“Do you know anything about making candy?” Dario didn’t want to put a damper on things, but he was a realist.
“We can learn.” Helena ducked behind the counter. “All the equipment is still here. One of our marketing ploys can be old-fashioned candy. We could also make some to sell in the outside world, minus the magic.”
“Your aunt is planning to build a candy empire.” Penny kissed Milo’s cheek.
“We should take a vote,” Logan suggested. “We should all agree. This is going to need all of us working together to build it into something we can all be proud of.”
“I don’t know.” Dario held out his hands. “I don’t have the first clue about any of this.”
“I thought you would be ideal for the job.” Helena took his hand. “You have been all over the world. You’ve tasted local flavors in so many countries. We could have a line of candy and sweet treats inspired by your travels.”
“Say yes, Uncle Dario.” Milo slithered out of his mom’s arms and ran to him.
“I think I’m outnumbered.” Dario laughed as Milo jumped up and down, filled with pure happiness. “Are you already on a sugar rush?”
“Oh, Milo is full of jumping beans. He doesn’t need candy to make him jump around with happiness.” Penny laughed and grabbed her son’s hand. “Shall we go and look in the storeroom?”
“Yes!” Milo tugged at his mom’s hand. “We might find some candy that has been hidden away for years and years.”
“If we do, you promise me you won’t eat it. I don’t want you turned into a frog.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Dario asked Helena as they stayed behind alone in the store where her father met his tragic end.
“I am. I don’t remember...you know. I know my father died here, but that’s all.” Tears misted her eyes. “I want to do this. I think it’ll make me feel closer to my mom and dad.”
“Then let’s do it.” He cupped her cheek in his hand. “I love you and all I want is for you to be happy.”
“I think I’ll be happy here. With you. With Penny.” She nodded. “This feels right. Out of all the things I’ve ever done in my life, this feels like the right move.”
“I always wondered what I’d do with my life.” He kissed her softly. “I never saw myself as a store owner.”
“I never saw myself as the mate of a horse shifter. So that makes us even.” She laughed and tugged at his hand. “I can just see you behind the counter.”
“I don’t think I want to be in the store, I’d rather be in the back making candy.” He followed her around the back of the counter.
“No, you can stand here, and our children will come in and you can pick some of the sweetest candy for them to eat.” She stared ahead as if seeing the ghosts of the past.
“Are you sure?”
“I am. We’ve come home, Penny and me. It’s taken a long time and the road has been rocky, but we’re here and this is exactly where we’re supposed to be.” She kissed him, her hands cupping his face as her lips moved against his.
Dario closed his arms around her and held her tight. She was right, this was exactly where they were supposed to be. Together, ready to face whatever life held for them and to make a future together.
Epilogue
“And we’re officially open.” Helena turned the sign on the door to open.
A small cheer and the sound of clapping came from the group of people outside, which was larger than they’d expected since they hadn’t made a big announcement.
“Come in.” Helena opened the door. Milo was waiting impatiently, holding Rift’s hand. Aiden followed close behind with Valerie. Caleb and Ivan were back at the hotel. They would pop in later and say hi. They’d all been so supportive and helpful while they got the candy store ready to open.
“Am I the first customer?” Milo asked hopefully.
“You are.” Helena held out her hand to him. “What can we get for you?”
“I’d really like to try the candy that makes you croak like a frog.” Milo tugged her hand, and they went to the counter.
“Hey, Milo. What do you think?” Penny came around the counter and held out her arms for her son.
“I love it.” He smiled broadly. “You put a banner up.”
“We did. And we placed a photo of Grandma and Grandpa on the back shelf. So they can watch over us.” Penny lifted Milo up and caught Helena’s eye as she turned around.
Helena smiled sadly, her eyes lingering on the photograph. One day she hoped to be able to look at her mom and dad without experiencing pain and sadness. But she wasn’t there yet.
“I’ll go see if anyone needs my help. Come and croak at me later, Milo.” She let go of her nephew’s hand and headed to the back of the store, where Dario was talking to various people about their merchandise.
Her hand lingered on the cupboard where she’d hidden as a child. That was the last thing she remembered about that day until the police found her. Was she the monster for not coming out and helping her father? Or were there other monsters in her life?
She looked over her shoulder at the photo of her mom and dad smiling down on them. Had her mom protected her from something else?
She might never know.
“Helena.” Detective Renshaw came into the store, his eyes scanning the shelves. “This is incredible. You’ve all worked so hard.”
“We want the store to be a success. Not just because otherwise we’re going to need other jobs.” She smiled, her mood lifting. “But because we want to pay homage to our parents. And bring a smile to people’s faces.”
Over by the counter Milo let out a loud croak.
“I think you’ve done that.” Detective Renshaw chuckled.
“Is there anything I can get for you?” Helena asked as Dario came to join them.
“No, I have to watch my diet.” He rubbed his stomach.
“It’s good to see you.” Dario shook his hand.
“And you, Dario.”
“Could we speak to you outside?” Dario glanced around the store. “It won’t take a moment.”
“Is everything all right?” Detective Renshaw asked.
“Yes.” Helena placed her hand on her stomach. “It’s very all right.”
“You’re pregnant!” The detective grinned and then hugged them both. “I’m so happy for you both.”
“We wanted to tell you, since you were so kind with everything that happened.” Helena swallowed hard. “You worked so hard to bring justice for my family.”
“Our family.” Dario placed his hand on her shoulder.
“Our family.” Helena sighed. “It’s a good family.”
“And growing bigger.” Detective Renshaw glanced up at the store. “It looks just the same.”
“We hope when people come inside, it feels as if they are stepping back in time.” Dario put his hands on his hips. “It’s not how I envisaged spending my life. But being here, being part of the town, has reined in my wanderlust.”
“A family does that.” The detective spun around, and Dario stiffened.
“What’s wrong?” Helena reached for her husband’s hand. They had married within the first week of their relationship. It had been a joint wedding with Penny and Logan.
Valerie and Logan had hastily transformed the hotel into a wedding venue, while Ivan prepared a small intimate dinner for the guests. They’d kept it mostly to family and a few close friends. Silas had arrived at the hotel in the evening with gifts and stayed for a while, dancing with the brides and then with Valerie.
It wasn’t a lavish wedding, but it was the best day of Helena’s life. When she said her vows and Dario slipped a ring on her finger, it was as if she’d left her old life behind and stepped into a new one. A happy one. A life filled with love and the promise of a new tomorrow.
“There’s someone coming.”
Helena’s hands balled into fists as she stood side by side with her mate. No one was going to ruin this.
“A
iden.” Dario turned as his brother left the store and came outside.
“There’s someone coming.” Aiden’s eyes were unfocused as he stared across the street.
“Who is coming?” Helena asked, wishing she had shifter senses.
“A fae,” Detective Renshaw replied.
“My mate,” Aiden added.
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READING ORDER FOR
Bear Creek Clan and Bear Bluff Clan
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(each can be read as a standalone
but why not start at the beginning and get to know all of the characters?)
Rescued by the Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book One)
Finding Her Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Two)
Tamed by the Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Three)
Snowbound With The Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Four)
Biker Bear Billionaire (Bear Creek Clan Book Five)
Bound To Her Bear (Bear Bluff Clan Book One)
Doctor Bear (Bear Bluff Clan Book Two)
Stranded With Her Bear (Bear Bluff Book Three)
A Bride for the Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Six)
Home Or Her Bear (Bear Bluff Book Four)
Fated To Her Bear (Bear Bluff Book Five)
Lonely Bear (Bear Bluff Book Six)
Wolf Valley Raiders
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Redeem the Wolf
To Catch A Wolf
Reclaim the Wolf
Awakening the Alpha
Biker Bears
Forbidden Bear
Secret Bear
Christmas Bear Brothers
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suggested reading order
Santa Paws
Christmas Catastrophe
Bear Humbug
Fated and Mated
Love at First Site
Her Scars To Bear
Her Choice To Bear
Her Russian Bear
Who’s the Daddy?
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One Bear and a Baby
Her Bear and a Baby
Second Chance Bear and a Baby
Baby Protector Bear
Return to Bear Bluff
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The Bear is Back in Town
His Bear’s Necessity
Black Bear Down
Who Bears Wins
When Bears Collide
Wish Upon A Bear
Cowboy Brother Bears
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Cowboy Bear Blues
Cowboy Bear’s Mate
Cowboy Bear’s Fate
Return to Bear Creek
Daddy Bear
Mountain Bear
Honey Bear
Forever Bear
Storm Bear
Silverback Dragon
P.I. Bear
Doctor Daddy Bear
Bad Boy Bear
Silverback Bear
Ranger Bear
Christmas Bear
Hero Bear
Undercover Eagle
Single Daddy Dragon
Secret Baby Bear
Silverback Wolf
Awakened Dragon
Treasure Bear
Silverback History Bear
River Run Wolf
Silverbacks and Second Chances
Cursed Bear
Lucky Bear
Fated Bear
Song Bear
Blind Date Bear
Christmas Bears
Sleighed
Claused
Wrapped
Shifters Prime Sleeping Lions
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Living a Lion
Freeing a Lion
Fighting a Lion
Sci-Fi Romance
The Princess and her Alien Rogue
The Princess and her Bounty Hunter
Chosen by the Karal
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Deceit
Love
Power
Hunger
Devotion
Warriors of Karal
Stranded
Found
Taken
Hunted
Allies
The Dualis
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Lost (Book Two)
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The Horse Shifter's Mate: A Wishing Moon Bay Shifter Romance (The Bond of Brothers Book 2) Page 23