“This is fine.” She picked up the lukewarm coffee cup and sipped it. “It’s good. And drinking cold coffee is something you get used to very quickly when you have children.”
“No!” Tad gasped and held Milly at arm’s length, which she found hysterical. A deep giggle erupted out of her small body. “Take her back, we don’t do cold coffee in this house.”
Four adults caught hold of Milly’s impromptu outburst of laughter and the atmosphere that had marred her arrival broke. They had all taken the first step toward becoming a family unit.
Even if it was a weird family unit.
Chapter Five – Max
“So I hold her like this?” Max asked, his large, strong hands gentle as Milly nestled into his arms. The need to protect her was incredibly strong and his muscles tensed before he forced himself to relax.
“That’s it, see, she’s relaxed and happy.” Josephine offered her finger to Milly to grasp and the small infant took hold of it. “She’s a beautiful baby.”
“So what happens next?” Max asked. He wanted to ask her to dinner, but this meeting was supposed to be about Milly. After all, this precious little baby was the most important person in all of this. She was the one who needed twenty-four-hour care. The one who needed to experience the good things in life. They had no idea what she’d seen in her few short months on this planet. All they could be thankful for was that she was too young to remember her mother lying dead beside her for hours.
“About adopting Milly?” Josephine asked. The scent of his mate was overwhelming, and his mouth watered; he wanted to lean forward and kiss her lips. But this was not the time. Even though Tad and Jake had left them alone to get acquainted.
“Yes. What’s the procedure?” Max focused on Milly and her needs instead of his own.
“Once you agree to adopt her, you tell Fiona and she’ll start the paperwork. In the meantime, you can spend time getting to know Milly and her routine. Although, since she’s only just come into my care, we don’t exactly have a routine yet. So I could work with you all to figure it out.”
“Uh huh.” Max had to concentrate hard as he listened to Josephine talking. His mind wanted to wander off and project images of them both together.
“What do you do?” Josephine ducked her head to get his attention. “As a job? All of you?”
“Sorry. I was miles away out on the mountain.” He smiled wistfully.
With you, his bear added, equally as wistful.
“I’d love to explore the mountains with you. It’s what drew me to Bear Creek. I moved here a couple of weeks ago. I always dreamed of just disappearing into the mountains. You know, living off what nature provided.” She jerked her head and her eyes focused on Milly. “I’ve gone off the subject, haven’t I?”
“Not really.” Max rocked Milly gently as the little girl closed her eyes. With a low soothing voice, he said, “I work as a mountain ranger and I also volunteer for mountain rescue. I patrol the mountain on a regular schedule. I usually work day shifts with the occasional night shift thrown in just to check that there are not poachers or anyone up there causing damage.”
“So you are the go-to man if I want a grand tour of the mountain.” Josephine’s eyes flashed as she spoke. Excitement spilled out of her, but she quickly straightened her back and clasped her hands together as she assumed a more formal manner. “Okay, so you work shifts.”
Max reached out and covered her hands with his. “I would love to give you a grand tour of the mountains anytime you want.” He glanced down at the baby in his arms who had drifted off into a peaceful sleep. “The good thing about this little one having three bear shifters as her parents is she will never be short of babysitters.”
Josephine rubbed her thumb over his fingers. “This is all a little strange for me. So bear with me while I get used to it.”
He gave her a lopsided grin. “The whole becoming a daddy in a day thing is a little strange to me. So together we can help each other through this.”
Josephine nodded. “What about Tad and Jake? Do they work normal hours?”
“Not exactly. Jake is a hotshot businessman who took responsibility for us when we lost our parents.” Max clenched his teeth together as a wave of emotion swept over him. “We owe him a lot. He left school early and gave up is life to take care of us all and provide for us. He put me and Tad through college, working long hours to keep this house and give us both a good start in life.”
“I had no idea.” Josephine swallowed hard and pulled one hand out from under his to wipe a tear from her cheek. “That was a tough sacrifice, but I can understand why he’d do it and likely do it all over again. Family is the most important thing in the world.”
“Did your mom and dad teach you that?” Max asked.
“Yes, but not in the way you think.” She rubbed her cheek with her hand and ducked her head. “I didn’t have a great childhood. I think that’s why I decided to foster children. I wanted them to have more chances, more choices, than I had.”
“You are an incredible woman.” Max leaned forward and pressed his lips to her cheek, his body carefully angled so he didn’t wake Milly. Josephine tensed and then let out a sigh as he pulled away. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”
Color swept over her cheeks. “I liked it. Although I am supposed to be working here.”
“Then work away.” Max leaned back in his chair and watched his mate. “What else do you need to know?”
“Um. So who would look after Milly in the daytime? You work shifts, I assume Jake goes to the office? So that leaves Tad.”
“Jake could probably take Milly into the office with him on some days. His office is big enough to contain a small baby.” Max grinned. “But Tad works from home mostly, so he’ll be the one doing most of the daycare when I’m working. When I don’t have a shift, I’ll take over so he can work.”
“And what does Tad do?” Josephine asked, noting down Max’s responses.
“He’s a sculptor. He sells his pieces to collectors. His work is in high demand so he doesn’t have to go out selling them. Which means he’s here most of the time. And he often likes to work at night when the rest of us are asleep. I think between the three of us we can cover our parental duties just fine.” Max sounded more confident than he felt. Caring for Milly wasn’t just about the hours in the day, it was also about how those hours were filled.
Mother and baby groups would be daunting for three older men when every other parent in the room would be younger and most likely female. Or was that being sexist? Or ageist?
Focus, his bear said sharply. Preferably on our mate.
“Great. It’ll take a little while to iron out what works for you all. But you seem to get along well, so I’m sure you’ll get there.” Josephine glanced at her watch. “I need to get going. I have some errands to run.”
“We are all committed to this,” Max assured her as she got up and packed all the baby paraphernalia away. “We wouldn’t even consider it if we didn’t think we could do the right thing by Milly.”
“I know.” She leaned forward and returned the kiss, her lips searing his skin as they touched his cheek. “And I guess I’ll be around to lend a hand.”
“Do you have any children of your own?” Max asked and her hand stilled as she packed away the washed baby bottle.
“No.” She shook her head quickly. “I…I could never have children.”
He’d touched a nerve and Josephine shut down, shutting him out as she clipped Milly’s diaper bag closed. “I’m giving a talk at the museum this afternoon about the history of mountain rescue. Perhaps you’d like to come along.”
“Romantic.” She gave him a half smile.
“Sorry, this is all new to me. I need a refresher course on dating,” he joked away his embarrassment.
“I’d like to come. It’s difficult moving to a new town and trying to get to know people. And my grandfather used to be a part of a mountain rescue team. I never met him, but my grandmother used to
tell me stories about him. He was a popular guy. His old buddies used to keep in touch, even after my grandmother passed,” Josephine stopped talking and clamped her mouth shut, her back teeth grinding together.
“Are you okay?” Max studied her face, unable to read her expression as she shut down her emotions.
Josephine nodded and let out a deep breath. “I’m fine. It’s just been an interesting morning. I came here to meet three potential parents and I am leaving knowing I am your mate.” She finished packing away her paperwork.
“Take your time. And if there is anything you need.” He stood up and Milly stirred in his arms. “You are part of this family now, Josephine.”
She hitched the bag onto her shoulder and reached for her purse. “Just like that?”
“Just like that. There’s no adoption procedure, and we don’t get vetted. We just trust in fate.” Max realized how that must sound to a non-shifter. “We’re not a cult or anything.”
“I know.” She walked out of the kitchen and he followed behind. “My best friend growing up was a shifter. She told me all about how shifting works and how the mating bond works.” Turning to face him, she added, “I always wondered what it would be like to have a person in my life who knew I was the one for them. Who would love and respect me.” Her mouth curled down at the corners. “I have never experienced a relationship like that, Max. That is the part that’s new to me.”
“We’ll muddle through.” He gave a reassuring smile. “And we’ve got the rest of our lives to figure it out.”
“Will you say goodbye to Tad and Jake for me?” Josephine asked as she walked to her car, taking Milly, and his heart, with her.
“Leaving?” Tad asked, appearing from around the side of the house.
“Yes. I have some errands to run.” Josephine opened the car door and slipped Milly into her car seat and did up the safety harness without waking her.
“You’re letting her go so soon?” Jake joked as he joined them.
“Were you hiding out here together waiting?” Max asked.
“We wanted to say goodbye.” Jake looked at his watch. “I should get to the office.”
“Ahh, I wondered why you were wearing a suit and tie. I thought maybe you always dressed so smart when two ladies come to visit.” Josephine closed the car door and turned to face the three brothers. “You look alike.”
“I’m the best looking.” Jake put his hand up as if he were at school.
“But modesty is not your strong suit.” Tad thumped Jake playfully in the arm.
“Hey, don’t do that or Josephine will tell Fiona not to let us adopt Milly,” Jake complained as he rubbed his arm theatrically.
Josephine laughed. “Milly is going to wrap all three of you around her tiny little finger.” She put her hands on her hips as she looked at them each in turn. “You have no idea how she is going to take over your life.”
“And Max has no idea how meeting his mate is going to take over his life,” Jake joked. “But I think the one thing the Harrison brothers can agree on is that he could not have found a better woman to share his life with.”
“Wow, you are good,” Josephine congratulated Jake. “I can see why you are such a good businessman.”
“Max has been telling you all the family secrets.” Jake straightened his tie. “I’m good at what I do.” Then his body language softened. “But then we all are. We all make a difference in our own ways.”
“We all do.” Josephine nodded. “I should go. I’ll see you later, Max.”
“Can’t wait.” Max watched her get in the car, preparing himself for the barrage of questions he would receive as soon as his mate had closed the car door and switched on her engine.
“So? You silver fox, you’ve got a hot date lined up. You work fast. I’m impressed.” Jake did look suitably impressed. But not for long.
“I invited her to the museum this afternoon,” Max confessed.
“The museum? You invited your mate to listen to some talk about being a mountain ranger for your first date?” Tad laughed. “You’re old enough to know better.”
“She likes the mountains,” Max insisted as Josephine’s car disappeared out of view. He turned back toward the house. “Anyway, what would you two know about mates and first dates since you don’t have one? You’re just jealous.” He waved his hand dismissively at them both.
“Jealous!” Jake laughed.
“He’s right, we are,” Tad admitted.
“Yeah, but you don’t have to tell him he’s right.” Jake shook his head. “The first rule of business is to learn to bluff. Don’t tell your opponent anything they don’t need to know.”
“We’re not opponents. We’re brothers and we are in this together. We have just agreed to adopt a baby, remember?” Max asked.
“True.” Jake followed Max inside. “Did you discuss that with her, too, or were you too busy making googly eyes at her?”
“The only thing I’m making googly eyes at today is coffee. Want some?” Max asked as he entered the kitchen.
“He’s not going to let you goad him today,” Tad told Jake.
“I’m not. I’m in a good mood and you are not going to ruin it.” Max set out three mugs.
“I tried.” Jake sat down and smoothed out his suit jacket. “But it’s time to get serious. Are we really ready for a baby in our lives?”
“Having a baby in our lives is about thirty years late and I did expect to have a mate before a baby, but I’m all for it,” Tad replied. “Are you having second thoughts?”
“No.” Jake picked up his coffee and stared at nothing in particular as he lost himself in thought. “You’re right, I always thought I’d find my mate, get married and then have a child. I certainly didn’t expect to raise a baby with my brothers. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be just as amazing.”
“It will be amazing,” Max agreed. “This is right. For all of us.” He sat down at the table and leaned forward, choosing his words carefully. “I wish I could share what I feel right now with you both. But I can’t. However, I can share being a parent to Milly with you.”
“We’re going to be the best fathers we can be, and you will be the best mate a man can be,” Tad replied. “We’re in this together and it’s going to be the biggest adventure of our lives.”
“No pressure then.” Jake’s tone was not one of confident self-assuredness. This Jake was more thoughtful, more reserved.
“You know, I finally think you might be growing up,” Max asked.
“You might be right,” Jake agreed as he raised his eyes to look at each of his brothers in turn. “This is the biggest decision of our lives and we can’t afford to get it wrong.”
“We won’t,” Max assured him. “We’re going to do just fine.”
Because we have our mate to lend a guiding hand, his bear added.
We have a mate to share our lives with. The family he’d always known was about to change. And the three brothers would change, too.
Chapter Six – Josephine
Josephine drove back to town with the car window rolled down. Spring was in the air. It was there in the soft green buds bursting with promise on the trees, and bird song that filled the air as the feathered creatures searched for a mate. A mate they would build a nest with, raise young and watch them fly away.
Now she had a mate. A man she was meant to spend the rest of her life with. She’d given up on all of those hopes and dreams a long time ago. Yet here it was in front of her. Did she have a choice?
If she decided he wasn’t the man for her, could she just walk away? The answer, according to her best friend, Mona, who had shared all her shifter knowledge with Josephine, was no. But was Mona’s version of events mixed up with fairy tales, where the prince and princess always found their one true love?
This was real life. Could it be so simple? Max knew she was the one for him and that was it, end of story, done deal.
As the dappled sun shone through the windshield, Josephine considere
d this morning’s events from every angle and came up with one answer. Or rather a question disguised as an answer.
Why was she questioning whether true mates were meant to be together when she already knew the answer?
Because she was looking for a get-out clause, a way to avoid being with someone. A way to stop herself from getting hurt.
She learned to protect herself and in doing so had shied away from letting people in. But that had to change, she had a real chance of happiness with Max and she wanted to reach out and grab it with both hands.
“And it means I’ll be there to watch you grow up, Milly. I’ll see your first steps and hear your first words.” Her voice tightened as emotion swept over her. She’d never considered herself a lucky person, but right now she felt truly blessed.
Of course, once she lived with Max, she might not be able to continue to foster…
Her fingers curled around the steering wheel and she gripped it tighter as her heart hammered in her chest. Was she even ready to live with someone? With a man? Sure, she’d shared her house with children, but never a man. Not for a long time.
Not since…
“That is the past.” Her left hand automatically let go of the steering wheel and her fingers curled around her right wrist. She wasn’t that person anymore; he couldn’t hurt her. He didn’t even know where she was. She’d changed her name and left no trail. Moving to Bear Creek had been a final precautionary move aimed at ensuring she was free of him forever.
Him. He had a name. Her therapist had told her to call him by his name when she thought about him as a way to humanize him when her conscious mind wanted to believe he was the devil.
A sideways glance at Milly made her nauseous. Perhaps she shouldn’t have fostered another child. Not now.
Not now that he was free.
He was free. But Josephine would never be free. Not truly.
“Oh, I nearly drove past the turn.” She steered the car sharply to the right and drove toward Bear Creek before taking another right onto Pickwick Street where the small house she’d bought sat in the middle of nearly identical houses. She could have afforded a house in a more isolated location, but she liked the sense of security living close by to other people gave her.
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