Chapter Eleven – Elise

A warm breeze woke Elise. For the second morning in a row, she opened her eyes and didn’t know where she was, or if it was a dream. Reaching out, her hand touched Hank’s and a rush of awareness swept over her.

“Is this where I make you breakfast?” she asked, rolling over and stroking his face.

“We could have eggs.” He lifted his head and rested it on his hand. “I could get used to you being the first thing I see every morning. I usually look out at the view.”

Elise slid out of bed and stood at the open window looking out. “I can see why.” Outside the window, the forest stood permanent and yet ever-changing. “I like it here.” She listened to the birds calling and the distant sound of a wolf howling.

“It’s quiet. I like to sit and watch the seasons change.” Hank came to stand next to her, his arm draped over her shoulders. “Bear Creek is the first place I ever considered setting down roots. I explored the hills and mountains, then I saw this house and knew this was it, my home. It needed work, but I had the experience, and so I put it back together. I made it mine.”

“I didn’t know that. I thought it was a rental.” Elise looked up at her mate. “Do you think there’s enough room for all my belongings? I can sell the furniture…”

Hank looked down at her, his expression an unreadable mix of emotions. “You don’t have to… If you don’t like it, we can live somewhere else. It’s just a house.”

“Says the man who told me to hold onto my belongings.” She turned around and cupped his face in her hands. “I want to live here with you. Surrounded by nature. By life.” Elise stood on tiptoes and kissed his lips. “If you’ll have me.”

“Always.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Holding her like he’d never let her go.

But she had to go. They’d slept late, and she needed to get home and change before she went to work. “Can we meet later?” She stepped back. “I’ll text you.”

“No breakfast?” he asked.

“I don’t have time.” Elise retrieved her clothes and hastily dressed. “If I stay tonight, I’ll bring a change of clothes. And a few other things.” She kissed his lips quickly.

“Roomies by stealth, I like it.” He walked her downstairs. “Not even coffee?”

Elise looked at her watch. “I can’t.” She kissed him again, and then grabbed her purse and ran out to her car. “When all is lost, think of me, underneath the Wishing Tree.”

Hank chuckled and blew her a kiss. “I need to write you a new song. Oh, darlin’, please don’t go, don’t you know I love you so?” He cupped his hands over his heart and broke into his heartbreakingly deep voice.

Rolling down the window, she waved as she drove away. “It’ll be a sure-fire hit!” She giggled as she drove home, shaking her head at his theatrics. Catching a look at her face in the mirror, she stared at the woman reflected there.

Hank had brought love and laughter back into her life. Over the last couple of days, she’d stopped acting her age, and it showed in the glow of her skin and the sparkle in her eyes.

She kind of liked it. A lot. And she liked Hank, a lot. She might even admit to loving him. Not in the same way when she did at fourteen, but with a deep, profound love of a true mate.

When she reached her house, she unlocked the door and went inside, no longer noticing the stack of boxes as she raced upstairs and jumped in the shower. Half an hour later, she was on the road to the hospital, dressed in a smart skirt suit, with her briefcase on the passenger seat. As she drove, she pushed aside her thoughts of Hank and went over her itinerary for the day.

However, thoughts of Hank soon returned when she saw his truck in the parking lot. Her heart jolted in her chest. Was he hurt, had he injured himself and driven here for medical aid?

“I brought breakfast.” He got out of the truck and sauntered over, looking every inch the pop star with his faded blue jeans, leather jacket, and morning stubble. However, as her stomach rumbled, Elise was more interested in the coffee and bagels in his hand.

“I could love a man like you,” she teased, kissing his cheek as he handed over her breakfast.

“I already love you,” he said easily.

Elise sighed and looked up into his eyes. “I love you, too, Hank.” She smiled self-consciously. “I have said those words a thousand times.”

“But not to me. Not the real me.” He stroked her cheek tenderly.

“No. But I’m saying them to the real you now. I love this Hank.” She prodded his toned chest.

“That’s music to my ears.” Hank stood looking down at her. “I should let you go.”

“Why don’t you come in and share breakfast with me?” She held up the food he’d given her. “I’d like to show you what I do.”

“Are you sure?” Hank asked, but he was already walking beside her toward the hospital.

“Absolutely. Not that there’s a lot to see. Thor will be here soon to set up the internal network. I have a ton of scanning to do, and then I’ll make a start on the database. Once we’re secure, I’ll link up to the central database, too.”

“Your job is to extend those databases?” Hank asked as they entered the hospital building.

“It is. Getting the word out to shifters. It’s a difficult balance. The last thing a family needs to decide when they’ve lost a loved one is whether they are willing to donate organs. The aim is to get the conversation started and register with us.”

Hank nodded. “Did you decide? About Delia?”

“I had the final word.” They got in the elevator. “It wasn’t easy.” Elise pressed the button for the second floor.

“And you’re on this register?” Hank asked quietly.

Elise closed her eyes and took a shuddering breath. “Yes, I am.”

“Then, I guess I should be, too. Not that I hope either of us will ever be faced with that decision.” He nodded, his face set firm. “What do I have to do?”

“There are forms to fill in. Then a series of tissue samples, depending on the type of donor you want to be.” Elise stopped talking, a lump filled her throat.

“Hey, nothing is ever going to happen to me. Or you. But I want to support you.” He took hold of her hand. “I can’t be an advocate for your cause if I’m not part of it.”

“An advocate? Does that mean…”

“That I want to be part of your music festival. A big part. Hank Rivera is willing to come out of retirement for his mate.” The doors opened, but Elise didn’t move.

“Hank. You don’t have to.” The doors pinged and started to shut, but Hank put his arm out to stop them.

“I want to. For you and because of Frankie and her babies.” He stepped out of the elevator. “What do you say?”

“Welcome aboard.” Elise hugged him. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” They walked along the corridor to the new department. Elise’s steps were light, as if she were walking on air.

“I never thought I’d have it all.” She gave Hank a sidelong glance. “I get the real Hank and the pop star Hank Rivera. How lucky am I?”

“I’d have to argue I was luckier.” Hank looked up as they entered the department. “Thor.”

“Morning. I thought I’d make an early start.” Thor was in the transplant waiting room, sitting on a seat, his tools by his side.

“You don’t look as if you slept,” Hank told Thor, who adjusted his glasses and shrugged.

“I’m a night owl.” He didn’t crack a smile. “I have a lot on my mind, so if I can get to work, I can concentrate on something else.”

Elise took the keys from her purse and opened the door. “Is there anything we can help you with?”

“No. It’s private.” Thor managed to smile. “Thanks for asking.”

“Hey, anytime you want to talk.” Hank put his hand on Thor’s shoulder. “We’re here for you.”

“Yeah, everyone is here for me.” Thor nodded, but there was something in his resigned sigh that added, except for the one I need.

Elise and Hank exchanged glances. “You know, we should write a song together,” Hank suggested. “I’m about to come out of retirement.”

That got Thor’s attention. “You work at the hotel. I didn’t think you’d retired.”

“I retired from music when I was a little older than you. I used to be a star.” Hank blushed self-consciously as he spoke. “That sounds so pretentious.”

“But true,” Elise backed him up on his statement.

Thor eyed him suspiciously. “You’re joking?”

“Nope.” Hank grinned and Elise pulled out her phone and handed it to Thor.

“This was Hank. My dream boy.” She showed Thor a picture of Hank at the height of his fame, guitar in hand, that boy-next-door smile on his face.

Thor shook his head. “I had no idea.” He passed the phone back to Elise. “But you were lucky, you had the talent and the looks. I have neither. So, if you don’t mind, I’ll get back to what I’m good at.”

Elise inclined her head toward the door. “Let’s leave Thor in peace.”

Hank followed her out, they went back down in the elevator and sat outside in the shade. “He’s not happy.”

“And you think this is because of Lauren?” Elise asked, handing him half the bagel.

“There does seem to be a connection. In their moods at least. But neither of them has mentioned the other.” Hank leaned back on the wooden bench. “Being a shifter is supposed to make this all easier.”

“Did you ever fall for a woman who wasn't your mate?” Elise asked, taking a gulp of coffee.

“I had relationships, but always pulled back before it got too serious. You?” He took the coffee from her and drank deeply.

“The same. There were men I could have loved, but it always felt hollow.” Elise looked back at the hospital building, and paused, her bagel halfway to her mouth. “Lauren’s here.”

Hank sat up quickly. “To see Thor?”

“Not unless she’s brought her parents to meet him.” Elise turned away. “It’s private. We shouldn’t stare.”

“We don’t know why she’s here.” Hank frowned. “But you’re right. This stays between us. They could be here for any number of reasons. And I’m not one for starting gossip.”

“Me neither.” But Elise had seen the department Lauren had come out of, had seen the way her parents hugged her, comforting her. They might just have discovered the reason behind Lauren’s behavior toward Thor.

Let me down gently, baby, don’t break my heart, the words echoed in her head.