Carroll: Morgan’s Leap – Leopards Shapeshifter Romance
Page 15
“All of them?” Hanna told Leslie that so far, it didn’t include Shiloh. “They’re all here? My brothers have found their other halves? This is just crazy.”
But it was true. After Leslie had left with Venetia to pick up her family, Meredith had arrived with her daughter, Piper. She was large with a child. She hadn’t wanted to come, but with her due date coming up, Meredith hadn’t wanted to leave her alone. Almost as soon as she entered the house, Marley had figured out she was his mate.
After that, others were coming and going, and it had felt for a little while there that she’d have to write it all down. But when Allison and her brother came down from the upper floors, having settled into their rooms, Scout nearly fell over his tongue when he figured out he had a mate as well.
Zippy, taking it hard that someone was there for her, was the last to arrive and the mate to Bailey. It was like having a bunch of lovesick puppies running around while each of them tried their best to cater to the needs of their mates. She didn’t know which one was more pissed off about it, however, Bailey or Zippy. Hanna thought they were well suited to each other in temperament and personality.
“So I’m the odd man out.” Hanna hugged Shiloh and told him that she loved him anyway. “Thanks. I think. But I know that since these guys have mates, I must have one out there as well. I’m going to be taking notes on what not to do when she comes. This might be a lot of fun for us.”
“I’m thinking it’s going to be a blast.” They both laughed as the others seemed to be standing back and getting the lay of the land. Or, in this case, the way their mates wanted to be treated. “I’m betting by the end of the day, not only will they all be pissed at each other, but the women will be ganging up on the men just to keep them at arm’s length. What do you think?”
“That you’re right. Who would have thought that getting family together for a funeral and the meeting of a daughter could generate so much? I’m hoping when my time comes, I am just as happy as I am right now.” She told Shiloh he would be the happiest. “I hope so. This is almost more than I could have hoped for in the way things are going. Mom must be out of her mind with happiness.”
“She’s in the kitchen. I think when she left here, she wasn’t taking it so well. I’m not sure why, but then when I checked on her a few minutes ago, she was crying. Happy tears. But I think she wants to keep her boys hers for a little while longer.” She looked at Shiloh. “You should go in and give her a hug. I’m betting she could use one about now.”
He didn’t hesitate but left her sitting on the couch to watch the others. When Carroll sat down beside her, she kissed him. Roman and Victoria sat down with them, and they quietly discussed what was going on. It was Zippy that broke the quiet.
“I am not going to be a slave to anyone.” Bailey told her he didn’t expect her to be anything like that. “Well, I’m not going to be easy. You can fucking bet on that. I don’t need a man in my life any more than I need a hole in my head.”
“I have a hole in my head.” She looked at Roman. “It gives me fits once in a while. Certainly keeps me off balance.”
Reaching up, Hanna touched her hand to his head. When she put out her hand, she showed him the bullet fragment she’d been able to take out. Roman stared at her for several silent seconds before he laughed.
“I’m thinking you and I are going to have a great deal of fun, Hanna. Yes, a great deal of fun. Thank you. Now, if you’d do the same for my wife, I’d give you anything you wish, including my life in servitude.” Hanna told him they were family and that she didn’t want anything but his friendship. “You have it. But I will look for something to repay you, my dear. You’ve given me more than I could have hoped for when we got here. My daughters are together and with us. That is the best thing a man could ask for in life.”
“Wait until the grandchildren come along.” They all looked up at Morgan, who had obviously been crying. “I’m so excited to be a grandma now that I could just bust. Please tell me you’re going to stay here. I’m hoping to convince Meredith to do the same, along with Butch and Tony. We’ll be the happiest family around.”
Roman looked at Victoria, and she nodded. “I believe you have your answer, Morgan. Thank you very much. But I have to admit something. I’m starving. Do you think I could get another one of those apples from earlier? The best thing I’ve ever eaten.”
“You can have all you want.” As the three of them, including Victoria, walked away, Hanna looked over at Carroll.
“I went to the doctor this morning. For a check-up for insurance. I’m going to have a baby.” Carroll, busy watching Zippy and Bailey argue, suddenly looked at her. “Yep, a little baby to add to this mess. What do you think?”
His roar had her covering her ears. When he hugged her, bringing her over to sit on his lap, Hanna felt a happiness she knew was forever. A husband, child, and family. She didn’t think it ever would get any better than this.
“I love you, Hanna. So much.” Hanna told him that she loved him as well. “I don’t know what I was doing before you came into my life, but I surely look forward to being with you as much as I can. I love you.”
“And I love you.” She stood up. “How about we hurry dinner along? I’m hungry, and I’m sure it’ll be entertaining watching these guys get their shit together. Want to help?”
“I do.” Heading to the kitchen, she heard laughter there as well. Tonight when they sat down, she was going to have Carroll tell them their news. She couldn’t wait for them to be parents. She was looking forward to raising a lot of children. Especially if they were anything like their father. Hanna hugged Morgan and sat at the table in the kitchen.
She’d always heard that the kitchen was the heart of the home. It was truer in this home when the others, mates too, came to join them for snacks and drinks. They’d get things worked out, she knew it. But she was going to enjoy watching it. A girl had to have some fun, after all.
Before You Go…
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Kathi Barton, a winner of the Pinnacle Book Achievement award as well as a best-selling author on Amazon and All Romance books, lives in Nashport, Ohio, with her husband, Paul. When not creating new worlds and romance, Kathi and her husband enjoy camping and going to auctions. She can also be seen at county fairs with her husband, who is an artist and potter.
Her muse, a cross between Jimmy Stewart and Hugh Jackman, brings her stories to life for her readers in a way that has them coming back time and again for more. Her favorite genre is paranormal romance, with a great deal of spice. You can visit Kathi on line and drop her an email if you’d like. She loves hearing from her fans. aaronskiss@gmail.com.
Follow Kathi on her blog: http://kathisbartonauthor.blogspot.com/
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10