“I love you, Natalie,” he said, smiling lovingly at her.
“I… I think I love you, too,” she admitted shyly. “It’s crazy, but I really think I do.”
“You’ll get used to it,” he assured her. “Humans don’t feel the same pull that we do, that same inner voice that screams, ‘this person is mine’, but you’ll see it’s real.”
“Maybe not exactly the same feeling, but I’m drawn to you just the same. I was so hurt when I thought you had someone else. And I was even lecturing myself about how it made no sense to be upset over someone I’d only just met.”
“Made perfect sense. Your soul recognized mine. We fit,” he said, kissing her again.
The doors swooshed open as one of the night nurses left the hospital.
“I have to go,” Natalie said again, pulling herself away from Vince and toward the employee entrance.
“I’ll be waiting at the suite. I slipped one of the key cards into your purse.”
She nodded. “I’ll see you this evening,” she promised.
Vince stood there, his hands in his pockets watching her disappear inside the automatic glass doors. The smile on his face faded as his eyes met those of a man, standing just inside watching them say goodbye.
The man seemed to speak as Natalie rushed by him, and he watched her turn and wave to Vince before continuing on her way.
The man watched her go before he looked back at Vince. They stared at one another for a moment before the man turned his back and walked away, disappearing down the same hallway Natalie had gone down.
Vince figured the man was a doctor, from the white coat, scrubs and stethoscope he wore. He was probably irritated that Natalie was late for her shift.
Vince smiled to himself. Her smile had been bright as she’d turned to wave at him one more time before she’d hurried to clock in and get started. His Mate. He’d claimed his Mate, he thought as he got back in his truck and headed off to find a place to get himself a few changes of clothes. He’d not thought to bring any with him; he’d been focused on finding and getting to Natalie. The base of his neck tingled where she’d marked him. He lifted a hand and smiled as he traced the marks her teeth had left on his flesh. Not only had he claimed his One, she’d claimed him, too.
<<<<<<<>>>>>>>
Delilah and Barron were fast asleep, so Kaid was very quiet as he dressed and silently pulled the bedroom door closed behind himself. He had much to do today, and Delilah had let him rest during the night, so now was her turn. If Barron woke, he’d rush to get to him before Delilah did, so she could get some sleep.
He went straight to the kitchen to get his first cup of coffee. He stood spooning sugar into it until he realized he kept hearing a faint swishing noise. He paused, listening, trying to identify it.
The coffee pot had been set the night before to come on automatically. He could hear Ms. Sadie and Goldy upstairs preparing to come down. The morning was just turning from grey to sunny, and that damn noise kept up. He lifted his cup to his lips to take a much needed sip as he walked through the house toward the front door in search of the source of the swishing.
He noticed as he passed the couch, the comforter and sheets were folded and stacked neatly on top of the pillow, but Jobe was gone. Kaid noticed movement on the porch and walked over to open the unlocked front door. He pulled it open and stood there, watching Jobe sweep the front porch.
“Jobe,” Kaid said, watching the young man sweep.
Jobe startled and turned quickly. “Mr. Kaid! Good morning. I didn’t realize anyone else was up yet.”
“We usually get up pretty early around here. Barron has all our schedules blown to hell, though,” he said, chuckling.
Jobe smiled and nodded. He looked around the spacious porch and halfheartedly lifted the broom toward Kaid. “I wanted to get started doing something to pitch in, and figured this was quiet enough not to wake anyone, and the porch needed sweeping.”
“Appreciate that. But I need you to remember one thing, Jobe.”
“Yes, sir. What’s that?” Jobe asked.
“You are not here simply to work for us. You are one of us now. This is your home. You feel free to sleep when you’re tired, eat when you’re hungry, goof off and play when you want to, too. I see you doing nothing but working, I’m going to think you not interested in being part of our family. I’m going to think you only want a job.”
Jobe looked down at his scuffed boots and turned the broom in his hands, watching the individual fronds of the broom make little designs in the dust. “Just want to be sure you know how much I appreciate the opportunity,” he said quietly, raising his eyes to meet Kaid’s in a show of confidence and honesty.
“I do, son,” Kaid replied. They stood there quietly for a moment before Kaid spoke again. “You about finished?”
“Yes, sir. Just a couple more feet to sweep.”
“Good. You drink coffee?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Why don’t you finish up, then meet me in the kitchen. I’ll take you around and show you the place, then we can figure out what’s next. I’ve got some errands to run today. You welcome to come with, or you can stay here and see what Goldy needs.”
“Yes, sir,” Jobe said excitedly. He got to sweeping the last little bit of porch as Kaid went inside.
Kaid walked back inside, and his nose picked up the smells of breakfast starting. Just that quickly Ms. Sadie had come down and gotten the food prep going.
He started toward the kitchen, his phone in hand, his thumb typing out a text as he walked. He looked up as he hit send and entered the kitchen. “Mornin’, Ms. Sadie.” Kaid said, taking a seat at the table.
“Mornin’, Kaid. Surprised you’re up so early.”
“Delilah stayed up with Barron, so I could get a little rest. They’re both asleep this morning.”
“Well, I’ve got breakfast coming,” she answered, setting the large bowl of eggs she’d been scrambling aside and grabbing the coffee pot to top off Kaid’s coffee and her own.
Goldy came down the stairs about that time. He stopped to kiss Sadie’s cheek, then reached for his cup and held it out for Sadie to fill.
Sadie poured the last bit of coffee in Goldy’s cup before she set the carafe back on its burner and efficiently started flipping the bacon slices with a fork.
Goldy sipped deeply of the rich, black coffee. He sighed in pleasure and smiled at Kaid. “Nothing like a fresh, hot cup of coffee in the morning.”
“Agreed!” Kaid said.
“What you got going on today?” Goldy asked, while he put a fresh filter in the coffee pot and poured fresh grounds into it. He filled the coffee carafe with water and poured it in before starting the second pot of the morning.
“I’ve got a list,” Kaid said. “Need to talk to Eustace, and someone needs to get him over to physical therapy. Need to get him to Vince’s, too. Vince is looking to hire someone to help out a bit around the bar, and I suggested Eustace, if he’s agreeable that is. Thought I’d take Jobe around and show him the property, introduce him around. We need to check on Valerie, make sure she’s okay. I need to sit for a few hours at the computer and respond to the last few requests for quotes we received, apologize for being late what with Barron being born and all.”
“You do seem to have a lot to do,” Goldy commented.
“And I want to stay close so if Barron wakes, or Delilah needs anything, I’ll be here to get him, and she can continue resting as much as possible,” Kaid added.
“I can help with that part. I’ll look after Barron today while Delilah rests or indulges herself, whatever she wants,” Sadie offered. “And I’m sure Valerie is fine. Avaleigh was spending the night with her, so she wouldn’t be alone last night. If something was wrong, we’d have heard it.”
“Excellent. One less thing to worry about,” Kaid responded. “It would help greatly if you could help with Barron today. Thanks for offering.”
“Wouldn’t have offered if I’d minded,�
� Sadie answered.
“I can take Eustace to his physical therapy. And then over to Vince’s for ya.”
“Thanks, Goldy. That’ll free me up to handle those requests from potential customers and go show Jobe around.”
“If ya don’t mind,” Goldy said, “I’d like to show Jobe around myself. Feel kinda responsible for the boy.”
Sadie had been sauteing diced onion, potato and bell peppers in butter, cooking them down to pour eggs over the top of them and scramble them all together. She paused and looked over her shoulder at Goldy, smiling when he met her eyes and smiled warmly himself. It was apparent they’d both already formed an attachment to the boy.
Chapter 17
“I’m done sweeping the porch,” Jobe said as he walked through the archway into the kitchen.
“Wonderful,” Ms. Sadie said, hurrying over to take his thin coat and hang it on the rack on the back wall. “Jobe!” she scolded. “You need a heavier coat. You’ll catch your death of cold out there in that lightweight jacket.”
“It’s not that cold,” he objected, though his lips were blue, and his teeth were chattering.
“Here,” Ms. Sadie said, filling a mug with hot coffee. “What do you take in your coffee?” she asked.
“Just some sugar, if you don’t mind.”
Ms. Sadie dumped three teaspoons of sugar into the coffee and handed the steaming mug to Jobe. “Here you go. Now you get warmed up while I finish breakfast.”
There was a tap at the back door just before it cracked open. “Ya’ll up?” Daniel asked quietly. On seeing the kitchen full of people, he smiled and opened the door the rest of the way. “Can we invite ourselves for breakfast? We have been deserted,” Daniel announced, allowing Remi to enter the house before him.
“Absolutely. Come on in,” Kaid answered. “Mama left you to starve?” Kaid asked, directing his question to Remi.
“Yes, sir. She went to Aunt Valerie’s for a girls’ night and wouldn’t let us come. And now all we gots for breakfast is cereal.”
“Aw, poor baby,” Ms. Sadie lamented with him. “Come have a seat, and I’ll make you some hot chocolate. I’ve already got eggs going, and the bacon is done. We’ll have you fed in no time.”
“Thank you, Maw Maw Sadie,” Remi said, a full pout on his face, fully milking the fact that Avaleigh wasn’t making him breakfast while he scooted himself into the chair he usually took when everyone ate together.
Jobe looked at the big, Native American man that entered the house. He couldn’t quite put his finger on why, but this man was very intimidating. He made the hair on the back of Jobe’s neck stand up. The man turned his attention to Jobe and stuck out his hand. “Good morning. I’m Daniel, Avaleigh’s husband. And you are?” he asked.
Jobe swallowed, then slid his hand into Daniel’s for a nice, firm shake. “I’m Jobe. I’m a… I’m gonna… Mr. Goldy…” he wasn’t quite sure how to explain how he’d come to be here.
Goldy took over. “This here is Jobe. He’s our boy,” Goldy explained. “He’s gonna be staying with us from now on. We gonna take care of him.”
Jobe looked over at Goldy and Sadie, who was busy plating breakfast for everyone. He was speechless. He didn’t know what to say.
Sadie turned off the burners below the skillets she was using and stepped over to Goldy. “We talked about it last night. We could never have one of our own, it’s far too late for that, but we certainly have enough love in our lives to share with those who need it.”
Jobe swallowed visibly. He was a sixteen-year-old boy who’d been left on his own for the better part of the last year, with the exception of his brother.
“You got a home as long as you need one, Jobe. We’ll vouch for ya. We’ll take care of ya. We’ll provide for ya,” Goldy said.
Sadie smiled warmly at Jobe and turned back to the plates she’d been filling. She picked them up and walked around the table, placing one in front of everyone. She scooted the homemade apple jelly closer to Daniel and Remi, knowing that Remi loved to slather it on his toast. When she placed Jobe’s overflowing plate in front of him, he looked up at her and smiled awkwardly. “I don’t know what to say,” he finally managed.
Kaid was busy shoveling his eggs into his mouth. “Say it’s good, and thank you,” he suggested.
Jobe nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Goldy, Ms. Sadie.” He took a bite. “It’s really good.”
“You’re welcome, hon,” Ms. Sadie responded.
“Welcome, Jobe,” Daniel added, digging into his own breakfast.
“Eat up, boy. I’ll take you around and show you the property. Make sure you meet everybody. Then we’ll decide what to do next.”
“Yes, sir,” Jobe answered.
“Since you’re gonna show him around, I’ll go see to Eustace this morning,” Kaid said.
“And I’ll stay here and listen for Barron and Delilah. I’ll take care of everything here, so don’t you worry, Kaid,” Ms. Sadie added.
“Thank you. I appreciate that, Ms. Sadie,” Kaid answered.
<<<<<<<>>>>>>>
Bam placed the breakfast tray on his bedside table and slid back onto the bed. Everly was awake, but dozing on and off, reclining on the mountain of pillows she required to sleep since she’d gotten so big with their baby. He gently pulled her closer to him, and rested her head on his chest while slipping his arm beneath her.
Everly grumbled a little, rubbing her face on him.
“I brought you breakfast, Ever.”
“Don’t want breakfast. Want this baby out. Now.”
He chuckled. “I know. And she’s coming. Just not quite yet.”
“What did you bring?” she asked, her nose squenching up just the tiniest bit as she tried to scent the air. She didn’t want eggs, or waffles or anything breakfast themed. All that heavy food just made her want to gag at this point.
“I brought sliced fruit, cheese and some crackers,” Bam answered.
Everly lifted her head and looked at him. “Did I tell you I wanted fruit? How did you know I wanted fruit?”
“Fox told me,” he said, stroking her hair and gazing adoringly at her face.
“I love you, Bramley,” she said, trying to sit herself up.
“I love you, my Ever. Here, let me help.” He sat up and with practically no effort managed to lift his Mate and reposition her beside him. Then he pecked her lips and reached for the breakfast tray he’d made for them, sitting it across her lap. “Here, eat anything you want.”
Everly looked at the array of sliced fruits and cheeses. And she looked at the huge bowl of grits with chunks of sausage and onion in it, with cheddar cheese melting into it. She picked up a slice of cantaloupe and started nibbling on it, while Bam reached for the bowl of grits and dug in.
He watched her from the corner of his eye as she picked and nibbled on the apples, the grapes, the cantaloupe, the cheeses.
She’d take a bite, then watch him spooning up his grits. Then she’d eat a slice of cheese, then watch him eating his grits again.
He did his best to hide his smile, as he made a show of enjoying the huge bowl of grits he’d made. Finally, when her perfect, little, auburn brows knitted together, he scooped up another spoonful of grits, being careful to get sausage, onion and cheese in the spoonful, and held it out for her to take a bite.
Everly’s eyes settled on the spoon he patiently held, waiting for her to taste it, and she leaned forward, taking it all in one bite. “Ummmm,” she moaned, pointing at the bowl with the slice of cantaloupe she still held.
Bam grinned and took the cantaloupe from her, handing her the bowl of grits.
Everly smiled at Bam and leaned back against him, contentedly scooping up first a bite for herself, then a bite for him.
Every once in a while she’d accept a bite of the fruit he was devouring, but mostly she just ate his grits.
Bam smiled at his Mate eating the grits he’d made for her. He knew every moment of preparing them, they were for her. She’d grown so bi
g and uncomfortable so quickly, that no matter what he offered, she didn’t want it. So he always made two extremes — one light and healthy, the other more hearty, and let her choose. More times than not she chose the spicier, heartier dish. And that was just fine with him — his Bear loved fruits and cheese.
“You always know the perfect thing for me,” Everly confided. “Why is that?”
“It’s my job,” Bam said. “Love you more than anybody, always give you what you need, and always make you smile.”
“You’re very good at your job,” she answered.
“It’s easy to be good at my job,” Bam teased, kissing the tip of her nose.
“Can we nap a little longer?” Everly asked, handing Bam the bowl of grits to finish.
“We can. Give me one minute,” Bam said, finishing off the grits, and popping the last few grapes into his mouth. He set the tray back on his bedside table and scooted down under the covers, pulling Everly over to lean her belly against him. “Love you,” they both whispered at the same time.
Everly drifted back to sleep with a smile on her face, knowing that she was the luckiest female in the world. She was Mate to the most gentle, most loving male she’d ever known, and he adored her just as much as she adored him.
Bam smiled as Everly made herself comfortable on his chest. Her red curls shifted up toward his face and he inhaled, his Bear chuffing in appreciation. She smelled perfect. She smelled like love and security, like safety and adoration. She smelled like home.
<<<<<<<>>>>>>>
Janie flipped the last piece of French toast over in the skillet and waited for it to sizzle. Her face twisted into a sour moue, and she rubbed her stomach. Far too much popcorn and M&M’s at Valerie’s last night, she told herself.
“Weady now?” Daisy asked exasperatedly.
“Just about,” Janie answered. She took a plate from the pantry and put two breakfast sausage patties on it, then a slice of French toast. She sprinkled extra powdered sugar on it, then a splash of syrup. “Just let me cut it up for you and it’s all ready, okay?” she said.
“’Kay. Stooby?” Daisy asked, dancing from one foot to the other in anticipation.
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