“Is there a school in Bear Bluff?” If she was going to stay here, she was going to need a job. Was she going to stay? Zara couldn’t believe she’d already accepted her bond with Theo as fact.
“Yes, but the teachers have been there since forever, there’s a very low turnover in staff. Most people, once they come here, don’t leave.” Steph threw her snow in the air, and Rory erupted into giggles when a big clump landed on her hair, making Steph squeak. “This is a terrible game.”
Rory just giggled, and gave more snow to Steph. “Again, Mommy.”
“I can’t even believe I’m thinking of where I’m going to work, when I haven’t had more than a ten-minute conversation with Theo. This is just crazy.” Zara got up from where she’d been kneeling on the ground and dusted her clothes off, ignoring the wet patches on her knees. “I think I need a drink.”
“Good thinking,” Dylan said, as he came around the corner with Theo. “We’re all finished.”
“Good, let’s get these two back inside.” Steph went to Grandpa and collected Rosie. “Are you coming over for dinner?” Steph asked the old man.
“Not tonight, thanks, Steph. I have a movie to watch. That Internet thing Dylan installed is like magic. I still don’t understand how it works.”
“You don’t have to understand, Grandpa, all you have to know is, it works.” Dylan glanced over to Zara. “Like the mating bond. It just is.”
“And it’s always right?” Zara asked defensively.
“Always is not something I can comment on,” Dylan said. “But, yeah, I think it’s always right, for whatever reason. Don’t try to work it out, just go with it.”
“Easy when you are all shifters,” Zara said, outnumbered by those who had another side. Outnumbered by people who never questioned why they could change into animals while people like her couldn’t. “And our children, they’ll be able to shift too?”
“Yes,” Theo said. “When they are older.”
“It’s just too weird,” Zara said.
“Come on, a nice whiskey is what you need. Let’s shut off the thinking side of your brain for the night, have a drink, have dinner, and tomorrow you’ll wake up and it will all begin to make sense. You might have a hangover in the morning, but it will make sense,”
“Don’t drink too much,” Theo said, grabbing her hand and pulling her back towards him.
“Is that an order?” she asked, arching her eyebrow.
“A warning. That stuff Dylan calls whiskey is strong enough to strip paint. But smooth enough you don’t realize how much you’ve drunk until you get up and realize your legs are no longer accepting communication with your brain.”
“Hey, it’s a rite of passage for anyone new in Bear Bluff. Don’t spoil my fun,” Dylan said. “But really, Zara, I won’t ply you with it, I was hoping you would come to the yard tomorrow and have a look around.”
“As long as you realize, I don’t do hammers and nails.”
“That’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“I didn’t know you wanted to talk to me about anything,” Zara said, suddenly feeling as if she had been brought here under ulterior motives. Which was ridiculous, but those sneaking feelings of people not accepting her crept in. “I thought you invited me here for Christmas.”
“I did. But since you are here, I may have a proposition for you.”
“A proposition?” she asked, once they were inside the house. Theo had followed them in, and was listening with interest, as if this concerned him. Which it did, if she was going to go along with this whole mate thing. “Maybe I need that whiskey after all.”
“Theo, go pour some whiskey.” Dylan set a wriggling Rory down on the sofa.
“No, not until after dinner,” Steph said. “You are staying for dinner, aren’t you, Theo?”
Theo looked at his watch. “I can’t, it’s late, and I already have plans.”
“Oh,” Zara said. Did she sound disappointed? Was she disappointed? She was the one who had pushed him away and insisted they take it slow.
“Yeah, I have to go, I’m already late.” He looked awkward, and Zara figured it was to do with their earlier conversation. “I’ll see you at work tomorrow. Zara, I’ll catch up with you too, if you’re coming to the yard.”
“Sure, yeah. If that’s what Dylan wants,” she said, not sure what either of the two men in the room wanted. This was not turning into the relaxing Christmas vacation she expected. But family never was straightforward, she knew that.
“Would you walk me out?” Theo said hopefully.
“Of course,” Zara said, and followed him back down the hallway keeping her eyes on his back, certainly not letting them drift down to watch his butt as he walked. She was not thinking how grateful she was he only wore a short jacket that left his toned butt, encased in jeans that gripped him just right, exposed to her appreciative gaze. No, Zara was not looking at him inappropriately at all.
He stopped at the door. “Enjoying the view?” Theo turned around slowly, with a look that made her insides flip, or maybe it was the residual memory of his ass.
“I was, thanks. I figured I should let my eyes linger on you as you escape me.”
He tilted his head back and laughed. “Is that what you think? That I’m running out on you.”
“Aren’t you?” she asked, and had to stop herself from sidling up to him, and running her hands down his chest and begging him to stay. There most certainly was a thread linking them, she could feel it; when he was close it was like a guitar string she could reach out and twang.
“No. I have something I have to do.” He smiled, a wistful look in his eyes. “I’d love to stay. Really love to stay.” He lifted his hand, placing it on her cheek and stroking it lightly, before leaning down to kiss her softly. She met his kiss, her need deepening it, until she clung to him, her heart racing. Oh boy, did she feel the connection between them.
He groaned and pulled back, seeming to have more self-control that Zara. “I should leave while I still can.”
With that he opened the front door, letting in an icy blast, and slipped out into the gathering darkness, leaving her standing staring at the door, which he pulled closed behind him.
What a start to her Christmas vacation in Bear Bluff. A vacation that would go on forever, if she chose to stay, but would that would mean giving up her dream of being a teacher, would all her hard work and sacrifice have been for nothing?
Maybe he’d leave with her? But as she turned to walk back along the hallway, she pictured the mountain and realized this place felt like home already. Whatever magic there was in this world, seemed to have been sprinkled on her head, just like the snow when she’d played with Rory.
Somehow this would all work out; she just had to give it time.
Chapter Six – Theo
Theo walked away from his mate, wondering what the hell was wrong with him. He should be in Dylan’s house, spending time with his mate. Instead he’d blown her off, and for what?
A boy. Worse, a boy who would resent his presence, for sure.
However, dropping everything and ditching all his responsibilities just because he met his mate was not an option. What kind of a man would that make him?
A love-sick puppy, his bear offered.
“Funny,” he murmured out loud as he reached his truck, and opened the door, forcing himself to get in. Theo held the key in his hand, but it hovered in the air, his brain short-circuiting as he told it to put the key in the ignition and start the engine. So much of him wanted to forget about everything but his mate. This was a special day, he’d met his mate, why couldn’t he shirk off his other responsibilities and stay here with Zara?
Because there was a boy who needed him more.
Theo put the key firmly in the ignition and started the engine, not looking at the house again, in case he saw her standing there. If he did, he would not have the willpower to drive off and leave her.
The pull of her lessened as he drove out onto the
road leading down the mountain. Which allowed him to turn his thoughts to Dominic, who had been working under him for the last month, ever since Dominic had come to Bear Bluff to work for Dylan.
They got along, sort of. It had taken a week before Dominic really spoke to Theo. Up until that point, it was all grunts, and no eye contact. But slowly they had developed a relationship, which consisted of Theo talking and Dominic pretending not to listen. But the kid was bright, and the way he picked up the job made Theo realize he was listening and, more importantly, learning.
Yet there was an underlying current of unease that Theo couldn’t put his finger on, and that worried him. Dominic was a puzzle that needed solving. And Theo had made it his mission to figure it out.
As he drove, a few stray snowflakes fell on the windscreen and melted away. There would be plenty more in the next few days, Theo was sure. No matter how much fell, he would find his way back to Dylan’s house. Nothing was going to keep him from Zara.
Christmas was going to be special this year. Which reminded him he had only two days to figure out what to buy for his mate. Buying gifts was never his strong point, but buying a gift for a woman he didn’t know, but who was the most special person in his life—that was going to be next to impossible. He might have to ask Steph for advice.
He smiled. His Christmas would be complete if only he could get Dominic to settle down and enjoy being part of the family that was Bear Bluff Construction. However, something told Theo that Dominic would never settle here. It was in the way he looked wistfully at the bus schedule on the bus stop outside the diner when they stopped there for lunch.
Theo sighed. That wistful look was the reason Theo was going to see Dominic this evening. He had this hunch, a gut feeling if you will, that Dominic was about to skip town, which would violate his probation and leave him on a one-way ticket back to juvie.
But, being only a suspicion, he hadn’t shared it with Dylan, and wanted to be sure before he went to his boss for help. Help with what? If Dominic wanted to skip town, there wasn’t a lot they could do to help, except talk to him. Would that be enough?
He would soon find out. He stopped off to collect the order he’d placed at the local Chinese takeout, and then drove to the small apartment Dylan had rented for Dominic when he moved to Bear Bluff. Theo switched off the ignition and sat still for a moment, trying to sort through his thoughts. Before he’d met Zara, he’d been clear on what he was going to say; now it all seemed like a fuzzy mess. As if he’d drunk too much of Dylan’s whiskey, when he hadn’t touched a drop.
“OK,” he said, slapping the steering wheel to make himself focus. “Just talk to the kid.”
Opening the truck door, he stepped out onto the street. Darkness had fallen completely: the street lights offered some light, but the snow had begun to fall heavier, muting the glow they gave off.
Hand raised, he rapped on Dominic’s front door, and waited. And waited. For a moment, he figured he’d made a mistake to leave his mate, and that Dominic was either out or had already skipped town. But after Theo knocked a couple more times, each one louder, making sure if the kid was inside he would figure whoever was knocking wasn’t going away, Theo was rewarded by the sound of footfalls on the stairs.
“Oh, it’s you,” Dominic said, opening the door just enough to look out.
“It is me,” Theo said, holding up the food he’d bought on the way. “I thought you might want to share some dinner, and talk.”
Dominic pressed his lips together. “Talking isn’t really my thing.”
Theo opened the bag a little and let the smell of Chinese food leak out. “Best Chinese in town.”
Dominic shook his head. “There’s only one Chinese in town.”
“That’s why it’s the best,” Theo said. “Look, you don’t have to talk, but you can eat.”
“I’m busy,” Dominic said, but eyed the bag of food hungrily. Theo knew these kids didn’t earn enough to begin with to treat themselves to takeout very often. By the time the rent and food was covered, there was little left for luxuries.
“Last chance.”
“As long as you go once we’ve eaten,” Dominic said, opening the door to let Theo in.
“That’s a welcome I can’t resist,” Theo said, shutting the door behind himself. Dominic was already halfway up the stairs.
Following close behind him, Theo entered the apartment and took a look around. It was serviceable. Had all the basic furniture, but it wasn’t a home. There was little in the way of personal stuff, besides a couple of photos resting on the fireplace.
“Plates?” Theo asked.
Sighing, Dominic headed into the small kitchen area, giving Theo a chance to take a quick look at the pictures. It was of a family, a mom, dad, and two boys. He recognized Dominic, and the similarities between him and the other boy made them brothers. Looking closer, he figured the photo must have been around three years old, Dominic would have been fourteen, and the boy next to him a lot younger, maybe nine or ten. Theo picked it up, and was about to read the writing on the back, but all he caught were the words love, Mom before he heard Dominic coming back.
Replacing it quickly, Theo moved towards the sofa.
“Here,” Dominic said, putting two plates and some cutlery down on the table.
“OK, I decided on a four-person meal deal, so there’s an assortment. Dig in and help yourself.”
“Four person?” Dominic asked. “You expecting company?”
“No, you know I eat for two. I’m sure you do too; once you make the shift, your metabolism explodes,” Theo said, with a sidelong glance at Dominic, whose eyes had flicked to the photo. “Your family?”
“Was,” Dominic said, gruffly.
“I’m sorry,” Theo said. “I didn’t mean to pry. It’s just I don’t know anything about you.”
“Not much to know, there was a car accident. Then I went to juvie, and then I came here.”
Theo looked at the photo again as he poured sweet chili sauce over his dinner. Maybe he’d found out all he needed to know: something had happened to Dominic’s family. Something bad. No wonder the kid didn’t want to talk about it.
“Hey, there’s a game on TV, want to watch that?” Dominic asked.
“Sure,” Theo said. If all the boy wanted was to talk about was football, then he’d go with that. Baby steps.
And anyway, Theo doubted Dominic would be planning on leaving town; if he had no family outside of Bear Bluff, there was nowhere for him to go.
Pleased he’d not mentioned this to Dylan, Theo settled down to talk sports. And think of his mate.
Chapter Seven – Zara
“How did you sleep?” Theo asked Zara as she got out of Dylan’s truck at the construction yard.
“Good, thanks. I did not succumb to the whiskey—well, I had one glass.” She laughed. “I think that’s why I slept so well.”
“Knockout juice,” Dylan said, as he joined them. “OK. Let me get things moving and then I can give you the tour.”
“Tour of what?” Theo asked.
“The yard, then I thought we’d come visit some of you on jobs,” Dylan said. “I want Zara to have a good idea of what we do here.”
“Dylan, spare a minute?” a guy called from a warehouse.
“Excuse me,” Dylan said. “Theo, is Dominic here yet?”
“No. Not yet.”
“If you’re free, why not take Zara up to the office and get her some coffee. I’ll be in as soon as I’ve spoken to Jed.”
“Sure.” He watched Dylan walk away, and then turned to Zara. “Right, with Dylan busy, you are mine for at least the next ten minutes,” Theo said.
“How do you know we have ten minutes?” Zara asked suspiciously.
“I asked Jed to keep Dylan busy when you got here so I could say good morning. With coffee and pastries.” He took her hand and went over to his truck, opening the door for her to get in.
“You are a bad influence, Theo.” But she couldn’t help think
ing it was a lovely way to begin the morning. She’d eaten breakfast with Dylan and his family; it was a hectic affair, and she welcomed the chance to relax with the man of her dreams in the quiet of his truck.
Yes, the man of her dreams. Last night she’d slept well, her head full of images of a big grizzly bear in the snow, who transformed into Theo and made love to her on the forest floor, under the shelter of the trees. It had been a good night, and a good dream.
“These are delicious,” she said, taking a bite of the pastry, which melted in her mouth.
“I figured you’d like them.”
“Why? Because it’s obvious I have a sweet tooth?” she asked, looking down at her curvy thighs, and her stomach, which had never been flat in her life.
“No. Because they are sweet and delicious, just like you.”
She coughed as she breathed in the wrong way. “Or because they are flaky, like you.”
“I am not flaky. I had a good reason to leave last night.”
“Another woman?” she asked.
“No, never.”
“It’s OK, I mean, you could never know you would meet me yesterday, so it stands to reason you might already have a girlfriend.” Zara tried not to let her irrational jealousy sweep over her. She was in too good a mood for it to be spoiled.
“No. Actually it was a boy. Or a young man, I had to see,” he said, smiling at her raised eyebrow. “Dominic, the young offender I work with. I was worried about him.”
“Aww, now who is soft and sweet?” she chided, then added, “It’s good that you want to help him. I guess I can forgive you from running out on me if it was for a good reason.”
“Hey, who has the mating urge?” Theo asked. “You have no idea how hard it was for me to leave you.”
“I was teasing,” she said. Finishing her pastry, she sucked the sticky sugar off her fingers, something Theo watched with great interest. “So are you free tonight?”
“A date?” he asked. “Of course, I’ll pick you up.”
“I thought maybe you could show me the mountain,” she suggested.
“It will be dark tonight,” he said. “We could go tomorrow. Today is our last day at work, since tomorrow is Christmas Eve.”
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