Page 18 of A Hutch for Hoover (Omegas of Animals #15)

Grant

Our life changed the day Daphne and Theodore entered them.

In the best possible, if most exhausting, way.

Neither of them slept through the night, or woke at the same time, for the first three months of their little lives.

Meaning, we lived in a fog, falling asleep at random times for an hour or two at a time.

Thank the Goddess the second smoothie shop had come together so quickly, and Jen took over managing it while her brother handled the original place.

With more staff in place, everything went as smoothly as possible, and I was able to enjoy my paternity leave as much as sleep deprivation allowed.

And then…the big day came. With things going well in the two shops, I’d decided to turn my attention to the franchise idea.

Having used some of my sleepless nights to do research, I determined that there was a need in the community for shifters who wanted to succeed but didn’t have the traditional background required for going into business.

With that being my demographic, I couldn’t exactly just bring them in and say, here’s your business, here are notes, good luck .

No, before doing that, I would be reinvesting some of the profits from the shops into a business coaching service with classes tailored to each wolf’s or rabbit’s or fox’s needs.

Anyone who approached us wanting to discuss franchise opportunities would be assessed and given as much training as needed before being allowed to buy in.

And we would finance the franchise fees at zero interest for those who couldn’t afford to pay up front.

It was a big risk, but we planned to take it slow, starting with the bear shifter triplets who were going to be our first franchisees.

“Did you eat breakfast?” Hoover came in with one of the twins over his shoulder, patting her back.

“Can’t have you fainting in your first day as professor.

” He wore not the new shirt I’d found after months of hunting to replace his favorite band tee but the old one itself.

Now featuring holes. My alpha refused to take a chance on spit-up ruining the replacement, and was saving it for a special occasion.

My protest that it was only a T-shirt had been met with such a look of disgust, I never repeated it.

“I had cereal.” The empty bowl was in the sink in case he wanted proof.

“And I’ll be home at noon so you can go to the thrift store and treasure hunt.

” We didn’t want our little ones in anyone’s care but ours if possible, and he no longer worked at the store except for helping to unpack in return for the treasures he found for his own art.

“I’m not sure I should leave. The twins are a lot. ”

“Go.” Hoover used his free hand to steer me toward the door. “I’ll be okay. Have a little faith.”

“If you’re sure?” I lifted my face for his kiss then knelt to ruffle the ears of the pup who gamboled up every time someone opened the door.

Speckles, a Dalmatian mix rescue, considered the only reason for going outside walking him, and the only reason for deliveries to bring him treats.

He was a little bigger than Hoover’s bunny and the squirrel next door were comfortable with, but some training had made him not only safe but a real favorite at our shifter complex.

Rising, I kissed Daphne and my mate and started out again, only to hear wails from the nursery. “I’ll get Theo.”

“No, you won’t.” Hoover shooed me out and closed the door behind me.

I stood in place for a long moment, torn between going back inside and heading into the big world.

Being a stay-at-home dad was a good thing, too.

And we’d talked about it, but with such a supportive alpha, I had options to choose from.

I wanted to make smoothies and help others.

Show my children that an omega could be anything they wanted, have love and family and opportunities.

My alpha made sure I had those things, gave me the confidence to leave our twins for part of the day in his capable and loving hands.

When I got home, we’d have dinner together, maybe watch a movie while cuddling the babies.

Take Speckles for a walk around the neighborhood with Theo and Daphne in baby wraps.

Curl up in bed together and talk, laugh, make love.

Thank Fate and the Goddess for bringing us together, but thank Hoover for making every day the best day of my life so far.

Thank you for reading A Hutch for Hoover .