Inhaling deeply, she steadied her breath. She was going to enjoy this evening. Who did not enjoy making brownies?
With her mate. That was never going to get old.
Heading for the front door, she exited her house, pulled the door closed behind her, and double-checked that it was locked before heading for her car.
As she slid into the driver’s side, she caught her reflection in the rearview mirror. With both hands, she tilted the mirror down and studied her face.
Did she look different? Her cheeks glowed a little more and her eyes shone a little brighter.
Just think of how glowing you’ll look and how much brighter your eyes will shine when you’ve claimed him, her wolf said sleepily.
Who will claim who? Joanna replied, her cheeks glowing redder.
It’ll be fun to find out who wears the pants in this relationship. Her wolf chuckled as she finally lay down her head and went to sleep.
Joanna put the car in drive, heading for a new life with her mate and his daughter.
Chapter Five – Shawn
“Your hand is shaking.” Jane looked at Shawn with concern in her eyes. His heart faltered as he placed the large mixing bowl down on the counter and turned to face his daughter. “Is everything okay?”
“I’m nervous,” Shawn admitted.
“Why? I thought you said that Joanna was your fated mate. Doesn’t that mean you two are meant to be together forever?” Confusion mixed with concern as Jane tried to make sense of the grown-up world that was unfolding around her.
“It does.” He took a deep breath and exhaled. “But I’m still nervous. I’ve never done this before.”
“Oh, I get it. You’re just worried that if you mess up today, you’re going to live your whole life with Joanna thinking she’s stuck with an idiot.” Jane strode forward, exuding confidence as she took the bowl from him and pointed to the chair. “Sit down. I’ll pour you some coffee and then I’ll get everything ready.”
Shawn cracked a wide smile. “Do you know how much I love you, Jane?”
“Yeah.” She cast a look over her shoulder. “I love you, too, Dad. Which is why I’m going to make sure everything goes smoothly.”
“You are okay with Joanna in our lives?” Shawn asked.
“Sure.” Jane very carefully took the pot of coffee and poured the dark aromatic liquid into a cup. “I always knew that you would meet your mate one day.” He got up from the chair and picked up the cup as Jane filled it a little too full.
“Thanks.” He sat back down. “Although, you know not every shifter meets their mate.”
“I know. But I always knew you would.” She studied the cupboards for a moment before she began pulling out the ingredients they needed for the brownies. “You deserve to be happy.”
“Everyone deserves to be happy.” Shawn sipped his coffee slowly and tried to relax.
“Even bad people?” Jane paused as she placed the flour on the counter.
“It’s not that simple,” Shawn replied. “Not everyone sets out to be bad. Sometimes things happen and that’s just the way it turns out.” He ran a hand through his hair. These deep questions always caught him off guard and he often stumbled through his answers.
“Was my mom bad?” Jane asked quietly.
“No, honey. I’m sure she wasn’t bad.” He swallowed hard. This question had blindsided him.
“Is she dead?” Jane asked.
“I don’t know.” Shawn placed his coffee cup down on the table and went to Jane. Sinking down to his knees, he closed his arms around her slim shoulders and pulled her close. “I don’t know a lot about her. I’m sorry I can’t answer more of your questions.”
Jane lay her head on his shoulders. “I just thought…”
“Thought what, honey?” Shawn rubbed his hand over her back as he soothed her.
“That if you and Joanna got married and have kids of your own…” She didn’t finish her sentence, but Shawn had a good idea of the words she’d left unsaid.
“Hey.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and held her a foot away so he could look into her face. He needed her to see he was telling her the truth when he said, “You are my daughter. We are a family. If Joanna had a child of her own, we would have joined the two families together.”
Jane nodded mutely.
“I love you.” He placed his hand on his heart. “I love you so much it hurts. I will always love you.”
Jane’s eyes misted with tears and she nodded before flinging her arms around his shoulders and sobbing. “I love you, too.”
Shawn held her for the longest time. It no longer mattered if he wasn’t ready for when Joanna arrived. It no longer mattered if his mate thought he was perfect. Because he wasn’t. Nobody was.
The one thing he could offer her, that no other man could, was unconditional love. The same unconditional love he showered on Jane every day. And had every day since she’d been handed to him.
“Okay. Shall we get everything ready together?” Shawn asked as he got up from the floor.
Jane wiped her hand across her red-rimmed eyes. “Together.”
“Okay. You have the flour already. What else do we need?” He put his finger on his chin and tapped it thoughtfully.
“Sugar!” Jane spun around and went to the cupboard for sugar while Shawn got the butter from the fridge. Together they collected all the ingredients and utensils they’d need to make the best brownies in Cougar Ridge.
“She’s here.” Shawn’s senses locked onto his mate as she drove into Cougar Ridge. He’d never experienced such an intense focus on one person.
She’s our mate, his cougar said.
She sure is. Shawn grinned. That’s never going to get old.
I sometimes thought we would get old before we met her, his cougar admitted.
You’re not the only one, Shawn admitted.
Now we don’t have to worry. She’s here. His cougar looked up. Right here outside the front door.
“Are you going to answer the door?” Jane’s voice jerked him back into the present.
“I am.” He smiled nervously. “How do I look?”
Jane screwed up her face as she studied her father. “The same as always.”
Shawn looked down at his clothes. “I thought I’d made an effort.”
With an arched eyebrow, Jane came around the kitchen table and stood in front of him, her hands on her hips. “I like that you look the same as always.” She lifted her chin and looked him square in the eye. “You shouldn’t change for anyone other than yourself.”
Shawn cracked a grin. “You do listen to me!” He leaned down and scooped her up in his arms.
Jane giggled as he tickled her, planted a kiss on her cheek, and then set her back down on the floor before hurtling toward the front door. Skidding to a halt, he composed his features before he reached for the door handle and opened his home and his heart to his mate.
“I thought you were going to leave me standing out here.” Joanna thrust a bottle of wine and a six-pack of honey beer in his direction. “These are for you.” She held up a box of candy tied with a ribbon. “And these are for Jane. If that’s okay with you.”
“Wow, you didn’t have to.” He accepted the beer and wine. “Jane is in the kitchen. I’m sure she’d like you to give them to her.”
“Okay.” Joanna’s face paled as she inhaled deeply and took a step inside the house.
“She won’t bite.” He snapped his teeth at her as she walked past.
“But I might,” she murmured as she brushed against him.
“I hope so.” He closed the front door and followed his mate through into the kitchen. His eyes were drawn to her curvy figure and the way her skinny jeans enhanced her butt. He sure would like to peel them off her.
Later, he told himself as Jane met them in the hallway.
“Hi.” Joanna lifted her hand and waved. “These are for you.”
“For me!” Jane’s eyes opened wide. “Thank you.” She took t
he box of candy and hugged Joanna.
“That’s okay.” Joanna hunkered down and took hold of Jane’s hands. “I want us to be friends, Jane. If that’s okay.”
“I want us to be friends, too.” Jane glanced up at Shawn. “Well, more than friends, I guess.”
“I told Jane that we’re mates.” Shawn went around to the table and set the beer and wine down. Opening the fridge, he shuffled the contents around and transferred a couple of bottles of beer and then wine to the bottom shelf.
“And is that okay?” Joanna cocked her head on one side and looked at Jane’s face critically. “I’m not responsible for these tears, am I?”
Jane put her hand to her eye and dabbed the red skin before shaking her head. “We were talking about my mom.”
“Oh, I see.” Joanna glanced up at Shawn. “As long as you are okay. I don’t want to do anything to hurt you. I know how much a daughter loves and needs her dad.”
Joanna stood up and placed her hand on Jane’s shoulder. Shawn stared at them for a long moment. They could almost be mother and daughter. His wife and their child. His breath caught in his throat and Shawn coughed before indicating toward the table.
“Shall we get baking?” Shawn wanted to break the tension in the room. Today was supposed to be about fun, about the three of them bonding together. Tears were not on the agenda. However, it was a fight to contain them as he shuffled the ingredients for the brownies around.
“Are you okay, Dad?” Jane was empathetic, able to pick up on people’s emotions as if it were a sixth sense.
“I’m fine.” He nodded and gulped. “I’m fine.” He gave a short laugh and kept nodding.
“Why don’t you teach me how to make these brownies, Jane?” Joanna placed her hand over Shawn’s and gave it a quick squeeze. “I’d love some coffee.” Her mouth curled up at one corner and she winked at him.
It didn’t help. His emotions rushed toward him like a freight train. He had to be one of the luckiest men alive. He’d got an amazing daughter and now he was blessed with the most amazing mate.
“Do you want a soda?” Shawn’s voice cracked but he sniffed loudly and went to the fridge. Pulling it open, he took out the milk and then reached for a can of soda.
“Yes, please.” If Jane knew her dad was close to tears, she didn’t let on. “This is going to be hot work.”
“But good work. Since we get brownies at the end of it.” Joanna helped Jane measure out the ingredients and put them in the bowl while Shawn poured the coffee and opened the can of soda.
“I’m a little redundant.” He pulled out a chair and sat down. “But I do like watching my women work.”
“Your women?” Joanna asked in mock shock.
“He’s joking with us.” Jane giggled, then she cupped her hand to her mouth and said, “Joey thinks my dad would make a good housewife. If he wasn’t so good at being a doctor.”
“Oh, I like the sound of that. When I come home from a hard day at the station, my dinner will be on the table waiting for me. And if ever I get injured, I won’t need to go to my own doctor.” She gave him a teasing smile.
“Oh, I am a man who believes in equality. We share all the cooking, all the chores…”
“Does that mean that Joanna will be moving in with us soon?” Jane asked hopefully.
Joanna stopped stirring the cake batter. “We have only just met. I think we might all need some time to get used to the idea.”
“I’m used to the idea already.” Jane got the baking pans ready. “You’re mates after all.” She looked from Shawn to Joanna and back again. “I thought being mates meant you knew you were meant to spend the rest of your lives together. So why wait?”
She has a point, Shawn’s cougar said.
“Okay, I think these brownies are ready to bake,” Joanna expertly changed the subject, grabbing Jane’s attention and saving them from an awkward moment.
“Let’s get them in the oven.” Jane took the distraction and went with it. In a couple of minutes, the brownies were baking in the oven and all talk of Joanna moving in with them was forgotten.
For now, his cougar said. But it is a conversation we need to have. Jane is right, we are meant to be together. We want to be together.
We just need to figure out how that is going to work. He glanced at Jane as she knelt in front of the stove and watched the brownies as they cooked. He hated the idea of moving his daughter away from Cougar Ridge and the life she had here. Her friends, school, all the people who loved her and cared for her. This was their home.
But Joanna had a life, too. She had a home and friends in the city. People like O’Malley.
Somehow, they would need to find a compromise. A way for them to all be happy.
If that was possible.
We have no choice but to make this work, his cougar replied. And he was right.
Chapter Six – Joanna
“The brownies were delicious,” Joanna complimented Jane as Shawn’s daughter headed upstairs to bed. “And I’ve had the best time. Thank you for inviting me over.”
“I had a great time, too.” Jane came across the living room and hugged Joanna. “Goodnight.”
“Night, Jane. Sweet dreams.” She wrapped her arms around Jane and hugged her. As she let the young girl go, Joanna experienced an unusual jolt of maternal love.
She’s part of Shawn. Which means she is part of us. Her wolf was right. Jane was part of their family now and she would love and protect her as if she were her own flesh and blood.
I wonder whose flesh and blood she is part of? Joanna mused as Shawn entered the living room with a glass of wine and a bottle of beer.
“I refilled your glass.” Shawn gave a small smile as he handed her the glass. “I figured if I got you drunk you might stay the night.”
“Did you?” She accepted the glass of wine and took a long drink. “We should test that theory.”
“No strings,” he said hurriedly, taking a slug of beer before putting the bottle down on the small side table next to the sofa. “I’m just going to say goodnight to Jane.”
“Take your time.” Joanna leaned back on the sofa, her eyes drooping after a long day at work followed by too much food. Shawn had cooked a wonderful pot pie and the brownies for dessert had been so good she’d eaten two. Now her belly bulged, and she longed to curl up on the sofa and sleep it off.
Except that her mate was upstairs, and she’d worn her best lingerie. She did not want it to go to waste.
“Hey, you okay there?” Shawn touched her shoulder and she jumped, her wine sloshing around in the glass.
“Yes.” She jerked her head upright. “I dozed off.”
“I see that.” He arched an eyebrow. “I must be riveting company.”
She ran her hand across her eyes and yawned widely. “I had an early start.”
“Listen, why don’t you go to bed?” He inclined his head toward the stairs. “I’ll clean the kitchen while you sleep.”
Joanna yawned again. “Jane is right, you are a good househusband.” She placed her hand on the arm of the sofa and pushed herself to a standing position. “But I don’t want you telling stories to our grandkids about how I fell asleep on our first date.”
“I already have that one in the bag.” He grabbed his phone from his pocket and tapped the screen. “I also have the photo to prove it.”
“You do not!” She made a grab for his phone, but he was too fast and dodged back out of the way.
“Now you’re awake.” He grinned and tapped his phone screen once more. “I was joking, I would never take a photo of you like that.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You know you have to tell me the truth, right? That’s what mates do.”
“I swear there is no photo.” He tilted his head to one side. “I meant it about you going up to bed if you’re tired.”
“No. I’ll help in the kitchen. It’s the least I can do.” She gulped down her wine and nodded toward the door. “Lead the way.”
“Do y
ou want another refill?” Shawn went to the half-empty bottle of wine and lifted it.
“If I didn’t know better, Doctor Shawn, I would think you were trying to get me drunk.” She held out her glass for him to fill. “I think I need the courage.”
“Courage?” Shawn asked.
“Yeah.” She sipped her wine and then waved her finger toward him. “This is all so new. I’m scared I’m going to mess it up.” She put her finger to her lips. “The alcohol has loosened my tongue.”
Shawn sighed. “Why would you mess this up?” he asked. “I’m the one with a daughter.” He hesitated, his lips pursed as if he was going to say more.
“Is she okay? Jane looked as if she’d been crying when I arrived.” She took a quick sip of wine and shivered as the alcohol infused her blood. “And you looked as if you were about to cry after I arrived.” She nodded. “I feel that making everyone cry on a first date is not great.”
“I cried because… Because when I saw you and Jane together, you could almost be mother and daughter.” He put his hand on his heart. “A child needs a mother.” His voice hitched and he turned away.
“Hey, kitty cat. It’s okay to have feelings.” Joanna placed her wine glass down on the table and slid her arms around her mate’s neck. “I like that you have a heart. I like it a lot.”
His mouth curled up at one corner. “Aren’t I supposed to be the alpha male? The protector.”
“Oh, I think you’d do just fine protecting us against whatever comes our way.” She slid her hand down over his shoulder and rested it on his bicep. “Do you work out, doctor?”
He chuckled. “I like to keep in shape.”
“To fight off all those female patients who want to ease your loneliness?” Joanna licked her lips, her eyes fixed on his mouth.
Shawn shook his head. “I’m pretty sure every female in town knows I’m unobtainable.”
“Not this female.” She inched her head forward and Shawn slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. His strong hands were warm against her skin and heat flared across her body.
Shawn Spring Shifter Seasons Page 4
