Baby Makes Three Collection Page 8

  Toenails clicked on the tile floor. She glanced over just as Colin went into the Shift. By the time he reached her, he was fully human. He knelt beside her, worry wreathing his face.

  “I’m in labor.” Another pain struck. She gasped then panted the way they’d taught her in Lamaze class.

  Donna reappeared with Jeremy in tow. He took one look at Tanya and began the Shift.

  Colin leaned over to scoop Tanya into his arms, rug and all. “Let’s get you to the guestroom. You’re about to have a whole lot of company.”

  She nodded, grateful.

  * * *

  Hours later, Colin held his breath as Tanya gave one final push and the baby slipped into Jeremy’s capable hands. Tanya gripped his arm in an almost bone-crushing grip, fear etching her face. He watched as Jeremy cleared the infant’s airway. After a few moments when even their hearts seemed to stop, a wail of annoyance broke the silence. The baby’s face turned red as he let the world know how he felt about the sudden change in his environment.

  Tanya released a huge breath then smiled and relaxed her grip on Colin’s arm. She leaned back against the pillow and closed her eyes. Colin wanted to join her. He was so exhausted, he could barely remain upright, and he wasn’t the one who’d done all the hard work. How had Tanya done it? How did any woman?

  Jeremy wrapped the baby in a towel and handed him to Colin before turning his attention back to Tanya. While they took care of whatever needed doing, Colin studied the infant’s wrinkled, red face. A shock of dark brown hair covered the tiny head. Narrow, slitted eyes looked up with something akin to exhaustion.

  “I understand completely, wee one.” They’d all had a mighty long day. Dusk had fallen, so the light coming through the windows, which faced south, was fading.

  “Well, Mommy and Daddy, you appear to have a healthy son.” Jeremy offered a weary but bright smile. “And Tanya’s doing great. She’ll heal in a few hours. If human women knew that, they’d hate you, by the way.” He grinned at Tanya.

  “Why?” Colin cocked his head.

  “It takes humans weeks to heal completely after giving birth. Tanya will be good as new by morning, easy.”

  Tanya tried to sit up. Colin handed the baby back to Jeremy and moved in behind her to help her upright, supporting her as she leaned against him. She accepted the infant into her arms then unwrapped him to look at his hands and feet. “Ten fingers and ten toes.” She glanced up at Jeremy. “Thank you so much.”

  The doctor nodded. “Do you have a name for him yet?”

  Colin and Tanya shared a smile. She nodded. “We have one all picked out.”

  A knock on the door drew the doctor away from the bed. “Are you up to company?”

  Colin glanced at his wife. She shifted herself and their son to make sure she was properly covered then nodded.

  Jeremy opened the door and stepped back. “Is it just you?”

  Dad entered the room and nodded. “Everyone else went home this morning. Most of them had to work. I’m sure they’ll be back anytime though. They’ll want to meet the newest addition to the pack.”

  Colin gently took the baby from his mate’s arms and got up. “Dad, I’d like to introduce you to your grandson. Duncan Jeremiah Campbell.”

  “Duncan?” Dad’s eyes widened.

  “Tanya’s idea.”

  He glanced at Tanya, who shrugged and smiled. “I decided to keep the trend of Scottish names going, and I like Duncan. Jeremiah is in honor of the doctor who’s been so tolerant of my endless questions.”

  Jeremy flushed and smiled, his gaze going to the floor. “You’ve been a wonderful patient.”

  “Says the man who probably hoped at times that I’d lose his phone number.” Tanya grinned.

  Dad eased baby Duncan from Colin’s arms and smiled down at him. “You look just like your daddy did when he was born.” He brushed gentle fingers over the baby’s head. “Dark brown hair. He’ll be a brown wolf like you.” He quirked a brow at Colin.

  “Maybe. Probably.” Colin shrugged.

  “Are you aware that Duncan means brown warrior?”

  Colin glanced at his mate. Tanya smiled and shook her head.

  Dad smiled. “It was my father’s name.”

  “I didn’t realize that.” She gave Colin a pleased grin. “That’s cool.”

  Tears filled the older wolf’s eyes. He met Colin’s gaze. “Your mother would be so proud of you.”

  Colin shook his head and backed away a half-step. “Hey, after what I just watched my wife do, I think she’s the one who deserves the praise. Not me. All I did was not faint.”

  Dad chuckled. “I was there when you were born, so I understand completely.”

  Vehicle engines preceded the squeal of brakes. Someone needed to have their brakes checked.

  Dad glanced down at the baby in his arms. “Why don’t I introduce this little guy to the pack? Then I’ll bring him back. I’m sure Tanya would appreciate quiet for a while. The last thing she needs is the whole pack tromping through here tonight.”

  Colin glanced at her. She nodded with a soft smile.

  Jeremy gathered his things, shouldered his bag, and headed for the door. “I’ll get the birth certificate taken care of immediately.”

  Colin caught his arm as he passed, gently pulling him to a halt. “Thanks, Jeremy. For everything.”

  The doctor nodded with a self-conscious smile then left.

  Exhausted and sure his mate must feel ten times so, Colin returned to her side and stretched out next to her on the bed. “As tired as I am, you must be way beyond that.”

  She nodded. “But happy.” She lay down and turned her head on the pillow to look at him. “It’s hard to believe all that’s happened.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Two years ago, I didn’t even know werewolves existed. If you hadn’t found me in that concrete cell, I would’ve died. I fully expected to die there all alone. You found me and gave me a new life.” She grinned. “Now, we’ve given the world a new life. What do you suppose God has planned for him?”

  “I don’t know, but we’ll be there every step of the way, God willing.” He chuckled. “Duncan’s a newborn. I don’t think we need to worry too much at the moment about God’s long-term plan for him. Right now, I’m more concerned with raising him in a way that pleases the Lord.” He closed his eyes. “I’ll worry about that after I get some sleep.”

  Her soft laughter followed as he drifted off.

  PRECIOUS GIFTS

  Brett & Kelly Mitchell

  Chapter 1

  Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a reward. - Psalm 127:3

  Mitchell Residence,

  Campbell Wildlife Preserve

  Outside Flagstaff, Arizona

  Saturday, July 2, 2016

  KELLY wiped fog from the bathroom mirror with a hand towel and studied her reflection. Restless nights and days spent pacing had taken a toll. She looked haggard. Easily twenty years older. No wonder Brett ignored her. It was a miracle he’d been polite, much less acknowledged her at all. Meals had been very quiet. Too quiet. And that had put her on edge more than pre-estrus already had. Sometimes she truly hated being a werewolf. Life probably would’ve been easier if she’d been born human. Though, to hear Tanya talk about that monthly thing human women endured, maybe not.

  She sighed and threw on a bathrobe, cinching it at the waist. Normally, she wouldn’t give a second thought to walking around the house nude, but she didn’t want that kind of attention from her mate. Not yet anyway. It wouldn’t be fair to him to imply otherwise by her actions. She snorted. Then again, Brett might not even notice. He’d been far more interested in his latest research into the lives of people long dead than anything to do with her.

  So help me, if he gives me one more trite, distracted, painfully polite response to a question, I’ll rip his throat out.

  Okay, so maybe the threat was over-the-top, but not by much.

  She padded in
to the kitchen, yanked open the refrigerator, and stared blindly into it. Too many choices. “Brett, what do you want to eat?” she called out. No matter where he was in the house, he’d hear. Whether he was actually listening might be another matter.

  “Whatever you want is fine.” His voice carried from the living room.

  Kelly growled, slammed the refrigerator door, leaned her forehead against it, and closed her eyes. Maybe a good, long run would save her sanity, and Brett’s life.

  The air shifted around her, carrying the scent of her mate. She tensed.

  “You okay?”

  “No.” She kept her head against the refrigerator.

  A moment passed before he spoke again. “If you’d rather I go pick up something for dinner and bring it back, I can do that.”

  Was he really so stupid as to think she was upset over dinner? Please! Nobody was that obtuse. “I don’t care about that. If you want to eat, fix yourself something. I’m not hungry.”

  Another long pause spread into uncomfortable silence before, “Then, what’s wrong?”

  She lifted her head and glared at him. “You can’t possibly be that dumb.”

  Brett’s eyes narrowed, and he sighed. “Is this about your heat?”

  “Score one for the history professor.” She rolled her eyes. “Sorry. Retired history professor.”

  His frown deepened. “Have I done something to upset you?”

  Kelly stared at him for a moment then snorted. “You’ve barely acknowledged my existence for days, so what could you possibly have done to upset me?”

  “I see.” A faint growl rumbled through his chest. “You told me to leave you alone when you’re in heat.”

  “I didn’t say to ignore me!”

  “I haven’t ignored you.”

  “Yes, you have.”

  “No, I haven’t.” His nostrils flared, and anger flashed in his blue eyes.

  “Yes. You. Have.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “What’s the last thing we discussed? And I’m not referring to what to have for dinner.”

  Brett stilled, his brow furrowing as he considered her question. “Um….”

  “What’s the matter? Can’t remember?”

  “Sarcasm isn’t helping matters.”

  “Claims the King of Sarcasm.” She leaned a shoulder against the refrigerator. “You’ve had your face in a book almost non-stop the last few days. You’ve barely said more than two words at a time, and when you do it’s ultra-polite, empty drivel.”

  “What do you want from me?” He raised both hands out from his side. “You told me to leave you alone. I’ve been trying to do that. This situation isn’t easy for me either, you know.”

  She snorted, lowered her gaze to the floor, and muttered, “Yeah, right.”

  He sighed. “I don’t know what you expect. I have no idea how to handle this.”

  “Yeah, well, neither do I.”

  “But… you’ve been through heats before. How have you dealt with them?”

  “Basically? Run away, hide, do whatever I could to avoid every living soul.” She glanced up at him. “I’m pretty sure that’s not what I should do this time.”

  “Run and hide? Why?” A tight frown furrowed Brett’s brow.

  “If I hadn’t, my father would’ve forced me to mate with a male of his choosing, and I’d rather be dead.” Kelly sighed. “Look, when I said leave me alone, I didn’t mean ignore me and avoid talking to me. I meant don’t touch me. I don’t like living in the same house with someone who doesn’t seem to care that I’m around. I feel invisible.”

  “I care, and I never meant to make you feel invisible.” He stepped closer but remained just far enough away that he didn’t touch her. “This has been far more difficult than I expected.”

  She lowered her gaze to his collar. “Sure wouldn’t know it from my side.”

  He cupped her chin and lifted until her gaze met his again. “Burying myself in reading and research is the only thing preventing me from pacing this house like a caged animal or possibly inciting you to violence by making advances you’re not ready for.”

  Kelly widened her eyes and stared at him. “Really? Why haven’t I scented that?”

  Brett chuckled. “Because I’m an old wolf. I know how to control my emotions when I choose to. That, in turn, controls me scent. Would you rather I let it all hang out, so you know just how crazy being shut up in this house with you is making me?”

  “Yes.”

  His brows shot up, and his eyes widened. “Seriously?”

  “Yes. At least then I wouldn’t feel so alone in this.”

  He leaned down to gently rub her nose with his. “You’re definitely not alone.” He released her chin and straightened. “Now, come sit with me. I want to know about your previous heats.”

  She grimaced. “Can’t we talk about something more pleasant?”

  “I have a feeling this is stuff I need to know.” His jaw set in determined lines.

  Kelly sighed. “Fine.” Stubborn males. The bane of her existence.

  * * *

  Seated in one of the recliners, Brett focused on his mate, who had tucked herself into a corner of the couch no more than three feet from him. Kelly planted an elbow on the arm of the couch and propped her chin on it to look at him. Her legs were tucked under her and to the opposite side, the robe carefully arranged to cover her calves and feet.

  “Okay. Spill it.”

  She opened her mouth then closed it, her gaze thoughtful.

  “Just start at the beginning and work forward from there. I want all of it.”

  With a sigh, she cast him a dirty look. “Fine.” Kelly took a deep breath and slowly released it. “I had my first heat the summer after I turned sixteen. It wasn’t a full heat, more like a silent one, I guess you could say. My father didn’t realize until it was almost over that it had happened. By then, it was too late.”

  “Too late for what?”

  “To find me a temporary mate.”

  “Temporary?” He frowned. “We mate for life.”

  “Not all werewolves do.” She scowled at him. “Didn’t you know that?”

  He shook his head. News to him. He’d never known a werewolf who hadn’t mated for life. Granted, he hadn’t known too many who married, but those few had been permanent. At least, until one of them died.

  “My father intended to find me a suitable mate in hopes of producing more female offspring.”

  Distaste rolled his stomach. “Your own father intended to use you as a brood bitch?”

  “Yes.” She snorted. “Considering what he tried to do to Tanya, does that really surprise you?”

  Attempting to rape some woman unknown to him was one thing, and bad enough to deserve death, but to force a sexual relationship on his daughter in hopes of impregnating her was another entirely. “Yeah, but… you were his child, not some stranger.”

  Kelly shrugged. “Like that mattered. He saw me as a means to an end, nothing more. I think he realized he’d blown it by selling my sister off years before to that other alpha. He decided not to make the same mistake with me.”

  “So, what happened the following year?”

  “He planned ahead and had a male there he felt was suitable.”

  “And?”

  “I Shifted and acted like the bossy bitch I’m fully capable of being. He ran, and I hid so my father couldn’t bring another one.”

  “He ran?” Brett chuckled. “You must’ve done quite a number on him.” He’d have loved to have seen that display.

  “Not really.” She snorted. “You have to remember that my father didn’t keep anyone around strong or bold enough to challenge him. I got into arguments with my father from time to time, so no man who’d pee himself when my father gave him a dirty look had much of a chance with me.”

  He pressed his lips together to prevent a laugh at her word choice.

  “The summer after I turned eighteen, I decided to be proactive. I snuck out of the house a couple of
weeks before I knew I’d go into heat, got on a Greyhound bus, and rode it wherever it was going. Wound up in Montana by the time all was said and done. I spent the next few months running around the mountains, mostly in wolf form.”

  “Did he send someone after you?”

  “Probably.” She shrugged. “But they didn’t find me. He couldn’t report me as a runaway, since I was eighteen and legally an adult. October came with the coldest temps Montana had ever seen. If I’d been able to stay in wolf form permanently, that wouldn’t have bothered me, but I had to return to human form from time to time. Single digit temps aren’t my idea of fun in human skin. So I went home.”

  “Why did you go back?”

  “Eighteen-year-old werewolf. No job skills. No education to speak of. No training of any kind. Exactly what was I supposed to do if I’d stayed? Offer to herd sheep or cattle?” The look she gave him clearly relayed annoyance that he hadn’t figured it out for himself. “I didn’t have anywhere else to go. No family that I knew of.”

  “Why not go to school like you did when you came here?”

  “I didn’t plan my great escape very well.” Kelly sighed. “I hadn’t brought my birth certificate or anything else like that with me. You can’t sign up for anything these days without a birth certificate and other important paperwork in hand.”

  “Very true.” Not that that had ever stopped him. He had more birth certificates than anybody else he knew. He buried a smirk. He was his own great-great-great grandfather. Well, something like that anyway. He’d lost track of the exact count on the “greats” a generation or two before. “Go on.”

  “My father learned from that though. He locked me up before I could bolt the next year. I was nineteen, and he was determined to find me a mate.” She grimaced. “Another one I scared off in short order.”

  Brett snorted. “How’d your father take that?”

  “He said if the guy was that big a coward, he didn’t want his genes mixing with those of our family. Might produce weak offspring.”

  “Nice.” Not. He shook his head.