Chapter Fifteen – Sian

“How did you both sleep?” Sian asked as she drove into town. She would have loved to spend the morning at the house, really getting to know the place, but first, she had to take Ella and Rachel to school and then she had a shift to work at the sanctuary. Afterward, she would go back to the house for a couple of hours and unpack the rest of their stuff.

And maybe see Matthew. That stray thought crept into her head and would not leave no matter how much Sian insisted it wasn’t true.

Because it was true. The more time she spent around him, and the more she got to know him, the more she could picture herself spending the rest of her life with him.

“I slept great. The bed was so comfortable.” Ella glanced sideways at Rachel. “How did you sleep in the second-best room?”

Rachel laughed. “I am not letting you bait me. I don’t care if you think my room was second best. I love the house. Even if it creaks like crazy in the night.”

“Ghosts,” Ella announced as they drove along the main street through Bear Creek. “The old guy that lived there before has come back to haunt it.”

“Not being baited,” Rachel said in a cheerful voice. “What about you, Mom? Did you sleep well?”

“I did. And it was wonderful to get out of bed this morning and not be freezing cold.” She liked the house so much she never wanted to leave. And if she gave in to the mating bond, she wouldn’t have to. But her meeting with Peter last night had left her wary of trusting again. Her idea of spending her life alone kept her heart safe.

She pulled up outside of the local high school and Ella and Rachel got out. With a wave, they walked off together, talking and giggling, carefree in their new life here in Bear Creek. It had been the right thing to do, even though tearing them away from their old life and old friends had been difficult.

Snapping out of the past, she turned the car around and drove back to the animal shelter, which had become a hive of activity overnight.

“Wow, look at all this.” Sian shouldered her purse and walked across to join Ronni who was watching various tools and building materials being delivered. “The parking lot looks more like a builder’s yard.”

“I know.” Concern swept over Ronni’s face.

“What’s wrong?” Sian asked as she went inside and put a fresh pot of coffee on.

“Do you think all this noise will upset the animals?” Ronni asked as she came inside the office and shut the door.

“Most of them will be fine. In fact, most of them will enjoy watching the workers. As for the rest of them, we can swap the dogs that get stressed around and give them quiet kennels.” She left the coffee pot to brew and came back to Ronni. “Hey, it’s for a short time and then those same animals will be lucky to have you and Lucas living here. They won’t be left alone, and you and your soon-to-be-husband will have a wonderful home to live in. One you both deserve.”

“Speaking of my soon-to-be husband, here he is with Jessie.” Ronni pulled the door open and a happy yellow Lab came trotting in looking as if she were grinning from ear to ear. “Hello, girl.”

“This is incredible,” Lucas said, indicating the workers outside who were gathering in a group. “I just spoke to Will and he said they’re going to start clearing the site today. He thinks they’ll manage to get the brickwork done despite the cold.”

“Really?” Ronni asked hopefully.

“Yes, they’re going to cover the building,” Lucas looked sheepishly at Ronni. “Partly to keep the cold out and partly so it’s a big surprise when it’s unveiled.”

Ronni put her hands up to her face. “Now I’m even more nervous.”

“Don’t be,” Lucas said, putting his arms around his mate. “Just concentrate on the wedding.”

Ronni’s face paled. “The wedding.”

“We’ll all help,” Sian assured her. “Anything you need, let me know.”

Ronni nodded absently. “I’ll go talk to my mom.” She turned to look at Sian. “Maybe you could help Fleur organize my bridal shower.”

“I would love to.” Sian loved weddings, despite the fact her own marriage had ended so unhappily.

“Great,” Ronni sighed. “It’s like I’ve been in the slow lane my whole life and now I’m moving at a thousand miles an hour.”

“At least you are moving in the right direction.” Sian stroked Jessie’s head. “Let’s go make the coffee, shall we, Jessie?”

Jessie followed Sian into the back room and headed straight for the treat jar. With those large, soft brown eyes, Jessie was irresistible. Did Matthew’s bear have the same soft brown eyes that melted your heart? The only shifter bear Sian had seen was Lucas’s, he’d shifted when Ronni first explained about shifters. It was only a couple of weeks ago, but so much had changed since then it felt like another lifetime.

“Are you okay, Sian?” Lucas asked, opening the treat jar and asking Jessie to sit before he gave her the treat.

“You’ll spoil her,” Ronni warned as she joined the others in the back room. “Is everything okay with you and Matthew?”

“Great. We moved into his house last night. Which I am so grateful for, I don’t think I could have stood being so cold any longer.”

“But?” Ronni asked. “I’m certain I hear a but in there.”

“But...at some point, I have to tell Ella and Rachel about Matthew being a bear shifter. And I’m not sure how. And I’m worried it will change the way they look at him.” She shrugged. “Any advice?”

“That’s tough. I admit I’ve never had to tell many people.” Ronni looked to Lucas who was absently stroking Jessie’s head. “Any wise words?”

“Be honest and open and don’t leave it too long.” Lucas accepted a cup of coffee from Sian. “If they think you’ve been keeping it from them for a long time, they might be upset. They’re both sensible girls, I’m sure they will be fine.”

Sian sighed. “I think I’m more nervous about having to explain about mates. As soon as I tell them, they’ll know Matthew and I are meant to be together.” She dragged a hand through her hair and sighed again. “What if they feel threatened?”

“I don’t think they will. They know how much they mean to you. The three of you have been through so much, they know you are not going to just ditch them for a man.” Ronni’s words made sense and she was right. But it had taken them being said out loud for them to truly sink in.

“Thanks, guys.” Sian smiled brightly. “So, this wedding, when exactly is it?”

The talk turned to the wedding and then they all went out to do their chores. Two hours later, Sian was on her way back to the house with thoughts of Matthew and her future with him bouncing around her head. Maybe one day soon she’d be arranging her own wedding.

Which meant she had to divorce Peter. Even if that meant sacrificing the money she was owed? Sian wasn’t sure how she felt about that. The last thing she needed was to be left bitter because she gave up everything she worked for up until now.

However, when she imagined Matthew working on the porch, his well-toned body flexing and stretching as he hammered the new porch boards in place, she was certain she would do whatever it took to make a new life with him. Peter would never be the winner because he’d already lost and didn’t know it.