Chapter Seven
Lars
I should’ve left earlier and taken the train. Or a bus. Or anything that didn’t involve the man next to me sleeping on my shoulder. I’d tried to shove him off several times, but his response was to snore louder and nestle in deeper.
Finally, after the longest fifteen minutes of my life, I cleared my throat violently, and he got the picture and sat up straight. The woman on the other side of him barely held in her giggle.
Once the plane landed, I was more than ready to get out of that glorified soda can. My wolf hated flying most of all but, since he was incommunicado, he didn’t say much about it. Which was nice because the last time I flew, he kicked up a fuss like no other. Then again, that was the time I left our hometown and, with it, the possibility of William coming back to find me.
I shook my head at the thoughts of him as I waited in baggage claim. Bag in hand, I went outside where my ride was waiting.
Two hours later, the driver had to wake me up. “We’ve arrived. This is the Bearclaw Inn.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, still coming out of sleep.
“This is the address you gave me. There’s a sign right there that says Bearclaw Inn, so I’m guessing this is the place.”
I snorted. What a smart-ass. Thankfully for him, I wasn’t one of those people who would repay him with a negative review. “Thanks.”
The driver pulled out of the cobblestone driveway before I could move back even one step. The sound of a door opening caught my attention and I turned toward the magnificent house. It wasn’t that large. It was no mansion. Its magnificence was in the details. The carved shutters. Paint colors that screamed spring and happiness. Flowers hung from baskets. The whole outside told me so much about the owner that a conversation never could. He took pride in this place and loved it. It showed in every detail.
“Lars, I presume?” The older man smiled and pushed the screen door open.
“You presume right. Franklin?” I asked.
“The one but not the only.” He laughed. “Come on in. I’ve been expecting you. How was your flight?”
I walked up the driveway, careful not to step into his pristine flower beds. “Not the best, actually, but are any airplane trips really delightful?”
That garnered another laugh as he opened the screen door wider for me to pass. “Not in my experience. Let me show you to your room and then I’ll give you a tour. I’ll bet you could use a snack.”
My stomach growled in response. “I think that would be great. Please, after you.”
While Franklin pointed out things about his house, including the spectacular stained glass window along the stairway, he never mentioned who my mate might be or when he would arrive.
Or even that I might be meeting a mate here.
Instantly, my mind began to doubt. Perhaps my mate, or the person Franklin had chosen, would never show up. Maybe they decided not to come as I almost had.
Maybe Franklin had changed his ways and was simply giving away a free weekend stay for the fun of it. Either way, I wasn’t going to ask, not wanting to sound ungrateful.
Franklin showed me the library, which was right out of a dream. Floor-to-ceiling shelves and even one of those sliding ladders.
“The kitchen is this way. I made you a mini charcuterie board to enjoy while you relax. Our other guest should be arriving today as well. I’m not sure what time, but I haven’t had a guest stand me up so far. Or stand the other person up either.”
“Thank you.” I followed him into the kitchen where he pulled out a cutting board filled with cheese, meats, pickled vegetables, and all kinds of other goodies. He whistled and smiled as he added crackers, small slices of bread, and some honey to the array. By the time he was done, he’d created a masterpiece. And there was nothing mini about it.
“Here you go. Now, I might be a bit biased but, in my opinion, the backyard is the best place for relaxing. Mind if I show it to you?”
He didn’t wait for my reply but walked outside after handing me the board of snacks and a water bottle.
When I reached the porch, I realized Franklin was absolutely right. The backyard made the house feel mundane and boring. Perfect views of the landscape could be caught from any angle. There were lush flower beds and, beyond those, spring showed off with wildflowers of all colors and sizes, each one reaching for the sun and a chance to be praised by an onlooker.
“Franklin, I didn’t think your property could get any more beautiful but you’ve proven me wrong.”
He smiled and looked at me. “This was my late mate’s dream. Every detail. Every paint color. Every ounce of it was him.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Franklin shrugged. “He’s been gone a long time.”
“That old adage that time heals all wounds can be real bullshit.”
“So true.” He offered a soft smile. “There are swings and rockers and a very nice hammock chair out there. Please relax and enjoy yourself. Dinner will be served at six and hopefully the other guest will have arrived by then.”
Franklin disappeared into the house, and I took a seat on the hammock chair that hung from one of the broad oak branches. A spring breeze brought vivid scents to my nose—mostly flowers and bear because Franklin probably ran here.
I finished off the snack, which was more like a mini meal, and allowed myself to fall asleep.
Even if no one showed up, this was what I needed. A chance to relax and just be.