Joey: Spring (Shifter Seasons Book 6)

by Harmony Raines

  “And you have a big heart.” Martha headed toward the office door and kissed her brother-in-law on the cheek before she gave a small wave and left the three men alone.

  “I was thinking,” Mac said to Joey. “Breeze has a nephew, doesn’t she?”

  “She does,” Joey confirmed.

  “Why don’t you ask him to come along to the spring fair and help us? He could try wood carving and axe throwing, lots of fun things.” Mac shrugged. “It might give you the opportunity to bond with him and put to rest any reservations Breeze might have about the boy feeling left out.”

  “The boy is named Tristan, and I am sure he’d love to. I’m on my way over there now, I’ll ask,” he cracked a grin. “Although, I might skip the part about axe throwing. I don’t think Breeze would approve of Tristan being a part of that.”

  “We have small axes,” Mac insisted then he nodded in agreement. “You’re right, skip the axe throwing but tell Tristan he can help out in other ways. You could teach him wood carving and he could carve something for the competition.”

  “I will. Thanks, Mac, I hadn’t thought about asking Tristan to the spring fair.”

  “That’s because you are not in father mode yet,” Kelos said drily. “It’s a thing,” he insisted as Joey threw him a questioning look. “It’s not like someone flicks a switch when you become a father. Just as Martha is trying to find her feet with the new baby, it’s the same for when you have older children enter your life. You don’t automatically think about what they would like or what’s best for them. You learn gradually, your brain changes its thought patterns…”

  Joey laughed. “Wow, you really are an ancient beast full of good advice. Thanks, Kelos. Breeze has been feeling the same way about being a mother to Tristan.”

  “I have seen a few things in my time,” Kelos admitted. “More than I’d like.”

  “Okay, I should go.” Joey headed for the door but paused before he stepped outside. “Thanks, guys. I was floundering today, now things seem clearer.”

  “Go get some sleep and they’ll seem a lot clearer in the morning,” Kelos replied.

  “Have a good evening, Joey,” Mac called after him.

  “I plan to.” Joey strode over to his truck, feeling lighter. It was as if his shift in mindset had eased the pressure he felt at getting his relationship with Breeze and Tristan right. Even though they were fated to be together, it didn’t automatically mean they would know how to deal with each bump in the road.

  He drove his truck into Bear Creek, stopping for some flowers and a bottle of wine before heading over to Breeze’s house. She’d invited him over to dinner and he was looking forward to spending a normal night at home with her. It would almost feel as if they were married and settled down together. Which he could not wait to be real.

  Slow things down in that head of yours, his bear told him. Don’t frighten Breeze with talk of moving in together. Not yet.

  I know, I’ve got a handle on it, don’t worry, Joey answered. I am not going for any deep conversations about our relationship tonight. I want to keep it light.

  He parked his truck and got out, grabbing the flowers and wine as he slammed the truck door shut. Taking a deep breath to quell his nerves, he walked to the front door and knocked.

  “Hey there.” Breeze opened the door, her face flushed with exertion. “Come in.”

  “Is everything all right?” Joey asked.

  “Oh, fine. Tristan is going for a sleepover at Jane’s. All very last-minute and now we’re trying to find my sleeping bag because they are going to camp out in the yard under the stars. Only I haven’t seen it since I moved and so we had to go through a lot of boxes.”

  “Okay, deep breath, what can I do to help?” Joey asked as he handed the flowers and wine to Breeze. “These are for you.”

  “Thanks.” She took the bunch of flowers and inhaled their scent. “Are you going to buy me flowers every day? I might have to invest in some new vases.”

  Joey glanced at the roses he’d brought her after Polly’s birth which were arranged in a vase on the kitchen windowsill. “I had completely forgotten about those.”

  “I’m glad I’m so memorable to you.” Breeze took a vase out of the cupboard and filled it with water.

  “You are memorable to me, the flowers weren’t.” Joey crossed the kitchen and leaned against the counter next to the sink.

  “Good save.” Breeze turned her head and rested her chin on her shoulder as she waited for the vase to fill. “So, it’s just you and me for dinner tonight.”

  “That’s great.” His forehead creased as he stared at Breeze. “Oh, you think this is my doing, that I set this up?” His eyes widened. “To get Tristan out of the way.”

  “It’s not?” she asked.

  “No, it’s not. I was looking forward to spending time with both of you. In fact, I have something to ask Tristan.” He looked up, his senses locating the boy in one of the rooms upstairs. Not the room he’d carried him to last night. “I suppose I should ask you first.”

  “Ask away.” Breeze set the vase down on the kitchen table and began unwrapping the flowers and arranging them in the vase.

  “There’s a spring fair in Bear Creek this time of year, it’s next weekend. I was wondering if Tristan would like to help out on the stall the sawmill has there each year. There’s also a wood carving competition and I would like to teach Tristan how to carve. I know it’s short notice, but he might have something ready to enter.” Joey tried to read Breeze’s reaction as she snipped the ends of the flower stems and finished her arrangement.

  “I think that’s a great idea.” She took a deep breath and sighed. “He’d love to do anything with you. He’s crying out for attention from a father figure.” She locked eyes with Joey. “That is what you’ll become if you are part of our lives.”

  “I know and I am completely ready.” He grinned. “Well, not completely ready because I have no real idea what I’m supposed to do but I have been assured that is normal. Which brings me to my next question.”

  “Oh, there’s more. Shall we break open the wine?” Breeze asked as she set the vase in the center of the table.

  “Don’t you want me to take Tristan up to Cougar Ridge first?” Joey asked.

  “No, thanks, Shawn is coming to pick him up. Apparently, they are having pizza and Shawn has to pick it up from town.” She glanced at her watch. “Anytime now. I’ll go round up Tristan and then you can ask me the next question. Okay?”

  “Absolutely. Child wrangling is a skill I have yet to learn.” He grabbed the bottle of wine. “But I am an expert at bottle opening.”

  Breeze giggled. “I am no expert child wrangler either. But I’m learning it’s one of the most difficult tasks. The art of getting a child out of the house with everything they need and on time is almost impossible.”

  He watched her walk out of the kitchen and go up the stairs before he turned his attention to the bottle of wine.

  An evening alone, his bear said. I wonder whose idea that was.

  We have good friends, Joey replied, certain that his friends thought he needed time alone with his mate. But I want to get to know Tristan and make sure he knows I care for him.

  And we can’t do that if he’s not here, his bear replied. But it’s one time and I’m sure Tristan would prefer an evening of pizza and playing with someone his own age than watching his aunt and new boyfriend make eyes at each other across the table.

  You do have a point. Joey opened the wine bottle and fetched two glasses from the cupboard. Placing them on the counter, he poured two large glasses of wine.

  She’ll think you intend to stay the night, his bear warned him.

  Oh, I never thought. I just figured you could get us home and I could pick up my truck in the morning.

  Make sure Breeze knows that is your plan or this evening might not turn out like anyone expected.

  Chapter Eighteen – Breeze

  “The house always seems too quiet when Tris
tan isn’t here.” Breeze came back into the kitchen after waving her nephew off. She rolled her shoulders, it had been a long day and the thought of a leisurely dinner with Joey and a couple of glasses of wine sounded like heaven.

  As much as she loved having Tristan here with her, it was nice to have a break. Spending time with another adult, especially Joey, was something she rarely did outside of work.

  “Here. Have a glass of wine and sit down.” Joey pulled out a chair for her and she gratefully sank into it.

  “Thanks, although I have to get dinner on.” She sipped her wine, it was good, crisp and fruity and just strong enough to make her brain buzz. She really ought to eat before she drank too much, or she’d be flat on the floor passed out before the evening had even begun.

  “My bear tells me I should point out that I am not drinking a large glass of wine so that I will be over the limit to drive home in the hope you will ask me to stay, but because if I am over the limit, I plan to get home on four legs, not two, and pick my truck up tomorrow.” Joey raised his glass. “There ends my speech.”

  She giggled, unsure if it was the wine taking effect already or if she just found him funny. A little of both.

  “Well, if you need to stay, I could always make up Tristan’s bed with clean sheets.” She pointed at her glass. “Although, by the time I’ve drunk this glass of wine, I might not be able to tackle making up the bed.”

  “I can sleep on the floor. Or my bear can make a den in your back yard.” Joey laughed. “He can sleep anywhere, believe me.”

  “What’s it like?” Breeze got up from the table and rummaged through the fridge until she found the chicken she’d bought. She planned to pan-sear them and serve with a light lemon sauce. Add in some potatoes and it would look like a grown-up dinner. It would certainly make a change from the plain cooking Tristan preferred.

  “You mean being a shifter?” Joey asked.

  “Yes. What’s it like changing from a man to a bear?” She put the pan on the stove. “It must be incredible. I just cannot get my head around it.”

  “Maybe more wine will help,” Joey joked.

  “Seriously. Tell me.” Breeze fetched another pan and began preparing the sauce.

  “It’s incredible. Scary at first. The first time you shift, it’s incredible. The freedom of running wild and free… It’s like nothing else. Then comes the panic, the fear that you won’t be able to shift back, that you will be stuck as a bear forever. And as incredible as running free is, that’s not who I am. It’s only a part of who I am.”

  “Did you shift back okay?” Breeze waved her wooden spoon at him. “I mean, obviously, you shifted back, and you’re an expert at it as far as I can tell, but that doesn’t mean the first time was easy.” She put the spoon back in the sauce. “I am rambling.”

  “I like it,” he admitted. “And yes, it was okay. Took me a couple of attempts, but it was okay. My dad had given me a thorough grounding in what it feels like, how the thoughts in your head can make it seem harder than it actually is. I was prepared.”

  “You had a good childhood and a supportive father. That’s what I want for Tristan.” Her voice cracked. “So badly.”

  “Hey.” Joey got out of his seat and came to her. “I’m here to help in any way I can.”

  “You have no idea how much that helps.” She stared at the sauce bubbling in the pan. “But I also worry that Tristan is going to grow up with a sense of abandonment. What kind of parents go off and leave their son behind?”

  “Remember, there is no parenting guide.” Joey slipped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “Your sister and her husband didn’t wake up one morning and decide that their love was more important than their child’s happiness. Did they?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t think so. They always thought their love was the greatest love. Then Tristan came along and tested that theory. They love him, I know they do, but when their marriage cracked apart, it’s like they decided to jettison their son to save their relationship. And that is not right.”

  “Maybe they will see that for themselves and come back for him,” Joey suggested. He stroked her arm, his fingers drawing lazy circles across the fabric of her sweater. “If that happens, I’ll be there for you. Whatever you need. And if it doesn’t, then I’ll still be there for you. Whatever you both need.”

  “Thank you.” Breeze placed the spoon down on the counter and turned up the heat on the stove. “I’d like one of those kisses again. Please.”

  “My pleasure.” He cupped her face in his hands and lowered his head. His breath caressed her skin like a warm spring breeze before his lips captured hers. She sighed and wrapped her arms around him, holding him close as their tongues danced, teasing, tempting, tasting. Thrills coursed through her body and she didn’t need the wine to feel intoxicated.

  “Will you stay tonight?” she murmured against his ear as their kiss broke.

  “Do you want me to make Tristan’s bed up now, while you finish dinner?” Joey asked.

  “No, I thought you could bunk with me.” She giggled. “That sounded much sexier in my head.”

  “I’d bunk with you any time,” Joey replied.

  “Now that the sleeping arrangements are figured out, I’m going to finish dinner and then we can finish the bottle of wine.” She fetched the plates from the cupboard and began dishing up the food.

  Had she made the right decision? Inviting Joey to stay was a huge step, but then she was a realist. There would be few opportunities for them to spend the night alone together and she was not ready for Tristan to wake up to find out Joey had stayed the night.

  “Are you okay?” Joey asked after they’d eaten dinner and they were doing the dishes like an old married couple.

  She really needed to stop having thoughts like that. She wanted to take this slow. But with him here by her side, drying the dishes while she washed them with hot soapy suds, it was easy to sink into the nice comfortable ideas that they were happily married.

  “Yes, I’m fine,” she insisted a little too…insistently. She smiled. “I’m absolutely fine and no, I have not changed my mind.”

  “If you did, that would be okay.” Joey carefully placed the plate he’d just dried onto the neat stack he was making, ready for her to put away.

  “I know.” She placed a bowl on the drainer. “Moments like these, evenings like these are going to be stolen,” she told him.

  “Evenings alone, you mean?” He grabbed the bowl, gave it a shake, and then began to dry it.

  “Yes. Tristan knows we’re dating but I don’t want him to wake up with you here. Not to start with.” She looked at him under her eyelashes. “I’m new in town and I don’t want people to talk.”

  He chuckled. “Most people in town know exactly what is going on.” His eyes widened. “I don’t mean about us. I haven’t been going around telling everyone.”

  “But since most people know about shifters then they accept that whirlwind romances happen.” She nodded. “I never thought about it like that.”

  “It’s true. Bear Creek has the highest number of whirlwind romances and the lowest divorce rate in the world.” He arched an eyebrow. “It’s a fact.”

  She giggled, still under the influence of the wine. “I believe you.”

  “I would not lie to you.” He placed the bowl over his heart and gripped it with both hands as he said, “I cannot lie to you.”

  “Is that for real?” Breeze asked.

  “Yes, I think so. Part of you being my mate is that I can’t ever hurt you. And lies often hurt.” He gave her a quizzical look. “Now, whether I can lie to spare your feelings, I don’t know.”

  “We could test it,” she said. “I could put on a terrible outfit and you can tell me I look gorgeous.”

  “Ah, but I love you so much that I always think you look gorgeous.”

  Her expression shifted, all humor gone. “You say that as if it’s a fact.”

  “That I love you?” His eyes dar
kened, deep pools of emotion filled with longing and desire. “That’s because it is a fact.”

  “What if I can’t say it back?” Breeze asked. “What if it’s too soon?”

  “Then it’s too soon.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips to her skin. “I only want to hear it when you feel it in your heart. And I can wait for as long as it takes and if you never say it, if you never think you feel it, then that’s okay.”

  “Is it?” she asked. “Truly?”

  “That is a fact I do not want to test,” he admitted. “But, yes, I think so.”

  “I don’t think you’ll have to wait that long.” She finished washing the dishes and emptied the sink before drying her hands. “I think you have already wormed your way into my heart.”

  “That’s a good start.” He nodded as he dried the last of the dishes and placed it on the counter with the rest. If she wasn’t mistaken, his hand trembled. He was nervous.

  That made her feel a whole lot better. The pressure of asking him to stay had mounted throughout dinner and she second-guessed herself more than once.

  However, she was sure it was the right thing to do.

  Now it was the next theory they needed to test.

  Her cheeks colored and she ducked her head as she thought of Joey naked in bed. She hadn’t been thinking they needed to test their physical compatibility, she was certain that would be just fine. But waking up in the morning side by side, with messed-up hair and morning breath, would they have anything to say to each other? Would it be awkward?

  If Joey’s theory on shifters really was a fact, there should be not the morning after the night before awkwardness.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “You need to stop asking me that.” She took the damp dishtowel from his hands and draped it over the back of the chair. Taking his hand, she led him toward the stairs. “Are you okay?”

  Joey looked up the stairs, apprehension in his expression. “I am. I just want you to be sure.”

  “I am sure. We’re two consenting adults who like each other. Like each other a lot. Even without the mating bond, we might meet and fall in love, or at least meet and fall in lust.”