“Later, all right?”
But the answer didn’t change, and he was so weak and so miserable, I called Quinn and explained the situation.
“What did you say you put in the ice cream?” he asked, listening while I ran down the list. “That’s amazing. But he hasn’t tried it at all?”
“Quinn, he’s not into anything right now. Just enough fluids to stay hydrated and a few crackers. That’s why I did this. I thought we could help him but also maybe some of the others. I don’t have to tell you how many pregnant omegas there are in this town.”
“No, you don’t. And I think in this warm weather, it should really do the trick. Your omega is in good shape, he just doesn’t realize it. And he’s been so nauseated for so long, it’s hard to break that cycle.” He went silent for a minute then said, “I think I’ll stop by. Is now good?”
“Now is amazing. We’ll be waiting for you.”
Quinn had a huge patient list, and the fact that he was taking time out to visit us at home made me worry even more. What did he think was wrong? I broke out in a sweat at all the things thatcould be making him so sick. What if it was something terrible? Now,mystomach roiled. Fortunately, Quinn didn’t take long to arrive, and he went directly to the kitchen and got a scoop of the ice cream in a small cup along with a spoon. Then he marched into the living room, eating the ice cream.
Eating it? He wasn’t supposed to be doing that. I’d made the ice cream for my omega. But to my chagrin, the healer strolled into the living room and plopped down on the overstuffed chair. “Hi, Oakley, he said. “Auburn invited me over to try this new flavor.”
“He did?” Suspicion colored his tones. “I thought maybe he was asking you to trick me into eating when I am not hungry.”
“No.” He took a tie and licked the spoon. “He developed this with careful research and thought it might help my patients who are having difficulty in their early pregnancy. It’s filled with nutrients and calories and everything they need. But I told him it needed your approval before I give it to anyone else.” He took another bite. “It’s a shame. You never struck me as selfish before.”
He sat up. “Selfish? Because I didn’t want to eat something?”
“No, because you turned down the chance to help pregnant omegas everywhere.”
I watched from the kitchen doorway, sure this would not work. He’d already said he didn’t want to be tricked. But Quinn had hit the right note. He had touched my softhearted omega who, even in his misery would help another person.
I was sent for another serving which not only did Oakley gobble down, but Quinn approved for his patients. After all, it was just wholesome ingredients, but tell that to the omegas who lined up every day after that for my miracle ice cream. They all swore it helped. Maybe just because they got enough hydration and something in their stomach, but I was very glad to see Oakley start to improve, as well as the others.
Chapter Twenty
Oakley
Auburn was acting strange lately. I knew he was not Mason, but I had to admit, some of the lingering betrayal feelings had crept in over the last week. So, when I got a text near the end of my shift asking if he could pick me up so we could talk, I panicked.
Tim had been watching me closely, but even closer was Daisy’s eye. She made sure I ate enough. Made me take four breaks instead of one, especially as my belly grew bigger. That also required a larger size in my work shirt.
Sometimes being pregnant was quite overwhelming, and that was an understatement.
I left the nursery and got into Auburn’s car. On Fridays, Auburn hired a manager and some local teens to run the ice cream shop, but we didn’t stray far from the shop even for a date or a night out.
“Hey, my love,” he said, leaning in for a kiss. He was dressed in his ice-cream attire, a polo with his emblem across his chest.
“Hi. What’s going on?” I asked. No time to waste. I had to put my seat belt on under my stomach. That bothered me. I wished someone would invent something a bit more comfortable for preggers like me.
“I have a big surprise for you. Something I’ve been planning for weeks.”
Instantly, my body relaxed. How silly of me to doubt Auburn. He had nothing to make me think twice about his intentions. Old wounds took a long time to close up.
“I thought something was going on.”
“It was. Something huge. I hope you two are ready.”
He put his hand over my belly and then took mine in his. We drove from the nursery through the town and, when we got close to the house we’d toured a few months ago, my heart stopped.
“Where are we going?” I asked with a shaky voice.
“Right here.” He parked in front of the house and got out. I knew better than to try and get out. Even after we were mated and I was pregnant, Auburn insisted on opening my door for me. I thought the gentleman part of him would fizzle but it hadn’t. “Come on, mate.”
“Why are we here?” Apparently, I was full of questions.
