Joey grinned. “Yeah, that would definitely endear me to Breeze’s family.” He sighed. “If only they were shifters, then they would not be going through all of this because they would never have gotten themselves into this mess in the first place.”
“You could use that as your opening argument,” Shawn suggested lightly.
“I’m glad you find it amusing,” Joey told his friend.
“That’s the thing,” Shawn began. “I really don’t. I hate it when kids get all turned inside out over these things. I know the last few weeks with Jane have been tough. The uncertainty about her future was difficult to live with.”
“But now you guys are good?” Joey asked.
“Better than good,” Shawn confessed. “I love having Joanna in our lives, I love that she is a mother to Jane. And I am more than happy that Joanna is a shifter and there is no awkwardness for Jane. Joanna loves Jane as if she was her own child. And that is the same love you have to give Tristan.”
Joey’s eyes stung with tears, but he brushed them away. “I’d love to help raise him, but you are right, he’s better off with his own parents. But if that doesn’t work out then I am here for him and will support Breeze no matter what.”
“Here they come,” Shawn said. “I’ve told Jane that we have some errands to run or she might have invited herself along.”
“I wouldn’t have minded,” Joey replied.
“I know, but I think Tristan deserves some one-on-one time with you.” Shawn got up from his seat and went to the kitchen door, holding it open for the two children.
“I didn’t hear you arrive,” Tristan said as he tumbled through the door and went to stand next to Joey. He looked tense and unsure, but his cheeks were flushed with excitement.
“I was just drinking coffee with Shawn while you played.” He stood up. “But now I am ready to go. Do you want to grab your things?”
“Sure, I have them all packed and ready to go.” He ran out of the kitchen, skidded to a halt, and then turned around and ran back to Shawn and Jane. “Thanks for the sleepover. It was fun. Maybe I can ask Aunt Breeze if you can come and sleepover with us soon.”
“That would be fun.” Jane lifted her hand and waved. “Bye, Tris. Bye, Joey.”
“Bye, Jane. I’ll see you soon, okay?” Joey replied.
“See you soon,” Jane answered and threaded her hand through her dad’s.
“What are we going to do today?” Tristan asked as they left Shawn’s house and went to the truck.
“What do you want to do? We can go for a hike or I thought I could teach you how to carve wood. There’s a spring fair in Bear Creek and the sawmill sponsors a wood-carving competition. I also wondered, and I cleared this all with your aunt first, if you wanted to help out on the sawmill stall.”
Tristan’s eyes lit up. “That would be great! So do I get to use a knife when we carve the wood?”
“You do, but you’ll have to wear some special gloves to protect your hands, particularly your fingers, from the blade.” Joey glanced sideways at Tristan as he drove away from Cougar Ridge, heading home.
“This is going to be so fun,” Tristan announced with so much enthusiasm he could barely sit still.
Joey grinned at the young boy as he remembered those days.
Of course you remember them, his bear said. It was only yesterday when we were driving to Breeze’s house for dinner.
Funny, Joey answered. You’re a comedian.
I try. His bear puffed out his cheeks and sat down, he was enjoying their time with Tristan and after the wood carving, they would go into the mountains and Breeze’s nephew could ride on his back again.
They were nearing his house, nestled in the woods on the edge of the land belonging to Mac at the sawmill, when Joey had a thought. He was enjoying his time with Tristan because he liked watching children learn and grow. It was why he loved babysitting Jane. He liked seeing the world from a child’s perspective.
Your point? his bear asked.
Is that Breeze doesn’t have anything to worry about. My relationship with Tristan is a genuine one, a natural one. I would hang out with him even if Breeze wasn’t my mate, Joey tried to explain.
Which means that your relationship with Tristan would never be crushed by your love for Breeze and your need to make her happy, his bear summarized.
Yes. I love them both and want them both to be happy. Of course, the love I have for my mate is stronger, how could it not be? But it doesn’t force me to exclude all other relationships. In the same way that Beck, Hex, and Mac all still love each other and their mom, even though they have mates.
“So what are we going to carve?” Tristan asked as they drove along the short trail leading to Joey’s cabin.
“I thought we could carve an owl. They’re great for a first attempt.” Joey stopped the truck and got out.
“Whoa, you live here?” Tristan asked as Joey stopped the truck in front of the cabin.
“Yes, it’s a little small, but I like it. It’s cozy.” He got out of the cab and went around to the passenger door, but Tristan had already flung it open and slithered out of his seat to land squarely on the ground.
“I love it.” His eyes shone brightly with excitement. “When you and Aunt Breeze get married, can we live here with you?” Tristan asked, running up to the front porch and jumping up the steps.
“That isn’t something I can decide on my own,” Joey said. “Hey, shall we go and get the stuff we need to carve an owl? It’s in the shed over here. I use it as a workroom.”
“Yeah. I can’t wait to show Aunt Breeze what we make,” Tristan said.
His bear hung his head as they went to the workshop. He never mentions his parents.
I know, it’s like they don’t exist, Joey replied.
Or he knows they just don’t care. His bear shook his head sadly.
At least he has Breeze, and now he has us, Joey answered, determined to be the best he could be for Tristan, whatever form their relationship took.
Father and son, or uncle and nephew, it didn’t matter as long as the boy was happy and knew he had people who cared for him and who he could turn to whenever he needed help.
Chapter Twenty – Breeze
Breeze giggled as Tristan’s voice came through her cell phone and into her car. She was driving home from the hospital, her back ached and her legs were tired, and a niggling headache nestled behind her eyes. Despite all that, she’d had a great day, delivering a baby to a mom who had been in labor for thirty-six hours straight. It sounded as though Tristan had also had a great day but for different reasons.
“So my owl looks like a cat,” Tristan continued. He was still at Joey’s cabin, which he loved, and wanted to live in.
“I can’t wait to see it,” Breeze told him. “And the cabin.”
“Joey says the cabin is small, but I think it’s perfect. There are trees and birds all around and I think I saw a wolf.” Tristan paused for breath.
“A wolf?” Breeze asked with concern, but Joey put her at her ease.
“It was a shifter. There’s a trail that runs through the woods surrounding the sawmill and Mac lets people from town use it as a shortcut to the mountains. Wild wolves and bears don’t come around here because of the scent markers the shifters make.”
“Sounds yummy.” Breeze screwed up her face.
“There’s nothing like the musky scent of a bear marking his territory,” Joey told her firmly.
“I am now rethinking the whole mate thing,” she told him.
“Don’t worry, I don’t intend to mark you,” he assured her.
“I’m grateful you told me that.” Breeze sighed and rolled her shoulders, easing the ache in her neck. “I’m nearly home, I’m going to have a nice soak in the bathtub so you guys take your time and I will make dinner.”
“Are you sure? Because I could make something,” Joey offered.
“No, it’s fine, Tristan needs an early night, it sounds as if he’s had an active da
y and I don’t want him grouchy for Angela in the morning.” She waited for Tristan to insist he was never grouchy.
“I am tired,” Tristan admitted. “But it’s been fun. Thanks, Joey.” There was a small grunt and Breeze imagined her nephew launching himself at Joey just like he did at his dad when he wanted a hug.
“You are very welcome,” Joey replied. “And you are also welcome to come back whenever you want.”
“Really?” Tristan asked. “Like tomorrow?”
“Like anytime I am not at work and it’s okay with your Aunt Breeze,” Joey replied.
“Well handled.” Breeze turned down the road where her small house was situated. “Okay, I’m nearly home. See you later. Love you.” Her forehead wrinkled. Maybe she shouldn’t have said that.
“We love you, too.” The two people at the end of the phone laughed. “See you soon.” It was Joey’s voice that signed off on the call and then the line went dead.
Her heart fluttered in her chest and a deep ache in her core reinforced the words Joey had taken as for him. Or maybe he’d been teasing her. But she couldn’t deny it. She did love him. Maybe not in the same overpowering way he loved her. But it was a spark inside her heart that she aimed to nurture and allow to grow until it burned bright and fierce.
She parked her car and got out, closing the door and locking it before walking toward her house. As she took her house key from her purse, she was aware of someone behind her. Swallowing down her panic, she took a deep breath, trying to gauge if she had enough time to unlock the front door and get inside before the person behind her grabbed her, or worse.
Her hand shook as she raised it to the lock. When she moved to Bear Creek, she was impressed with the low crime rate. Since she moved here, she’d always felt safe. So who was this, someone from her past? Breeze had never hurt anyone. There were no skeletons in her closet, no scorned wives.
“Breeze.”
Her shoulders sagged forward with relief. Relief that was short-lived. The person behind her was not a shadowy figure from her past, but they certainly were about to upset her near-perfect present.
“Lisa.” She turned around to face her sister. “What are you doing here? I thought you were out exploring the world with Uri.”
“It’s good to see you, too.” Lisa took two quick steps and wrapped her arms around Breeze and hugged her close.
“Is everything okay?” Breeze asked, hugging her sister back.
“Everything is more than okay,” she replied. “Uri and I have talked things over and decided to renew our wedding vows and try again.”
Breeze should be happy to hear her sister say those words, but she wasn’t ready to believe that Lisa and Uri had somehow managed to fix all the problems in their marriage. She blinked quickly and pulled away from her sister. She was being unfair. People could change.
Lisa and Uri had loved each other for a long time, perhaps they had found a way to rekindle their love and make it last.
“Why don’t you come inside?” Breeze asked.
“Sure.” Lisa looked around. “Where is Tristan?”
“Oh, he’s with Joey. He’s a good friend,” Breeze quickly assured Lisa.
“I thought Tristan was in daycare while you worked?” There was a slightly judgmental tone to Lisa’s voice that set Breeze on the defensive.
“Normally, yes. But Angela had a migraine today and Joey offered to take care of Tristan for the day.” Breeze placed her purse down on the counter in the kitchen and went straight for the coffee pot, she had a feeling she would need gallons of the stuff before the day was over.
“And who exactly is Joey?” Lisa asked.
“As I said, he’s a good friend.” Breeze kept her tone neutral even though she wanted to ask Lisa what right she had to question her decisions when they had practically abandoned their child and gone off to see the world. “How is Uri?”
“He’s great, he’s so sweet, he’s gone into town to get me some coffee and something to eat. We’ve been waiting for hours.” Her mouth formed a firm line. “Don’t you check your messages?”
“I was at work,” Breeze reminded her.
“You’re not now.” Lisa pulled out a chair and sat down. “What would happen if this Joey had a problem with Tristan and needed to get hold of you?”
“Joey is a very capable man.” Breeze resisted the urge to take out her phone and check for any messages from Lisa. She’d done nothing wrong. “And Tristan likes him. They have spent the day carving cats from wood.”
“Wood carving?” Lisa’s eyes widened in shock. “With knives? Of course with knives and they would have to be sharp knives…”
“Lisa, they had a good day and Tristan enjoyed having some one-on-one time with Joey.”
“Did you check Joey out before you handed my son over to him?” Lisa asked.
“Stop.” Breeze held up her hand as if she were trying to stop the traffic. “What is this all about? If you think you can show up here unannounced and berate me for the way I care for your child, the child you left behind while you and his father ran off halfway around the world, then you are mistaken.”
Lisa’s head snapped back. “That is unfair, you know we had our reasons. We wanted to make our marriage stronger so we could come back for Tristan and make a family again.”
“Meanwhile, Tristan and I are stuck in limbo. You tell me I don’t answer my messages, but I’ve been texting you about whether I need to make arrangements for Tristan to start school here for days.” Breeze hated that she was arguing with her sister when she’d only just arrived. But their relationship had always been on the volatile side. They just did not understand each other. Not one bit.
“I didn’t come here to fight,” Lisa told her sister. “I know I will never be as perfect as you.”
“What?” Breeze’s head snapped back as if Lisa had slapped her across the face.
“You know what I mean.” Lisa chewed the inside of her cheek. “You always said we married too fast. Uri says you are jealous of our love. I didn’t see it until now.”
“Lisa, I think we should just have a cup of coffee and calm down before we both say something we will regret.” Breeze handed her sister a cup of coffee and sat down at the table opposite Lisa.
Lisa shook her head. “You don’t think that I strive to be perfect? The perfect wife, the perfect mom.”
“No one is perfect,” Breeze said gently. “And when you first got together with Uri, yes, I thought it was too fast too soon. But you loved each other, it was clear from the way you looked at each other. You were happy. But your relationship with Uri was too suffocating. It was as if there was no room for anyone else.”
“You mean no room for a child,” Lisa said bitterly. “I would be the first to admit that things would have been better for me and Uri if we hadn’t had Tristan.”
Breeze took a sharp breath. “So what happens now?”
“I told you, we have talked it over and we’re willing to try again. Try to become a family.” She gave a short laugh. “After all, we only have to survive another ten years or so, and then Tristan will be an adult and…”
“Lisa.” Breeze reached across the table and covered her sister’s hand with hers. “That is no way to look at it.”
“That’s the only way to look at it,” Lisa said. “It took a lot of time and effort for me to get Uri to see it that way.”
“What did Uri want?” Breeze didn’t want to ask the question and she was scared of what the answer might be. But she had to ask it, for Tristan’s sake.
“He wanted us to leave Tristan here with you. He wanted me to go with him to some far-off place, which I couldn’t even pronounce. He says he loves me, but he is not cut out to be a father, he never was.”
Breeze put her face in her hands and pictured Joey with Tristan and Jane. She was internally grateful that she would never be faced with a similar decision. Her husband or her child.
“Leave Tristan here with me,” Breeze offered. “He’s happy, he
adores the mountains and he likes Joey a lot.”
“So that’s it?” Lisa asked savagely. “You want to use my son to make a perfect life of your own. I take it you and this Joey are in a relationship?”
“We are, but that is not how it is.” Breeze had no intention of defending herself against the accusations Lisa leveled at her. She had nothing to prove. “All I want is for Tristan to have a settled life. A normal life.”
“What if he doesn’t want a normal life?” Lisa asked. “We can show him the world.”
“Is that your plan, is that your compromise?” Breeze asked. “Uri gets to do what he wants, and you and Tristan follow him around.”
“Uri said he’ll travel to less remote places. He can still work, and I can homeschool Tristan.” Lisa didn’t look if she was sold on the idea. This was the first chink in her armor and Breeze intended to chip away at it and expose the cracks in their plan.
“Think about it, Lisa. You have never been interested in school, and you want to teach your son?” Breeze asked. “It’s not so bad now, but what about when he’s a teenager? And high school? He’ll miss out on all the things you loved. Sports, prom, friendships.”
Lisa’s phone pinged and she grabbed it out of her purse and checked her messages. “Uri is here.” She looked up sharply at Breeze. “Don’t pick a fight with him.”
“I don’t plan on it,” Breeze answered. “But at the same time, I am not going to just let him walk all over everyone else’s feelings.”
“Because you always know best for everyone,” Lisa said bitterly.
“That’s not true and you know it,” Breeze said. “Oh, I see this is one more of Uri’s revelations.”
Fear fluttered in Breeze’s heart as she went to open the door. While Uri and Lisa had been away fixing their marriage, her sister’s husband had been filling her head with false ideas. He’d been driving a wedge between Breeze and Lisa. Was it too late to make Lisa see the real truth?
Joey: Spring (Shifter Seasons Book 6) Page 15