Page 22 of The Right to Bear Claws
Elias looked up from the October issue ofMountain Construction Weeklyhe'd been pretending to read while waiting for Kaia to finish her afternoon nap. "They're just basic woodwork. Nothing fancy."
"Mm-hmm." Miriam's tone suggested she wasn't buying his casual dismissal. "And I suppose the fact that they're carved from mountain ash, blessed by Elder Thornwell, and inscribed with protective runes is just a coincidence?"
"Maybe."
"Elias Vane, you're about as subtle as a bull in a china shop when it comes to courting that girl."
Heat crept up his neck. "I'm not?—"
"The coffee that appears at exactly seven-fifteen every morning, brewed just the way she likes it? The loose floorboard in the hallway that mysteriously fixed itself overnight? The newlock on the back gate that just happened to be installed after she mentioned feeling nervous about the alley?"
"The inn needs maintenance," he said defensively.
"The inn needs a lot of things, but you only fix the ones that make Kaia smile." Miriam's expression softened with maternal approval. "Not that I'm complaining. It's about time someone spoiled that girl properly."
The common room door opened as Kaia entered looking soft and rumpled from sleep. Her platinum hair fell in waves around her shoulders, and she wore one of the oversized sweaters Twyla had insisted on lending her. The anchor stone at her throat caught the afternoon light, pulsing gently with protective energy.
"Hey," she said, offering him a smile that made his bear practically purr. "How long have you been waiting?"
"Not long," he lied, rising from his chair. "Sleep well?"
"Better, thanks to those beautiful wind chimes." She touched her throat where the pendant rested. "They make the most peaceful sound when the wind catches them just right."
The simple gratitude in her voice made his pulse pick up. He'd spent hours carving those chimes, selecting each piece of mountain ash for its protective properties and inscribing them with runes that would help shield her dreams from unwanted intrusion.
"I'm glad they help," he said simply.
"Speaking of help," Miriam interjected with the kind of innocent tone that usually preceded meddling, "the town planning committee is meeting in twenty minutes to finalize the Halloween festival details. We could use some extra hands."
Kaia brightened with interest. "I'd love to help, if you don't mind an outsider's input."
"Honey, you stopped being an outsider the day you pulled that first tray of Twyla's scones from the oven without beingasked," Miriam said warmly. "You're part of this community now, whether you realize it or not."
The comment made Kaia duck her head, but Elias caught the pleased flush that crept across her cheeks. She belonged here, in Hollow Oak, surrounded by people who appreciated her gentle nature and quiet strength.
"Come on," he said, offering her his arm. "Let's go plan a festival."
The town hall buzzed with cheerful chaos when they arrived. Twyla had commandeered one corner with fabric samples and sketches for costume contest categories. The Tansley brothers huddled over a hand-drawn map, marking optimal locations for protective ward stations. Maeve stood near the refreshment table, arguing with Lucien about security protocols while Edgar scribbled notes on a clipboard that looked older than the building itself.
"Kaia!" Twyla called out, waving them over with enthusiasm that made several fabric swatches flutter to the floor. "Perfect timing. I need a second opinion on decoration themes. What do you think says 'festive autumn celebration' without screaming 'tourist trap'?"
"Um." Kaia studied the samples with serious consideration. "Maybe something that highlights the natural beauty? Like these amber and gold tones, with touches of deep red? It would complement the changing leaves without looking artificial."
"Brilliant!" Twyla beamed as if Kaia had just solved world hunger. "See, Elias? I told you she had an artist's eye."
"When did you tell me that?" he asked, amused.
"Yesterday, when you weren't listening because you were too busy staring at her like a lovesick teenager."
Kaia's cheeks went pink, but she didn't seem displeased by the observation. "Where else do you need help?"
"Over here," Maeve called from across the room. "We're trying to figure out patrol routes that don't make the festival feel like a police state. You've got fresh eyes on the town layout."
As the afternoon progressed, Elias found himself watching Kaia integrate seamlessly into the planning chaos. She offered thoughtful suggestions about vendor placement, helped resolve a heated debate between the Tansley brothers about decorative lighting, and somehow convinced Maeve that additional security could be disguised as festival games rather than obvious patrols.
"She's good at this," Lucien said quietly, appearing at his elbow while Kaia mediated a discussion about music selection. "Natural diplomat."
"She is," Elias agreed, pride warming his voice. "Look how everyone's responding to her."
