There she was. A woman in control of her own destiny. Not someone stranded or in need of assistance, but someone entirely capable and ready to take on whatever came her way. The realization shifted something in his perception of her. It wasn’t as if he’d thought her helpless before, but he hadn’t fully grasped her competence, her readiness to step into any situation and handle it.
She doesn’t need rescuing,he realized.She never did.
His bear huffed in agreement.Of course not. She’s our mate.
Caleb hesitated, weighing the practical need against his concerns. The restaurant really was shorthanded, and Hannah clearly knew what she was doing. Having her there would make the day run more smoothly. And selfishly, it meant he wouldn’t have to leave her behind.
“All right,” he said finally. “If you’re sure.”
“I am,” Hannah replied simply.
“It would just be for the lunchtime shift,” Caleb emphasized, needing to be clear.
“Just lunch. Got it,” Hannah agreed, equally firm. “I’m not looking to complicate things.”
His bear was practically purring with satisfaction.See? Fate works when you stop fighting it.
Caleb allowed himself a small, cautious hope. Not that she would stay forever, but that he now had the opportunity to show her his life. And how she could fit into it.
“We could grab breakfast at the restaurant while I show you around,” he said, relieved that he was going to avoid the embarrassment of his empty cupboards this time.
“Sure,” Hannah replied as she finished her coffee. “I’ll go get ready.”
Hannah disappeared upstairs, leaving him alone in the kitchen.
Caleb rinsed out his mug and set it in the sink, the ordinary motion steadying him. He stood there for a moment longer than necessary, listening to her footsteps overhead.
He never realized how quiet the house was before. How empty it had been.
Let’s hope we never have to go back to the silence, to the emptiness,his bear said.
We won’t, Caleb said, choosing to believe things would work out. They had to. It was as simple as that.
Ten minutes later, Hannah came back downstairs, wearing smart black slacks, a white blouse, and sensible flat shoes. She’d added a light cardigan over the blouse and looked ready for whatever might come her way.
His bear chuckled.I don’t think sensible shoes will help when she finds out you can shift into a bear.
That is a problem for later,Caleb replied.For now, let’s focus on the restaurant. And breakfast.
“Ready?” she asked, standing by the door.
Caleb grabbed his keys from the hook, nodding. “Ready.”
They stepped outside together, into a beautiful Bear Creek morning. The mountains rose around them, bathed in early sunlight that turned the mist golden as it lifted from the valley. Caleb locked the door behind them; the familiar action somehow felt different with Hannah standing beside him.
They walked to his truck side by side, not touching, not speaking; there was no need for words. It was as if they already felt comfortable in each other’s company.
As Caleb opened the passenger door for her, he caught the scent of her perfume and inhaled deeply, savoring it as he committed it to memory.
Hannah climbed in with a quick, “Thanks.”
She had no idea of the effect she had on him.
He walked around to the driver’s side, taking a deep breath of mountain air to steady himself before getting in. The day stretched ahead, full of so many opportunities he hadn’t expected when he’d woken up this morning.
And he intended to make the most of every second.
Chapter Seven – Hannah
