“Then just tell me what you need me to know.” He gave her a lopsided smile. “It’s like ripping a Band-Aid off, sometimes you have to just do it fast.”
Josephine swallowed. “I haven’t told anyone this. Except the therapist I visited.”
“Take your time.” He took her hand and led her to the table and pulled out a chair. “Do you want any coffee or tea?”
She shook her head. “It’ll keep me awake when I want to sleep.” She sat down and leaned her elbows on the table before clasping her hands together. “If I wasn’t driving, I’d have something stronger.”
“You could stay for the night.” He held out his hand. “I mean in the spare room, with Milly. I’m sure we can figure out somewhere for her to sleep.” He wished they’d gone straight out and bought all the baby stuff they would need so that Milly had a crib to sleep in. He was certain if Milly was comfortable and safe in her own bed then Josephine would stay.
Whatever ghost haunted her, it left her pale and nervous.
“No, I’m okay.” She brushed off his offer. “I want Milly to settle in at my house. She needs stability and continuity. I know things will change when you adopt her, but until then I want to keep to a routine.”
“I completely understand.” Max kept the disappointment from his expression.
“Why don’t we forget about this for now.” Josephine reached for his hand. “Maybe we can talk about it tomorrow.”
His brow furrowed. “We’ve stirred up memories that you find upsetting. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather tell me? I often find that the thought of doing a thing or saying a thing is worse than actually doing it.”
“I know. And I agree. I just don’t want to get into it so late. I have to get Milly home soon. We’re establishing a nighttime routine.” Josephine threaded her fingers through his. “I’m a coward. But I promise you, tomorrow, when you have the time, we’ll talk.”
“When you’re ready.” He studied her face for a moment, seeking a clue as to what kind of demon hid in her past. She’d been so close to telling him her painful secret, but now the moment had gone.
But she’s wearing our ring on her finger, his bear reminded Max.
Yes. She is. I just wish she’d trust us with her past in the same way she is willing to trust us with her future. Max nodded toward the living room. “Shall we go and make sure Tad and Jake aren’t teaching Milly any bad habits?”
“Do they have any bad habits?” Josephine asked in a serious tone. “If they do, I’ll need to put them in my report.”
“There’s a report?” Max’s expression conveyed his worry before a smile broke over his face. “You have an amazing poker face.”
“Thank you.” She grinned. “I’m convinced you and your brothers are the best chance of happiness Milly has. My report will reflect that.”
“There really is a report.” The nerves along the length of his spine tingled. “I thought it was all straightforward since we are her next of kin.”
“It is, but social services doesn’t just hand kids over without a lot of paperwork. But you’ll be fine. Honestly, it’s more of a formality than anything. Fiona has already given her approval and we all know it’s a brave man, or woman who argues with her.”
“I have no intention of arguing with her,” Max admitted. “But her heart is in the right place. I don’t think she would have turned up on our doorstep with Milly if she hadn’t already made her mind up that we were the best people to care for her. Although, we are all nearly old enough to be her grandparents.”
“She must think you are young at heart,” Josephine joked.
“I imagine Milly will give us more gray hairs before she is fully grown.” Max entered the living room to find Tad and Jake lying on the floor with baby Milly. They both had plush toys in their hands and were acting out some kind of story.
“We’re retelling the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” Tad said.
“In our version we make it clear that Goldilocks should never have gone into the three bears’ house without being invited and she certainly was in the wrong to eat their food and break their furniture.” Jake rolled over onto his back. “Those poor bears always get such a hard time.”
Josephine laughed. “I totally agree.” She sat down on the sofa and waved at Milly, but the baby only had eyes for the two toys. Reaching out her hands, she kicked her feet in the air as she tried to reach them.
“Damn it.” Max’s phone emitted the ringtone he’d set for mountain emergencies. The evening entertaining Josephine was over, he needed to get to work.
“Go, we’ll take care of everything here,” Jake said, getting up from the floor. “We’ll make sure Milly and Josephine get home safely.”
“Are you sure?” Max asked. Had Jake and Tad overheard his conversation with Josephine, did they know about the ghost from her past?
“Yes, go and do your job.” Tad rolled onto his knees and scooped Milly up in his arms as he pushed himself to his feet. “This is how it’s going to be sometimes when you are together. Think of it as a trial run.”
“Josephine, I’m sorry.” He grabbed his phone and answered the call.
“It’s okay. And it will be good to get to know your brothers, too, since they also have to be in my report.” Josephine leaned forward and brushed her lips across his cheek. “Go be a hero.”
“Hello, Shane, what’s up?” Max listened as Shane, the mountain rescue coordinator, gave a brief rundown of the call-out. As he spoke, Max ran upstairs and grabbed his gear, quickly changing into hiking boots and his tough, waterproof pants, before pulling on a waterproof jacket which contained his emergency gear, such as a whistle, flashlight and emergency rations.
Running back downstairs, he dumped his backpack on the countertop and checked through its contents. It was always well stocked and if he used anything, he always immediately replaced it on his return home. However, he always rechecked it before he went out. Mountain rescues often were a matter of life and death and he didn’t want to risk someone’s life just because he’d forgotten to replace lost rope or carabiners.
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” Josephine entered the kitchen behind him.
“I’d like that.” He swung the backpack on to his shoulder and took a second to gaze on his mate. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” She pressed her lips together and then quickly added, “Tomorrow, we’ll talk.”
“I’d like that. I’m here for you, Josephine.” He kissed her lips, the softest of kisses, but it sparked electricity between them.
“Right now, you have to be there.” She pointed out the window to the mountain peaks, swathed in darkness but illuminated by a full moon.
The mountain called to him. These were the nights he liked best, the nights when he’d go out of their back yard with Tad and Jake and thread their way up the mountain trail before running free and fast through steep valleys and over flat grassy plateaus. But there was nothing carefree about tonight and although they would travel fast, they would do so on two feet, not four paws.
“Tomorrow.” He backed out of the kitchen, not wanting to tear his eyes from her as she stood and watched him leave. But with a last wave of his hand, he spun around and dashed out of the kitchen, across the back yard and out through the gate to where his truck stood waiting in the driveway.
He climbed in and inserted the key in the ignition. It started first time; his truck always did. As much a part of his kit as his clothing and backpack, he kept it regularly serviced and always filled up with gas. As soon as the engine fired into life, he put his foot on the pedal and drove down the driveway and out onto the road. Five minutes later, he arrived at the mountain rescue assembly point out on Tall Pines Road. It wasn’t more than a converted barn, but it held all their gear including a couple of ATVs which they used when the rescue was on the lower slopes.
They wouldn’t be much good tonight. Shane was already briefing the assembled team members on the whereabouts of a climber who had become t
rapped in a valley. It was a two-hour hike away over some difficult terrain.
On two legs. On four legs we could be there within the hour, his bear said bluntly.
We hike with everyone else, Max told his bear. The guy isn’t bleeding out and he has someone with him to take care of him. If he was in danger, the helicopter would be scrambled, and a small team would be dropped closer. You know this.
His bear grumbled. Of course, he knew it, but since meeting their mate, his bear wanted to run fast across the mountains and work off some of his pent-up nervous energy. Max was sympathetic, but they both knew they had to focus on the task before them and bring the climber down safe and well. That meant working as a team, and since some of the team were not shifters, then that meant hiking up the mountain on two legs.
“Okay, we’re all here,” Shane said after taking a roll call. “Let’s get this done.” As one, the team turned toward the trail leading into the mountains and set off toward their destination, each one of them hoping for a successful outcome to the night.
Chapter Twelve – Josephine
“Thanks for dinner, Tad. It was wonderful. And Jake, I don’t need an escort home.” Josephine was getting Milly into her car. She was tired but happy. Really happy, and her mood seemed to have infected Milly who was smiling around her fist, which she had jammed into her mouth. “Here, Milly, chew on this instead.” Josephine gently pulled the tiny fist out of Milly’s mouth and waggled the teething ring at her.
“She’s beautiful,” Jake said wistfully as he watched Milly take the teething ring and clamp her gums around it.
“She is.” Josephine straightened up after checking that the harness was secure. “You’ll make great dads.”
“Which is why I am going to escort you home. Max would never forgive me if anything happened to you.” Jake opened the passenger side door and slid into the seat before she could argue.
“Let him do this,” Tad said gently. “He doesn’t get to be the good guy very often.”
“He’s a good guy to me,” Josephine replied. “What he did for you all when you were younger. That takes courage.”
“We know. But there is a Jake who lives here with us and there is a Jake who runs a large corporation in the real world. They are two separate men.” Tad leaned forward and kissed Josephine on the cheek. “If I haven’t said it before, welcome to the family.”
“Thanks.” She looked down at the ring on her finger. It would take a while to get used to wearing it. “Are you sure about this?”
“Yes.” He walked her around to the driver’s side and opened the door for her. “Now, go home and put the baby to bed.”
“Goodnight. And thanks again for dinner.” Josephine slid into the driver’s seat and fastened her seatbelt, while Tad leaned on the door.
“You are welcome. It was nice to have some female company.” He winked at Josephine and grinned as he shut her door.
“Okay. Let’s get Milly home.” She glanced sideways at Jake as she drove away from the Harrison house. “You heard what Tad said about you being a good guy?”
Jake nodded as he leaned back in his seat. “It’s not the first time I’ve heard it. Tad likes to make out I’m something I’m not.”
“You mean a good guy? Don’t you see yourself as a good guy?” Josephine reached the end of the driveway and turned onto the road leading toward town. She liked it out here far away from town, that there were no other houses around, but close enough that if ever they had an emergency, they could reach the hospital or doctors in a short time.
“Not as good as my brothers, that’s for sure.” Jake half-turned to face her. “Look at Max, dropping everything to go out onto the mountain in the dark to save a stranger when he could have been at home with his mate.”
“You wouldn’t make the same choice if you were him?” Josephine asked.
“I wouldn’t be him in the first place. The job doesn’t pay enough,” Jake answered bluntly.
“When you were younger, you were scared to lose everything, that has affected your life and the way you lead it. But your actions resulted in Max having the freedom to pursue his desire to help others and not be so focused on money.” She grinned widely as he scowled. “See, you are a good man. You are a catalyst for good.”
“What about you?” Jake asked. “Since we’re putting me under the microscope, what kind of person are you, Josephine?”
“Not as good as Max.” She clenched her jaw. “If I had any sense, I’d hand Milly over to you three and run far away.”
“You’re scared of commitment?” Jake’s interest was piqued, and he sat up straighter and fixed her with his full attention.
“No, not of commitment.” She stared at the road ahead as the silence stretched on between them and her need to fill it ate away at her resolve to keep her past private. “Are you a master negotiator?”
“Are you a master at diverting attention away from awkward subjects?” Jake’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve skirted around this issue with your past a couple of times with Max. But I’m not so easy to shake off.”
“You’re like a little terrier.” She gritted her teeth and growled, which forced a smile onto Jake’s lips. “That’s better, I figured you’d forgotten how to smile.”
“Diverting,” Jake chimed in an annoyingly persistent voice.
The road swung around in a large curve and the lights of the town were visible, growing bigger and brighter as the car traveled toward Bear Creek and the little nondescript house that was her home. When she moved here, she hadn’t planned to tell anyone about her past. It was nobody’s business but her own since Vincent would never find her here. But meeting Max and his brothers had made her realize that she didn’t want to keep her secrets from them.
Holding in the truth was already creating a pressure inside her head which would explode like a powder keg if she didn’t share her story with them.
“There was this guy.” A tear ran down her cheek and she wiped it away with the back of her hand.
“A good guy?” Jake asked gently.
She shook her head and her voice cracked as she said, “No, a very bad guy.”
Jake exhaled and nodded. “You don’t have to tell me. Not if you would prefer to tell Max first.”
“I don’t know how,” she sobbed as she steered the car down her nondescript road to her nondescript house. She hated that her choices were all made around a man who had terrorized her for two years before she’d finally found the courage to go to the police and report him.
“He’s your mate, you can say whatever you want to him, whatever you need, and he will understand. He’s the one person in the whole world that you can trust with anything.” He gave a brief smile. “Aside from me. You can tell me anything, Josephine, and I won’t tell a soul.”
“Not even Max?” she asked in surprise as she parked the car and switched off the engine.
“Not even Max. Not unless you want me to.” Jake’s voice conveyed trust and sympathy and Josephine had to remind herself he was a cutthroat businessman who knew how to get what he wanted through manipulating the situation. But he was also the brother of the man she was supposed to spend the rest of her life with. And she needed to trust someone.
“Shall we go inside?” She unbuckled her seatbelt, expecting him to make some crass comment about how the neighbors would talk, or something equally as cheesy, but he didn’t. Jake wasn’t that kind of man. Or maybe mature men, those who were seasoned in life, didn’t make those kinds of comments.
Wow, it had been so long since she’d dated, it was like she’d moved into a whole new generation of men. Men who knew that life had its ups and downs. Men who had carved out their own lives and were not looking for a woman to marry, take out a mortgage and then raise a family with.
“I’ll grab the bags while you get Milly,” Jake suggested.
A couple of minutes later, Josephine was opening the front door and they were going inside the house. She hesitated and listened to the sounds of th
e house. It was the one habit she hadn’t been able to shake off, even when Vincent was in jail. But this house was new, and she didn’t know it yet. She hadn’t learned how the house breathed, how it settled and how it moved.
“Do you want me to go and check the rooms?” Jake asked in a hushed whisper.
Josephine shook her head and flipped on the light switch, illuminating the hallway. “No, it’s all fine.” Yet her voice wavered with nerves.
“I could give you the number of a guy who can come out and fit a security alarm system for you,” Jake offered as he walked down the hallway. “Is the kitchen through here?”
Josephine paused as the house creaked and then she followed Jake into the kitchen. She was safe. There was no way she could be traced here. She covered her tracks well, changed her name enough times, had no friends connecting her old self to her new self...
She stopped words streaming through her brain and focused on Milly and what she needed before bedtime. “Do you want coffee?” Josephine asked Jake as she picked Milly up and rested the small child on her hip.
“I’ll make it.” Jake got busy making a fresh pot of coffee, while Josephine placed Milly down in her seat and warmed a bottle. “White, no sugar?”
“Yes, please.” Josephine had bathed Milly before they went out for dinner since she was unsure what time they would be getting home. All she had to do while the formula warmed was change Milly’s diaper, put her into her clean bodysuit and wipe her hands and face.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do that so fast. And I’m certain her diapers will fall off more times than they stay on.” Jake was watching her with his arms folded across his chest as he leaned back against the counter.
“You’ll soon master it,” Josephine told him. “When you started out in business, you must have had to learn new things.” She beckoned him over. “Here, start off with the easy stuff. Sit here and feed her.”
Jake looked a little dubious as he sat down in the seat at her kitchen table and held out his arms for the baby. “Like that?”
“You’ve got it.” Josephine carefully adjusted Milly’s position in Jake’s arms and then handed him the bottle. “You need to give it to her with the milk already in the nipple, so she doesn’t suck in too much air. That’s it.”
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