Laurie’s Wolves(101)

Neither of her brothers had been to Montana since their visit with her to see Melinda over nine months ago. In fact, they’d moved to Spokane, Washington, to get farther away. Now they were about five hours from her.

“Now isn’t a good time,” Sawyer complained.

“For what? To visit your sister and your niece?”

“You know what I mean.”

“I do. And you need to stop screwing around and face your destiny. If you’re meant to mate with one of the Masters, then you should let it happen.” She lifted her gaze to find Corbin strolling into the room with a wiggly pink bundle in his arms.

Laurie smiled. She leaned over the squirming baby and kissed her sweet head, inhaling her baby scent. “She’s adorable, Sawyer. You can’t keep this up. We’ve always been so close. I need you. I haven’t seen you in over nine months.”

“Is that how long it takes to make a baby these days?” Sawyer teased. “I mean did you not realize what causes those little munchkins?”

Laurie rolled her eyes. “You want to blame someone for my quick pregnancy, you’ll have to take that up with my mates—the ones you haven’t met.” She tossed a glare at Corbin.

“I’ll meet them. Someday.”

“Nope. You’ll meet them now. Come. This weekend. What are you even doing in Spokane? Cooper says the fire department hasn’t hired you on yet.” Sawyer had been a firefighter in their hometown, but since he’d moved to Spokane, he’d been unable to secure work. “I need you here,” she repeated.

It wasn’t true of course. She wanted him there. And she knew in her soul he was destined to mate with either Logan and another woman or Sharon. Cooper too. She could feel it in her blood. She wouldn’t tell him that outright since it would cause him to leave the country, but there was a stir in the air again. It had been nine months since she came to town, and things had calmed down considerably. Lately, she could feel the unrest coming from Nature again.

It was time for Sawyer to face his destiny.

“You don’t need me, sis. You want me. But you don’t need me.”

“Fine. I want you. Come visit. If it makes you feel better, I’ll have the Masters stay away while you’re here.” She had no intention of doing that, but if it got her brother to visit, she would say anything.

“I don’t have anything against the Masters, and you know it. Hell, I’ve met Griffen and Trace. They were awesome. I’m sure Zachary is too. I simply don’t want to get tied down right now to one of the others. Who’s left?”

“You know good and well who’s left. Logan and Sharon.”

“Is she hot?”

Laurie chuckled. “If she’s meant to be your mate, you’ll think she hangs the moon.”

“And that would probably be fine, but mating with another man doesn’t make me feel all warm and fuzzy, sis. You know that. I’m not good at sharing.”

She giggled now. “Trust me. It works out splendidly.”

“Ha. For you. Of course you would think so. You have two men doting on you all the time. I feel nauseous thinking about sharing a woman with another man.”

“Well, you can’t help it. So, get your ass here. If you aren’t here by the weekend, I’m going to be pissed.”

“What does Mom say?”

Laurie’s parents had moved to the area in April, five months ago, at the same time Sawyer and Cooper had moved farther away to Spokane.

Laurie loved having her mom and dad nearby, especially with the new baby. Corbin would go back to work at the sheriff’s office next week. Zach had managed to take three weeks off from helping his parents during the off-season, but when he went back to leading hikers through the mountains, she would appreciate her parents even more. “She says it’s time for you to get your ass here,” she lied.

“Laurie, stop harassing your brother,” Zach said as he took the baby from Corbin, lifted his brows, and pointed at her chest. “She’s hungry,” he mouthed.

Laurie followed Zach to the rocking chair in the living room and got situated with the phone tucked under her ear. She squealed when Zach took the phone and traded her for the baby. He spoke to Sawyer. “Don’t listen to your sister. She’s fine. She has plenty of help. If you aren’t ready to mate, don’t come.”

“Zach,” she yelled. “I want him to come. Cooper too. Tell them to get their asses here. You aren’t helping.” She unbuttoned her shirt and tucked her sweet daughter into her side, helping her get latched on.

Zach kneeled at her side and kissed her forehead. He kept talking. “Yep… No, she’s fine… Ten fingers. Ten toes… Cutest baby ever…” Zach chuckled. “Yes, I might be biased.” He stood, keeping his hand on Miriam’s tiny leg and stroking her soft skin absentmindedly. There was a long pause, and then Zach spoke again. “Really? You did? Sneaky… I’m sure you’re right.”