Read Alder, Alanea - Fated to Be Family [Kindred of Arkadia 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) for Free Online Page B

crossed his face. “We can get the murals done again. Who did you get to do them? We can call them tomorrow.” She took his face in her hands. She was surprised when he started to blush clear to his hairline.
    “I did them,” he mumbled.
    Bran looked up from where he was squatted down, dangling a toy elephant in front of the boys.
    “You painted those amazing murals? Why the hell are you working in a bar slinging bottles?” Bran demanded.
      “When I moved to town there wasn’t a high demand for art, but there seemed to be a high demand for alcohol. So I did what I had to for the boys.” He shrugged.
    “If you could quit working at the bar and concentrate on painting, would you?” Bran asked.
    “I won’t let you support me,” Caleb said, shaking his head.
    “I’m not saying for you stay at home and eat bon bons, Caleb. But you could raise our sons and dedicate time to your art. You could end up selling pieces and get placed into an art gallery. It’s a waste of your talent to be handing out beers when you could be painting masterpieces like I saw in the nursery,” Bran said passionately.
    Caleb blinked and then a slow smile spread on his face.
    “Masterpieces, huh?” He seemed to think about it for a long moment. “I won’t leave Mojo high and dry, but if you’re serious about letting me paint, I’d like to give it a try. I was going to resume painting when I was living with the leopards. This isn’t too different. But, Bran, if things get tight, let me know. I’m not afraid of hard work,” Caleb said, seriously.
    Bran smiled and clapped a hand on his back. “I don’t think that will ever be an issue.”
    “I saw the Pack house. I’m assuming money isn’t too big of a concern,” Caleb said, heading toward the nursery.
    Bran exploded into laughter and then two sets of giggles joined him. Caleb shook his head and he joined Kate as she headed to the nursery to start packing.

    * * * *

    Kate was folding tiny shirts and pants when Caleb returned with some empty boxes.
    “They were still in one of the unused bedrooms. I hadn’t gotten around to throwing them away,” he said sheepishly, handing her a cardboard box.
    “I can’t imagine having much time to do anything. Between work and the boys, well, in this case, it worked out for the best.”
    Kate moved stacks of clothes to a box. Her eyes went to the murals around the room. Each leopard had its own distinctive markings, setting it apart from the other leopards painted. The attention to detail was amazing. Her gaze kept wandering back to the smiling face of the woman holding younger versions of Landon and Lucas. Was this Renee, the woman who her mate had loved enough to give her children? She peeked sideways at Caleb, who was filling his cardboard box with toys. She bit her lip. She wanted to ask but didn’t want to dredge up bad memories. She cleared her throat and he looked up.
    “Umm, is this Renee?” she asked pointing to the picture.
    His eyes softened and he nodded.
    “That’s how I remember her best. Smiling and holding the boys. Painting them has helped with the grief. In a way it’s like they are still around us,” Caleb said.
    “What was she like?” Kate asked, turning her attention back to the clothes. She was afraid to look at his face and see the love he had for another woman there.
    “Renee was a pain in my ass,” Caleb said then laughed.
    Her head shot up. “What?” She couldn’t believe he’d said that.
    “Renee and I loved each other, but not to make it sound too weird, it was more like a brother and sister love than if we were lovers. She knew how to get under my skin and she loved to do it. She would pull some prank and then sit back and laugh, just like that.” He pointed to the wall.
    “What kind of pranks?” Kate asked, setting her full box aside. She was curious as to what would drive Caleb crazy.
    “She absolutely loved pranks where she put things in motion and then sat back and watched them unfold.