Page 40 of Fated Despite the Moon

"Well, they are pretty demanding."

He looked at her for a minute. "Why don't you get ready, and I'll take you into town?"

Strangely, staying put felt more her speed for the day. She wished she could keep him there, too, so she could just talk to him. Make sure he was really okay.

He took a step closer to where she stood on the stairs. "Nothing's wrong is it?"

"No. I just want to be here today."

"How about I try to come back early? Maybe we could… talk later or something."

"I’d like that."

He hesitated another minute before walking into his room.

Makayla descended the stairs and scrounged through the kitchen for something to pack for him to eat. She made a couple pieces of toast that ended up a bit too dark, and cut up some fruit. She set them on a plate just as he exited his room. She smiled to herself to see him in the dark blue Henley she'd bought him the day before. It hugged his arms and torso in just the right way, cutting straight down to his trim waist. Her palms itched, wanting to slide up and down his chest again as they had the night before.

The scent of his cologne wafted over to her, and she held out the plate to him. "It's not much, but I figured it was better than nothing."

He gave her a tired smile. "It's great, thank you."

She nodded wanting to ask him what exactly had happened to Griffin.

"I forgot to tell you. The pack is having its full moon gathering this weekend. We go to the lake, boat, picnic, and then everyone runs together. I know you can't run, but I thought it might be nice for us to go so you can meet everyone."

A nervous skitter crossed her skin. Being in the cabin with Caleb made her feel safe. It gave her time to think and breathe and just… be. She didn't know what would happen if the others in the pack met her and didn't like her. What would Caleb do? They weren't completely mated yet. There was still time for him to change his mind.

"If it's too much we don't have to go. I need to go for the run but—"

"No." She shook her head. "We should go."

He threw her a smile and nodded. "It's a date then."

Makayla felt her cheeks heat. "It's a date."

He stepped toward her and awkwardly gave her a kiss on the cheek. At that moment she wanted nothing more than to feel his arms around her again. His lips on her lips. His body pressed against hers.

"I'll be home in time for dinner."

She nodded and backed away as her entire body flooded with desire. "I'll be here."

Caleb stepped into his boots and headed out the door. He waved as he got into his truck, and she watched him pull out of sight.

Makayla rubbed her belly. "Well, it's just you and me again kid," she said. "What should we do today?"

Makayla spentthe day trying out recipes. She'd gone out to an old shack behind the cabin which she soon realized had been the place Caleb lived while building the cabin. Out there she found half a dozen beautiful, old, hand sewn quilts. She picked out one for her bed and another to use in her room as a throw blanket. Then she spotted an old radio and brought it inside too. She quickly learned that it only played cassette tapes and one radio station. A country station with songs she'd never heard before. Never had wanted to hear before. Far removed from the music played at the club scene, she actually found it enjoyable. The music seemed to fit with living alone in the woods. So she'd cranked it up and set to work.

By the timeCaleb returned home she'd made a half a dozen pies, two cakes, and three kinds of muffins. He set down his tool belt and held up a brown paper bag.

"I brought some fried chicken from the diner for me, and a salad for you. Looks like you've got dessert covered."

Makayla smiled, and her stomach growled at the thought of fried chicken.

"Are we having a party?" His eyebrows raised as he looked over her creations.

"You said there was a picnic in a couple days, so I thought I'd try out some recipes and see what you think. I didn't know what you like, so I made a bit of everything."

He nodded. "I can see that." He set the bag on the counter, and she pulled out two paper plates and some plastic utensils. "I didn't realize you liked country music."

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