“Yes, ma’am, born and raised in the cabin I live in now.”
“And your parents? Are they here too?”
He clenches his jaw. It has been a long time since he’s talked about his parents. He hadn’t needed to, all the townsfolk knew, and guests never ask.
“I’m sorry,” she says, “I don’t mean to pry.”
She has clearly sensed his discomfort, and he wonders how long he’s been silent for.
“It’s ok. It’s just not something I talk about much. My father, he...umm...passed away a few years ago. My mom lives in Florida now. She likes it there.”
There’s silence, and he wonders if he said the wrong thing.
“My dad, he’s gone too. Heart attack when I was a teenager. My mom and I don’t talk much. She and I disagree on what I should be doing with my life.”
“You should do what makes you happy,” he says, glancing over to her.
She’s looking at him with uncertain eyes, and for a second time, he wonders if what he said upset her.
They make their way slowly to town in mostly silence. Both are content to sit and watch the wilderness as they pass. Chloe would occasionally ask him questions about the lodge or Montana, and he would answer as best he could, but he still felt awkward.
When they arrive in town, Axel pulls in front of the hardware store. Chloe looks at him dubiously, and he knows it doesn’t make sense to an outsider.
“This is Bud’s Hardware, but they sell all sorts of things, including boots and clothes. I figure we’ll go here and get you some things.”
Chloe peers out the window at the storefront with confusion still evident on her face.
“I’ll carry you again, ma’am, if that’s ok?”
“I don’t want to go in there like this!” The anxiety’s clear in her voice, and he begins to rumble in his chest, his bear wanting to comfort its mate. But he quickly stops, humans don’t rumble, not in the same way.
“Ma’am, if I may. This town is full of good people, and they won’t judge you one bit. Everyone has a hard time now and again.”
She turns her eyes down towards her blanket and fiddles with it. He can smell the salt of her tears again, and he wants to reach out and pull her to him. When she nods, he takes that as approval and moves out of the truck over to her side. Opening the passenger door, she’s still looking down.
“Chloe?” Her eyes find his and seem to brighten a little. “You ready?”
She says yes, and he scoops her up, careful to keep her blanket wrapped around her. He carries her easily. Loving the feel of his mate in his arms, he could hold her forever.
“You called me Chloe,” she says quietly.
“Would you prefer ma’am?” he asks, wondering if he overstepped addressing her by her first name, even though she’s his mate, she is still a guest at the lodge.
“No,” she shakes her head, and he finds her looking up at his face. “Chloe is good.”
He can’t help the grin on his face as he carries her, and too soon, he’s making his way into the store and setting her down.
“This way,” he motions for her to go in front of him, but she stands looking uncomfortable and lost. He takes the lead and she follows, taking her to the back of the store where he knows the boots are.
Axel has her sit in a chair while he busies himself with getting her some wool socks. He kneels in front of her and holds the socks up in a silent ask if it’s ok. She nods again and smiles a little. His heart warms that he’s able to take care of her this way, that he’s able to provide. Pulling on the socks, he feels how cold her delicate feet are, even wrapped in the blanket, her toes seem frozen, and he has to stop himself from rubbing them warm.
“How do they feel?”
“Good, warm,” she says, wiggling her toes in the socks.
She tells him her shoe size, and he goes to grab a couple of types. He slips one pair on her and explains how to tighten them. She listens closely, and he likes the attention. He has her stand and walk around a bit, and she drops the blanket down on the chair. He loves seeing her body. Without the blanket, he can see her curves again, the way her calves dip and move when she walks.
“These are a little tight, I think.”
