by Lia Davis
“Yes, I have some made up in the backroom. Let me get that for you while you bring in the food.”
Emma hurried to her alchemist room where she mixed and stored her herbs, ointments, oils, and other tools of healing. Looking at the last two jars, she tapped her chin and grinned to herself. She had been thinking about reinstating the healers’ circle in the community. She really missed meeting the local people and offering her services to those who needed help.
Many of the bayou residents preferred to use local healers instead of driving to town for modern doctors. She would talk with Isaac after the party and see if he thought it was safe enough for her and the ladies to begin taking requests from the humans or if she needed to wait until the unidentified threat to the family was removed.
By the time she returned to the dining room where Fred was setting up the platters, he had already brought in three gorgeous displays. Not only did this caterer make the most delicious food, but it was beautiful to look at as well.
Fred walked in with a fourth platter and smiled broadly when he saw the jars of ointment in her hands. “I can’t thank you enough for helping my grandmother. I love her dearly, and it pains me to see her suffering. What do I owe you for those?”
“Not a penny. I adore your grandmother as well, and I’m sorry I didn’t know of her suffering sooner. I would never have allowed that to happen if I had known. Give her these and when she runs out come back for more.”
“I would love to say thank you and accept your generous offer, but she would box my ears. I need to give you something for them. If you won’t let me pay, may I at least bring you things from my garden? Or maybe I could bring you fresh crawfish and gator?”
“I’ll tell you what, I use many herbs and plants that are only found in the bayou. I’ll make a list and if you come across any of them, harvest what you can. I will take them in exchange of the ointment.”
“I’d be honored to assist you in any way. Thank you again for the medicine. Are you going to offer your healing services again? Is that why you need the herbs and plants? Please say you’ll be our local healer again. We need you and the other ladies very badly.”
“I’m thinking about it, but I have to speak to my husband first.”
“I hope he says yes. Many of the people in the remote areas need the healers to return.” He glanced at the table and frowned–somehow while he had been getting the last of the delivery, Emma had rearranged the entire table. But he would never say a word about it to this amazing woman. She could organize her table anyway she pleased.
“Please, thank Beverly for this incredible spread. She has outdone herself again,” Emma said as she handed the jars to Fred and walked him to the door. “And please give your grandmother my regards as well.”
“I’ll tell Beverly you are pleased. Thank you again, Miss Emma, and I will say hello to my grandmother, too.”
Fred drove down the driveway as the bakery van pulled in. Behind the van was a fancy black sedan, which Emma was sure belonged to the pianist. Everything was arriving like clockwork, and once the cake was in place and she showed the pianist to the baby grand piano, she would change into her party dress.
“Do I really have to go to this?” Cade whined as he buttoned his dress shirt. “Aren’t baby showers a woman’s thing?”
“Stop being a baby. Your mother wanted a men and women’s party, so that’s what we’re having. Besides, you’re going to receive a lot of cool daddy stuff from the men, while I get the pretty baby outfits from the ladies.”
“What cool daddy stuff could they possibly give me?”
“I imagine you’ll get yard toys, and maybe some sporting items. Girls play sports, too, you know.”
“Huh, I hadn’t thought of that. This might not be so bad.”
Anna giggled and clapped him on the shoulder. “Atta boy, now you’re getting into the spirit.”
Cade was humming to himself when a terrifying, man-gelding thought struck. “Tell me I won’t have to play any stupid shower games.”
Anna held her stomach as she laughed at his pale, pained expression. “I promise, I won’t let your mother do that to you.”
Cade let out a huge breath and pulled Anna into his arms, “Thank, Goddess. Have I told you how incredible you are and how much I adore you?”
“Yes. As a matter of fact, you told me about an hour ago.”
“Well, I’m telling you again. I love you so damn much, cher.”
“I love you, too, babe.”
“I guess I can’t put this off any, longer,” Cade muttered. “We better get over there before mom sends a search party looking for us.”
“Let me slip my shoes on, and I’ll be ready.”
It was only a short walk across the yard to reach Emma and Isaac’s house. They could already hear the party in full swing, and there were a lot of cars in the driveway.
“Your mother told me this was family only.” Anna scowled at all the vehicles. “Why are all these people here?”
“I take it she failed to explain the term ‘family’ extends to ALL the shifters in the pack.”
Anna pulled him to a stop. Horror etched on her face. “Tell me you’re pulling my leg.”
“I’m sorry, cher. I wish I were.” He pulled her closer and kissed her until she was breathless. “I’ll stay close if you want me to.”
“I’ll be fine. I just need a minute to wrap my head around a shower of this magnitude. Honestly, I should have known better than to let your mother plan a party. It’s my own fault that I have, what, over a hundred people waiting for me?”
“Take all the time you need. And remember, I’m here, too, if you need me to rescue you.”
Anna squared her shoulders. “Okay, let’s get this over with,” she said with a determined glint in her eye.
“They’re here!” Isaac cheered as they came through the door.
Cade gave his father a glower that would wilt a lesser man.
Isaac leaned in close. “Relax, this is going to be fun.”
Emma hustled from the dining room to greet them and pin goofy baby bootie name tags on their chests.
Cade growled as he pulled his off. “Hell, no, Mom. Every person here knows who I am. I don’t need a stupid name tag.”
“Fine, be a party pooper,” she pouted.
Anna graciously left hers where Emma had pinned it.
“The men are in the game room,” Isaac informed him as he led the way from the busy living room.
Emma played the perfect hostess and an hour later it was time to open gifts.
As Anna sat in a chair that suspiciously resembled a throne, Simon peeked into the room. “Mind if I crash for a minute?”
“Not at all,” Anna said grinning at her best friend’s mate and one of her favorite people.
“I know I was supposed to buy Cade a gift, and I did. But I also wanted to get something for you. This will make my niece more comfortable and give her momma a little peace and quiet.”
He disappeared for a second before he backed into the room carrying a large gift that was oddly shaped and creatively wrapped.
“Maybe you should open Simon’s first so he can go back to the men,” Rose suggested.
Anna scooted forward in her chair so she could reach it better to unwrap it. “Oh, Simon. Thank you! You’re an amazingly astute man. I’m going to use this a lot.”
It was the top of the line, My Little Lamb Platinum Edition Cradle 'n Swing. “Holy cow! They sure have improved these since Thomas and John were babies. No way! It plugs in? I used to have to crank the old one.”
“Only the best for my favorite niece.” Simon grinned.
Anna struggled to stand and gave Simon a hug. “Thank you, so much.”
“You’re welcome. I guess I better go and give Cade his gift now.” He winked and left the room.
The rest of the gifts were the expected pretty dresses and frilly underpants.
In the game room, the men topped off their drinks and gathered aroun
d Cade to watch him open gifts.
He, too, was seated in a throne-like chair with a pile of gifts at his feet.
“Let’s see. This is from Stefan. Goddess help me.” The box contained a pink Hello Kitty tackle box and a tiny rod and reel. “Wow, that’s really cool. Thanks.”
“You don’t have to sound so surprised,” Stefan groused.
Several of the men had gone in together on a wooden playground set and the tools to build it. The first thing Simon did was read the directions to make sure it wasn’t going to be another nightmare. He leaned toward Cade and whispered, “We’re all good.”
The funniest gift was from his Uncle Charles, who gave him a twelve-gauge Remington shotgun and a box of shells to chase away his daughter’s future boyfriends.
Simon gave him the most adorable pink life jacket for the boat and pink camouflage for hunting.
When the last gift was opened, Isaac stood. “Cade, if you would follow me, your mother is meeting us with Anna in one of the guest rooms for our gift to you both.”
“All right.”
Cade followed his father with some of the curious men tagging along behind. Anna and his mother were already waiting outside the room. He went straight to his mate and wrapped an arm around her to whisper in her ear. “How are you doing? Are you getting tired?”
“No, I’m okay.”
“Close your eyes, and we will lead you in,” Emma instructed excitedly.
They walked a few feet into the room before Isaac and Emma stopped them.
“Okay, you can look now!”
Anna pulled her hands from her eyes and gasped. The most beautiful, intricately carved crib stood before her.
Cade grabbed her hand as his eyes bounced from the crib to the matching dresser.
“These are so beautiful,” Anna breathed.
“This is the set we all used as babies, isn’t it?” Cade reverently brushed a hand across the dresser.
Isaac clapped his son on the shoulder. “Yes, it is. Sadly, we didn’t have changing tables some two hundred years ago, so I have been making one. It should be done in about a week.”
Anna stared in awe. “You made these?”
“Yes, I carved them too. Two hundred years ago there wasn’t a lot to do in the evening but make furniture and babies,” Isaac chuckled.
Anna glanced at Emma. “These were the heirlooms you told me about, aren’t they?”
“Yes. There are a few other things, but those won’t be of use until she is a little older.”
Cade looked from his father to his mother. “We can’t accept these as gifts, but we will gladly use them.”
“Why ever not?” Emma cried.
“Because each of my brothers and their mates should have the chance to use them, too.”
“Oh, okay,” Emma smiled with her hand over her heart. “I thought you were going to reject them completely.”
“Sharing makes sense,” Isaac agreed with a proud smile beaming on his face. “You always were the fair and thoughtful child in the bunch.”
“Hopefully, Simon or Stefan won’t be far behind you in the family department.” Emma hinted.
“You keep your fertility charms away from El,” Stefan warned his mother. “I haven’t even won her over yet.”
Emma raised her hands in defeat, “Fine. I’ll leave you be. For now.” Then she eyed Simon and Rose, intent shining in her eyes.
Chapter 6
Cade considered the pile of gifts he and Anna had received.
That’s a lot of stuff.
“Who would like to help haul these to my house?” Cade asked the men who were uncomfortably hanging on the fringes of the party.
“I will” and “I’d love to” rang out multiple times as the men scrambled to get out of the house.
Emma chuckled as the men left for Cade and Anna’s. “Men are such chickens. Gather a few women in a room and they panic.”
The other women laughed with her.
Anna laughed and nodded. “I’ve noticed that strange phenomena many times over the years.”
“How are they ever going to handle the gathering next month?” Cade’s cousin, Krystal asked.
“That should be quite amusing,” El’s Grand’Mere Meme added as she entered from the dining room with a slice of cake on her plate.
Krystal moved closer to Anna so they could chat. With so many women in the house, the volume was a little too high for talking from across the room. “I wanted to let you know Julia planned to be here today, but she had a bartender call with an emergency.”
“I understand, things like that happen,” Anna smiled graciously at Cade’s beautiful cousin. “I hope she’ll be able to come to the gathering. I’d love to meet her.”
“I’m sure she’ll be there,” Krystal insisted, then she said more quietly, “My mother would have an attack if she didn’t show up to meet all the available males.”
“Your mother is interesting. That’s for sure.” Anna laughed trying to lighten Krystal’s unexpected turn in demeanor.
“Yeah, she is that,” Krystal mumbled.
A month later
Anna was rocking in the new rocking chair she and Cade purchased for the nursery. Rhythmically, she rubbed her ever-swelling belly as she softly sang a lullaby. She smiled and giggled quietly. She knew her daughter loved that particular song because she kicked up a storm every time she sang the chorus.
Cade grinned as he joined her. “What are you doing, cher?”
“Rocking our daughter. She seems to enjoy the motion, and it lets me get off my feet for a few minutes. Not that I can see my feet.”
“Stop fussing about your baby belly,” he mock-growled as he rubbed her tummy and kissed her. “You’re gorgeous, and based on my books, that baby bump is just the right size.”
“You are so good for my ego,” she whispered in between kisses.
“Are you ready to head over to the gathering? I noticed several people have already arrived.”
“Sure.”
Cade took her hand and helped her stand. He kissed her knuckles and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. He was very proud of his mate and was looking forward to showing her off again. Some of the shifters coming today hadn’t seen them since their wedding, and they would want to congratulate them on the impending addition to the Royal family.
They had been greeting their guests for over an hour when Anna noticed her son Thomas staring at a beautiful blonde. “Babe, who is that woman?” She pointed toward Cade’s nasty aunt.
“The blonde with my aunt, Lucinda?”
“Yes, who is she?”
“That’s Julia, she is another one of my cousins and owns The Backwater Bar and Grill.”
“She sure is pretty. Thomas seems to think so, too.”
“Thomas? What do you mean?” Cade frowned and craned his neck to look for Thomas in the crowd. “I’m pretty sure they haven’t met yet.”
“Look.” She pointed at the raised deck Thomas was posted on above the gathering. “He hasn’t taken his eyes off her.”
“Huh, interesting.” Then he spotted his mother watching the exchange between Julia and Thomas. Her expression was one of complete satisfaction. Something was up.
Anna glanced toward Thomas every time there was a break in arrivals. Sometimes he was scanning the crowd and at other times he was focused on Julia. She had never seen him behave so strangely.
The party was in full swing when Stefan and his new mate, El, were married on the stage, and the pack celebrated with a traditional run in the forest. As she and Cade rejoined the dance floor, it was blatantly clear, that something was happening between Thomas and Julia. They swayed together in the shadows near the edge of the dance floor, oblivious to the rest of the guests.
“I’m pretty sure Julia is Thomas’s mate,” Cade whispered in her ear as he breathed her in and kissed her neck.
“Do you really think so? He has been acting very odd all night.”
“I’ll talk to Thomas at the
meeting tomorrow morning. Maybe we’ll have a chat about mates.”
“You can try to get him to talk. He might not open up, though. He’s very reluctant to get involved with a woman.”
“That’s exactly why I need to explain to him that if he has the mating signs, it’s useless to fight it.”
“If they are mates, we need to be as supportive as possible. The situation with Stefan and El scared the heck out of me. I honestly thought he was going to hurt himself.”
Cade scowled for a moment. “We all did. Thankfully, they worked it out.”
She moaned as Cade laved her mating mark. “I thought you said no more sex since I hit the seven-month mark because it might hurt the baby?”
“For your information, I’m caressing my mate, not making love to her.”
Anna sang softly to herself as she folded baby clothes. It had been a month since the gathering and Anna couldn’t be happier. Thomas and Julia had returned from the French Quarter as mates, and her due date was only four weeks away. Not that her daughter was going to pay attention to what the doctor said. Plus, if history served as an example, she would be two weeks late.
She wasn’t going to let that dampen her mood. One of her sons was happily mated, and she had a daughter-in-law she adored. Life was good.
“Anna!” Cade yelled desperately through the house.
“Cade? What’s wrong?” she called from the laundry room.
“Oh, my Goddess. I was afraid something had happened to you.”
She frowned at his terrified expression. “Why would anything happen to me? You’re not making sense.”
“Someone vandalized Julia’s bar and destroyed her house. All I could think of was getting to you. Our enemy is striking at the family again, and it scares the hell out of me.”
“Oh, no! That’s terrible.”
“The men are helping with clearing out the wreckage today and there is going to be a swamper hunt tomorrow. It looks like they are the ones who attacked her place.”