Page 32 of Amaris Rejected (Stone Mountain Shifters #2)

Devon

I’m scheduled to attend the Mate Bond Tampering Task Force conference in Stone Mountain on Monday, accompanied by Hill and Fillion. After some things came up during the recent information-gathering session, we need to ask Sheila a few more questions.

We are driving from the pack house to Sunshine Shimmer Pack, where I want to stop and visit my family for the weekend. I backed away and gave Amaris some space, only Face Timing Zoe. I believe it helped, as Amaris, Zoe, and Minette moved into the house I purchased there while we’ve been apart. "Baby steps," I sigh. Actually, that's a giant leap forward!

The property features a stunning lake, where I'm taking Amaris for a picnic tomorrow. After that, I’ve got a family outing planned for Sunday before heading to Stone Mountain later that night.

We’ll be at headquarters in the sub-level basements, where the prisoner cells are located, early Monday morning to question Sheila. To kill two birds with one stone, I’ll confront Jeni then and cut ties with her. Everything I’m doing is to prove to Amaris that she and Zoe are my top priorities.

Pulling up to the house, Zoe runs out onto the porch with Amaris right behind her. Her face lights up as she screams, "Daddy!" Goddess, that makes me feel good. That little girl right there is my heart and soul. Amaris is too. I hope I can show them how much I mean that.

"Zoe!" I sigh as she leaps into my arms, tossing her into the air. "How's daddy's little pup?"

She giggles as I tickle her. When I stop, she presses her sweet little hands to my cheeks, looks into my eyes with her matching chocolate brown ones, and says, "I wuv you, Daddy."

Tears sting as I cuddle her tiny frame and reply, "Daddy loves you too, Zoe. So much." Meeting Amaris's gaze, I feel a glimmer of hope for once. Her face softens, and her hands are clutched to her heart.

Enforcer Hill brings my bag and sets it on the porch. "We’re going to go get settled at the pack house. You're staying here, right?"

I grunt in acknowledgment.

Amaris says, "You’re all welcome to stay here. We have plenty of room."

"Thanks for the offer, but Alpha Blake wants us nearby so we can review some cases," Hill explains.

I enter the house with Zoe still in my arms and smell the wonderful aroma of Italian food. "I have dinner ready if you’re hungry," Amaris says.

"I can eat," I grin. "Nothing would make me happier than having a meal with my family."

She looks away and blushes. "Well, if you want to put Zoe in her booster chair, I'll bring out the dishes." I follow her request while Amaris brings a variety of bowls and platters to the table, filled with lasagna, spaghetti in chunky vegetable sauce, bruschetta, and buttered bread sticks. Zoe is especially fond of pasta, so Amaris adds vegetables wherever possible.

"Mom," she calls down the hallway. "Dinner’s ready." She sits with Zoe between us and starts fixing Zoe's plate.

Minette walks into the room. "Hello, Devon," she greets.

I’m shocked that she recognizes me. The last time I saw her, she hardly spoke. "Hello, Minette. How are you feeling?"

"Good. Thanks for asking." She sits down, places her hands in her lap, and falls silent as if she has already reached her conversational limits.

"Mom and I have been working on getting her comfortable around people again," Amaris offers.

Minette sighs nervously.

"I’ve started her on some medications and supplements to flush the toxins and poisons from her system," Amaris continues. “She helps with household chores and caring for Zoe. In her spare time, she reads and plays games to stimulate her mind. The library is hosting a crocheting workshop, which should improve her fine motor skills, and hopefully, she’ll make new friends. It won't be long before she regains her strength and confidence. Right, Mom?

Minette looks up and meets Amaris's gaze. "That's right, darling." She smiles.

"Right, Mama! Daddy!" Zoe chatters away, waving her spoon in the air.

"Great!" Amaris grins. "Let's eat!"

Later that evening, we all gather on the porch with a cool glass of lemonade. Zoe and I sit on the swing, her head bobbing as I gently sway us back and forth. Amaris and Minette relax in rockers while a soft, warm breeze drifts over us.

Amaris joins us on the swing and reaches for a sleeping Zoe, but I tighten my hold on her.

"Please," I implore. "Just a little longer."

"Sure,” she replies softly, nodding.

"Dinner was delicious, Amaris.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your help putting the leftovers away and loading the dishwasher,” she says, smiling.

"It's part of my job," I grin. "I have to earn my keep."

She curls her legs underneath her, lays her head back on the cushions, and closes her eyes. "Mmmmm." She hums with pleasure as I continue to glide us in a slow, methodical rhythm that’s mesmerizing.

"Amaris?"

"Mmm?" she breathes, unmoving.

"I’ll be here until Sunday night."

Slowly she opens one eye and peers over at me, as if wondering where I’m headed with this.

"I’d love to take you on a picnic tomorrow. Then, how about a family outing on Sunday with Zoe and even Minette, if you’d like? What do you think?"

"Okay," she murmurs drowsily, shrugging.

"Okay?" I chuckle, surprised yet pleased.

She lifts her head, widens her eyes slightly, and nods. "Yes," she confirms. Then, closing her eyes, she relaxes against the cushions with a soft sigh, looking unaffected as if she didn’t just turn my world upside down.

"All right then." Rue hums in pleasure. I smile and kiss Zoe on the head.

Baby steps.