Whoever was at the door better appreciate the effort it took for her to get up and do something right now.
Her heart skipped and energy she didn't think she could muster coursed through her veins at the idea that maybe Caleb was checking in on her.
He hadn't come back after dropping off the paint she'd ordered from him, and rationally she knew he had a life, but this was a small town; what did he have to do?
God, that kiss. The touch of his lips was still the only thing that got her through the icy ghost's temper tantrums at night. Every time that temperamental spirit decided to mess with her, Caleb popped in her head, giving her strength, or distraction, she didn't know which.
Marci groaned to herself as she took the stairs one by one and her calf muscles protesting. It would all be worth it as soon as the house was done. Then she could hopefully stop looking at the four-poster beds in each of the rooms and imagining Caleb taking her on each of them, multiple times. She needed to let him go since chasing him - or any man - was never going to happen. He wasn't interested, fine. She'd move on.
Sheets. She needed sheets, of course, all she could do was see herself twisting the cotton in her fists as his mouth played at the vee of her thighs.
Focus.
Maybe she needed a cold shower. She took the last step and tried to keep reality in focus. A few minor costs and she'd be up and running. This was much better than the initial assessment.
As she pulled the door open, she caught a glimpse of his broad shoulder before opening it all the way. She froze. Good Lord. Get a hold of yourself.
A repeat of day one was not the best idea. Or was it? No.
"What? Did you lose your key?"
She quirked an eyebrow as he worried his lip between his teeth.
"I. No. You said you were good at finding things right?"
Why didn't she hate him? An ache deep within her wanted nothing more than to hold him. She should hate all men. She should be mad he took advantage of her when she'd arrived, although she still wasn't clear who kissed who.
"Yes, was I expecting you today?"
His knuckles cracked as he fisted his hands and she noticed the nervous bounce of a foot.
"Me? No. I don't think so. But, anyway. Are you good at it?"
She watched him thrust his hands into his pockets, only to pull them back out. He popped his knuckles and shifted his weight side to side continuously.
She tipped her head. "Uh. Yeah. Thought we'd established that like day one. I mean, I have a chicken to prove it."
A gentle flake floated down between them.
"Right. Sure. How are you with finding people who have the uncanny knack of disappearing?"
"Odd question."
He nodded. "But? Is it possible?"
"I guess I don't understand, but yeah, I mean anyone and anything leaves a trace. Magic users are easier to track than humans. I can find anything though, I suppose."
He bobbed his head once, twice, and then reached out to her and started pulling her.
"Caleb? Where are we going? I don't have shoes on?"
He stopped and let her go.
"Oh. Right. Uh. Shoes and coat. I'll wait here. We're heading into the woods. Evelyn, Mrs. Emerson is missing, or well, more than her normal wondering."
"She has a normal way of disappearing?"
"Please? Just go get your stuff?"
The pleading in his eyes set a shiver down her spine. The hardness she always saw in him gone, replaced by a vulnerability she'd have thought was impossible for this giant.
She quickly turned and ran back. She didn't know who this woman was yet, but if this huge, strong, menacing man was so unnerved by her disappearance, she'd help.
Marci ran to the hall closet and grabbed out boots, hat, gloves, and a jacket.
She hopped towards the door.
"Sorry. I'm coming. Do you have anything of hers? "Marci called out, stuffing her foot into a boot.
His voice carried over the wind outside. "Yeah. I've been trying to pick up Evelyn's scent for an hour now and nothing. The snow isn't far off either, and according to Ed, her partner, she didn't go out dressed for the weather."
She got her other boot on and ran out the door, slamming it behind her.
She shivered at the wind ignoring the thin shirt she had on as she struggled to slip her coat on.
"You're ready?"
She nodded.
"Here." He quickly tossed a yellow and white spotted scarf at her. "Great, thanks."
"I'll track next to you. See what you can pick up. How long will this take?" Caleb asked.
She shrugged. "Depends on how lost she is I guess. A few minutes?"
He grunted.
"Just shush and let me concentrate."
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and let the fabric blow around in her hands, slipping through the fingers of her other hand. Her magic mapped out the threads of the woman it belonged to. A trail only she could see, developed within her mind like a map. Her eyes shot open, and she was met face to snout with a giant bear.
"Oh." Marci backpeddled, her feet tangled with each other and she fell. She looked around and saw a roll of folded clothes tied around his leg. The plaid of the shirt the same as what Caleb had been wearing. Her brain knew what she was looking at. She did. But he was massive.
She had no idea Caleb could shift so fast. She slowly pushed herself up as the bear backed up a few paces.
"Caleb?"
His giant head moved once up and down, and he snorted. She supposed that was a yes?
"Okay then. Uh. You're a big bear."
A few more deep breaths and the nerves shaking within her quieted.
The bear rolled his eyes, a very human movement that looked too funny on the animal.
"And that
