Chapter 11
Ava
Yet more snow fell overnight and the temperature is down in the twenties, but a path has been cleared along the sidewalk, and someone even put grit down.
Strange. But good. I can walk at normal speed, instead of shuffling along, worrying I’m gonna fall on my ass.
Which is extra good, because I’m kind of distracted.
Well, distracted is an understatement. All I can think about right now is my baby, and Stinger.
Two thoughts intertwined. Because Stinger—the one who put my baby inside me—has come back into my life.
I thought I’d never see him again. But yesterday, there he was, saving me from those government assholes. Exactly when I needed him.
All these weeks I’ve been so mad at myself for letting that night happen. For giving my virginity to Stinger. For turning myself into a single mom. And now here he is, promising to protect me.
I thought I’d kinda gotten over him.
But the moment he took me in his arms, on that freezing sidewalk, I just lit up inside. And when he kissed me—It was embarrassing how much I wanted him. How much I clung to him. How wet I was getting.
If Elinor hadn’t burst into the apartment, I would’ve dragged him off to my bedroom and demanded that he claim me again.
I can’t stop a smile from spreading across my face at the thought.
Can’t stop that little ache between my thighs.
Is it weird that I love the thought of having Stinger inside me, while I’m pregnant with his baby?
Probably.
But I don’t care. It’s just about the sexiest thing I can imagine.
I’m daydreaming so hard, I’m at Elizabeth’s Little Bookshop before I know it. As I go to open the door, something makes me pause and turn around.
Something moves, farther down the street. A dart of panic goes through me. Someone else looking for me?
No. My heartbeat slows again.
Not a government official, or some member of my crazy family, but Stinger, hanging in the shadows.
I lift my hand and wave, and he waves back.
He’s been following me, I think. Watching over me on my way to work. Maybe the thought should freak me out, but it doesn’t.
I feel protected.
My stomach flutters as I turn back to the shop and step inside.
The day passes slowly. My eyes keep drifting to the window, looking for a familiar tall, broad-shouldered figure. And I pretend I’m not disappointed when I don’t see Stinger there.
Vaughn comes by at lunchtime to collect Lily.
“Everything okay?” he asks.
“Everything’s great,” I say.
“Good,” he replies, with a kind look. I read his face anxiously. Wondering if he’s thinking about Stinger. If he’s judging me for being with him.
I want to tell him I know all about Stinger’s past, and everything he’s been through. But it’s not my place.
When I knock off work that evening, my heart beats a little faster, and I wonder if Stinger will be there to meet me.
He isn’t.
But someone else is there instead—a small, skinny figure wrapped in a huge down coat. Elinor.
“What’s up, girl?” she says breezily. “How was your day?”
“What are you doing here? I thought you were on shift?”
“I was.” She shrugs. “But someone swung by, asked me to make sure you get home safe.”
I narrow my eyes suspiciously. “Would that someone happen to be a big scary wolf man?”
She grins. “Maybe. Can’t say.”
“Well, thank you for doing his bidding, but I’m fine. Seriously. You can go back to work now.”
“Nope. I made a promise. And when a crow makes a promise, that’s final. No takebacks.” She hooks her elbow into mine and starts to march me along the sidewalk, which is mercifully still gritted.
“Did he say why?” I ask.
“He just said I need to keep you safe for a couple of days, while he’s out of town.”
Out of town? “He’s probably off on a job,” I mutter, half to myself.
“If it’s a job, he looked real serious about it,” she says. “Anyways he asked me to give you his number. He wants your number, too, but I told him you’d let him know if you wanted him to have it.”
“Thanks Elinor, you’re the best.”
“Anything for you, hun.” She takes out her phone and a moment later, my own phone pings. Stinger’s number. My stomach flutters.
“I’m good now,” I tell her as we approach the front door of our apartment building.
“Stinger told me to see you safe indoors,” she says.
“Elinor, it’s not necessary. I’ve made this journey a hundred times.”
She shakes her head solemnly. “Shifter orders.”
I give her a sideways look. “You like him, don’t you?”
She gives one of her exaggerated shrugs, which always reminds me of a crow ruffling its feathers. “Let’s just say my impression of him has improved a lot over the last twenty-four hours.”
My heart warms. Suddenly, I want so bad to tell her about the baby. But what if Stinger asked her to keep an eye on me because he’s not coming back?
Elinor unlocks the front door of our apartment and lets me in. “You got enough food to eat?”
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to cooking, actually,” I say slowly, thinking it’ll do me good to stay busy.
“Stinger said to tell you to have a hot bath as well.”
A laugh bubbles out of me. “Wow, I feel like I’m outnumbered here.”
“Just acting in your own best interests, hun.” She gives me a quick hug, and she’s off.
I take off my coat and go into the kitchen, flick the kettle on and grab my phone from my purse.
There’s Stinger’s number on the lock screen.
I’m beyond touched at his care for me today. He’s more protective than I could’ve dreamed of a guy being.
But why has he left me like this?
Should I even be thinking about letting him into my life?
My thumb hovers over his number, and I tap.
It takes me five goes to type out a message:
Here’s my number. Ava, I write at last.
Sheesh, well that was worth all the effort.
I drop a teabag into my favorite mug and pour over boiling water, and my phone pings from the table.
My stomach tightens.
He’s replied. And my heart isn’t beating faster, at all.
Thank you honey, he’s written, and followed it up with a bunch of emoji—a face with hearts for eyes, a pink heart wrapped up like a gift, and a male and female face kissing.
I blink. This is not the Stinger I know. And my own heart melts, just a little bit.
My phone pings again:
How was your day?
Kind of quiet, I type. People are staying indoors again.
Are you tired? Are your feet aching?
I smile. No. Better today. I sat down and read for three hours.
That’s good. He sends me a nerdy face emoticon.
Are you teasing me?
Just kidding. I love how smart you are. How is our baby?
My breath catches. “Our baby,” I whisper to myself.
My fingers are clumsy as I type: Very active! I felt a whole bunch of little kicks today.
She’s gonna be a strong one.
I blink. She???
Yeah… Didn’t you know?
No. I mean I haven’t had a scan… How do you know?
Suddenly my phone is ringing. My heart pounds as I answer it. And there’s Stinger’s deep, growly voice on the other end.
“Of course, I know, honey. I felt her yesterday.”
“Because you’re a shifter?”
He gives a deep, gravely laugh. “Guess so. I just know it. Humans don’t?”
“No, we usually need technology to tell us stuff like that.”
“Oh, with shifters, we can sense everything.”
“Everything?”
“Yeah,” he says slowly. “I can tell your back is aching right now.”
My hand slides to the small of my back. It is aching. I was sitting in an awkward position all afternoon.
“Why don’t you take your drink and go sit on the couch,” he says.
I glance at my tea in surprise. “You’re not watching me with a telescopic lens right now, are you?” I demand.
He lets out a chuckle. “No, I’m far away, dealing with some business. I just heard you sipping, that’s all.”
I follow his suggestion and take my drink to the couch. I settle in and my backache disappears.
“Better?” he asks.
“Yeah.”
“If I was there, I’ll give you a back rub. Ease out all those knots.” He sighs. “I’m real sorry I’m not there today. But I promise you, soon as I’m back, I’ll give you a back rub or a foot rub any time you want one.”
“Is that right?” I sass him, making out like I’m not affected by his words.
“I’m going to take care of you, Ava. Protect you. Make sure you never have to worry about a thing—”
“Stinger—” I cut in. “There’s so much between us that we haven’t figured out yet. We are.. I mean, we’re not together.” I force the words out, because my heart is telling me the opposite.
“We will be,” he says, with calm confidence. “Honey, I’m real sorry, but I’ve got to run. Something just came up. But I’ll be back real soon, okay? And in the meantime, that little crow’s gonna take good care of you.”
“Okay,” I start to say, but he’s gone. I stare at his messages for a whole minute longer. Can I trust all these things he’s saying to me?
For him, it seems to be a foregone conclusion that we’re supposed to be together. But I’m confused. I feel myself falling for him, but I don’t know if I can really open my heart—
A tiny foot connects with the inside of my belly, yet again. As if to say, of course, my daddy is your mate.
Stinger doesn’t come back the next day, or the day after that. But Elinor is dedicated in her task of walking me to work in the mornings and returning me home again in the evenings. She clutches me tight as we shuffle along the icy sidewalk, her eyes darting in all directions.
“I’m fine,” I keep telling her. “You don’t have to keep looking after me like this. You’ve got your own life to live.”
“I’m not going to neglect my duties,” she says seriously.
I look at her suspiciously. A lot of her humor is delivered deadpan, but this time, I can tell she means it.
“You’re a real good friend, El,” I say.
“Of course, hun. I’m here for you. No matter what.”
I give her arm a grateful squeeze, and yet again, I wish I could tell her about the baby.
I wish I knew what was going on between Stinger and me.
I don’t think I could stand having a guy who’s always on the road, like he is.
Maybe he’s not going to come back at all.
Maybe he’s just letting me down easy. At the thought, my stomach clenches.
I like him way more than I should.
“What is it?” Elinor scans my face, her own features pinched with worry.
“Nothing.” I give a burst of laughter to reassure her. “Just sick of the cold is all.”
“You’re worried he’s not coming back, aren’t you?”
I stare at her, startled.
“Don’t you worry. He’ll never leave you.”
I swallow down the lump in my throat, wishing I had her confidence.