Did this mean he was about to spend his first night by his mate’s side?
Chapter Ten – Hannah
Hannah almost giggled as she saw the bed. It wasn’t exactly big, and it didn’t exactly look comfortable, but she figured at this point she could sleep anywhere. And it was good of O’Brian and Elvie to offer them somewhere to sleep.
“It’s not much,” Elvie said as she bustled into the room with clean sheets. “But it’s more comfortable than it looks.”
Hannah went to the bed, which looked as if it was made of pallets and dried straw, covered in a white sheet. Placing her hand on the mattress, she then turned around and carefully lowered herself onto it. “You’re right. Very comfortable.”
“O’Brian has spent more than a few nights on that mattress.” Elvie’s eyes misted with tears as she looked over her shoulder. The two men were still talking in low voices, not about Karl, but about the time they served together. “My husband still has demons he cannot conquer, except when he has had too much liquor.”
“I’m sorry.” Hannah’s experience with her father and brother left her able to empathize with Elvie. The demons of the past were real to many soldiers. Did O’Malley have the same demons?
“It’s not your fault.” Elvie placed the clean sheets down and began making up the bed.
Hannah wearily stood up and helped. “It must be easier, with you both being shifters.” She glanced sideways at Elvie. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked such an intrusive question.”
Elvie straightened up. “In some ways yes. I suppose.” She brushed Hannah’s hair back as it fell forward when she bent down to pull the sheet over the bed. “O’Malley is one of the good ones. I hope you can see that.”
Hannah stood up and looked Elvie in the eyes. “I can. I’ve only known him….” She arched her eyebrow. “I’ve known him less than a day and he has dropped everything for me and come halfway around the world to help me look for my brother.” She wiped her hand over her eyes. “This is crazy.”
“No, it’s not. You love your brother and O’Malley loves you.”
“Loves me?” Hannah shook her head. “You heard the part about us knowing each other for less than a day.”
“You two are mates. You know it in your heart. He knows it in his heart. It’s love. You just don’t recognize it as such.” Elvie went back to making the bed. “At least not yet. But you will.”
“And there is no mistaking that feeling? For a shifter?”
“Oh, no.” Elvie’s face lit up, her eyes were filled with love. It was like a pure light that shone from her. “If that is what you are worried about then forget it. There is no mistake. None.”
She said it with such conviction that all Hannah’s doubts and fears were brushed away. “I wish I could feel that way.”
“You just need to open your heart and believe in him. Believe in what you truly feel.” Elvie cocked her head to one side. “You are Army stock, am I right?”
“Yes. My grandfather, my dad, my brother. They have all served their country.” Hannah swallowed down the lump of emotion welling in her throat. “My mom died when I was just out of high school.”
“I’m sorry.” Elvie pulled her into a warm hug, reminding Hannah of when her mom used to hold her.
“I picked up the pieces. I tried to put them all back together.” Hannah hiccupped as she fought her tears.
“And you are still trying which is why you are here to find your brother,” Elvie murmured.
“Yes.”
Elvie took a step back and placed her surprisingly strong hands on Hannah’s upper arms. “Did anyone ever help to put you back together?”
The air puffed out of Hannah’s lungs. “No.”
“O’Malley will. He’ll gather up each small piece and make you whole if you let him.” Elvie gave a small laugh and let Hannah go. As she continued to make the bed, she said, “The pieces will never all go back the same. You must have found that with your family. Parts get lost, they get misshapen, but you learn to be whole without them.” She looked toward the two men. “Until the liquor lets the demons loose.”
“Thanks, Elvie. For the bed and for the talk.” Hannah hadn’t ever opened up to another person about her feelings. Perhaps O’Brian’s alcoholic brew hadn’t loosened her tongue but it had loosened something else. The part she kept hidden away. Her emotional self.
When her mom had died that was how she’d coped, she’d quashed her own feelings and emotions as she helped her father and brother cope with theirs.
“You are most welcome.” Elvie smoothed her hands over the clean bed and then walked toward the door. “As you look for your brother, you will walk the same walk he walked. The walk countless pilgrims have taken as they try to find themselves.”
“And maybe I will find myself?” Hannah asked, unsure of who she really was.
“Maybe. You’ve already found a part of yourself. You and O’Malley will do just fine.” Elvie slipped from the room, leaving Hannah alone with the bed.
One bed. Hannah walked around that one bed. It wasn’t big. There would be enough room for her and O’Malley, but it would be a squeeze.
“I can sleep on the floor.” O’Malley stood in the doorway.
She jumped, flustered by the man who was her mate. Embarrassed that he had read her thoughts. “No, I’m sure we can fit.”
Hannah couldn’t look at him. She didn’t completely understand this whole mates process. What was she supposed to do? How was she supposed to behave? If he knew that she believed they were mates, would he expect them to consummate their relationship?
Mated. Her cheeks flamed red as she imagined being in bed with O’Malley, of his hands on her body, his fingers stroking her skin.
“I’ve slept in worse places,” he assured her
