She tiptoed to the blanket nest, carefully adjusting his position so he wouldn’t wake with a crick in his neck. Then she reached for the quilt draped over the back of the sofa and gently covered him, tucking it around his broad shoulders.
On impulse, she smoothed his hair back from his forehead, the strands soft beneath her fingertips. And before she could talk herself out of it, she bent and pressed a soft kiss to his temple.
“Goodnight, Daniel,” she whispered, the words barely audible even to her own ears.
As she straightened, watching the peaceful rise and fall of his chest in the warm glow of the dying fire, she had a moment of startling clarity. Whatever Daniel had been about to tell her, whatever he wanted to show her—she was ready to hear it. Ready to see it.
More than that, she was ready to fight for this—for him, for the children, for this accidental family that already felt more like home than anywhere she’d ever been.
Ifthat was what he wanted.
Ifshewas what he wanted.
Chapter Nineteen – Daniel
Daniel woke with a jolt, his neck stiff from the awkward angle. Something was wrong. No, not wrong…no, forgotten. He’d forgotten something important.
His bear stirred immediately.Yes. You forgot to tell Holly she is our mate.
Damn it,Daniel muttered, sitting upright and running a hand through his hair. The blanket nest around him was warm, but empty.I didn’t forget. I fell asleep.
You did,his bear confirmed unhelpfully.
Daniel cursed under his breath, the memories flooding back. He’d been about to tell her everything—about shifters, about mates, about how she belonged here with him and the kids. Then Teddy had called for her…
The rest was a blank.
Because you fell asleep,his bear grumbled.
How could I?Daniel groaned, rubbing his eyes.How could I have fallen asleep right when I was about to tell Holly we’re mates?
I don’t know,his bear replied,but you did.
A sound from the kitchen caught his attention, the gentle clink of a pan, the soft hiss of something cooking. Holly was awake. His heart lifted at the thought of seeing her, then stuttered when he registered the time on the clock. Nearly seven. The kids would be up soon. And he had to get to the bakery…
Daniel scrambled out of the covers, his legs tangled momentarily in the quilt she must have draped over him. Thegesture made him smile. She’d taken care of him, just as she’d taken care of the kids.
His tension eased. She would understand. She would not take offense at him falling asleep on her. He’d get another chance to tell her the truth today.
He padded into the kitchen, suddenly aware of his rumpled appearance. Holly stood at the stove, her back to him, flipping a pancake with practiced ease. She was already dressed in jeans and one of his sweatshirts. The sight made his bear rumble with possessive pleasure.
“Morning,” he said, his voice still rough with sleep.
Holly turned, spatula in hand, and offered him a tired smile. There were shadows under her eyes that hadn’t been there yesterday, and her movements lacked their usual energy.
“You’re up,” she said. “I was going to bring you breakfast on the sofa, but you beat me to it.”
“You didn’t have to do that.” Daniel moved closer, drawn to her by that invisible connection they shared. “Did you sleep okay?”
Holly shrugged, turning back to the pancake. “Not really. Too many thoughts.” The words were soft, almost lost beneath the sizzle of the pan.
Daniel heard the unspoken question hanging in the air between them:What were you going to tell me last night?
He moved to the coffee pot, pouring two mugs of the rich, dark brew. His hands were steady, though his heart raced. This was his chance to make things right, to say what he’d fallen asleep before saying last night.
He placed one mug on the counter beside her and took a seat at the counter. Holly flipped the last pancake onto a waiting plate and joined him, sliding onto the stool next to his. Theirknees brushed beneath the counter, and Daniel fought the urge to lean into the contact even though it took all his self-control.
Tell her,his bear insisted, more forcefully than before.Now.
