Fae-ted to the Bear - Harmony Raines Page 0,38
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