“I saw the Pack house. I’m assuming money isn’t too big of a concern,” Caleb said, heading toward the nursery.
Bran exploded into laughter and then two sets of giggles joined him. Caleb shook his head and he joined Kate as she headed to the nursery to start packing.
* * * *
Kate was folding tiny shirts and pants when Caleb returned with some empty boxes.
“They were still in one of the unused bedrooms. I hadn’t gotten around to throwing them away,” he said sheepishly, handing her a cardboard box.
“I can’t imagine having much time to do anything. Between work and the boys, well, in this case, it worked out for the best.”
Kate moved stacks of clothes to a box. Her eyes went to the murals around the room. Each leopard had its own distinctive markings, setting it apart from the other leopards painted. The attention to detail was amazing. Her gaze kept wandering back to the smiling face of the woman holding younger versions of Landon and Lucas. Was this Renee, the woman who her mate had loved enough to give her children? She peeked sideways at Caleb, who was filling his cardboard box with toys. She bit her lip. She wanted to ask but didn’t want to dredge up bad memories. She cleared her throat and he looked up.
“Umm, is this Renee?” she asked pointing to the picture.
His eyes softened and he nodded.
“That’s how I remember her best. Smiling and holding the boys. Painting them has helped with the grief. In a way it’s like they are still around us,” Caleb said.
“What was she like?” Kate asked, turning her attention back to the clothes. She was afraid to look at his face and see the love he had for another woman there.
“Renee was a pain in my ass,” Caleb said then laughed.
Her head shot up. “What?” She couldn’t believe he’d said that.
“Renee and I loved each other, but not to make it sound too weird, it was more like a brother and sister love than if we were lovers. She knew how to get under my skin and she loved to do it. She would pull some prank and then sit back and laugh, just like that.” He pointed to the wall.
“What kind of pranks?” Kate asked, setting her full box aside. She was curious as to what would drive Caleb crazy.
“She absolutely loved pranks where she put things in motion and then sat back and watched them unfold. One time she hid one sock of each set we had for the boys then asked me to get them ready to go out for a walk. So I got them dressed and went to put socks on and couldn’t find any matches. Not a single damn one. It didn’t help that as I was putting a sock on Landon he would pull it off and throw it when I was trying to find its match. Finally I turned to her, exasperated, only to find her laughing with her hands over her mouth and tears streaming down her face. After that I would get the boys ready, but she had to put on the socks and shoes.” Caleb placed his box on the floor.
“I think I would have liked her,” Kate said, looking at the other faces.
“You sound surprised.” Caleb started on packing up the blankets and towels.
“She was absolutely beautiful and she was the mother of your children.” Kate left the sentence to hang between them.
Caleb looked up and saw Kate biting her lower lip. He put the box down and was quickly at her side.
“Yes, she was beautiful and, yes, she was the mother of my children, but she wasn’t my mate. I knew that. I have kept my heart set aside for one woman, my mate. I’m an all-or-nothing kind of guy, Kate. I’ve dated, but I kept things light and simple. I let the women know up front that the relationship wasn’t long-term and I never fell in love. You are everything to me. You’re gorgeous, sweet, and kind. I bet that even if I hadn’t been your mate you still would have offered to help with no thought about repayment.” He tilted her head back and looked her in the eyes.
“I’ve waited my whole life for you, Kate, I may not be completely in love with you now, but I know I’m falling fast.”
He leaned down and grazed her lips with his. She sighed and stood on tiptoe in an attempt to capture his lips. He stood up straighter and smirked down at her.
“Patience, Kate, I’ll be in charge of your pleasure.”
He felt his jeans shrink when her eyes became unfocused and she gave a breathy little sigh. He knew then and there that Fate had paired them correctly. She responded to him beautifully. He also knew that having Bran there would just add an entirely new dimension to the lovemaking. He cleared his throat and stepped back. She took a deep breath smiling up at him. She pointed to another face on the wall.
“Who is the older man?” she asked, starting a second box for the clothes.