"What he's done to the people of Fate Mountain is unforgivable."
"What he did to my mother was also unforgivable," Lola said.
"What did he do to your mother?"
"Years ago, soon after my stepfather decided to take me out of public school, my mother was found dead in the woods. Shot in the back of the head. After that, Justin said something to me that made me believe that he had been involved at his father's request to take out my mother. They never found any evidence and her case was considered unresolved. But I always believed that my stepfather and my stepbrother had something to do with it."
"The Bear Patrol is going through the compound right now, if there's any evidence that connects Justin Lockheart to your mother's murder case, we will find it.”
"I can't believe you got me off that mountain," Lola said. "I thought that I would die there."
"I would never let that happen to you."
"I guess this place isn't called Fate Mountain for nothing," she said in a low voice. "I never really believed in fate before you arrived at the compound. Now, I can't believe in anything else."
"Shifters have always believed in fate. That's why we keep ourselves on the side of the good. It was our belief in fate that allowed us to help bring an end to the great war. Fate rewards the good in the end. And it's rewarded me with the most beautiful, most courageous, most magnificent woman I ever could have imagined being mated with."
"Gauge, I just can't believe how lucky I am. I don't feel like I deserve you."
"Why would you ever say that?" Gauge asked.
"Because of all of the things I've done. I've been involved in Justin's crystal operation. I worked in the lab for an entire year. I am partially responsible for what is happening to the people of Fate Mountain. I feel I should be punished for it."
"Nonsense. I never want to hear you say that again. Your stepbrother forced you to do those things. You were a prisoner at the compound with no means of escape. Look at what he did to you."
Gauge pointed at her face and Lola closed her eyes, a tear squeezing out from between her eyelids.
"You're right. I never wanted to be there. But I should have run away. I should have found a way to leave. I think I've been a coward."
"You are anything but a coward, Lola," Gauge said. "You are the strongest person I know. You survived Justin Lockheart and still have an open heart. That takes the most courage of all. Don't you see? Remaining a loving person in the face of fear, anger and despair is the most courageous anyone on this planet is capable of being. It doesn't take a big muscular man with a big dangerous gun to be courageous. Sometimes courage is in the heart of a survivor who refuses to give in to the fear and the pain."
"Oh, Gauge," Lola said. "You make me feel like maybe I can live again. Maybe I can have a real life of my own.”
Chapter 14
Lola spent another half of a day in the hospital, getting filled up with fluids and nutritional supplements to help with her malnutrition. By the time they released her from the hospital, she was feeling better than she had in a long time.
Her eye still stung from where Justin had hit her, but it was a small thing compared to the excitement of finally having her freedom. Gauge had sat beside her the entire time at the hospital, and asked questions every time a nurse or doctor came into the room.
She’d been up at the compound for so long, driving through town almost felt overwhelming to her. Fate Mountain was a small community but there were more people driving down the street and walking on the sidewalks than she had seen in over a year.
When Gauge drove up in front of his house and parked his truck, he helped her out and they walked up the front path together. His front yard was slightly overgrown but there were healthy hedges under the front windows of his craftsman style house.
They took the steps on the front porch where Lola noticed two Adirondack chairs sitting beside each other. They faced the front yard and the established street, lined with old maple trees that were full of green leaves. The trees cast shadow over Gauge’s front lawn. It was a lovely neighborhood and Lola felt her heart swell, just thinking of what it must be like to be part of the world again.
Gauge unlocked the front door, and they walked inside. It was cool and dark in the front room, but he pushed back the curtains and let the light in. Lola looked around at the stone fireplace and the big screen TV on the far wall. Gauge had big leather couches and an easy chair facing the television.
“Make yourself comfortable. I’ll get us something to drink.”
Lola was wearing a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt with a pair of flip-flops that had been provided for her at the hospital. Her own clothing had been too ripped and dirty to put back on. She kicked off the flip-flops and tucked her feet up under herself, feeling the soft cushions of the couch under her skin.
She hadn't felt such comfort in so very long that it made her let out a long sigh of pleasure. Gauge came back in the room with two tall glasses of iced tea. She took a sip of the tea and reveled in the smooth, sweet flavor. She smiled up at him as he sat next to her and wrapped his arm around the back of the couch where she sat.
"This is a really nice house," she said, taking another sip of tea.
"I like it," he said, looking around his living room. "I don't spend that much time here because I'm usually deeply involved in my cases. But I plan to be home much more often now. Especially since we've taken out Justin's gang and the main source of crystal in the area."
"It was a tremendous accomplishment for you," she said reaching out to touch his arm.
He met her gaze and wrapped his big hand over her small one. She felt the warmth of his palm radiate through the back of her hand and an electric shiver went through her body.
She remembered the erotic moments they'd shared back up on the mountain. It seemed like a lifetime ago when it had only been the night before. After everything that had gone down in the last twenty-four hours, sitting with Gauge in his home now made her feel a little unsure and shy.
Gauge wrapped his fingers around her hand and brought her knuckles to his mouth where he kissed the sensitive flesh between her fingers. Lola's eyes fluttered closed, and she let out a soft moan.
"What happens now?" she asked, opening her eyes again to see Gauge’s eyes shining back at her.
"We should probably get to know each other better since we're mates," he said reluctantly.
"That is probably a good first step," she agreed.
"For one thing, I'm actually blonde," he said.
"You are?" she asked surprised.
"This is temporary hair dye. My beard is blonde too."
She giggled and then covered her mouth with her other hand
"I have to see that.”
"I have blue eyes too," he said, pointing at his eyes. "These are just contact lenses. I was in disguise for my undercover mission."
"Now I have to see what you really look like," she said.
"I'll be right back. Get ready to see the man you’ve been mated with."
She nodded at him with a smile as he stood from the couch. She watched his delicious behind as he walked down the hallway towards the stairs.
Lola waited for Gauge to get cleaned up and shaved while she sat downstairs on his comfortable couch. She found the remote control sitting on his coffee table and tried to figure out how to turn on the television.
It had been so long since she had been in a household with any kind of modern technology so it took her fifteen minutes to figure out how to turn on the TV. By the time she found something entertaining to watch, she heard Gauge walking down the stairs. He turned the corner and stood before her, clean shaven, shirtless, with his blue eyes shining at her. She gasped. He was stunning. She covered her mouth and her eyes went wide.
"That bad, huh?" he asked.
"No, that good," she said, standing.
She walked across the room and wrapped her arms around him. He kissed the top of her head as she leaned into him and rested
her cheek against his chest. Gauge wrapped her in his big strong arms and held her close. His embrace drowned out all of the pain of the past in that moment. She loved being with him in his home and the revelation of how he really looked was just another piece of the puzzle.
"Gauge," she whispered as he held her close to his bare chest, rippled with hard muscle. "I don't know how to be in the world anymore."
A tear slid out of her eye and dripped on his bulging pectoral muscle. She stifled a sob, but her body shuddered in Gauge’s arms.
"You're going to be just fine, babe. I'll be right here beside you. I'm going to give you everything that you've been missing all this time. You don't have to jump back in all at once."
"I don't even know where to start."
"Well," he said leaning back to inspect her. "Most ladies like pretty things. I think you look hot as hell in anything you wear, I imagine that you would like something a little more feminine than those gray sweatpants."
She looked down at her clothes and then looked back up at Gauge. "I haven't had new clothes in so long. Most of what I've been wearing was small men's clothes bulk purchased for Justin's gang."
"We need to do something about that. I'm going to take you shopping in Portland at the best boutiques in town. You can buy anything you want."
"I couldn't," she objected.
"Of course you can. After you've rested, I'm going to take you into the city to go shopping. But for now, I want you to just hang out around the house, watch TV, and eat as much food as you can fit in your belly."
She rested against his chest and let out a deep sigh. "What did I do to deserve such a wonderful man?"
"The real question is, what did I do to deserve you."
He squeezed her and then let her go, telling her to relax on the couch while he made something for lunch. She happily obeyed and flipped through the channels to find something mindless on TV that Justin would've absolutely hated.
It gave her a little thrill just to know that she was doing something that her stepbrother would've never allowed her to do in a million years. The women on the reality TV show were dressed in fabulous clothes and were shopping for more.
This was exactly what she needed to see right now. She wanted to be beautiful and fabulous just like these women on TV, and Gauge was going to help her.
Gauge came back into the living room with a tray of sandwiches and more iced tea that he sat on the coffee table in front of Lola. He sat down beside her and they shared a meal, watching reality TV. Gauge didn't complain once, but gasped and laughed and talked to the TV at the same time that she did.
They spent several hours together just hanging out on the couch doing nothing and it was probably the most fun Lola had had in as long as she could remember. If just one day of hanging out at home with Gauge was this enjoyable, she couldn't even imagine what the rest of her life would be like.
After Gauge made a dinner of big New York steaks, baked potatoes, and green beans with garlic, they went upstairs and she took a shower before they got in bed and snuggled together.
Gauge didn't pressure her into anything sexual. She was still sore from being beaten up and still unsure of herself as a woman after leaving the compound. She just wasn't ready. Losing her virginity was a big step that she was still a little nervous about.
All Gauge did was hold her close and sleep beside her, offering her his strength and the comfort of his embrace. She slept more soundly and securely than she had since her mother died and in the morning she woke up feeling absolutely refreshed.
When she went to the bathroom to look in the mirror, her black eye had already begun to fade. When Gauge got up, Lola walked back into the bedroom and smiled at him.
"Yesterday was the best day of my life," she said.
"If sitting around watching reality TV was the best day of your life, today's gonna blow your mind," he said. "Just hang out here and I'll be back with some pastries and some fabulous coffee."
"How can I say no to that?" she giggled.
Gauge took a quick shower and got dressed and was out the door in no time flat. Lola took a leisurely bath in his big jetted tub. By the time she was done with her soak, Gauge had already arrived downstairs. She rose out of the bath, wrapped his fluffy bathrobe around her shoulders, and tied it at the waist. Downstairs, she found something she had not expected.
There was a gorgeous pink printed dress hanging over the door with a pair of ballerina flats that were so absolutely adorable that she gave out a little shriek when she saw them. She hadn't worn anything so beautiful and feminine in years.
"Where did you get this?" she asked.
"I got it from Rollo's mate Zoe," Gauge said. “She also threw in some new underthings and makeup.”
Lola slowly walked across the room and took the dress off the doorframe. She held it up in front of her, marveling at the delicacy of the design and the smooth silky fabric.
"I have to put this on right now!" she said with a giggle.
Lola gathered up all of her things and trotted back upstairs, a huge grin plastered on her face. She slid into the dress and ballet flats, then did her hair and makeup. When she looked at herself in the long mirror, she could barely recognize her reflection.
One day of nutrition through an IV and another day of eating steak and sandwiches with Gauge had put a little softness into her curves. She walked back down the stairs, feeling a lightness to her step.
When Gauge looked up at her in the dress, his mouth dropped open. He took a step back, grasping his heart.
"You were already more beautiful than words, but you look amazing in that dress."
"Thank you," she said shyly. "Thank you for getting this for me."
He handed her a coffee and invited her to sit at the dining room table beside the sliding doors that looked out on his backyard. They shared pastries and coffee and chatted about what they would do in Portland. Lola was feeling so spoiled that she imagined that this is what a princess must feel like.
Suddenly she had a man who adored her, she was in a beautiful home, wearing a beautiful dress, and he had promised to take her shopping for even more fabulous things. She could barely contain her joy.
Gauge and Lola went outside and stood on the porch. It was a warm sunny day with a slight breeze that ruffled the maple leaves. Gauge locked up the house before they climbed into his pickup truck and started down the highway to Portland.
Gauge put some high-energy music on the radio and Lola felt it radiate through her body, making her want to dance. She felt so giddy and good that the hour-long trip to Portland felt like it only took a few minutes.
They parked in the parking lot downtown and walked along the street where happy people strolled together and popped in and out of interesting little shops. Gauge was looking at his cell phone, trying to find the best clothing stores in the area, and she had to giggle at how dedicated he was to taking her shopping.
"I thought men didn't like going shopping," she said. "That's what I learned on TV yesterday anyway."
"Those men are probably human. I’m a shifter taking my sweet little mate shopping for the first time in forever," he said.
She threaded her fingers through his and smiled up at him as they walked hand-in-hand down the street.
"Ah, here it is," he said, leading her into a designer boutique.
The shop was filled with beautiful clothes, filling racks along the walls and throughout the main floor. There were bright festive colors and patterns of every kind and the explosion of color and pattern brought absolute delight to her eyes. She and Gauge walked together, pulling things off that they both liked. The sales girl walked over and was immediately caught by their infectious enthusiasm.
"This is my mate, Lola," Gauge said. "Isn't she beautiful?" The salesgirl nodded. "She’s been trapped at a secluded compound in the mountains for the last year. And I am going to buy her an entirely new wardrobe today. Only the best for my mate," he said. His voice full of enthusiasm and humor.
> "I see," the salesgirl said, clearly unsure whether or not she should believe everything he had just said.
Lola couldn't help but giggle at Gauge’s enthusiasm for buying her clothes.
"She’s going to need shoes and handbags as well. If I know anything about women's clothing. Which I don't really,” he finally admitted.
Lola giggled again and the salesgirl began helping Lola pick out the best colors and shapes for her body type. By the time they were done in that shop she had a smart little skirt suit that's made her look professional. Several gorgeous and girly summer dresses. Three pairs of shoes, and two new handbags. One for the day and one for the evening.
Lola hadn't been so spoiled in her entire life. Before her mother married her stepfather they’d been poor. After her mother married her stepfather, all frills and girly accessorizing was essentially banned from the household. She'd been wearing camo almost exclusively since she was ten years old.
Gauge paid for Lola's clothes, and they left the shop, bags filling their hands. They took their loot back to the truck and locked it in the back seats before going out to lunch at an adorable little café.
They had the most delicate sandwiches with feta cheese and spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. The flavors on Lola's palette were bursting inside her mouth. All of the sensations she was experiencing that day were swirling around her and with so much intensity it almost felt as if she was in an alternate universe.
The sights of the city, the sounds of the people talking all around her, the feeling of her new clothes against her skin, the smell of the delicious food, and the taste of fresh brewed coffee.
Together it created an experience for Lola that she didn't even know existed. To think, people experienced this life every day and took it for granted. She vowed she would never take it for granted as long as she lived.
Chapter 15
"Now, I know that you grew up an outdoors woman. And all those pretty pink dresses and delicate shoes are gorgeous and perfect for you. But I have a feeling that my country girl is going to want some more comfortable things."
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