by Arden Blair
Ryan squeezed the omega’s—his omega’s—hand tighter at Roscoe’s harsh tone.
“Nothing,” Ryan said. “He hasn’t done anything. If you want to get angry at someone, lash out at me.”
“Don’t think I won’t,” Roscoe yelped. “I warned you there would be consequences if you didn’t leave my great-nephew alone.”
“What are you talking about?” Bailey asked feebly. “What has Toby done? What’s going on?”
Roscoe plowed ahead as if he hadn’t heard his partner say a word. His gaze sharpened on Ryan. “Well, I’ve been asking a few questions around town about what you do out there in the wilderness all alone, Mr. Homewood, and I’ve found out some very interesting things.”
“Uncle,” Toby protested. “Stop this.”
Roscoe didn’t even look over at his nephew. “Apparently, you have quite the collection of interesting equipment in your basement. The kind you wouldn’t like people reading about on the front page of The Pup’s Creek Times.”
Blackmail? Really?
Ryan knew something like this was coming. This was Roscoe Martin, after all. There wasn’t much below him.
“I’m not ashamed of who I am,” Ryan said firmly.
“Well, I’m ashamed,” Toby said, sounding more indignant than Ryan had ever heard. “I’m ashamed that you would threaten your future nephew-in-law simply because you didn’t get your way.”
“Future nephew-in-law?” Bailey repeated. The poor beta sounded utterly lost. “I thought they were just moving in together? No one said anything about getting married.”
Roscoe grumbled to himself. He wheeled his chair closer, not stopping until the tire rolled over the tip of Ryan’s boot. “But now they’ll have to,” he muttered. “With a baby on the way, there’s no choice.”
“A baby?” Bailey gasped. “Toby is pregnant?”
Justin let out a little laugh. “Come on, Dad,” he said. “You’re going to have to try harder than that to keep up.”
Bailey shook his head. “None of this makes sense.”
“Sure, it does, Dad,” Justin said. “It makes a hell of a lot more sense than Toby and I ending up together. Just look at them. They look great together. They fit. They belong with each other. Anyone can see that.”
Ryan nodded his gratitude to the other alpha. He obviously was a good man. It was also nice to know that someone else could see their love so plainly. It didn’t matter that it had happened fast. All that mattered was that he and Toby had found each other.
And now they were going to have a family.
That happy thought alone was what was getting him through this awkward family confrontation.
And if what Toby had told him was true, this was only the appetizer. They would have to talk to his parents next. That conversation promised to have even more fireworks.
Well, at least his life with Toby would never be dull.
“I’ll tell you what everyone is going to see,” Roscoe said. “A headline that exposes this local trapper as the kinky freak that he is. One with a perverted sex dungeon filled with all kinds of deviant toys.”
Ryan was just about to tell the old bastard to go ahead and do his worst, but before he could open his mouth he was stopped by a wave of tension shuddering through Toby. The omega’s eyes went wide. Ryan could practically feel the humiliation pouring off of him.
“You wouldn’t dare,” Toby said.
Roscoe shot his nephew a smug look. One that said if he believed that, then he didn’t know him at all.
“That’s not going to happen,” Justin said, his voice calm and certain.
All eyes turned toward the alpha. Justin didn’t so much as blink.
“What do you mean by that?” Bailey shot back at his son.
“I mean I’m not going to print that story,” Justin answered.
The alpha’s father lifted his chin. He’d obviously moved past his shock and was just now catching up to his business partner on vindictive anger.
“That’s not your choice, son. You might be the interim editor, but it’s still our paper, and you’ll print anything either Roscoe or I tell you.”
Justin laughed. He leaned forward in his seat. Ryan saw in his eyes the steely glint of someone who was used to using sheer will and determination to get what he needed. He wasn’t about to be browbeaten by anyone.
“There are two reasons that exposé will never be published,” Justin said. “The first is that it’s not 1950. No one cares what consenting adults do in the privacy of their own homes. Most people have enough decency to know that’s none of their business.”
“I disagree,” Roscoe said indignantly.
“We know,” Toby shot back. “Though you’d think you would have learned that lesson from the last time you pulled a stunt like this. After all, it’s what landed you in that wheelchair.”
Roscoe shifted his gaze to the side and lifted his nose. Ryan didn’t think it was possible, but apparently he still had some shame left.
“And what’s the second reason?” Bailey asked.
Justin’s clasped his hands in his lap, and leaned back, looking like a gambler who had just been dealt all the aces. “Because we put one of the trap cameras in Center Park.”
“I don’t underst—” Bailey started.
“In a knot of the big oak tree by the gazebo,” Justin continued.
Ryan remembered the spot vividly. Though he didn’t know why that would mean anything to Roscoe and Bailey.
But apparently, Roscoe did.
His face paled.
“You wouldn’t,” he said.
“I don’t want to,” Justin said. “Hell, I don’t even like making the threat. Though I do have to admit, I am enjoying the irony.”
Toby took a step forward. “What are you talking about, Justin? What happened with the cameras? Did we catch something?”
Justin’s smile widened. “Boy, did we. Except it wasn’t a dog, nor a mythical poop monster. It was your great-uncle and my dad.”
“What?” Toby said, shock and laughter shook his voice.
“It seems they took a little trip last night to try and find where you two hid the cameras,” Justin explained. “They didn’t find them, but they still got caught.”
Toby’s hands flew up to cover his mouth. “You’ve got to be kidding me. What were they doing?”
“That’s none of your business,” Roscoe shouted, his face burning red.
“Oh, that’s pretty funny coming from you,” Toby shot back.
“Let’s just say that it’s not the kind of picture that a son ever wants to see of his father,” Justin said.
Ryan couldn’t hold back his laughter any longer. It flowed out of him, filling up the room. There was just something so satisfying about watching Roscoe get his.
“You ol’ dog,” Ryan teased him.
“I don’t want to hear it from you,” Roscoe snarled.
Ryan was far from cowed. “I understand. That moonlight last night was particularly romantic. Though next time, have some decency and keep it in your pants until you get home.”
“You’re saying those cameras took our picture last night?” Bailey asked, still not fully catching on.
“What I’m saying is that unless you promise leave Toby and Ryan alone, those pictures will be on the front page of tomorrow’s paper,” Justin said.
Bailey’s mouth hung open. “You wouldn’t blackmail your own father.”
Justin shrugged. “Why not? It’s what you’d do. It’s what you’ve taught me.”
Roscoe pressed his lips together hard. A few long seconds ticked by, each moment of silence louder than the next. Until he finally broke down and said, “Fine, you win.”
Toby let out a breath next to him. Ryan felt all the stress run out of his body.
“And you’ll call Toby’s fathers and tell them his relationship has your blessing,” Justin added.
“Well, that’s too much,” Roscoe protested.
“It’s a very good pho
to, Roscoe,” Justin said, looking down at his nails. “Crisp, clear. Good resolution. Everything in focus.”
Bailey swallowed down hard.
“Fine,” Roscoe grumbled. “Anything else on your list of demands?”
Toby practically beamed at Ryan’s side. “Well, now that you mention it…”
Epilogue
Eight and a Half Months Later…
“Don’t you think you’re cutting it a little close?” Levi Burke asked Toby as they walked off the dance floor. “Don’t get me wrong. The wedding ceremony was beautiful, and I’m so glad that you decided to have it here at the Wishing Mill Inn, but—”
“You’re worried that I’m going to go have the baby before we get a chance to cut the cake?” Toby finished for him.
“Something like that,” Levi admitted. “I just wonder why you didn’t get married earlier, or wait until after the baby had come.”
Toby shrugged. Even though Levi had become had a good friend to him in the last eight months, it was still hard to explain. “I don’t know. The time was just right.”
There was only one person who needed to understand, and fortunately, he did. Ryan had given him all the time he needed. They’d lived together, laughed and cried together. Argued and made up together.
Eight and half months was long enough to know that they really did love each other. That there would never be another who could take Ryan’s place. That this was both of their happily-ever-afters.
Toby looked over at his alpha. Ryan was standing with a group on the other side of the room, all of them toasting and drinking to the couple’s future happiness. In just a little while, Toby could get back to toasting with champagne as well.
“Life does get crazy after the baby comes,” Levi said. “All plans go out the window.”
“That’s what I heard,” Toby said with a laugh. He grabbed on to the back of his chair as he lowered himself down into a sitting position. A sharp pain shot through his side just before he landed on the cushion.
God, he would be happy when the pregnancy was over. He was as big as a boat right now, and just as ungainly, rocking back and forth when he walked, constantly seasick.
“It can’t be any worse than the way I feel right now,” Toby said.
“Just you wait.” Levi said, laughter lighting up his eyes. It faded a moment later. “I’m so sorry that your parents didn’t come to the wedding.”
Toby patted his friend’s hand. Even though he appreciated the sentiment, Toby knew it was for the best. His parents were never going to accept the life he’d chosen for himself, but he’d come to peace with that.
This was his life, after all. And this was his family.
Sure, he was sad that his fathers refused to be a part of it, but he’d learned over the past few months that people had to do their own things. He couldn’t live his parents’ lives for them anymore than they could force him to live theirs.
“At least my great-uncle walked me down the aisle,” Toby said.
Levi bit his lip and rolled his eyes up at the reminder. “Yeah, that was…surprising. Roscoe made it pretty clear that he didn’t like Ryan at the beginning of your relationship. What made him change his mind?”
Toby smiled knowingly and reached for his glass of water. “Oh, he owed me a big favor.”
Toby’s hand froze half way to the glass. A band of pain tightened around his belly, cramping with a force that made the omega want to double over. He propped himself up on the table for support until it faded away and he was able to catch his breath.
“What the hell was that?” Toby asked Levi, his eyes wide.
“That was me telling you I told you so,” the other omega said, rubbing at Toby’s shoulders as he pulled him back in his seat. “Drew, go get Ryan and tell him he’s got to come take Toby to the hospital.”
Toby’s eyes went wide. “Hospital? Don’t be silly. I’m—”
Another pain ripped through his middle. This one stronger and longer than before.
“And be quick,” Levi yelled after his alpha. “I don’t want him having this baby on our floor.”
Toby blinked up at Levi. “I’m in labor? Now?”
Levi nodded. “At least the little pup decided to wait until after the ceremony.”
“But we haven’t even cut the cake.”
Levi laughed, and helped Toby up out of his chair and onto Ryan’s arm. “Don’t worry. We’ll save you a slice.”
Ryan smiled down at Toby’s worried face. “It’s okay. I’ve got you,” he said, helping Toby waddle past all the faces of all their excited guests and out of the reception.
Another searing pain grabbed hold of him just as Ryan was trying to get him into the car. Toby gripped on to his alpha’s shoulders for dear life until the contraction subsided.
“I’m sorry, darling,” Toby said when he could talk again. “I think we might miss our honeymoon.”
“Don’t be silly, sweetheart.” A smile lit up Ryan’s face. “It’s only just begun.”
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Book #1 The Honeymoon Suite
Book #2 The Second Chance Suite
The Honeymoon Suite
When I make a wish, do I have to say it aloud? Or is it like prayer, where I just get to assume the Big Man in the sky can read my mind? Levi Tate cradled the shining silver dollar in his hands as he compromised and silently mouthed his wish: I wish for Anthony to ask me to be his mate…and for us to live happily ever after with lots of kids and great sex. Then he lifted the coin to his lips, pressed a kiss against the cold metal surface, and tossed it into the water. There was a soft plink as the coin hit the surface and then sank to the bottom, where it settled on top of all the other coins that romantic (or superstitious) people had tossed into the mill at Pup’s Creek for generations.
“Are you coming, Levi? Or do you expect me to stand in this parking lot for the rest of the morning,” Anthony said, more than a hint of growl in his tone. He was leaning against the trunk of his Maserati, toes tapping impatiently. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he already had the bags out and waiting at his feet.
“I’ll be there in a second,” Levi called out.
“That’s what you said five minutes ago,” Anthony grumbled back.
Levi did his best to ignore Anthony’s tone. Perhaps he should have wished for Anthony, the man he was hoping would become his alpha, to get some damned patience. Waking up early to take a long drive always put Anthony in a foul mood. And Anthony didn’t really get why this was a big deal to Levi. As far as he was concerned, they could have gone to the coast and saved themselves two hours of driving. But this trip would be worth it. Anthony would see. Levi would make sure of it. He’d been planning this trip to Pup’s Creek for months now.
And now he was here, standing in front of the Wishing Mill in Pup’s Creek. The mill was what the town was known for. It was to romantics what Roswell was to conspiracy theorists. If one wanted love and marriage, this was the place. Levi felt like he’d been waiting forever for this moment.
Stand on the bank of Pup’s Creek, whisper your wish to the shiniest coin in your pocket, throw it toward the old mill wheel, and your dearest desires are sure to come true.
The Wishing Mill was nothing short of legendary. People had been coming here for over a century to throw thei
r coins into the creek. Levi felt like he’d been hearing stories about it his whole life. Both his fathers had come here, and his grandfathers before them. And now it was Levi’s turn to wish for what he wanted most—a long, happy life with the man he loved. And because he’d wanted to maximize his chances of getting it just right, he’d gone to the bank and gotten a brand-new, never-touched, silver dollar coin. No linty pennies or black dimes were going to decide his future.
“Levi,” Anthony growled, louder this time. It seemed his alpha didn’t share his love for the nostalgic. After a year of dating, Levi knew the sound of Anthony’s impatience well.
“Coming, love,” Levi said, hurrying back up the slight hill to Anthony’s side.
Anthony didn’t wait for him. He grabbed the handle of the larger of the two suitcases and started rolling it toward the entrance of the Wishing Mill Inn. Levi scooped up the second bag, and followed as quickly as he could.
“You’re sure this is the place,” Anthony asked as they neared the door.
“Absolutely certain.” And he was. He’d heard as many stories about the inn as he had about the mill itself.
Though he had to admit he’d always envisioned it a little bit different. In his mind, it wasn’t quite as rustic-looking. There weren’t as many loose shutters on the windows. Or cobwebs…and the plants were alive. The wooden stairs up to the porch weren’t worn quite so thin. To hear his dads tell it, it was the most romantic place they’d ever been. “I’m sure the inside is amazing. That’s where all the time and energy must be spent.”
Unfortunately, the scenery didn’t improve when he and Anthony stepped inside. The lobby was little more than a worn-down living room that looked like it hadn’t been refreshed in over a decade. Dust motes floated in the air, and the curtains by the front window were two-toned from being faded by the sun. It didn’t smell like clean linen and lemon cleaning polish, but like an elderly relative who was a shut-in. And ate a lot of potatoes. What the hell had happened to this place?