Chapter 13
Ava
It’s my day off today, and I’ve taken Elinor out for brunch. Correction, she’s taken me—by the elbow, never letting up on her grip for a second—but I’ve insisted on paying, to thank her for being the best buddy a girl could hope for.
It’s finally quit snowing. The sky is dazzling winter blue, with a few fluffy clouds scattered around, and the sun is warm enough to melt the ice from the sidewalk.
We’re strolling and chatting, bundled up in our coats and scarves.
For once I’m not cold, but the baby is so active.
It’s taken all my self-control not to react to it when I’m around other people, and I wonder how long I can keep this up.
“Okay, the guy who always comes in by himself, sits on the left of the bar?” I say. “Big beard. Blazing eyes.”
Elinor giggles. “Ava, that describes half the men who drink at Sinner’s.”
I plant my hands on my hips. “Just tell me who you like. I’m gonna find out anyway.”
“Nope. No way.” She mimes zipping her lips together, and I groan.
“How am I going to help find your perfect match if you won’t help me?” I complain.
“Ava, I’ve told you, I’m not looking. I’m not sure there’s anyone out there for me.”
I fold my arms in mock exasperation. “Elinor, you’re such a great person. Any guy would be lucky to have you.”
“Well—” She juts out her jaw and doesn’t finish her sentence.
She hasn’t told me a whole lot about her past, but she’s hinted that her family rejected her for some reason, related to her appearance.
I keep telling her that her bright black eyes and shiny black hair are real pretty, but I can tell she’ll take a lot of convincing.
Elinor’s phone buzzes. She pulls it out of her purse and checks it, then she stops walking and looks around, like she’s trying to orient herself.
“You ever been to see the river?” she says.
“Near the old parking lot?”
“Yeah. Let’s go see it. I bet it’s pretty this time of year.”
“Okay,” I agree readily. Seems like a quirky thing to do, but it’s nice walking around in the sunshine in Elinor’s company.
In ten minutes, we’re there—at a crumbling old parking lot. On one side is a building—a supermarket or something—that looks like it’s been boarded up for a long time. On the other side is a school bus that looks like it’s been converted into a motorhome, and a thin ribbon of sparkling water.
I follow Elinor as she heads toward it slowly, her head turning in all directions.
“Hey, who’s that?” She points, shielding her eyes from the sun. I follow her line of vision, squinting into the dazzling day.
And I see—a tall, big-shouldered figure, carrying a bulky suitcase. It could be one of so many guys in Perdue.
But it’s not.
It’s him.
My heart bounds like a rabbit.
And I start running.
He’s running, too.
We collide, falling into each other’s arms.
I’m safe, in Stinger’s big embrace again.
Relief pours through me as I press my face against his big, warm chest. The father of my child. My mate.
I’ve been telling myself I can deal with him never coming back. But it’s not true.
“You’re back,” I whisper.
Stinger gives a laugh of surprise, like he caught the disbelief in my tone. “Of course, I am.”
Gently, he lifts my chin with his thumb, until I’m gazing into his ice-blue irises. “I had to deal with a couple of things, but I’m back for good, now. I sold the truck.”
“You sold it?” I echo, stunned.
“Yup. I’m done with life on the road. I want to be here for you, every single day.”
I stare at him. Being a trucker seemed like such a part of his essence, I never thought he’d give it up. “You’d do that for me?”
He flashes one of his rare grins. “That’s the least I’d do for you, honey. You have no idea.”
I feel all light-headed, overwhelmed.
Then he clears his throat, like he’s nervous. “I asked Elinor to bring you here because I wanted to show you something.”
I shoot a glance at her, and she lifts her hands in surrender, mouthing sorry.
He takes my hands and leads me toward the boarded-up building. The signs are all faded and a couple of the windows are broken.
“The old supermarket?” I blurt out.
“I’ve made enquiries. It’s for sale. And they’re not asking for a lot, cuz they’ve been trying to offload it for a long while.”
“You want to buy it?”
He nods eagerly. “Yup. Make it a supermarket again. Or maybe a homewares store.”
“Totally!” I clasp my hands in excitement. “There’s so much space. You could do food and homewares. Put in a mezzanine level. This is just what the town needs. Lily is always complaining that they have to drive a half hour to the nearest supermarket. This is going to be amazing.”
Stinger’s eyes are shining in admiration. “I was wondering if it was a crazy idea.”
“Not. At. All.”
“Then he frowns. “Have to ask Vaughn’s permission first though. He said I couldn’t work in Perdue.”
My stomach tightens. I love Stinger’s idea, and I hate the thought that Vaughn might crush his dreams.
Stinger takes my hand again. “There’s someone I want you to meet, too.”
I look for Elinor. She waves, but stays right where she is. She’s giving us this time together—I understand.
Stinger leads me across the lot to the converted school bus.
He raps on the door. It swings open and a guy with longish dark hair and glasses pops his head out.
“Hey, Sting, what’s going on?”
“I want to introduce you to Ava.” He turns to me. “Ava, this is Beau, an investigator who’s been looking into the DOJ case against your family. He’s gonna fill you in on the facts.”
“Good to meet you, Ava.” Beau pulls off his glasses, and I listen as he explains how they’ve been bluffing, and that there’s no evidence against me.
“No one’s gonna come after you with a subpoena either,” Stinger cuts in.
“Phew.” My knees feel weak, and I grab hold of Stinger for support. “Thank you both so much.”
“My pleasure. You might want to think about legal emancipation from your family for extra peace of mind,” Beau says.
I nod vigorously. “Just tell me where I need to sign.”
We walk back to Elinor, but Stinger stops me when we’re still ten yards away.
He steps away from me, and drops down on the pavement.
He’s down on one knee, I think dazedly.
He looks up at me, eyes narrowed, glowing with winter sunlight.
“Ava Benotto, I’m never gonna be your Prince Charming.
I’m just a scrappy old wolf shifter. A brawler.
An ex-truck driver. But I’m going to do whatever it takes to make you proud of me.
You’re my mate. I’ve known it from the first moment I laid eyes on you.
But will you do me the honor of making it official? ”
The words come out like he’s practiced them a bunch of times, and I break into a grin.
“I’m already proud of you,” I say.
“And—?” The vulnerability in his eyes touches me deep inside.
I fling my arms around his neck and he holds me tight. I inhale his rugged, spicy smell. The father of my child. “Yes,” I whisper.
“Oh, you guys!” comes Elinor’s voice.
I turn my head with a laugh. She’s pressing her hand over her mouth, and her eyes are glistening.
I hold out my arm and she joins us in a three-person hug.
“So romantic,” she murmurs.
I clear my throat. I’ve got to tell her. Even if it makes her mad. “El, there’s something else—” I begin. “I’m pregnant.”
“A girl!” she replies.
I gasp. “You knew already?”
She wrinkles her nose. “Of course. I’m a shifter. I just didn’t know if you did—being human and all. And I didn’t want to be the one to break the news to you.”
I blink fast. “You probably knew when you first met me?”
She nods thoughtfully. “A little bit after. When you were a few weeks gone, I guess.”
“And you still let me move in?”
She shrugs. “Of course. I love kids.”
I was so scared you were going to kick me out. And my job—”
“—Will be fine,” she continues for me. “Shifters love kids. Everyone’s. Even their own.” She laughs. “I guarantee Lily will be real happy for you.”
I take a long shuddering breath. “I should’ve told you.”
She plants a kiss on my cheek. “I understand why you didn’t. You didn’t know if your baby daddy was coming back.”
“Of course, I was,” Stinger growls.
“Chill, Mr Possessive,” she retorts, and we both laugh.
Then she squeezes our shoulders. “Hey, I’ve got an errand to run. Catch you guys later. I’ll be out of the apartment all afternoon. If you want to… you know.” Elinor does a huge, cartoonish wink, and before I can reply, she’s off.
“She’s a sweetheart,” I say, laughing.
“You are.” Stinger’s eyes are still boring into mine. “Ava, I love you.”
I quit laughing. “Y-you do?”
“With every bit of me.”
“Ohh—” The word spills from my lips like a sigh of relief. “I love you too.”
He presses his lips to mine and we kiss long and deep, under the sunny winter sky.
Stinger leads us through Perdue’s backstreets, to Vaughn’s place. We walk up a long curving driveway to a big Victorian house.
Stinger knocks on the grand front door and Vaughn steps out, looking pissed off.
But when he takes us in, Stinger’s arm wrapped around me, his expression softens.
“Ava,” he greets me politely. “Stinger, what is it?”
Stinger clears his throat.
“I, uh, wanted you to know that Ava is my mate. Officially.”
Vaughn looks from me to Stinger and back again. “Congratulations,” he says.
Unease tightens my stomach. He doesn’t look mad, but he’s not exactly delighted either.
“I’ve sold my rig. And I’m looking to buy a new business. Just wanted to get your permission,” Stinger continues.
Vaughn frowns. “What business?”
“The old supermarket on the parking lot.”
“You want to buy the building?”
“Yup. I wanna turn it into a homewares store.”
“And a new supermarket,” I cut in. “We’ve got tons of plans.”
Stinger smiles at me, and turns to Vaughn again. “Vaughn, I’m real sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you over the years. But I promise it’s all behind me now. I’ve got a mate. Something to live for.”
“And we’re having a baby,” I blurt out. I wasn’t planning to mention it, but I’m all nervous that Vaughn is going to stomp all over Stinger’s dreams.
I watch his face anxiously.
Vaughn comes down his front steps. “That’s great news.”
My breath comes out in a rush. “And is it okay if he starts the business here?”
Vaughn’s thick eyebrows draw together. “I’ve always told you, you need to keep busy, Stinger. That mind of yours needs to stay occupied, or your beast starts taking over.”
Stinger bows his head. “That’s my plan, Vaughn. I’m gonna be real busy turning it into my livelihood. Making sure I can provide for my girls.”
“Is that a yes?” I demand. I know I’m being kinda pushy, but there’s nothing I won’t do for my mate.
At long last, Vaughn stops looking scary and breaks into a grin. “You’ve got it, Stinger. I wish you all the best.”
I give a yelp of excitement and hug Stinger tight.
“Thank you, boss,” he mutters. “I’m gonna do everyone proud, I promise.”
I feel like I’m walking on clouds as we leave Vaughn’s place, his words of support echoing in our ears.
“I’m so excited,” I tell Stinger.
“Me too.” He plants a kiss on my head. But then he frowns. “What Vaughn was saying… I’m never gonna be that guy again—the one who needs to keep his mind busy so his beast doesn’t go crazy.”
I pat his arm. “I know, Stinger. Your animal will settle now, because you found your mate.”
A bunch of emotions pass across his rugged features. “I think you’re right, Ava. But how do you know that?”
I shrug. “I just do. I sense it.”
And that’s the truth. I lay my hands on my belly. I may not have any shifter blood, but I’ve got a little wolf pup growing inside me, and maybe she’s making me more sensitive to the immaterial world.
“Where we going now?” I ask, when we’re back on the sidewalk.
“Your apartment,” he growls into my ear. “Stat.”
A shiver runs through me. It’s kind of hot when he gets bossy like this.
“Let’s go,” I say.