The drive to Aunt Nettieâs cabin wasnât a particular long one but it gave Caroline some time alone with her thoughts. Usually the woman hated being in such solitary situations, memories of a time long ago seemed to shroud her mind, her inner Mr Hyde still haunting and tormenting her with words that were meant to break her, âHe doesnât love youâŠif he did he would tell everyone. No, Sam could never love a broken runaway like you.â Of course she knew it was a load of crap, at least she though she did, Sam did love her right? And keeping their relationship from the rest of pack was the best solution, wasnât it? Truth was she wasnât so sure, about the latter one anyway. At the moment they were stuck in a rut, she could feel it even if their actions spoke otherwise, Caro loved Sam with all her heart, she nothing more than to marry the man, settle down and raise three children but at the moment it was like he was scared to move forward. He blamed it on Axel; truth was Caro suspected that Emily was more the reason for his apprehension. Before Caro, Sam had loved another and she had sadly died and a part of her thought Sam feared the same thing happening to her and no matter how many times she promised nothing would happen to her, at the end of the day she really had no control over such things, this they both knew.
Pulling up in Nettieâs drive way Caro cut the engine to her jeep, silence engulfing the cabin of the car, rested her head back against the head rest she let out a heavy sigh, she couldnât help but fear they would always be in the same situation and to be honest Caro wasnât sure how much longer she could carry on this façade, she wanted to be his, solely his and she wanted the world to know it. Running a frustrated hand through her hair, Caro finally unfastened her seatbelt and exited her car. Walking up to Nettieâs door she knocked twice to signal her arrival before entering, âAunt Nettieâ Caro called out, her voice loud enough so it echoed through the home.
âIn the kitchen dear,â Nettieâs voice followed hers almost immediately and just as quickly, Carolineâs senses were hit with the intoxicating aroma of her Auntâs baking. Licking her lips slightly at the anticipation of what was in store, she quickly walked towards the back of house and into the homely kitchen, where she spotted Nettie hunched over a mixing bowl. Walking over Caro placed a quick kiss upon the older womanâs cheek before sticking her finger into the mixture, âWhat have I told you about doing that young lady!? Nettie scolded lightly, swatting her hand atop of Caroâs.
Caroline merely laughed as she moved and sat down at the kitchen table, reaching for one of the cupcakes which stood on the stand, they looked far too delicious to pass up. âSo to what do I owe this pleasure, my love?â The older woman asked as she turned back towards Carol, wiping her hands on her apron, âasides from you eating all my food?â she teased.
âYou know perfectly well that Iâd starve without your food hampersâ Caroline uttered upon a chuckle, she would as well, she often worked crazy hours that she had very little time to shop for groceries let alone cook and Nettie, being the woman that she was often sent her food and baked good, some weeks it was all she lived on. âThatâs because you work too hard. If youâd only hire a manager or something youâd be able to have much more free time. Time which you could be spending with Sam.â Caro couldnât help but grimace at her words, an action that did not go unnoticed by Nettie.
Concern flushed across the older womanâs countenance as Nettie regarded her daughter, âmy love, whatever is the matter? Has something happened between you and Sam?â she asked taking the seat next to Caro and taking her hand in hers, her thumb gently running over Caroâs knuckles in a soothing manner. Not exactlyâŠâ Caroline began with a heavy sigh, âBut thatâs just the problem, nothing is happening! I love him so much Aunt Nettie and I respect his wishes to keep things quiet, I can understand why he does it but every time I ask him about it, itâs just âa little while longerâ and I fear that Iâm going to waste my life desperately chasing something that can never be!â By this point tears had started to escape from Carolineâs blue hues, her emotions didnât always get the better of her but when they did tears werenât always that far away.
âOh my darling, come hereâ Nettie cooed as if she were a young child and pulled her into a loving embrace, pulling back the older woman wiped the tears from Caroâs cheeks and smiled softly, âI donât pretend to know a lot about men, my love, there has only been one man in my life and that was such a long time ago I can barely remember all the doâs and donâts. But one thing I know for certain is that Sam loves you a great deal, I can see it in his eyes every time he looks at you and I bet he is suffering just as much as you are.â The certainty in her voice caused Caro to feel quite a bit better; Nettieâs words were reassuring but did not completely stamp out her doubts or fears, however she decided not to dwell on the situation any longer, there was no use worrying over something that she had no control over.
Squeezing her Auntâs hand, Caroline offered her a small smile, âthank youâ she whispered almost inaudibly. âYou donât need to thank me, you are my child and it is my job to ease your worries.â Caroline felt a rush of warmth sweep through her body at Nettieâs words; she always did love being regarded to as Nettieâs child, even if it was not by blood but through love.
âYouâre are staying with me tonight, thereâs been a rather nasty murder in the woods and I donât want you staying here alone tonight, okay?â Caro uttered, leaving no room for arguments, which Nettie seemed to sense as she simply nodded and rose from her seat, âI shall go and pack my bags, be a help and put the pie I baked in a container, oh and pack those steaks I have in the fridge, we can have them for dinner.â
Not long later both women were in car and driving back towards town, after quickly dropping Nettieâs things off at Caroâs the pair headed towards the diner, just as she had promised Sam. By the time they reached the establishment, the usual bright smile was back on Caroâs lips as was her happy demeanour, the bell rang over head as they entered and by the looks of things almost the entire pack was, but there was also a other scent, one which Caro was certain she had smelt before but for the life of her she could not place it.
That was until he turned around. Caroâs blue eyes widened as did her smile as her gaze fell upon no other than Axelâs older brother Albrecht, âyour back!â she cried in a happy delirium, throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him into a welcoming embrace, âgod I missed you!â she mumbled into his shoulder before pulling away and looked around the group who all bore very different expressions, she noticed Leanna and offered a quick concerned glance as if you say 'are you alright?' Only god would know how Axel would deal with this.