by Moxie North
She once told Effie when she got caught looking that just because she was on a diet, didn’t mean she couldn’t look at the menu. Effie being a secure, beautiful woman just laughed and agreed with her. She did tell her not touching, though. Cassie could appreciate that rule.
“I don’t need adult assistance to go to the bathroom. Unless you want to watch, didn’t know you were into that, Dax,” Cassie huffed. Often now her funny sarcasm turned mean. She even knew she was being an asshole, but that mean little part of her that was still angry at being hurt would lash out.
“Sorry, princess, water sports is not my thing. But I will be happy to help you to the bathroom,” Dax offered. His feelings weren’t hurt by her surly attitude. When it came to Cass, his patience was well-developed.
“I’ve got it,” Cassie grumbled. She was slow, but she could get where she needed to go. She started her turtle pace to the door. Dax stood back and let her by, then followed closely behind. Once in the bathroom, Cassie shut the door in his face. She knew he wouldn’t be leaning on the door listening to her, but a little privacy would be appreciated.
Another fun side effect of having one leg wrapped in a brace from mid-thigh to mid-calf was you had to do a controlled fall to the toilet seat. One that Cassie admittedly had gotten pretty good at it. After using the facilities, she had to perform another acrobatic maneuver to get herself back up. She washed her hands and took a moment to examine her reflection.
Her face was drawn. Being a petite person meant she’d always had small features. Now they were fragile looking. She had circles under her eyes. Her skin was almost translucent; she should probably start taking vitamins or something.
Cass spotted her travel bag on an open shelf by the sink. Effie had probably put it there. And since she knew that Effie had packed it for her, it meant her vitamin E and scar cream was inside it.
Examining the line down her face, she didn’t even flinch at it anymore. She did in the beginning. It was ugly and red, and it was the only thing she could see. After she’d woken up from her coma, Dax had paid for a top notch plastic surgeon to fly out and do a revision on her scar.
The ER staff had patched her up, but they were more concerned with stopping the bleeding and keeping her alive than keeping her pretty. The surgeon had done an amazing job really. The line was narrow now. Before it had spots that had puckered during healing. The skin was pulled in places that made the scar look more graphic and painful.
Now she wasn’t afraid to admit she was vain enough to try and minimize the scar as much as she could. Applying the vitamin E and her ointment, she caked it on figuring the more the merrier.
Her inner meanie was telling her to go out the door, pretend to accidently put her crutch on Dax’s foot, then go back to bed. She knew that Effie would be worrying about her, she didn’t want Effie stressed. She figured she would put on a happy face for the night so Effie could go home tomorrow unworried. Which was bullshit, since Effie was going to worry regardless, but they all had their little parts to play.
Bracing herself she opened the door and found Dax leaning on the opposite wall. His arms were crossed, and his legs crossed at the ankles. He was casual cool, damn her bestie for finding such a hottie.
“That do something for you?” she snapped but didn’t put a lot of heat behind it.
“Oh yeah, turned my crank big time. Do you want to go back to your room or join the land of the living?” Dax asked. He figured fight sarcasm with sarcasm.
“Living room,” Cass reluctantly agreed.
“Can I help you?”
“No,” she said, already moving in the other direction.
The great room was lit up with soft lamps, and overhead lighting gave the room a bright but not harsh glow. She saw Effie on the couch and made her way that direction.
“There’s my little spaz, thought you were going to sleep the day away,” Effie said, opening her arms. Cassie made it to the couch, knowing Dax was behind her the whole time. She did a controlled fall next to Effie and let her friend wrap her up in her arms.
“Beauty sleep, I need more of it nowadays,” Cassie said, taking the moment to enjoy her friend. She reached up a hand and ran it over Effie’s belly.
“Hey, parasite,” she said affectionately. The baby kicked back, and her hand jumped. It was surreal to know a little creature was residing inside her friend.
“You hungry?” Effie asked.
“Yeah, actually. What are we having? Squirrel? Tree nuts?” she asked this quietly enough so only Effie would hear. She didn’t know that besides Dax there were two other shifters in the room.
Before Effie could answer, Edward beat her to it.
“No squirrel tonight, although I’ve eaten squirrel. Way too much effort for so little meat,” he said thoughtfully.
Cassie had the good grace to blush. “Erm, sorry, was just joking.”
“Oh don’t worry about it, honey. When Edward and I moved out here originally, it was rough living. I’m talking outhouses and generators. It was rough,” Connie said with a laugh.
“Outhouses?” Effie said shocked.
“I won’t even get into using that thing in the winter,” Connie said giving a delicate shiver.
“But no young lady, no squirrel. Our oldest son’s wife brought over chicken pot pie for dinner. She is the main cook out at our logging base camp. She’s a Cordon Bleu trained chef that came out to the woods to start a new life. She got a husband and a baby for her troubles,” Edward said with a laugh.
Cassie figured she was forgiven for being a tacky houseguest and settled into Effie. There was a fire in the hearth, and she let her mind wander as she watched the dancing flames.
“How do we all feel about eating casual tonight?” Connie asked from the kitchen.
“I’m good, don’t want to move,” Cass murmured. Effie had started petting her head, and she was lulled into a stupor better than her meds.
After a few minutes, a plate with a fresh looking salad and a steaming serving of creamy chicken and vegetables covered in a brown flaky crust was handed to her. She pushed upright to accept the plate. Connie had delivered the plate, and Dax was behind her with a huge plastic tumbler full of ice to the top with a straw and fizzy orange soda.
“You had orange soda?” Cass asked.
“No, but I had your staples delivered,” Dax said, giving her a wink.
Good thing she didn’t need to worry about being deprived of her junk food in the woods.
The savory aroma of dinner made her stomach growl. She waited until someone else took a bite first. Growing up the way she did, she had never really learned any social niceties. When there was food in the house growing up, it was every man for himself. If you didn’t eat it fast, there wouldn’t be anything left.
While living with Dax, she’d been watching him and trying to pick up on those skills she was lacking. Who knew you were supposed to put a napkin in your lap? Who knew you were supposed to always have a napkin for that matter. Effie seemed to pick up on things easier than her. Effie wasn’t raised in such a void of culture like she was.
There was a napkin under the plate she was handed, so she put it on her lap and then tried to maneuver her leg with the brace to balance the plate on her lap.
Edward, who had been sitting in a large worn leather recliner the whole time, reached over and grabbed the edge of the heavy wood coffee table. With a tug that belied how heavy the table was, he pulled it towards Cassie.
Dax was there and helped lift her leg on the table. Cassie looked at him bug-eyed. The furniture in the Rochon home was nice, clearly still lived in, but nice.
“Oh honey, you haven’t met our boys yet. If their legs weren’t so damn long, we’d have a permanent scuff mark on the floor from them pulling it close to put their feet up on it.” Connie laughed. “We don’t stand on ceremony around here, honey. You make yourself comfortable. You’re not just our guest, you’re family, so if you aren’t sure just ask. I guarantee the answer will always be yes.”
Edward was already shoveling food into his mouth, when he gave a muffled, “Hmm hmm.”
Cass looked at Effie for confirmation. “They wouldn’t say it if they didn’t mean it, dork,” she said affectionately.
Cassie gave a shrug and took a bite of delicious herby chicken. She’d had pot pies before. The kind you microwaved or baked in the toaster oven then burned the shit out of your tongue because you couldn’t wait to take a bite. This was nothing like those. This tasted like real vegetables; the sauce was peppery and the chicken, well you could see it was chicken. Not some processed meat cube.
“Mmm, seriously?” Cassie asked, her mouth full of food.
“Hah, we hooked her.” Edward laughed.
“Just wait until dessert, honey. We’ll get you fattened up in no time,” Connie said.
Cassie looked down at her body that was hidden under Dax’s huge shirt. She couldn’t deny she needed some meat on her bones. Heck, it probably would make her feel better and heal faster. But it was like a little kid refusing to eat their veggies. It felt like a little bit of control she could hold onto.
Deciding that denying herself this yummy dinner was not in her best interest, she tucked in. Everyone around her was chatting. Connie and Edward gave updates on their four grandchildren even though it had only been a few months since Effie and Dax had seen them. They talked about their plans for the summer, for their logging cuts, and general business updates.
Cassie was only half listening, concentrating on her food instead. She’d heard the sons were taking a step back to focus on their families. Still working the business but finally letting some others help. Apparently Edward Rochon was the youngest of six boys, so there was plenty of help to be had. She heard names bandied about Conner, Wyatt, Cage, Cash, she knew. Conner was married to Dax’s sister Kenzi. She’d never met Wyatt or Cage. She was sure since they lived in the cabins on the same property as their parents it was only a matter of time.
Cash she knew helped out when Effie had been kidnapped by her asshole ex-boyfriend. What a douche. But other than what Effie told her, she only knew he was big, bearded, and willing to help. Soon as they were done with the cops, he’d hightailed it out of town.
Other names she hadn’t recognized. Tanner and Edison, which she assumed were more family members.
Finishing her plate, she sat back against the couch and stared at the flames again. She’d found most people didn’t expect her to be involved in conversations now. Granted after the accident her pain med fog made that nearly impossible anyway. Now they had just stopped trying to force her to engage. It was fine with her.
Chapter 6
She hadn’t even noticed the change in conversation until she saw Effie get up to help Connie in the kitchen. Dax, of course, jumped up to help, and Effie lit into him about how she was pregnant not armless and legless, like Cass.
“I’ve got arms,” Cass grumbled.
“Those skinny twigs are useless.” Effie sniffed and walked into the kitchen.
Quickly bowls of hot peach cobbler and vanilla bean ice cream were handed out. Cassie was stuffed, but she’d make room for sugar. She scooped up a heaping spoonful of molten syrupy goodness and shoved it in her mouth.
“Oh, shit, hot!” she squealed. She looked up at the faces assembled. She guessed she was a little loud. “Sorry,” she mumbled around the food. Shit, she was apologizing a lot.
“You clearly haven’t met our boys if you think shit is going to ruffle any feathers,” Connie said taking a seat in an oversized chair that was near the tatty recliner.
“Ain’t that the fuckin’ truth,” Edward grunted into his bowl.
“See?” Connie said nodding at her husband with an amused look.
“This is really good,” Cassie said, trying to redeem herself. She could handle pity from her new wardens, but she didn’t want disgust.
“Sophie never disappoints,” Effie said, spooning a bit into Dax’s mouth. They did that a lot. Feeding each other. It must be a shifter thing, Cassie thought.
As it became clear that her friend was fading, Effie gave a raised eyebrow and a head tilt in Cassie’s direction when she got Dax’s eye. Dax immediately stood and declared they should all retire. Helping Effie to her feet first, he made sure she wouldn’t wobble then helped up Cassie.
Cassie accepted the offered arm from Dax, grateful that someone else called it a night before her. It was really more than an arm since he wrapped his beefy arm around her waist and half carried her. She was asleep when her head hit the pillow.
Effie came in and got her comfortable, propping pillows under her friend’s legs with practiced hands. Tucking a blanket around Cassie’s shoulders, she kissed her on the forehead. “Sleep tight butthole,” she whispered.
Cassie made a moaning sound and then let out a little snore. Looking down at her friend, Effie hoped that this was the right move. The last thing she wanted Cass to feel was that she was being abandoned.
Walking out the door and quietly shutting it behind her, Effie returned to the great room and stopped short. A mountain of a man was standing talking to Dax. His head turned, and a huge grin split across his face.
“Cash!” Effie called out. She tried to speed walk to him, but her belly made her wobble.
“Damn it, I feel like a circus clown with those giant hula hoop pants on,” she grumbled as she made it to his open arms.
“You look like a fully bloomed flower,” Cash said, giving her a delicate squeeze.
Effie had the good grace to snort. “More like a pumpkin, but thanks for that. What are you doing here?”
“Just wanted to stop by to say hello before you guys left. I’ll be working the cut early tomorrow and didn’t want to miss you. Plus, I needed to make sure you weren’t going on marathon jogs or eating too much raw fish. It’s not good for my godchild, you know.” Cash smiled down at her.
“Damn, I forget how pretty you are,” Effie said. Knowing how protective her mate was, Effie usually kept her eyes to herself. But this was an opportunity to tease her mate. Effie leaned up and wrapped her arms around Cash giving him a big hug.
“Hey!” Dax called out, but his voice held a bit of humor. He knew that his friend was an imposing figure. He was so tall that any woman standing next to him immediately felt like she was a tiny bug next to the man. He was broad too, way more muscular than Dax or his brothers. Bears were just bigger. Cash was one of the biggest.
“Don’t worry mate. I’m just looking,” she said over her shoulder giving him a wink.
Dax wasn’t worried. His mate might not be a shifter, but she was as addicted to him as he was to her. He gave her a wink back.
“I’m glad you came by. I would have been sad to have missed you,” Effie said pulling him over to the couch. When Cash sat on the couch, he looked like he was sitting in a kid’s chair.
Sniffing the room, Cash looked down at the couch and then over his shoulder down the hallway.
“That your friend?” he asked.
Cash kept taking in the scent, this time more subtly. It was an odd combination that he and his bear found intriguing. It smelled like woman. Not a perfume or artificial scent, but that sweetness that only a woman could carry. It was like candy, but spicy. Like those little red cinnamon candies.
“Yeah, Cassie doesn’t have much stamina right now. I was just thrilled she had dinner with us,” Effie admitted looking at the others.
“I think I saw her smile,” Dax offered. “It wasn’t her normal smile, but at least it was something.”
“No, not her normal smile,” Effie agreed. “Hey, maybe you could come cheer her up. But she doesn’t know about bears, so you might want to keep that on the down low.”
“Down low? Keep a bear on the down low? What does that even mean?” Cash asked her like she was a little off.
“You know, no growling, no getting furry. In fact, you’re pretty big, and she’s stupid tiny. Maybe you should just kneel around her,” Effie said thoughtfully, tapping a finger on
her chin.
Dax snorted in the corner. He would like to see the big man scrabbling around on his knees.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Cash said with a small laugh.
The four shifters and one human sat for a while talking and catching up. Cash kept taking in the candy flavored scent, his bear happily rolling in it. He’d have to meet this Cassie in person. Of course, she was human, and he was not a man that believed anyone but a shifter would ever be able to handle him. Plus he was big; he knew it. His bear was a grizzly that reflected the man on the outside.
Cash had always been the big guy, the offensive lineman in high school football. He would just stand there and let the little humans run into him.
He was the person who got called to lift furniture and get things off the top shelf. This didn’t bother him. He liked being a big guy. But it often made him feel hulking and clumsy around women. Bear shifter women, some of them were on the taller and broader side. He felt more comfortable around them most of the time.
Now he was sitting across from Effie, who he’d grown to consider family. He was going to be family with the little cub in her stomach.
“I should probably head back; got an early morning,” Cash said standing up. He said his good-byes then headed out to his battered pickup truck to warm up the old but reliable engine. Like with most Rochons, money wasn’t an issue. Cash had money. He just never thought he needed to live any different from how he’d grown up. At forty-nine, he was still young and looking forward to a long shifter life. Having money now didn’t mean you’d have money later. He figured live quiet, and you’d always be set.
So his old Ford was faded and only had an AM/FM radio. But the engine was tip top, and it got him where he needed to go.
Heading down the road into the dark forest, his headlights cast a shadowy glow against the trunks of the trees. There was rarely anyone else on these roads but hitting a deer would suck.
Cash liked driving at night. Gave him time to contemplate life. Not that he had a complicated life. In fact, he preferred his quiet existence. He worked, he ran his bear, he spent time with his family. Outside of not having a mate, he couldn’t complain.
