by C. W. Gray
Noah came to a stop when he started past the kitchen, finally noticing his surroundings. Plants were everywhere. Everywhere. Did he bring all his plants here?
There were also cookbooks on a shelf in his kitchen, right alongside Noah’s framed pictures of his family. He squinted. It looked like there were new additions there too – a couple of pictures of Justin, Tanner, and their newborn Rhonda, several of Griff and Bea, and a few of Griff and Zed when they were kids. There was even a picture of Zed with several other Marines.
Noah picked up one of a much younger Zed. He looked to be around ten or so. His big ears and solemn expression made him easy to recognize.
Olive pulled him away from the kitchen and into the living room. A new bookshelf sat next to the television. Games and children’s books lined the lower shelves, and mysteries, gardening books, and more cookbooks filled the top.
A Christmas tree sat in front of one of the windows, completely decorated with presents underneath. Noah recognized touches of Olive and the twins in the tree’s decorations, but a sloppily painted ornament reminded him a lot of Bea.
Noah ran a hand through his hair, dislodging his hat. Zed was supposed to be running for the hills, not settling in for a long stay.
Olive tugged on his hand. She had that puppy dog look on her face, and her eyes were steadily getting brighter. “Mr. Z is going to stay with you so you’ll be safe. That’s okay, right?”
“Yeah.” Noah’s throat felt thick, and he finally met Zed’s gaze. The other alpha didn’t look impatient or annoyed. He looked as solid and calm as he always did.
Ray set Noah’s bags down and reached for Min. The little boy’s face lit up when he saw Ray, and he held his arms out for his dad.
“Were you visiting your friend?” Ray asked Min.
Noah had no idea what the little boy said, but he had gotten a lot of pictures of Bea and Min playing the last few days. It looked like the two toddlers got along well.
Ray patted his shoulder. “I’ll call you if I find anything on Steven or Rachel. Let me know if you need me, Noah.”
“Thanks, Ray.”
Elijah hugged him again. “You look exhausted. I’ll come by in the morning, and Zed and I will bake you some apple muffins.”
Carter grinned and slung Cooper over one shoulder and Connor the other. “I think we’ll come by too, right, Olive?”
She nodded. “I love apple muffins.”
“You love apple everything, just like your daddy,” Noah said, smiling. “I’ll see you all in the morning.”
He watched them leave from the front window, then noticed shadows moving outside. Someone was leaning against the rescue barn door.
Noah growled. “Someone’s outside.”
Zed settled a hand on his shoulder, and Noah turned to watch him. “That’s just Emmet. He’s on schedule tonight.”
“Schedule? Did I understand that right?”
Zed grinned. “Your cousins are something special. Shawn put together a schedule so that two people are constantly watching the ranch. It’s Emmet and Saul’s turn right now.”
“Seriously? Dad is just one person, and I’m not helpless.” Noah looked down. “I’m sorry, Zed. I shouldn’t have dragged you into this.”
Zed set Bea on the floor and pulled Noah into his arms. He made sure Noah was watching him before speaking. “Everyone wants to do this for you. We know you’re strong. Hell, look at everything you’ve done the past few years.”
“What about Elijah?” Noah asked. “I know Dad seems like he’s focusing on me, but he knows I love Elijah.”
Zed nodded. “I know someone’s been staying with him while Carter was gone. I’ll have Shawn put his house on the schedule too.”
Noah snorted. “The schedule. Fuck, my family is way too protective. It’s too cold outside for a sane person to want to sneak around.”
Zed buried his face against Noah’s neck, making him shiver.
He leaned into Zed’s arms and absently looked around the room again. “You’ve moved in.”
Zed pulled back and gave him a wary look. “It seemed like a good idea at the time, but I can pack my stuff up and –”
“No!” Noah shook his head. “No, it’s great. I want you here as long as you want to be here.”
Zed licked his lips. “I want to be here with you. I don’t know if your dad will come back or not, but…”
Noah winced. “Can you repeat the last part?”
Zed smiled softly and cupped his cheek. “I want to be here if you need me.”
Noah closed his eyes and pressed his face against Zed’s hand. He wanted Zed to want to be with him because he loved him. Take what you can get, he reminded himself. “Thank you.”
When he opened his eyes again, he noticed Tuffy padding down the stairs. The fluffy cat wound around his ankles, and Noah bent and petted the cat before she decided to nap on the back of the couch.
“You also have a cat now,” Zed said, nodding at Tuffy. “She’s yours, not mine, and no take backs.”
Noah chuckled. “That just means that Justin and Griff will try to get you another pet.”
Zed laughed, and Noah enjoyed the vibrations from Zed’s body. “Griff is too busy enjoying taking over the house. He was happy to help me move. I think he may have gotten tired of me trying to force feed him every morning.”
Noah frowned. “He’s eating well, yeah?”
Zed sighed. “He works too hard. He’s wants to get in as many hours as he can before he has to go on paternity leave.”
“Are you sure you want to leave him?” Noah asked, swallowing hard. He didn’t want to give Zed an out, but Griff could use some pampering right now.”
Zed smiled. “I’m sure. Justin and his alpha are helping me pester Griff into taking care of himself.”
Noah watched Bea settle down on the floor with her coloring books. “I’ll help too.”
Zed’s kiss took Noah by surprise. The sweetness turned hot quickly, and Noah was reminded of how much he’d missed Zed over the past week.
“I think you two would make a good couple,” Justin said, grinning. The Wilson family Christmas party was in full swing, and Noah had never felt so hunted. Justin had been after him the second he walked in the door. “You and Griff make so much sense, Noah. Think about it. You’re already friends, and you’re both single. Just go on one date. That’s all.”
“I have to piss.” He turned and ran toward the kitchen. Reuben arched a brow when Noah ran past him, grabbed a sugar cookie, then crawled under the small kitchen table.
He saw Justin’s feet walk in the door, but the omega didn’t stay long. He stepped closer to Reuben, then turned and left.
Reuben waited a few minutes, then crouched down in front of him. “What’s going on?” he signed. Noah thought it was interesting that Ernie’s husband preferred signing to speaking, but he appreciated it, especially on days like this. He was exhausted already.
“I can’t tell him I don’t want to date Griff. I might hurt their feelings.” Noah really didn’t want to make Justin and Griff mad.
Reuben shook his head and handed Noah a plate of snacks before he stood back up.
The kitchen door opened again, and Noah recognized Olive’s brown fuzzy boots. A few moments later, his niece crawled under the table with him, and they worked on the plate of food. Olive didn’t bother asking why he was under the table; she just leaned against him and signed her thoughts.
“I wished for a horse for Christmas,” Olive said. Elijah’s family typically opened presents with Noah after the annual Wilson party, so they could spend Christmas morning with Carter’s parents.
Noah winced. “Did you tell Carter that?”
Olive’s smile was full of mischief. “Of course. I know Dad got me one because they wouldn’t let me in the barn yesterday. I wonder if it’ll be a little one like the sandwich club, or if it’ll be big like Stinkbug and Carrot.”
“What about Santa?” Noah asked. He was a little surprised that O
live still believed in the jolly fat guy, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to be the one to tell her he wasn’t real.
“I asked Santa for more books.” Olive gave him a sly look. “I also wrote Santa a letter for you. Daddy mailed it for me.”
“Uh oh.” Noah smiled. “What will I be getting this year?”
Olive shrugged. “I can’t say. You’ll have to wait, and I guess it depends if you’ve been good or not.”
Noah gasped, offended. “I’m always good.”
Olive narrowed her eyes. “You and Juan painted Janelle’s garden gnomes to look like zombies.”
“She’s always planting things at my house.” Noah huffed. “I was just doing her a favor.”
The kitchen door opened again, and Noah recognized Grammy’s nice dress shoes. She pulled the table cloth up and glared at him. “Get out from under there, Noah Benjamin Wilson.”
Uh oh. She used the full name, I think. “Sorry, Grammy.”
Noah and Olive climbed out from under the table, and Grammy hugged them both. “Go enjoy the party.”
Noah reluctantly left the safety of the kitchen and looked around. Zed sat beside Griff and glared at Luke. The alpha that had gotten Griff pregnant was there with his girlfriend, Brittney. The man winced when he met Zed’s eyes, then quickly looked away.
Noah snickered before he noticed a familiar blond and rushed off to hide again. He spent the party dodging Justin and visiting with his family and friends. He was happy to see Juan and Jackson there with Oscar.
He waved Juan over when his friend looked like he had a moment. “Will you do me a favor?” Noah asked.
“Sure,” Juan said. “What do you need?”
Noah leaned forward. “Justin is trying to set me up with Griff. I like Griff, but we’re just friends.”
Juan eyed him. “Why not give Griff a chance?”
Noah looked away. “I’m kind of involved with someone. I think anyway.”
Juan smacked his arm. “Who? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I haven’t told anyone. It’s too new.” Noah felt his face heat. “It’s not a big deal.” It was the biggest deal of his life.
“You haven’t dated anyone since, you know.” Juan waved around his ears.
“Everyone is settling down,” Noah said, shrugging. “I want that to but haven’t met anyone until now.” Now, he couldn’t imagine being with anyone but Zed.
“I’ll distract Justin,” Juan said, nodding and looking around. “It may not be too hard to do.”
Noah followed his gaze. Now Justin and Zed were glaring at Luke. “I almost feel sorry for the man.”
A few hours later, Noah was beyond exhausted. He loved his family, but they could be overwhelming when everyone got together. All he wanted to do was curl into Zed’s arms and close his eyes.
“Damn it, I need to tell everyone,” Noah said, rubbing his eyes. “Then I could do whatever I want.”
Someone patted his shoulder, and Noah jumped, then looked up. Grammy and Gramps were there, both eyeing him with curiosity.
“Tell everyone what?” Gramps asked, eyes full of mischief.
Just say it, he told himself. “I’m dating Zed.”
Grammy blinked. “And?”
Noah leaned back, giving her a confused look. “We’re living together, but it’s just because he wants to protect me.”
“And?” Grammy asked, leaning forward, eyes narrowed.
Noah frowned. “We have sex?”
Grammy nodded. “And?”
“What else do you want me to say?” Noah asked, baffled. “That’s it. That’s what we do.”
“What about love, baby boy?” Grammy pulled him into her arms. “Are you there yet? Have you thought about adopting?”
“Grammy,” he said, blushing. “It’s only been a few months, and we just started dating.”
Grammy arched a brow. “You’ve been dallying with him for months? Why are we only hearing about this now?”
“Did you say dallying?” Noah snickered. “Really?”
Gramps chuckled and looked over Noah’s shoulder. “Let him go, Laurel. They’ll figure it out in time.”
A tap on his arm drew his attention, and he saw Zed had joined them. The other alpha’s familiar, strong hands settled on his shoulders and turned him around. “We’re doing this?”
Noah leaned up and kissed him, enjoying his familiar taste and warm weight of his arms around him. When he leaned back, several of his cousins were around him, laughing and speaking quickly enough he couldn’t follow their lips or their signing hands.
Zed’s steady presence was a comfort in the chaos, and Noah focused on him. “Are you sure, Z?”
Zed smiled his crooked smile and nodded. “Never been more certain of anything, and for the record, I’m living with you because there’s no place I would rather be. Having another pair of eyes watching over the ranch is just an added bonus.”
Noah felt his cheeks heat. He wants to live with me. He really wants to be with me.
“There must be something wrong with my eyes,” Noah said, pursing his lips. “I can’t take them off you.”
Zed’s body shook with laughter, and he kissed Noah again. “You’re ridiculous.”
Later that night, Noah finally made his way home. After the Wilson party, Zed had gone to Justin’s with Griff and Bea while Noah had spent Christmas evening with Elijah’s family.
Zed would be home soon. Home. It’s our home now, Noah thought.
Noah had to do some arguing to get his new patrol to take a night off, and Zed wouldn’t be happy that he didn’t wait for him to get to Carter’s before coming home.
Noah yawned and parked his truck in front of the rescue barn before looking into the passenger seat where his present from Santa lay. The brown, white, and black pygmy goat was just a baby. Apparently, Santa had told Olive that its mother had passed away, and it needed Noah to take care of it. Fucking jolly bastard.
Noah got out and picked the goat up, carrying it toward the barn. He set it down while he started readying a stall for it, but the little guy had other plans.
The goat ran straight to Peanut’s stall and jumped around when the miniature lowered her head to sniff him.
Noah readjusted his plans and worked on the stall next to Peanut. “I think he’s another addition to the sandwich club.”
After getting the little guy settled down, Noah rolled his shoulders. “Christmas shouldn’t be exhausting.”
He had just shut and locked the barn door when someone grabbed his shoulder and spun him around.
Noah gasped, eyes widening when the motion lights fell across Steven Wilson’s face. His dad looked older, and the past three years hadn’t been kind to him. In Noah’s memory, his dad was large and powerful, with all the charm of Cary Grant. Now, though, he looked tired and anxious.
He’s just a man, Noah reminded himself. I can take care of myself.
Steven scowled and pushed Noah against the door. “I should kill you… left me… useless piece of shit.”
Noah slowed his breathing and tried to focus. “I can’t hear, Dad. You’re going to have to speak slower if you want me to speechread.”
Disgust flashed across his face, and Steven pulled back his fist.
Noah moved with thinking, grabbing his dad’s arm and twisting it behind his back. “I’m not a scared, confused, and injured kid anymore, Dad. Don’t fuck with me, or I’ll put you on the ground.” The strain on his throat told him he’d likely screamed the words, but he didn’t care. They were true, and it was time he remembered that.
He pushed Steven away from him, and his dad stumbled before turning back around, eyes widening in shock. He shook his head, eyes growing hard again. “I need money,” he said, slower this time. “You owe me.”
“I don’t owe you a damn thing.” Noah crossed his arms. “Get the hell out of here before I call the sheriff.” Noah would hate to bother him on Christmas, but he’d promised everyone to play it safe.
S
teven’s shoulders slumped, and he gave Noah an agonized look. “Do you think I want to be here? I know I hurt you and Elijah. If I could, I’d go back and change things, but I can’t.”
Uncertainty hit Noah. “Then why are you here?”
“Your mother left me.”
Noah felt his face slacken in shock, and he put a hand on his dad’s shoulder. He hadn’t expected that. Rachael and Steven were two of a kind and seemed completely devoted to one another. They had their oddities, but everything they did was to support one another’s schemes. “Why would she do that?”
Steven rubbed his eyes, face filled with sadness. “Money. Elijah and that fucking lawyer of his ruined us. I made a few deals with an old friend, but Racheal has expectations that I couldn’t meet. She divorced me and remarried some old retired businessman. She won’t even take my calls anymore.”
Noah swallowed hard, taking a moment to process his dad’s words. “I’m sorry, Dad. I wish I could help you, but I’m sure she won’t talk to me anyway.”
Steven gave him a soft look and patted his cheek. “You were always a sweet boy, Noah. I’ve got a plan to win her back, but it involves a lot of cash. I borrowed money… broke again. I was upset when she left me and… when I get upset.”
Noah didn’t bother to ask his dad to repeat his words. He knew exactly what he meant. When Steven Wilson got upset, he gambled. He borrowed money from shady-ass people and blew it all.
Steven’s eyes watered. “I owe some bad… money… die… please, Noah.”
Noah looked away for a moment, but his dad kept talking, and Noah completely lost track of the conversation. It didn’t matter though. Not really. He’s in debt again. “I don’t have the kind of money you need. Everything I have goes into the horses.”
Steven narrowed his eyes. “Maybe I’ll go see Elijah.”
Noah growled and grabbed his dad by the front of the shirt. “Don’t you dare.”
Steven’s shoulders wilted. “I can’t help it. Give me what you have, son. It will be a start, and I’ll leave Hobson Hills.”