by Zoe Chant
“Sorry,” the new man said easily, nodding at Natalie. “I didn’t mean to intrude. But when I told little Faith here there was a new kid in town, she just couldn’t wait to meet him – provided that’s all right with you.” He shifted the little girl – Faith – into his left arm, and held out his right for Natalie to shake. “Lincoln Whittaker. I didn’t mean to barge in if you’re tired.”
Natalie took his hand. Wow, that’s a strong grip, she thought. Glancing between him and Casey, she quickly surmised that they must be father and son – the age was right, and the family resemblance was undeniable. Lincoln looked like he was in his late fifties, but he was still very handsome. He must have looked just like Casey when he was a young man.
They just don’t grow ‘em like this in the city, she thought, a little wistfully.
“No, it’s fine,” she said. “Micah’s a little tired, but I’m sure he can say hello.”
She glanced over to her son. He had been quietly gnawing on his apple core for the past few minutes, carefully chewing off every last morsel of fruit, but was now looking with interest at the little girl in Lincoln’s arms. “Honey, hop up and say hello.”
“Hello,” Micah said, standing up. “I’m Micah. What’s your name?”
“Faith,” said the little girl, her voice clear and strong. Maybe she was a little older than she looked, Natalie thought. She certainly spoke well. “Will you be living here now?”
“I hope so,” Micah said seriously. “You have good food.”
Natalie glanced nervously at Faye, but she was smiling.
“Are you shifters, too?” Faith asked, eyes shining with curiosity. “What animal do you turn into?”
Natalie blinked, confused. What does that mean?
She could see Micah was confused by the question too, and he glanced uncertainly at her for guidance.
Subtly, the atmosphere in the room seemed to have become suddenly tense, too – she could see that Faye had drawn in a quick breath, while Casey, still leaning against the cupboard, had frozen.
“Maybe that’s enough questions for now,” Faye said quickly. “Faith, Micah and Natalie are a bit tired. You can ask them some more things tomorrow. Okay?”
“Okay,” Faith said reluctantly. “Can I show Micah my garden tomorrow?”
“Sure you can, sweetheart,” Lincoln said smoothly. “But let’s let them rest for now.” He looked at Natalie. “It was great to meet you. I really hope you’ll enjoy working with us.”
Before Natalie could reply, he’d ducked back out through the door, Faith still in his arms.
That was a little odd, Natalie thought, confused. But then again, she knew how kids were – Faith was probably just playing a little game, or had imagined some storybook had come to life.
“Well, let me show you to your room,” Casey said. “I’ll carry your case. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing.”
“Honestly, that sounds like heaven,” Natalie said. She turned to Faye. “Thank you so much for being so welcoming – I really hope you’ll be impressed with my work.”
“If you’re even half as good as your references say, then I’m sure we’re going to have a great working relationship,” Faye said, laughing. “But for now, put it out of your mind. We can talk shop tomorrow. Deal?”
“Deal,” Natalie said, and she couldn’t help but smile.
Chapter Four
Casey
Casey felt like he was walking through a haze.
He had felt that way since his hand had brushed Natalie’s as he reached for her case, and it had yet to let up. He’d thought a cup of coffee might help him get his head in order, but it hadn’t had any effect at all as far as he could tell.
Not when his lion was prowling around inside his chest, raising its head to roar out: Mine! Mine! Mine!
Naturally, Casey had dreamed of finding his mate. Seeing his father, brother and cousins so happy with their own mates had made him long for it all the more.
But his conscience still nagged at him: after the things he had done in the past, did he deserve the happiness of discovering his fated mate?
He had so nearly destroyed the happiness of Mason and Charity, all because he hadn’t understood that humans and shifters could live in peace with each other.
He felt like he still had so much to make up for.
Taking a deep breath, Casey tried to get his racing heart under control, and told his lion to stop its fussing. It bared its teeth at him, growling.
Our mate. She’s our mate. Why don’t we tell her? What’s stopping you? She knows it. She senses it too.
But that was the question, Casey realized: Did Natalie know? Did she even know that shifters existed?
From the confused expression on her face when little Faith had asked her what they turned into, Casey guessed the answer was a resounding NO.
Joe. I have to talk to Joe.
Joe was Casey’s older brother, and the alpha of the Cedar Hill pride. Their father had passed the role to him a couple of years ago, and since then the ranch – and the pride – had been thriving. Joe was everything a pride could want in an alpha: considerate, thoughtful, and a strong leader.
He’ll know what to do, Casey thought, as he got into his truck and began driving out to the ranch.
The drive went by in a blur. Before he knew it, he was pulling up by the large main house. The gardens that surrounded it were beginning to show some life again after the long, hard winter they’d just been through, and the golden glow of the late afternoon was everywhere.
At this time of day, he knew he’d find Joe out in the barn – taking stock, fixing up equipment, or doing one of the hundred other small jobs that needed doing to ensure the smooth running of the ranch. It was the time of year when they started running tours for visitors again, as part of a revenue-raiser with the B&B. It had been wildly successful – it seemed like coming out to take a look at a working ranch was fascinating to city folks – and it had ensured the future of the Cedar Hill pride for years to come. They had more than enough money in the bank to see them through rough times if they came, as well as having the means to invest in plenty of other ventures. The financial future of the pride was assured. Mason and Joe’s cubs would be well taken care of.
Casey made his way across the yard, finding Joe exactly where he’d predicted he would: up to his elbows in grease as he tinkered with the old tractor. Casey wasn’t sure why they didn’t just get rid of the thing and get a new one – he remembered this old hunk of metal from when he was a kid, and it seemed like either Joe or their father was always repairing it, buying replacement parts for it, or just standing and staring at it, as if that by itself would reveal its secrets.
Maybe that’s why I’m not alpha, though, Casey thought. He was too impetuous, too quick to rush headlong into things without thinking. This was part of why he’d gotten into trouble when he was young. And it was why he’d wanted to talk to his cautious, solid older brother. Casey probably would have shoved his foot straight into his mouth and down his throat if he’d tried to explain things to Natalie on his own.
Joe turned as he entered, nodding a greeting. “Casey. I thought you’d still be up at the B&B. Isn’t the new cleaner arriving today?”
“She’s my mate.” Casey blurted out the words before he could even think. “The new cleaner – she arrived, and she’s my mate. I touched her hand, and… I just knew. I don’t know how. But I did.”
Casey held his breath as Joe looked at him, eyebrows raised.
“Well, I didn’t expect that,” he finally murmured, putting the wrench he’d been using down on his workbench. He crossed his arms across his chest. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Casey – but are you completely sure?”
“Of course I am,” Casey shot back, shoulders stiffening. “I just… knew. Like how you knew when you met Sasha. You didn’t question that, did you?”
Joe held up his hands peaceably, and Casey took a deep breath.
“Sorry. I just…
I guess it’s just so unexpected. I haven’t got a clue what to do.”
“So… she doesn’t know yet?” Joe asked.
Casey shook his head miserably. “No – I don’t think she even knows what shifters are. She’s definitely human. And… there’s something else.” Casey licked his lips, glancing up at Joe. “She has a son. He’s six.”
Joe cocked his head a little. “But… she’s not married, is she? Not to another human?”
Casey swallowed, suddenly unsure. “She didn’t say so. Faye never mentioned a husband – she just said it would be Natalie and her son. I think it’s just them.”
Anger suddenly surged through him, his lion growling fiercely. Who could have left such a wonderful woman as Natalie? And left their son as well?? No one who could do such a thing deserves to call themselves a man.
His thoughts must have shown clearly on his face, because Joe shook his head.
“It happens, Casey. Amongst shifters as well, though not so often.” Joe took in a deep breath. “You realize, though, that if Natalie’s your mate, you’re responsible for her child as well. He’d be under your protection too.”
“I know,” Casey said quickly. “And… naturally, I know that’s a huge deal, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t scare me a little. But if Natalie’s my mate, then I know I have to take on everything that’s hers. I understand that.”
“It’s a big responsibility,” Joe said. “And one you haven’t had time to plan for or think about. With Link, I knew – he was planned, and I had nine months to get used to the idea that he was definitely coming. Raising a child is… well, it’s the most amazing thing in the world, but it’s not a picnic. Are you sure?”
“Even if I wasn’t, what’s the alternative?” Casey argued. “Not tell her? Not be with my mate?”
“I wasn’t saying that,” Joe said evenly. “I just want you to think about things. There’s a lot to consider. She’s not a shifter. If her son’s father isn’t around, then chances are she’s already been hurt once. And then, she’ll have the child to think about, too. That might make her cautious.”
Casey drew in a deep breath. Everything Joe was saying was completely true. He knew it was, even as his lion roared in his chest, insisting that everything would be fine if only he would just go and tell her.
She’s our mate! What could be so difficult?!
It’s not that simple, Casey’s human side argued back at it. The lion would never understand these things. It lived – and loved – by instinct alone. It was a handy thing to have when action was required. But when calm, rational thought was what was needed…
… Well, then his lion could be a complete pain in the ass.
“The first thing you need to do, though, is talk to her.” Joe’s soft voice broke into his thoughts. “She might not be a shifter, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t know what they are. Sasha knew about shifters before we met, and so did Charity and Faye.”
Casey nodded. It was true – though he knew that saying his brother’s mate Sasha knew about shifters was an understatement. She’d been on the run from a rogue pack when she had stumbled onto the Cedar Hill pridelands – which had been what had saved her life. From the moment she set foot on their lands, she was under their protection. But the experience had, understandably, given her a bad impression of shifters, and it had taken some time for her and Joe to work things out between them.
“You’re right,” he said slowly. “I should talk to her.”
He wanted nothing more than to jump back into the truck and drive to the B&B without another moment’s delay. His lion pricked up its ears in excitement, whispering Yes, yes! Go to her! Go now!
But Casey ruthlessly ignored it. “Maybe I should… wait a little, though.” His lion let out a sharp growl. “Just until tomorrow. She’s tired today – she’s had a long journey. It may not be best to throw all this at her too.”
Joe nodded. “That sounds sensible. Give her time. It’s… surprising news, obviously. And she’ll have a lot to think about. But just remember, Casey – I know it seems like everything has to happen now, but you two will have the rest of your lives. Take your time and make sure you do this right.”
“I will. I just… I never really thought it would happen. Or whether I deserved it.”
Joe glanced at him, frowning. “Deserved?”
“Because of what happened with Charity and Mason,” Casey reluctantly admitted. “I could have… I could have ruined them both. How can I deserve my mate, when I almost –”
“Casey, stop.” Joe’s voice was firm: the voice of an alpha, giving an order to a member of his pride. “Mason and Charity have forgiven you. It’s ancient history. Stop it. Do you think they’ll be anything other than delighted when they hear about this?”
Casey dropped his eyes to the floor of the barn. He wanted to believe it – and, in his heart of hearts, he did. The family – the pride – was everything to lions. The pride stuck together, through thick and thin.
“I know,” he said quietly. “I do. I just want to be worthy of this. Worthy of her.”
“You are. The mated bond shows that.” Joe reached out, patting him with one large, greasy hand. “You can do this, Casey. Talk to her, and take things slow. The mated bond will do the rest.”
Casey nodded, lifting his head to smile at Joe, and seeing his brother’s smile in return. Gratefulness flooded his chest. He’d known Joe would have good advice for him – now, he just had to stick to it.
Chapter Five
Natalie
Natalie woke, not as she usually did to the symphony of car horns and police sirens from the street outside her apartment, but to the sound of absolutely nothing at all.
She blinked, momentarily disorientated, before glancing around and remembering that she wasn’t in that apartment anymore – or even that city. Sitting up, she glanced around. Morning sunlight was streaming through a slight crack in the pale cream curtains of her new room, and when she swung her feet out of the bed, they touched down on a fluffy sheepskin rug that covered the hard wood of the floor.
It was the nicest room she’d ever slept in, by far.
Casey had shown her to it yesterday afternoon, explaining that they had some staff rooms for the seasonal workers they employed at the B&B and the ranch. Natalie had been expecting some cramped little box of a room with a bunk bed and maybe a lamp if she was lucky, so when Casey had opened the door and she had seen what the room had actually looked like, she hadn’t quite been able to stifle her gasp.
The room was just as lovely and cozy as the rest of the B&B – and the bed, when she’d sat on it, had been firm but comfortable, with a large fluffy comforter. It was perfect.
Micah can have the room next to yours, Casey had told her, before hesitating slightly. Unless you’d prefer to have him with you? There’s a trundle bed I could bring in –
Natalie had laughed, shaking her head. No, Micah will be fine. He’s pretty independent.
It was true. Her early working hours meant Micah had had to grow up faster than she’d ever wanted him to. She’d put out his breakfast in the mornings before she left, and he had been responsible for dressing himself and getting himself outside to wait for the bus. He knew to wait until he heard it honking before he left the apartment.
If there was one good thing about her having to leave the house so early, it was that she could be home when he arrived back from school, at least, and they could spend the afternoons together – if the budget would stretch to it, they could even go out and get an ice cream as a treat.
Well, let me know if there’s – if there’s anything I can do for you, Casey had said, and then paused in the doorway a long moment, before quickly exiting and closing the door behind him.
Natalie frowned as she recalled that moment. It had been… strange, but not in any way she could put her finger on. She shivered a little as she remembered the way Casey’s eyes had rested on her. It had been the same expression she’d seen on his face at the bus
station: a kind of wide-eyed amazement, as if he couldn’t quite believe what he was seeing.
Natalie felt warmth pooling in her belly as she recalled it. She would have been lying if she’d said she wasn’t attracted to him – powerfully attracted to him.
But who wouldn’t be? she asked herself, rubbing her hands over the goosebumps that suddenly covered her arms. He was an attractive man.
Still, she’d known attractive men in the past, and she couldn’t remember ever feeling the same kind of instant, visceral reaction to them. Not even with Ken, and she had been in love with him.
Or so she’d thought.
She’d been in love with the illusion of him – of the man she thought he was, before he’d revealed his true self.
And by then, she had already been pregnant with Micah, and she had felt strongly that she should try to make things work.
She shuddered, remembering the wide, terrifying smile of the debt collector who had come to her door.
I should have just left him, Natalie thought bitterly. If she’d known he was getting into gambling and taking out loans to cover his losses, she would have.
Shaking her head, she pushed her dark thoughts out of her mind. That was in the past. She had a chance now at a fresh start, here in Cedar Hill. She might have only been here a day, but already she’d been shown more kindness than in the rest of her life put together.
And you can’t mess that up by lusting after inappropriate men, she told herself firmly as she stood up. And no matter which way you sliced it, Casey was inappropriate. He was the son of her employer, and younger than her besides. He looked like he was in his early twenties. She was thirty-seven – much too old for him.
Grabbing her robe from the end of the bed and wrapping it firmly around herself, Natalie laughed. A younger man, who was more handsome than she knew how to describe, who could no doubt have his pick of the Cedar Hill debutantes?