Chapter Three – Elizabeth

Elizabeth and Dean headed back outside, where Karen and Suzie were waiting for them. Thankfully, the staring had stopped, but Elizabeth did catch the sidelong glances that Suzie gave her before they slid across to Dean, to be finished off with a smile.

Elizabeth couldn’t help but smile too. It was wonderful to see Suzie so happy for her. Although some of that happiness was possibly reserved for Suzie herself, since her wish of having Dean as a dad was coming true in a way.

“Are all the wedding arrangements finished?” Karen asked as she poured tea into two mugs. “Help yourself to milk and sugar. And cake.”

“They are, just about.” Suzie helped herself to a slice of cake. “There are just a few loose ends to tie up.”

“I’m so excited,” Karen said. “And Fiona is going to be your maid of honor?”

“Yes, and little Samuel will look so cute in his suit.” Suzie grinned. Having Fiona and Harlan’s young son as a ring bearer was probably asking for trouble. Apparently, he was a little scamp now that he could walk. But Suzie had insisted on him being part of it. While Louise’s daughter Storm, who was also just starting to walk, was also going to be a flower girl. Sapphi would hold hands with one child, Ruby the other, in the hopes of keeping them under control. Both children had only recently learned to walk, and were filled with a need to explore their new, exciting worlds.

“I don’t know who is going to cause the most trouble, Fiona or the two little ones,” Dean said with a chuckle.

“You are incorrigible. I know how much you love Fiona too,” Suzie stated.

Elizabeth heard the words and felt a pang of jealousy toward Fiona, which was completely out of character for her. It was as if her new found relationship with Dean had awoken something deep inside her. He’d breathed life into her, and they had not even kissed yet.

“I’m just happy she’s happy, and Harlan is a good man. I know how lonely it gets being on your own,” Dean replied.

“Harlan is a gem.” Suzie pulled out her notebook. She’d been carrying it around for weeks; it contained all the notes she’d made about the wedding, including dates of appointments and telephone numbers of all the tradespeople involved. “We have an appointment tomorrow at Bear Brides. It’s the last fitting and then we get to take the dresses home.”

“Anything else?” Karen asked. “Getting information out of Kit is near impossible.”

“No, I think that’s it. Kit is sorting out suits and gifts for the groomsmen. And the honeymoon.”

“Anywhere nice?” Elizabeth asked.

“Somewhere warm.” Karen pulled her cardigan around her shoulders. “I can’t wait until summer gets here.”

“I don’t know, he said it’s a surprise,” Suzie grinned. “Which may mean he has been too busy to organize anything, and doesn’t want to tell me.”

“Oh, he has something planned. But…” Karen pretended to zip her lips and throw away the key.

“He does?” Suzie sounded relieved. “I was worried Kit’s idea of a honeymoon was hiking over the mountains.”

Karen stifled a giggle. “It might have been. But his mother set him straight. You both work hard; you need to go somewhere where you can relax. A nice private villa somewhere.”

“That sounds perfect.” Suzie sighed. “Absolutely perfect. Thank you so much, Karen.”

Karen tilted her head on one side and looked at Suzie. “I don’t know if I’ve ever told you how proud we are to have you as part of the family.”

Suzie blushed, and then her eyes misted up. “I feel the same about you and Scott.” She looked at the three people seated around her. “I love you all so much.”

“Ah, we love you too,” Dean replied, and then added, “I can’t believe one day I’ll get to call you daughter.”

“And I can’t wait to call you Dad. When you and Mom get married.” Suzie looked across to her mom, and then reached out to take her hand. “Although I have had the best mom and dad all in one person growing up.”

Elizabeth sniffed, “You will have me crying soon.”

“Isn’t that what weddings are for?” Karen asked. “And Dean has a point, you will be tying the knot soon.”

“Me?” Elizabeth asked quickly. “We’ve only just met.”

“There’s plenty of time for that,” Dean added.

“Yes,” Karen said, pouring more tea. “But a double wedding would be a thought.”

“Oh no,” Elizabeth said quickly. “This is Suzie and Kit’s day.” Panic fluttered in her chest at the thought of marriage, and what came after. Hell, even what came before. She had not been naked in front of a man for well over twenty years.

“I agree, but it was a nice thought, Karen,” Dean said, his eyes caressing Elizabeth with a possessiveness that made her shiver. Not with cold, but with a delicious warmth that spread through her body, and her skin flushed pink. He left her confused. One second she wanted to cling on to her life as she knew it, the next second she wanted him to whisk her off to some exotic location and make her his.

“You can’t blame me, I’m such a romantic,” Karen admitted. “Well, whenever you two do get hitched, you know I will be willing to pitch in. This garden is all yours, Elizabeth, if you want to get married here too.”

“Thank you,” Elizabeth replied. “Although I’m not sure I would ever want a big wedding.” She sipped her tea, trying to push all thoughts of mates and weddings from her head. It was all becoming overwhelming.

Elizabeth had spent her life cultivating a routine she could live with and feel safe in. The red birthmark on her face had been a terrible burden all through school; her home life had not been happy either, her parents had always thought more of her younger, prettier sister. Elizabeth didn’t blame them, not at all, even though it hurt deep inside.

But if they had loved her, if they had made her feel like part of the family, she might not have fallen into the arms of Henry Michael Willis, the only man who had made an effort to be her friend, and more. Or so she thought. But Henry Willis only wanted one thing. Sex. She should have realized, she should have figured it out. Especially when sex was always with the lights out, so he could not see her face.

Those were the words he’d yelled at her when she told him she was pregnant and expected him to do the right thing.

What a fool, she thought bitterly.

“Mom,” Suzie’s hand on hers made her physically jump. “Are you OK?”

“Yes. I’m just…” She smiled apologetically. “I should go, I have to drive back home.”

“Won’t you have dinner with me?” Dean asked. “The kids have been away for a few days, they aren’t due back until late tonight. It’s only me for dinner.”

Elizabeth glanced at Suzie, catching her eager expression before she managed to smooth it over. “And if it’s too late, you can always stay over with us.”

“I have to go home and collect my things,” Elizabeth reminded Suzie. The plan was for Elizabeth to come and stay with Suzie and Kit from tomorrow night on, and once the wedding was over, and Suzie and Kit left for their honeymoon, she was going to house-sit, traveling back to her own house every couple of days to water the plants and collect her mail.

“You can manage for one night. You already have a nightie and a toothbrush in the guest room.” Suzie was not going to let her get out of this. And maybe she was right. She would like to get to know Dean. At least if they didn’t get along, the relationship would be over quickly and she could go back to her old life.

Her lonely life, she reminded herself. Ever since Suzie had moved in with Kit, her life had become one of work, and dinner alone in front of the TV. She lived for the days she came over here to the garden, or to visit Suzie and Kit.

“Sure. I’d like that,” Elizabeth told Dean, making herself believe it, when her nerves got the best of her and her stomach flipped over.

“Great. Well, I should get going,” Suzie said, getting up and kissing Karen on the cheek. “Thanks for the tea.”

“You are always welcome, you know that,” Karen replied.

“We should get going too. We can stop in town and pick up something for dinner,” Dean suggested.

Elizabeth covered her cheek with her hand, but then forced it back down to her side when she realized what she was doing. She had to find a way to be strong. When Suzie talked about Kit, she often talked about how shifters believed in fated mates, that fate somehow had a way of pairing up two people who belonged together. Elizabeth desperately wanted to believe that was true. So she promised herself she would do her best, find the courage to grab this opportunity with both hands.

“If you prefer, I can see what’s in my kitchen cupboards.” Dean’s voice was gentle and supportive, and Elizabeth could see why he was such a good foster parent. Although it did not detract from the maleness that oozed out of every pore. He was a man who knew how to nurture, but would not back down if someone threatened his loved ones.

“No, it’s OK.” She smiled through her nerves.

“You have met half of Bear Creek already,” Suzie reminded her.

“Did you make a schedule for that?” Elizabeth asked, voicing her suspicions.

“Well, kind of,” Suzie admitted. “But truthfully, we were turning people away, so many wanted to help.”

“They wanted to lend a hand to say thank you to Kit,” Karen told them. “He’s treated so many children at the hospital that he has touched most people’s lives here in town.”

“Now who is going to cry?” Suzie asked.

Karen wiped her cheek. “I’m so damn proud of that boy. And his brothers, of course. I don’t have a favorite,” she insisted.

“You raised him well,” Dean agreed. “I have met him at the hospital more times than I would care to remember. Kids should not be wrapped in bubble wrap, but sometimes I wish they were. If they’re not falling out of trees, they’re putting things where they do not belong.”

“And you have enjoyed every minute of it, from what Fiona has told me,” Suzie said.

“Guilty as charged. And I hope that I’ll always have room in my heart for children. Suzie, when the time comes, if you ever need a babysitter, I’m your man.” He grinned. “I always fostered older kids, but having Storm in the house has made me realize how much fun the little ones are.”

“You caught yourself a good man there, Elizabeth,” Karen stated as they all headed out toward the front of the house. “If he hadn’t been waiting for you, I’m sure he would’ve been snapped up years ago.”

“I’m sure he would,” Suzie said. “But he’s landed himself a good catch. Even if I do say so myself.” She linked arms with Elizabeth and guided them to her car.

“You are biased, Suzie,” Elizabeth chided, a little embarrassed that the attention was on her. “All I did was raise you.”

“You are the best mom in the world,” Suzie replied. “And that will never change.”

“I’ll speak to you later, when I know what I’m doing,” Elizabeth said as Suzie got in her car.

“You betcha.” Suzie grinned. “Behave yourselves. We have an early appointment for the dress fittings tomorrow.” She waved as she drove off down the street, leaving Elizabeth alone with a man she didn’t know, but who intended to spend the rest of his life with her.

Suzie had warned her Bear Creek was a unique place, but she had to admit, she was not sure anything could ever have prepared her for coming face to face with a man who said she was his mate.

Nothing at all.