“That’s not a new idea,” Connor said.
“No, but my proposal is. What is we all bought into this time and it truly became a family owned and operated business.”
“Do you mean us too?” Tatum reached for a napkin to wipe off the pizza sauce on her cheek.
“Yeah. The resort got too big for Caleb. He was always working on that place and I hated it. I know he doesn’t mind me saying this, but he was too stubborn to ask for more help.”
In similar fashion, everyone gawked at Caleb.
He snickered. “It’s true. Don’t tell me you guys didn’t notice I can be a bit pig-headed sometimes.”
Everyone chuckled and agreed.
Wednesday continued, “If all of us took ownership in the resort, the workload would be divided better.”
“What’s it going to take to buy into all of this? I’m still paying student loans,” Tatum said.
“We need to figure out some numbers and such, but the settlement money will cover the cost of rebuilding and I’ve talked to the bank about loaning us some start-up money for working capital.” Caleb sat back down. It was too weird to hover over everyone. “We each put in what we feel comfortable. Combine that will the other funds and it should work. We can either split the profits based on initial contributions or a percentage of the profit created. It would be best to talk to an accountant or lawyer. Find someone who has experience with this.”
Sky walked to the kitchen, put her plate on the table, and got another drink. “This sounds a lot like profit sharing. I know some business have had a lot of success with letting the employees buy into the company.”
“I guess, it’s a lot like that,” Wednesday said.
“I really like this idea,” Eliza said. It seems more organized and official than it has been.”
“Exactly,” Caleb interjected. He rested his back against the wall then put his arm around Wednesday’s shoulders and she scooted back until her back was against him. “I didn’t realize what I had until I almost lost everything.” He hugged Wednesday tightly. “Family is everything.”
A cry came from the bedroom.
“Oh, that’s Iris.” Wednesday bent her legs to stand.
Eliza put out her hand. “Let me. I’ve got to get used to crying babies.” Her hand rested on her stomach as she went to get the baby.
“Cameron you’ve been quiet about this. What do you think?” Caleb asked.
He inhaled, held his breath, and slowly let it out. “I was a mess when I came home. Connor, you were too.”
“That’s an understatement,” Connor added.
“I never stopped to think about how much the resort saved me. How much you saved me. Hell yeah, I like this idea. I’m ready to break ground right now.”
“Me too,” Connor concurred.
Eliza walked in with a sleepy baby girl, who was not very happy. “Maisie woke up too, but I didn’t feel comfortable carrying both of them.”
Wednesday took the baby from Eliza’s arms, but she started crying and reaching her arms out to Caleb. “I guess she wants her daddy.” Wednesday put her daughter in Caleb’s lap.
He snuggled her against his chest. “Of course, she does.”
Eliza returned with Maisie who cried when passed to Wednesday.
“I guess both our girls want their daddy.”
Wednesday stared down at them.
Caleb felt guilty. “Don’t worry. I’m sure they’ll want you tomorrow.”
She smiled and sat next to them. Caleb balanced one girl on each leg and used his arms to hold them close.
“I’m not worried. This is what I’ve always wanted. I love this family and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
“Here, here.” Everyone held up whatever drink they had and toasted the air.
They spent the rest of the night brainstorming how to make the resort better. Caleb held his daughters and watched the excitement in everyone’s face. This is what he wanted. This is what he needed. He sat and mostly listened but added comments and suggestions when necessary. This was his harmony. The forgiveness and love of his family was worth more than the resort would ever be.
Caleb
Eighteen Months Later
Caleb rolled over and snuggled behind his mate. He smelled the lingering spicy smell of her perfume from their date the previous night. It had been a long time since they went on a date and the rehearsal dinner was the perfect excuse.
She intertwined her arm with his. “This is a much better way to wake up.”
“Mmm, yeah?” He pressed his hard shaft letting her know what was on his mind.
“Yeah, you don’t cry and throw a fit when you don’t get your way.”
“I would if I knew it would get me what I want.”
She brought up his hand and kissed it. “And what do you want?”
He rolled her onto her back. “I want to fly into the sunrise, find a high top and take you again.”
She squirmed away from him, got out of bed, and walked out of the bedroom.
“Hey, did I say the wrong thing?” He followed her.
She opened the sliding glass door and stepped on the deck. “No, it’s just hard to fly through walls.” With one large inhale, she shifted into a falcon and pushed off into flight.
“You could have given me a hint.” He inhaled, shifted, and followed her.
The pre-dawn grays and blues covered the sky, a few stars twinkled, and nocturnal animals scurried to bed. Their house was located five miles away from the canyon, but they quickly covered that distance. Earthly strength radiated from the canyon walls as they crisscrossed the expanse. The river flowed slower this season due to lack of rain. A smell of dust and early morning heat drew his bird like a welcomed pot of homemade soup.
The two birds landed on the ledge of a small cave. In an intense outpouring of energy, they shifted and laid on the ground catching their breath.
Caleb crawled to Wednesday.
She dropped her head to the side and stared at him, drawing him closer. “Is this what you had in mind, Mr. Hanson.”
Instead of answering her, Caleb scooped her up and carried her further into the cave, then laid next to her on the cold ground. He rested on top of her using his knees to spread her legs. “Something like this,” he teased.
He pressed his mouth against hers and let his tongue open her lips. She mewled and wrapped her arms tighter lifting her hips to grind against him.
“I want your cock in my mouth,” she said.
He moved to lie on his back.
“No.” Wednesday smiled. “I want you to lean over me.”
He leaned his groin over her mouth and held her head making it easier for her to slide her mouth down the entire length of his girth. There were no aspects of sex he didn’t like, but he loved the feel of her tight mouth more than anything else. She sucked in her cheeks creating a tighter hold then used the tip of her tongue to dance around his head. When she wrapped her hand around the base, he let his mind drift away or this would end too early.
When he couldn’t wait any longer, he pulled away and forced himself inside her. Her tight walls contracted as he thrust deeper inside.
She dug her nails into his shoulders and moaned. “Harder,” she commanded.
He obliged and before too long she shuddered beneath him and he released his pleasure.
He rolled off her and brought her close to snuggle. It would take a few minutes before he had the desire to shift and fly home.
“You know we can’t stay away long,” Wednesday said.
“Let’s stay here forever. We’ll bring the girls and live in this cave. It’ll be easier.”
She sat up and rested on an elbow. “I do not want to live the rest of my life in a cave.”
“But once we leave we have to do the responsible thing. Ya know the adult thing.”
“Yes, and I can’t wait. Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts.”
He leaned up too. “No, but I’m not looking for
ward to the hard work.”
She kissed his nose. “At least this time you don’t have to do it all by yourself. You have five other partners in time.”
“You don’t think that’s crazy? A resort run by six people?”
“It’ll be great. We all have our own niche. None of us have to overwork again.”
“Do I have to call you Boss Lady?”
She stood and stretched. “I like the sound of that.” She nudged his foot. “We’ve got to get back for the wedding, too. I’m already late.”
“I can’t believe she got him to agree to this.” He stood and rolled his neck from side to side.
Wednesday stepped to the edge. “You’d be surprised what we women can get our men to do.”
He stood behind her and put his arms around her. “Do you regret we didn’t do the whole wedding thing?”
She shook her head. “Not really. I like having big parties and getting dressed up, but it would be strange now.”
“Cameron built that damn gazebo for weddings. We could do one.”
She spun around and faced him. “I don’t need it. I promise.” She stepped closer to the edge. “Ya know it’s been a long time since we’ve done it.”
He smiled and winked. “Think we still can? Maybe we’re getting too old.”
“Well, only one way to find out.” She grabbed his hand and jumped off the ledge. They fell, the ground racing up to them. He let go of her hand and watched as she shifted. His bird took over, and they coasted on a warm updraft.
As a kid, Caleb had few friends beside Barbara Wolfe’s sons. As an adult, he had even fewer. When he met Eli, it was like meeting a long-lost brother. Having Eli’s wedding at the resort solidified his connection to Caleb and everyone else in his family.
Caleb patted him on the back and handed him a glass of whiskey. “I still can’t believe any woman could pin you down long enough for a relationship.”
Eli wrapped up shooting his movie six months ago but spent every free minute with Ginger either on location, in San Francisco, or in Rio City.
Eli shrugged. “I don’t know what to tell you. Ginger broke my heart the minute I saw her. I’m a lucky wolf.”
The two private cabins and the gazebo were the only structures to survive the fire. A point Cameron never failed to remind everyone. With everything that had happened, it made Caleb proud to host the wedding for Eli and Ginger. Cameron’s gazebo was perfect. But he’d never tell his brother that.
“Yeah, you are. She’s great.”
Cameron came in the cabin, walked behind Eli on his way to the kitchen, and flicked up Eli’s kilt. “So, is it true what they say about men in kilts?”
Eli spun around and lunged to tackle him, but Cameron hurried out of reach. “Come close and I’ll show you what they say about Scottish men.”
“Cameron, are you ever going to grow up?” Caleb balked.
“Not if I don’t have to.”
All the men toasted the air in response to Cameron’s retort.
A knock came at the door. “Knock, knock. Is everyone decent?” Tatum asked as she pushed open the door.
“No, but we’re dressed,” Eli said.
Tatum rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips. “I drew the short straw, so it’s up to me to get you guys there. Now line up and let me check you.”
Connor said, “We’re not kids. I think we can handle getting dressed.”
Tatum pointed to his tie. “Is that why your tie is just hanging around your neck?”
He pulled at his collar. “I don’t understand why we have to wear ties, anyway.”
She stepped up and helped him tie it. “Because it makes you look handsome.”
“I don’t look handsome the rest of the time?”
“Well you always look handsome, but do you want to be the one who pisses off the bride on her wedding day?”
Eli swatted him on the head. “You piss off Ginger and I’ll be the one who has to hear about it. Now tie the damn tie.”
Tatum pulled out her phone and checked a message. “Everyone’s ready. Are you guys?”
Cameron and Connor left grumbling to Tatum about how uncomfortable they were. Tatum looked back over her shoulder with a questioning glance.
“I’ll get him there, I promise.” Caleb held up his hands in surrender.
After his brothers left, he pulled out a box for Eli. “Here, I got you and Ginger a wedding gift.”
Eli opened the lid and pulled out the blank key. “I don’t get it. Am I the key to your heart?” He batted his eyes and rubbed his cheek against Caleb’s arm.
“No, you, dipshit. It’s a symbol. You know we break ground next week on the new place and you always have a room waiting for you. In fact, if you want to move it, we’ll adjust things around and give you two a permanent suite.”
Eli held out his arms for a side hug with Caleb. “I appreciate this. Ginger will want to be out here a lot, now that she’s an aunt and all.”
The two men stared at their shoes. “Well, let’s not get all mushy. If your bride makes it to the alter before you do, I’ll never get out of the birdcage.”
They left the cabin and joined Cameron and Connor in the gazebo. A guitarist played a song, and everyone quieted.
Iris and Maisie were the first down the aisle, dropping petals next to them. Iris ran to hug Caleb when she saw him while Wednesday ushered them to sit on the front pew. Eliza came next and then Ginger stood on the bottom step with Linda, her mother, standing next to her. Caleb chuckled watching his friend. Eli was not a weak man, but when he saw his bride, tears fell from his face and a single sob racked his shoulders.
“Keep it together, man.”
An angelic mini version of Cameron ran into the aisle before Sybil could catch her.
“Mama,” she called. “My dress pretty too.”
“Cami, come back here.” Sybil went after her, but she made it to Eliza before the woman caught her.
The crowd erupted in “aww’s” and laughter.
Eliza bent down and took a flower out of her bouquet. Cami reached for Cameron. “Daddy,” she said.
Eliza gave her the flower. “Cami, dear, please take this flower to Sybil and ask her to help you keep it safe. If you sit with her for the whole time, I’ll give you all my flowers.”
“Okay.” The little girl took the flower, waved to Cameron, and returned to her seat.
After that minor hiccup, the ceremony went smooth and quick. Then everyone joined for a party. Two large tents covered the field next to where construction would soon start on the new Libre Volare.
After eating and the toasts, Caleb asked Wednesday to dance.
“I would love that.”
They moved to the dance floor and joined the others.
“This was a beautiful wedding.” She rested her chin on his shoulder.
“It was. Ginger’s beautiful and I can tell Eli worships the ground she walks on.”
“How can you tell?” She leaned her head to see him.
“He looks at her the same way I look at you.”
“Oh, yeah? And how is that?”
“You, Wednesday O’Neil, are the best thing that happened to me. Barbara knew what she was doing when she introduced us.”
“Mm-hum. I have never regretted a day of my life with you.”
“Not any days? Even when I was an ass?”
“Even when you were an ass. You were just worn down and needed someone to light your way.”
He stopped dancing and took her hands. “Thank you. Thank you for always being there.”
She smiled, but before she could respond, Cameron took the microphone and called for everyone’s attention.
“It’s time for the bouquet and garter toss. The couple will toss them together, so I need all single people to gather round.”
Wednesday turned her back to Caleb and snuggled against him. He held her waist and brought her in close.
Ginger sat on a chair and raised her dress just enough for Eli
to get to her garter then twirled it in the air. Ginger took her throwaway bouquet, and the couple turned their back on their friends. After a count of three they tossed it over their shoulders.
The crowd surged forward, and two hands rose above the group. When everyone cleared the two winners faced each other and laughed. Once all the guests realized what happened, they laughed too. Ryan caught the bouquet and Doug caught the garter.
“Perfect,” Caleb whispered into Wednesday’s ear. “It’s all perfect. Just how it should be.”
The crowd celebrated until late into the night. All the stress and frustration from the fire disappeared. The energy was happy and hopeful. This is what Caleb had envisioned when he first thought of the Libre Volare. And with everyone’s help, this time it would be even better.
Sassy Ever After World
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About the Author
Terri is former English teacher and librarian. She taught middle and high school and college. Now she works from home homeschooling her two daughters and living out her dreams via her stories. She began escaping into books a little later than most but was hooked after the first book she read. It has been her dream to give back to the book world since she was in second grade.
When she’s not writing or reading, she enjoys binging on Netflix and painting. Due to her crunchy lifestyle and free spirit, she considers herself a recycled hippie. Her most important goal is to help others jump and learn to fly.
Thank you for reading Forgiveness for My Mate. This is book one in Sanctuary for my Mate. To find out more about her characters and the lives they live, check out her website, http://www.terriluvsbooks.com. Follow her on Amazon and Goodreads, or connect with through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Shelter For My Mate: Sassy Ever After (Sanctuary for My Mate Book 3) Page 12