“Trust in fate. Trust in the bond you share,” Thaddeus said. “And trust in Hannah.”
His mother shaped the dough into a smooth round before looking up at him, her eyes kind but direct. “What she’s feeling must be scary,” she said gently. “Especially for someone who isn’t used to belonging anywhere. She told me she’s moved around a lot. Never set down roots. So the thought of doing that. Of changing old ingrained habits that have kept her safe. That’s scary.”
“You mean she doesn’t trust what she’s feeling,” Caleb mused.
“Because she’s never felt it before,” Thaddeus added, echoing Eleanor’s thought. “She’s always been self-reliant. And so to trust in another person and the way they make her feel. That’s a big step.”
His bear stirred, considering this. It’s like we thought. She’s protecting herself.
“She’s not pulling away from you,” Eleanor continued, wiping her hands on her apron. “She’s processing what’s happening between you. There’s a difference.”
Caleb let this sink in, feeling some of the tension ease from his shoulders. “I don’t want to push her,” he said. “But I don’t want to lose her either.”
His bear growled softly in agreement.We can’t lose our mate.
“What if I say the wrong thing?” Caleb continued, voicing the fear that had been growing since this morning. “What if I make the wrong move?”
Or don’t make the right move,his bear added unhelpfully.
Thanks,Caleb muttered.
Why hadn’t he just kissed her when she was right there in front of him?
He closed his eyes, remembering the scent of her warm skin, the desire in her eyes, the way she pursed her lips.
But he also remembered the brief glimpse of uncertainty he’d seen. And knew, deep down, he’d done the right thing.
No matter the cost.
Eleanor came around the counter then, flour-dusted hands gentle on his arm. “You’ll get it right. You’ll figure it all out. Believe me.”
Caleb’s expression softened. “I’ll try.”
“That’s all you need to do,” his mom said as she hugged him, careful not to get flour all over his clothes. “And trust in yourself.”
“Thanks, Mom.” He hugged her back and then looked up at his dad. “Thanks, Dad.”
“You know we’re always here for you,” Thaddeus said. “And we’ll always be here for Hannah, too. She’s part of our family now, too.”
“Even if she doesn’t know it yet,” his mother added gently, patting his arm one more time before returning to her bread dough.
“I should get back to prep,” he said, straightening his shoulders. The conversation had helped, even if it hadn’t provided easy answers. “And when Hannah comes in...”
“Don’t worry,” Thaddeus said, holding up his hands. “We will be discreet...”
“Absolutely,” Eleanor agreed. “You can trust us.”
“I know,” Caleb said, grateful for his parents’ understanding. And grateful they were there in his life.
That they had always been a constant he could rely on.
And he wished more than anything that one day, very soon, Hannah would know what it was like to have people she could trust, people who would always be there for her, supporting her.
And he was going to make her see that. No matter what it took.
Chapter Seventeen – Hannah
Hannah was used to wearing armor.
