Jude
Raising my hand to knock on the door of a quaint blue cottage on the outskirts of Oliver Creek, I smiled.
Not because of the holidays or the fact that Christmas Eve was only one sleep away.
Not because of the snow falling on me as I knocked with a delivery box in hand.
It was because my season of baking and delivering, once this batch was in the hands of the customer, was over for the year.
“Jude, you’re here. Right on time.”
I handed the very pregnant omega the box, but before it touched his hands, his alpha intercepted the handoff. “I’ve got it.” The male leaned a bit toward me. “He’s supposed to be resting. Strict bed rest.”
Steven, the omega rolling his eyes in front of me, his hands threaded together under his belly, sighed. “I ordered the cookies. I’ve been waiting for them.”
They weren’t late, for the record. I was a few minutes early with the delivery.
The alpha kissed Steven’s temple. “I would’ve brought them for you. Thank you, Jude. They’ll be great for our get-together tonight.”
“Oh!” I said, reaching for the basket I’d hidden to the side. “I brought this. I know the two of you got mated this year, so I thought I would bring something for Christmas.” I held out a first-Christmas ornament with the year on it that I’d ordered from a metal worker in town.
“Thank you. You always go above and beyond. That’s why I’ll never make cookies again.” Steven laughed.
“Merry Christmas, you two. And congratulations in advance.”
I turned to make my way down the stairs but saved my excitement until after the door was closed behind me. Once I heard the click, I let myself squeal a bit in glee. The season was over for me. The only baking I would be doing until after the holidayswas for myself. I’d gone to several parties and was socialized out for the year as well.
I was fine with talking to people, but my meter ran low after the bustle of the holidays.
“Home sweet home,” I murmured as I walked inside. I left my boots outside where they would remain until the new year. My parents claimed these bouts of hibernating were the reason I was still single, but I believed in Fate. She had a way about her and, if I had a fated mate, then they would appear in my life, easy as that.
In the meantime, I was going to stay here in my warm den and enjoy the silence.
At least, that’s what I told myself. The truth was, I got lonely. I loved my own company, but there were times I wished there were someone next to me, holding me. My wolf, as much as I, craved physical affection. The loving touch of another.
Whistling one of my favorite Christmas songs, I pulled out my bowls and, today, would bake for myself. Cinnamon crumb muffins. Cream cheese banana bread. Gingerbread cake. The works.
Once things were in the oven and I had a moment to breathe, I set about putting the last of the trimmings on the tree. While some went for sparkling, glittering, shimmering ornaments and flashy lights, my wolf and I preferred more natural decorations. Pine cones nestled into the nooks and crannies of the greenery. Popcorn and cranberry garland was strung. I’d worked on that every evening for a week. The soft glow of pale, white lights gave everything a warm glow. My parents had given me some wooden owl and bird ornaments that clipped to the edges of the branches.
After lighting a few candles and stoking the fire, everything was set.
The couch I’d purchased years ago could be pulled out to make a bed. I’d saved up for it, hoping to one day share it with a mate and children but, since that never happened, my wolf and I used it as a den on cold days. After pulling out all my warm blankets and pillows, I turned on the TV to listen to the weather.
Snow was coming in. Not just regular snow, either. A once-in-a-decade snowstorm that threatenedmore feet of snow in a few days than we’d seen in the last few winters.
Good thing I was already prepared to hole up during that time.
My house was filled with all the smells of the holiday season. This was my present to myself. A warm home. Good food and rest.
There would be nothing to unwrap. I’d learned to be at peace with it.
Until my mate showed up.
That night, I put on a white chicken chili along with cheddar-jalapeno cornbread and watched a period drama.
Resting was good for the soul. While I loved my job, taking the time off was the best part of it.
Chapter Three
