Animal Rescue Bear Page 7

  “A cave.” Sian didn’t share Ronni’s idea of romance.

  “Yes, it was perfect.” She stood up and gathered up the adoption papers for Jessie. “And now I’m going to do the home check.”

  “Wait, that’s all I get? A cave?” Sian asked, following Ronni to the reception door.

  “That’s all you get. What happened inside the cave is…private.” With that, Ronni strode to her car, her body buzzing at the thought of Lucas’s hands on her skin, his lips kissing her mouth. And other places. They had stayed a long, long time in the cave.

  The drive to Chance Heights took Ronni along quiet mountain roads that wound higher and higher through the lower slopes of the foothills around Bear Creek until she reached the very edge of the mountain itself. As she drove up the narrow driveway toward the house, Ronni could not help her eyes lingering on the place where she’d met Lucas last night. She conjured up the image of his bear running toward her, eager to be with her.

  Very eager. Ronni blushed at the thought and hoped she could maintain her composure around Lucas. She didn’t want to meet his family for the first time looking like a blushing strawberry. Red never had been her color.

  Taking a deep breath, she drove up to the house and parked her battered old car next to his truck. Before she’d even gotten out of the car she sensed Lucas approaching.

  With a soft, secret smile, she turned to greet him, unable to keep the broad smile off her face. “Hi.”

  “Hello, you.” He embraced her, and she found herself holding onto him as her knees went weak.

  “I missed you,” She breathed, feeling like a complete idiot since they had only been parted for a few hours.

  “I missed you, too.” He pulled back and looked at her. Ronni fiddled with her unruly hair, not used to the scrutiny. “You look amazing.”

  “I thought you weren’t supposed to lie to your mate,” Ronni chastised. “But thank you for the compliment.”

  Lucas slipped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “Firstly, I wasn’t lying. You do look amazing. And secondly, you really need to get used to hearing compliments because I intend to shower you in them.”

  Ronni tucked herself under his arm and placed her hand on his chest. “I could get used to it, I suppose.”

  He laughed and hugged her tighter. “Come on, my family can’t wait to meet you.” He pulled her toward the house. “I should warn you, they have also been brainstorming ways to help with saving the shelter.”

  “They have?” Ronni squeaked then cleared her throat. “They have?”

  “Yes, they have. And since Chance Heights closes for the winter months, we have all decided to pitch in with whatever needs doing.” He took her hand as they entered the house and she missed the close connection of his arms around her.

  “Ronni, so good to meet you.” An older woman who Ronni presumed was Nana, Lucas’s mom, gave her a hug.

  “This is Nana,” Lucas said, confirming her thoughts. “This is George. Marcus, Joanna, Sage, Patrick, and little Honor.”

  “Hi,” they all chorused.

  “Coffee?” Sage asked.

  “Thank you.” Ronni clung to Lucas and her paperwork.

  “We’ll try not to overwhelm you,” Patrick said. “But we’re so happy you’re part of the family.”

  “We’re kind of even numbers now, Chances and their mates.” Joanna held up her hands as if weighing the two sides.

  “Wait, if you count the children, you outnumber us,” Marcus replied.

  “Not once this little one is born,” Joanna said, stroking her baby bump.

  A wave of longing swept over Ronni. “How far along are you?”

  “Six months.” Joanna beamed happily. “A spring baby. A time for new beginnings.”

  “Then we’ll be even again,” Nana said. “Until Lucas and Ronni have a baby.”

  “We haven’t gotten as far as talking about children,” Lucas answered quickly. “We both have busy lives.”

  “But children are what life is all about,” Marcus slid his arm around Joanna.

  “Okay, we have paperwork to fill out.” Lucas ushered his family out of the kitchen, leaving Ronni with a heavy heart and a lump in her throat. Lucas didn’t want children.

  Of course, that was understandable, they both did have a huge workload and they didn’t exactly have anywhere to live… Should they even consider giving Jessie a home?

  “Sorry about that,” Lucas said as he pulled a chair out for her to sit on. “They have babies on their brains right now.”

  “I can see why when Joanna is expecting a child.” Ronni set the adoption papers down in front of her. “Are you sure you want to go ahead and adopt Jessie?”

  Lucas’s brow furrowed. “Is there a reason I shouldn’t?”

  “No. Only that you have such a busy life here. And with the new baby...” Ronni swallowed hard and picked up her coffee cup, taking a large gulp that nearly choked her.

  “Hey, wait a moment. What’s wrong? What’s changed?” Lucas asked. “Is it about babies? I mean of course I’d like children one day, but if it’s not the right time for you, then I completely understand.” He didn’t exactly look as if he understood, and hope surged in her.

  “I thought maybe you didn’t want children yet,” she explained.

  “Oh, I want children. Lots of children.” He looked down at his hands. His large, warm hands that had given her so much pleasure last night. “I have no idea where we are going to live, and I don’t have a lot of money. The business pays me a reasonable wage but it’s not great, I mean profit was never the reason we set up Chance Heights Activity Center.”

  She closed her hand over his. “It’s okay. We’ll get by. My parents always taught me that life is more about the people you love than the money in the bank. And they raised four kids.”

  Lucas looked relieved. “Love is what it’s all about.”

  “Do you want to fill out the papers now?” Ronni grinned. “Jessie will love it wherever we live.”

  “Does that mean I pass the inspection?” Lucas asked.

  “It does. Although you already had. Since Jessie will be living with you…and you’ll be living with me…” She sipped her coffee as Lucas chuckled to himself.

  “Even if it’s in a cave halfway up a mountain?”

  “Even then. Although we’d have to make some kind of a winch because Jessie can’t climb.” She set her cup down on the table, her eyes dancing as she pictured Jessie being winched up the cliff. “If I don’t get more down for the auction, all the animals will be living with us.”

  “Do you want me to get my family back in, so we can hear their plans?” Lucas asked.

  “I don’t want to pull them away from their chores.” Ronni looked toward the kitchen door, letting her senses roam. “They’re just outside the door, aren’t they?”

  He nodded. “They want to help.”

  “Then why did you send them away?” Ronni asked as she rose from the table.

  “Because I didn’t want you to feel pressured into having children if that wasn’t what you wanted.” He joined her by the kitchen door.

  “Were you trying to protect me?” she asked, placing her hands on his broad chest.

  “I suppose I was.” He leaned down and captured her lips with his. “Just as I always will.”

  “You say the sweetest things,” Ronni slid her hands around his neck and kissed him right back.

  Lucas tightened his arms around her and pulled her closer. She longed to stay like this, to forget all about the outside world, but there was so much to do, and so little time. And so, reluctantly, she pulled away from him.

  “Let’s go talk to my family.” He took her hand and led her outside. “I can show you around, too. I’m sure if we are really stuck for a place to live, we can renovate one of the buildings.”

  “Perhaps.” She looked around. “It sure is a beautiful place.”

  “But?” Lucas turned to study her face.

  “It’s
not as close to the shelter as I’d like.” She shrugged apologetically. “But I can make it work.” This house meant everything to Lucas and she could see why. Perhaps this was where she would have to compromise. If she recruited more volunteers and trained them up, she could take more of a back seat in the after-hours emergencies.

  “Are there any buildings at the shelter we could renovate?” Lucas asked as they approached Nana and George who were tending the gardens.

  “Not really. I always hoped to build a cottage there from scratch. But there were never enough funds to spare.”

  “Maybe we can raise enough to build a cottage. We built the cottage Nana and George live in. We have the skills.” Lucas hugged his mom.

  “And a wonderful cottage it is,” Nana agreed. “Perhaps we could make a separate fund for the build. I know Will Frasier would be interested.”

  “Will Frasier?” Ronni asked. “Of course, he runs the project in Bear Creek helping to train shifters who need a new skill or trade.”

  “I know he’s done a similar project before. Building a house from scratch teaches his guys all kind of skills. How to plan the project and how to complete it without ending up in a mess.” Nana rested a hand on George’s shoulder. “George could help organize it.”

  “I don’t like to ask…” Ronni began. “Which is probably something I need to address.”

  “It is.” Nana agreed. “People like to help. Especially this time of year, it makes them feel all warm and fuzzy inside.”

  “Listen, why don’t you organize the auction and we’ll talk to Will Frasier and some of the other local builder yards. Let’s see what we can do for you both.” George smiled, and his eyes crinkled at the corners.

  “You would make a fine Santa Claus,” Ronni told him and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you.”

  “Oh, and we also decided to donate the use of the center for a weekend. It would be great for a corporate team-building event, which we don’t currently hold here,” Marcus said, coming to join them.

  “Currently?” Lucas asked.

  “We were talking with Sage and Patrick last night while you were out on the mountain. We decided that we could open the center up for an extra couple of weeks at either end of the season for corporate events. Or hold them over two days in the summer. It would boost the revenue now that we’ve all got families to provide for.” Marcus looked pleased with the idea.

  “I never thought we’d go in that direction,” Lucas admitted.

  “Neither did I. But the added funds could also be plowed back into the two centers and make them bigger and better. As our families expand, so too should the businesses so that the next generation can all work here. If they want to, of course.”

  “You have been doing some thinking, haven’t you?” Lucas put his hand out to touch Marcus’s forehead. “No, no temperature.”

  “Funny. Real funny.” Marcus made a face and the two men looked as if they were about to wrestle each other to the ground.

  “Don’t you both have important tasks to tend to?” Nana asked before a fight broke out.

  “We do.” Lucas turned to Ronni. “I hope you don’t mind but I made an appointment at Bear Creek Brewery, Carter Eden is expecting us at eleven thirty.” He looked at his watch. “We should go.”

  “Okay.” Ronni nodded. It was strange relying on other people for help, but the relief in having other people shouldering some of the jobs was immense. Lucas’s family, her own family and all the people at the animal shelter were committed to saving the animals.

  Her belief that they could accomplish what only yesterday seemed unsurmountable was now unshakable.

  As was her growing love for Lucas.

  Chapter Ten – Lucas

  Lucas followed Ronni’s old car back to the animal shelter where she checked in with Sian. Satisfied Sian had everything under control, Ronni climbed into his truck and they drove across town to meet Carter Eden.

  “This should be interesting,” Lucas began. “I’ve never met a movie star before.”

  “I’m told he’s really nice and down to earth,” Ronni said reassuringly.

  “Let’s hope he’s nice, down to earth and generous.” Lucas cracked a smile as they arrived at the gates leading to the mansion where Carter Eden lived, which was also the home of Bear Creek Honey Beer.

  “I’d settle for just generous.” Ronni ducked her head and looked out of the window at the mansion at the end of the long driveway. “Can you imagine living in a place like this?”

  Lucas’s heart ached. He’d never be able to buy a house like this. “Oh, I don’t know, the cleaning bill must be huge.”

  Ronni sat back and laughed. “I’d spend my whole life cleaning the house.” She shrugged off the look he threw her way. “I don’t think I’d ever get used to someone else cleaning up my mess.”

  “But think of all the animals you could have here on this kind of acreage.” Lucas whistled through his teeth. “I’d better get someone to buzz us in.”

  He rolled the window down and pressed the call button. “Hello?” came the tinny reply.

  “Ronni and Lucas Chance to see Carter Eden.” Lucas winced at the way his voice sounded. It was as if he were putting on his best telephone voice.

  “Oh, hey, come on up.” The tinny voice was cut off and the gates began to open.

  “You think he answers his own buzzer?” Ronni asked.

  Lucas shrugged. “Maybe he washes his own socks, too.”

  “Okay, I think you need to let me do the talking. We want him to help us.” Ronni sat back, looking more relaxed.

  “I can be charming,” Lucas told her.

  “I don’t doubt it.” Ronni didn’t sound convinced.

  “I charmed Jessie, didn’t I?”

  “Jessie is a poor lonely dog,” Ronni protested.

  “Come on, you know she likes me best. How long had she been at the center before she lifted her head and wagged her tail?” Lucas stopped his truck next to a couple of new, expensive-looking cars. “Perhaps I should park around back or something.”

  “Here’s Carter now. I’m sure he’ll tell you to move if you’re in the wrong place.” Ronni opened the truck door and got out.

  “Hi there.” Carter Eden smiled his movie star smile and Lucas could see exactly why he was a successful actor.

  “Hi, I’m Ronni and this is Lucas.” Ronni thrust out her hand and Carter Eden shook it, his smile spreading across his ridiculously handsome face.

  “Good to meet you both. I’ve heard a lot about your animal shelter.” Carter shook Lucas’s hand. “Dani adopted a dog from you a couple of years ago.”

  “Oh, I remember, Fiona handed the family dog over to the shelter when Rich and Mary died. Dani adopted him, didn’t she?” Ronni took Lucas’s hand and stood by his side.

  “I believe Brimble was instrumental in getting the two of them together.” Carter led them away from the cars and around the side of the house. Lucas took a moment to examine the outside more closely. “It’s a little drafty.”

  Lucas switched his attention to Carter. “Must be hell!”

  Carter chuckled. “Oh, it is. Which is why I have my brewery. The place I can always escape to. But don’t tell my wife, Caroline.”

  “She’s your mate, right?” Ronni asked.

  “She is, and don’t worry, fate didn’t get it wrong. We’re perfect for each other.” Carter looked over his shoulder as if checking his wife wasn’t listening.

  Ronni snickered. “She’s ex-Army, isn’t she?”

  “Oh, yeah, Caroline knows how to handle herself.” A smile spread across his face as the front floor of the mansion opened and Caroline came out.

  “I know how to handle my husband, too.” Caroline walked down the steps, dressed in jeans and a sweater. “Thanks for coming over. Carter and I have talked over how we can help the shelter.”

  “You have?” Lucas asked, snapping out of his daze. These two people were just ordinary people who had chosen to walk a differe
nt path. A path that had led them to this mansion and the birth of Bear Creek Honey Beer. They were not better people because of their wealth.

  Goodness comes from the heart, his bear reminded him.

  “We have.” Carter slipped his hand in Caroline’s. “We talked it over last night.”

  “Over a couple of bottles of honey beer, of course.” Caroline rolled her eyes. “Bears and their honey beer.”

  “I hope the honey beer helped sweeten your ideas.” Did that really sound as lame as she thought it did?

  Yes, her bear answered as Ronni tried not to look too hopeful and Lucas squeezed her hand in support.

  “It did,” Carter waved toward the large barns behind a screen of trees. “Why don’t we take a walk and talk things over?”

  “Sure.” Lucas arched an eyebrow at Ronni as they followed Carter and Caroline along a winding path that led through the trees and then cut across a formal garden almost dormant now that winter held its firm grip on Bear Creek. Yet there were bright blooms dotted here and there as if to say all life could never be extinguished no matter how hard the conditions were.

  “This is where the hops are processed,” Carter declared with a sweep of his hand. “We grow them on the estate.”

  “How large is your estate?” Lucas asked with interest.

  “We’ve expanded quite a bit since we started making beer,” Caroline began. “We have nearly two hundred acres in total, but the land isn’t all around the house.”

  “Wow, that’s a lot of land,” Ronni exclaimed. “I thought buying the four acres for the shelter was a lot.”

  Carter glanced at Caroline who gave him a small nod. “Which is where our discussion centered.”

  Ronni’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t understand.”

  “We have some spare land. Enough for you to rebuild the sanctuary. If you don’t raise the funds you need to buy the land.” Caroline watched Ronni’s reaction. “I know it would be a terrible upheaval for you and the animals, but we wanted you to have a backup plan.”

  “I don’t know what to say.” Ronni covered her mouth with her hand and looked close to tears.