Chapter Nine: Clint
Chapter Nine – Clint
Clint stood with his hands on his hips as he stared at the dilapidated shack.
He could imagine the summer scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass filling his nostrils as he took in the picturesque meadow and the sprawling orchard. He felt the sun warming his skin and the soft breeze rustling through the leaves on the trees.
But more than that, he could imagine his mate seated right there next to him.
Don’t forget she’s right here beside us now,his bear reminded him.
How could I?Clint replied and cast a sideways glance at Martha.
“It has so much potential,” Martha sighed.
“It does,” Clint murmured.
It will not be easy. His bear sounded a warning.
If it’s something you really want, it’s worth the hard work and sacrifices, Clint reminded his bear. He knew that taking on such an ambitious project would be difficult, but he was confident that they could make it work if they pulled together as a team.
And along the way, he and Martha would learn so much about each other. He wanted to create a place of comfort and security for his mate, one where they could start their lives together.
His one regret was that he and Martha were possibly too old to have children of their own.
Once the shack had been converted and extended to make a home, it would be a perfect place to live and grow as a family.
Raising kids of his own had always been Clint’s dream. One that had passed him by.
But we should be grateful for our mate,his bear reminded him. Until this morning, we had all but given up hope of finding her.
“Is the structure sound?” Martha asked. “It looks as if it’s been abandoned for years.”
“I can ask Ryan to come and take a look. Or we could knock it down and start from scratch.” Clint gave her a sideways glance.
“Knock it down.” A line appeared between Martha’s eyebrows, as if the idea of demolishing the shack and creating something entirely new had never crossed her mind.
“The decision is yours,” Clint said softly, “but I’ll support you, whatever you decide. If you’d rather wait for another more suitable property, I can give you a discount rate on one of the cabins at Bear Creek Lodge.”
Martha looked around the property with a thoughtful expression. After a few moments, she met his gaze with a determined look in her eyes. “Thanks for reminding me that I should keep my options open. That I have choices.”
“Isn’t that why you invited me along?” He raised an inquisitive brow at her and a flush of rose bloomed in her cheeks.
She kept her gaze lowered as she softly uttered, “Yes...that’s why I invited you along.”
Clint’s heart constricted as he realized the truth behind her unspoken words. She sensed the bond between them just as much as he did.
A rush of desire stirred in his blood, awakening a fierce, carnal urge he had to fight to keep contained. Martha might sense the ancient mating bond between them, but she had a lot to learn before she could accept its power over them.
We could swap places right now and then she would know everything, his bear replied, the same excitement infusing his veins.
Not yet,Clint answered. I don’t want to overwhelm Martha.
Despite everything, he was still afraid that one wrong move might send Martha running back to her old life. Until they found out more about that life, he wanted to play it safe.
But not too safe,his bear told him. We need to make sure Martha knows how we feel about her.
“Shall we check out the rest of the property?” Clint kept his tone level as he turned around and took in their surroundings.
“Sure. Although I don’t know if we’ll see much, it needs as much work as the house...” Martha glanced at the building again. “Shack.”
“It’s nothing that can’t be put right with some hard work and imagination.” Clint was sensing Martha’s doubts were crowding back in. “It’s a blank canvas. You can make it into whatever you want.”
The shack may be rundown, but to him, it was a symbol of the new life he wanted to build with his mate. He could see the potential in the property and the possibility of a fresh start.
But does Martha see it the same way? his bear asked.
Sure she does,Clint replied, but perhaps she’d been swept along by his optimism.
“I should have worn my new hiking boots.” Martha glanced down at the brown leather boots she wore that were more suited to city dwelling than an overgrown backyard.
“We can always come back tomorrow,” Clint offered.
“No, I’d like to see more now.” Martha cracked a smile. “Unless you’re scared.”
“Scared?” Curtis raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah. You never know what might be hiding in the long grass.” Martha stepped away from him. “I’ll go first.”
Clint chuckled. “I thought the man was supposed to be the protector.”
“I’d better get used to protecting myself,” Martha replied. “It’ll take some time to get used to being this isolated. I’m not used to the silence.”
“You’ll get used to it,” Clint assured him. “By the time this place is fit to live in, you’ll be just fine.”
But he didn’t want her to grow too accustomed to the quiet. He wanted her to get used to him being here with her.
Somehow, he had to plant the seed of the idea in her head and nurture it until it grew into the kind of love he’d always dreamed of.
“Goodness.” Martha cupped her face in her hands. “This is going to take a long time, isn’t it? I mean, to get this place in a livable condition.” She held out her hands and pointed at the shack. “If it were summer, I could camp out here some of the time. But in this weather...”
“It’ll all work out,” Clint promised her, wishing he could reach out to Martha and pull her into his arms.
“Do you really think so?” Martha turned away from him and stared toward town. “I’m thinking of the logistics of getting all the building materials up here. Those mountain roads...”
“Hey.” Clint took hold of her hands and held them in his. They were cold. She should be wearing gloves, and he rubbed his thumb over the back of her hands to warm them up. “Folks have been building homes up here for hundreds of years. One of my good friends has a ranch a little farther up the mountain. He has no trouble getting lumber or feed delivered.”
“You’re right.” Martha glanced down at their hands. “Will you promise me one thing?”
Anything,his bear roared.
“I’ll try,” Clint answered cautiously. No matter what she asked of him, he was willing to do it. He’d do anything for his mate as long as she didn’t ask him to walk out of her life.
“If I ask too much of you, you’ll tell me.” Martha raised her eyes and locked them with his. “You seem like such a nice guy, Clint. And I don’t want you to be afraid to say no to helping me if you’re busy.”
Tell her we’ll never say no to her, no matter what she asks,Clint’s bear told him.
That might sound a little creepy, Clint replied.
“You know, I’ve been taking things slower lately,” Clint admitted. “I’m planning on handing over the day-to-day running of the lodge to Curtis sometime soon.”
Martha placed her hand on his upper arm. “Don’t tell me. You are looking for new horizons, too.”
“I thought my new horizons were more in the distant future,” Clint admitted. “But I’m a great believer in fate.”
“Fate. So you believe that fate brought us to this spot right here?” She pointed down at her feet.
Clint nodded. “Yes, I do believe in fate. I think we are both here for a reason, and it is up to us to figure out what that reason is.” He smiled at her reassuringly. “I’m sure we will figure it out soon enough.”
Martha mulled it over for a moment, her gaze distant. She seemed to be lost in thought, and Clint didn’t want to interrupt her. Finally, she turned back to him and smiled. “I like the sound of that,” she breathed. “I think I made the right decision coming out here.”
Clint smiled in agreement. “I think you did, too.” He gestured to the overgrown orchard beyond the meadow. “Come, let’s look around some more. I’m sure you’ll love it.”
“I already do,” Martha told him.
He led her around the side of the shack to the meadow and the orchard beyond, sheathed in white and covered in glittery snow. The grass crackled under their feet, its icy surface reflecting the afternoon sun.
“It’s enchanting,” she breathed, in awe of the scene before them. “Like a scene from a fairy tale.”
“Well, you know how most fairy tales end?” Clint swept his arm out, taking in the entire meadow with a grand gesture. “With a happily ever after.”
“You sound like an incurable romantic.” Martha leaned into him.
Clint’s hand engulfed hers as they stood together on the hill, gazing out at the meadow and orchard with a knowing look. He’d miss his life at the lodge, but with Martha by his side, the new beginning ahead was worth the sacrifice. His love for her was undeniable, and the journey they were about to begin was meant to be.
Suddenly, Clint stiffened. He could smell something in the air—the scent of another shifter. A bear shifter. He pushed out his shifter senses, searching for any danger, but there was nothing to be found. There was no one near them, no threat whatsoever, just him and Martha standing in this beautiful meadow on a cold winter day.
But someone has been here, his bear told him. And recently.
The nearness of their mate had filled his senses, so much so that he hadn’t smelled the other shifter until they went around the side of the shack to where a door hung off its hinges.
He scanned the area, searching for the intruder, but he couldn’t sense them.
We have to check it out,Clint told his bear. We need to know that if Martha comes back here alone, she’ll be safe.
His bear’s hackles stood on end and he huffed and puffed as he paced around the confines of Clint’s mind, wanting to be free to hunt this potential threat. He inhaled the scent. It’s concentrated around the shack. It’s a strong scent. I don’t think it belongs to a casual passerby.
We should go look inside.Clint eyed the shack warily. In case someone has been living out here.
Martha looked up at him with concern in her eyes. “What is it? Is everything okay?”
Clint nodded slowly. “We should check out the shack. I’ll make sure it’s safe before we go poking around.” He tried to keep his voice even and reassuring, but his heart was pounding in his chest even though he knew there was no one close by. If someone was living here, they were gone for now. But there was no telling when they would return.
“Okay.” Martha’s voice was laced with caution as he made his way toward the shack.
“Wait here,” he told her but she refused to let go of his hand.
“We go together. You’re here because of me, and I don’t want anything to happen to you.” Her mouth was set firm, and he knew it was impossible to change her mind.
“Okay. But be careful.” Clint’s nostrils flared as he opened the door and stepped inside. It was empty, just a few piles of windblown leaves. He sighed in relief, feeling his bear settle down in his mind.
“Back at you,” Martha replied as she followed close behind him.
He glanced back at Martha and smiled reassuringly. “It’s all clear,” he said. “Let’s go poke around.”
But even as they made their way into the cabin, Clint stayed on high alert, wanting to make sure that Martha stayed safe and that nothing could hurt her while she was with him.
His bear growled protectively every time a branch snapped, or a bird flew up from the trees, its wings beating against the stillness of the winter air.
He wanted to stay close by her side and never let her out of his sight—something he’d never experienced before, but seemed to come naturally now that she was so close to him.
“There’s something there.” Martha let go of his hand and brushed the leaves away with her foot to reveal a backpack. “Do you think someone is sleeping rough here?” She turned her face to him, her eyes brimming with concern.
“Yes. I think they are.” Clint turned around and stared into the distance. “But who?”