“We’re in the kitchen,” Shawn called and Kelos pushed the door open and went inside. “We’ve baked brownies.”
“Do you want one, Kelos?” Jane, Shawn’s daughter, asked as she slid down off a chair and came out to meet the dragon shifter.
“Does the sun rise in the morning?” Kelos asked with a grin as the young girl launched herself at him.
“Of course, it does, silly.” She hugged him before she slid back down to the floor and took hold of his hand. “Come on.”
“Hi there, Kelos.” Shawn looked up from where he was placing the brownies inside a Tupperware container.
“Evening, Shawn. Are you taking the brownies to the bar?” Kelos nodded toward the Tupperware. “Are you hoping Jason might trade you a couple of bottles of honey beer for brownies?”
Shawn chuckled. “These are for Jane to take over to Emily’s house. They’re having a sleepover. Remember?”
“I remember.” It was the reason Kelos had offered to drive Shawn to the bar. It meant the single parent could have a well-earned night off where he could forget his responsibilities and get drunk. “I just hoped we might be taking some with us.”
“There’s plenty left,” Jane told Kelos as she offered him a brownie on a plate. “You can take some with you, if you want.”
Jane was the sweetest kid and Kelos loved her as though she were his own daughter. Since deciding to stay in Bear Creek permanently, at least in the near future, he’d let his guard down and allowed her into his heart. Maybe it was because she only had her father to depend on.
Or perhaps it’s because her mother is a mystery Shawn never talks about, his dragon suggested.
There is nothing wrong with a good mystery, Kelos replied.
“These are delicious,” Kelos complimented Jane, who grinned happily.
“Thanks. You can have another one.” Jane offered Kelos the plate of brownies and he eagerly took one.
“You spoil him,” Shawn told his daughter.
“I know.” She grinned wider. “That’s because he’s special.”
“Oh, I see.” Shawn arched his eyebrows at Kelos. “See, that’s favoritism right there.”
Kelos didn’t feel special, but he accepted Jane’s compliment. “Thank you, Jane.”
“She’s trying to get on your good side,” Shawn told his friend.
“Dad,” Jane complained.
“And why would you want to do that?” Kelos asked even though he knew full well.
“When it’s my birthday, you said I could ride on your back.” Jane’s face paled. “You haven’t changed your mind, have you?”
“No, I gave you my word.” He inclined his head toward Jane. “And a dragon always keeps his word.”
“Great.” She clapped her hands together happily before grabbing the Tupperware, crossing the kitchen, and hooking her arm through her backpack. “I’m ready.”
“And so are we.” Shawn grabbed his keys and gave the kitchen a quick once-over. “Everything is switched off, the back door is locked so no one can get in and steal your brownies. Let’s go.”
Kelos tipped the last of his second brownie into his mouth and turned on his heel, heading toward the front door. A few minutes later they were driving down the street to Emily’s house.
“Be good,” Shawn called and waved to his daughter after she insisted she was old enough to walk to Emily’s front door on her own.
“I always am,” Jane called back as Emily opened her front door. With a wave Jane was gone, leaving the two men alone.
“You are the special one, Shawn.” Kelos glanced sideways at his friend. “You’re a good father.”
“I do my best.” Shawn smiled the same sad smile he always smiled when Kelos complimented him on his fatherly duties. The pain in Shawn’s smile told Kelos that Shawn didn’t see himself in the same way that most other people did. Shawn carried a secret that he kept to himself.
“I hope that one day I will be a father and have the opportunity to do my best,” Kelos admitted. If Shawn had a secret, it was his to keep for as long as he needed.
“You will, Kelos. I’m sure of it.” Shawn glanced out of the truck window. “I’m lucky Jane is so good. I just hope it lasts.”
“You’ve raised her well. I don’t think you have to worry about her going off the rails,” Kelos reassured him.
“I hope not.” Shawn sat up straighter in his seat. “So, is Joey meeting us there?”
Kelos chuckled. “Yes, the final member of the Bear Creek Bachelors Three is making his own way there.”
“You gave us a name?” Shawn looked suitably appalled.
“Not me.” Kelos shook his head as he pulled into The Happy Bear Club parking lot. Joey’s motorbike stood next to the entrance.
“That’s it. One of us needs to find a mate and break our little group up.” Shawn slapped Kelos on the back. “I vote you go first.”
“I wish.” Kelos glanced sideways at Shawn. “But I think you are the best catch.”
“I have my hands full with Jane,” Shawn protested.
“Did you ever find your mate?” Kelos asked quietly. “You know, before.”
Shawn’s jaw tightened. “Are you asking if Jane’s mom was my mate?”
“I suppose I am.” He put his hand on the door but didn’t open it. “You don’t have to answer. I just figured that since you aren’t here dying of a broken heart that you never met your mate. And Jane’s mom wasn’t the one.”
Shawn leaned back in his seat and let out a long sigh. “You’re right. Jane’s mom was not my mate.”
“So, you’ve never met her? Your mate?” Kelos pushed for the answer that had eluded most members of Bear Creek and Cougar Ridge.
“No,” he said quietly. “I’ve never been that lucky and part of me wonders if I even deserve to find her.”
“I think that’s a yes,” Kelos told the doctor.
“Let’s go get drunk.” Shawn got out of the truck and headed toward the bar.
“I’m driving,” Kelos said as he caught up with the doctor outside the club.
“Then I’ll drink enough for both of us.” Shawn pushed open the door and went inside.
Kelos took a glance
