“When was the last time you talked to them?”
“Besides for two seconds last night, I don’t know. Years.”
“Years?” she says with a gasp. She stops walking and turns to me with heartbreak in her eyes. “It’s been years and they live on the same property as you?”
I shrug, trying to make it seem like it’s no big deal. “My bear interacts with them from time to time.”
“Interacts with them? What does that mean?”
“It means he attacks them if they step into the forest.”
She exhales long and hard as she shakes her head in disbelief. “So, this should be interesting?”
I nod. “Yeah. This should be interesting.”
“Are you sure you’re up for it?”
I nod even though I’m not too sure. If I was alone, I’d probably be running back to the forest right now, but I want her to be well fed and taken care of. That’s my ultimate priority.
“I am,” I say as I grab her hand and keep walking. “Let’s just go inside.”
We head to the cabin and I open the door for her without knocking.
“You go first,” she says, pushing me in.
I take a deep breath and walk in. They all stop what they’re doing and turn to us with the same look of shock on their faces as last night, only when they see a pretty girl by my side, their mouths hang a little lower.
“Hello,” Courtney says, waving awkwardly. “It smells good in here.”
No one answers. Julian and a woman who could only be his mate are in the kitchen cooking—at least they were until we walked in. Now they’re just standing next to the smoking bacon and burning eggs. Cameron is on the floor with another woman playing with an adorable baby, and Logan is at the table holding a newspaper that he’s no longer reading. He’s staring at us in shock under his black cowboy hat.
The toasts pop and they all jump. I try not to laugh.
“I thought I had too much to drink last night,” Cameron says as he rubs his eyes. “I thought I was seeing things.”
“Nope,” I say with a gulp. “It’s me.”
“Hi!” the woman on the floor says as she quickly gets to her feet. “I’m Willow. Cameron’s mate.” She shakes our hands and smiles at us. She has kind brown eyes with her sandy brown hair tied up into a ponytail. I’ve seen her around from time to time through my bear’s eyes, but I thought she worked on the farm. I had no idea that Cameron had found his mate.
“I’m Courtney,” my mate says as she flashes her warm stunning smile. “It’s nice to meet you all.”
The woman in the kitchen comes over too. “I’m Madison,” she says as she introduces herself. “Make yourselves at home. Come and sit. Want some coffee?”
“I’d love some,” Courtney says as she follows her into the kitchen. “I love your place. That painting is gorgeous.”
“Thank you,” she says. “My grandmother painted it.”
They continue chatting as I stand there awkwardly. Willow comes up to me and holds my hands. I stiffen as I look down at her, not sure what the hell to do.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you, Adrian,” she says with a warm comforting smile. “I’m so glad you’re here.” She hugs my stiff body and I don’t move as I look down at the top of her head.
“Come and meet your niece,” she says when she finally lets me go. She grabs my wrist and pulls me toward the baby playing on the ground. “This is Lauren.”
Cameron quickly snatches her up and pulls her away. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Willow.”
Willow shoots him a look. “Oh, it’s fine.” She takes the baby from his worried hands and thrusts her into mine.
At first, I hold it awkwardly, but then she starts giggling as she plays with my chin and my whole body melts for her. I want this with Courtney. I want a child with my mate.
“That’s enough,” Cameron says as he jumps to his feet and steals the baby back. “You understand, right Adrian?”
I nod. I do. If I were him, I’d keep anything fragile as far from me as possible. I’m always like a grenade about to go off.
Julian and Logan finally get over their initial shock and come over for a quick stiff hug.
“So, what have you been up to?” Julian asks awkwardly.
I shrug. None of us know what to say.
“Breakfast is ready,” Madison says. “Come sit down everyone.”
Julian grabs some folding chairs from the closet and we all squeeze around the table, digging into the hot food just like we used to do as kids.
I have to admit, it feels nice. It feels like home. And having Courtney by my side makes it feel even better.
It’s a bit awkward at first, but the girls help grease the conversation and pretty soon, we’re all laughing as we tell stories of a past that used to feel like millions of years ago, but talking to them, feels like it was yesterday.