Chapter Sixteen
Wilder
Mating Lewis was the catalyst to a life I never dreamed of.
My business was better than ever, thanks to a honey-infused treatment concocted by the two of us one late night in his kitchen.
It was a broad-use ointment that was good for scrapes, cuts, burns, scars, and some people had even come in saying they used it as topical analgesic for joint pains.
I’d convinced Lewis to try all the restaurants in town on our dates and, while he was hesitant at first, he was not such a recluse anymore. We lived for date nights, and I stayed over at his house most days unless I had an early morning.
In those cases, he stayed at mine.
The flowers he’d once brought to win me back became a staple. Sometimes I would show up at work, and a new arrangement would be at my work station in the back with a sweet note. He even drew a bee on the bottom of his love notes.
The once grumpy and brooding Lewis had now become sweet as honey.
Love changed everything.
And now, big things were about to change in our lives.
We’d talked about having a family. About having kids and raising them on the farm. It seemed like a faraway hope, but now that I had a little one growing in my belly, that wish was here.
I had to tell Lewis.
He would be over the moon. I already knew it, but I wanted the reveal to be an event.
I would be going to spend the night at the farm, but I texted him not to cook. I was bringing a huge feast with me.
After all, we had things to celebrate.
One thing in particular. Sure, the timing wasn’t great with my new store and our new invention, but the time was never perfect to bring a new life into the world.
I drove up to the farm and once the tires hit the gravel, my tummy swirled with anticipation.
The cab of the car was filled with the scents of dinner. Steak-and-cheese grilled sandwiches with chimichurri. Sweet potato wedges. A big pecan-pie cheesecake I’d special ordered from the baker who thought the idea the combination was brilliant.
Lewis bounded down the steps of the front porch as I pulled up. He did this every day. He came out, opened my door for me, gave me a scorching kiss, and then carried everything inside.
I was one pampered omega.
Not that I minded.
“Something smells amazing,” he said as he shut the door. “And the food smells good too.”
This man.
“I thought we could have a picnic outside again. By the fruit trees.”
“Of course we can. Let me grab the blanket and a bottle of wine.”
Shoot. This reveal was going to be over before it began. “How about some ginger ale instead. I think it would go better with the meal.”
“Good thinking.”
My stomach tumbled once more as we sat down on the ground. This was where it all began. Yes, in my store, but on this blanket, in this place, was where we had our first date.
We took out the food and while I wanted to wait until dessert to tell him, I wouldn’t be able to take a bite with this on my mind.
“I have something to tell you before we start eating,” I blurted.
“Sounds serious. Tell me, love.”
I took a long, cleansing breath. I was so excited to tell him but wanted it to be right. This was momentous, and I was afraid my eagerness would make it silly.
One way to find out.
“I’ve been feeling a bit off lately. You saw me throw up the other morning, and that was the last time, but it struck me as weird. I’ve also been tired and low energy. And, last night, my wolf told me something but I had to be sure.”
Lewis took my hands in his. “Just tell me already. Are you sick?”
“No.” I laughed. “Alpha, I’m pregnant. I took a test this morning.”
Lewis’ eyes widened. “You’re having our cub? Truly? Is that what your wolf told you?”
I nodded as tears welled in my eyes. They spilled over and Lewis moved to catch them. “We’re having a baby.”
“Omega, I never thought…are you happy?” He laughed. “I can’t tell if you’re happy or not. Your emotions and scent are all over the place.”
“I’m the happiest I’ve been since you kissed me in my shop that day.”
He shook his head. “You kissed me, remember? You’ve made me the happiest bear. Oh!”
“What?”
“This is why no wine. I get it now.”
I laughed harder. My chest released the tension I was feeling and I could breathe again. Everything turned out perfectly. “Yes. No more wine for me, but there’s a greater tragedy.”
“What is it?”
“No more coffee.”
Lewis pretended to pass out, laughing the whole time. “No! Not the coffee.”
We ate our dinner and indulged in too much pie. When we were packed up and looking up at the stars, Lewis turned to me. “Wilder, you are the best thing that ever happened to me, and I love you. I love the both of you so much.”
I put my hands on my stomach. “I love you both as well. I love our little family.”