Outside the bakery, Beck took a right and hurried along the street toward Betsy’s house. As he walked, he checked his phone to see if anyone had tampered with it. The screen wasn’t locked, but there had been no calls made, no texts, no indication anything nefarious had occurred.
We just dropped it, his bear answered.
We’re getting clumsy in our old age, Beck replied.
You are getting clumsy, his bear retorted. I’m still in my prime.
Good, since that might be tested if we need to protect Kassia. Beck turned off the main street and broke into a jog, wanting to get to his mate. He needed to be by her side to comfort her and protect her.
As he reached Betsy’s house, he saw the sheriff’s car parked outside. At least if Brad was on the case, there would be eyes and ears all over town looking out for anyone acting suspiciously.
“Beck.” Kassia looked pale, her eyes red from crying as she opened the door a crack and let him in.
“How are you?” He wrapped his arms around her and drew her close to his chest.
“I’m okay. Honestly, I think maybe the whole thing has been blown out of proportion. I’m sure it’s just someone trying to scare me.” She slipped her arms around his waist and held onto him as if she didn’t want to let him go.
“You’re probably right, but that doesn’t mean we are going to take any chances.” He dropped a kiss on the top of her head as she pulled away.
“Brad is in the kitchen. So is Betsy.” She laced her fingers with his and led him toward the kitchen.
“No one was going to keep me shut upstairs if my niece is in danger,” Betsy insisted.
“Brad kindly carried her down since she threatened to drag herself out of bed and down the stairs if no one helped.” Kassia walked around to the counter and took down four coffee cups.
“I know everyone in town. I can be useful,” Betsy insisted. Kassia’s aunt looked a hundred times better now that she was out of bed and in the thick of the events unfolding.
“I doubt it’s anyone from town,” Brad replied as he wrote in his notebook.
“I know and that is my point. If Kassia gets me that wheelchair, she can push me all over town and we can check out any strangers.” Betsy’s cheeks were flushed with excitement at the prospect of being part of a police investigation.
“No!” Kassia said sharply. “You are staying right out of this.”
Betsy pressed her lips together but didn’t argue.
“Kassia is right. You need to stay out of the way. We don’t know who we are dealing with. We don’t know how dangerous they are.” Brad took another look at the images on Kassia’s phone. “There isn’t much in the way of CCTV in Bear Creek, but I’ll go check out the one on the grocery store in case it picked up someone following you and Avery.” He pursed his lips. “Do you have any idea of who might be behind this?”
“Yes. The sister of the man I helped put in jail for smuggling.” Kassia placed the coffee down on the table. “She threatened me when she found out about my involvement. Although, she always seemed to be more talk than action.”
“Well, so far that’s all this is. A nonphysical threat,” Brad told her.
“A coward hiding behind their phone.” Betsy inhaled deeply, her chest rising and falling in indignation. “That’s the trouble these days. People hide behind their phones. It puts distance between them and their victims.”
“I agree,” Brad said. “But that’s how things are, and we have to deal with them.”
“So, what is the plan?” Beck asked. “Do you think it’s safe for Kassia and Betsy to stay here? I could always ask Mac if they can come and stay at the sawmill.”
“I think they’re okay for now.” He glanced at Beck and then he looked at Kassia. “I have an idea.”
“I’m listening.” Kassia hugged herself as she listened to Brad.
“It’ll take a little bit of organization, but what if you walk through town tomorrow and we follow? At a distance. We can use our shifter senses to keep a track on you and anyone else around.” Brad’s eyes widened as Betsy took a sharp intake of breath.
“Your what senses?” Betsy asked, the color in her cheeks rising until she looked as red as a ripe tomato.
“I’m usually so careful.” Brad glanced at Kassia apologetically before he looked down at the notebook on the table before him.
“Careful about what?” Betsy was on to a juicy piece of information and she was not going to let this go.
“We have something to tell you.” Kassia pressed her lips together, her face pale as she looked up at the two men in the kitchen.
“I’m listening.” Betsy folded her arms across her body and leaned forward.
“If you don’t need me for this, I need to go,” Brad got up from his chair. “I have a lot to do today and I’d like to check out the CCTV first.”
“Of course,” Kassia pushed her chair back and followed Brad to the front door.
“Sorry.” Brad frowned as he opened the front door and a cool breeze swept into the house as Beck joined them. Sitting in the kitchen under the watchful eye of Betsy made him feel like a science experiment gone wrong.
“She had to know sooner or later. I am not going to live a lie in front of my aunt.” She sighed. “I just hope this doesn’t drive her blood pressure back up.”
“Call me if you need me.” Brad gave a tight smile. “Day or night.”
“I will.” She looked up at Brad. “Don’t feel bad. You didn’t know I hadn’t told her.”
“I suppose Betsy’s been in Bear Creek so long and she hears so many people talking that I assumed she knew.” He glanced over Kassia’s shoulder toward the kitchen. “Are you sure you’re okay telling her?”
“Yes.” Kassia looked over her shoulder. “Although, I’m not sure if Beck might have to shift in front of her so she knows I’m not making it up.”
“If that’s what you need, I’ll do it,” Beck offered. “My bear is always willing to help.”
Always, his bear confirmed.
“Okay, I need to get going and see what I can dig up. I’ll start at the grocery store. If you need me, call me.” He lifted his hand and waved before he headed to his car.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to do this?” Beck asked as they stood side by side and watched Brad leave. “I can tell her.”
“No, I’ll be fine. I think she’s always suspected there might be something different about the people in this town. But I don’t think she has any real idea what.” Kassia shrugged and turned toward the house as Brad drove away. “Let’s go and find out what she thinks she knows and then tell her what you really are.”
“After you.” Beck followed his mate into the house. He’d never told anyone about shifters before. Two people in as many days did not make it easier. What they were supposed to do if Betsy freaked and decided to tell the whole town, he had no idea.
“Are you one of these shifters?” Betsy asked Beck as soon as they entered the kitchen.
“I am,” Beck confessed. What else was he supposed to say?
“And you already knew about this?” Betsy turned an accusing eye on her niece.
“I only found out yesterday,” Kassia admitted. “I had no idea until Beck showed me.”
“Showed you.” Betsy’s eyes brightened at the prospect of seeing Beck shift. “Will you show me?”
Beck looked around the kitchen. “There’s no room in here.”
“We could go outside,” Betsy suggested eagerly.
“No!” Kassia shook her head firmly. “We don’t know who is watching us and how much they are watching. This is Beck’s secret and I am not willing for him to put himself in danger.”
“Have you seen him shift?” Betsy asked her niece. “Have you seen Beck turn into a bear? Does he sprout hair out of his skin?”
“No, no hair sprouting,” Kassia assured her aunt. “But he shifted right in front of me, so I know he’s not making it up if that’s what worried you.” Kassia sank down
into one of the chairs around the table and reached out for her aunt’s hand. “Did you already know?”
Betsy placed her hand over her niece’s. “Not exactly. But I’ve lived here long enough to know people are different in Bear Creek. I told you, they stay together. The divorce rate is abnormally low compared to the rest of the country. So, I knew there must be something odd going on.”
Beck chuckled. “Shifters never get divorced. When they find their mate, they never let them go.” His expression clouded. “In a nonthreatening way, obviously.”
“Obviously.” Betsy leaned back and looked at Beck before she switched her attention to Kassia. “Is that what you two are? Mates?”
“Yes,” Kassia admitted. “So, Beck is going to be a part of our family. You have to keep his secret. Because now it’s our secret.”
“Oh, my lips are sealed.” Betsy pretended to zip her lips. “Don’t look at me like that. I can keep a secret.”
Kassia blushed. “I know you can. But I also know how you like to talk.”
“Not about this.” She lifted her hand and stroked her niece’s cheek. “This is important to you. You are finally going to get what you wanted. A husband and children. I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks.” A tear trickled down her cheek. “Which is why I need you two to stay safe. I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to either one of you because of me.”
“Hey, this is not your fault,” Beck reminded her fiercely. “You did nothing wrong. This is all on whoever is out there.” He jabbed his finger toward the front door.
“But I brought them here.” Kassia turned to Beck. “It’s only because of me that you might be in danger.” She stood up abruptly. “I shouldn’t have asked you to come here. They wouldn’t have made a connection between us if you’d stayed away.”
Beck went to her and crouched down beside Kassia before wrapping his arms around her. “I am not going anywhere. Nothing scares me more than losing you.” He stroked her back with his hands, soothing her as she sobbed against him.
“Perhaps it might be a good idea if you take Kassia to the sawmill,” Betsy suggested. Her earlier enthusiasm about learning shifters were real was gone, replaced by sadness as she watched her niece in the arms of her mate.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Kassia told Betsy. “I’m certainly not leaving you here. I came here to care for you and that is what I’m going to do.”
“Which is why it would be better if you both came to the sawmill.” Beck inhaled the scent of his mate. He needed to know she was safe and that would only happen if someone was there to protect her at all times.
“Will that be okay with the rest of your family?” Kassia asked. She lifted her head from his shoulder. “If Brad does decide to try to catch the person doing this, it means me being out there, not here. I can’t do it if I don’t know for sure that Betsy is safe.”
“I’ll call Mac now. But he’ll be fine with it.” Beck kissed Kassia’s cheek before he let her go and took his phone from his pocket.
Rage simmered beneath his skin, threatening to conquer him every time he thought of anyone threatening his mate.
Whoever it was, whoever was out there, they were going to find out they had messed with the wrong person.
Chapter Fourteen – Kassia
“Thank you so much.” Kassia stood in the warm inviting kitchen at the house next to Winter’s Sawmill. Betsy was seated at the table, smoothing out her shirt after Beck had carefully placed her down in a chair.
“It’s no trouble at all.” Beck’s mom stepped forward and enveloped Kassia in a motherly hug. “You and Betsy are part of the family now and the Winter family knows how to protect their own.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Winter.” Kassia smiled at Betsy over her shoulder.
“Oh, call me Sue.” She hitched an eyebrow. “Or Mom.” Her face flushed pink. “Sorry, that was thoughtless of me. We need to get to know each other first. I’m just so excited to have so much female company after all these years living with my boys.”
“It’s so kind of you to open up your home to us.” Kassia wasn’t ready to call anyone Mom. Not yet. But she warmed to Sue instantly, surprised at the rush of relief that swept over her. What happened when you met your future in-laws and didn’t like them? At least that wasn’t going to be an issue here.
“You are welcome. Hex and Martha have gone to taste wedding cake. On the way back, they will pick up a wheelchair that Shawn has organized for you, Betsy. It means you can go outside and enjoy the fresh air.” Sue let go of Kassia and busied herself making coffee and putting some iced cupcakes on a plate. “There’s a downstairs bedroom with a small bathroom. It’s nothing special but it means you won’t have to tackle the stairs here.”
“Thank you so much for your hospitality,” Betsy said a little formally.
“And Hilda is coming over later. Perhaps we could play cards.” If Sue sensed Betsy was being offish at all, she didn’t let on. “We’re also planning a cruise. She’s bringing over the brochures.”
“A cruise.” Betsy’s expression brightened and she helped herself to one of the cupcakes. “I’ve always thought it would be a lovely relaxing way to see the world.” She smiled sheepishly. “And meet new people. Preferably a rich swarthy man who would sweep me off my feet.”
Sue laughed. “I’m not interested in men. But I’m sure Hilda and I wouldn’t mind you joining us, and we could have fun trying to find you the perfect rich husband.”
“I like the idea of that,” Betsy confessed, then her enthusiasm waned. “But the diner.”
“Oh, forget about the diner,” Kassia told her aunt. “If I am going to move to Bear Creek, I could help Carol manage it for you for a couple of months.” She went around the back of Betsy’s chair and placed her hands on her aunt’s shoulders. As she massaged them, Kassia said, “Just think of all that warm sea and hot sun. All those days visiting exotic places and nights under the stars.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?” Betsy looked up at her niece.
“No, I want you to go on an adventure.” Kassia turned around and sat down in the chair next to Betsy. “You deserve this. You’ve worked hard all of your life, now go and enjoy the rewards.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t mind?” Betsy asked Sue. “We’ve only just met.”
“The more the merrier.” Sue sat down across the table from Betsy. “Hilda and I haven’t known each other that long. But since we’re all hopefully going to become grandparents in the near future, I think we should get together and bond. Don’t you?”
“Oh, I’m Kassia’s aunt, not her mom,” Betsy corrected.
“Does that make a difference?” Sue looked at Kassia.
“No, it doesn’t,” Kassia replied. “You are like a mother to me and you will be like a grandmother to my children.” She lifted her coffee cup but before she drank, she added, “But don’t spoil them too much. Your chocolate chip ice cream is legendary.”
“It is.” Betsy looked down at her coffee cup and sniffed before she said, “I will have to start thinking about what I’m going to wear. I don’t really have any clothes suitable for a cruise.”
“Oh, we’re going to go and visit the city, watch a show and buy what we need.” Sue grinned. “Kassia is right, life is all about living and we needed our children to find their mates before we realized that.”
“I’m so pleased for Kassia,” Betsy admitted, looking at her niece with love. “I want her to be happy.”
“And I want you to be happy.” Kassia grabbed her phone from her pocket as it rang. “Hello.”
“Kassia, this is Avery. Brad asked me to give you a call and tell you he’s organized a stakeout. We need you to come to town. I’ll text you the time and location, along with the route we need you to take.” Avery sounded calm and business-like.
“I’m sorry you got dragged into this.” Kassia seemed to be doing a lot of apologizing today.
“It’s not your fault. We’ll catch the pers
on responsible and then get some answers.” There was another voice in the background. “Okay, I need to go. I’ll text you the details.”
“Thanks.” She ended the call as the door opened and Beck entered the kitchen with Mac at his shoulder. “That was Avery, they’ve made the arrangements. I have to go back into town and follow a route they’ll send me so that they can stake it out.”
“We know, Brad called and asked if we could all go into Bear Creek and help. We’ll be spread out along the route and see if we can spot who might be behind those images.” Beck didn’t look too pleased.
“It’ll be fine, we all know how to handle ourselves,” Mac reassured his brother. “If anyone gets too close or takes photos of Kassia, we’ll know.”
“Brad wants this ended quickly. He’s not happy that there could be someone in town who means harm to any of the people he swore to protect.” Beck’s gruff tone said he felt the same way.
“Well, as long as Betsy is safe here, and you keep safe if you are on the streets, then I’m okay with it.” Although, Kassia hated the idea of being part of a sting operation again. The thought of having to go to court if someone did intend her harm made her stomach churn.
“We’ll be with you every step of the way,” Beck replied. “Your safety is everyone’s main concern.”
“And catching the bad guy,” Kassia said. “That should be the primary concern. For all of our sakes.”
“That is the plan. And I’ve never known Brad to fail yet.” Beck turned and looked out of the window, which had a view of the mountains. He was still for a long moment. “I wish I could sense them now. I wish I could sense them here then we could just go and take them down ourselves.”
His knuckles showed white as he gripped the counter surface and a shiver of apprehension passed through Kassia. If Beck lost control and hurt someone because of her, she’d never forgive herself. Knowing how shifters felt about their mates, she was afraid that might be a real possibility.
“Perhaps you should stay here and look after Betsy.” Kassia got up from the table and went to Beck. Sliding her arm around his waist, she leaned on his shoulder. “I’d be happier knowing you were here.”
Beck (Winter - Shifter Seasons Book 2) Page 11