“You were tossing her baby in the air. Shane was screaming.”
Troy scowled, unfolded his arms, and fisted his hands to his sides. “He was squealing in joy, Ry. I wasn’t hurting him.”
That was true, but the big, golden lioness that leapt out of the forest and went for Troy’s ass hadn’t been interested in the baby’s screams being of joy. Her mother instincts took over in Sophia’s cat, and she rushed to her cub’s rescue.
“Chase stopped her.” Riel grinned. It always made him chuckle to remember the momentary growling struggle between the alpha wolf and his feline mate.
Troy’s flush turned a deeper shade of red. “She still bit my ass.”
“Next time, stay out of the yard when Chase orders it.”
“I’m going to check on the teens around here, before she decides to bite my ass again when she arrives.”
Riel stood by the door, laughing and watching Troy cross the street to his own house. A large hybrid SUV he recognized as Sophia’s turned into his driveway. He ran down to her car and opened the backdoor to pull out Selena.
The little girl squealed and started chanting, “My Ry Ry.”
“That’s right princess. I’m all yours.” He grinned and hugged the girl’s little body tight. Her short brown curls had escaped her pigtails. Her gray eyes twinkled with mirth.
Holding the little girl in his arms, he went around the car and allowed Sophia to give him a kiss on the cheek. She was losing weight. Her cheekbones were more prominent than before. Shadows marred her eyes. “Are you OK? You look exhausted.”
She grinned and strolled into his house. They headed straight for the backyard where he always had a playpen for the kids. Sophia placed Shane in the portable playpen and took a seat on a lounger right next to it.
“I’m fine. Nothing a few months of sleep won’t cure. I guess I’ll have to hire a nanny in order to get some rest with this pregnancy.”
Riel had been bouncing Selena on his lap and stopped. He grinned and stood to give her a hug. “Congratulations. I am guessing Chase is going to turn into an even bigger paranoid papa?”
Sophia laughed and sat back down. “You have no idea. He’s already told me I need to let him know if I feel sick at any point. He’s promised to get a nurse from the pack clinic to take care of me. He doesn’t seem to understand that all I need is some sleep.”
Riel studied her face. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. I know my news is wonderful, but that’s not why I came to see you.” Excitement sounded in her words. The way she said that made him a little worried.
“OK. What do you need?”
“Actually, it’s what you need. You need help. I’m here to offer it.”
He groaned. He hoped she wasn’t going where he thought. “What? What help?”
Sophia chuckled when he attempted a pout. Selena, noticing his pout, grabbed hold of his bottom lip and pulled. “Come on, Ry. You told me about Samira remember? I know she’s back. So I have an idea.”
Uh-oh. Sophia looked like she was going to make it her business to get Riel and Sam together.
He kissed Selena’s neck, and the little girl giggled. She smacked his cheeks with her chubby hands.
Riel was afraid to ask but had to know. “Sophia I am the sexiest man in this town, I don’t need help.” He sighed when she raised one perfectly arched brow. “OK, fine. What’s your idea?”
“A barbeque.” She grinned. “It’s really easy. We’ll have a huge barbeque, and you’ll bring her with you, and she’ll see how awesome you are with the kids. Trust me, that is a major wow factor with women.”
Riel wondered if Julia would show up later on with her own ideas on how to get him and Sam together. Sophia glanced at the house across the yard. Sam’s gaze was fixed on him and Selena. There was softness in her eyes and a wistful smile on her face.
“Then again we might not need to do anything after all.” Sophia stood and headed toward Sam’s yard.
His Alpha’s mate introduced herself to Sam.
“Hi. I’m Sophia Blackburn. Would you like to join us? I promise not to bite, although I can’t guarantee my kids won’t. They’re still going through the wanting-to-gnaw-at-everything-they-see phase.”
Sam shook Sophia’s hand. Indecision rushed across her face. When Selena blew bubbles, Sam nodded and quickly made her way toward his yard. As she neared, she caught sight of Shane and squealed. Complete adoration covered her face.
“They’re twins! What a handsome little boy. They are so cute.” Sam turned to Sophia. “May I hold him?”