Joshua_The Whitfield Rancher_Erotic Tiger Shapeshifter Romance

by Kathi S. Barton

  Blake agreed and said he’d be back in an hour. He had to shower and change. Adam told him that he’d order their dinner.

  After getting his own shower, he ordered six large heavy meat pizzas. They’d probably only eat four or five of them, but he wanted cold pizza for his breakfast tomorrow. He knew it was odd, but he really liked cold pizza to start his day off.

  When Blake retuned, they still had ten or so minutes left before the pizza arrived. Adam pulled out his computer and showed Blake his crop reports, and his plan for the following planting season. Blake was impressed, and said he might steal a couple of his ideas.

  As soon as they paid the guy for their dinner, giving him a hefty tip because he’d kept them hot for them, they sat down at the dining room table and ate three of them before they even spoke a word other than just grunting.

  “You thinking about your mate?” Adam asked why he’d be thinking about that. “Don’t know, really, but when I’m driving through the fields, I gotta have something to occupy my mind. It’s boring as fuck just going back and forth through the field like that.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. I’ve taken to listening to books while I’m driving. It’s sort of like having television, but no pictures. And they’re usually not too bad. You should try it.” Blake said that he would. “But what about a mate? Have you some clue that yours is coming?”

  “Naw. I was just thinking of the other three and how they’re all cozied up with a woman all the time. It would be nice, I think, to have someone around that you could talk to all the time. I just hope that she’s more stimulating than driving the tractor for hours on end.” Adam said he surely hoped so as well. “I’ve been going over my plans with the house and all. I’ve applied for adoption of one of the kids that was left behind when his family was killed a couple of months back. He’s been coming around when he can, and we’ve hit it off pretty good.”

  “That’s what you bought the big house for, right?” Blake said that it was. “You think your mate will be pissy about having a ready-made family when she comes to you?”

  “That’s not the way it’s supposed to work, is it?” Adam asked him what he meant. “They’re supposed to be our other half, right? Well, my other half had better like kids that aren’t of her body, because that’s what I want to do. Help kids that don’t have anyone in their lives but us.”

  “Why? I mean, it’s not like you grew up underprivileged. None of us did. We didn’t have everything that we wanted, but enough that we knew that we had money. What makes a man like you want to adopt kids that have no other help?” Blake told him he had family and they didn’t. “Yes, all of us would chip in right away if you needed us. I understand you wanting to give them family. But what drives you to want to do this? I think you have a reason. Not that it matters, I guess. You could adopt a couple of dozen kids, and I would think they were the luckiest kids in the world.”

  “While I’m on this earth I want to make it so that there is one less child go to bed without supper. Hell, I want to give them the bed too. I want to try my best to give a child a place to feel secure and safe. Give them a hug without pain involved. Let them push away from the table because they’re full, not because there isn’t any more food for them to eat.” Adam eyed his brother. These were all wonderful reasons to adopt, yet he thought there was more to it. “Don’t look at me like that. I gave you an answer.”

  “But is it the real answer?” Blake just turned away from him, shutting him out almost. “What happened, Blake? I know you better than the rest of them ever will. What happened that brought this on?”

  “They were living in the barn up until a month ago. Three of them. A dad and his two kids. I knew they were there, I could smell them, but they never came out when I was in the barn. So I brought them out some blankets and stuff. Then I started to set food out with a hotplate. I was sort of scared that they’d burn the barn down, but they had to be hungry, right?” Adam nodded. “The little girl came out when I was saddling up the old mare. She needed a good run. The mare, not the little girl. Anyway, she thanked me for the food and blankets. You should have seen her, Adam. She was no bigger than a stick, and she was sallow looking. Like she’d not had a good meal in years. I asked to speak to her daddy, the adult that was with them. And.... Christ, he was dying. Right in the barn. I wanted to take him to the hospital, but he told me it was too late for that. That as soon as his sister came to get the kids, he was moving on. He meant that he was going to let himself die. I started to put out more food, and even some aspirin for the man. They’d not come into the house though, and I think that about tore me apart. Then one day, they were all gone.”

  “The sister came to get the kids.” He said that he didn’t know, but that’s what he figured. The smell of perfume was there. “Blake, that’s the saddest and most wonderful reason I’ve heard in a long time for doing something good. You need any help with this, you let me know. I’m there for you.”

  Blake nodded and said that he was heading home. It was nearly midnight when Adam thought that he could go to bed. His brother was going to do something noble with his life, and Adam thought him his greatest hero.

  The next morning, he was having breakfast when Sunny came by. She was pacing his kitchen back and forth before she spoke. He’d noticed that about her. She didn’t say anything until she had something to say. No emptying out her head just to hear her lips flapping for this one.

  “Have you ever babysat before?” He didn’t get a chance to answer her before she went on. “I haven’t any idea how to change a diaper. I guess I could do it, but I’d fuck it up before I finally got it right. And those sleeper things. Have you had a good look at those suckers? They’ve got snaps down both legs and then in-between. I think I’d probably piss myself if I had to take something like that off to go to the bathroom.”

  “They do.” She asked him what he meant. “Piss themselves. Thus the need for the diaper. Babies don’t use the toilet for years, I guess. And no, I’ve never babysat.”

  She sat down across from him then popped up, getting her a bowl and some of his cereal. He watched her move around his kitchen, and wondered what it would be like having a female in the house, doing what Sunny was doing. She sat and ate a bite of the cereal, then shoved it away.

  “What the fuck is that? It tastes like rocks and grass.” He told her it was whole grain and good for her. “No, that can’t be good for you. It’s like eating gravel from the driveway. What kind of sick person makes that sort of breakfast food?”

  He was laughing when he stood and got her another bowl and spoon. “I have this for when I’m feeling young. And that’s not all that often lately. But I have the entire winter to rest up, so I’ll have me a bowl of this once in a while.”

  She poured the sugary treat in the bowl and ate it without milk, popping it into her mouth like it was popcorn. He asked her what she was upset about with the diapers and sleepers. She ate a few more bites before she spoke again.

  “I don’t want to fuck up on being a mom.” Adam laughed. “I’m dead serious. There are so many rules that you have to follow about having a baby. Like, did you know that they have this belly button thing that you have to take care of? The cord. And then if it’s a boy and he’s been circumcised, then you have to take care of his little wiener too.”

  “Wiener? Never mind. Okay, I know you might have thought of this, but for some reason came to your bachelor brother-in-law instead. But I’m betting my mom would love to teach you anything you want to know. And she’d know about sleepers and rules. Not that I think you should worry too much about the rules. I’m thinking you’re not too terribly stupid, but you did come here for answers, so I can’t vouch for that.” She smiled at him and his heart broke. It was the saddest smile he’d ever seen. “Don’t cry, honey. I was only teasing you.”

  “I know, but I don’t want your mom to worry that I’m going to mess up having her grandchild. She might think that I’m too dumb to raise it on my own, and have someone c
ome and take it from me.” He was startled by her reasoning. “She raised you guys to be wonderful men, and I have to compete with that. I’m not nearly as perfect as she is at this stuff.”

  “I doubt my mom was perfect at the start either. I mean, have you met Evan? He’s as fucked up as they come.” She laughed, and he felt better for her. “I’ll go with you if you want. Or even talk to my mom for you. But I’m thinking that you’ll be just fine. And like I said, you’re going to be just fine at this mommy stuff.”

  “Do you really think so?” He told her he was positive that she would be. “Thank you so much. You have no idea how worried I’ve been. And I didn’t want David to know, but I think he’s having his doubts about my sanity. I cry a great deal.”

  “If he has you committed I’ll come and see you every day. I promise.”

  She laughed harder then, and he knew she was going to be just fine. When she left him, he got ready for his work day and went to the barn. Cleaning the equipment was going to take him all day—but then, he’d be ready for spring in a few months.

  ~~~

  Josh was running behind. He had to meet his family at the courthouse in ten minutes, and he was still at home. Telling her what the problem was, she laughed until she had to close the connection and get back to him. He knew that she was telling the rest of them why he was running late.

  What do you mean your suit is gone? Son, I’m sure if you looked it would be in your closet. I had it cleaned for you, and that was where George said he was putting it. He went to his closet and looked again. It wasn’t in there. Calling down the stairs to George to find it, he went to another bedroom to look in it. Have you looked in your closet?

  Yes. Several times. It’s not in— George came in the room with his suit still wrapped in plastic from the dry cleaners. “Where was it?”

  “I am so sorry, sir. I was going to bring it up to your closet, but I got sidetracked when the miss wanted a sandwich. She is such a joy to have around, and I couldn’t turn her down.” Josh told him that he had the same problem with her. “Yes, well, she and I started talking about this and that, and before I knew it, it was time to start on dinner. I am so terribly sorry.”

  “That’s okay, George. But you have to tell my mom that it wasn’t in my closet where I looked.” He looked like he might run for cover. “You have to, George. She thinks I’m incompetent. And I give her enough things to make her believe that I am. I don’t need a missing suit on top of that.”

  “I shall tell her today, sir. After the wedding. They are all coming here afterwards still, aren’t they?” He told him they were coming as soon as they were pronounced man and wife. “Good. We’ve been working for several days on things for this special day for the two of you. I don’t think I’ve ever worked for nicer people than the two of you.”

  “Thank you so much, George, but I have to get dressed to get married.”

  Every time he said it aloud, he was excited. His beautiful Carter was going to be his wife in about two hours. Then they were all coming back here to celebrate the day with them. He laughed when he thought of the gift that he’d gotten her.

  The beautiful bracelet had been in his family for a few generations, and he’d had a pair of earrings made to match it. She had said the other day how she hadn’t worn anything girly in forever. He was glad now that he’d let Dylan talk him into doing this.

  When he was ready, Josh raced down the stairs, pulling his jacket on with his shoes in his hand. George was at the door with not just a flower for his lapel, but also a cup of tea and some cookies. To tide him over, he told him.

  He was fully dressed, with his shoes on his feet, by the time they rolled up in front of the courthouse. Josh nearly ran to get in the building when his mom came out to meet him. George immediately started telling her it was his fault that Josh was late. Kissing her on the cheek, Josh shoved a cookie in his mouth and looked at his mom when she tsked at him.

  “I would have thought that you’d have brought out your best manners for today of all days.” She fussed with his tie while they were riding up to the third floor in the elevator. “You and your father never could tie a tie right. His is askew right now.”

  “I’m sure that Grandda is all spit and polished. I think he was as excited, if not more so, than I was about today. It was very special to him to be asked to give her away.”

  When the doors opened, Evan and Blake were there waiting for him. All his brothers were his best men today, and he couldn’t have been happier.

  “Two things before we go into the courtroom. Mom bought a few decorations.” He asked Evan how many was a few. “More than I think were at our wedding, and we were married in a church. The second thing—Tanner is here, and he said that it’s very important that he speaks to you and Carter before you leave today.”

  “All right. But did he say what it’s about?” Blake said he seemed pleased about something. “Oh well, maybe it’s about one of his houses or something. No big deal, right?”

  Evan shrugged, and he wanted to hit him. Why couldn’t he, today of all days, have lied to him? As they made their way into the courtroom, he nearly left again. A few decorations looked to him as if she’d bought out the store. He asked Blake if Carter had seen this yet.

  “Not that I’m aware of. And I don’t think I’d be the one that told her either. This is so not low key.” No, it wasn’t. “You think she’ll say forget it and go out with me, the better-looking brother?” He growled at Adam when he spoke.

  Standing at the front of the room, he thought that it looked pretty. There were flowers all over the room, and ribbons and bows around the tables and gates that led to the main part of the court proceedings. When the music started playing from one of the loud speakers on the wall, Josh looked for Carter. He needed to see her more than he needed the next beat of his heart.

  Rachel came through the doorway first. She looked so lovely. Josh thought that Rachel had blossomed in the last few days. There was no more threat of her parents hanging over her, and she seemed genuinely happy to be here in Ohio with Carter. The two of them were closer than he and his brothers, he thought.

  The next person through the door was the one that he’d been waiting for. As soon as they stepped fully in the room, she stopped and looked around. Grandda started laughing then, chuckling so hard that he had to hang onto chairs as he brought Carter to him. As soon as he sat down, he stood again and looked at the two of them.

  “I want you to know that other than my lovely bride on our wedding day and this beautiful woman here to my right, you are far and away the prettiest little girl that I’ve seen in a while.” He looked at Eve when she smacked him. “Don’t go on like that, Eve. I told them other girls the same thing when they were married to one of my grandsons. Didn’t I, Sunny? Ain’t that right, Dylan? Besides, I didn’t go overboard with all these decorations when I heard someone tell you that it’s got to be lowkey. This is about as lowkey as you setting off a bomb on Main Street and selling marshmallows and sticks to the affair.”

  They were laughing again now, and Josh thought that the room was less tense than it had been. When Carter put her hands into his, he knew that he would love her for all time, and that they’d be happy. He was going to make sure that she laughed every day, and that she never went to bed angry with him. That was his vow to her when it was his turn to say it to Carter.

  “I promise to love you for all time and beyond. I will make you as happy as you have made me. I will help you raise our children, whether they be of my heart and body or just my heart.” She kissed his hand as she continued. “You are my everything. You saved me from being lonely and alone. You, Joshua Whitfield, are my heart and soul.”

  When they were pronounced man and wife, he kissed her on the mouth, then picked her up and swung her around in his arms. He was married to his best friend, and there wasn’t a man in the world that was as happy right now as he was. Of that, he was sure.

  The drive home was just the two of them in the limo.
He wanted to strip her down right now and mark her, but he knew that if he was late to one more thing today, his mom would have his head. So, they only necked a little—well, a great deal—and tried to stay reasonably neat before going in the house when they arrived.

  Nate and his family were there, as well as a great many of the pack. Dylan had made it clear to the pride that they did not have to come to the reception if they didn’t want to. It looked to him like most of them were there anyway. He and Carter tried to talk to everyone that they saw. It was a perfect night for this kind of partying.

  There were small plates of food that people seemed to be enjoying. Finger food mostly, and veggies that nearly everyone ate from, as well as cold drinks. The cake had yet to be cut, and he almost hated to do that. It was a piece of art, and George and the rest of them had really outdone themselves with it.

  Josh never left Carter’s side. He held her hand when they spoke to people, or held her in his arms when they were just walking around. Introducing her to the people there gave him such a feeling of pride that he found himself taking her to see some people he’d not seen in years, just to show her off to them.

  When it came time for them to cut the cake, he had his mom call the staff out to be there for them. George had been in and out of the room since they arrived, filling platters back up, replacing ones that were empty. There were servers all over the rooms, helping people with their coats and taking gifts to the other room.

  “I got married today.” Everyone laughed, just as he wanted them to. “I could not have had such a beautiful wedding had it not been for George and all the staff that are here tonight. I think they did a wonderful job, and I’d like for you all to give them a round of applause.”

  They were clearly embarrassed, yet pleased. As they began to thank certain people, Carter spoke up. He knew just what she was going to say before she spoke, and watched his mom’s reaction to it.

  “Let’s not forget Eve Whitfield, for making the wedding at the courthouse today lowkey. I hope I can depend on her to go over the top on our children’s birthday parties, as well as any other holiday that she wants to.” Carter blew her a kiss and then looked at him. “I love you.”