“She was a kid!Even now, there’s an age gap between us.”
“I haven’t seen her before.How is that?”
“She spent a few months in Middlemarch before she went to a boarding school in Auckland.She recently returned and purchased Beatrice Ramsay’s property.”
“Ah.”
“She told me she wants me,” Henry blurted.
“And knowing you, you tried to fight that.Can’t fight nature, son.I tell you this from experience.”He sobered.“Few shifters are lucky enough to have two mates.She seems like a nice girl.Treat this as a gift.You feel something for her.Otherwise, she wouldn’t have taken on your scent.”
“But she’s still young.She should be traveling and exploring life.Living it instead of settling with me,” Henry said, the words painful even if they held the element of truth.She’d barely left university and had her entire life before her.
“Have you asked what she wants?”
“She says she wants me.”Even now, this bewildered him.Her certainty that they belonged together.
Henry was afraid.There!He’d admitted it.With someone intent on causing trouble for Maia, this situation tossed him back into the past—Jenny’s murder and the horrid aftermath of jail and depression.
“I worry about history repeating itself if the person harassing Maia has something worse in mind.I’m not strong enough to face that again.”
“Aw, son.”Jacey embraced him, sharing his strength and force of character.“When your mother died, I thought my life over, but my responsibility for you pulled me through the dark times.Then I met Megan, and my life took another turn.Now, I have a larger family: two sons who make me incredibly proud.I have a mate who challenges and loves me despite my faults, and through your friendship with Gerard, I have a third son and a daughter.I feel exceptionally rich to have you all in my life.Your mother wouldn’t have wanted me to live my life alone.She told me so before she died, even though it wasn’t something I wanted to hear.London would tell you her sister wouldn’t want you to live in misery.You need to embrace this miracle.”
“And if something happens to Maia?”Henry asked in a hoarse voice.“How do I keep going?”
“First, we know someone is after her.Are Laura and Charlie aware of the problems?”
“They are.”
Jacey nodded approval.“You were right to bring Maia here.It will allow her to settle and give you time together.You’ll see if she fits.I like her, Henry.You can be a grumpy sod while she is a ray of sunshine.She’ll pry you out of your rut.”
“Thanks, I think.”
Jacey clapped him over the back.“I’ll help you feed the dogs, and we’ll go inside and relax with our family.Movie night tonight.”
His dad was right.When he and Jacey reentered the house, the three women were chatting while preparing dinner.Levi was holding the puppy, stroking her while doing his reading homework with Gerard.
Henry’s gaze went straight to Maia.She appeared relaxed and happy, laughing as much as London and Megan.
“Dad, we’re having pizza tonight, and then we’re watching a movie!”Levi shouted.
The puppy yelped, and Levi immediately soothed her, calming her before Henry could chide his younger brother for shouting.
“Hey, what did I say about using your inside voice?”Megan said.
“Sorry.”Levi went back to his reading aloud.
The evening gave Henry a glimpse of an enticing yet scary future.He had to remember Maia was safe with his family, and second, they knew someone was messing with her.They wouldn’t let down their guard.
During the movie, Henry wrapped his arm around her shoulders, drawing her against him.She settled without complaint, and Henry spent the entire time savoring her warm weight against him.Maia yawned as the closing credits ran, and Henry stood.
“Good night,” he said.“Maia needs her sleep.”
“I can stay up longer,” she protested.
“No, Henry is right,” Megan said.“You need to get on top of your headaches, and sleep will help.”
“Good night,” Maia murmured, her protests ceasing.
