Delivered to My Elves (Mail-Order Matings #18)

Chapter Eighteen

Callon

I’d never seen anyone shift before, and I didn’t see her shift now, although I caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye. If all went well, there would be many opportunities to watch her take her four-legged form. For now, I was just thrilled to see her bear and to be allowed to stroke her thick, lush fur. Aerin and I petted her from nose to tail, wanting to map her gorgeousness. She was indeed larger than any bear I’d ever seen, but in perfect proportion and fluffier as well. A winter coat, maybe?

After a while, she shook herself and shifted back, before we had a chance to turn away. Nor did she seem to want us to, smiling gently and reaching for her clothes with no hurry. “Next time, I’d like to go for a run and let her stretch her legs.”

“You can do that now,” I offered. “We’ll wait for you.”

“Actually, shifting burns a lot of calories, and I didn’t eat much food this morning.” Her cheeks colored. “For obvious reasons. Can we go back to the cottage and have a sandwich or something? I can actually make those pretty successfully.”

“I have a better idea,” Aerin said, not even attempting to look away while she dressed. To be fair, I might have been admiring her gorgeous body as well. Did her comfort with us watching her mean she was ready for more? “Let’s go to Wendy’s for lunch.”

“Wendy’s? Is that a friend of yours?” Misty asked. “Is it okay to just show up without being invited?”

“Actually, Wendy is my sister,” I told her. “And we are always invited to her house, but this would be to her restaurant.”

“I thought from what you said that there was no food to be had here except what you cooked yourself.”

“I think we mentioned there being no fast food and such, and there isn’t. Wendy’s place is open for breakfast and lunch, with a limited menu, but it’s all good and, well, you’ll just have to come along and see.” Everything there was so good, and I was a little excited about introducing her to my favorite sister. “You in?”

“I’m in.”

Wendy operated her business in a cottage right next to the one she lived in, and we got there just before lunch service ended, meaning, she’d be available to chat with us because it wouldn’t be busy. There were only a few people finishing up their meal, and within a minute or two, Wendy came over to take our order. Or rather tell us what we’d be having.The place was charming with half a dozen tables for two or four and a little garden area where Callon told me food and wine were served outside in nice weather.

Wendy sat in the empty chair at the table. “Welcome, you must be the female the whole town is talking about.”

“I am?” Misty’s cheeks colored again. I loved seeing it. “I haven’t done a thing to earn it.”

“The only thing left is stew and fresh bread, and my assistants will bring it out to you.” She faced the two of us and tsked. “Go to it.”

“They’re your assistants?” Misty asked. “Don’t they have their own business?”

“They do, a greenhouse, but if I don’t send them to do something, they’ll just sit here and cramp our style. Boys?”

We knew better than to go against anything Wendy had to say, but if she liked Misty, our female would be in with the whole town, so we had to do what we had to do. Standing, we went into the kitchen and filled bowls with the last of the stew, sliced a loaf of bread, and generally killed time while soft voices and laughter rolled in to surround us.

“Sounds like it’s going well,” Aerin said.

“I think so, hope so.” I peeked through into the dining room. “She’s the social leader of the whole village. But what’s not to like?”

“Nothing.” He loaded the soup bowls on a tray. “Do you think they’re talking about us?”

“Oh, 100 percent. But it’s okay. They’re both smiling.”

We gave them another minute or two and then carried our lunch in and set it all on the table. Wendy hugged Misty and stood up. “I hope you know what you’re getting into with these two.”

“I know more now.” Misty scooted her chair in and grabbed a spoon. “Everything smells so good.”

“You’ll get better food than this at home, but I am a better baker so be sure to have dessert.” My sister headed for the kitchen, calling over her shoulder, “See you soon.”