Page 24

Glen had come back just in time to resume his job. I was able to take Pike on one small road trip that ended in an unexpected and incredible way.

We got Anders only hours after arriving home.

Pike sprawled on our bed, taking a nap while Anders did. He protested at first, wanting to watch our little one sleep and put his finger under his nose every few seconds to test his breathing but, after a talk from me and Quinn, he decided napping was for the best.

My omega astonished me day by day. I’d been concerned when he decided to stay with me, thinking that one day he would resent the choice and me in the process, but once my mate decided something, there was no telling him otherwise.

He never mentioned missing traveling or wanting to leave—only talked about adventures we would take together or with our little family.

I still had a few weeks left on paternity leave so while my mate and my son rested, this alpha went to work on dishes, and laundry. Our little one went through more laundry than this whole town combined, I would bet.

I breathed out a sigh of relief as I shut the dishwasher and sat down with a cup of coffee. Poor Pike. He wanted coffee so badly after giving birth until Quinn informed him that caffeine crossed through his milk. He could have some but not a lot.

Pike decided right then and there that he wouldn’t touch it until our little one was weaned. He took our family’s health to heart, and I loved him for it.

I’d taken my first sip when a knock at the door startled me. I stopped, cup in my hand, wondering who it could be and how much they valued their lives considering we had a sleeping infant.

If they woke up either my babe or my omega, it had better be a life-threatening emergency.

“Hello?” I whispered, opening the door as quietly as possible.

No one was there. Instead, a gorgeous bouquet of flowers had been placed on a table near the entrance along with a teddy bear. I reached for the bouquet and took the envelope from the stick in the middle.

“Who could this be from?” I asked myself.

Inside the card was a cute hedgehog on a pale blue card.

Congratulations Maxwell and Pike. Anders, welcome to Oliver Creek.

With blessings, Sweet Nothings Flowers

I knew my trips to town had been limited after Anders, but when did Oliver Creek get a flower shop?

“What is it?” Pike asked from behind me. As I turned with the arrangement in hand, he gasped. “You got those for me?”

“I wish I could say yes but the card said from the flower shop,” I answered, inspecting the flowers to try to find more clues.

“Since when does Oliver Creek have a flower shop?”

My thoughts exactly.

“I don’t know. We’ll have to go visit soon. Or maybe it’s in the next town over. I’m not sure. I thought you were taking a nap. Did I wake you?”

“No,” he said, grabbing my hand. “I wanted some time alone with you.”

“It’s too early,” I growled. Of course, I wanted my mate. I always would but he was still healing from the birth and that took precedence over our lusty needs.

“Not that. I mean, yes, I want that, but let’s sit on the couch and watch a movie. I want you to hold me. That’s all. I feel like a vending machine lately.”

I chuckled. “A milk vending machine?”

Pike sighed and lifted onto his toes to kiss me. “Yes.”

“Well, that’s no good. Let your alpha remind you that you’re so much more.”