perfect,” she told Caleb.
“Let’s go upstairs.” Caleb led the way and they followed, checking out a small dining room on the way. The extra room would mean they could both have some privacy. A good thing since she didn’t want to spend all her time getting to know Caleb in the presence of her brother and his stories of her past.
“These bedrooms are bigger.” Elise walked across the empty room and stared out at the mountains in the distance. “And the view is just as spectacular, if not as invigorating.”
“I like it,” Karros announced.
“So, we’re going to choose this one?” Elise asked.
“Only if you like it, too,” Karros answered.
“If you could work on the yard, it would keep you out of trouble and away from the restaurant.” She went through to the bathroom. “Oh, this bath is to die for.” She ran her hand along the curved top. “It’s so deep, perfect for a long soak after a hard day.”
“Will you call the owner now?” Karros asked. “I’d like to sign the lease today, if possible, and then we can arrange for furniture to be delivered. We could always sleep on the floor tonight. We have blankets and cushions, we can treat it as a campout.”
“We’re really going to do this!” She covered her face with her hands. Until now, this had seemed like a dream but if they signed the lease on the house, they were committing to a life in Wishing Moon Bay. A life outside of the fae realm where they were born and raised.
“We’re really doing it.” Karros nodded.
As Elise met Caleb’s expectant face, she nodded. This was where she was meant to be.
And Caleb was who she was meant to be with. But it started here, with Karros.
Chapter Eight – Caleb
“Thanks, Wilf. I’ll pass the news on.” Caleb ended the call and tucked his phone in his pocket before heading outside where Karros was walking around the patch of bare dirt that he hoped to turn into something beautiful and Elise was seated on a bench staring up at the mountains.
“What did Wilf say?” Elise jumped up off the seat. She was full of energy and enthusiasm for their new life in Wishing Moon Bay. Or maybe she was always this happy and excited.
Life sure will be fun with our mate, his bear said. She’s smart and funny and loves life.
“Wilf said he’ll meet you here in an hour or so and you can sign the lease.” He ran his hand through his hair and let out a long breath. “It’s all yours if you want it.”
“Do you think it’s a good idea?” Elise’s enthusiasm ebbed as she studied his face.
“This house?” Caleb nodded. “Yes. Wilf said he’d also talk to Karros about the yard. The job is yours if you want it.”
“I do.” Karros glanced at his sister’s troubled expression. “What’s the catch?”
“Wilf wants me to be a guarantor in case you both bail and leave town.” Caleb could have tried to hide this piece of information from them, but he wanted to be honest and truthful with his mate and her brother.
“He doesn’t trust us because we’re fae?” Elise asked.
“No. Well, yes, in a way.” Caleb inhaled deeply, Wilf’s worries mirrored his own. “He’s just concerned that you are both new in town and it’s rare for a fae to settle here.”
“He thinks this is a phase and in a couple of weeks we’ll head back home and forget all about our responsibilities.” Karros nodded. “Understandable. Inaccurate, but understandable.”
“If we sign the lease, we’re committing to our life here.” Elise reached for Caleb’s hand and warmth spread across his skin where their fingers touched. “Are you worried that’s what’s going to happen?”
“I’d be lying if I said it hadn’t occurred to me.” Caleb wished he could be sure Elise would stay if things didn’t end well with Ivan and the restaurant.
“I like that you’re honest,” Elise replied. “We plan to stay here.”
“Caleb is worried your life might implode if things go wrong with the dragon shifter.” Karros certainly was good at reading people.
And I always thought the fae lacked empathy, Caleb’s bear said. I can see why Flora agreed to marry him. Even though she didn’t love him in the same way he loved her, he would have made a good husband.
Do you want to marry him? Caleb joked.
Funny. His bear grumbled as he walked away.
“I have a feeling it’s all going to work out just fine,” Elise’s smile returned. “This house, the