Flame and Ink: An Anthology (Happy Ever After #1)(12)

Pat curled her legs under her and leaned into him. “Yes, I know. We can’t use magic the way they do or we’d be no better than them. We’ve defended ourselves to the best of our abilities, Edward. Caym can’t even come to the Redwoods anymore. That’s huge.”

He kissed the top of her head, even as the worry didn’t go away. “Physically, we’re stronger than the wolves, even with the demon taint running in their blood. But we’re not stronger than Caym. Not yet.”

“We will be. We have to be.”

“Thank you for the confidence, my mate.”

“I know you, baby, you can do it all.”

“Dad?” Jasper asked as he walked up to the house. “What’s wrong?”

Edward didn’t move but made sure he only showed his normal emotion—confidence. His son couldn’t see every point, even though Jasper was the Beta of the Pack and knew more than most.

“Jasper, son, we’re just talking. What can I do for you?”

Jasper gave him a hard look. No, he couldn’t lie to his son anymore, but thankfully, Jasper left it be. “I was out for a run and stopped by to ask you over for dinner.”

Edward’s mouth watered at the thought of his daughter-in-law, Willow’s food. His Pat could cook like a goddess, but Willow was even better.

Pat gave a playful growl. Damn, his sexy wolf. “You’re lucky I love you,” she whispered. Never could hide anything from her. “Yes, Jasper, we’ll walk with you.”

Jasper nodded but stood below the porch, knowing his parents would need a moment alone. His children knew their parents well.

As Pat and he walked back into the house to get their shoes, Pat grabbed his butt.

Edward barked out a laugh and spun his bride around the house. “You’re asking for it, woman.”

“Oh, really? I guess we’ll just have to see when we get home.” She raised a brow then sauntered back to put on her sweater.

Edward growled. “You’re really asking for it.”

“I love you, my Alpha.” His mate kissed him softly and he sank into her.

“I love you, my mate, my life.”

“Let’s go eat. When we get back, you can prove how Alpha you are.” She giggled like a much younger wolf, and Edward laughed as he chased her out the door to their waiting son.

No matter what happened within the Redwood Pack, he’d have his mate and his family. The Alpha in him needed to remember that.

They would persevere. They were Redwoods.





Bewitching


A Holiday, Montana Short Story



Author Note: This is a Holiday, Montana story about Matt and Jordan from Charmed Spirits (Holiday, Montana Book 1). This takes place after Her Lucky Love (Holiday, Montana Book 3)



“I’m a witch. I’m a lover...”

Matt Cooper lowered his head as he tried not to laugh as his wife, Jordan, danced around her office, singing off key while dusting.

“…I do not feel ashamed!”

She turned on her last word and screamed.

“Holy shit, Matt! How long have you been standing there?” Her green eyes were wide, her long brown hair in a ponytail.

“Since you started with hating the world today.”

She blushed that pretty blush he knew went all over her body. The blush he loved to follow with his tongue.

“Oh no, you don’t, Matt Cooper. Don’t look at me with those bedroom eyes and get all broody and sexy when you’re in trouble.”

He strolled toward her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’m in trouble, am I?”

“You just stood there while I made an ass out of myself.”

He leaned down and kissed her softly, loving her taste. “It’s such a cute ass,” he said as he pulled back.

“You’re not getting any right now. Cameron is coming over to hang out.”

Cameron was Brayden and Allison’s middle son. Well, technically he was Allison’s son. Brayden was his new stepdad, but that distinction didn’t really matter with the Coopers.

“Why aren’t Aiden and Lacy coming too?”

“Aiden is with Tyler and Abby; since Aiden is in love with Tyler being a Sheriff. And Lacy is with Jackson.”

Matt snorted. “Jackson?”

Jordan grinned and kissed his chin. “Oh, yes, that little girl has all you Cooper men wrapped around your finger and you know it. He’s taking her out for tea.”

“Tea?”

“Yes, tea. He’s at the Inn with Connie, having a tea party. She promised to take pictures.”

Matt threw his head back and laughed. “Oh my God. Please, can we take Cameron and go see this?”

Jordan shook her head and led him downstairs. “Nope. This is all for Lacy, to show her that the Coopers are her family. If you go in and mess with Jackson, it might make her feel bad about it. You know Jackson is a softie under all that gruff and brood.”

“I just really want to see him in a feather boa and tiara.” The image would make anything better for years.

“I never said he’d dress up. Well, he might if Lacy asked, but I think she knows she’s pushing her luck. Now, Cameron is coming over because he wants to play catch with you, and he’s going to watch me make some soap with a recipe I found in my spellbook.”