“Anything else on your mind?” His mom gave him that knowing look she’d used when he was a kid and couldn’t figure something out by himself.
“I don’t know how to close the space between us. I sense her holding back.” It pained him to say it, but it was true. His feelings for Karla had grown with the years he’d known her, but he always sensed a wall on her side—like she kept herself at an emotional distance.
She nodded. “I understand. It’s probably something to do with the way she was raised.”
He frowned. “What do you mean?”
“She’s mentioned a time or two how her mother chased after men all through her youth, to the point she would spend all her money giving men whatever they wanted in hopes they’d stick around.”
“That’s sad, but we’re not in that situation.” Not even a little. Though he’d been busy with Caleb, he’d been very clear he wanted to be with her.
“Really?” She raised her pale brows high. “How much time have you spent with her since the scenting ceremony?”
Not much, but… “We’re working on that.”
“Right. And don’t you think that’s the first door that needs to open for your new relationship to grow? Why should she take your word that you’ll be around as anything special?”
It went without saying. “She’s my mate!”
“She’s scared.” His mother smiled sympathetically. “She’s never seen a man stick around for her mother. What makes you think she’ll think you will for her?”
He didn’t know how to respond to that. The men in his family held their mates and children as the most important part of their lives. He couldn’t understand how Karla didn’t see that.
“What do I do?”
“Give her time. But be there for her. Words,” she shrugged, “they’re easy to say. Actions speak louder, son. Your mate needs proof that you’re not going anywhere. Treat her like what she is, your equal. Involve her in what you do to the point she knows she’s an important part of your life. That she’s not a bother.”
“I’m trying, but with more rogues showing up in Caleb’s land I want to help rid of them. I don’t want her or our children in danger.”
“I know. Follow your instinct when it comes to your mate, Nate. She wants you to want to be with her without her asking. That means you must spend time with her. Or that wall she’s erected? It’ll only keep growing.”
He thought about her words and resolved to make changes in order for Karla to see his conviction for their relationship. Things weren’t going to be easy, but as long as he could find a way to help her embrace their future as a family he’d take that as a start. Her skepticism was deep rooted. It clearly meant she held on to her past experiences as a shield to stop herself from letting him into her heart. He needed to know where it stemmed from in order to help her see his commitment.
Karla woke up to the smell of food again. Nate had stayed the night, and she hadn’t even noticed. She groaned and turned away from the sunlight.
“Rise and shine.” He chuckled. “Come on, baby. You can’t still be tired.”
“You’re an evil, evil man. Why must you sound so chipper this early in the morning?” She groaned.
“I have food.” He rubbed his beard growth over her cheek.
A smile split her lips. She liked that he was attentive. “You might live to see another day then.” She flipped on her back and pushed the hair away from her face. Sure enough, he’d brought a tray with orange juice and toasted English muffins. Her favorite. He even brought her favorite orange jam. And she was out which meant he had to have bought a jar.
“Did you go out to buy jam?”
“I couldn’t leave you alone. I sent one of the enforcers to pick some up for you. He dropped it off earlier.”
She blinked, holding the juice mid-way to her mouth. “You had someone buy me jam and bring it over?”
He nodded, face clear of any smile to indicate he hadn’t joked. “Yeah.”
“But they have important things to do! They don’t need to be running errands.”
The bright light of his wolf glowed in his eyes. “You’re important to me. That’s enough.”
She gulped and sat up. “I think I’m being spoiled.”
He sat on the bed across from her and leaned in, shocking her with a gentle kiss. “I’m certainly going to try.”
It was times like that she fought the idea her mother had tried to instill in her about men lying about sticking around. Karla hadn’t placed any demands on Nate. Not even about their child. Yet there he was, willingly doing things to make her comfortable. That had to count for something.