“I wasn’t worried about that.” I sighed. “Jonah’s still struggling with Cassie’s death. He looks happy now, but that can change in an instant. How will Ethan cope with a grieving ten year old?”
“Better than either of us, probably.” Chloe’s matter-of-fact response had my gaze cutting to her. “All the brothers except Declan were adopted. Ethan was nine when his parents died and he came to live here.”
“I didn’t know that.” I turned back to see Ethan holding the barn door open for Jonah. Ethan looked my way, and the intensity of his stare affected me even at a distance. I bit my lip and ducked back inside the kitchen. “He seems so lighthearted.”
“He’s definitely the brother to have fun with, but he’s rock solid underneath.” Chloe grabbed a tea towel as I filled the sink with soapy water to do the breakfast dishes. She leaned against the counter, tilting her head to study me. “How are you doing with the mate thing? I can assure you he’s a great guy, if that helps.”
“It’s not that simple. I have Jonah to think about. It’s not just me anymore.”
She snorted. “Did you see how fast he volunteered to watch Jonah for the day? I don’t think you have to worry about that.”
“Watching him for the day isn’t the same as helping raise a child that isn’t yours.” I plunged my hands in the hot water and began scrubbing a plate.
“Again, Ethan is adopted. He understands family isn’t just about who you share blood with.” Chloe took the plate from me and dried it before putting it away in the cupboard. “Plus, he’s ashifter, and you’re his mate. If something’s important to you, it will be important to him.”
“You make it sound so simple.”
“It is, and it isn’t.” Chloe grinned when I shot her an exasperated look. “Being a shifter’s mate gives you something of a guarantee, but that doesn’t make it easy. You still have to work at your relationship, but you have the universe’s stamp of approval that it’ll be worth it.”
“That’s hard for me to believe.” I placed the last pot on the drying rack for Chloe and started wiping down the table and counters. “I’m not used to men sticking around. My father took off shortly after I was born, and Jonah’s dad ghosted Cassie as soon as she told him she was pregnant.”
“That’s one thing you never have to worry about with a shifter.” Chloe hung up the tea towel. “Once they find their mate, they’re locked in. If anything, you might need to remind Ethan to give you space while you get used to it all.”
“He listened when I asked to be alone yesterday.” Not that it had helped. I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him; the way his smile sent shivers down my spine, and the warmth of his hands around my waist. The entire night was spent tossing and turning in bed, missing a man I’d just met. “But it still feels like it’s happening so fast.”
“That’s because it is. Welcome to being the mate of a shifter.” Chloe grabbed her camera. “I’m headed out to take some pictures of the cabin construction. I want to keep our website updated with the progress.”
After she left, I took stock of the pantry. Mae wanted me to bake a cake and muffins, but she’d left the specific flavors to me. Her pantry was well-organized, and I quickly found what I needed to make a red velvet cake. I wondered what Ethan’s favorite was but pushed the thought aside as quickly as it came up.
I turned to study the oven, familiarizing myself with the dials. It was older and seemed straightforward. I twisted the dial to preheat it and then pulled out the ingredients and started mixing them. But something was missing. Music. I always baked with music.
I grabbed my phone and noticed a missed call and message from the Sheriff. I played the voicemail and the sheriff’s drawl filled my ear. “Your sister’s car is ready to be picked up. Let us know who you’ll be sending. It will need to be towed.”
I wanted to get the car immediately and find answers, but I still needed to line up a garage to inspect it. The urge to drop what I was doing was strong, but I had promised Mae I’d get the baking done before she returned. I made a note to call the sheriff back as soon as I finished.
My finger hovered over the shuffle icon on my music playlist. Habit had me wanting to lose myself in the familiar process of baking, but my grief had me feeling wrong about taking pleasure in it. Cassie would want me to be happy, but knowing that and being that were two very different things.
I hit play, and the first song was upbeat. I forced myself to hum along and tap my toes as I prepped the cake batter and pan. I loved baking. Really, I loved pretty much everything homemaking. This job, while timely, was also perfect for me.
I’d been here less than a day, and already I was feeling like I fit. But I couldn’t stop the guilt from tempering my enjoyment. If I hadn’t lost Cassie, I wouldn’t be here. And that thought more than anything had me holding back from fully accepting what fate put in front of me.
FOUR
Ethan
“I thought we were going to be riding the horses.” Jonah kicked the wheel on the wheelbarrow I was filling with manure and soiled bedding. “This stinks.”
“It does.” I nodded, wrinkling up my nose in exaggeration as I scooped up another pile. “But it’s important to learn how to take care of your horse from start to finish. That includes the not-so-fun stuff.”
“I don’t have a horse. So, why do I need to learn this?”
I leaned on the pitchfork and watched as Jonah scuffed his shoes against the floor. “Well, if you learn to ride and get to liking it, you might get your own horse someday.”
He perked up at my words, but then his shoulders drooped as he shook his head. “Nah. Aunt Hannah can’t afford to buy me a horse. And who knows how long we’ll be here? I can’t take a horse with me.”
I cut off the words of protest that rose at the idea of them leaving. It wasn’t for me to tell Jonah his aunt was my mate and that I wanted them to stay forever, especially when she had yet to accept me. “Well, we have an older horse that’s great for learning to ride on. We don’t have time to exercise him much,and having help would be great. I thought you might like to do it, but if you aren’t interested in learning to take care of him…” I let my words trail off, and Jonah pounced on them.
“I can do it!”
