Annie shook her head. "Oh, for goodness sake. I mean for Caleb here, the one to wake up this big ol' grumpy bear. But, yes. The inn is a staple to our quiet little place; I'm glad you were chosen I suppose."
"For Caleb?"
He swore her voice sounded three octaves higher.
Annie chuckled. "Oh, my dear. I would say you will be taking care of a lot more than you bargained for."
Caleb gurgled. "Annie? Seriously?" Her eyes flicked to his crotch and his face heated, his hand flying to cover the bulge quickly retreating the longer this woman taunted him.
"Yes. I would say a lot more than you expected. Lucky girl."
"Annie! Why are you here?" Caleb barked.
"Young man, I would not be embarrassed if I were you. But, back to business, I suppose. I came to ask about why a chicken is pecking around out front. Also, Evelyn Emerson, I doubt Marci's met her yet, came rushing over when she saw the two of you outside. She was out walking that damn cat of hers. If you ask me she's not firing on all cylinders anymore."
"So, is this about my chicken? I just assumed I could bring her, is she a problem?"
"No. It's not about the chicken. She's fine. I simply wanted to meet our new resident. I assume Caleb will give you a few of the town's rules."
"Rules?" Marci asked.
He took a step away from Marci, his hands fighting the will of his bear. "There are some rules; I don't think I know them all though. Do I?"
Annie moved forward, pushed Caleb aside and scrutinized Marci like she was a cow at the cattle auction. "You know what you've needed to know, but now that she's here, I feel like everything is working out as it should be. I'll be in touch soon. Just keep each other safe - and warm. I hear the snow is moving in."
He backed away from Marci, but he didn't get any closer. He didn't trust himself right now. The words Annie used were off though.
"Annie? What did you mean by she's the one? How would you -"
"Shoosh, Caleb. Go start bringing in her stuff. I need to talk to her."
His feet didn't move.
"Caleb McIntyre, go."
He backed away to the door, listening to her.
"Now, Marci. You're a witch. We can work with that. Evelyn wasn't surprised, but I suppose I was. It's been a while since we've had another witch here. Her granddaughter is going to have some strong words about this whole thing with Caleb though, but never you mind her. I think you'll do just fine. I don't think we expected you to come so soon though. Darn spells never work as you expect."
"You're a witch, too?" Marci asked.
Caleb paused at the threshold and waited. What the fuck spell was she talking about?
"Of course dear. Let's talk about this later though. Please stop by the coffee shop when you've settled things here."
He wanted to ask about the spell. What spell? What had they done? Impatience got the best of him.
"Miss Annie? What did you do?" His feet pounded against the wood floor.
"Oh, never you mind, boy." She walked over to him -- her tone kind. "We take care of our own here, Caleb. We would never do anything that wasn't meant to be. For now, you worry about getting Marci settled in."
The word spell sat in the back of his mind, but he did as told. He hadn't felt at home until he'd come here, he trusted them. "Sure. For now."
Annie reached up on tiptoes, and he still needed to bend down as she gave him a peck on the cheek.
"You're a good boy, Caleb. Alright, I'm off for now."
His bear sat on its rump mirroring the confusion of what happened. What the hell was going on in this town? He'd been here only a few short years. A lifetime had seemed to pass since he'd left the shifter special forces. A lifetime since he'd gone through the delusion that somehow embracing that side of him would help him protect the humans that he'd grown up around. Instead, he'd found himself stuck not fitting into either world - until he'd come here.
Even the last foster home he'd been a part of had never been home, not really. They hadn't understood shifters well, but they at least realized what he wasn't. The human boy there had become his home in a way, his best friend growing up, that let him be. The two had become inseparable. And then his world had ended.
He'd come here for quiet and now... now this. What spell was she talking about?
"I. I'll be back to check on you Marci. I need to go."
He ran so fast that he didn't wait for Marci to respond.
He didn't want someone. He didn't want attachments. He didn't want pain.
5
Why couldn't she push away the lingering traces of his touch? Her body seemed to have a memory. She bit her lip trying to stop a moan creeping up. She pressed her thighs together, the tingle of pleasure shot through her core. Her body had never wanted someone more than she wanted her next breath. Now, away from him, the pull of her magic grew stronger and harder to ignore.
Annie's words came to mind again; spells were never predictable. What kind of spell? Marci hadn't cast one; she sucked at them. Annie was a witch too though, what had she wanted?
"You okay?"
His voice, rich like chocolate and just the right pitch, spoke to her soul. One word had her shaking with need, and yet feeling safe and satisfied.
What the hell did I do?
"Marci?"
She turned around. "I didn't expect you back here."
He nodded. She watched him tuck his hands in his pockets and wondered if it was to keep them off of her.
"I realized that
