Wolf Creek Sheriff (Texas Pack 4) (Prequel) (Wolf Creek Shapeshifters) by Jo Ellen

and took in his home. It was bigger than she thought it’d be, with a peaked metal roof, which would be awesome when it rained. Well, maybe. Then again, if it hailed that would probably suck. Were metal roofs insulated against noise? She jumped a little when Colin put an arm around her.
    “See Stephanie? No basement.” He was grinning.
    She elbowed him in his stomach but not even a whiff of air left his mouth. “Jerk,” she muttered.
    Scooping her up, he strode across the grass and up the few steps leading to his door. Glancing down at her with one eyebrow raised, he sighed. “It wouldn’t be as romantic if I shuffle you around to open the door myself.”
    Oh, she got it now. Reaching for the knob, she turned it and he used their combined weight to push the door open.
    He didn’t release her like she expected, instead he surveyed the room as if looking for imperfections.
    “You can put me down now,” she murmured.
    Glancing down, he gently sat her on her feet. “What do you think?”
    What did she think? Oh my God! Obviously the doorway was a time capsule to the seventies. While the outside showed the beautiful stacked logs of a typical cabin, the interior was closed off with walls and doors leading in every direction.
    Seeing an opening which she assumed was the kitchen, she headed that way while keeping silent until she could gather her thoughts.
    Yeah, it was the kitchen, with honest-to-God brown appliances. They were probably advertised with some pretty name like ‘autumn leaves’ or something when they were new. As Colin slipped in behind and wrapped his arms around her waist, she tried to think of something kind to say.
    “Um, it’s big.” Which was about the only good thing it had going for it.
    She shivered when he nibbled her neck before raising his head and glancing around. “Stephanie, this is your home too now. Whatever you don’t like, we can change.”
    Nibbling on her lower lip, she started calculating how much money she had in her savings. Not enough for a job this size, she knew. She wanted to knock out walls and make the kitchen and dining room open to the living room. Gut the kitchen, buy all new appliances, and add French doors leading to the back yard. All this and she hadn’t even seen the bathroom yet. She was a little bit scared as to what they looked like.
    If he was a do it yourselfer, they could handle the work themselves and save a lot of money. Time to be brave and see how he felt about change. Lots and lots of change.
    “Colin, do you particularly like the layout of your house?” She asked, delicately.
    The confusion on his face prodded her to be blunt.
    She took a deep breath. “I’d like to knock out some walls and completely remodel this kitchen, open the space up and bring it in to the twenty-first century with new appliances too.” She studied his face, reading his expression as it went from confused to happy. Hmm, that was not what she was expecting. Her breath whooshed out when he swung her around, laughing.
    “We can work this place into whatever vision you see in that head of yours,” he said as he set her on her feet once again, still smiling.
    “Why are you so happy about a remodel?” Now she was the confused one.
    Pulling her in close, he hugged her tightly and rested his chin on top of her head. “You’re nesting, making plans for our future. You’ve accepted our mating and I no longer fear you leaving and going back to Dallas.”
    Huh. The thought of going home for good hadn’t even entered her head. But she did need more clothes and some of her other things, so they were going to have to make some decisions about moving her life here. But not right now. She lifted her head and solemnly asked to see the rest of his house.
    The hallway bath was as bad as she feared. Yellow tile on the shower wall, yellow toilet, yellow countertops. She moved on to the master bedroom, totally skipping the guest rooms. What was the point? She’d get to those at another