The driver’s door opened, and Trace climbed in. “Hey. What’s this? Did I miss something?”
That was the moment Keegan realized his eyes were also watery. He wasn’t kidding. He was already in love with Melinda. She meant the world to him.
She lifted her face, wiping her tears away and smiling. “Nothing. Keegan was just being super kind and understanding, and he made me cry.”
Trace froze. “I’m kind and understanding too.”
She turned toward him, wiggling out of Keegan’s embrace. With a giggle, she leaned into Trace’s chest. “I know you are. And I appreciate it. Now, drive to my place and let me have some time alone before I lose my resolve and let you claim me in the truck. That’s so not romantic.”
Trace hesitated. “I’m not sure how to respond to that,” he teased.
She slapped his chest. “Just drive.”
They were all quiet on the way back to her condo.
When they pulled up, Keegan reached into the bag of food and handed her a sandwich. “We’ll go run a few errands. You take your time. Call us when you want us to come back.”
“I don’t have your numbers.” She dug her phone out of her pocket and handed it to Keegan.
He took it from her and plugged in both his number and Trace’s before handing it back. “There. I even put us on the top of your favorites list.” He kissed her gently and opened the truck door.
As soon as he hopped down and helped her out, he touched her face and licked his lips. “I meant every word I said.”
“I know.” She set her hand on top of his.
“Can I walk you to the door?”
She looked around him. “It’s right there. You can see it. I think I’ll make it.”
She was right. As she left them, her ass swaying in the sexiest fucking jeans he’d ever seen on a woman, he adjusted his dick.
As soon as she was inside, he climbed back into the cab and shut the door.
“Fuck me.” Trace wiped a hand down his face.
“Yeah. No shit.” Keegan faced his mate.
Chapter Eleven
Melinda opened the front door of her condo, totally aware there was someone inside. She couldn’t stop the relief from spreading through her body.
Normally she didn’t care too much for her grandmother’s meddling tendencies. But today, she was grateful Mimi was there waiting. She could use the woman’s advice, as weird as that might seem to someone else.
“Mimi,” she said as she shut the front door. The tears fell immediately, like a dam she’d been holding back for twenty hours finally burst. She dropped her purse and sandwich and rounded the couch to fall into her grandmother’s open arms, sobs wracking her body.
It was the stress. She knew that. But it didn’t change her need for release.
“Child.” Her grandmother kissed her head and wrapped her tiny arms around her middle. This woman was her entire world. Or she had been until last night. Mimi had raised her since she was three years old. There was no other person on Earth she would rather consult with today.
Not even her mother, a woman she’d met yesterday. Even though she knew in her heart they would get to know each other. And eventually Melinda would love the woman, but right now Joyce Hamilton was a stranger.
“Your mother is with Miles and the baby. But she and her mate, Gene, are heading home in the morning. She wanted me to tell you. She didn’t want to bother you right now. They’ll come back soon. Gene has to work,” Mimi said in her knowing voice. It had always been uncanny how much Mimi could discern from a look. Hell, she didn’t need even that most of the time. Like today. She’d shown up at Melinda’s condo at just the right moment.
How the hell she’d known to be there waiting was a mystery.
Not that Melinda didn’t have similar abilities. She too could sense things ahead of time and had been known to drive practically on autopilot to the strangest locations at times with no real knowledge of why.
Occasionally she knew what propelled her to act, but oftentimes, she just acted and let Fate lead her.
Mimi was a tiny woman. She stood at four foot ten on a good day. And the woman was frail. She didn’t weigh a hundred pounds. And this trait had been passed down to Joyce and Melinda, both of whom barely reached five feet.
Mimi lifted Melinda’s head after a few minutes of stroking her hair. “Talk to me.”
Melinda sat upright, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “It’s so overwhelming.”
“Of course it is.” Mimi tucked her hair behind her ear. “But this is what Fate has determined for you, child.”
Melinda was thirty-one years old. It should have sounded strange that her grandmother still called her child. But to Mimi she would always be a child. “There are two of them.” She fiddled with the edge of her T-shirt.
“There are. And that makes you incredibly lucky. Most of us only get one mate. In fact, in all my years, I’ve only known a few distant acquaintances to mate with two men. But think of the benefits.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know. I’m still kind of stunned and unsure.”
“The beauty is you don’t have to be sure. It just is. Don’t let your logical brain twist this into something it isn’t.” Mimi lifted Melinda’s chin to meet her gaze. “Reach into your heart, child. You’ll know in your heart this is right. You’re overthinking. This isn’t a logical decision of the brain. It’s a gut instinct. You can use your brain for most aspects of your life, but not this time.
“And, you of all people know this. You and I have relied on our gut to guide us dozens of times a day since we were born. It’s instinctive. Let it happen in this instance also.”
Melinda chewed her bottom lip. She knew her grandmother was right. “We don’t agree on that damn casino project,” she blurted, as if that changed everything.
Mimi laughed, a rare full-belly laugh. “Of course you don’t. No way would Fate deal you a boring mate that agreed with your politics on all things. Nope. Not my granddaughter. Fate dealt her two men and made them contrary. I would expect nothing less.”
“I’m worried it’s more than that. I get a very bad vibe when I drive past that construction site. And it was worse today.”
Mimi hesitated, and then spoke. “I get the same feeling. And it’s very hard to discern if it’s legitimate or just my complete distaste for the entire concept leaking out.”
“Exactly. But Keegan works there. He’s the building inspector in charge of that project.”
Mimi’s face scrunched up. She cringed. “I see.”
Melinda figured Mimi could “see” far more than she shared, but she’d learned not to bug her for details. Mimi operated on her own timeline. When she wanted someone to know something, she told them in no uncertain terms. When she wasn’t ready, she did not open her mouth.
“One day at a time, child. Now about those mates of yours. You worry about that first. The rest will fall into place.”
Melinda took a deep breath. Mimi was right. Of course. She finally smiled. “You think I can take them both on?”
“I know you can.”
“I’m scared.”
“I would expect nothing less.”
“I won’t be the same. My life is going to change.”
“Yes. It is.”
Melinda giggled. “Is this supposed to be helping me?”
Mimi brushed her hand over Melinda’s hair. “This is reality. There will be changes. Some good. Some bad. But in your heart you know this is unavoidable. Look at your hands.”
Melinda glanced down, confused. She lifted them in front of her, fingers spread. They shook.
“That unease won’t rest until you follow your destiny, child.”
Melinda tucked her hands between her knees and held them tight. She stared off into space, looking at nothing. After she licked her lips, she continued, “Is it like this for all women?”
“No.” Mimi understood her without Melinda having to elaborate. “It’s harder for you as a medicine woman.
You’ll always sense things. Often before your mates. Sometimes it will drive them crazy. Sometimes they won’t believe you. Sometimes you’ll fight.
“It’s tough. I won’t lie to you, child. Your grandfather and I butted heads more times than I can count. But it’s worth it. Trust me. Your mates will relax over time as they learn to accept your idiosyncrasies.”
“What about me?” Melinda looked down at her lap. “When will I learn to accept them?”
Mimi hesitated for several moments before speaking again. “Fate brought you together for a reason. Any turmoil between the three of you is part of Her plan. It’s hard to see that now, but trust me. You have to follow your instincts and believe She won’t lead you astray.”
“Keegan makes my blood boil.”
“No. Keegan’s line of work and what it stands for makes your blood boil. The man himself makes your heart pound. It’s difficult to separate the two emotions.”
“You’re right.” As usual.
“Trace is a cop all the way in Cambridge.”
“Rebecca was a nurse in Cambridge. Griffen worked there too. They worked it out. You will too. Don’t forget you have land on the edge of the reservation just like your brother. Build there. It will all fall into place.”
Melinda leaned into her grandmother. “How did you get so wise?”
Mimi chuckled. “I’m not wise, child. Just insightful. Open your heart and your mind. Let your mates in. Trust in the way of our people.”
Melinda blew out a breath. “I think I need a run. In the mountains.”
“You could do that. But take your mates. Don’t go alone.”
Melinda eyed her grandmother. “You think there’s still some sort of danger lurking out there?” It had been months since anyone from the pack came forward to Mimi or Melinda with news of a spirit sighting. Not since the earthquake that shook all their worlds both literally and figuratively.
Mimi shrugged. “I don’t know. But there’s no sense taking any chances.”
“You don’t think all the sightings last year were related to keeping Rebecca safe from that quake? Or bringing her together with her mates? Or even keeping anyone from being killed by my father or grandfather?” Melinda shuddered at the memory of a father she’d never met—one who had raped her mother to produce Melinda and her twin Miles.
And his father, no better than him. An elder in the tribe. The last living elder of his generation. Hopefully the last holdout who ran her mother off for twenty-seven years with threats against her and her children if she stayed on the reservation after mating a white man.
Melinda sincerely hoped those days of racism were over now that the son, Randal Junior, had been killed, and the father, Randal, committed suicide in prison. She tried not to think too often about the fact that those two men were her own father and grandfather.
Mimi pursed her lips, hesitating a moment. “It’s possible. But just like your gut tells you to mate with Trace and Keegan, my gut tells me there’s more to come. I wish it were an exact science, but it’s not. And you know that.
“I feel the unrest in the air. The unease. The spirits are not at rest. They’re agitated. I don’t know why. But I know they demand our diligence. And that extends to you. You’re the next generation of medicine women in our tribe. You are the future. It falls to you to complete this mating and focus your energy on honing your skills, listening to your intuition, paying attention to your surroundings.”
“That’s a lot of pressure, Mimi.” Melinda’s voice was soft.
“Yes. And like many things in life, it’s your burden to carry. You’re chosen, child.” Mimi grasped her hand and squeezed it. “You’re the flesh of my flesh. The spirits have chosen you to guide the tribe and lead everyone down the right path.”
“Mimi, you are doing that. And you do it well.”
“I am an old woman, Melinda. I won’t be here forever.”
“And Mother? What about her? She’s back now. She’ll also be able to help.”
Mimi shook her head. “Your mother has skills. It’s true. And if she had been here for the last three decades, she would be a valuable asset. But she has been away. Her abilities are weakened. She’s not sharp. We spoke for many hours last night. She may, in time, regain some of her abilities. But I fear not all. My visions do not include her. They direct me to you. Besides, she can’t be here right now. She has her mate’s extended family to consider. Her other three children.”
Melinda held her breath. Mimi’s words were powerful and daunting.
And true.
“Why have I not sensed this same unrest as you?”
Mimi cupped her face. “Because you’ve been on a path toward your mates.”
“Did you know this?” Had Mimi foreseen Melinda meeting Trace and Keegan last night? Hell, had she known who Melinda’s mates were?
Mimi shook her head. “No. What I knew was that something huge was about to occur. I felt the rumbling. I have meditated often. I feel the unrest in the peaks of the mountains. The spirits are many. They’re gathering. They’re multiplying.
“I have watched you closely and noticed that you did not sense the same unrest. It has weighed heavily on my heart for many weeks. I worried why the spirits were not manifesting themselves to you in the same way. Now I have my answers.
“You have much on your plate, child. The return of your mother to our family. The addition of her mate and three half siblings you have not yet met. And most importantly, your mating. One step at a time. I’m sure it will all come together in good time.”
Melinda hugged her grandmother tight. “Thank you. I love you.”
“And I love you, child. Now when are those two gorgeous mates of yours returning?”
“As soon as I call them.”
“Then, I’ll be on my way.” Mimi hefted herself off the couch and brushed her hands down her dress as though smoothing out imaginary wrinkles. “You’re strong, Melinda. You’ll be fine. I’ve seen it.” She winked and then walked out the front door without another word.
Chapter Twelve
After Melinda finished her sandwich in the quiet stillness of her condo, she texted Trace and Keegan in a group message. No way would she risk hurting either man’s feelings by choosing one.
I’m ready.
Those two words were filled with innuendo. Ready for them to come back? Ready to let them claim her? She recognized her vague statement immediately, but it was too late to change it.
Be there in ten.
Keegan sent that text. It made sense. Trace was driving.
Calmer now, Melinda entered her bedroom and packed more of her things. Obviously she wasn’t going to spend much time here in the near future. Whatever she’d packed hastily that morning hadn’t had even half of her concentration. This time she opened a suitcase and stuffed it with clothes.
She heard the truck pull up and headed for the front door before her mates reached her small porch. With a smile, she opened it and lifted her suitcase.
Keegan chuckled. “Decide you might need more things?”
“Seemed prudent.”
“That’s a good sign.” Trace leaned in, kissed her forehead, and took the suitcase from her hand.
As she followed them to the truck, Keegan said, “Back to my place now?”
“Actually, I was hoping you wouldn’t mind a detour.” What would they say about her side plan?
Trace lifted her suitcase into the truck bed and turned around. “Where to next then?” He didn’t flinch at her request, not even pausing to ask what it was before consenting.
And she loved that reaction. She stepped into his embrace as he leaned against the truck and reached for her. “I need a trip to the mountains.”
Keegan leaned against the side of the truck next to them. “You want to shift?”
“Yes.” She glanced at Keegan and then back at Trace.
“Okay. Let’s do it.” Keegan opened the passenger door and wrapped his hands around her waist. He inhaled her scent lo
ng and deep before lifting her into the cab. “Are we on a mission?”
“Sort of.” She settled in her seat as Trace climbed in on her other side and started the engine.
Trace set a hand on her thigh.
She was getting used to being touched by them both, nearly all the time, but she needed a clear head for a while this afternoon. She lifted his hand off her and put it on the wheel. “I need some space. Don’t crowd me for a bit.”
“Okay, babe. What’s this all about?” His brow was furrowed when he glanced her way.
“You’re aware of the events that led to your bother Griffen mating with my brother and Rebecca last year, right?”
“Somewhat. I mean I was with them when they met.” Trace gripped the steering wheel harder. She watched his knuckles turn white. She hoped he wasn’t uncomfortable with her abilities, or it was going to be a long life.
She cleared her throat. “My tribe believes in spirit guides.”
“Right, like that black orb or whatever Griffen saw last summer.”
She nodded. “Yes. Well, there have been many such sightings in our history. The spirits are believed to hover in the peaks of the mountain ranges. They usually manifest themselves in a similar fashion—a sort of black shadow that startles the viewer and gets their attention.”
“And your entire tribe believes in this?” Keegan asked.
She knew he would be the more skeptical of the two of her mates. “Yes. It’s part of our culture. It’s our history. We don’t know otherwise. For us it’s a way of life. It just is.”
“Okay. Go on.” Keegan turned toward her. He lifted one hand out and then set it back on his leg.
“My grandmother is one of a long line of women in our family who have always had a higher sense of things. Not just me. The ability goes back for generations and includes my mother and myself. Apparently, my grandmother has been sensing an unrest lately.”
“And you have not?” Trace asked.
She shook her head. “No. Mimi believes it’s because my world has been preparing for the arrival of my mother and the two of you. She’s not fond of delayed matings.”
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