by C. W. Gray
Zoe’s Happily Ever After
Hobson Hills Short
C.W. Gray
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Epilogue
Copyright © 2019 C.W. Gray
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permissions contact:
[email protected]
Cover by Canva
Created with Vellum
Chapter 1
“All I’m saying is the woman needs a good hard knock on her head.” Zoe Lawson’s grandmother sipped her hot chocolate with a grim look on her face. “Daphne Bethel needs an attitude adjustment, sweetie, and I’m the woman to do it.”
“Grammy, you can’t just beat Gib’s mom up. That won’t help anything at all.” Zoe put the fresh tray of cinnamon rolls in the bakery display. “Gib loves the horrible woman, and we’ve already promised no harm will come to her.”
Zoe was a little put out that her fiancé had felt it necessary to get that promise from her and each member of her family.
Grammy scowled. “It would be good for her. I swear, I never knew she was so difficult. She’s always been a stubborn girl, but this is ridiculous.”
Jayla, Zoe’s newest employee, carried a tray of eclairs from the back. “Are you all plotting Mrs. Bethel’s downfall again? She glared at me in the grocery store yesterday and I’m not even related to you Wilsons.”
Grammy’s eyes softened. “Yes, you are, Jayla dear. My grandson pulled you and your sisters into this family and there’s no escaping now.”
Zoe faked her way through a laugh, but Grammy’s sharp eyes narrowed on her. “How bad is it, Zoe? For real?”
Jayla nudged her out of the way. “Go sit and talk to Grammy, boss. It’s not so busy that me and the others can’t watch things for a bit.”
Zoe gave her a grateful smile and grabbed a cup of coffee. She loved the stuff.
She remembered sitting with Gramps and Grammy at the diner when she was just a girl. Grammy would have her hot chocolate and Gramps would get his coffee. The man liked it with plenty of sugar and milk back then. For some reason, she had always been fascinated by the smell and taste, and had spent many mornings sipping her milk, pretending it was coffee.
They sat at a booth near the entrance to The Book Worm. The bookstore wasn’t open yet, so there was a red cord hanging across the archway and the room was dark.
“Now, tell me, Zoe.” Grammy gave her a hard look. “How’s Gib taking this?”
Zoe’s shoulders slumped. “It’s bad, Grammy. Gib puts on a good face and I know he loves me. He made his choice and he’s sticking to it, but she’s his mom. When we first told her, we knew she might never want to talk to him again. Gib hated it, but he knows she’s wrong.”
“She is wrong,” Grammy said, voice firm. “She has no right to tell her son he can’t marry the person he’s in love with just because he’s an alpha and she’s a woman. This isn’t about what’s best for Gib; it’s about her own prejudice.”
“He hid his sexuality from her all his life,” Zoe said softly. “It wasn’t easy telling her.”
Grammy sighed. “How could she expect him to pretend to be someone he’s not his whole life? You two did what was right.”
Zoe nodded. “It’s Christmas. Gib was okay until the holidays. He and his mom have always had their special traditions. When his dad died, Daphne went out of her way to make sure Gib knew they were still a family and he was loved. For Thanksgiving, they’d have this huge, cooking day. Grammy, it’s what made him want to run the diner. He loves cooking.”
Grammy winced. “Thanksgiving was hard?”
“Yes,” Zoe said, blinking away tears. “Now, it’s just a few weeks until Christmas. That was their baking time. Gib and I are starting our own traditions, but it’s not the same. He offered to give me their family recipe for pecan pie, but it didn’t feel right.”
Grammy sat up straight. “Are you sure? That pecan pie is really good, sweetie.”
Zoe gave her a half smile. “I can’t take it knowing she doesn’t want me to have it.”
Grammy took her hand. “What can we do? I can give her a whomp on the head. That works for your grandfather sometimes.”
Zoe snorted. “No harming the woman. I’ll figure something out, Grammy.”
Grammy squeezed her hand, then brought it to her lips for a kiss. “I love you, Zoe girl. We’ll be right here if you need us. Now, I’m going to visit your beau before going to Ernie’s house. Your brother decided to knit sweaters for all the pets in the family.”
“Thumper’s needs to be red,” Zoe said automatically. “I like her red sweaters best.”
Grammy chuckled. “You got it, sweetie. Have a good day.”
Zoe watched her grandmother leave, then put her happy face back on and got back to work. She loved her bakery. It had been her dream growing up. They served baked goods and the best coffee in town. Honey Buns stayed busy from six in the morning to six in the evening, and Zoe couldn’t be more thankful. Now, she even had Gib. The man made her feel so special and loved and she did her best to make him feel the same. The problem was his mother.
Family was important – Zoe knew that well. She was close to her dads and brothers, and her best friend was her cousin, Elijah. Family was everything, be it people related by blood or choice. Gib was her family now too. She loved the dorky man more than she thought was possible and he wanted his mom to be part of their family.
Her shoulders straightened and her lips firmed. She’d deal with this. Gib was worth more to Zoe than even her bakery. She would make him happy.
After the lunch rush, Zoe untied her apron and left Jayla in charge of the bakery. She delivered a latte and a peppermint mocha to Jackson and Amy at The Bookworm, then fixed Gib a cup of his favorite – black coffee made with Robusta beans, no milk, no sugar. Her man liked it bitter.
Gib looked up from wiping the counter when she walked in. The man grinned, eyes lighting up. He really does love me.
Gib was a big man with broad shoulders and a thick body. He had a bit of a soft stomach, but he loved his food too much to lose it. Not that she would want him to. The man made her blood heat up with just a look.
“Hey, beautiful.” He leaned on the counter and sniffed the air.
“You were talking to the coffee, weren’t you?” Zoe said, handing him his cup.
He cupped it in both hands and sipped it carefully, humming in pleasure. “You’re my one true love,” he told the cup.
She leaned over and whispered to the cup. “Don’t believe him. He told the cinnamon roll I gave him this morning the same thing.”
The crinkling of a newspaper distracted her. Sheriff Mackenzie shook his head. “You two are talking to a cup of coffee.”
Zoe and Gib grinned at one another. “What’s your point?” she asked.
“You two are a match made in heaven,” the sheriff said, rolling his eyes and picking his newspaper back up.
“How’s your day, going?” Gib asked, then leaned over for a kiss.
She slipped her tongue in his mouth and deepened the kiss, waiting for him to groan before leaning back. “It’s been good.”
His dazed eyes watched her lips. “I love and hate you.”
She laughed and patted his cheek. “I love you too, handsome. You’ll take a lunch break, right?”
“Yeah.” He looked sad for a moment. “I had planned on going to Mom’s and shoveling her walk before I remembered she doesn’t want me coming to the house anymore.” He gave a bitter laugh. “I guess that saves me work, right? I hope she doesn’t hurt herself
on the ice.”
Zoe clenched her fist, nails digging into her palm. That woman had serious problems. “Is Clarice coming in for the evening?”
He nodded. “I’m finished at six.”
“Good.” Zoe leaned over the counter and kissed him again, ignoring the whistles and shouts coming from the customers in the diner.
When she leaned back, Gib looked happy again. “You don’t have to kiss me every time I get sad.”
“Yes, I do.” Zoe turned to leave, watching him over her shoulder as he stared at her ass. “I’ll see you at home.”
She smiled when she heard him groan as the door shut behind her. My job here is done. A bright blue coat caught her eye and she watched Daphne Bethel hurry down the street toward the library. The woman glared at Zoe before turning away, nose in the air.
“You’re going to love me, Daphne Bethel,” Zoe said, eyes narrowing, “or else.”
Later that night, Zoe cuddled on the couch with Gib. They were both worn out from a long day at work and content to spend the evening relaxing.
Thumper, Zoe’s angora rabbit, sat in her lap, enjoying the petting and snacks. Their home was cozy, but now that she looked around, she noticed most of the stuff there was hers. Gib had brought a few of his pans, but nothing else.
Zoe bit her lip. What if it gets too much for him? What if he’s planning on leaving?
Their Christmas decorations were all new, but there were a few of Zoe’s family ornaments on their large tree. Her favorite knitted blanket was spread over their laps, and it was one Ernie had made. Dado had helped Zoe decorate the apartment and she loved it. Her omega father was an event planner and had a good eye for color and fabric. It was as if Gib was just visiting.
“Are you happy?” Zoe asked.
Gib gave her a surprised look. “Of course. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t, Zo. Where did that come from?”
“I just noticed that you haven’t moved much in.”
He shrugged. “I sold most of my stuff. All the important stuff was at Mom’s house anyway.”
Zoe frowned. “What do you mean?”
Gib closed his eyes and smiled sadly. “The stuff I would want to keep are family heirlooms. There’s a watch from my grandfather and a train set my dad bought me when I was a kid. We always put it under our Christmas tree. There are other things too, but those are the things I miss the most.”
Zoe signed and leaned into him. “I’m sorry, Gib. I don’t know how to make your mom like me.”
“That’s on her,” Gib said, kissing Zoe’s head. “You’re an amazing person and she’s missing out by not wanting to know you.”
“She’s missing out on you too,” Zoe said quietly and settled Thumper on the floor. “You’re a rare man, Gib Bethel.”
Zoe dumped the blanket and moved to straddle his lap, settling her body against his. His strong arms wrapped around her and she pressed her forehead to his. “I love you.”
Gib cupped her face and gave her a solemn look. “I love you too. You’re my future, Zoe, and I’m not giving that up for anything.”
Chapter 2
Zoe tugged at the hem of her bright red Christmas sweater. She loved pretty things, but she was more of a blue jeans kind of girl. Now, she was dressed in her finest Christmas clothes and had even gotten her friend, David, to do her hair and makeup.
Her dad, Barry, swatted at her hand when she tugged again. “Stop that. You’re going to stretch it.”
“My sweater needs stretching,” Abel said, grumbling. Zoe’s youngest brother was a little too pregnant for the Christmas green sweater their dad had stuffed him in.
“If Dado had let you wear the sweater I made, you’d be happy.” Ernie pouted at their omega dad.
“Hey now, we all look good,” Zoe’s alpha dad, Jamie said. “Look at Rudy. Doesn’t he look adorable?”
Zoe, Abel, and Ernie all glared at their dad’s old beagle. The dog sat panting at Jamie’s side, wearing his own Christmas sweater and Santa hat.
“Why is he even here?” Abel asked, practically growling.
“He’s part of the family, Abel, and Zoe said the family needed to put on a united front.” Abel’s husband, Mateo grinned. “Don’t be jealous, mi alma. Your dad still loves you.”
Abel and Ernie’s families stood together on the sidewalk outside of the house Gib had grown up in. They made a large group, but at least Zoe’s grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins weren’t here. We need to impress her, not scare her.
She turned to face them and clapped her hands to get their attention. Each one wore their nicest festive clothes and had promised to be on their best behavior. “Okay. Does everyone have their gifts?”
Iggy, Mateo and Abel’s son, held up a fruit basket. “My gift is healthy. She’s old, right? She’ll need vitamin C.”
Zoe snickered, then forced herself to look stern. “Remember not to call her old, alright my Iggylicious?”
“Call who old?” Daphne Bethel’s voice came from behind her.
Zoe jumped and spun around. Gib’s mother stood on her front steps, glaring at them all. “Hi, Mrs. Bethel. We, uh, came to wish you a happy holiday.”
Daphne snorted. “I don’t see why you bothered.”
Barry smiled wide and held out his basket of homemade candies. “Hi, Daphne. Seeing as how we’ll be family soon, we wanted to get to know you.”
“While I’m sure you’ve probably heard plenty about the Wilsons around town,” Jamie said, smile extra charming. “Why don’t you get to know us?”
“I knitted you this chunky cable-knit blanket,” Ernie said, his grin showing off the small gap between his front teeth that most of the Wilsons inherited from Grammy.
Abel wrapped an arm around Mateo’s sister’s shoulders. “Valentina and I put together a pamper basket for you. It has bubble bath, candles, and everything else you need for a nice relaxing day.”
Zoe smiled nervously and held out her own tin of cinnamon rolls. “What do you say, Mrs. Bethel? Give us a chance?”
Daphne rolled her eyes and pushed through them. “I know all I need to about you bothersome Wilsons. Barry and I did go to high school together, you know.”
Barry’s eye twitched and his smile looked strained. “Yes, we did.”
Daphne smirked. “If I remember correctly, Barry wanted to be on the cheer squad. That’s where we met.”
“Yes,” Barry hissed. “You laughed at me during try outs.”
Daphne sniffed. “Well, you wouldn’t let me audition for Juliet in the school play.”
“You weren’t even part of the drama club,” Barry said, glaring at her.
“You would know about drama, wouldn’t you?” Daphne arched a brow. “How many times have members of your family been attacked?”
“We can’t help that,” Abel said, exasperated. “People are assholes.”
“You’re a nuisance to this town,” Daphne said and spun on her heel, quickly walking to her car. “I want nothing to do with any of you.”
“Do you need some vitamin C?” Iggy yelled after her. “Since you’re so old?”
Daphne stopped and turned back around, scowling. “You are a horrible family.”
Mateo covered his face and groaned. “Iggy. That’s not what you were supposed to say.”
Rudy growled at the woman and, for once, Zoe agreed with the dog. “At least we love each other, Mrs. Bethel. Dado and Dad would never cut me out of their lives just because of who I love.”
The woman’s face turned purple and Zoe really hoped she wasn’t about to give Gib’s mom a heart attack.
“That’s because your gaudy omega father has no taste. The Everett-Mills wedding demonstrated that. He doesn’t realize how horrible his own children are, because he’s just as bad.”
“I’ll kill you!” Barry dropped his gift basket and started toward Daphne, hands reaching for her.
Jamie grabbed his husband. “Whoa, there, hun. No killing anyone.”
“That wedding was beautiful.
” Barry growled and wiggled in Zoe’s alpha dad’s arms. “The couple loved it.”
Daphne smirked. “You even brought a dog to whatever this is.” She waved her hands toward them. “Absolutely tasteless.”
Jamie frowned. “Are you insulting my Rudy?”
Iggy gasped. “Rudy is a good dog, lady.”
Zoe held her hands up. “We swore we wouldn’t hurt her, Dads. Behave!”
“Tell her that,” Abel said, wrinkling his nose. “She’s rude.”
Ernie hugged his knitted blanket. “I’m keeping my blanket.”
Daphne gave Zoe a dark look. “If you really loved my son, you would leave him alone and let him find a good omega like nature intended.”
Zoe fumed as she watched the woman get into her car and leave. “Damn it.”
Iggy hugged her legs. “I’m sorry, Aunt Zoe.”
Zoe smiled at her nephew and knelt down to hug him. “You were perfect, Iggylicious. She’s just a hateful woman.”
“She’s needs a good whomp,” Barry said, scowling. “She called me tasteless, Jamie.”
“Like Zoe said, she’s hateful,” Jamie said, then bent to hug Rudy. “You’re a good boy, Rudy, and are always good company.”
“Dad, he’s just a dog,” Abel said, stomping his foot.
Zoe sighed. Plan A didn’t work. On to Plan B.
Zoe peeked around the stack of cereal bars at the grocery store. Daphne was perusing the selection of oatmeal in the breakfast aisle.
Zoe ducked back behind the stack when the woman turned to look around, clearly sensing someone watching her. Zoe tapped out a message on her phone.
Zoe: Dandelion, it’s a go.
David: You got it, sweet cheeks. Dandelion’s coming in.
David, one of Zoe’s good friends, started down the breakfast aisle, shopping basket hooked on his elbow. The man looked stunning as usual, in warm wool leggings, a lovely pink tunic and heeled black boots.