes.”
Sax swallowed. That was what he wanted. A future with Kendall. “Bertha, can I go home?”
“Yes, sweet thing. I’ll pack meds to take with you. If your headache worsens or you experience dizziness or nausea, I want you to call me.” Bertha speared him a warning look. “No nocturnal activities.”
“I can’t believe you said that.” Sax darted a glance at Kendall. Her cheeks had turned pink, which he took as a good sign. At least he hadn’t scared her off the idea of sex.
“You want to heal,” Bertha pointed out.
Sax nodded and regretted the instinctive agreement. He lifted a hand to press against the throb.
“Is there anything we should watch for?” Kendall asked. “Apart from the dizziness and nausea, I mean.”
“If his speech gets confused, call me straight away,” Bertha ordered. “I’ll check on him tomorrow. You’re staying at Marie’s place?”
“Yes,” Tate confirmed.
“You.” Bertha poked Ran in the ribs. “Come with me, and I’ll give you Saxby’s medication. You can also pay my bill.”
Tate helped Sax dress while Kendall hovered, feeling useless and nervous since it was time to tell Sax, Tate, and Ran the reasons she’d fled home.
With a bag of medicine in hand, Ran followed Sax and Tate outside. Kendall trailed them and climbed into the rear with Sax.
“Are you frightened of me?”
“No, of course not. Well, it will take me a while to understand what this means. It came as a huge shock.”
“What you said,” Sax replied drily. “I panicked about not shifting back to human. Ran and Tate make it look so easy. There is nothing simple or uncomplicated with the process.”
“What did you want to discuss with us?” Tate asked.
“Wait until we get home. I’ll make us an early dinner.”
Ran turned the SUV onto their street. They waved to the neighbors who were leaving when Ran parked.
“Who’s that?” Tate asked, gesturing at the suit-wearing man loitering at their door.
Kendall groaned. “No, this is not happening.”
Ran frowned at Kendall. “Do you know that dude?”
“Do we have alcohol?” She slumped before straightening and taking a deep breath.
“Yeah, I did the shopping this morning,” Tate said. “We have wine and beer. None for you, my boy,” he told Sax. “Bertha told me no alcohol, no sex. You’re to rest and take your medicine.”
Kendall opened the door and climbed out, grumbling under her breath about interfering family. “What are you doing here, Anthony?”
“I decided I should see you in person. We’re engaged, Kendall. We have things to organize before the wedding, and that’s impossible with you living in this isolated town.”
A testy growl came from behind them.
Anthony jumped, pressing his hand to his heart. “What was that?”
Kendall glared at the three men, each wearing impassive expressions. She had no idea which one was the culprit. “Let’s go inside. We can talk.”
“Do they live here too?” Anthony, with his sleek city-cut black locks and his lean runner’s body clothed in a navy-blue designer suit, appeared puny in comparison to the three burly Hallsten brothers.
“They’re domesticated.” Kendall sent a warning glower to Sax, Tate and Ran.
Kendall showed Anthony into the lounge. “Drink?”
“A cup of tea would be nice. The slop they served on the plane reminded me of dishwater.”
Tate stepped forward, a smirk stretching his lips. “I’ll sort out the drinks. You want tea, sweet Kendall, or a glass of wine?”
“Wine, please.”
“This early?” Anthony checked his watch. A designer one, of course.
“I’m adult, capable of making decisions. I don’t need you making them for me,” Kendall snapped. She plonked onto a seat opposite Anthony.
Sax settled into the chair next to Kendall. He gave a faint groan.
“How’s the head? Do you need a painkiller?” Kendall asked.
“A hangover?” Anthony scoffed.
“Sax is recovering from a knock on the head,” Kendall said. “Sax, this is Anthony Plummer. Anthony, this is Sax Hallsten and his brothers, Tate and Ran.”
Tate handed her a glass of white wine. He grabbed two beers and set them by Ran. “The tea won’t be much longer.”
Anthony grimaced. “We should speak in private.”
“I might lie down before dinner,” Sax said. “Ran, can you help me?”
Tate retreated too, leaving her alone with Anthony.
“What are you doing here?” Kendall repeated with a trace of anger.
The man had the effrontery to screw up his face in astonishment as if she should thank him.
Now that he was here, standing in front of her, Kendall realized there wasn’t much she missed about England. A sad state of affairs that said nothing and everything about her family. They were users. They’d used her to drag the company and the family from the jaws of bankruptcy, then kicked her when it came time for them to give in return. Oh, wait. Her m
other and grandmother decided a marriage to a young man of good standing, impeccable breeding and from a family with pots of money was reward enough.
“Your mother is worried. The wedding date is approaching, and we can’t organize everything with you half a world away.”
“What wedding date?”
“Twenty-third of August.”
Kendall laughed, the harsh cackle underlining her opinion. “I didn’t agree. You haven’t even asked me to marry you.”
“I did—well, I visited the manor to ask for your hand in marriage, but you’d left Devon. Your mother told everyone you’d gone for a short trip. She confirmed you’d love to marry me…” Anthony trailed off, his mouth opening and closing and a hint of color highlighting a perfect set of cheekbones. “Your grandfather and my parents discussed the matter. They agreed to our marriage.”
“I didn’t agree.” Kendall scowled hard. “No one asked my opinion. I knew nothing of the arrangement until the reading of grandfather’s will.”
“I don’t understand,” Anthony said.
“Nobody consulted me,” Kendall snapped. “When my grandfather died, I expected things to continue with me running the place. My brother has no interest, and I’ve worked there since I qualified as a chef. Because of me, our products started selling again, and the profits from the restaurant paid for the necessary upgrades.
“Instead, my grandfather left everything to my brother, including the restaurant I’d started and built up from scratch. He didn’t approve of women in business and wanted grandchildren instead. Straightaway, my mother and grandmother put pressure on me to pick a candidate from those suggested by my grandfather in his will. My family don’t see a successful businesswoman when they look at me. They see a meal ticket to a life of ease and luxury. They expect me to marry a man with money. One to save me from my weird delusions of hard work and self-respect. A man who will save my brother from his stupidity and keep the Essex family business afloat. Oh, and I should pop out several grandchildren to keep the Essex bloodlines going strong.” Kendall sucked in a breath and sipped her wine to ease her dry mouth. “I’ll get your cup of tea.”
Anthony followed her to the kitchen. “If you wanted to run the restaurant, you could still do that after we married.”
Kendall's Mates Page 20