Page 5 of Fetch Me A Mate (Shifter Mates of Hollow Oak #1)

DIANA

T he sound of clapboard being pried from the exterior wall created a steady rhythm as Diana washed the lunch dishes. Through the window, she could see Rowan working methodically, his movements efficient and sure. Each board came away clean, revealing the bones of the building beneath.

She was wiping down the desk when footsteps echoed from the porch.

Not Rowan's heavy work boots, but something lighter, more deliberate.

Diana looked up to see a thin man in a pressed gray suit standing in the doorway, clipboard in hand and an expression that suggested he'd found something distasteful.

"Ms. Merrick?" His voice carried the clipped authority of someone used to being obeyed. "I'm Gerald Finch, aide to the council. I'm here to conduct the preliminary assessment."

Diana straightened, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "Of course. Please, come in."

Finch stepped inside, his pale eyes cataloguing every detail of the lobby. He made a note on his clipboard, then another. Diana couldn't see what he was writing, but his expression didn't suggest approval.

"I trust the renovation work has begun?" he asked, not looking up from his notes.

"Yes, Rowan started this morning. He's working on the north wall structural issues now."

"Rowan Baneville." Finch's mouth pursed slightly. "Interesting choice of contractor."

Something in his tone made Diana's spine stiffen. "The Council assigned him to the project."

"Indeed. Though I would have expected someone with your... background... to request more oversight." He glanced at her meaningfully. "Given your human unfamiliarity with shifter customs."

The words hit like a slap, polite on the surface but cutting underneath. Diana felt her empathic gift stir, picking up currents of condescension and something sharper. Disapproval, maybe. Or testing.

"Where exactly should I be looking to learn about shifter customs?" Diana asked, keeping her voice level. "I'd hate to offend anyone through ignorance."

Finch blinked, clearly not expecting the direct response. "Well. I suppose the Council library has appropriate materials. Though most humans find the subject matter... challenging."

"I'll manage." Diana moved behind the reception desk, claiming the space as her own. "Is there something specific about the renovation that concerns you?"

"The timeline, primarily." Finch consulted his clipboard again. "The Council expects a certain standard of efficiency. We can't have the town's primary hospitality venue indefinitely disrupted."

Diana pulled out her own notebook, the one where she'd been sketching room layouts and tracking Rowan's progress. "We're ahead of schedule on the structural work. The north wall should be secure by tomorrow, and then we move to the stairs."

"And you're confident in Mr. Baneville's assessment of the work required?"

"Completely. He knows the building better than anyone except Miriam herself."

Finch made another note. "I see you're... closely involved in the day-to-day work."

There was something loaded in the way he said it, like close involvement was somehow inappropriate. Diana's jaw tightened.

"I'm learning how the inn functions so I can maintain it properly," she said. "That seems like responsible ownership to me."

"Of course." Finch's smile was thin. "Though I do hope you're not interfering with the contractor's ability to work efficiently."

From outside came the sharp crack of another board being removed. Diana glanced toward the window, catching a glimpse of Rowan examining the exposed wall frame.

"He hasn't complained," she said dryly.

"Naturally. Mr. Baneville is... accommodating." Finch closed his clipboard with a snap. "I'll need to inspect the work areas before I file my report."

"Be my guest. Though you might want to ask Rowan before you get too close. He's particular about safety protocols."

Finch's eyebrows rose slightly. "I hardly need a contractor's permission to conduct official Council business."

"No, but you need his expertise to avoid getting hurt." Diana smiled sweetly. "Old buildings can be unpredictable."

The aide studied her for a moment, clearly trying to decide if she was being deliberately difficult or genuinely helpful. Diana maintained her pleasant expression and waited.

"Very well," Finch said finally. "I'll conduct my inspection and submit the preliminary report this afternoon."

He moved toward the stairs, pausing to examine the work area where Rowan had replaced the third tread. Diana watched him test the new board with his foot, making notes about the quality of the repair.

"The work appears adequate," he said, like he was disappointed not to find fault.

"Rowan's very thorough."

"Indeed." Finch descended the stairs and headed for the front door. "I'll return next week to assess progress. Please ensure all permits and documentation are readily available."

"Of course."

He paused in the doorway. "Ms. Merrick, might I suggest you consider hosting some sort of community event? The Council appreciates gestures of goodwill from new business owners."

Diana felt a spark of inspiration. "Actually, I've been thinking about that. What would you say to an Autumn Hearth Gathering? Nothing fancy, just an evening of shared stories and food by the fireplace."

Finch's expression shifted, surprise replacing condescension. "That's... actually quite appropriate. The town enjoys its traditions."

"Then I'll plan something for next week. Give people a chance to see the progress we're making and meet me properly."

"Excellent. I'll note that in my report." For the first time since he'd arrived, Finch looked genuinely pleased. "The Council values community engagement."

After he left, Diana stood in the doorway watching his precise figure disappear around the corner. The encounter had left her feeling like she'd passed some kind of test, though she wasn't entirely sure what she'd been tested on.

"Pompous ass."

Diana turned to find Rowan standing just inside the door, wiping sawdust from his hands with a rag. His pale eyes were fixed on the spot where Finch had vanished.

"You heard that?"

"Hard not to. He's got a voice that carries." Rowan's jaw was tight. "What did he want?"

"Preliminary assessment. Making sure I'm not screwing things up too badly." Diana closed the door and leaned against it. "Also making sure I know my place as the human outsider."

Rowan's expression darkened. "He say that?"

"Not in so many words. But the message was clear enough." Diana shrugged. "I think I handled it okay. Even got him to approve my idea for a community event."

"What kind of event?"

"An Autumn Hearth Gathering. Story sharing, food, fireplace ambiance. Show the town that the inn is still a place where people can come together." Diana pulled out her notebook and flipped to a fresh page. "Think it'll work?"

Rowan was quiet for a moment, considering. "People here like traditions. Give them something that feels familiar and they'll warm to it."

"Good. Because I just committed to hosting it next week." Diana started sketching a rough timeline. "Think the lobby will be presentable by then?"

"Should be. Might still have the smell of fresh paint, but nothing that'll scare off guests."

"Perfect." Diana made notes about food, decorations, invitations. "Will you come? To the gathering, I mean."

Rowan's hand stilled on the rag. "Not really my scene."

"But you'll be welcome. If you want."

He nodded once, noncommittal. "We should get back to work. Daylight's burning."

They returned to the renovation, but Diana found herself thinking about community and belonging, about proving herself worthy of a place she desperately wanted to claim. The Autumn Hearth Gathering felt like more than just a social event. It felt like a declaration of intent.

She was here to stay. She just had to convince everyone else of that, including herself.