by Creator
“I’ve never even seen her!”
“Just consider it, Ramsey,” Gabriel said.
Ramsey sighed and nodded. “I’ll leave in the morning.”
“I’ll call and tell her to expect you.”
“What’s her name?”
“Luna. Luna Delgado.”
Ramsey grinned. “Well, at least she has an appropriate name for a werewolf’s mate.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Maple Falls, Georgia
The next morning, Chloe woke to find herself wrapped in Michael’s arms. For a moment she puzzled over the fact that she was suddenly so happy to be married to him, but she shoved the thought aside.
Snuggling into his embrace, she smiled. She should be exhausted after making love most of the night, but she felt rejuvenated.
“Good morning,” Michael said.
“Morning,” she replied with a smile.
“What did you want to do today? We can stay in the cottage or we can explore the town.”
Chloe gave him a naughty grin and reached under the covers. “Why don’t we stay in?”
Michael chuckled. “Honey, if we stay in, I don’t think you’ll be able to walk by tomorrow.”
Chloe laughed. “Good point. I guess we could go sight-seeing.”
“I’ll just call our host and hostess for some recommendations. Why don’t you start the shower and I’ll join you in a few minutes.”
“Be quick,” Chloe said before she kissed him and scurried out of the bed.
Michael smiled as he watched her sashay into the bathroom. He was glad to see Chloe getting back to her old self. He knew a lot of her personality changes were due to the pregnancy, but he preferred her being sassy to being a watering pot.
Walking into the kitchen, he picked up the phone and called Jesse and Lissa. They told him about a little café in town and few quaint stores along the main strip. Lissa gushed about a baby store that carried handmade items so Michael added it to the list of places to see. Hanging up the phone, he went to join Chloe in the shower.
The ringing of a cell phone stopped him before he reached the bathroom. When he saw Gabriel’s number, he stopped and answered the phone.
“Hello.”
“Michael, how’s everything going?”
“Good,” he said with a grin.
“That’s good.” Gabriel paused. “Ramsey came home early.”
Michael glanced toward the bathroom. “And?”
“He was livid. He came over to the house in a rage. If the two of you had still been here, I
think he would have stopped the wedding.”
Michael sat on the edge of the bed. “Is he on his way here?”
“No. I sent him on an errand.”
“What kind of errand makes a man forget the woman he loves?” Michael asked with a snort.
“The kind that involves him finding a mate.”
“You’re mating him to someone?”
“Maybe. I think he should mate with the newest addition to our pack. A woman from Mississippi petitioned to join us now that her family is gone. I’ve sent him to help her pack and sell her house,” Gabriel said.
“That seems a little beneath him.”
“She’s in trouble. He seems to like a damsel in distress.”
“What kind of trouble?” Michael asked.
“The local pack is causing problems. One of their pack members wants to mate with the woman, but she’s not interested. I’m hoping that by planting the idea in Ramsey’s head that he’ll step up and claim her when things turn ugly.”
Michael sighed. “It’s times like these that I know why you’re the alpha.”
“Because I’m smarter and better looking?”
“No. Because you’re more devious than the rest of us. I gotta go, Chloe’s waiting on me.”
“Stay out of trouble down there.”
“I will. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
Michael hung up the phone and stared at it dumbfounded. He wasn’t sure what to tell Chloe. She’d have to find out sooner or later. Setting the phone down on the nightstand, he went to join her in the shower. Later was definitely the best option.
***
During the half hour drive into Maple Falls, Chloe talked non-stop. It was the most animated Michael had seen her in a while.
“You know, when we get back to Ashton Grove we should be able to find out whether or not we’re having a boy or a girl,” she said with a smile.
“Do you want to know? You don’t want to be surprised?” he asked.
“I want to decorate the nursery.”
“Guess that means I’ll be painting the spare room.”
“On the plus side, you said it didn’t have any furniture in it. At least you won’t have to move
anything out before you move the baby furniture in.”
He grinned. “You have a point there.”
“We should probably come up with a name pretty soon.”
“You didn’t have any picked out already?” he asked in surprise.
She shook her head. “I was a little preoccupied I guess. I figured there was plenty of time, but now the baby will be here in a little over three months.”
“I always liked the name Morgan for a boy,” Michael said.
“Morgan is nice,” Chloe said. “What about Madison for a girl?”
Michael smiled. “Like M’s?”
She grinned. “There’s nothing wrong with a name that starts with M.”
“What if I wanted the names to start with a C?” he asked.
“You’re the one who picked a boy’s name that started with an M,” she pointed out.
“True.”
As they drove down Main Street, Chloe looked at the picturesque shops. “It’s a rather charming town.”
“Here’s the spot,” Michael said as he pulled into a parking spot in front of a yellow café with a red door.
“Oh, Michael, I love it.”
“It was recommended by our host and hostess. After lunch, I thought we’d browse through some of the shops. Lissa mentioned a baby store around the corner that carries handmade stuff. She thought you might like to go there.”
“Oh, could we?” Chloe asked, her eyes lit up with excitement.
Michael smiled, happy to see her so animated.
“Of course. We can go there first if you’d like.”
Chloe smiled and nodded.
“Wait right there,” Michael said as he turned the car off and got out. He quickly walked around to the passenger side and opened her door. Helping her out of the car, he pulled her into his arms for a quick kiss.
Michael escorted her into the café. The hostess seated them by a window and handed them their menus. After their waitress had taken their orders, Chloe tried to fill the silence with conversation.
“Did you always want to be a mechanic?” she asked.
“Not exactly. I just kind of fell into it. Dad owned the garage and we all worked there during high school. Cole’s the only one who went to college after we graduated. Gabriel and I stayed on to work the garage.”
“You never thought of going to college?”
Michael studied Chloe. Was she thinking a mechanic wasn’t good enough to be a father to her baby? Or was she just curious? “I wasn’t very good with school work. I’m better at working with my hands. Besides, Gabriel and I own the business together so we split the profits fifty-fifty.”
“I wish I'd gone to college,” Chloe said. “If I had, maybe I could have gotten a better job.”
“What about the job you have with Matt?”
She smiled. “I enjoy working with him. He said that after the baby’s born he might let me show some houses. I think I’ll like real estate. I might work on getting my license if he’ll let me.”
Michael returned her smile. “I’m glad you’re enjoying your work. Matt’s a good guy. You won’t have to worry about being fired or laid off. He’s been dealing in real estate in one form or another pretty mu
ch since he moved to Ashton Grove.”
“That’s good to know.” She paused, not quite sure how to phrase her next question. “What about the rest of the family?”
“You mean the extended family?”
She nodded.
“Most of them showed up when Cole found Marin. I told you a little of her story. When the guy who held her captive showed up in Ashton Grove, our cousins came in town. They decided to stick around after the guy was caught.”
“And the others?” she asked.
“The others were mostly reinforcements when Kiera came into the picture. She was literally chased into the garage. Gabriel saved her, but we needed back-up to make sure she stayed safe. Most of the guys stuck around instead of going back to their hometowns.”
Chloe’s thoughts drifted to Ramsey. She guessed his hometown had been in Colorado, which meant he was close to Kiera because he had helped the pack save her. “Kiera and Ramsey seem close,” she said quietly, deciding it was better to just get the conversation out of the way.
Michael tensed. “They are. When Gabriel wasn’t around, Ramsey was usually her assigned bodyguard. If she needed more than one, Hunter helped out.”
“I guess that means he’ll be around a lot.”
“What exactly are you asking, Chloe?”
Chloe sighed. “I’m not ready to see him,” she said quietly. “We’re just starting our life together, and I …”
“You what?”
Chloe reached across the table and held her hand out to him. When he didn’t take it, she slowly pulled her hand back. Fighting back tears, she said, “I want a chance for us to have a real marriage, a chance for us to get to know one another again. I don’t want Ramsey hanging over our heads all the time.”
“Then you should be delighted to hear he won’t be there,” he said matter-of-factly.
Chloe wanted to ask why, but she merely nodded.
Their food arrived and they ate in silence. Chloe started to say something a few times, but she couldn’t find the right words. She had known her questions would upset Michael, but they had to discuss Ramsey at some point.
“Michael, you can’t ignore me forever.”
“I’m not ignoring you.”
“I’m sorry if I made you angry.”
He heaved a sighed and set his fork down. “Chloe, I’m not angry with you. I’m upset with myself. I should have known that you cared so much about Ramsey. I should have insisted that Gabriel marry the two of you.”
Chloe stared at him, stunned. “After everything we shared last night, how can you say that?”
“It’s obvious. It was only a matter of time before his name came up. I’m just surprised you didn’t say something before now.”
Chloe shook her head. Pushing back her chair, she got up and walked out of the café. If Michael thought so little of her, she didn’t want to be near him. That he could think she would make love to him all night and then pine after another man the next day was unthinkable. She just didn’t want to face Ramsey because it was going to be awkward, she simply wanted more time. Why couldn’t he understand that?
She’d walked around the corner before she realized she was crying. Wiping the tears from her cheeks, she took in her surroundings. The baby store Michael had mentioned was two stores ahead. Walking to the store, she looked in the window. The tiny outfits and baby blankets brought fresh tears to her eyes. She pressed a hand to her stomach and felt the baby move.
A hand on her shoulder startled her.
“Easy, it’s just me,” Michael said.
“You scared me,” she said quietly.
“I’m sorry, and I’m sorry for what I said in the café.”
She didn’t say anything, just stared at the window display.
“What do you want me to say, Chloe?”
“That you’re an idiot.”
Michael grinned. “You’re right. I’m an idiot. I have a beautiful wife, a baby on the way, and I’m acting like a jealous ass.”
Chloe turned to face him. “You don’t have anything to be jealous about, Michael.”
“When I think about the time you spent with him…”
She put her fingers over his mouth. “It’s in the past. I won’t lie, I had feelings for Ramsey, but I left them at his house where they belong. I went into this marriage with an open mind and an open heart. I only hope you can do the same.”
Michael kissed her fingers and hugged her. He wanted to tell her he loved her, but doubted she would believe him. “Do you want to go in the baby store?”
“Can we?”
“We can do whatever you want to do today, Chloe. We don’t have to go back to Ashton Grove until the morning.”
She smiled and pulled him into the store.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Later that day Chloe and Michael were cuddled on the couch together watching a movie. A storm had moved through the area and lightning lit up the sky outside.
“I’m sorry we had to call it a day a little early,” Michael said.
“It’s okay. I was getting tired anyway,” she said as she rubbed her stomach.
“Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been rubbing your stomach a lot today.”
“I’m fine. The baby’s just been moving a lot more today than usual. It’s a little uncomfortable at times.”
Michael kissed her forehead. “As long as you’re sure you’re okay.”
She nodded and snuggled closer to him.
“We should probably get up early tomorrow so we’ll be home by lunch.”
Chloe groaned. “What if the storm hasn’t passed?”
“Then I guess we’ll see how your new car does in the rain.”
“Do we really have to go back so soon?”
“I’m afraid so, honey.” He rubbed her back. “I told you Ramsey won’t be there.”
“I know. It was just nice to get away for a little while.”
“Maybe we can take another vacation after the baby’s born. I don’t like being away from home while you’re pregnant. It makes me nervous.”
She smiled at him. “Remind me to set a doctor’s appointment when we get back. You can go with me if you’d like. They’ll do an ultrasound and we can see the baby.”
“That reminds me, I still need to add you to the insurance at work.”
“I guess I better wait until after you do that.”
Michael shook his head. “No, you go ahead and see the doctor. I’ll pay for the visit if the insurance isn’t taken care of yet.”
Chloe winced and rubbed her stomach again.
“What’s wrong?”
“The little one seems more active than ever. I think that must have been a foot in my ribs or something.”
“Maybe you should lie down.”
“I’m fine…”
“I don’t want to take any chances.”
She sighed, but gave in. Letting him help her to her feet, she followed him into the bedroom. She changed into her nightgown and climbed into bed. When Michael got in beside her, she moved closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder.
“Michael?”
“Hmm?”
“I know you married me because Gabriel told you to, but do you think we have a chance? I mean a chance at a normal marriage?”
Michael pulled her into his arms. “Of course we do. Regardless of the circumstances of our marriage, I care about you Chloe.”
It wasn’t love, but it was something. Chloe decided that caring was better than nothing. “I care about you, too, Michael.”
When he didn’t say anything, she decided to be brave. “Michael, do you think you could ever love me? I don’t mean right now, but maybe someday?”
“Yeah, I think I could definitely love you, Chloe,” he said softly.
“Good,” she replied. Because I think I love you, she thought to herself. Chloe lay quietly in Michael’s arms. She listened to his even breathing until she fell asleep.
The next morning, Michael loaded the ca
r while he waited on Chloe. The sky was still dark from the storm, but thankfully the rain had stopped. He shoved his hands in his pockets and wandered around the yard. What was taking her so long?
He was about to go back inside and get her when she slowly walked out onto the porch, his cell phone in her hand and a dark look on her face.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“I think we need to talk.”
“About what?”
“I know our marriage was rushed, but maybe you could change your voicemail greeting to something along the lines of ‘Hi, this is Michael. I’m married now so if you’re a single female looking for some fun, go look for it somewhere else.’”
Michael winced.
“You left your phone on the bed. When it rang, I answered without thinking.”
“Honey, I…”
Chloe held up a hand. “I won’t be making that mistake again. I made that mistake at Ramsey’s, and it caused all sorts of problems. You’d think I would have learned my lesson, but apparently not.” She stomped down the stairs and handed the phone to him. “Sarah said to call her. Apparently you missed your date.”
Michael grabbed her hand and pulled her close. “Chloe, I’m sorry. Things happened so fast that I didn’t think to call and cancel.”
“So you did have a date this weekend.”
“Yeah, I did.”
Chloe turned her head to look out over the rolling hills, hoping Michael wouldn’t notice the tears burning her eyes. She should have known, a leopard didn’t change its spots.
“I’m sorry that I hurt you, Chloe. I’m sorry that I’m a jerk.”
“You are who you are, Michael. I knew that going into this relationship.”
“I promised to be faithful to you, and I will be.”
She looked at him as a tear slipped down her cheek. “Please don’t make me promises you won’t be able to keep.”
He wiped the tear from her cheek. “Honey, please don’t cry. I can’t stand it when you cry.”
“I can’t help it. It’s my stupid hormones.”