“I’ll go grab the basket.” Caleb jogged over to the truck and opened the door. “I also got a call from Zara. She is planning to visit this weekend.” He reached in for the basket and pulled it toward him. “I forgot to tell her I found my mate.”
“Oh. How did she take it?” Aiden hovered over his brother’s shoulder as he turned around.
“Here, help yourself.” Caleb handed the basket to Aiden, who instantly opened it up and looked inside. “She was okay after I explained we had a hectic day. It’s going to take some getting used to, though.”
“Having a sister?” Aiden pulled out a breakfast roll stuffed with bacon and eggs.
“Yes. And an aunt and uncle. Until now the only family we’ve had is Valerie and our brothers. Now we have blood relatives.” Caleb leaned against the truck while Aiden ate.
“They’re going to take time to get used to it, too. So don’t be too hard on yourself.” Aiden bit into his sandwich. “I envy you.”
“You do?” Caleb asked.
“Yes, you have a mate who is learning from Ivan. You won’t have to go to the restaurant for a good meal, your mate will cook for you. Everyday.” Aiden rolled his eyes in bliss. “This is so darn good.”
“My attraction to Elise is more than food,” he told his brother.
“Oh, I know. But it sure is a bonus.” Aiden finished his roll and looked in the basket for more.
“You eat your way through the leftovers, and I’ll get started on work. We both need to focus more on work now that we have mates.” Caleb grabbed a toolbox from the back of the truck.
“That’s true. No more slacking off to roam the mountains on a warm summer’s day.” Aiden leaned back on the hood of the truck and stared at the mountain range in the distance. “But I’m not complaining.”
“Neither am I.” Caleb grabbed a hammer and set to work. “Things are going to work out.”
“They are.” Aiden sighed in contentment. “Who would have thought two orphans could be so lucky.”
Caleb recalled the photograph of his parents looking so happy with their three children. What would their lives be like if they were still alive, if they hadn’t been murdered and the family split up?
We’ll never know, his bear said. And maybe that’s for the best. We have a wonderful future ahead of us with our mate. That’s all that matters.
Yet ever since they found out their parents had been murdered, Caleb had an overwhelming need to find the person responsible and bring them to justice.
Chapter Thirteen – Elise
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Karros hovered behind her as she stared at her recipe books, looking for inspiration.
“No. I’m doomed.” She blew her hair off her face and closed the recipe book before pulling another one toward her and flipping it open.
“Why don’t I get you a glass of wine?” Karros offered.
“We don’t have any wine.” She tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling. “This is a mistake. Caleb’s going to be here anytime, and I haven’t even started cooking.”
“Just calm down. Caleb won’t mind if you feed him chips and cookies, he’s coming to see you.” Karros was trying to help, but she wasn’t in the mood to hear his words of comfort.
“He’s a bear shifter. I’m pretty sure he’s going to be disappointed if I serve him cookies and potato chips for dinner after he’s been working all day.” She gripped the edge of the counter and closed her eyes, trying to fight the tears that threatened. “And I can just imagine how Ivan will react if I don’t take him something wonderful to eat tomorrow.”
Karros turned around and stared at the front door. “I think Caleb is here.” With obvious relief, he hurried to the door and opened it, letting in a rush of warm air.
The smell of the mountains soothed her, she could smell the warm pine resin carried down from the lower slopes, but then a cooler blast of air which carried the tang of the ocean countered it. She loved this house, she loved living in Wishing Moon Bay and she also loved working in Ivan’s busy kitchen.
She didn’t want to blow this opportunity at a new life.
“Hi.” Caleb stood in the doorway, there was no sign of Karros. He’d probably taken the opportunity to go outside to get away from her. “Karros let me in.” Caleb held up a bottle of wine. “He said you might need this.”
“Karros is right, although wine won’t solve my problems.”
“He said you were struggling to come up with a recipe for Ivan.” Caleb placed the bottle down on the counter. “Glasses?”
“We don’t have any wine glasses, but there are some coffee mugs in that cupboard.” She snapped the recipe book closed as Caleb went to the cupboard.
“We could always go get takeout.”
“I said I’d cook for you. And I have to come up with a dish for Ivan.” She hugged herself as he opened the bottle of wine and poured it into two glasses. “But I don’t have a lot of the ingredients I need.”
“Do you want to go to the store?” Caleb offered. “We could pick up some food on the way back.”
“The local stores won’t have what I need. I’m trying to figure out what I can add instead.”
“Instead of what?” Caleb asked.
“The ingredients I need to pick from the wildwood. I usually go gather the ingredients when they’re in season.” She went to the kitchen window and looked out at Karros as he hunkered down and picked up a handful of dirt. Crumbling it in his palm, he let it fall back to the ground. “Perhaps I could ask Karros to make space for me to have a garden where I can grow some of the main ingredients I use. Not that it’d make any difference right now.”
“Why don’t we go there?” Caleb sipped his wine.
“Go where?” Elise asked. “The wildwood? We don’t have time.”
“We could go tomorrow. I could pick you up from work in the afternoon and we could go. From what Flora said, it’s beautiful, her favorite place in all the world.” He studied her for a moment. “Unless you don’t want to go with me. I know your mom and dad don’t know about us. But we could keep a low profile. We don’t have to see or speak to anyone else.”
“I do have the evening off. Ivan asked me to work the breakfast and lunch shift tomorrow.” She sipped her wine. It was good wine, chilled to just the right temperature and full of flavor.
“Is that a date?” Caleb asked.
“Yes. I think it is.” She couldn’t hide her smile. “The wildwood always inspires me.”
“Ah, but you have a mate now. I’ll be your new inspiration.” He struck a pose, sticking his chin in the air and showing off his profile.
“You might be right. But I can’t decide what you would taste like if you were a food.” She licked her lips, certain he would taste just right.
“I am sweet, but also spicy. And I would leave an everlasting taste on your tongue.” He grinned. “The kind of taste you would never forget.”
“I like the sound of that.” She snapped her fingers. “Which gives me an idea.”
“I’ve helped?” He came closer, looking relieved.
“You have. And you’re right, we should go to the wildwood. Tomorrow. If Ivan can wait to try my cooking.”
“I’m sure he will, because it’ll be worth the wait.” He drank the rest of his wine and inclined his head toward the door. “Come on, let’s go grab something from town. My treat.” He put his hand in his pocket. “I also have this for you.”
“You bought me wine and a gift? You are the perfect man.” She finished her wine and put the cup in the sink.
“Perfect for you.” He cocked his head to one side and a sexy smile spread over his face. “And perfectly cheesy.”
“I like cheesy.” Elise couldn’t see what he held in his hand as she moved closer to him.
“Hold out your hand.” He clutched the gift in his fist and waited for Elise to hold out her palm before he opened his hand.
“It’s a wishing stone?” She stared at the smooth golden ston
e in her hand. It was still warm from where he’d held it and she closed her hand around the stone, absorbing his warmth.
“It is. I was early. Too eager to see you tonight. Since you were cooking, I didn’t want to impose. So I stopped by the beach to clear my head. And there it was, just lying on the sand as if it was waiting for me to pick it up.”
“And you weren’t tempted to make the wish yourself?” She could only imagine how he wished their relationship was different, how he wished she was the perfect woman for him. He would prefer a woman who was ready to settle down and have children with him right away instead of a woman who wanted to chase her career.
“If you make a wish and it comes true then that’s good enough for me.” He closed his hand around hers. “I just want you to be happy, Elise.”
“I am happy. Despite this.” She cast her hand toward the pile of cookbooks on the counter. “I’m just anxious to get it right.”
“Well, it couldn’t hurt to make a wish. Although, I know you’re going to impress Ivan anyway.” Caleb stepped backward. “Shall we go?”
“Yes.” She glanced toward the window. “Are you okay if we make a wish and then come back here with the food? Karros hasn’t eaten yet either.”
“No problem.” He nodded toward her brother. “I like Karros. I think we’re on the same wavelength where your happiness is concerned, we both want the best for you.”
“He likes you, too.” She grabbed her jacket from the back of the chair. “I think he was worried when we first met. It didn’t help that you are the brother of the man who stole away the love of his life. But he appreciates what you’ve done for us.”
“I want him to be part of my family, too. He’s given up so much for everyone else’s happiness.” Caleb strode toward the door. “He’s a shifter at heart.”
“You should tell him that, I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.” She chuckled as he looked at her over his shoulder. “I’m kidding, I’d keep that to yourself. Karros would love to be a member of your family, but I don’t think he’s ready to let go of who he really is.”
“Do you think he’ll go back to his old life, or will he stay here?” Caleb asked as they stepped outside.
“It’s too early for him to make that decision. But he’s set on making a life here and starting a landscape business. He’s always loved watching things grow and he has an eye for design. He’s good at matching colors and textures.”
“Like you are with food?” Caleb asked.
“Yes. I supposed so.” She raised her hand and waved to her brother. “We’re going into town for takeout. Shall we bring you something back?”
“Yes, please.” Karros brushed the soil from his hands as he approached them.
“I’m not sure what we’re getting,” Caleb said. “Do you want to come, too?”
It was a kind offer since he wanted them to go to the beach and make a wish. Karros seemed to sense this and shook his head. “No, you can surprise me. I need to get used to your food and customs, so I’m going to try everything.”
“Oh, brave man,” Caleb joked. “I could bring you back something exotic.”
“I trust my sister to rein you in.” He cocked an eyebrow. “I can trust you, can’t I, Elise?”
“Always.” She kissed his cheek. “Go back to your dirt. We’ll be back in an hour.”
“Thanks.” He locked eyes with Caleb and nodded. “I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome.” Caleb slipped his arm around Elise’s shoulder and pulled her toward him. “Let’s go make a wish.”
She tightened her hand around the smooth stone still nestled in her palm. “See you soon, Karros.”
“What do you want to eat?” Caleb asked as they got into the truck.
“I don’t know. Do you have any recommendations?” Elise asked.
“Yes, we swing by the hotel and beg Ivan to give us some food.” Caleb chuckled. “That’s what Aiden and I would do.”
“Do you miss him? Aiden, I mean.” Elise buckled her seatbelt and leaned back as Caleb drove away from the house.
“I do.” His simple, honest answer caused a lump in her throat.
“It must be a big change for you both.”
“We’ve always done everything together. We’re like two halves of a whole. But now we’re split.” He inhaled a shaky breath. “On the flip side of that, we both have mates. I’m sure it would have been a lot harder if I was simply going home alone night after night.”
“Does that mean you’re expecting to stay over?”
“No!” His shocked expression brought a smile to her lips.
“I was joking.” She hesitated before she said, “I am here for you. We’re both in the middle of a change of life. Things are upside down and it’s hard to figure everything out. I know we’re supposed to be together forever and I’m slowly coming around to the idea.”
“You’ve had reservations?” His forehead creased.
“Of course. I’ve fought my parents my entire adult life when it comes to having the freedom to do what I want. And I finally made it, I finally went after what I really want, and then fate steps in and...” She held out her hand. “I got you. I got a shifter.”
“And that’s bad because shifters believe in fated mates, so it’s like someone is trying to control you and make choices for you.” He nodded his understanding. “I’d say I was sorry, but I’m not.”
“Aren’t you? Just a little bit sorry that I’m not the same as you?” she asked.
“The same, you mean a shifter?”
“Yes, surely that would make life easier. If I was a shifter, I’d be all over you, we’d already be planning where we were going to raise our ten children.”
Caleb chuckled. “That is true. But it doesn’t mean I wish you were different.”
“Really?” She opened her palm and showed him the wishing stone. “If I gave this back to you and told you to make a wish, you wouldn’t be tempted to wish for a mate who was ready to settle down and have kids right now?”
“No, Elise. I wouldn’t.” He parked the truck in the parking lot next to the beach. “The thing about being a shifter is that I believe in fate, which means I believe we are perfect for each other.” He switched off the engine and reached for her hand holding the wishing stone. Closing her fingers over it, he said, “You are exactly what I need. I wouldn’t change a thing about you.”
“I needed to hear that,” she admitted.
“See, we’re perfectly attuned to each other.” He cracked the door open. “Now, let’s go make this wish.”
Elise got out of the truck and hurried around to Caleb, grabbing hold of his hand she ran toward the beach giggling like a child. She certainly wouldn’t have to wish for happiness, she’d already gotten that.
Thanks to Caleb.
Chapter Fourteen – Caleb
“Are you ready to go?” Caleb waited in the doorway of the hotel kitchen as Elise dried her hands. He’d gotten up early and put in a full day’s work before leaving Aiden to continue work on the leaking roof.
Now they were ready to take their mate to the wildwood.
It’ll be good to spend time alone with Elise, his bear said.
It will. Last night, after Elise had made her wish on the beach, they’d grabbed a pizza and driven back to the house. Even though Karros had offered to eat alone, they had ended up sitting outside discussing his plans for the yard. Not that Caleb was complaining, he’d enjoyed being in his mate’s company and she seemed more relaxed when her brother was around.
That will soon change, his bear said. The more time we spend together, the easier it’ll be.
His bear was right. Relationships took time to bloom and grow. Just because they were mates didn’t mean it was easy to find plenty to talk about.
However, they were learning more about each other, little things like how much Elise loved mushrooms. She’d promised to forage for some today so that he could truly appreciate why she was so passionate about them.
She’d also promised to find some honey from the bees that lived in the wildwood. They gathered pollen from the plants that grew there, giving the honey a truly distinctive flavor.
His bear licked his lips, he couldn’t wait to taste the honey and savor every drop.
“I just have to put those ingredients away in the fridge and then we can go.” She went to the counter and gathered up the ingredients.
Caleb watched her as she scooped the containers up in her arms and carried them to the fridge. He loved the way she moved, the sway of her curvy hips, the way her bottom lip stuck out as she balanced the containers in her right arm while opening the fridge with her left.
“Caleb.” Ivan entered the kitchen unnoticed. Normally Caleb would have sensed his brother, but he was too focused on his mate.
“Ivan.” Caleb stood up straight and dragged his attention away from his mate. “How are you?”
“I’m good.” Ivan’s eyes flicked from his brother to Elise. “Not as good as you, though.”
“Oh.” Caleb’s cheeks flushed pink, unsure of what his brother meant.
“Your trip to the wildwood, after talking to Aiden, I’m jealous.”
“I told you, I can take you there.” Elise closed the fridge door. “I’ll gather what I need today to make a potion that will make you seem...different.”
“I appreciate it,” Ivan said. “But I like myself just the way I am.”
“And Valerie has always wanted Ivan never to cross into your realm.” Caleb locked eyes with his brother. “I don’t think she would have told you not to go so emphatically if she didn’t have a good reason.”
Ivan nodded. “You’re right. Although maybe it’s time I asked her why.”
Caleb nodded. “Perhaps it is time you talked with Valerie.”
We’re not supposed to repeat what Aiden told us about Fiona and what she did for Ivan, his bear said firmly.
We aren’t telling him. But I do think he needs to know. Caleb’s eyes lingered on Elise as she went to the small room where the staff lockers were. But think how we felt finding out the truth about our parents. Isn’t it better to know?
Fae-ted to the Bear: A Wishing Moon Bay Shifter Romance (The Bond of Brothers Book 4) Page 10