Joey: Spring (Shifter Seasons Book 6)

by Harmony Raines

  “I don’t know.” At least Breeze wasn’t completely closed off from giving them a chance. “I suppose I’ve never expected to feel like this about someone. And part of me thinks it’s just the first blush of love and it will fade just like the brightest flower blooms and fades.”

  “Or, we could be like a tree. We set down roots and we learn to grow stronger together.” He wanted to convince her they were meant to be together but the only way she would ever believe him was if he showed her his bear. Then she would believe him. She would believe in their love.

  “It scares me,” Breeze suddenly said, and his heart rammed into his ribs. Did she mean him? Did she know about shifters after all?

  “You’re scared of me?” Joey asked and she gave a low laugh that made the hairs on his arms stand on end.

  “No, why would I be scared of you? One thing I know in my heart is that you would never hurt me.” She sighed. They were close to the trees, and soon the bubble they were in as if they were alone on the mountain would burst and he would lose a part of her again. “I don’t know if I feel that way because I want to believe it’s possible for two people to want the best for each other. To love and support the other unconditionally.”

  “I couldn’t hurt you if I tried,” he told her honestly.

  “There you go again.” Breeze looked amused rather than annoyed. “And I feel like a child who knows that Santa Claus isn’t real but desperately wants to believe in him.”

  “What? Now you’re telling me Santa isn’t real?” Joey looked aghast.

  Breeze grinned. “I believe you are real. And genuine, and that I want to give this a chance.” She put her hands to her cheeks and shook her head. “Honestly, it feels wrong even talking like this. Talking as if we’ve been in a long relationship and we’re thinking of taking things a step further.”

  “Do you ever think how great it would be to skip the part where you dance around each other trying to figure out if the person you are dating is the one?” he asked.

  “Isn’t that the fun part?” Breeze shrugged. “No, I guess it’s not. By the time you figure out the way he slurps as he drinks his coffee is no longer cute and instead makes you feel as if you want to grab his cup out of his hand and yell at him to drink properly, you’ve maybe invested a couple of months of your life in the relationship.”

  “And you have to start all over again. You have to meet someone, feel that spark with them, and then hope they aren’t already dating or married or think you look like a fish.” He held out his hands when she frowned at him. “Just go with it.”

  “And you’re saying you want to skip that part?” she asked.

  “I’m saying that we already have. That we are meant to be together. Fate has already chosen me for you and you for me.” He waited for her to disagree or tell him once again he was crazy, this whole thing was crazy.

  But she didn’t. “Fate, huh?”

  “Do you believe in fate?” Joey asked. Perhaps he’d made a breakthrough.

  “I’m not sure I do. My sister said a similar thing when she met her husband. Which makes me wary.” She turned her head and stared at him as they reached the trees. “But I believe you do. I believe you want this to work between us. And so I’m willing to give it a try. But slow.”

  “I can do slow.” He grinned as they ducked under the branches of the trees, convinced Breeze would soon see exactly why he believed in fate and that they were meant to be together.

  Because soon, as soon as possible, he was going to tell her about shifters and show her his bear.

  That will make her a believer, his bear said.

  Joey only hoped he was right. With her need to protect Tristan so strong, Joey was concerned it might go either way.

  However, he would deal with that outcome if it arose since failure meant a lifetime of heartbreak. For both of them.

  He was convinced Breeze would never be happy with any other man. She might not be a shifter, but fate had paired them together and the bond between them would always be there, always be a thorn in the side of any relationship she had with another man.

  Chapter Twelve – Breeze

  “Where are they?” Breeze asked as they entered the small copse of trees where Joey said the children were playing.

  “They’re just up ahead.” He pointed through the trees, but Breeze still couldn’t see anyone.

  “How do you know?”

  He paused. “I can hear them.”

  “I can’t.” She stopped walking and listened. Turning her head to the right and then left, she tried to pick up the faintest sound of two children playing in the trees. “Nope.”

  A trickle of fear ran down her spine and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Had Joey lured her here knowing full well the kids were elsewhere? She mentally chastised herself. She’d watched too many horror movies in her teenage years.

  Joey was no bogeyman, no backwoods guy was waiting to ambush them.

  “There, did you hear that?” Joey asked, his finger pointing into the trees.

  “A giggle?” She might have heard it, or she might not. If she did, it was very faint. Joey sure must have good hearing.

  He took a step closer to her and whispered, “They are hiding from us.”

  “Oh.” She smiled, it was good for Tristan to play with someone his own age and to have fun. Childhood was all about carefree, safe, fun. Were they safe here on the mountain? What if they got too close to the edge of a cliff and fell off?

  Suddenly, the momentous responsibility of caring for her nephew crashed down on her. It was as if the air was sucked out of her lungs and she couldn’t breathe.

  “Hey, Breeze.” Joey hooked his hand under her arm and held her upright. “What’s wrong?”

  She couldn’t speak as she forced herself to breathe. She gasped and placed her hand on her chest as panic gripped her.

  “Okay. I’ve got you.” He held her close and led her to a fallen tree trunk. “Sit down. Just relax. I’m here.” He rubbed her back, his hand circling around in a soothing motion. “Breathe with me. In and out.” He breathed in and let the air out slowly, his mouth forming an o.

  Breeze focused on his mouth, keeping her breath in time with his until she finally got her panic under control. “Thank you.”

  “Any time.” His concern was palpable. Joey cared for her. Really cared for her. Then she reminded herself that this was the same man who accompanied an ex-girlfriend to the hospital when she was in labor. He’d be there for anyone who needed his help.

  Why couldn’t she accept this was special?

  “I was scared for Tristan,” she admitted.

  “He’s safe, he and Jane are stalking us.” He looked up, his eyes fixed on a movement through the trees that she could not see.

  “I worry that something will happen to him. I guess it’s different if they are your child. Caring for someone else’s child puts a lot of pressure on you.” She sucked in a deep breath. “I so want to do the right thing by him.”

  “You are,” Joey assured her. “He’s happy, he’s having fun. He’s not afraid to argue his cause even if it is his dislike of vegetables.”

  She gave a low laugh and felt better. “We should get back to the others and you can prove to him veggies are good to eat.” She stood up, her legs still shaky, but the panic had subsided.

  “Come on, this way.” He hooked his hand under her elbow and guided her to their left, through a dense patch of shrubby bushes. She liked the feel of his hand on her arm, he gave her strength with the lightest of touches.

  “I thought they were in the other direction?” Breeze asked as she crouched low under the trees.

  “They are. Which is why we’re going this way.” He grinned over his shoulder at her. “We’re going to sneak upon them.”

  “Oh, you really are a big kid, aren’t you?” She loved his carefree attitude, the way he liked childish fun, and yet she knew from experience he was a loyal and dependable adult.

  Joey might just
be the perfect man. At least the perfect man for her.

  She just needed to let him in.

  “We have to keep very quiet.” He put his fingers to his lips. “Step where I step.”

  “Okay.” She smothered a giggle as she took a large step forward, unable to match his stride without nearly losing her balance. “Sorry,” she hissed as she reached out and grabbed hold of his jacket to stop herself from overbalancing.

  “Remind me not to take you hunting,” Joey told her, but his tone was good-natured.

  “I thought since we are so incredibly perfect for each other that you would take me anywhere you go,” she teased, although the look he shot her way said that he would never leave her side if that was what she wanted.

  However, he quickly covered the look with a low laugh. “Let’s hunt the children.” He pointed to their right and ducked under a low branch before tiptoeing across a small glade. The sunlight dappled across the ground, and small flowers sprang up where the light filtered through, giving the glade an almost magical feel.

  As they stalked the children, Breeze listened out for any sound that would tell her where they were or any sign of movement. There were none but Joey seemed to know exactly where they were, altering his course to intercept them. It was as if he had a sixth sense or super hearing.

  “There,” he mouthed to her and pointed to an old stunted pine tree before ducking down.

  Breeze did the same and saw a flicker of movement which she distinguished as Tristan’s legs, his feet clad in his new hiking boots. She stifled a laugh as the children walked right past them, heading in the direction from where Joey and Breeze had started out.

  When the children had passed by, Joey crept forward, keeping low and Breeze followed. Her legs ached from being in a hunched-over position for too long, but she gritted her teeth and kept moving even though she was sure she was making too much noise.

  Then they reached a narrow animal track and Joey stood up. Beckoning her to follow, he ran along the trail, before bursting out on Tristan and Jane, emitted a low guttural growl. Jane shrieked in shock before her expression changed to one of pleasure and she threw herself into Joey’s arms.

  “We were sneaking up on you,” she told him as she hugged him around the neck so tight it was surprising he could still breathe.

  “I know, we were watching you,” Joey told her as Tristan grinned and went to his aunt. “But you know I’m the best at playing hide and seek and catching you.”

  Jane pressed her lips together and rolled her eyes. “You cheat, though, because you use your shifter senses.”

  “Your what?” Breeze asked.

  Joey looked startled, as if Jane had blurted out a big secret. “It’s…”

  “People in Bear Creek can turn into animals,” Tristan said matter-of-factly.

  “Oh, this is part of your game,” Breeze said.

  “No, it’s true,” Tristan said, his face screwed up in defiance as if she’d called him a liar.

  “Is that what Jane told you?” Breeze was a little cross that Jane had made something up and convinced Tristan it was true.

  Jane glanced at Joey, not sure what to say. Breeze inhaled deeply, fighting off another panic attack. Was this really true? Did the people of Bear Creek turn into animals? Her forehead creased as she searched her memories. Hadn’t she heard this somewhere before?

  “Dad told us about them once, remember?” Tristan asked. “He went to the Amazon when he was younger, and he met people who could shift into leopards and sloths.”

  “I thought he was joking,” Breeze told Tristan as the blood drained from her face. She turned to face Joey. Dependable Joey, even though she already knew the answer. “Is this true?”

  “Yes.” He reached out and took hold of her arm. Was he worried she might faint or scared, she might run away? “I was going to tell you but didn’t want to overwhelm you.”

  “You can turn into a…a what?” she asked.

  “A bear.” He let Jane slither out of his arms, and she landed lightly on the ground. “This is why I know we are meant to be together.”

  “Because you are a shifter?” Breeze asked.

  “Because you and Joey are mates,” Jane chimed in. “You’re meant to be together. Joey knew when he first saw you. Just like my dad knew when he first saw Joanna. Although, she already knew back since she is a shifter, too.”

  “Joanna is a shifter?” Breeze asked as the trees surrounding them seemed to spin around, the leaves dancing on the breeze as they circled her. But the world wasn’t moving, it was all in her head. “What about the baby?”

  Joey put a hand on each of her arms, holding her steady while the world turned. “Just breathe. The baby is a baby. It won’t be born with claws and fur, it’ll just be a baby.”

  She nodded. “I remember Tristan’s dad talking about shifters. I just never knew he was telling the truth. Although, I should have known since he doesn’t really have the imagination to make things up.” Her brows knitted together, and she searched the woodland glade for Tristan’s face. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

  “Why? It’s true.” Tristan took a step forward and then another, concern etched on his face. “It’s all right, Aunt Breeze, shifters are friendly. They won’t hurt you.”

  “You can never hurt me.” She looked up, seeking out the truth in Joey’s eyes. “That’s why you said it.”

  “It is. And it’s why I know that we’re meant to be together.” He gave a nervous laugh. “I was going to tell you. I was waiting for the right time. I also hoped you might get to know me and want to be with me before I…” His face paled. “This is not how I planned on you finding out.”

  “No, I don’t suppose it is.” Breeze cupped her face in her hands. “Wow, I sure got more than I bargained for on this picnic.”

  “I can take you home if you prefer,” Joey offered gently. “You’ve had quite a shock.”

  “No.” She put her hand up. “I’m okay.” She nodded. “I think we should go back to the others and have something to eat. I just need time to process all this.”

  “Maybe if you saw Joey shift,” Jane suggested. “You might feel better faster if you see his bear.”

  “Bear.” Breeze pointed at Joey. “That is why you didn’t like the idea of me buying that spray!”

  “Yeah.” Joey looked sheepish. “I am hoping that if I do shift, you don’t spray me with it.”

  “I promise not to. As long as your bear behaves himself.” Confusion filled her. “How does that work? Are you the same person whether you are a bear or a man? Or is your bear wild?”

  “We share a connection. We’re kind of the same but not.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I’ve never really thought about it before. I’ve certainly never explained it to anyone.”

  “Have you ever told anyone what you are?” she asked. “Have you ever shared your secret with someone? Someone who didn’t know about shifters before?”

  “No.” Joey shook his head. “This is the first time. This is the first time for a lot of things.”

  Breeze licked her lips nervously. “I’m trying to not overreact.”

  “You’re lucky.” Jane slipped her hand into Breeze’s. “Joey is a great guy. He looks after me, he’s fun and he will always be there for you. Just like he’s always there for me and lots of other people.”

  “Thanks, Jane.” Joey looked a little embarrassed.

  “You’re welcome,” Jane replied. “I just want you to be happy, Joey.” She looked up at Breeze. “For you both to be happy. And be there for each other. People should always be there for each other.” Her bottom lip trembled but then she sucked in a deep breath. “I’m starving. Come and taste the cookies I made.”

  “Jane makes the best cookies,” Joey confirmed, his expression filled with concern as he looked at the young girl. There was something she was missing, but now was not the time to ask.

  Not the time to ask about any of this. Later, when they were alone, she wanted all t
he answers.

  Chapter Thirteen – Joey

  “I owe you an explanation.” Joey leaned down and picked up a dry piece of wood. He’d promised to show Tristan how to light a fire and he was going to fulfill that promise. However, he desperately wanted to make things right with his mate. While the others ate, he’d suggested they go and collect wood. Thankfully, Breeze had agreed.

  “You don’t owe me anything.” Breeze added a bunch of smaller twigs to her pile. She was collecting kindling, smaller bits of wood needed to coax the fire into life. “I don’t mean that as it sounds. But you don’t owe me anything. You never lied to me and I can see why you wouldn’t blurt out something like that when we first met.”

  “I was scared that you might think I was a freak or that you might worry I was a bad influence on Tristan.” He gave a short laugh. “Neither of which is fair on you.”

  “I’ve seen plenty of diverse people in my time as a midwife. And my guess is I should get used to it. If I intend to make a life here in Bear Creek and work at the hospital in Bear Bluff, then knowing about shifters is a good thing. No sudden surprises while I’m delivering a baby.” She turned and looked over her shoulder, looking in the direction of the others. “Anyway, the people here, your friends, they are all shifters and I’ve never met such welcoming people.”

  “So we’re good?” Joey asked with relief.

  “Yeah. I think so. Although, I think I need more information on this true mates thing. I’m concerned that my free will has been taken from me.” She was serious and Joey swallowed down his renewed nerves.

  “For me, it means I know that you are the person I am meant to be with for the rest of my life. You are my one true love.” He tilted his head to one side. “That doesn’t mean that I’m going to carry you off into the mountains and keep you my captive if you decide I am not the man for you. Although, I’m certain you do feel it, too.”

  “I do.” She chewed the inside of her cheek as she picked up more wood. Then she straightened up and closed the distance between them. “What I don’t understand is…” She paused, her cheeks flushed with color.