Fae-ted to the Bear - Harmony Raines Page 0,18

already.” Elise leaned forward and stared out of the window as they drove past houses on the edge of town.

“How much farther is it to the property we’re going to view?” Karros asked.

“It’s about another mile.”

“There are the mountains, I see what you mean about the view.” Elise’s blood quickened in her veins. The ocean view had been stunning but the pull of the mountains in the distance excited her. There was so much to explore.

“It’s all so green,” Karros murmured.

“There’s the house.” Caleb pointed to a house set back from the road. It was nestled amongst a small copse of trees, and behind it was a cluster of farm buildings.

“It looks cozy,” Elise said.

“Is that a bad thing?” Caleb asked.

“No, not at all. I like cozy.” She smiled softly, she’d like to get cozy with her mate. Her cheeks flamed red as that thought intruded her thoughts.

Caleb turned off the road and drove down a rutted track toward the house. The front yard, if you could call it that, was just bare dirt that had been churned up by heavy vehicles during the building works.

However, she looked past that and imagined what the house could be. It was more of a home than the ocean view apartment. She could imagine raising children here, she could imagine them playing out in front of the house on a green lawn bordered by flowers.

“I like it,” Karros said with the same conviction she’d felt for the apartment. “I’d love to help with the landscaping.”

“Yard work is to Karros as cooking is to me,” Elise informed Caleb.

“I like working with my hands and watching plants grow,” Karros admitted.

“When we were younger, that’s what Karros wanted to do but our parents didn’t think it was suitable work. Not when they wanted him to marry for money and status,” Elise explained.

“But now you’re here, you are master of your own destiny,” Caleb parked the truck in front of the house. “I can speak to the owner and ask him if you can do the landscaping.”

Karros looked sideways at Elise. “Let’s look at the house first. We might not like it.”

He opened the truck door and got out. Immediately, he crossed to the dirt and leaned down, picking up a handful of the rich brown soil and let it trickle through his fingers. Standing straight, he brushed his hands clean and stared at the house. He liked this property best, she could see it in his expression.

“Shall we go inside?” Caleb asked from beside her.

She looked up at him and nodded, wanting to kiss him for being so kind. They would never have had the chance to view these properties before anyone else if Caleb hadn’t made the arrangements. He’d gone out of his way to help them even though they were strangers.

“Yes, please.” Elise followed him toward the house while Karros stood with his hands on his hips and stared up at the mountains in the distance.

“Your brother likes it here,” Caleb said.

“He does.” She waited for Caleb to find the key which was hidden.

“Are you going to argue as to where you live?” Caleb asked. “You did like the apartment better.”

“I did. But this house is beautiful. We’d have more privacy. Not a bad thing when you are a fae in a foreign land.” She smiled brightly.

“You belong here,” Caleb assured her. “And people are very accepting of everyone else. If you are friendly to them, they will be friendly to you.”

“We can be friendly.” She held her breath as he opened the door. Already she wanted to be more than friends with Caleb. She wanted to explore what it meant to be his mate.

“It’s not as impressive as the ocean view apartment.” He stepped inside and Elise imagined what it would be like if they lived here together.

Caleb would come home after a day at work and slip off his shoes before coming into the kitchen where she’d be waiting with a wonderful meal she’d made especially for him. They would sit and talk while they ate, discussing their day, sharing intimate moments.

“It’s bigger than the apartment.” Karros had entered the house. Elise had been so lost in her daydream, she hadn’t heard him approach.

“I like it.” She cleared her throat. “It’s closer to town, too.”

“Is the kitchen okay?” Caleb asked. “Or will you be so tired of cooking at work that you don’t like to cook at home?”

“I love to cook at home. I like watching people enjoy my food, that’s what