Shifters in the Snow: Bundle of Joy: Seventeen Paranormal Romances of Winter Wolves, Merry Bears, and Holiday Spirits

by J. K Harper

  This second trip was for my first ultrasound.

  The numbness quickly went away after I undressed, put on that patient gown, spread my legs and stuck my feet in the stirrups of the examination table.

  Shit got real.

  Times two.

  According to Doctor Tosh, the two tiny flickers inside the embryo were two distinct heartbeats.

  “You’re having twins!” he shouted. “Congrats!”

  “Twins?” I repeated in a question.

  He nodded. “Yep.”

  I was still confused. “What does that mean?”

  “Two babies. At the same time. They’ll probably look a little alike, or exactly alike.”

  I stared at him. “No, what does it mean in terms of the pregnancy?”

  He clicked a button to print an ultrasound photo, then got to his feet and snapped off his latex gloves. “It’s not that much more. A few more checkups. And delivery complications risks are slightly higher. We’ll likely need to induce the births, or go straight to a Cesarean at thirty-seven weeks. Maybe some bedrest before that.” He took a step backward toward the door. “Talk to the receptionist to get you back in four weeks for your next checkup. Congratulations again!”

  Jesus, Joseph, and Mary.

  That prick. Landon O’Halloran knocked me up with twins.

  * * *

  I had no idea how it was possible, but my father phoned me the second I left the clinic. This was not a good time, but my shaking hands slid on the call answer stripe instead of rejecting the call.

  Crap.

  “Hi, Dad,” I answered, trying to be chipper.

  “Hi, honey. I didn’t interrupt one of your seminars, did I?”

  “No, Dad. How are you?”

  “Great, and you?”

  “I’m great!” I lied.

  “You sound a little sad, honey,” he replied. Clearly I couldn’t fool him. “What’s wrong?”

  I was going to say that I was fine and ask him why he had called, but my bottom lip started to tremble, and what came out in a sheepish, child-like voice was, “I’m pregnant, Daddy.”

  There was dead silence on the other end of the call. I gave him time to pick his jaw up off the floor. Or maybe he had fainted.

  “Dad? Are you there?”

  More silence.

  “Dad?” I shouted.

  He cleared his throat. “You’re… pregnant?”

  “I am,” I confirmed.

  “Uh…honey…I think that’s fantastic news, love,” he said more confidently, as though he was also convincing himself at the same time.

  “I’m not done, Dad,” I added.

  “There’s more? What, you eloped and are standing in the capital of Ecuador right now?”

  “No, Dad. The doctor says I’m having twins.”

  “Whoa. Twins…That’s great! So you didn’t elope?”

  “No.”

  “Who’s the father, then? I’d like to meet him.”

  I hesitated at that one. What the hell was I supposed to tell him? “It’s no one I care to have in the baby’s life, Dad. I know…not good.”

  “Hmmm. When are you due?”

  “End of September.”

  “That’s not too tricky. We’ve got lots of time. You’ll have a job, and will be close to home. The house in Sparks has lots of room. You’re still coming home, right?”

  “Yes, Dad. I couldn’t do this alone,” I finally admitted, ready to break down.

  “We can get through this,” he said in a rock-steady tone. For the first time, I believed it.

  “Thanks for saying that. Can I ask why you’re not freaking out right now?”

  He let out a soft, raspy laugh. “Maybe the timing is not ideal, dear, but you’re twenty-four, not fifteen. By the spring, you’ll have a couple of university degrees under your belt, and a job waiting for you out here. And you already know the hotel and resort business is doing well. Money won’t be an issue. Plus you’ll be close to home. I can help.” He chuckled and added, “I make a mean carrot puree.”

  “Awww, Daddy,” I half smiled. “I couldn’t ask you to do that. You’re so busy with work.”

  “You didn’t ask. I offered. Listen to me, kiddo. I’ve still got a solid twenty years of childrearing ability in me. Your mother, God rest her soul, always wanted more children, and I did too. It just never happened for us. I’d be honored to help out with my grandkids when they get here. There’s something else too. You adore kids. I have every confidence you’ll be an amazing mom. Still, I do have to ask, are you sure you don’t want to involve the father?”

  “Definitely not,” I blurted out way too quickly.

  “Does he know?”

  “No. It’s for the best.”

  “He may disagree, but he’ll only get to have a say if he knows.”

  I pictured Landon having to break this kind of news to his wife and family, and cringed. These babies may have been unexpected for me, but illegitimate children born outside of his marriage? This situation was sure to add major tension to Landon’s perfect life. I didn’t want my unborn children to be anywhere they wouldn’t be welcomed and adored.

  I shook my head. “I just can’t.”

  “What is he, some big city broker? A classmate? Professor? A patient, maybe?”

  “I prefer not to get into it, Dad,” I told him in a firmer tone. “I’m sorry.”

  “Well, I’m here for whatever you need. Try to take it easy these next little while. Do you have anyone to help you out there?”

  “I should be okay for the next couple months.”

  “Get back to Reno safely, honey.”

  “I will.”

  “I love you, Robin. And the little ones on the way too. It’ll be just fine.”

  “I love you too. I’ll call you soon. And thanks. Bye Daddy.”

  As I walked the rest of the way home, none of the self-talk made any headway on the question of telling Landon.

  He did not need to be in my kids’ lives.

  Or mine.

  Chapter 9

  Landon

  Six Months Later

  I had not seen Robin since before Christmas. After she had left town without so much as a word, rationalization kicked in. I must have gotten my wires crossed. That night in her cabin must not have been the start of something new. It was just sex for her. Damn good sex, years in the making. It took a while, but eventually I put her out of my mind. The months passed, and I left it alone because, why stir up trouble for a human girl when I couldn’t tell her my secret?

  That all sounded perfectly logical until I drove into the local Costco parking lot to pick up a few things for Leo.

  Robin.

  A very pregnant Robin.

  She rolled a full shopping cart directly in front of my pickup truck as I drove down one of the lanes. Not stopping to think about how she would react, I lowered my window and called out her name. Robin heard me, all right, but once she saw my face, she moved that shopping cart at double speed toward her car. I could have left well enough alone, but something clawed at me from inside my chest, compelling me to talk to her.

  I parked the truck and walked over to her. “What’s doing, Robin?” She froze in place with a six-pack of baby wipes in her hand. I started to get concerned when she didn’t move for a solid minute. “Everything okay?”

  “I guess I should have expected to see you here,” she muttered. She wouldn’t look at me either.

  “This is the only Costco between the hospital and our place. How have you been? I didn’t realize you were back from out east.”

  “I’m here. So yeah, I’m back.”

  “Need any help with your groceries?”

  “No. Thanks.”

  “Are you sure? It couldn’t be comfortable lifting those things in your third trimester.”

  “I can manage fine,” she grumbled.

  “Oh, and congratulations…on your pregnancy. I didn’t know about that either.” My eyes trailed slowly down to her stomach.
The fundal height of her abdomen suggested she was past term. Definitely over forty weeks. With the years of medical training at the forefront, I did the math. Could she have already been pregnant when we slept together? That was the only explanation I could come up with. “I guess that explains why you never called me back.”

  Straightening up, Robin turned to face me, hazel eyes full of ire. “My pregnancy is none of your business!” she shouted.

  “Oh, I get it. You slept with me while you were with someone else.”

  Whoa. The pretty little pregnant brunette was livid. I’d never seen anyone’s face go beet red that quickly. Robin didn’t answer. She just stormed over to her driver side and tried to quickly get into her truck—an impossible feat in her state.

  I followed her. “Listen Robin. Just know that I’m not upset. I’m happy for you and your husband, or boyfriend, or whoever the father is.” Robin slammed her door shut and ran what I guessed was an irate hand through her hair. She wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. “Is that a sore spot too? I’m sorry I brought up the father. Don’t be upset.”

  I placed my hand on her shoulder, hoping to calm her down and let her see there were no hard feelings. Touching her sent a shock through me that hit me like a ton of bricks.

  Then I knew.

  I met her eyes again. “You’re pregnant…with my child.”

  Robin left that statement hanging in the air. She started her car and drove away like a bat out of hell. I stood in the same spot, utterly stunned.

  What the fuck just happened?

  Chapter 10

  Robin

  What the fuck just happened?

  I drove home after seeing Landon, but I didn’t leave the driver’s seat of my truck for over an hour. I just sat in the driveway, asking myself if that really just happened. I’d been back in the Reno-Sparks area for over four months and had been bracing myself, preparing for exactly this type of chance meeting. It was inevitable, but when we didn’t cross paths during the first couple of months, I put it to rest, telling myself this wasn’t as small a world as people said. Then this. And how did he know the babies were his? I could only hope it was idle speculation and nothing serious.

  Who was I kidding?

  Landon was a medical doctor. He could probably tell he had knocked me up just from the size of my belly and knowing the date we had slept together.

  It was time for a serious conversation.

  Just not now.

  I’d made it to almost thirty-six weeks on my own. I survived my last semester, graduation, the move back home, starting a new job, the punishing summer heat in my second and third trimesters, swollen boobs, saddlebags and a severe case of pregnant lady cankles, for crying out loud.

  I could handle Landon.

  Eventually.

  I just needed to arm my heart and militarize my restraint first.

  Grateful I had not bought any perishables during this Costco run, I got out and started to unload the truck. Tiffany drove up with her Porsche convertible just as I took out the first batch of goods.

  “Right on time,” I called out to her.

  She lifted the oversized sunglasses off her face and stepped beside me, studying the content of the trunk. “I did mention I’d pop by around now.”

  “God, I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “Uh-oh. What happened?”

  “Let’s take these inside or we won’t end up moving from this spot.”

  “That bad, huh?”

  I pursed my lips into a tight smile and kept quiet while she babbled on about some of the baby clothes and supplies I’d just bought. With the last of the groceries inside, we sat on the living room sofa, and I gave her the run-down on the Landon Costco fiasco.

  “So he knows,” Tiffany said. “That must be such a relief.”

  “Not sure I’d put it that way,” I said, lifting my sore, swollen feet to rest it on the coffee table.

  “Why not?”

  “Think about it. Landon is probably curled up in his truck, sobbing his eyes out and wondering when the next shoe will drop.”

  “What are you talking about, Robin?”

  “I mean, he’s probably scared shitless of the consequences. Breaking it to the wife, child support, visitation, custody.”

  Tiffany rested her head on the sofa back. “I doubt he’s gotten that far, hun. Maybe that’s really your fear in all this.”

  “I’d just like him to stay away and let it go.”

  “Wake up, sugar. You don’t really feel that way.”

  I glowered at her. “How the hell would you know what—” I started, but one of the babies kicked. “Ow! You need to feel this,” I said. I grabbed her hand and placed it on the spot on my belly.

  Her eyes widened. “Wow. It feels like his knee or something.”

  “Could be. Amazing, isn’t it? They’ll be here in less than two weeks.”

  “Unbelievable…so when are you going to have a sit-down with Landon?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Try not to wait too long. He has a right to get to know these babies.”

  “Like the way he told me he was married with kids before doing this to me? Sure. I’ll have him over just like that, and we’ll all talk it out. Me. Him. And his wife.”

  “Come on, now. Take it a step at a time. At the very least, give him a chance because you’ve known him forever. And don’t forget he’s a doctor.” She grinned and raised her eyebrows. “He’s probably got great health insurance.”

  I rolled my eyes and held on to the sides of the sofa cushions to get up. “Stop.”

  “Maybe he can give you a two-for-one discount to deliver the babies,” Tiffany joked. She stood up and offered me a hand.

  “Thanks, bestie…but I’m not talking to him right now.”

  “You’re so damn adorable when you’re stubborn, wrathful and with child.”

  “Shut up.”

  She was right, though. I had a mean stubborn streak.

  And Landon was on the receiving end of it all.

  Chapter 11

  Landon

  One Week Later

  I spent a week torturing myself over Robin’s revelation, then I got sick of it. I still had no idea why she chose not to tell me about the baby—my kid—but I didn’t care about the reason anymore. All this time, I had been stuck in my head, trying to figure it all out. Now, I was ready to act. It was a shame that I had no way to reach her, except for the resort main line and her father’s cell number.

  After my shift at the hospital, I decided if I couldn’t get to her by phone, I’d see her face to face. It was unlikely that she’d stay at the resort. She had to be at her parents’ house in Sparks. Sure, there was the possibility she had found her own place, or was living with someone, but I was ready to at least try. Not knowing didn’t sit well with me.

  I tried her father’s line one more time.

  “Hello?” Mr. Parker answered on the second ring.

  “Good evening, sir. This is Landon O’Halloran. I’m sorry for phoning again, but—”

  “Son, did I not tell you several times that my daughter does not want to speak to you?” He asked, cutting me off.

  “You did, Mr. Parker,” I persisted. “Look, I need to talk to her. It’s urgent.”

  “Listen, young man. I’ve known you boys and your parents for a long time, and you may do ski patrol work for me on the slopes, but you’re crossing the line here. Leave my daughter alone. Robin has enough on—”

  “Robin is carrying my child,” I said too loudly. I was keyed up, eyes narrowed, nostrils flared, lips tight. My inner wolf was straining to take over, but what good would that do over the phone? Softening the angry tone in my voice, I added, “I only found this out last week, purely by chance, and with all due respect, I was wronged. Neither you nor Robin had any right to keep something this life-altering from me.”

  Mr. Parker’s silent reaction told its own story.

  “Oh,” he uttered. “It all makes sense now. Hol
d on a second. Let’s clear this up before we go any further. Which O’Halloran boy are you?”

  “It’s Landon, sir.”

  “No, no. The name won’t help. I can never get any of you kids straight. Tell me, which position do you have on the Sunhawk ski patrol?”

  “Medical associate. I’m the doctor.”

  “And you’re not married?”

  “No sir.”

  “Got any kids? Any other kids, I mean.”

  “I don’t feel that’s relevant, but no. I don’t have children.”

  “Awww hell.”

  “Pardon me?”

  “I think there’s been a mistake. Hang on.” When he returned to the line, he gave me Robin’s number and confirmed she was living at their house in Sparks. “I won’t keep you on the phone any longer, but I’d like for us to have a visit at the resort when you have time. Soon.”

  “I will. Thanks, Mr. Parker,” I told him and hung up.

  Throwing my gearshift into drive, I headed to Robin’s place.

  * * *

  Robin was waiting at her front door when I drove up to the sidewalk. Her father must have tipped her off.

  “You spoke to your dad?” I asked, not wasting any time as I approached her.

  She nodded, glancing up at me. There was a hell of a lot less attitude and anger on her face now. “Maybe I owe you an apology.”

  “Maybe?”

  “I thought…well, I assumed you were—”

  “An irresponsible jerk?” I answered, finishing her sentence.

  “No,” she said quickly. “Married with three children.”

  “What?”

  “I saw you that day at Santa’s workshop.”

  “Those are Leo’s kids.”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “Well, I didn’t know that.”

  “You also didn’t ask.”

  “The little one called you daddy right in front of me,” she said, grimacing. “What was I supposed to do?”

  “He calls all of us daddy. And that blond cashier at the Gas and Sip too. And you know Mark, the ski instructor from Sweden? He calls him daddy too. It’s his thing. He’s three years old.”