Page 23

S team from the shower swirled around me and I sighed as I leaned against the tiled wall.

It was still morning and today’s temperatures were a bit colder than yesterday’s.

I worried about what it could mean for the last day of the Holiday Film Festival.

But I had my fingers crossed that the afternoon sun would be enough to warm the field and keep folks coming for the two remaining showings of holiday movies.

Emmet was already out working. He’d already said goodbye this morning, and I smiled as I recalled waking up to him, as he put it, having his breakfast.

Of course, I had no choice but to hold on and just feel as he feasted on me. Not like I wanted to do anything else, but that.

The man was insatiable. I was just lucky enough to be his favorite treat.

Talk about a wonderful way to start the day.

Plus, I was able to go back to sleep after he made me come a time or three .

It was getting late now, and I had just enough time to dress and stop by the bakery for today’s treats on my way to the drive-in.

George and his brothers were there now, readying for today’s film festival matinee. I let them sleep in the doublewide last night, which started another brain baby.

What if I lent it to someone to watch over the property since it looked like I would be moving in here permanently? Like a sort of permanent security guard and groundskeeper who would live there.

Maybe Emmet would know someone suited to the job. I would have to discuss it with him.

I couldn’t ask George to stay on permanently. He was far too young and the couple of lots I owned were a bit deserted, being so far from town.

Huffing out a long breath, I towel dried my hair and put it in a loose braid that hung down my back. Today would be busier than yesterday according to the online ticket sales, and I didn’t want to fuss with it.

I already went over the proceeds from last night while I had my coffee, and I couldn’t believe how well we did. Next Thursday was Thanksgiving, and it looked like I was actually going to hit my goal for the fiscal year.

I had a call in to Pop’s nurse this afternoon, just to go over medication and routine. Unfortunately, I hadn’t had a lot of time to visit just lately, and I made a mental note to ask Emmet if he wanted to come with me before the holiday.

It was never a cheerful thing, visiting a loved one with dementia. But complicated or not, he was my father, and I really should make the effort before time ran out for us.

Regret was not something I enjoyed feeling and even though he was ashamed of me for things I couldn’t control, I still remembered the good times we’d had when I was a child.

Everyone did their best with what they had, and Pop had tried to love me. I knew he did his damndest not to make me feel bad about myself. And that had to count for something.

If for nothing else, it would make me a better parent. Oh, how I was going to love my own children! I would likely spoil them rotten—I froze.

Children? I could maybe have them now. With Emmet.

Heat spread through my limbs at the notion that I could maybe someday have a child of my own.

A sweet little blond haired boy with stunning green eyes, maybe? Or a girl with her Daddy’s sweet smile?

A vision hit me then. I hadn’t had one like that in a long while and I leaned on the wall, dizzy and overwhelmed by emotion.

I saw two towheaded children, a boy and a girl, and they were running across a field of wildflowers. A big, black Wolf chased them, and they were laughing so loudly, I felt myself giggle.

When I looked behind the Wolf, I saw myself, my belly swollen and my hair shorter than it was now.

I looked happy, content, and loved. So loved.

Gasping, I cupped a hand over my mouth as the vision faded and reality set in.

I was still inside Emmet’s bedroom, and my stomach, though soft, was not rounded in pregnancy. But it all felt so real.

Maybe someday.

I sucked in more air, reveling in the pine scent that always seemed present. It was one I associated with Emmet, and I loved the earthy, fresh fragrance.

I’d never even considered the possibility of having a family of my own since it was hard enough getting anyone to accept the real me. But Emmet did.

Effortlessly.

A new hope filled me. The promise of a life I’d secretly wanted for so long.

A home.

Somewhere I belonged.

A mate.

Husband. Someone I belonged to.

A family.

Found in the friends and Crew who filled this place with so much loyalty and laughter.

A child.

Conceived of love. Raised in union with the man who owned me, body, heart, and soul.

My phone buzzed, and I grabbed it. My heart was pounding even before I read who the text was from.

Emmet

Good morning, Angel. Call me when you get to work. I love you.

I couldn’t stop my smile if I tried. I brushed the screen with my fingertips, my heart beating erratically.

Me

Okay! I will! I love you too!

I cringed at all the exclamation points, but I couldn’t help it. I was just that excited. Smiling, I slipped on my fur-lined boots and grabbed the thick hooded sweatshirt I swiped from Emmet’s closet with the Motley Crewd Ranch logo stamped across the back.

It was warm and soft, and even better, it smelled just like him.

My phone buzzed with a text from Avery, and I chuckled at the ridiculous gif she texted of a tiny little mouse hefting a stack of boxes, begging me to come get my order already.

She must be at the store, I mused, then replied.

Me

Be right there

I got in my car and started the engine, which my super sexy and talented mate had somehow managed to get working again.

My thoughts were so full of Emmet as I turned onto the main road that led into town and raised the volume on the radio, that was probably why I didn’t notice the man in the backseat until he clapped a hand over my mouth and growled in my ear.

“So, Quinn found himself a human mate, did he? Let’s see how he likes it when I take his betrayal out of your filthy hide!”

“What? No!” I yelled before a meaty hand slapped over my mouth.

Before everything went black, I had one last thought.

Emmet.