Shelter For My Mate: Sassy Ever After (Sanctuary for My Mate Book 3)

by Terri A. Wilson

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Sassy Ever After World

  About the Author

  Also by Terri A. Wilson

  Preview of Her Damaged Guardian

  Copyright © 2019 by Terri A. Wilson

  Published by M.T. Worlds Press, Inc.

  Winter Springs, FL 32708

  http://mtworldspress.com

  Formatting by: Glowing Moon Designs

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  http://mtworldspress.com

  For Cap

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you, Milly for creating this world and letting me be a part of it.

  Thank you, Jennifer and Heather for all you help.

  Thank you, Katie for making sure my t’s were crossed and my i’s were dotted.

  Thank you, B. Creative Designs for another fantastic book cover.

  Thank you, Tracey, Erin, and Debra for reading early copies of this and giving me your input.

  A huge thanks goes out to my BGP Girls.

  Thank you to my family, Cap and the AM Girls. I couldn’t do this without you.

  And thank you, reader, for taking the chance on me and my book. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

  Wednesday

  Wednesday inhaled, exhaled, and closed her eyes. Her hand rested on her belly. The quiet babies made it difficult to relax. When class ended, Wednesday planned on stopping by the kitchen for a glass of orange juice. The quietness wasn’t too much cause for alarm, but it would ease her mind.

  “And as you blow out your last breath, think about your intention for today and how valuable you are to each of us. Be kind to those you meet and to yourself.” She paused, watching her students. Two in the back squirmed and struggled for complete tranquility. As fantastic as relaxation sounds, it takes work to let go of the life outside class. Wednesday smiled. The two in the back were her sisters-in-law, Tatum and Sky. Not sisters-in-law in the strict terms. Tatum mated Connor in the early fall and Cameron and Sky mated before the holidays. “When you’re ready, open your eyes, wiggle your fingers and toes, and shake your hands. Roll to your right and sit up slowly.” Several of the students complied. “Our message for today comes to us from Emily Dyanne, jump and learn to fly. Emily is a local artist who will show her work here next week.”

  Two older women, both with striking silver hair, rolled up their mats and stopped in front of Wednesday. Helen and Linda came to her classes whenever Linda was in town. Helen, Noel’s mother, was part of the Carter Wolfpack. Linda was Eliza’s mother, Cameron’s second mate. The two met at the New Year’s Eve party last year.

  “How are you doing these days?” Helen asked. She opened her arms for a hug. “Noel sends her love since she couldn’t be here. Baby Tatum is cutting another tooth.”

  “I’m not looking forward to nights like that. Send my love back. I bet she likes having her mom close.” Wednesday loved these two ladies. They felt like adopted moms. “I’m doing as great as I can be, I guess.”

  “Namaste.” Ryan bowed toward Wednesday. Over the holidays, Ryan, Tatum’s brother, fell madly in love with Doug, Sky’s ex and the father of her son, Wyatt.

  The two ladies and Wednesday faced him. Wednesday bowed in return. “Namaste, Ryan. I’m glad you made it.”

  Linda watched Ryan leave the class. “That boy is mighty fun to watch.”

  Helen nodded, and Wednesday blushed. “Linda, you are so bad, he’s taken, and so are you.”

  “I may be an old woman, but I can still enjoy the scenery.” The older woman turned to her teacher. “Now tell us how you’re doing.”

  “Everything is fine. I met with Hank last week, and he told me the babies were fine.” Wednesday furrowed her brow and rested her hand on her stomach.

  “What is it? What aren’t you telling us?” Helen probed.

  “Oh, it’s nothing. I’m sure.”

  Linda put her yoga mat on the ground. “You can never be too concerned with those little ones. Tell us what’s happening.”

  “Something wrong with the babies?” Sky walked up next to the other women. “Tatum, get your butt up here and check on your favorite patient.”

  Tatum limped to the front of the class with one shoe on her foot and one in her hand. “What’s going on? Do you need to sit?”

  “Yes, that’s a good idea.” Helen found a chair in the corner. She and Linda helped Wednesday sit.

  Wednesday chuckled. “I’m okay.”

  “Let me judge that.” Tatum held her sister-in-law’s wrist and watched the seconds pass on her watch.

  “Do you want me to get Caleb?” Sky asked.

  “Yes, perhaps that would be good.” Linda nodded, and Sky left the studio.

  “Caleb is busy and there’s nothing wrong. I, it’s just, oh, I don’t know.” A single trail of sweat left a cold path on her back causing her to shiver.

  “Are you cold?” Tatum took off her jacket and wrapped it on Wednesday’s shoulders.

  “Maybe we should elevate her feet. I remember those days of swollen, tired feet.” Linda got four yoga blocks to make a footstool.

  “None of this is necessary.” Wednesday gave back Tatum’s jacket. She wanted to stand, but Tatum rested a hand on her shoulder. “Take your time until you feel better.”

  Wednesday’s eyes widened and she pursed her lips. “I don’t feel bad.”

  The hovering helpers parted as Caleb joined them. He knelt in front of her. “What’s wrong. Sky told me you were having problems. Is it the babies?” He nodded to Tatum. “What have you checked? I told her to take it easy, but she doesn’t listen.”

  “I’ve checked her pulse, and everything seems fine in that regard. She can come with me to the office, or I can check her out at your place.”

  Caleb stood and stepped away with Tatum.

  Helen, Linda, and Sky suffocated Wednesday with their suggestions and questions. Her face grew hot and tears welled in her eyes. She pushed them away and stood. “Would everyone please listen? I’m fine. The babies are fine. Now, all of you need to get the hell out of my studio and leave me alone.” She crossed her arms and glared.

  Helen and Linda apologized and walked away muttering about hormones. Sky called after them.

  Tatum cocked her head. “If you’re sure everything is fine. I’ll leave you two. I’m headed to the office for some work, but I’ll be home late afternoon. Call me if you need anything.”

  “Thank you, Tatum.” Caleb held out his hand.

  Tatum scoffed. “Caleb, are you serious with that?” She looked at his outstretched hand and opened her arms. “Bring it in. We
’re family.”

  Caleb stood with his arms by his side. “Um, yeah, I forgot.”

  Tatum pulled back. “It’s because you didn’t have a sister.”

  He frowned. “What is?”

  “Your lack of comfort regarding physical affection.”

  Caleb crossed his arms. “I have no problem with physical affection.”

  “Okay, tough guy.” Tatum glanced at Wednesday. “Maybe schedule a massage for him or something.” She bent to pick up her mat. “See you two later. Don’t forget, Sunday dinner at our place.”

  Caleb put his arm around his mate. Wednesday waited until they were alone, then she shrugged off his arm and stepped away. “I told you I wanted to be alone.”

  He stepped after Wednesday for a kiss.

  She stepped away again before he could kiss her cheek. “I meant you too, Caleb Hanson. For the past seven months, I have put up with the hovering, the tending, and the advising. I can’t take it anymore. If you don’t leave this studio and give me a chance to cool off, you will not be around when these babies are born, because I’ll kill you.”

  Caleb slinked back, surprise on his face. “Um, okay. I get it. Honey, none of us mean to bug you.”

  Wednesday reached over and caressed his cheek. “I get that, and I appreciate it. But this is too much family for me at the moment. Compared to my family, this is overwhelming.”

  “I hadn’t thought of it that way.” He grimaced, suppressing a yawn.

  Wednesday pointed to the chair. “Looks like you need a break too. What time did you come to bed?”

  He sat in the chair, took her arm, and brought her to his lap. “Is this okay? You can stand across the room if I’m invading your personal space.”

  She swatted his arm. “Don’t make fun of me. It’s not fair. You can carry the next baby.”

  “You want more after this?”

  “Maybe. Since my family sucks, maybe the one I create will be better.” Wednesday rested her head on his shoulder.

  “I came to bed around midnight and woke up at five. I had an early morning call with a vendor on the east coast.”

  They sat still for a couple of minutes. A small flutter raced across Wednesday’s stomach. “Uh,” she moaned.

  “What is it? Are you okay? Do I need to call Tatum?”

  She giggled and kissed his cheek. “No, it’s all good now. I haven’t felt the babies move since late yesterday afternoon. It’s silly. Hank told us, they would move less the closer we got to the end.” She patted her midsection. “Not as much room.”

  An odd bulge pushed against Caleb’s hand. He grinned. “That’s a foot, for sure. I’m sure you’re getting tired of this, but this is the coolest thing I’ve done.”

  “Six more weeks to go.”

  “Do you think we’re ready?”

  Wednesday stood. “I don’t think we have a choice. They’re coming regardless of what we want. We have a lot to do though. Did you call your parents and ask them to come to dinner on Sunday?”

  His eyes fell to the floor. “No, I forgot. I meant to do it yesterday, but between the contractors and vendors, time slipped away. I’ll call them as soon as I get back to the office.”

  “No time like the present. I still want to spend time alone. If I don’t get to fly soon, I may lose my mind.”

  Caleb stood and kissed his mate’s forehead. “You’ll get to fly soon. I promise. What are you going to do?”

  “I’m headed to the kitchen. I’m hoping I can play the wife-of-the-boss card and sneak some food from Eliza.”

  They walked to the door.

  “She may not be there. Last I saw her, she and her sister were combing websites for dishes. But if she’s not there, Dottie can get you something. Want me to come and threaten them if they don’t get you something to eat?” Caleb threw a few punches at the shadows.

  “Calm down Rocky. Everyone loves me. There will be no problems.”

  At the door, they kissed and went their separate ways.

  Wednesday waddled to the kitchen where Eliza, Ginger, and Dottie sat around a computer.

  “I agree that white plates are the best, but I love the square ones better than the round,” Ginger said.

  “I do too,” Dottie added.

  “Don’t you think they look pretentious?” Eliza had a drink of coffee.

  “Not at all. They’re unique,” Ginger said. “I see them more and more in San Francisco.”

  Eliza gave her sister a sour look. “This is Rio City, not San Francisco. The people around here are different.”

  “But your restaurant needs to stand out from the chains here in town.” Dottie opened a catalog and pointed to a picture. “See, like these.”

  Eliza gawked. “Um, no. I don’t even like those.”

  “Hey ladies, mind if I interrupt?” Wednesday brought a stool close to the desk and sat next to them.

  They exchanged greetings and hugs. “Look at you,” Ginger exclaimed. “You are beautiful. Pregnancy agrees with you.”

  Wednesday arched her back and stretched her neck. “That’s nice of you to say, but I can’t even see my feet these days.”

  Dottie stood. “Take my chair. Rest your back.”

  Wednesday sat. “What are you three discussing?”

  “Plates,” Ginger told her. “It doesn’t matter that her restaurant isn’t opening for another three months. She needs to nail down the small details now. Like plates.”

  “Plates, huh?” Wednesday thumbed through the catalog on Eliza’s desk. “What are you thinking about?”

  “Well, we all agree on white. Now the choice is between square and round,” Eliza answered.

  “Couldn’t you do both?” Wednesday asked. The three looked at her as if she’d turned purple. “Let me show you what I mean.” She found a pad of paper under the catalog and motioned for a pen. She drew a square with a circle on top. “You could use the square plates as chargers then the round one could be for the other courses.”

  “That looks good, Sis,” Ginger said.

  Dottie took the pad away from Wednesday. “I like that look so much, I might just do it in here.”

  “I’m still in charge of this kitchen,” Eliza teased her sous chef.

  “Whatever, boss.” A line chef called for help and Dottie raised her hand to stop Eliza. “Sit, Chef.”

  Eliza stuck out her tongue. “Oh, that’s professional.,” Dottie went to help.

  “So, what can I do for you, Wednesday?” Eliza asked.

  “I’m starving. Do you have any breakfast left?”

  “I’ve got waffle batter left. How would those babies like a blueberry waffle or two?”

  Wednesday sat back in her chair. “I don’t care what they want. Their mom thinks that sounds wonderful.”

  Eliza pushed her chair away from the desk and stood. “Give me ten minutes. Do you want fruit with that?”

  Wednesday nodded.

  Ginger sat behind her sister’s computer and continued looking at dishes. “How’s the pregnancy going?”

  Answering this question, tired Wednesday. Nothing was about her anymore. Everything was about the babies or the pregnancy. She understood, but would anyone care about her again? “Everything is fine.”

  Ginger faced her. “Really? That sounded a little rehearsed.”

  Wednesday sighed. She hadn’t spent much time with Ginger but wanted to share with someone. “It is rehearsed. It’s what everyone wants to hear. No one cares about me anymore. It’s all about the babies.” She switched to a nasal tone. “‘How are the babies?’ ‘How is the pregnancy?’ ‘When are the babies due?’ ‘Wow, two babies.’ Babies, babies, babies. I’m sick of it.” Her hand flew to her mouth. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things. You must think I will be a horrible mother.”

  Ginger held Wednesday’s hand. “Aww, honey. You’ll be a great mother.”

  Wednesday’s face turned red and her nose ran as tears fell from her eyes. “You don’t even know me.” She sniffed.r />
  Ginger handed her a tissue. “I know enough and I’m a great judge of character. Last Christmas, you made sure I knew everyone.”

  Wednesday blew her nose. “This is a big family, and it’s growing all the time. I understand being overwhelmed. When Caleb and I first got together, his brothers didn’t know what to do with me.”

  “I imagine having a girl around was a big change for the Hanson brothers.” Ginger hugged Wednesday and patted her back. “I have an idea.”

  “What?”

  “You need a girls’ night out.”

  Wednesday wiped her face with a clean tissue. “I can’t even drink.”

  “We’ll find a place that makes the best virgin drinks around and you’ll be the designated driver. That way your drinks are free.”

  “I go to sleep early these days.”

  “Then we’ll get you home early. Trust me, you’ll have fun.” Ginger searched for her sister. “Hey, Eliza, we’re doing a girls’ night out.”

  “When?” Eliza asked.

  Ginger shrugged and asked Wednesday. “Whenever it’s best for everyone else.”

  “Tonight,” Ginger told Eliza. “Can you get all the girls together?”

  “I think I can. Let me finish these waffles.”

  “See—” Ginger patted Wednesday’s knee, “—it’ll be perfect. You’ll come out with us tonight, drink, laugh, and have a fun time. And I’ll make you a promise. Every time someone brings up the babies, I’ll change the subject.”

  Wednesday laughed and cried more. “That sounds wonderful. I can’t wait.”

  Once the babies came, nights out would stop. She needed this. She deserved this. Anyone who could grow two bodies in their uterus earned one more night of partying. Even if the drinks would be boring.