Audrey parked her car in one of the parking spaces close to the front door of Durant Customs and Restoration. She made sure she wasn’t too close to the front door so she didn’t disrupt any customers who might be entering or leaving but still close enough she could easily carry in the pans of food.

She was a little nervous. This was her first time at the shop, but more importantly she was going to meet Forrest’s brothers for the first time. Forrest had told her she didn’t have anything to worry about, but someone forgot to tell the butterflies in her stomach that were practicing for a gymnastics meet. The twists, turns, and summersaults were making her queasy.

She pressed the trunk release. Making sure she had her keys and cell phone, Audrey dropped her purse on the floor behind the passenger seat. Locking the doors out of habit, she walked to the rear of the car and lifted the trunk lid. She picked up the cardboard box that contained the paper and plastic utensils and went inside the building.

“Welcome to Durant Customs and Restoration. How can I help you?”

Audrey looked at the woman behind the desk. “Hi. I’m Audrey Thomas. If you could point me to the breakroom and let Forrest Durant know I’m here, I would appreciate it. I’ve got lunch for everyone.”

The woman’s face lit up. “I’m Ivy Anderson. Forrest told me you were bringing lunch. I wasn’t expecting you for another twenty or so minutes.”

“I wanted to get here early enough so I could have everything set up and ready for everyone,” said Audrey.

“The breakroom is down that hall and to your right.” Ivy gestured to a hall to her right. “Let me finish this document and I’ll help you.”

“I’ve got it,” said Audrey as she walked toward the hall just off the main room. She quickly found the breakroom and set the cardboard box on the table. She went back to the car and grabbed the two casserole carriers.

“Hey baby. Let me take those.” Forrest took the carriers from her. “Is there anything else?” He leaned down and kissed her.

“I’ve got another cardboard box, a tray of warm bread and a couple gallons of tea.” Audrey smiled at him.

“I’ll help Audrey with what’s left.” Ivy grabbed the glass door Forrest was holding open with his back.

Forrest shook his head. “I’ll help Audrey. I don’t need you tripping over something and breaking your arm or worse.”

“It’s been a couple of weeks since I last tripped and fell down.” She put her free hand on her hip. “I’m not that bad.”

Forrest raised an eyebrow. “Ivy is a great person and office manager, but she is a klutz and I don’t mean they typical stumble over stuff kind of klutz. She will trip on air, fall down and break and arm or leg in four places,” he said to Audrey.

“Fine. I’ll just hold open the door.” Ivy rolled her eyes.

Forrest stared at Audrey. She looked beautiful in her blue jeans and pink sweatshirt. “I’ll get the rest of the stuff out of the car.”

Audrey threw her hands up in surrender. “If you want to carry it all by yourself, I’ll let you. You do realize I’m not helpless?”

“I know, but I don’t want you to hurt yourself either.” If he knew he would get away with it, he would pick her up and carry her back to the breakroom, or maybe his office and close the door. His bear chuffed in agreement.

Audrey rolled her eyes too. “Fine. Carry the stuff. If it makes you happy, but do remember this. Just because I gave in to you this time doesn’t mean I will give in to any other crazy ideas you get. I am not helpless.”

“I’ll remember.” Forrest called over his shoulder as he carried the casseroles into the breakroom.

Audrey sighed. “He’s not going to remember, is he?”

Ivy shook her head. “It’s probably already filed under things to forget and the file dumped into the trashcan.”

Audrey put her hands on her hips as soon as she saw Forrest come out of the breakroom. “You had better remember because I’m not joking,” she told him.

Forrest winked at her as he walked back to her car. He knew Audrey was independent, but she had him now and she was just going to have to get used to him doing things for her which included carrying stuff.

“Are you sure you don’t need help with something?” asked Audrey as he walked by her and Ivy, carrying the cardboard box and the tray.

“I’ve got it,” he said.

“Stubborn man.” Audrey shook her head as she and Ivy trailed behind Forrest. “Is he always like this?” she asked Ivy.

“Unfortunately.”

“Great. Any suggestions as to how can I break him of it?”

Ivy shook her head. “Not a clue, but when you figure it out, please let me know so I can use it on my husband. He’s worse than Forrest. I swear he acts like I’m made out of fragile glass. Some days it’s cute but other days it’s smothering.”

“Great! Since he’s determined to carry it all in, we might as well get everything set up.”

“We had better hurry before he decides we can’t do that either. It’s so difficult not being able to carry anything.” Ivy winked.

Both women laughed as they walked back to the breakroom.

Audrey stopped in front of the cardboard box she had brought in, and started pulling out the paper plates and other utensils she had packed in it. “Why don’t we set this up buffet style?”

“Sounds good to me,” said Ivy. The telephone at her desk rang. “I’ll be right back.”

Audrey turned her attention to unpacking the cardboard box and setting everything up.

Forrest brought in the rest of the stuff from her car and set it on the table. “Did you bring what I think you did?” asked Forrest as he started unzipping the carriers the casserole dishes were in. As soon as he had taken the dishes from her, he had caught a whiff of lasagna.

“Lasagna, salad, garlic bread, and brownies for dessert.” She smiled at him.

Forrest turned to his mate. “You made all of this this morning?”

“Not all this morning. I baked the brownies and put together the lasagna last night, but I baked them this morning along with the garlic bread. Unfortunately, lasagna is on the menu tonight too. It’s one of Seth’s favorite dishes, so I’ve got a large pan in the refrigerator. On the way home, I’m going to stop by the bakery for a couple of pies and more French bread.”

“You didn’t have to cook.” In one fluid motion, Forrest pulled Audrey into his arms and kissed her. “You could have made it easier for yourself and picked up something. We’re not picky.”

Audrey shrugged her shoulders. “I like cooking so it wasn’t a big deal. Besides, it’s just as easy to make an extra pan or two as it is to make just one. Plus, I wanted to make sure that you had a good lunch and that there was enough for everyone. I’m learning about the big appetite you have.” She playfully poked stomach.

“You’re Seth’s aunt?” Ivy was leaning against the door frame.

Audrey nodded.

“And she’s also my mate,” said Forrest as he kissed her on the cheek.

“Congratulations.” Ivy smiled. “I’m so glad Forrest finally found you. His attitude has drastically improved.”

“There was nothing wrong with my attitude.” Forrest made a pouty face. He knew his attitude was a hundred percent better since Audrey came into his life.

“Horse feathers! You were grumpy and mopey. I was about ready to ban you from the office.” Ivy shook her head.

Audrey giggled. “So you weren’t being nice to people?”

“My bear and I were frustrated because we hadn’t found you yet. Now that I have you, my bear and I are in a much better mood.” Forrest pulled Audrey against his chest. He nuzzled her cheek and then buried his nose into her hair. Her scent was perfect. It soothed both him and his bear. Her scent was also addictive. He wished he could keep her near him all the time.

“I’m surprised she didn’t bop you on the back of the head. I would have.” Audrey snuggled against him.

“I’m glad she didn’t turn me into a frog or something worse,” said Forrest.

Audrey’s eyes widened. “Turn you into a…”

Ivy took pity on her. “What he’s saying in his round-about way is that I’m a witch.”

Audrey blinked. “You’re a witch? A real, honest to goodness spell casting witch?”

“Yes.”

Audrey took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Wow! It’s unreal just how small my world has been.” She couldn’t believe she was talking to a real witch.

“But it has become a lot more interesting since I came into it.” Forrest kissed the back of her neck.

Audrey smiled and held out her hand to Ivy. “It’s nice to meet you. Besides being Forrest’s mate and Seth aunt, I’m a human with no special gifts or magical abilities.”

“I don’t know if the not having special gifts part is quite accurate. The lasagna smells wonderful.” Ivy smiled back as she shook Audrey’s hand. She glanced over her shoulder. “I think we had better get everything ready. The others are here.”

“That smells good. I don’t remember the lasagna smelling that good at the diner,” said Ben Anderson as if on cue.

“That’s because it’s not from the diner. Audrey, Forrest’s mate, made it. Go wash your hands so we can get the food set out.” Ivy pushed Ben toward the restrooms across from the breakroom “And take the others with you.”

Audrey and Ivy managed to get everything set up, even with Forrest sneaking bites of everything. Audrey shook her head as she watched Forrest sneak another bite of the lasagna. “Here. Divide the pan into fourths and take one of the quarters.” She held out a spatula.

“You and Ivy need to make your plates first, because there won’t be anything left.” Forrest picked up plates and held them out.

“That’s why I made two lasagnas for lunch. Start with that one. Ivy and I will make our plates out of the other one and then you and the others can have the rest of it to eat.” She smiled at her mate.

Forrest looked at Audrey with a goofy grin on his face. “You really do like me, don’t you?” He watched Audrey’s face turn pink.

“Maybe just a little bit.” She smiled at him.

“I think it’s more than just a little bit.”

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“I’m sure.” He waggled his eyebrows at her.

“She might like me or Hank better.” Wes stood in the doorway grinning at them.

Forrest shook his head. “She’s mine,” he growled as she wrapped his arms around her.

“Yes, I’m yours. But you had better make your plate before your brothers eat it all.” Audrey patted his arm. “Besides, they maybe your brothers, but I’m going home with you.”

“Really?”

Audrey shook her head. “No. I just made it all up.” She laughed at the pouty face Forrest made at her.

Wes laughed. “I like her. By the way, I’m Wes, the middle brother. The tall, dark and brooding guy behind me is our older brother, Hank. The guy who has his arms wrapped around Ivy is her mate, Ben Anderson.” He walked over to Audrey and Forrest and pulled Audrey out of his brother’s arms and into a hug. “Welcome to the family. I’m glad Forrest finally found you.” He let her go when Forrest pulled her back toward him.

“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you. You had better dig in while it’s still hot.” She gestured to the food.

The men made sure the women filled their plates and were seated before they started filling theirs. Conversation was light for the most part. Audrey wondered why Hank kept staring at her as if she had done something wrong.