and bright green eyes. They were so vivid they looked almost fake. Maybe contacts. “Can I help you? Do you need anything?”
“I just wanted to see the baby.” She sat in the swing beside me smoothly. It didn’t even interrupt my glide.
“Is he yours?” she put a hand on my arm, and when I looked at her, she fluttered her eyelashes at me.
Oh, okay. I understood now. “No, he belongs to my best friend, the clan alpha and his mate.” I wasn’t sure where Anthony and Skye had disappeared to, but I wished they’d show back up. “My mate isn’t here today, though.”
She pulled her hand back slowly. “I see. Well, he’s gorgeous. Tell your friend congratulations.”
“What’s your name?” I asked as she stood.
“Carmen.”
“Carmen, my brother is new in town, and he’s feeling a bit shy.” Nodding my head toward the picnic table where I’d just noticed Porter had sat, alone. I winked at her. “Mind talking to him? Keep him a little company?”
She winked back. “You got it.”
I watched her toss her hair back and roll her hips as she walked toward Porter. I hoped it would keep him busy a good long while. Mom had gone home, not one for big parties, but it had been a chore keeping Porter out of her line of sight. He looked too much like my father to let her see him like that.
I still hadn’t figured out how to tell her. If I’d said something right away, it would’ve been easier than this, but now I’d waited so long I didn’t know how to even broach the subject.
Another woman walked up the porch steps. She smiled prettily. “Hello.”
Apparently, holding babies was a chick magnet. She wasn’t the last lady to approach me while I rocked Sean. I proudly told them all I was taken and kept redirecting them toward my brother, which suited both of us fine. His demeanor changed in a hurry, from lonely and kind of sad to laughing and boisterous.
After Anthony came back outside and took Sean in for his nap, I waved Porter over. When my alpha and friend returned, I clapped him on the shoulder. “Come meet my brother?”
“Of course.” He followed me to the picnic table Porter sat at, surrounded by women.
“Brother, a moment of your time?”
Porter looked around at the ladies and grinned big. “Back in a moment.”
He walked away with us, through the woods toward the cliff and water. “I gotta say, your parties are pretty cool.”
Anthony snorted. “You must be the brother.”
“Porter.” He held out his hand. “And you’re the alpha.”
“Anthony. Nice to meet you.” They shook and did all that back-clapping shit while I watched. I had to admit, it was a nice feeling, my brother meeting my best friend.
By the time I left Saturday night, it was with high emotions. My clan was the best it had ever been, and I was about to surprise my girls with a day that was sure to get me some gigantic brownie points.
I couldn’t wait.
17
Bri
“Wakey-wakey,” I crooned. “Eggs and bakery.”
Hayden giggled. “What’s going on?” she asked groggily.
“Jace has a surprise for us today,” I whispered. “I let you sleep as late as I could.”
This kid. She was going to be a nightmare as a teenager. At seven, she would’ve slept until noon if I’d let her. “We have about an hour before Jace will be here.”
Her eyes flew open. “What is the surprise?”
I laughed and pulled her hot pink blanket back. “No idea. But come eat.”
Breakfast was a little healthier now that we were home. I still let her have pancakes, but only two small ones, and instead of syrup, she got whipped cream and a bunch of fruit. She’d never complained, so I didn’t fuss about the higher-sugar option she often ate at my mother’s table. Grandparents were for spoiling their grandkids, after all.
I’d gotten up early to give myself plenty of time to get ready. After Hayden ate, I texted Jace. What should we wear?
He responded quickly. Comfortable. We’ll be inside and outside, but it’s supposed to be warm and sunny.
Okay. I laid out an outfit for Hayden while she brushed her teeth, then went and changed my clothes to something a little more casual.
In a small backpack, I put a small first aid kit, a couple of packs of peanut butter crackers, and some sunscreen. By the time I finished, my doorbell rang.
“I got it!” Hayden screeched.
“Ask who it is,” I called.
“Duh!” As she thundered down the stairs, I laughed