Silverbacks and Second Chances

by Raines, Harmony

  She took a faltering step forward and then another one. Mason opened the door and led her outside, heading for the small barn. His bear paced around in his head, eager to be free and show their mate he was real. But they had to take things slow, they couldn’t rush this and risk scaring Tiana.

  They reached the barn, and Mason let go of Tiana’s hand as he slid the bolt back and opened the large door. Inside there were several old cabinets filled with tools and a small trailer. Other than that, it was empty, there was plenty of room for his bear.

  Are you sure? his bear asked. She looks a little flighty.

  She won’t run, Mason assured his bear, even though he wasn’t a hundred percent sure Tiana wasn’t going to make a run for it as soon as he shifted. This had to be the strangest thing she’d ever seen in her life.

  “Just stay there.” He put his hands up to stop her from moving forward. “And no matter what you’ve been taught about bears, know I’ll never hurt you.”

  “You mean don’t pepper spray you?” she asked lightly, but her jaw was tense, this wasn’t a joke to her.

  “I’d prefer it if you didn’t.” He locked eyes with her. “You’ll like him. I promise.”

  “Him. Your bear. Is he like a separate part of you?” Tiana asked nervously.

  “Separate but the same. We’re linked. Just as you and I are linked.” He took a couple more steps backward and then inhaled deeply, calming himself as his bear fought for freedom, fought for the chance to see their mate with his own eyes.

  Once he had control, Mason allowed his bear to come forward, to take his place in this world, where their mate waited wide-eyed as the air shimmered, filled with crackling electricity. As she faded from Mason’s human eyes, his bear appeared before Tiana. She cried out and covered her mouth with her hand.

  Mason wanted to tell her it was all right, he wouldn’t hurt her, but his voice was mute. His bear had to find another way to reassure her.

  At first, he stood still, huffing lightly as he inhaled her scent. Then he took a step forward, his soft brown eyes fixed on her face. Any indication she was about to run, and he would back off, but she didn’t run. Instead, as his bear took one more step forward, she held out her hand and stepped toward him.

  “It’s real. Shifters are real,” she crooned as she crouched down, bringing her head level with his bear’s. “I thought it was make-believe.”

  His bear breathed warm air over her hand and she smiled, tears trickling down her face. Mason hoped they were tears of joy. He never wanted to bring anything other than joy into her life.

  “It’s as if there really is magic in the world.” Tiana stroked his face, and he kept very still, not wanting to spook her as she buried her face in his neck and held him close. Then his bear turned his head and leaned on her shoulder as if hugging her right back.

  For several minutes they stayed like this, sharing a moment of tenderness, mates together. His bear was happy. Filled with joy. After the sacrifices of living in a city, with no wild places to roam, his bear finally had it all.

  Although a couple of bear cubs would be the cherry on the top, his bear told Mason.

  Who agreed. But even if they never had children of their own, they would be happy.

  Chapter Nine – Tiana

  Tiana buried her face in the soft fur of the massive bear who had materialized out of nothing. Or out of Mason. She couldn’t get her head around how that worked, but it didn’t matter. Just like a magic show, it was often better not to know the technicalities.

  “Good to meet you.” She lifted her head, cupped his massive head in her hands and looked into his eyes.

  The bear looked back at her, there was no denying the depth of intelligence in this creature who had appeared as if out of nowhere. More than that, there was love, and longing and need.

  If Tiana had ever doubted she was joined with Mason in some way, those doubts were now gone. Completely, irrecoverably.

  Although it was difficult for her to get her head around what this meant. Was she ready to give herself over to fate? To give herself to Mason and not question if it were the right thing to do?

  The bear lifted his head, took a couple of steps backward and then the air shimmered once more, and Mason reappeared. “He likes you.”

  “I like him.” She gave an apologetic smile. “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say.”

  “You aren’t supposed to say anything. This is new to you. It’s new to me. I never expected to find my mate on this visit to Bear Creek. Sure, I’ve always hoped I might find the perfect person for me. But as the years rolled by I’d given up hope.”

  “You thought you’d spend your life alone.”

  “Yes.”

  “I can relate. After Quentin left, I had a few disastrous dates and then decided that perhaps a life with no man, and no trouble, would suit me.” She shrugged. “It’s not as if I was ever alone. I had Rhett and my parents.”

  “But it’s not the same, is it?” Mason asked. “It’s not the same as having a special someone in your life.”

  “No, it’s not,” Tiana agreed. “I can see that now. I couldn’t before. Or I didn’t want to.”

  “But now, are you willing to give us a chance?” Mason asked, an urgency in his voice he could not mask.

  “I think I am.” She took a deep breath and said it once more with conviction, “I know I am.”

  He closed the space between them and pulled Tiana into his arms, his lips on hers as he kissed her with a need so intense, it seared her skin. Tiana clung to him, her arms wrapped around his neck as she held on tight, never wanting to let go, either of this man or of the feeling that this was right. So right.

  His tongue entwined with hers as his hand slid over her bottom and he pulled her closer. Sensations flooded her body, sensations she thought long dead. But the breakup of her first marriage hadn’t killed them, only made them dormant, waiting to be awakened by the touch of Mason.

  “We should go and weed the garden,” Tiana said as their kiss broke.

  “My kiss was that impressive.” Mason gave her a lopsided grin.

  “No, it’s not…” She searched for the words she needed. “I need time to get my head around all this. It’s not every day you meet a bear shifter in the flesh. Or fur.”

  “I get it, and you take all the time you need. We’ll be waiting.” He slid his hand around hers, holding her tightly as if he never wanted to let go.

  “I plan to mow the lawn before we eat.” She looked at her watch. “Unfortunately, I only have three hours and then I have to go and pick my mom up. She’s having lunch with a friend.”

  “Then we’d better get started. If we work hard we can have the garden back to its best before you leave.” He opened the barn door and led her into the daylight.

  “Thank you.” She leaned on his shoulder as they walked.

  “For what?” He kissed the top of her head.

  “Everything. For taking a chance on a blind date,” she said feebly. What was she thanking him for?

  “You took a chance, too,” he told her firmly. “You were brave enough to step out of the rut you were in when it would be easier to stay there.”

  “A rut. Thanks.” She frowned. “I suppose I was in a rut.”

  “Not anymore.” He pulled her into his arms, and she tilted her head back to gaze into his handsome face.

  “This all seems so perfect. When we’re here alone, it’s as if nothing else matters.”

  “Nothing else does matter.” He brushed her hair back from her face and bent his head to kiss her again. If Mason had his way she was certain they’d spend all their time kissing and not actually getting any work done in the garden.

  “Yes, it does,” she informed him firmly.

  “Not in this moment.” He looked around them at the beautiful scenery. “In this moment there is only you and me. The rest of the world can wait. Just for this moment.”

  Tiana laid her head on his chest and listened to his heart beat, st
rong and true. “Just in this moment.”

  They stood together as the breeze caressed their skin and the sun warmed their backs. Then they moved apart and started their chores, both lost in thought. They both realized that no matter how they felt and what they wanted, there were more people to consider than just themselves.

  Tiana mowed the grass and trimmed the edges of the lawn. Standing back and admiring her work, she was sure her dad would be equally as pleased. Maybe she had a knack for gardening and had inherited her father’s green fingers.

  “Looks good,” Mason complimented.

  “Thanks.” She put her hand on the small of her back and stretched. “For everything.”

  “I’ve enjoyed getting my hands dirty.” He looked across to the weeded flower beds. “I miss manual labor. You know, if your parents do decide to extend the house, I’d like to be hands-on.”

  Tiana couldn’t help thinking she’d like his hands on something other than the house. She hid her smile and dragged her thoughts out of the gutter. “I’ll talk to them. Although maybe it would be better coming from you.”

  “Are you inviting me to meet your parents?” he asked as they walked toward the house.

  “You could come for dinner this evening. I have a night off. My mom and Rhett will be there.” They went inside, and Tiana fetched plates from the cupboards and made a fresh pot of coffee while Mason laid out the food she’d brought for this picnic.

  “You don’t have to rush things. We can take it slow,” Mason told her.

  “Don’t you want to meet them?” she asked as she poured the coffee.

  “Yes. I do. What will your son think of you having a boyfriend?” Mason’s question tweaked a nerve for Tiana. Rhett had never seen her with another man, only his father.

  “Rhett’s old enough not to feel threatened by you. And anyway, he’s leaving for college. His life is just starting, he’s spreading his wings and learning to fly. Knowing Rhett, he’d want the same for me.”

  “Sounds like a good kid.” Mason looked at all the food. “Are we going outside?”

  Tiana caught her reflection in the window, she looked red and blotchy from working outside. “Shall we sit in here where it’s nice and cool?”

  “Sure.” He put the plates on the table and sat down, watching her as she set the coffee cups down. “Should I bring wine or beer?”

  “Tonight?” She thought for a moment. “Wine. Or beer. I’ll leave it up to you.”

  Mason helped himself to a couple of sandwiches and some salad. “Will your ex-husband be there?”

  Tiana looked at him sharply, her mouth full of egg salad sandwich. When she swallowed, she answered, “No, he won’t be there. He lives in the trailer, not the house.”

  “So he doesn’t come around for dinner?” Mason asked, avoiding her gaze.

  “Are you jealous?” Tiana asked bluntly, although she was slightly amused.

  “No.” He answered too quickly and shook his head too firmly.

  “Quentin left me. He broke my heart. But I picked myself up and got on with my life, with the help of other people. I learned a valuable lesson.”

  “Which was?”

  “Not to look back and always move forward. I would never take him back, but he would never want to come back.” Tiana picked up her coffee cup and sipped it thoughtfully. “However, I also learned to value my freedom. Which I’m not willing to give up.”

  “You’re telling me to mind my own business,” Mason said.

  “I think I am.” She put her cup down and leaned forward. “I’m willing to give this a try. Whatever this is. I’m willing to believe that we are fated mates. What I’m not willing to do is give anyone control over me and choose my friends.”

  Mason sat back in his chair and studied her for a moment. “I would expect nothing less.”

  Her shoulders slumped forward with relief. “I thought for a moment I was going to lose you before you were even mine.”

  “I am already yours, and you will never lose me.” He finished his sandwich and reached for a small cupcake with chocolate frosting. “These look delicious.”

  “My mom does like to bake.” Tiana’s most treasured memories of her visits to her parents’ house was her mom in the kitchen baking while her father toiled in the garden. This house was her second home, her refuge when things got to be too much for her. “She loves this kitchen.”

  “Then let’s help them keep it.” Mason reached for her hand. “We could turn this house into a home for all of us. We would be here to help them with whatever they need.”

  Tiana looked over his shoulder and added, “There’s even room for Quentin’s trailer.”

  Mason looked shocked before his face broke into a smile. “I deserved that.”

  “Yes, you did,” Tiana agreed.

  Although she had no idea where Quentin would live, or how he would cope on his own.

  As they packed up the food and Tiana thought about returning home, the realization that there would never just be her and Mason in this relationship hit her.

  “Hey,” Mason said, putting his hand on her shoulder. “We will figure it out.”

  “Are you a mind reader now?” she asked, closing the cooler.

  “I am where you are concerned. We’re joined at a deep level. When you are sad, I can feel it.” He turned her to face him. “I swear I will do what it takes to make this all work.

  “That’s all I ask.” She kissed his cheek. “Right, back to work.”

  They went back outside. As they worked side by side on weeding the last of the borders, Tiana began to visualize how they could extend the house and make it work for them all.

  She only hoped her father would accept the help of a stranger.

  But why wouldn’t he accept Mason’s help? After all, his daughter had accepted his love.

  And was ready to return it. Unconditionally.

  Chapter Ten – Mason

  A family dinner. With the family of his mate.

  There was nothing like a little pressure. Mason wanted to impress them, but more than anything he wanted them to like him. Especially Rhett. If Mason knew anything about boys, it was how protective they were over their moms. Particularly single moms.

  Growing up, one of his best buddies lived with his mom and had no idea who his dad was. He took it upon himself to act as the man of the house and always looked on any man his mom dated with a unique brand of suspicion bordering on rudeness.

  If Rhett behaved that way, what was he supposed to do?

  Leave it to Tiana to take care of, his bear told him. That’s my advice, never get between a momma bear and her cub.

  She’s not a momma bear, Mason reminded his bear. But you are probably right. I don’t want to interfere.

  However, when Mason knocked on the door of Tiana’s small house, with a bottle of chilled wine in one hand and a six-pack of beer in the other, he realized he’d been worrying for nothing.

  “Mason, right? Here let me help you with those.” Rhett, six-foot-tall and broad-shouldered, grabbed the six-pack and beckoned to Mason to follow him. “Mom and Grandma are cooking. Want to share a beer out back?”

  What Mason really wanted to do was see Tiana and kiss her hello. But he also wanted to establish a good relationship with her son. “Perfect, unless they need help in the kitchen.”

  “Good answer,” Rhett said with a wide grin. “But I’ve learned too many cooks spoil the broth. Which translates into let them do their thing, and not get in their way. The kitchen is not big. Not like Grandma’s kitchen. You’ve seen it, right?”

  “I have. I’ve been up to the house a couple of times.” Mason accepted a cold beer from Rhett. “Thanks.” He opened it and took a long drink.

  “Good beer.” Rhett glanced at the label. “Bear Creek Honey Beer. I like it.”

  “Did your mom mention the plans for your grandparents’ house?” Mason asked. If the news hadn’t been well received, he’d like to know now and avoid a confrontation over dinner. />
  “Mom told us briefly and then said you would go into more detail. Since it’s your thing.” Rhett studied Mason over his can of beer. “You’re rich, right?”

  Mason nodded. “You could say that.”

  “Just checking. My mom’s a soft touch and I don’t want anyone taking advantage of her.” Rhett’s voice carried a subtle warning.

  “I’d never do that,” Mason assured him and then looked up as he sensed the approach of his mate.

  “There you are.” Tiana opened the kitchen door and the wonderful aroma of herbs and spices assailed his senses. “Curry, I hope you like it.”

  “Smells wonderful.” Mason got up and kissed Tiana on the cheek, handed over the bottle of wine and said, “You look beautiful.”

  “Thanks.” Tiana blushed and plucked nervously at the fabric of her skirt.

  “He’s a good catch, Mom, says all the right things,” Rhett joked as he sat back in the sun lounger and watched his mom and Mason as they hovered nervously around each other.

  “I’m glad you approve,” Tiana replied.

  “I do.” Rhett jumped up. “Is the food ready? I’m starving.”

  “You’re always starving,” Tiana said. “But it is ready, go in and help Grandma and we’ll be there in a moment.”

  “Will do.” Rhett took the bottle of wine from Tiana and carried it inside along with the rest of the six-pack of beer.

  “He’s a good kid,” Mason told Tiana. “But you already knew that.”

  “I like to think so. But what parent doesn’t like to hear it from someone else?” She looked over her shoulder, to where the door closed behind Rhett.

  “Alone at last.” Mason stroked her cheek and bent his head, capturing her mouth with his.

  Tiana slid her hands up his chest and clasped them together behind his neck. “Alone at last.” She leaned forward and kissed his lips. “My mom can’t wait to meet you, and you seem to have made a great first impression on Rhett.”

  “Should I quit now while I’m ahead?” Mason asked.

  “I didn’t think you were a quitter,” Tiana teased and took his hand. “Let’s go and meet my mom before you get cold feet.”