and when you least expect it.” They reached the garage and he leaned down, inserted the key into the lock, and then pulled the doors open.
“Oh my goodness. It’s like a furniture treasure trove.” Elise put her hands on her hips. “I don’t know where to start.”
“There’s a table here. This would go in the dining room. And we need to get it out of the way so that we can get a good look at the rest of the furniture.” He nodded to Karros. “Lend me a hand.”
“I can do it!” Elise dashed forward and grasped the edge of the tabletop. “Equals. Remember?”
“I do.” Caleb lifted the table and Elise did the same, her fingers curled around the wood as they shuffled it out of the garage to reveal six chairs and a couple of beds leaning against the wall of the garage.
As they placed the table carefully down on the ground, Caleb’s head filled with plenty of ideas of what he and Elise could do with those beds.
Chapter Nine – Elise
“Are you sure this isn’t too much?” Elise asked for the tenth time as she surveyed the pile of furniture outside the garage.
“No, it’s good to see it being used. We have no need for it in the hotel.” Valerie ran her hand over a sideboard. “This used to be in my living room before we chopped it in half for the restaurant expansion.”
“You’re making me feel guilty.” Ivan had come out to help load the furniture onto the back of Caleb’s truck. He’d been friendly enough to Elise, as if he’d accepted her as his brother’s mate, but he made no mention of her working in the kitchen with him.
She suspected Ivan could compartmentalize his work life and private life. It would make sense since he worked with his family. If there was trouble in the kitchen or restaurant and he fell out with his brothers or Valerie, it would be tough if those arguments continued outside of work.
Elise studied Caleb’s family for a long moment. Valerie was loved and respected by all her sons, it was obvious by the way they spoke to her. Perhaps Valerie had taught them how to keep things separate, raising six boys would be hard if they were constantly fighting.
“Are you daydreaming?” A small child looked up at her.
“Where did you come from?” Elise looked around.
“I came with Logan. We’re here to help move furniture.” He squinted at her. “You’re a fairy, like Flora, aren’t you?”
A small smile hovered on her lips. “Yes, I am.”
“I like Flora, even though she doesn’t have a wand. She’s going to take me into the wildwood and teach me all about the plants and animals there. Then we’re going to make some new candies for the store.” He twisted his lips as he surveyed her. “You’re Caleb’s mate?”
“I am.”
“Do you want to help me make candies, too?” Milo had the cutest smile as he looked up at her hopefully.
“I’d really like that.”
“I would, too.” He paused for a moment. “You’re going to be my aunt, too, aren’t you?” The same hope shone in his eyes. “I like having lots of aunts.”
“I suppose one day I will be your aunt, but I’ve only just met Caleb,” she explained.
“My mom didn’t know Logan very long and they got married really quick.” He leaned closer and whispered, “They’re having a baby. I’m going to have a brother or sister.”
“That’s my brother over there. He’s also my best friend.” She pointed to Karros. “So, I think you’re very lucky that your mom is having a baby.”
“Logan is my dad.” Milo pointed to the man who was approaching. “He’s a white wolf.”
“Wow, that’s not something you see very often.”
“He’s the best.” Milo left her side and ran over to Logan, flinging his arms around the man’s neck as he leaned down and scooped him into his arms.
A lump caught in her throat as she watched the boy with his new father. There, right in front of her, was all the proof she needed that shifters were loyal and loving. Logan’s expression and the adoration mirrored back at him from Milo was enough to melt even the hardest fae heart.
Not that Elise’s heart was hard. It was soft and gooey and open to love.
“Okay, we’ve got the first load of furniture on my truck.” Caleb came over to her and checked the time on his watch. “We should get going or we might be late for Wilf.”