by Olivia Myers
***
“Krista, you did what?”
Krista shushed Moira. She and her best friend had met at McGee’s Diner in town. Moira had a pile of wrapped presents to donate to Krista’s toy drive, but the ranch was so far out of the way that the two had decided to meet in town and make a coffee date out of it. Now, Krista was thinking they should have met somewhere more private. McGee’s was crowded, and she thought she even saw old Cory Boyd and some of his creepy friends a couple of tables over.
Still, Krista had ended up spilling the beans to Moira about her adoptive brother and their amazing night together.
“It’s not exactly what it seems. He’s a lot older than me and we never really lived together,” she said. “Whatever is going on between us has nothing to do with how we were raised. I feel so stupid. I think I’m falling in love with him; this chemistry between us is more than just sex. I don’t know what to do.” Krista waited for her best friend to judge her and tell her she was insane.
“Well, on the surface, it’s going to freak soooo many people out, but since when did you care what people thought?” Moira crossed her arms and stared at her friend. “I’m a little shocked, I won’t lie—but I can almost understand it.”
“Almost?” Krista asked and raised a brow. “See, even you don’t get it, and you’ve known me our whole lives.”
“It’s not that, I’m just trying to understand what the two of you are willing to face. If whatever’s going on between you two turns into more than a Christmas fling. Are you sure it’s not just the stress of everything?” Moira sighed and took a sip of her coffee. “Honey, you know I love you, right? I support you. Even if I don’t always understand your decisions or logic. As long as it’s not illegal, you know I’ll have your back.”
Krista lowered her voice, still afraid of people listening in, even though the diner was crowded. She could have sworn she saw Cory’s cold blue eyes lock on her. That man was so creepy. “I honestly wish we could just move away from here and start over. No one would ever know if we didn’t tell them, but here, everyone will know the truth.”
“Have you asked him what his goals are when it comes to all of this?” Moira asked.
“We’re waiting until Christmas is over, and then we’re talking to decide if we want to take it farther. The problem I’m having is the more time I spend with him, the more I fall in love with him.”
“Well, he’s a good man, so I can understand the appeal…” Moira said and then shook her head. “This is completely out of my league of experience. You’re kind of on your own for this one, but I can listen, and you know I’m here for you.”
“You don’t think we’re weird?” Krista asked. She knew Moira would be honest with her, even if it wasn’t what she wanted to hear.
“I think the two of you are going to be in for a lot of challenges. Many people won’t accept it easily, especially people like old Boyd over there, at least not if you stay here on the ranch. I think if you want to be together, you need to start over like you said. Somewhere else where no one knows your history.” Moira shrugged. “If this is what your heart is telling you is real, then I think you should follow it. I’m not going to judge that his parents raised you. It’s not like he was really your brother.”
“Thank you for that.”
“Anytime. So, what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know yet, but I hate the idea of moving away and losing you, too.” Krista wondered if she could start over somewhere else? Would it be the end of the world to sell her shares? Would Leo consider joining her, or would he stay for his family’s ranch?
“I think that you have a lot on your plate, and you need to try to enjoy the holidays, and focus on your toy drive. You do not need to make any irrational or fast decisions without giving yourself time to heal and grieve,” Moira told her. “But, if you think this is real between you and Leo, you need to figure out what the two of you are going to do with that ranch.”
“I know. I’d hate to see it fall apart.”
Moira paused and twisted a strand of blond hair around her finger while she talked. “You know, my family has always liked your parents’ ranch. I know my dad was hoping if you and Leo decided to sell, you’d consider accepting an offer from him.”
Moira’s parents owned the land off the east side of their ranch, and it was almost as big as theirs was. To get both ranches under one owner would make Moira’s dad the largest rancher in their small town. He’d have more social status than even old Cory Boyd.
“I’ll mention it to Leo. What about you? Do you think Tom’s going to ask you out sometime soon?” Krista asked. Moira and Tom had been flirting with each other since high school, and Krista believed it was only a matter of time before he finally asked Moira out.
“A girl can dream,” Moira giggled.
“Yeah, I guess we can.”
***
Christmas was only a couple of days away, and Texas had finally gotten the memo. It had even gotten chilly enough to use the fireplace, which was rare in Texas, as even in the winter it often hit above sixty during the afternoon. Leo had enjoyed being able to shift and run around freely on the ranch. He always had to be careful in California. It made him miss the ranch a lot.
A few days had passed since Leo had returned. The more time he spent on the ranch and with Krista, the more he felt like selling his company back in California and retiring here. It felt right to be here in Texas with her. They’d made love in every room of the house, in the barn after organizing things for the toy drive, and even on the front porch. He couldn’t picture leaving her behind anymore. He wanted to stay with her.
Finding her in the kitchen baking some cookies, he smiled. She had flour on her cheeks and even on her forehead. It stood out like snow against her dark skin and he walked up and kissed her.
“Krista, Christmas is over, and I think it’s time we had that talk.” He watched her roll out the sugar cookies onto the pan.
“Sure. Will you check the oven for me and make sure it’s getting hot?” she asked as she focused on preparing the trays.
“Are these for me?” he asked and went to scoop up some dough from the bowl.
She playfully slapped his hand away. “No, I’m making them for Moira. She wants to bring something over to Tom’s house, but you know she can’t bake. I figure I’ll make a few dozen extra to pass out at the toy drive. These are for other people, so stay away.”
“I can’t even have one?” Leo asked with a pout.
Krista laughed and pointed her rolling pin at him. “I might be able to save you a cookie or two, but you’ll have to be patient.”
“Fine,” Leo said and then kissed her. “But on a more serious note, I’m leaving in a few days to go back to California. I wanted to talk to you about it so we had time to make plans.”
“Yeah… about that.” Krista sighed and turned to face him for a minute. She took a breath to spew out what she wanted to tell him. “I want to sell the ranch and start over somewhere new, with you. I don’t think staying here will work long term if we want to be together.”
Leo blinked at her in shock. That was not what he’d been expecting her to say. “Well, that’s…” Leo rubbed his cheek and looked at her. “I was planning on selling my business, my house in California, and taking over ranching full-time to be here with you.”
“I see,” Krista said as she finished her cookies. She put them in the oven and pulled off her apron before turning to look at him. “Are you telling me you care about this ranch in particular? We could sell this place. Moira’s father wants to buy it.”
“So what are you suggesting, exactly?” Leo wanted her to be more specific.
“I think it would be best if we moved and started over. If we want any chance of a future together, without people like Boyd and his cronies judging us.” Krista walked over to the sink to wash her hands and rinse off her face. “I can’t stay here and be with you. I can’t handle the judgement. It’s already bad enough being a
dopted as a black woman in a predominately white town.”
“So, you want to move to where?” Leo asked her, confused.
“I don’t know, exactly. I know I don’t ask for much, but this is what I would want for us to have a chance to be together long term, if you’ll have me.”
If he would have her—hell yes he would have her. “I was willing to leave my business and house in California to be with you. If you want to sell this ranch and start over somewhere new, it’s not really any different, I guess. Do you have any idea where you’d want to start over?” Leo had never felt emotional ties to this ranch the way some people held on to family legacies. He was perfectly fine creating his own, with Krista.
“I was thinking maybe buying a ranch outside of Houston or San Antonio. If you didn’t want to sell your business, technology is booming there, too. Many of the tech companies are opening up offices there because it’s cheaper for their people than living in California.”
He smiled. It sounded like she had done a little research over the last couple of weeks.
She continued, “I wasn’t sure if you’d want to sell your company or remote travel. I didn’t know how you’d want to do it, but I know you need freedom to shift and roam as a bear.”
“Find some properties, and show me what’s available. I’ll think about it.” He still needed to talk to his investors and see if any of them wanted to buy his company outright from him. He was the majority shareholder and CEO. He certainly didn’t need the money, but he was ready to let it go to someone else and focus on being a homebody. He’d done what he’d set out to do with his life. He proved that he could build something from the ground up on his own, and now he was ready to settle down.
“Are you sure this is really what you want to do?” he asked, kissing her.
“It is. If we are going to be together, we need to start fresh.” She smiled and touched his cheek. “I have faith in us working out. I don’t know why, I don’t know how, but I know that something between us is just right.”
“I agree with you, which is why I’m open to everything you’re suggesting. I know growing up here didn’t really do you any favors, but you’re a tough cookie.” Leo kissed her again. “So, you figure out the details of selling the ranch to Moira’s dad, and I’ll sign the paperwork. I do have to go back to Cali to wrap up loose ends with the company, and give my ex a real break-up. I know we really haven’t talked about finances, but the ranch thing would basically be for me to retire. It wouldn’t be as a career, but I just can’t not work.”
“I understand. I’m not very good at being idle, either.” Krista grinned at him. “I hope you know that I’m not really interested in your money?”
“I wouldn’t think that; the thought never occurred to me.”
“Well, given the fact you’re worth billions, if I was you, it would cross my mind. I would worry any woman interested in me might have some interest in my money, I don’t know. I just wanted to be clear that it isn’t part of your appeal for me. In fact, I find you being that rich sort of overwhelming as a concept.” She laughed. “Hey, I was just thinking about something. Since we’ve known each other for a long time, if we do move and start over, we have to have some kind of history that makes sense if people ask.”
“Well, it’s a pretty easy explanation. Your mother worked for our family, she died young, and we watched out for you. I moved out when you were a kid. I came home after my parents died, and we fell in love. No extra details required,” Leo told her. “I find sticking to the basis of the truth the best. No need to go into legal details.”
“Makes sense,” Krista said and smiled. “I do love you.”
“And I love you. I am glad I came home for Christmas.” He was more than glad—it was the best thing he’d ever done.
Krista smiled at him and then jumped when the buzzer on the stove went off. “Oh, the cookies. I almost forgot!”
“You promised me a couple cookies, don’t forget that!” Leo told her as she grabbed a mitt off the counter and took the cookies out of the oven to cool.
“I will make sure you get a couple. I need to get these packaged up on paper plates and plastic wrap. Let me text Moira and let her know these are ready whenever she wants to come get them. I want to tell her the news in person. If she goes home and tells her dad, they need time to draw up the paperwork with their lawyer.” Pausing for a moment, she tilted her head to look at him. “You’re sure you’re okay with just up and changing your life so drastically and starting over from scratch?”
“With you? Absolutely. I may be a bear, but that doesn’t mean I can’t change my den every winter or when there’s a nicer den somewhere else.”
“If you say so.” Krista chuckled; she didn’t always get his animal references, but she went with it. Made sense. He was a bear shifter, after all. “Random question, since I’m a human. Will our children be shifters?”
“It’s possible, and it’s more likely they would be than not. Why?” Leo tried to reach for a cookie and Krista slapped his hand again.
“Stop trying to steal cookies! I told you I’d save you a couple.” She couldn’t help but laugh at the pout on his face. He looked so innocent, it was hard to be irritated with him. “And, I was just curious since I’m human, if we were to have kids if they’d be like me or like you. I like you, so I’m fine with it.”
“Well, that’s good, I like you too.” Leo told her and kissed her. This time it was o peck on the cheek, but a full-on, open-mouthed kiss. She moaned as he stroked his tongue against hers. Just when she seemed to be getting into it, he pulled away with a smile. “Now can I have a cookie?”
“Okay, fine, you can have a cookie.” Krista said and handed him one, smiling as he ate it. “But I want payback later.”
“Oh, you’ll get it.” He kissed her again and put his arm around her waist and rested his chin on the top of her head as he cradled her against him. “I’m looking forward to this. I think I missed home cooked food the most.”
“Well, I like to cook.” Krista grinned. “So, I promise to keep you well fed.”
“My kinda girl.” Leo told her. “When does the toy drive start?”
“I have to leave in about half an hour. Moira’s supposed to show up soon, to get these cookies for Tom.”
“Need any help loading up the truck?” He planned to go with her—no way was he letting her out of his sight now that they’d finally come to a decision about their future.
“Sure, let me just finish this—”
She was interrupted by an earsplitting crash out by the barn. Leo frowned. Something smelled off, now that he was paying attention. It had been overpowered by the cookies, but he opened the window—
“Gasoline,” he said. “Get out of the house, Krista. Now.”
***
A pulse of fear went through Krista at the alarm in Leo’s voice. Already he was tossing off his shirt and running for the door. What was happening with the barn, and why did he want her out of the house? A fire?
She wouldn’t question him—she trusted him completely. Turning off the oven, she followed him out. He was a bear already, his fur a dark brown, almost black. He barreled toward the barn like a cannon ball. Flames were already licking at the sides of the barn. The toys, for all those children! She started toward the barn, thinking maybe there was time to save some of the packages.
But there were people gathered around the drive, standing at a pick-up truck, holding shotguns. She recognized Cory Boyd. Leo ran around the barn, out of their sight.
Krista ducked, too.
“Come on out, woman!” Boyd called. “You and your brother are an abomination and it is time for you to pay the price!”
He must have overheard her talking to Moira at the diner. She should have been more careful. She could only imagine what a double whammy that must have seemed to him. He already hadn’t liked her because she was black, but now she was together with a white man, and he was her adoptive brother. Someone like Boyd would hav
e hated that.
She bit her hand to keep focused. It didn’t matter what his reasons were. People like him would always find some kind of excuse to terrorize people they thought were different. Didn’t matter what they believed—hurting others just wasn’t right.
“Is that a bear?” someone shouted.
A shot rang out.
No. They couldn’t go after Leo. Krista started forward. She’d stop them, provide a distraction, and save Leo.
Another car was coming down the drive, the headlights still far off, but it stopped. Moira.
For a moment, everything seemed to pause, as Leo, as a bear, leaped out from behind the barn. One of Boyd’s friends took aim and fired, and the bear tumbled to the ground before scrambling up again. Krista followed him around the back of the house, but she could hear the men shouting, following after them.
And then, blessedly, sirens. Moira must have called 9-1-1. She would have seen the fire at the barn, and she would have called.
The more immediate problem was Leo. She knew he’d been hit. She also knew that following an injured bear—shifter or otherwise—was extremely dangerous. But if he needed help, she couldn’t stay away. He was hers, everything about him. They’d just agreed to stay together.
Voices echoed from the front of the building as Krista approached the bear. It was resting against the back of the house, licking at blood which ran darkly against its dark fur.
“Police! Freeze, and lower your weapons to the ground!”
She heard sounds of guns being set down, and muffled curses from Cory Boyd and his pals.
“Leo?” she asked quietly.
The bear was hunched over, still licking its wound, and Krista approached slowly. “Leo, I want to help you.”
Suddenly the bear jumped and lunged toward her. She stifled a shriek—she didn’t want the police to come around and see Leo. Even now, her thoughts were on saving him. The bear raised a paw as if to take a swipe at her. She fell to the grass and scooted backward, but the bear stopped before swinging.
