We invited Quinn to come tomorrow if he had time, and I waited until we were outside before asking, “Omega, how is it your fault that we had to postpone the opening?”
“Umm, because we had to come here for me?”
“We came here for a health check on you and our child. You did not get pregnant alone, and I will not have you taking blame for things that are not only not your fault but a joyous occasion. We have a healthy baby growing in there, and a healer with a great reputation we can call if we have any worries. Now…let’s go out to dinner and celebrate.”
When he changed his reason for the day off, my omega had taken another for the opening, for which I was grateful. The next day at noon, we laid out pastries from the best bakeries in town, tea, coffee, and sparkling water, and opened the front door to find a line down the block. Considering I didn’t have a hundred rooms available, I guessed correctly that most of those who came in were local townsfolk here for snacks and to offer support.
The living room that had held just me and then the two of us, with an occasional visit from our neighbor Chelsea, filled with people laughing and snacking and taking tours of thewhole place. So many kind words, good wishes, and even inn-warming gifts that I didn’t know what to do. But my mate did. He graciously thanked everyone from the mayor and Troy to Quinn and his mate to Chelsea and the distinguished gentleman who came in with her, offered them a beverage and pastry, and bragged ceaselessly about his incredible alpha.
Two “incredible” days in a row.
Chapter Twenty-One
Oswald
Now that I had a part-time worker at the library, thanks to the increased budget, I was able to take Wednesday afternoons off in addition to my two regular days off. It was a blessing now that I was wide as the broad side of a school bus and my visits with the healer were every other week.
Greg never missed an appointment.
I walked out of the library after saying goodbye to Flint. He was one of those free souls who only worked to pay the bills and lived cheaply so that he had more time to do things he loved. I envied his way of life sometimes. He read at least two books a day.
The patrons loved him.
“Good afternoon, love,” Greg greeted me outside the library with a small container in his hands.
“I was hoping you’d meet me here. What is this?” I took the container from him. I had a hint it was a snack, a healthy snack. My alpha was a stickler for balance.
“You already know what it is.”
“I do. Thank you.”
While we walked to the healer’s office, I ate my food. A small almond butter and guava jam sandwich on fresh bread. A few carrot sticks and cheese stick. Every day, the snacks were different but always delicious. Now that Greg had a kitchen, he was unstoppable in the best way possible.
“Are you nervous this time?” He took my hand after I finished the snack. I had been anxious about the healer visits, but over time, I’d learned that they were for my good. No judgment about my once-a-week coffees or the occasional bear claw from the bakery.
Quinn provided me and Greg with support and care. There was a reason people came from counties and states over to see him. But he held blocks of time for Oliver Creek residents. This town’s residents wove together for each other. It was my favorite part of being a part of it.
That, and it was the place where I’d met my one and only mate.
“It’s getting better. I’m nervous something is wrong with me or the baby, but that has nothing to do with the healer and more about my fear. I suppose by the last visit, I’ll be anxiety-free.”
He tightened his hold on me. “Good. By the next baby, you’ll be a pro.”
I stopped in my tracks. “Next baby? Let me get this one birthed before we talk about more, please.”
The wait at the healer’s office wasn’t long, and everyone in the waiting room was from the town. We were escorted back soon, and my temp and blood pressure taken.
The nurse tilted his head to the side and checked something on the computer. “Have you had any swelling, Oswald?”
Before I could answer, he pulled up the bottoms of my pants. He inspected my ankles and pressed his thumb into my shin. An indentation formed and, when he pulled back, it stayed depressed.
Greg and I shared a look.
“How long have you been swelling like this?” the nurse asked.
“A week or so. I put my feet up at night but it’s not always gone by the morning.”
He nodded and typed some things into the computer. “Let’s let Quinn have a look at you. You’ve only got about a month left.”
