“Yes, I want to build off the back and side and add a bookstore.I once saw a brewery bookstore, and that inspired me.We’ll be a coffee shop with a bookstore by day, and then a coffee shop with a bar by night.I’ll host authors for signings and have a space for poetry readings, game nights, and performers like singer/songwriters.”
“That sounds amazing.”
“I need to pitch it to Daisy and take care of the second mortgage on her house that she took out when I was in high school.All of my paycheck is going there until we get that paid down.”
“Maisy, I had no idea you were taking all this on.”
“Don’t tell Daisy–she doesn’t know I’m making extra payments.”
“And I’ve been taking entrepreneurship classes at community college and put together a business plan.”
“Do you need investors?You could talk to Lana and Paloma.They’ve started a foundation that focuses on micro-loans for women-owned businesses.”
“Oh…I don’t know.I couldn’t…they’re billionaires!”
“They want their money to do good.They’re also serious about investing in their community.They want to raise their kids on the mountain.”
“It takes a village.”
“Not even a village is enough to handle a set of Bad Bear triplets,” I mutter.
Maisy covers my hand with her much smaller one.“You helped raise your brothers.That’s why the triplets turned out so well.”
“Did they?”In my mind they’re still the rambunctious teens who seemed to never grow up.
“Don’t be down on yourself.If I’m not allowed, then you aren’t either.”
“Then yes, raising them was hard.Mom was amazing, but… it was a lot.And then Everest showed up, and he needed a lot of care.I don’t think he got enough.”
She frowns.“Everest seems like a sweetheart.He’s always showing up, wanting to work in the coffeeshop.”
“He’s refusing to shift out of bear form back to human.”
“Yes, well, that has made it difficult.Everest is an adult now, and he gets to make choices.Are there shifter therapists?”
“I’m a shifter doctor, so… probably.”
“It doesn’t have to be all on you, Matthias,” she says gently.“You’re a good big brother.An example.”
“I tried to be.”
“You are.Everyone looks up to you.I don’t think anyone works harder for Bad Bear than you.The only time I see you is when you’re on your way to the hospital.Or when you’re volunteering at the clinic right after a shift.You work too much.”
I swallow.I need to tell her that I was working to avoid her…to keep from claiming her.I need to tell her she’s my mate.
I don’t want her trapped by me before she’s ready, before she really understands she’s my everything for life.She’s only had a taste of how rough I am, and she hasn’t even seen my bear.I’m older than her, and she’s inexperienced.
“It’s been a lot.And…I’ve never told anyone this, but…my mom was sick, really sick.She doesn’t even know how sick.I tried to hide the worst from her, so I didn’t scare her.”
Maisy’s eyes round.“Your mom is sick?”
“She’s better now,” I say quickly because she looks distressed, and I can’t stand to see her upset.“I had to put her into hibernation to slow her body down, so I could cure her.That’s why she was asleep for years.”
“Oh, my God.That’s so intense.Axel never mentioned anything.That’s so rough.”
“My brothers don’t know.I didn’t tell anyone.”
“So you carried that all alone?Matthias.”
