“See you later.” Another pause. “And thank you.”
“For what?” she asked. “You are the one giving me a job.”
“I know, but you are the one who is doing me a favor.” He ended the call, leaving Saffron staring at the phone.
“Everything okay?” Kassia asked even though she must have heard most of the conversation.
“Yeah, Mac asked me to dinner.” She carefully placed the phone down on the desk. “To talk about business, of course.”
Saffron got up abruptly and began to sort through the papers once more. She wanted to get as much done today as she could to prove to Mac that she was worth employing. At a reasonable wage. Just because he offered her a job didn’t mean she would take it. If the money wasn’t good enough or the hours weren’t enough, she wouldn’t be able to pay her bills.
“He’s a good man,” Kassia said abruptly.
“I’m sure he is.” Saffron eyed Kassia curiously. “Would he also be a good employer?”
“Oh, the best,” Kassia assured her. “This is a job for life if you want it.”
Saffron nodded. “I like the idea of job security, but I have two young men to raise alone.”
“Not anymore,” Kassia murmured.
“Not anymore?” Saffron asked.
“I mean when you work for Winter’s Sawmill, you are like part of the family. So, you are not alone.” Her cheeks flushed pink and Saffron got the feeling there was more to her words than that, but she let it go.
“That would make me feel a hell of a lot more secure. Moving to a new town is the scariest thing I’ve ever done. I have no support network.” She rubbed her temple as a wave of nausea hit her. She’d taken such a risk coming here. More than the Winter family need ever know.
Or so she hoped. These were good people and they didn’t need to get dragged into the shitstorm coming for her and Nina if she was wrong about the boys.
But if she were right? That was a whole different shitstorm she’d have to deal with.
Could she depend on the Winter family to help her?
Chapter Five – Mac
“You hired a PA?” Hex asked in surprise as he and Beck came in after work.
“He did.” Their mom, Sue, smiled at Mac, her eyes filled with love and relief.
“What happened?” Beck asked, sensing the emotionally charged atmosphere.
“Mac found his mate.” Sue clapped her hands with excitement, unable to contain herself.
“You did?” Beck asked before the two brothers enveloped Mac in a hug. “That is unbelievable.”
“I know,” Mac said in a muffled voice as his brothers smothered him with their bodies and their love.
“Does she know?” Hex asked as the man-hug broke up.
“No. It happened so fast and I don’t know if she knows about shifters or anything.” He held out his hands and shrugged. “So, any advice on how to deal with this would be much appreciated.”
“Wow, that’s tough,” Beck replied. “You have to gauge how open she is to the idea.”
“And take your mate somewhere where she can’t run away,” Hex added with a laugh as he aimed his next words at Beck, “Like the mountains in the middle of a snowstorm.”
“It was not in the middle of a snowstorm and it wasn’t actually the mountains. It was the lower slopes,” Beck explained then grinned. “But yeah, it did mean that no one would hear Kassia if she screamed and she couldn’t run away from me.”
“And she still wants to marry you!” Hex shook his head.
“Hey, you got lucky, your mate is a shifter, so you didn’t have to explain anything,” Beck rounded on his younger brother.
“So, none of this is helpful,” Mac said, pulling their attention back to him.
“Just talk to her,” Beck suggested. “Get to know her. Once she likes you and is relaxed around you then just take it a step at a time.”
“Get to know her.” Mac nodded. “I’m taking her to dinner tonight but as her employer. Or potential employer.”
“Potential, I caught a glimpse of your office, she must have worked some kind of voodoo to move that pile of paperwork off your desk. She’s a keeper in more ways than one.” Hex went to the coffee pot and poured out two cups. “Refill?” he asked Mac.
“Thanks.” Mac walked over to Hex and placed his cup down on the counter. “I just don’t want to blow it.”
“You won’t,” Beck reassured his brother. “You’ll make it work.”
He nodded, the ball of fear in the pit of his stomach expanding as the time for his dinner date with Saffron drew near. “I’m going to have to take it really slow. From what Kassia said, Saffron needs this job more than she needs a man in her life.”
“Wait, Kassia knew?” Beck’s eyes widened.
“I asked her to keep it to herself,” Mac told his brother. “I wanted to tell you myself.”
“And you did,” Sue winked from her seat at the kitchen table where she’d been watching her sons with pride.
Mac grinned. “Three sons mated, Mom.”
“I know, I’m speechless but incredibly blessed.” She sighed. “A couple of months ago I despaired that any of you would find your mates and now here we are all mated and a baby on the way.”
“And Saffron has her two nephews living with her,” Mac reminded his mom. “I’m sure they will keep you busy. Although, I think they are too old for knitted hats and matching mittens.”
“I know.” She rolled her eyes and pointed at Hex. “I’ve already told Hex that I’d really like a granddaughter.”
“I think the Winter family is destined to have a brood of boys,” Hex replied. “It’s in our genes.”
“As long as they are all healthy, I don’t really mind,” Sue confessed. “It will bring back memories of when you three were young.”
“Is that a good thing?” Mac drained his coffee cup. “Don’t answer that,” he told his mom. “I should go shower and get ready.”
“Mac’s got a hot date,” Hex said in a singsong voice.
“Some things never change. When we were at school, you always had the hot dates,” Beck reminded him.
“But they never meant a thing.” His expression saddened. “I used to feel so false, you know?”
“We know,” Beck replied.
“This time it’s different.” Mac gulped nervously. “This time if I say something wrong or if she doesn’t like me…”
“She will,” Sue said as she got up from the table and went to her eldest son. She cupped his face in her hands. “Who could resist you?”
Hex and Beck collapsed in laughter, but Mac ignored them. This was their idea of sweet revenge.
“I love you, Mom.” Mac embraced his mom with his arms and held her close. “Thank you for everything.”
“I know how tough it is to raise a family,” Sue said quietly and Hex and Beck stopped laughing, their mood somber. “Saffron is here for you and you need to give her all of your love and support. I can’t imagine what she must be going through. Caring for her sister and two children. That’s a brave thing to do.”
“She’s not alone anymore.” Mac’s voice cracked with emotion. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they’re all okay. Even if that means I have to keep my distance for a while.”
Sue pulled away from Mac and stood looking at him for a moment with tears in her eyes. “She’s a lucky woman.”
“That remains to be seen,” Mac replied and abruptly turned and left the room.
She is lucky, his bear told him.
Is she? Mac asked. I’m not the most romantic man on the planet and I have a small capacity for small talk.
His life had been so consumed with the sawmill and keeping the family together over the last few years…
Decades, his bear chimed in.
Over the last few decades, Mac said, and winced as he felt his age.
You have forgotten how to interact with people in a social setting. His bear was right.
I don’t kn
ow what to say. I’m going to look like a complete fool.
No, his bear disagreed. Hex and Beck finding mates first has been a blessing. Martha and Kassia have taught you more than you know about communicating with women. Just pretend you are talking to one of our brothers’ mates and you’ll be just fine.
That is not a bad idea, Mac said, feeling more confident as he went to his room, pulled out some clean clothes, and laid them on the bed. Next, he hit the shower, feeling much better by the time he towel-dried himself off and pulled on a clean pair of jeans and a blue shirt.
“You’re wearing that?” Martha asked as Mac went into the kitchen.
“Yeah.” He held out his hands and did a twirl. “What’s wrong with it?”
She cracked a smile. “Absolutely nothing. I just wanted to rib you a little.”
He let out a long breath. “So, I look okay?”
“No woman could resist.” Martha came toward him. “You just need to lose the frown.” She circled the air with her index finger. “Just breathe and relax.”
“Not easy.” He took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders.
“Better.” She tilted her head to one side. “From what Kassia told me, Saffron is a lovely woman. So, we agreed we’re happy to let you go.” Martha stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Mac’s neck. “From one shifter to another, I wish you all the luck and love in the world, Mac. You deserve it. Never forget that.”
“I don’t think I deserve any more than anyone else,” Mac replied. “I’m nothing special. What I did to keep us together wasn’t anything more than Hex or Beck would have done if they were the eldest and in the same position.”
“Take the compliment,” Martha told him. “And be happy.”
“I intend to,” Mac told her.
“Even if that means sacrificing what you’ve built here.” Martha pressed her lips together. “What I mean is that now that you have a mate, she has to come first. Hex, Beck, and your mom know that. They knew this time would come.”
“Nothing is going to change,” Mac assured her. Or perhaps he was reassuring himself.
“Things will change. But then they were changing anyway. Once the wedding is over, we have two new houses to build and perhaps by then Saffron and her two nephews will be moving in here.” She smiled. “Your mom can’t wait to be surrounded by children.”
“I know, it’s the only thing we’ve ever let her down on.” Mac headed toward the door, he didn’t want to be late on his first date with his mate. He smiled to himself, he could say the word mate over and over again and never get tired of it.
“She’s so proud of the three of you. And she should be proud of herself for raising three fine men.” Martha followed him to the door. “You’ll do just fine, Mac.”
“It’s the scariest thing I’ve ever done,” he admitted.
“I know. It’s time to take a risk, take a chance and put your heart on the line. But this is meant to be, so enjoy it. No matter what crap comes your way, make the most of every minute with your mate.” Her expression saddened as she stood in the doorway and watched him walk to the truck.
When he turned around again, the door was shut, and he was alone in the cold. But he wasn’t really alone. Not anymore. He had a mate and even though she wasn’t by his side, it was as if he could sense her.
Then get in the damn truck and drive to town so we can actually sense her, his bear told him.
Mac liked that plan and yanked open the door of his truck and got inside. Perhaps he should have asked Martha if he could borrow her car. He glanced around the truck which was illuminated by the interior light. It wasn’t too bad, there was sawdust on the floor, which was a hazard of the job and he hadn’t had a chance to clean it since he got back from Mr. Griffiths’ house.
Rushed back from Mr. Griffiths’ house like there was a hurricane at your back, his bear said in amusement.
Yes, he’d rushed back but he’d still been too late. Saffron had left, leaving behind only her scent to remind him that she was real and not a figment of his imagination.
Luckily, she’d left her cell phone number and address. He knew where she was, he knew how to contact her.
And if you put the truck in drive and your foot on the gas pedal, we could actually go and see her, his bear said eagerly.
Mac inserted the key in the ignition and switched on the engine. The headlights lit up the trail before him, the same trail he’d driven a thousand times over the years. This time it was different, this time if he followed the trail, it would lead him to his mate. The woman he’d waited his whole life to meet.
His heart was light as he drove into the night heading for Bear Creek. The journey passed by in a blur as Saffron’s face swam in front of his eyes. She was smiling, her dimples showing as she looked at him with love.
She doesn’t love you yet, his bear reminded him. But I expect if you introduce her to me, she’ll love me. Who can resist a big teddy bear? His bear rolled over like a dog waiting for his tummy to be tickled.
Too soon, Mac told his bear. Tonight, we’re going to act normally. Boss and employee. We have plenty of time to make her fall in love with us. His hands gripped the steering wheel, he was so worried he would frighten her away. One wrong move and she might think he was a creepy boss from hell.
His anxiety peaked when he parked outside of her house. What if the boys didn’t like him? They might see him as a threat. He’d never want Saffron to have to choose between him and her sister’s kids.
Get out of the car, his bear said. Because one thing even this old bear knows is that if you don’t get yourself out of this truck and up to that front door, you will never know.
Mac opened the door and got out. He straightened his shirt and smoothed down his hair before he walked up to the front door and knocked. He waited, his nerves jangling as he listened to the sound of footsteps running toward the front door.
His senses told him it wasn’t his mate he was about to face. “Hi.” He smiled easily. “I’m Mac Winter.”
“Saffron is just getting ready,” the young man said. He looked around thirteen, maybe a little older. Mac leaned forward and inhaled his scent.
Bear. His bear said the word clearly and Mac had no trouble understanding his meaning. Saffron’s nephew was a bear shifter. At least, he soon would be. The scent was weak, but it was definitely there.
“Hello.” A hand waved across Mac’s vision.
“Sorry.” He shook his head, fighting with confusion as he tried to piece together the puzzle he’d been presented with.
So, this is why Saffron brought the boys to Bear Creek, his bear said with instant clarity.
“Do you want to come in?” the young man stepped backward as he eyed Mac up with open curiosity.
“Yes, thanks.” Mac stepped inside and the door closed behind him.
“This way.” The young man led Mac into the sitting room where another boy was playing on a computer game. “Saffron’s date is here.”
“He’s not my date,” Saffron called as she raced down the stairs. “Mac is, hopefully, going to be my new boss.”
Mac would just settle for Saffron being his mate. But he sensed he was going to need to take things slowly and get her to open up to him. Because things had suddenly gotten a little more complicated.
Why? his bear asked. Surely if her nephews are bear shifters, that is the reason she came to Bear Creek.
Perhaps, but there’s still the issue of why she didn’t want her last employer contacted for a reference.
Mac had been in business long enough to develop a sense for these things. Not in the same way as a shifter had an almost sixth sense. This was different, a gut feeling that had guided him as he’d built the sawmill into a thriving business.
Even with his mate standing in front of him, he wasn’t ready to dismiss his gut feeling.
Although, the nearness of his mate consumed him to the point he might just forget about everything other than her.
Chapter Six –
Saffron
Saffron had applied more makeup than normal in the hope of covering the pink flush that covered her cheeks every time she thought of Mac Winter.
As she stood at the edge of the living room looking at Mac interacting with her nephews, she was glad she did. Heat flared in the pit of her stomach and fanned out through her body, setting her blood on fire. There was a chemistry between them that she could not deny.
Would she deny it if she could? That was a question she couldn’t answer.
Yes, she could. She needed to deny it. She needed to push Mac away and keep him at arm’s length because she needed the job at the sawmill. She needed it more than she needed a relationship with a man she’d just met.
Yet, something niggled her. At the back of her mind, there was something she was missing but she couldn’t put her finger on it.
“We should go.” Saffron entered the room and spoke to Wes and Jonas. “Boys, please behave. Your mom is in bed and she needs her rest. I won’t be late. There are snacks in the kitchen and please don’t argue.” She waved a warning finger at them both.
“We’ll be fine,” Wes insisted as he looked up from his game console.
“I’m going to my room,” Jonas said as he walked past her and left the room. “Have fun.”
“Thanks.” She smiled weakly at Mac who was staring at her. Thankfully the boys didn’t notice. “Shall we?”
Saffron went to the hallway and grabbed a jacket that hung on a hook by the door. Mac was dressed casually in jeans and a shirt and she was glad she’d decided to go with a smart casual dress code. Although, she had taken a while to decide on the azure blue skirt and soft yellow blouse which complemented her hair and didn’t leave her fair complexion looking washed out.
Still, as they left the house, she was as nervous as if they were on their first date. This didn’t feel like a business meeting. Even though it was. She would keep reminding herself of that fact even when Mac’s gaze caressed her skin like a lover’s touch.
“This is me.” Mac pressed the key in his hand and the lights on his big truck flashed. “In case the signage on the door saying Winter’s Sawmill didn’t give you enough of a clue.” He gave her a disarming smile that fanned the flames of desire.
Mac (Winter - Shifter Seasons Book 3) Page 4
