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He laughed at her expression. “Not used to males helping in the kitchen?”
The room quieted a bit, considering that everyone here knew about her ex-husband and impending divorce and that Caro was the only one whodidn’tknow that everyone knew—it could get awkward. But Craig didn’t believe in beating around the bush. He’d give Caro all the time she needed, but in the end, she would be his and he would make her the happiest woman on the planet, no matter what it took.
She paused for only a moment before shrugging. “Actually yes. To be honest, my ex-husband wasn’t big on helping—well, for anything.”
“We’re a family here in Hillard, and that means that no one is ever left to shoulder anything alone if they don’t want to—even pasta salad.” He winked and was rewarded when a slow smile bloomed over her face.
“I’m beginning to understand that.” Caro paused for a moment. “It’s strange, you know. I can’t quite figure out why I feel so comfortable here with all of you. I don’t mean to be rude, but you’re basically strangers to me. I’m normally much more reserved when it comes to meeting new people.”
Of course she was. Her instincts would have told her all along that she and her sister were different from others, even if they didn’t know why. But here, they were becoming pack—even if they didn’t know it yet.
“What did I tell you?” Ellie came up and hugged her sister from behind. “This place just feels like home, doesn’t it?”
Caro simply closed her eyes and relaxed into her sister’s embrace, and Craig’s wolf couldn’t have been more pleased to see his mate finally relaxing—well, the only thing that would have pleased his wolf more was if she was that content inhisembrace.
Chapter Ten
“Oh, my God,” Caro groaned. “I ate so much I think I’m going to explode.”
That comment brought laughter and groans of commiseration from the rest of the group.
“Bennett, you know you won’t be able to keep their cooking skills hidden any longer, don’t you?” Diego teased. “The town will riot now if you don’t start sharing.”
Ellie laughed. “He was commenting last week how he thinks he’s gained ten pounds since we started dating, but from what I can see, it’s pure muscle.”
Bennett shrugged and snagged the last of the dessert on Ellie’s plate that she had given up on.
“Oh, Caro,” Ms. Cally piped up. “You simply have to see the grotto behind this property on a night like this. There’s a natural hot spring there, and it’s only a ten-minute walk down the trail. It’ll help that food settle.”
Caro looked up in surprise. They’d had dinner out on the patio, and the evening breeze was warm and relaxing. Now that the moon had risen, it turned out to be an extraordinarily beautiful night. She honestly couldn’t even remember when she’d had such an enjoyable time.
“That’s a great idea.” Ellie perked up. “Craig can take you, and we’ll clean up and get some coffee started. You’re going to love it, Caro. It’s the most beautiful spot I’ve ever seen.”
She shyly looked up to the ranger who had been volunteered only to find his gaze locked on her. “I wouldn’t want to impose—”
Craig was up in an instant, his hand extending to help her to her feet. “I’d love to stretch my legs, and it truly is something to behold on an evening like this.”
Why does it feel so right to put my hand in his?
Caro let him help her from her seat, and when he simply turned and walked toward the back of the yard where a path led into the trees, she didn’t pull her hand out of his grip. It felt completely natural to follow his lead. For once in her life, she’d decided it was time to start following her instincts.
The scent of the nighttime forest surrounded them, and she took a deep breath in, letting it seep into her. It was comfort, but at the same time, there was something inside of her that was excited and wanted to run free along the paths, hide in the shadows, and explore her new home.
That thought surprised her just a little, as she’d only just decided this afternoon that she wanted to stay in Hillard, but this forest felt and smelled like somewhere she’d been before, if only in dreams. It felt like somewhere she belonged.
“There’s nothing quite like the woods on a warm summer night, don’t you think?” Craig’s voice was low as he led her down the path.
“It’s stunning,” she answered. “I’ve been living in the city, so I haven’t had the opportunity to experience it in a long time. Elles and I used to get in trouble all the time when we were growing up because we used to love to wander in the trails out behind our house.”
There was silence for a moment, then Caro blurted out what she’d been wanting to say to him all night.
“I’m sorry about the whole ‘married’ thing when we first met. I was just tired from the drive, and to be honest, my divorce is so new. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.”
“I understand.” He squeezed her hand gently. “And you don’t owe me an apology. I do have to admit though, I’m very relieved to find out that you aren’t married any longer.”
“You are?” She was going to turn to him when they stepped out of the trees. She gasped as the moonlit clearing showed a beautiful pool of clear water, surrounded by smoothstone. There were several small waterfalls off to one side, and the sound of falling water seemed to hypnotize her into moving closer. “Holy crap, this is amazing.”
“Come on.” Craig pulled her closer. “Let’s soak our feet for a bit and chat.”
