Lawman Lion: BBW Lion Shifter Paranormal Romance Page 6

  “Come on, Dad,” Casey protested. “It’s not fair to kick us out. If Mason’s found his mate, that’s important to all of us. It’s a family thing, isn’t it? A pride thing.”

  Lincoln shook his head. “Sure it is, but when Mason’s ready to tell us, and introduce us. Which I don’t see how he could, given your misbehavior.”

  Mason could hear the laugh in his uncle’s voice, but the slight reprimand was still enough to make Casey pout. “You still treat me like I’m a kid!”

  “You are a kid, you little knucklehead,” Mason said, standing.

  It was true, in a lot of ways – Casey was the youngest in the pride by several years, and he’d been babied his whole life. He’d also been staying with their Aunt Annie, whose children had all left home by now, and she’d spoiled him rotten. Mason sometimes thought Casey was seventeen going on twelve.

  “Is it true, though, Mason?” It was Joe who spoke up this time – quiet, reliable Joe, who never spoke unless he had something important to say. “Have you found her?”

  Mason nodded. “I have. I’m sure of it. Never surer of anything in my life.”

  Casey’s eyes shone. “Is she from a travelling group of shifters?” he asked, voice excited. “Are her people from around here?”

  Mason hesitated. Obviously that part hadn’t made it through the thick oak of the door, even with Casey and Joe’s good shifter hearing. “She’s not a shifter. She’s human. She runs a diner out on the other side of the county.”

  There was silence in the room. After a moment, Joe simply nodded, before saying, “I’m happy for you, Mason.”

  But when Mason looked over at Casey, he saw his young cousin’s face twisted into an ugly snarl. “A human?” he asked. “But that’s – you can’t –”

  “What my son means to say, Mason, is congratulations on finding your mate. Don’t you, Casey?” Lincoln broke in smoothly, turning to stare coldly at his son. Casey said nothing, hanging his head, the scowl still visible on his downturned face.

  “It’s all right,” Mason said. He was shocked – he’d had no idea Casey felt this way about it. Lincoln might have been doubtful about mixing with humans, but that came from an over-abundance of caution.

  The hate in Casey’s voice had been unmistakable, though. Mason wondered where he was getting such ideas. He didn’t think it was from his uncle. Lincoln had accepted Mason’s news about Charity being human a lot more easily than he’d thought he would, his doubt about humans obviously overtaken by his desire to see an end to the still-simmering argument between them. A pride of lions should always be in harmony, after all.

  “Well,” Lincoln said, lackadaisically. “Mason’s shared his news – and now it’s time to be getting to work. Will the high and mighty sheriff of Coldstream County be joining us today?”

  Mason laughed. “Sure, Lincoln.”

  There was plenty of work to be done. A section of fence over in the western-most field needed repair, and Casey, Lincoln and Mason saddled up to ride out there, while Joe followed in the jeep, carrying the welding equipment. Mason had always enjoyed working as a ranch hand for his uncle – working on the land and doing things with his hands suited him.

  “Joe and I’ll start work on the section a little further down,” Lincoln said once they’d unloaded their equipment from the truck. “Mason, you and Casey get to work here.”

  Mason almost shook his head in admiration. That was Uncle Lincoln right to the bone – his not-so-subtle way of telling Mason and Casey that he expected them to have their differences sorted by the time the work was done.

  “Here,” Mason said, handing Casey a welding mask. “You hold it steady, I'll weld.”

  Casey sullenly took the mask, strapping it over his face. Mason supposed the one thing his uncle hadn't thought of was the fact that behind the masks he and Casey wouldn’t be able to have that much of a discussion, let alone over the sound of the welding. Nonetheless, it was time spent together, and sometimes that was enough.

  In any case, Mason had to concentrate on the job of fixing the fence. He got straight to it, leaning over and lighting the welder. Casey held the section of fence steady, as the welding tools threw up orange sparks.

  It didn't take too long, and the job was done within half an hour. Taking off his mask, Mason waited for Casey to do the same, hoping they’d have at least a minute or two to talk. When he did, however, he still had the same sullen expression on his face.

  “Come on, Casey,” Mason said. “Are you really that upset about it?”

  Casey didn't answer for a second. Then he looked up at Mason, his eyes angry. “Does she know about you?” he asked. “Does she know what we are?”

  Mason nodded. “Of course she does,” he said. “It was one of the first things I told her.”

  Casey stared at him. “And she accepted it?”

  Again, Mason nodded. “Of course she did.”

  Casey looked away, chewing his lip. Mason let him take his time.

  “You know, this isn't just about you having a human mate,” Casey eventually said. “It's about everything – like you siding with the humans over shifters.”

  Mason started in surprise. “When have I ever done that?”

  “When you became sheriff,” Casey said, his voice getting heated. “We all know you only did it so you could chase down the Reapers. You're helping humans try to put shifters in jail.”

  “And what do you have to do with the Reapers?” Mason asked, starting to get angry himself. “They're lawbreakers, Casey. They’re mixed up in all kinds of stuff, most of which I hope you don't know about. If you did, you sure wouldn't be standing in front of me defending them.”

  Casey said nothing. He just looked away, staring out over the hills in the distance. Mason was on the verge of questioning him about how he got into his head that the Reapers were anyone he wanted to have anything to do with, but at that moment Joe and Lincoln returned, having finished their own work.

  “All done?” Lincoln asked, his eyes moving between the two of them. It was plain to see that the time together hadn’t done a lick of good in terms of reconciling Casey to the idea of Mason’s human mate.

  Casey didn’t answer, but simply spun on his heel and walked away toward his horse, shoulders tense.

  “That could’ve gone better,” Mason admitted once he thought Casey was out of earshot.

  Lincoln, chewing on a grass stem, was silent for a time, staring after his son. “Well, we’ll have to hope he comes ’round,” he finally said.

  Mason nodded. Once he'd got to know her, Mason was sure Casey wouldn't be able to do anything but admit she was perfect for him. He couldn't imagine anyone not loving Charity. Whether she decided to move into the ranch with them or stayed out at the diner, she'd be a perfect addition to the pride. She was smart, brave, and independent – everything a lion looked for in a mate.

  Still – Mason couldn’t forget how angry Casey had been.

  “And if he doesn’t?” he asked.

  Lincoln turned to look him in the eye. “I’m sure you know I can’t force him to feel anything he doesn’t feel. Sure, I can order him to accept it, but I can’t make him like anything he doesn’t like. My first priority is and always has been peace within the pride and with the other shifters around us, no matter who they are. That’s my responsibility as alpha. I let you get your way about being sheriff. Now maybe it’s time you returned the favor.”

  Mason felt heat creeping up his neck. What was his uncle suggesting? That he give up his mate to keep the peace with Casey?

  “That’s not the same thing,” he said, hearing the anger rising in his voice. “Becoming sheriff was about helping people. Casey just doesn’t like it because he doesn’t understand it. It’s him who needs to learn – not me. If Charity can accept what I am – what we are – then why can’t he accept her? I’m not going to give her up. For anything or anyone. Period. Casey will just have to get used to it. If it causes friction in the pride, then it’s down to him,
not me. And not my mate.”

  Mason saw the rising anger in Lincoln’s eyes. He wasn’t surprised – defiance wasn’t something most alphas were used to. And usually, Mason wouldn’t dream of defying him: his own alpha, his father’s brother.

  But when it came to Charity, Mason felt there wasn’t a thing he wouldn’t do. He’d fight for her as long as he had to. If it meant breaking with the pride and putting every single one of the Reapers behind bars, shifter or not, he’d do it. Whatever it took.

  That was what having a mate was – protecting them, no matter what. With violence, if necessary.

  Whatever Lincoln might have said, he was interrupted by the approach of Joe, his long, slow, loping stride carrying him from where he’d been talking with Casey by the truck. Joe was closer to Mason’s own age, and growing up they’d been close. But Joe had a way of saying little and keeping himself to himself. Mason had often found his quietness comforting, though – it wasn’t a silence you felt the need to fill up with words. It was companionable. And when Joe did speak, it was usually to say something kind.

  “Casey says he’s going to drive the truck back,” he said, glancing between his father and Mason slowly, as if sensing the tension. “So I’ll ride Zip back with you.”

  Zip was the horse Casey rode when he was home from school. Joe stroked his nose gently as he untied him from the post.

  “Sure.” Lincoln’s voice still had an edge of anger to it, but Mason knew that, after all the weeks of tension, he wasn’t willing to carry on the argument now – not in front of Joe and Casey, anyway. Maybe later, in private, it would be a different story. Gritting his teeth, Mason untied his own horse, Jenna, before swinging himself up into the saddle.

  Despite his anger at Lincoln and Casey, it was amazing how much better the world looked from the top of a horse, Mason thought. Putting his stirrups into Jenna’s sides, he cantered off without waiting. He needed to be alone right now, the wind in his face and the smell of the ranch in his nostrils.

  He could feel the lion stirring inside him, angered by the suggestion that someone should ever want to keep it from its mate. It was prowling restlessly. Mason wanted to shift, but first they had plenty of work to get done. Maybe tonight he’d go out into the plains and run, let his animal side take over the human, with all its complications.

  Later, later. He could do that later. Right now, he had to try to get through the day without blowing up at either his uncle or his cousin.

  It took him a moment to realize that Joe had caught up with him and was riding beside him. Glancing across at him, he got the sense that his cousin wanted to say something, and he slowed to a trot, pulling at the reins. Mason was suspicious that Lincoln had sent Joe to try to convince him that letting Charity go was best for everyone, and he looked over at him, eyes hard.

  Joe must have caught his expression, because he shook his head right away. “I’m not here to tell you what to do, Mason,” he said quietly. “I just thought you might need a friendly ear.”

  Mason shook his head, smiling, and feeling a little guilty for his suspicions. “I’m sorry, Joe. I guess I’ve just had enough of being told what to do for one day – or one lifetime, in fact. Sorry, but Lincoln’s crazy if he thinks Casey’s little tantrum is more important than my mate.”

  Joe nodded. “I know, Mason. And he’ll come ’round – I’m sure of it. Casey’s just young. And spoiled. He’s always been that way – comes from being the baby of the pride. But he’ll grow up, and then he’ll feel like a total ass.”

  Mason laughed. “Well, hopefully. Things’re going to be a little tense until then, though.”

  In response, Joe only shrugged. “She’s worth it, though, isn’t she.”

  It wasn’t really a question. Mason glanced over at his cousin, before nodding. “That she is. I wish you could meet her right now. She’s incredible. Smart, funny – and beautiful.” He paused, caught up suddenly in the memory of Charity’s skin beneath his fingers, her curvaceous body against his. “Everything I always dreamed my mate would be.”

  Joe looked away, but not before Mason saw the wistful look in his eyes. “Then you know what the right thing to do is,” Joe said after a second. “And don’t let anybody put you off. I only hope I’ll find my mate one day, and she’ll be everything to me that yours is to you.”

  If Joe had been in arm’s reach, Mason would have patted him on the shoulder. As it was, he could only hope his cousin could sense how grateful he was for his words. “You will, Joe. She’s out there, and if anyone deserves to find their mate, it’s you.”

  Chapter Five

  Charity

  With a sigh, Charity heaved the bag full of trash into the dumpster.

  What a come down! she thought, her lip quirking a little. The day before yesterday she’d felt like a princess, eating a meal that someone else had prepared just for her, under the golden sunset, all snuggled up with the most gorgeous man she’d ever laid eyes on.

  And then, after that…

  Charity shivered a little as she remembered what had followed. It had been, without a doubt, the best night she’d ever had. No one had ever touched her the way Mason had touched her. She hadn’t thought it was possible to feel so good.

  Naturally, Sherri and Bob had been full of questions for her when they’d arrived just before lunch – and she saw the sly looks that passed between them. She knew they weren’t ones to judge, but she still didn’t exactly feel like getting into all the details with them. Sherri would just be happy she was finally getting some, first date or not! Ordinarily, Charity might have been shocked at herself, but with Mason, it hadn’t felt like a first date – it had felt like the beginning of forever.

  Throwing the next bag of trash into the dumpster, Charity dusted herself off and began to turn to head back toward the kitchen. It was just after lunch, and the sun was hot for a fall day, beams of light stretching out across the red plains behind the diner.

  Blissfully, the only sound was the wind and the rustle of leaves, and the vague buzz of Sherri and Bob chatting in the kitchen as they washed up from lunch. Best of all, there was no sound of motorbikes on the road – nothing at all to disturb the peace of the afternoon. Sherri had said the Reapers hadn’t come by while she was out on her date with Mason, either, leaving the diner in peace for the first evening that she could recall.

  Charity didn’t think they’d be as easily scared off as all that, but she resolved she’d enjoy it while it lasted.

  I’ve got the law on my side now, she thought, unable to stop the smile that snaked across her lips.

  “I know that look,” Sherri said when Charity came back into the kitchen, her tone teasing. “That’s the look of a satisfied woman.”

  Charity couldn’t help but join in the good-natured laughter. “You know I don’t kiss and tell, Sherri.”

  Sherri shook her head. “If I had a man like that, I’d be telling everybody I ever met,” she said, a little wistfully. “When’re you going to see him again?”

  Charity hesitated a little. “Well, I had hoped to go ’round and see him tonight. He texted me saying he was at work today, but he’d get away as soon as he could.”

  She watched as Sherri and Bob exchanged another one of their sly looks.

  “What?” she asked, growing a little suspicious.

  “Didn’t you say he cooked for you?” Bob asked, eyebrow raised.

  Charity felt her mouth start watering at the memory of the chili Mason had given her. “He sure did.”

  “Well, why not return the favor?” he asked. “There’s nothing a man likes more than food – and your food will knock his socks off. You should take him something at the station. Surprise him. And this way you’ll get to see him in his sexy sheriff’s uniform too, I bet.” Bob wiggled his eyebrows a little.

  Charity was about to give Bob a reason why that wasn’t possible: she had a diner to run, she couldn’t just drop everything and go to see Mason whenever she wanted to.

  But before
she could get the words out, another voice rose up in her head – one that said: Why not? Live a little, Charity. You promised yourself you would.

  Firmly, she pushed her objections away. She could do this.

  “All right,” she finally said. “Why don’t you two hold things down here, and I’ll drive down. With some food.”

  “Sure thing,” Sherri said. “Honestly, I could use the extra tips.”

  Charity grinned as she turned away. Reaching into a cupboard, she began collecting up as many plastic containers as she could find.

  What to take, what to take?

  There were plenty of leftovers from lunch. She’d spent the morning lovingly making them up, before Bob arrived to get cooking. In the end she decided to take a little of everything. First of all, some fried chicken – she’d brined them overnight with peppercorns and juniper berries, like her father had, before covering them with buttermilk, flour and spices and frying them up, good and crispy.

  Next, she scooped up two big spoonfuls of her creamy potato salad, then her fried butter beans with bacon. She was still tweaking the recipes on those – maybe she could get Mason’s opinion on what they were missing.

  She took a couple of biscuits, still warm from the oven, and wrapped them in a towel. They didn't have much in the way of desserts – just a small slice of cherry pie, which was the only thing left after the lunchtime rush. Still, it was better than nothing, and Charity scooped it up.

  Would that be enough?

  Mason was a big guy, and Charity imagined that all those muscles needed a lot of fuel. For good measure, she spooned the last of their butter beans into a container before snapping it shut.

  That should do it, she thought, satisfied.

  She had an old picnic basket of her grandma's that she’d kept for a bit of ‘home-style’ decoration on the counter. Picking it up, Charity put the food inside, before covering it with a towel to keep it warm, and heading out the door. Despite its dilapidated state, her truck seemed to be in tune with her good mood, and started on the first go for once. The Coldstream County Sheriff’s office was about a half hour drive from the diner.