Mary and the Bear (19 page)

They both looked up at the sound of a vehicle in the drive.

Alex said, “That sounds like Hugh. Wonder what's so important that he had to drive all the way out here instead of picking up the phone and calling.” He headed to the door.

Kiesha got off of the couch and began to ease up the stairs. She knew it was useless to run but she had to try any way. There was no way she could just sit there, knowing what was coming. She was halfway up the stairs by the time Alex opened the door for Hugh.

"Come in and tell me what's wrong."

"Alex, sorry to disturb you but I need to speak to your mate. It's extremely important."

Alex gestured toward the living room. “Sure, she's right in here. Where did that woman go? She was right here a minute ago."

Kiesha flinched when one of the stairs creaked under her foot, knowing they'd heard.

"Kiesha, there you are. Hugh is here to see you."

Kiesha slowly turned around, knowing the look on her face screamed her guilt.

Seeing her expression, Alex asked, “Kiesha, what have you done?"

She straightened up her shoulders and held her head up high, deciding to brazen it out. “I didn't do anything. I was simply heading for the bathroom."

"Then why do you look guilty?"

Hugh butted in. “Kiesha, do you know where Mary Elizabeth is? She's not at home, nor is she at the store. I was hoping she was here."

Kiesha began to fidget. The moment she dreaded was at hand.

Alex got a suspicious look on his face. “Kiesha, you know where Mary Elizabeth is, don't you?"

"Well, technically I don't, not really.” She wasn't lying. Mary Elizabeth hadn't checked in yet, so she didn't know where she was. She just knew where she wasn't, and that was in Refuge.

Hugh, obviously holding onto his patience, asked, “Why don't you tell us what you do know.” His voice was strained, like he was trying not to yell.

"Watch how you're speaking to my mate,” Alex said with a hard look.

Hugh returned his look with one of his own. “As soon as your mate tells me where mine has disappeared to, I'll leave and be out of your hair."

"Your mate? Mary Elizabeth is your One? Damn, that's great news. I was hoping this would happen.” Alex grinned from ear-to-ear and slapped Hugh on the arm, congratulating him.

"It would be fantastic news except for the fact that she seems to have disappeared, and your mate is the only one who knows what happened,” Hugh said dryly.

At this, they both directed their attention to Kiesha, who had managed to climb up two more steps. “Love, don't you move, not one more step, you hear? Otherwise I might be forced to come and get you. Where's Mary Elizabeth?"

Kiesha stopped, knowing he wouldn't hesitate to do exactly as he had said. She could occasionally push Alex, but she'd learned not to cross him. She took a deep breath and blurted, “She left town.” Her hand gripped the rail and her body was tensed to run. If they came after her, she wouldn't have much of a head start.

"What do you mean, she left town?” The question came from Alex. Hugh was too busy growling, not a good sign. She had no desire to see an angry bear. Shannon's words came back to her.

"Well, she sort of found out by accident that she was mated to a shifter, a fact she didn't know,” she turned to glare at Hugh and quickly turned back to Alex when she saw how furious Hugh was. “She freaked out and needed time to think, so I sent her on a business trip.” Seeing the looks on both men's faces, she spoke faster. “She was just going to run but I slowed her down and gave her something constructive to do while she was gone. She'll be back once she's had time to settle down."

Hugh was so furious his eyes shifted and his jaw elongated, making his face look funny.

Alex was in Alpha mode. “And how did she, as you put it, ‘accidentally’ find out that she was mated to Hugh?"

"Well ... she came into the store and Shannon was there. I asked her if she was wearing new perfume because she smelled different but Shannon recognized Hugh's scent. Mary Elizabeth mentioned that she and Hugh were seeing each other and well, you know how it is. One thing lead to another and before it was all over, it came out that Mary Elizabeth and Hugh had done the whole bonding thing only she didn't know about it and when she found out about it she freaked.” Kiesha dragged in a huge breath of air. She'd gotten all of that out without stopping to breathe, wanting this over and done with.

Hugh closed his eyes and looked a little hopeless. “Do you know where she went?"

Seeing the anguish on his face, Kiesha felt her heart melt. This man really loved her friend. She was sure he had a good reason for keeping what he was a secret. “No, I'm sorry Hugh. She's supposed to be going around to the neighboring towns to check out the area thrift stores, seeing which items really sell so we know how to stock our store. I made her promise to call each night and check in or I told her I would send you after her. For what it's worth, I think she really does love you. She just needs time to get her head straight and think things through. She would never have allowed you this close to her if she didn't care."

Hugh's shoulders dropped in defeat. “Promise me you'll call as soon as you hear from her."

"I will, Hugh. I'm sure she won't be gone long,” Kiesha tried to reassure him as he walked out the door.

Once Hugh was gone, Alex turned to her with a look on his face she didn't like. “I see we need to have a little talk about staying out of other people's business.” He locked the door and started up the steps toward her.

Kiesha turned and ran, knowing he'd catch her but doing it any way. Alex would never hurt her, but the man had a way of getting his point across that left a deep impression, one to be avoided at all cost. She'd barely made it to the door of their room when she felt him behind her. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her into the bedroom, slamming the door shut behind them.

"Let me give you a refresher course on how we do not interfere in the lives of mates and see if I can make it stick this time."

He did and it was a lesson she wouldn't soon be forgetting.

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Also in his briefcase was a bottle of quick dissolve tranquilizers, just in case his fiancé proved a bit reluctant. He'd humored her minor rebellion thus far, but his patience was coming to an end. Yes, he'd made a mistake in marrying The Whore and his true love was entitled to her pound of flesh—a woman scorned and all that bull—but enough was enough. It was time to end this foolishness and bring her home where she belonged.

Neither one of them were getting any younger. They needed to get to work producing his heirs as soon as possible. He had to have someone to leave his empire to, and it would be one of his own. He'd make sure Mary Elizabeth was properly taken care of, as well. He'd already made provisions for her future financial security in his will, as any good husband would.

She'd discover that he was an excellent provider. He'd already settled a generous monthly allowance on her that would began next month, so she could give up that ridiculous job of hers. As if he'd allow any wife of his to work, especially after what happened the last time.. No, she could spend her time taking care of him and the children. If that wasn't enough to keep her busy, there were always charitable organizations. They always needed dedicated workers. Not only would it give her a chance to use the business skills she'd acquired in college, it would make him look good as well.

He'd found a boutique with a good reputation and had them create a wardrobe just for his love. Although they'd done an excellent job in clothing The Whore, he'd chosen not to use the same retailer that The Whore used when she was alive. He didn't think his fiancé would appreciate any more comparisons being made with that of her sister. A few of the items he'd ordered had already been delivered; the rest should arrive shortly. When Mary Elizabeth came home, she'd discover a closet full of clothes waiting just for her.

They'd be leaving that clunker she called a truck behind in North Carolina. She'd have her choice of vehicles and if there was nothing she wanted to drive already parked in the six-bay garage, then he'd just take her out and buy her the vehicle of her choice. He could easily purchase it under his business name and use it as a tax write-off.

It shouldn't take more than a couple of days to retrieve his bride. He already had the minister booked and the marriage announcements ready to go. He figured something private but tasteful would be appropriate this time around since he was still a grieving widower. His business associates would understand his hasty remarriage. After all, he was marrying his wife's sister, keeping it in the family as they say. He already knew her background was impeccable and the practice was common among his set.

He informed his staff that he would be bringing his fiancé back with him and to have everything prepared. Everything that he could think of that needed doing was done. Oh yes, his insurance policy. His bride could, on occasion, be extremely stubborn. Going to the safe, he pulled out his secret weapon, something no southern gentleman worth his salt would be without. He doubted he would need it. He was sure she would see the error of her ways once they'd had a chance to talk face-to-face. If not, well there nothing like a nine millimeter to help push matters along.

Opening the safe, he pulled out the gun case and ammunition. He wasn't worried about security at the airport. His case would be checked in with his luggage and as long as he had all the appropriate documentation, there should be no problem. If not, well, that's why he had money. What good was it if it couldn't be used to occasionally pave the way?

She had no experience with love. She knew how to give it, but she had no practice in receiving it. In her experience, love came with strings. It was only given when you did something to earn it. She'd done nothing to earn Hugh's love. He gave and she received. That was the basis of their relationship. The only thing she gave to him was her body, and she didn't see how that counted for anything because he always made sure she received more pleasure than she ever gave.

It puzzled her and she couldn't trust what she didn't understand. She didn't realize that love wasn't supposed to make sense, that it wasn't logical. It astounded her that Hugh could really love her. After all, no one else in her life did.

The next day, the panic receded and she could think clearly, but she wasn't ready to return home. Going home meant facing Hugh, and she wasn't quite ready. She still wasn't sure how she felt about everything. It was difficult for her to comprehend that what she thought of as an affair was something more, something permanent. Just the idea of it made her head hurt.

By day three, she acknowledged that for whatever reason, Hugh really did love her. It showed in his actions, and in every word he spoke to her. It was apparent in the way he cared for her. She'd soaked up his attention like a sponge, not being used to it. She was the caretaker in all of her relationships. No one
ever
took care of her. She hadn't examined his actions too closely, because if she had, her innate sense of fair play wouldn't have allowed her to enjoy his attention, knowing that he wanted more from her than she was willing to give.

But she still couldn't go home. Not until she figured out what she wanted. It wouldn't be fair to Hugh for their relationship to continue when she didn't know her own heart and mind. She wasn't a user.

On day four, loneliness kicked in. She kept wanting to share the things she'd seen with Hugh. Somewhere in the last two weeks, he'd become her best friend. She missed sharing her day with him, the amusing and sometimes troubling things that happened. She'd find herself thinking, ‘Oh, I can't wait to tell Hugh about this,’ or ‘Hugh would love that.'

The nights were the worst. She tossed and turned, seeking the heat of his body. She missed the sound of his breathing in the still of the night. She missed his scent filling her nostrils. It went far deeper than sex, though she missed that, too. She didn't just miss the sex. She missed Hugh.

While she wasn't looking, he'd imprinted himself on her soul. She felt incomplete without him. He'd subtly made himself such a large part of her life that she hadn't realized how big until he was gone, even if it was by her own doing. Did she really want to spend the rest of her life like this? No, she didn't. She wanted him in her life, totally and completely.

One thing she knew for sure, Hugh was not Charles. With him, she'd never have to worry about infidelity. Maybe she didn't know how to deal with his love and maybe she didn't completely trust it to last, but according to Kiesha and Shannon, she could trust in the mate bond. According to them, it was more permanent than marriage, and more binding in love. Yes, she could put her faith in something like that.

By day five, only sheer stubbornness was keeping her going. She was way past ready to go home. She missed her bed, her apartment, and she missed Hugh's cooking, but most of all, she missed Hugh. She had an assignment to complete and she was determined to get it done. Once she got home, she didn't plan on leaving again unless Hugh went with her, and with his schedule at the diner, she didn't see that happening any time soon.

That was one of the things they needed to discuss, the time he spent at the diner. It was fine for now, but when the kids started coming things were going to have to change. With the way they'd been going at it like bunnies, it wouldn't be long before there was a little one on the way.

Another thing they needed to talk about were the living arrangements. While the apartment was nice and convenient to both of their places of employment, she wanted a house. She'd planned for half of her life to build her dream home and she wasn't giving up the dream now. She was sure Hugh wouldn't mind. Before her, he'd been living in an efficiency apartment. He said he didn't need more than a bed to sleep in since he spent most of his time at the diner. It was a wonder he didn't sleep in his office.

It was after three o'clock before she finished with the last store. She had the information Kiesha needed and she was ready to go home. It was a four-hour drive back to Refuge. She'd checked out of the hotel, was packed, and ready to go. A quick stop through the drive-thru to get something to eat and she'd be on her way. Next stop, Hugh and home.