Ready or Knot (Knotted Paths #1) - Susi Hawke Page 0,43

of having a baby is scary.”

“Yeah. I just... I can’t believe I’ll actually get to keep it. That seems too impossible to be real.”

I would murder... maul... destroy anyone who tried to take our baby from us. “But do you want the baby?”

“Of course!”

Something seemed to unlock in Wyatt, and his body heaved with sobs.

I picked him up and carried him to the couch so we could be closer.

“Don’t cry, fluffy. This is a good thing. We’ve found each other, and now we’re going to be dads. You’re going to be the best dad.”

“I’m just... I’m so relieved you’re not mad at me.”

I stroked his head. “Any alpha who would be mad at you for something he contributed to is an asshole, at best. But I’m not mad. I’m... so happy I can’t even put it into words. I can only think of one person who will be happier.”

“What? Who?” He looked up, his eyes swollen, his face wet, and he’d never looked more beautiful. He was carrying my child. Our child.

I forced a smile. I wanted to tear apart the men who’d terrified him. The men who’d abused him. The men who’d sold him. “My mother. You thought she was excited when I brought you home the first time? You’re going to see her absolutely lose her mind when we tell her.”

I’d hoped to inject some levity into the conversation, but Wyatt’s lower lip trembled.

“Can we... is it okay if we wait for a little while?”

I wiped the tears from his cheeks. “Are you worried about losing the baby?”

He nodded.

“Of course. We have plenty of time. I have to change my work schedule. We’ll need a new apartment...” The list of things I needed to do in the next three months grew exponentially by the second.

Wyatt poked my chest. “Now who’s worrying?”

I came back to him. “You’re right. Daydreaming only today. What our baby will look like. Names. All that kind of thing.”

“And maybe food? I couldn’t think of food without wanting to throw up earlier, but now I’m starving.”

He did look better. More color in his face. Less slumped, more here.

“And don’t forget, you’re eating for two.”

A slow, enchanting smile broke through Wyatt’s concern and anxiety. “I’m going to be a dad.”

“You bet you are. The best dad in the world.”

“Maybe... maybe we should make a list of all the things we need to do before then.”

I laughed. “I thought we said daydreaming only.”

“Maybe a little daydreaming... Maybe a little planning?”

“Sounds perfect to me.”

19

Wyatt

“Is it really necessary to cover my eyes? I already know what the house looks like. Are you getting baby brain now that you don’t remember touring it together?”

The last three weeks had been a whirl. Jordan had officially changed to a day schedule for work, and a week ago, we’d finally found the perfect house to rent. It was in a suburb, with a small, fenced-in yard, perfect for a pup or cub to tumble around in, and it was about five minutes closer to The Haven Center.

Jordan kept his hands firmly pressed over my eyes. “You know what it looked like empty. This is different.”

I hadn’t been allowed to help with the unpacking. Which was ridiculous, because there was no reason I couldn’t take silverware out of a box and put it away, but Jordan insisted on me taking it extra easy.

“You’re being silly.”

“Yeah, but you like me.”

I laughed. “Okay, fine.” I couldn’t argue with that.

He guided me up the sidewalk with only a couple stumbles. “Watch your toes, we’re coming in the door.”

“It smells good.” It was warm... and soothing...

“Are you ready? Three... Two... One...” Jordan dropped his hands.

I blinked several times. Had Jordan brought me to the wrong house? I mean, I’d seen it from the outside before he’d told me to close my eyes. It was the same street... It had looked like the same house...

“That’s not your couch. And... what? I thought it was just going to look like your apartment, but... different. None of this is yours.”

Jordan wrapped his arms around me from behind and kissed my neck. “You’re right. It’s all ours.”

My eyes darted from item to item. None of it was familiar. “But... where did it come from? We talked about it, and we don’t have the money.”

“I promise I didn’t spend a dime. It’s your fault, really. You have some extremely persistent friends.”

It took me a moment to make the connection. “The Novaks did this?”

“Dante, specifically. Though Shelby helped him pick things out. From the