Gracie groaned when the woman fell on her first attempt at a turn. Her friend quickly joined her, but they were laughing as they got up to regroup. “Those two are going to be very sore tomorrow,” Gracie said.

  “Think they’ll take a lesson?”

  “Purple helmet would, but white helmet? Not a chance.”

  Leo chuckled. “You’re probably right.”

  Gracie and Leo spent most of their morning picking up small children and setting them back on their feet, and they watched as the two beginner women bungled their way into learning to turn their skis as well as riding the chairlift without trouble. When they managed to get off the lift without falling, he and Gracie cheered for them.

  As the two skied away, Gracie said, “You’ve got to admire their perseverance. I’d be drinking hot chocolate by now.”

  “I bet you were smart enough to take a lesson.”

  “I was,” she said with a smile. She tilted her head. “Were you?”

  He laughed. “Not at first, but yes, I did take lessons when I realized it wasn’t as easy as it looks.”

  When their morning shift was over and it was time for lunch, Leo and Gracie skied down to the lodge. But before Leo went to the locker room, he took the opportunity to call home to wish his family a Merry Christmas.

  As his phone rang, he pictured his mother in her tacky Christmas sweater her grandchildren had given her a few years back. She wore it every Christmas Eve, and he recalled the scents of the roast beef dinner she’d be making.

  “Hey, Mom.”

  “Sweetie, it’s so good to hear your voice. I can’t believe how much I’m missing you, and I have a few things I’d like to say to Richard and Donna because of it. Are you okay?”

  As a warrior, Leo often had assignments he had to keep a secret from his parents. But he hadn’t been told not to share his current one, and his mother knew where he was and why. “I’m fine, Mom. I’ve found my true mate.”

  “Oh my goodness! This girl really is your true mate? Tell me all about her.”

  “Gracie is amazing, Mom. She’s got the biggest heart, and you should see her with children.”

  “Well, that’s good. Does she know she’ll likely be having twins or triplets yet?”

  He chuckled, because his mother loved her grandchildren and had pestered him numerous times about providing her with more. “I haven’t told her about that yet. She still doesn’t know about werebear.”

  “Oh my gosh.” Concern laced her voice. “However are you going to break that news, Leo?”

  “I’m waiting until she’s so in love she can’t live without me.”

  “Well, that’s easy. Doesn’t she already feel that way? I know she’s part human, but surely the true-mate attraction is strong for her, too.”

  “It is, but —” Worry filled Leo, because while he wanted to believe the rest of his mission would be easy, he couldn’t be sure. He kicked at a chunk of packed snow a grooming truck had left behind, and he watched it break up into small pieces. “Mom, she’s still got the free will to walk away if she wishes.”

  “Right. I remember that part.” His mother sighed. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out like you always do.”

  “I will,” he said with the confidence of a warrior.

  “Good. I expect you to bring her home for a visit the first chance you get. Your father and I can’t wait to meet our future daughter-in-law.”

  “I will. Merry Christmas, Mom.”

  “Merry Christmas to you too, Leo. Can we call you in the morning? I know your father will want to talk to you.”

  “I’d like that.” When he heard skis clattering, he glanced over to the equipment racks to see skis and snowboards were falling down like a trail of dominoes. But more concerning was that it was either Donna or Richard who had knocked them over. “I’m free until eight,” he said to his mother.

  “Perfect,” his mother said. “We’ll be on the second pot of coffee by then.” His parents liked to go over to his sister’s house to watch their grandkids open presents.

  “I’ve got to go. Love you, Mom.”

  “I love you too, Leo.”

  As he walked toward the matchmakers, he wondered if they had something to tell him that might ruin his chance to be with Gracie.

  Donna said, “Leo, be a dear and help me pick these up.”

  Richard was already helping, and it made Leo think it was Donna who had knocked the equipment over. He noticed they were both wearing ski gear. “Are you two skiing?” he asked.

  “Yes,” Richard said. “We’ve been schussing down the trail.”

  “How are things going with Gracie?” Donna pumped her eyebrows. “Any schussing of your own?”

  “Schu—” It took a moment for Leo to get the meaning of Donna’s words, and as a snowboard clattered in the rack where he set it, he furrowed his brow in irritation. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”

  “It’s not,” Richard said. “But that’s never stopped her before.”

  Donna said, “Actually, it is our business. We’re here to ensure you get your mate. I suggest you rock her world before you tell her what she is.”

  Leo didn’t agree. He had a feeling that Gracie would want to move slowly when it came to their physical relationship. “I’ll take that into consideration.”

  “Good man,” Richard said as he handed Leo a pair of skis. “Now, Donna, I think today we really have earned our après-ski.”

  “Indeed.” Donna crooked her arm for Richard to take it before the two walked away.

  Leo headed toward the locker room to eat. But the matchmakers, and his mother, had raised a concern that had been brewing in him. He wondered about when he should tell Gracie what she was and what he was. He believed he only had one chance to get it right, and he’d better be darn sure she was ready for the news. And if she didn’t like what she heard? Well, he supposed he’d be employing the kind of perseverance the two women beginners had earlier, because he wasn’t going to let his true mate walk away without a fight.

  CHAPTER 11

  Gracie

  Christmas Eve at the Templeton house was only as festive as Gracie decided to make it. It had been fun to celebrate the holiday when there were foster kids in the house, and Gracie had loved doing what she could to make the younger kids feel special. But now that it was just her and her mother, it wasn’t much fun. The desire to make a big dinner died a few years back, and at some point they’d begun opening presents on Christmas Eve instead of bothering to celebrate the event over two days.

  Gracie refused to give up on the holiday completely though, and this year she’d put up a tree and decorated the house. She’d made cookies on her day off and brought them to work to hand out to her colleagues. She’d bought her mother presents and put the wrapped packages under the tree as well. But as Gracie drove home after a day spent with Leo, dread sat like a lump of coal in her stomach. No matter how much she wished the evening was going to be a warm, loving celebration of family, it wouldn’t be. And nothing Gracie did could make it so.

  The small ranch house she lived in looked like a dark hole in the midst of neighboring homes adorned with holiday lights. Margo had complained that lights on their house kept her awake at night, but Gracie wished she’d put them up anyway. When she walked through the door, the sound of the TV was like running into a brick wall. She paused for a moment to fight the urge to turn around and go anywhere else for the evening. She took a deep breath to muster up an attempt at happiness. “Merry Christmas, Mom.”

  Her mother glanced her way, and Gracie’s heart jumped with hope before her mother looked back at the TV without so much as a nod of acknowledgment. Irritation made Gracie set her jaw as she hung up her coat before she walked into the kitchen. She sighed when she saw that Margo hadn’t bothered to pull the lasagna out of the fridge to put in the oven as Gracie’s note had instructed. The oven door creaked as she opened it to put the casserole in, and she turned the dial to bake before setting a timer.

  As she walked to her bedroom she said, “Dinner should be ready in about an hour, Mom.”

  Gracie needed to shower, but once she got to her bedroom she decided packing to move was more important. She didn’t own much other than clothing and books, and she packed most of what she would need for the next few months into the two bags she owned. She figured she could pick up her other things on the next trip. She brought her bags to the living room to set by the front door, and when they thumped down, her heart felt lighter. “When I get out of the shower,” she said to her mother, “I’m going to open the champagne so we can celebrate Christmas Eve.” She was going to celebrate her new freedom as well.

  Once Gracie was clean, she put on a fuzzy green sweater, and her jingle bells necklace rang softly as she made her way to the kitchen. She stopped in her tracks when she saw her mother had set the table and even lit candles. Margo was leaning against the counter with a glass of champagne in her hand. Gracie said, “The table looks nice, Mom.”

  “Pour yourself some champagne.” Margo moved to sit at the table.

  Gracie prepared herself a glass of the bubbly drink and sat across from her mother. She lifted her wine glass, thrilled that her mother had decided to celebrate with her. “To a happy holiday.”

  “And family,” Margo said. “We’re lucky to have each other.”

  Gracie didn’t know what had made her mother do a one-eighty, but she was happy to go along with Margo’s new outlook on life. “To family,” she said before she sipped her drink.

  “The lasagna smells good,” her mother said.

  “Thanks.” Gracie wasn’t sure how to talk with her mother. It had been such a long time since they’d had casual conversation. She asked, “How was your day?”

  “Good. Darla stopped by with cookies.”

  “That’s so nice. What kind?”

  “I have no idea. I threw them out.” Margo grimaced. “That woman’s kitchen is so filthy I’m surprised she doesn’t have rats.”

  Darla was a kind woman who lived down the street. From what Gracie knew, their neighbor was not a slob, but she wasn’t about to argue with her mother and ruin any chance they had of enjoying Christmas Eve together. She said, “Do you want to open your presents while we wait for dinner?”

  “Sure.” Margo smiled. “There’s one under the tree for you, too.”

  Gracie retrieved the gifts from the tree and brought them to the table. Margo opened her gifts first and thanked her daughter for the pajamas, scented candle, and body lotion. When it was Gracie’s turn, she opened the package to find a soft wool scarf in shades of blue, her mother’s favorite color. The scarf was also one Gracie had given Margo for Christmas a few years ago, but even though she was disappointed in receiving a regifted item, Gracie smiled sweetly as she draped the scarf around her neck. “It’s so soft. Thank you, Mom.”

  The timer beeped, alerting them that the lasagna was done, and Gracie got up to take it out of the oven. When they sat to eat, Margo chewed a mouthful of the pasta and studied her daughter as if she had something serious to say. When she didn’t speak, Gracie asked, “Mom?”

  “I was thinking about how nice it is to have each other. So many people are alone on the holiday. It must be sad.”

  Gracie frowned as the delicious taste of cheese and garlic lost its appeal. Her mother was going to miss her and— She inhaled deeply. Margo was going to miss all the things Gracie did for her, and she was willing to bet the woman’s attempt at kindness tonight wasn’t genuine. It was a manipulation tactic to get Gracie to keep waiting on her and paying the bills. Sadness filled her, but even though she felt sympathy for her mother, it wasn’t going to stop Gracie from finally moving out on her own.

  “Yes,” she said. “I’m glad we have each other. You’ll still have me for holidays after I move out, too.”

  Margo clucked her tongue. “Really, Gracie. It’s time you give up on that idea. You belong at home with me.”

  Gracie opened her mouth to fight back but then thought better of it. She sighed, and to avoid ruining the night, she said, “You might be right.” It wasn’t a lie. There was a small fear that she was making a mistake, but Gracie knew that had a lot to do with her anxiety about change and very little to do with reality. Leo had come into her life, and it was time to be the woman she was meant to be. She lifted her glass. “To the future.”

  Margo smiled and tapped her champagne flute against her daughter’s. “And us. You’re a good daughter, Gracie.”

  Gracie smiled as if the words had touched her heart. But she knew they were hollow. It didn’t matter though, because her heart was full of love for Leo.

  CHAPTER 12

  Leo

  Leo stomped his boots on the front porch as he waited for the door to Gracie’s new house to open. The place was an old A-frame style ski house that had been expanded over the years, leaving the peak of the old cabin sticking up in the middle of a more traditional roof. The icicle lights along the roof lines glowing in the night made Leo think of the heartbeat line of an EKG and the way his heart jumped every time he saw Gracie.

  A petite brunette answered the door and gazed up at him. “You have to be Leo. Come on in. I’m Kate, Henry’s girlfriend.”

  “I know who you are,” Leo said. He smiled warmly at her as he stepped into the house. “Henry’s told me a lot about you.”

  “I’ve heard a lot about you, too. Gracie’s in the kitchen.”

  From the scent in the air, Leo knew they were having roast turkey, and he was pleased to see there was going to be plenty of pie when he noticed the pie plates on the counter along with a pile of apples and baking supplies. Gracie turned to him in an apron with a rolling pin in her hand. A huge smile covered her face. “Hi.”

  “You didn’t tell me you were a baker.”

  “I haven’t told you a lot of things yet.”

  She walked over to him and he leaned down to kiss her. “I look forward to hearing them all.”

  “Good. Because I’ve already had a glass of Kate’s Christmas punch, and I’m a little tipsy. The next thing you know you won’t be able to shut me up.”

  He gazed into her blue eyes and marveled at how much love was warming his heart and how badly he wanted to do more than kiss her. He seemed to fall more in love with Gracie every time he saw her. “You sure about that? Because I can think of a way.”

  She glanced at him with a sly smile. “Once I finish this pie, I’ll show you my room.”

  Gracie had told him at work that she was moving into Henry’s house today. He went to stand behind her and placed his hands lightly on her hips as her rolling pin thumped softly on the dough before she rolled it. “Do you need any help getting things out of your car?”

  She shook her head. “I only brought a couple bags I could carry myself. But I may want your help when I get the rest of my things.”

  He nuzzled her neck with his nose to drink in the delectable scent of her. “Um-hm.”

  She giggled and twisted to face him. “Go get some punch and catch up to me.”

  “You sure you want me to do that? Because I don’t get more talkative when I drink. I get frisky.”

  Her cheeks flushed red before she turned her attention back to her pie. She spoke softly. “Get some punch.”

  Leo raised his eyebrows because he thought she was telling him she had plans for him later. Maybe Donna and Richard had nothing to worry about after all. He was all for that idea and walked over to the punch bowl on the kitchen table. The ladle clinked against the bowl as he scooped red liquid into one of the glasses that had been set out. He noticed Gracie was peeling an apple with a paring knife, and he walked back to her. “I can do that for you if you want to roll out the top pie crust.”

  “That would be great.” Gracie handed him the knife. “I made blueberry and cherry too. What’s your favorite?”

  “Blueberry.”

  “Huh. I would have pegged you for an apple guy. But don’t worry, my blueberry pie will be the best you ever had.”

  “Confidence,” Leo teased. “I like it, but I have to warn you, I come from a long line of blueberry pie makers. You’re up against stiff competition.”

  “Yeah?”

  He chuckled. “Not really. No matter what your blueberry pie tastes like, it’s going to be my new favorite recipe.”

  Henry let out a snort as he walked into the kitchen. “Smooth. And she’s even got you cooking.” He walked over to the punch bowl to fill his glass. “Almost done?”

  “Just about,” Gracie said. “Is it board game time?”

  Henry chuckled. “Kate’s got it all set up. We’re just waiting for you.”

  Gracie pushed the finished pie over toward the other two. “We’ll be right there.”

  After washing their hands, Gracie and Leo joined Henry and Kate, and Greg and Mark, Gracie’s two other roommates. They had a lively game of Catan before they sat down to turkey dinner. During that time, Leo noticed the way the punch kept Gracie laughing and talking as if she didn’t have a shy bone in her body. It made him think that she’d be more open once she was a werebear too.

  Because Kate and Gracie had done most of the cooking, the guys cleaned up after their meal. Once they were done, Leo made his way back to the living room to find Gracie.

  She stood up from the couch where she had been sitting with Kate. Her smile radiated warmth, and she asked, “Want to see my room?” She grabbed Leo’s hand with excitement in her eyes like she was a child, and she led him to the second floor where there was a ladder to get into the loft. The first thing he noticed was that while you probably couldn’t see what was going on in most of the space from below, there wasn’t a whole lot of privacy concerning noise. He put his libido on hold, because his first time with Gracie was not going to be somewhere she might feel shy.

  However, that didn’t stop him from enjoying the view of her round ass when she climbed up into the loft first. He stood in the middle of the room where the ceiling was at its highest and glanced around. There was a bed set at the other end and a bureau off to one side. A hanging rack containing a few items was on the opposite wall, and two wooden crates next to either side of the bed acted as nightstands. A light bulb hanging from the rafters clicked on when Gracie pulled a string, and he said, “It’s cozy up here.”