The Baby Shift- Delaware Read online

  She whipped out her phone and fired off a quick text message to her friend: He’s in my house!!!

  When she returned, he was yanking out a hairball. She gasped mortified.

  “I’ve seen worse,” he said. “I imagine it’s going to get even worse as my daughter grows up and grows out her hair.”

  “You’ll have some time before that,” she said with a grin. “But I’m sure your wife can help you with that.”

  Silence lapsed between them. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she watched his face flinch for a micro-second. “Oh my God,” she said. “Oh God, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed—”

  He lifted a hand and shook his head. “Don’t worry, Charlotte. It’s okay. Most people say the same thing outside of my Clan.” A sad cloud came over his face. Her hearted thumped wildly against her chest. Oh, she was a fool! “My mate actually left me for another man.”

  She gasped. “That bitch!” Another comment flying out of her. She slapped a hand over her mouth. “I didn’t mean to say that.”

  He stared at her, blinking, and then burst into laughter. A rush of relief came over her as he bent down, doubled over at his laughter. He was nearly choking. She wanted to reach out, touch him, offer something for his misstep.

  “Sorry,” he said and shook his head, wiping away a tear from the laughing fit, “I just haven’t heard anyone have that reaction. I can’t say I don’t disagree.” He gestured to grab the bucket from her and placed the gross insides from the washer inside it. “The washer should be fine now!”

  “I’m the one who should be apologizing.” She scratched the back of her neck. “I mean, I just assumed since you had a newborn baby that there was a wife in the picture.”

  “No worries,” he said, his voice still tinged with amusement. Dark humor works wonders, Gramps always used to say. “Like I said, it’s natural to assume.” He shrugged his shoulders. “What can I do? I’m the only single Shifter dad that my Clan has ever known. It’s kind of embarrassing.”

  “She should be the one who is embarrassed,” she piped up quickly. “I mean, the absolute nerve! Oh, it makes me furious when people do things like that.”

  He smiled and jerked his thumb behind him. “I’m going to dispose of this monstrosity.”

  “Let me make you a drink at least!” she said and went into the kitchen before he could protest. While he did away with the vile hairball, she went into the kitchen and thanked the stars that Gramps was an avid lover of lemonade. He hid packets all over the place. She quickly prepared a pitcher and grabbed two glasses filled with ice.

  “Thank you for your help,” she said and pushed a glass towards him on the countertop. He went to the sink and washed his hands.

  “Thank you,” he said and lifted the glass. “To new neighbors.”

  She smiled. Her heart couldn’t stop thundering in her chest. “To new neighbors.” They clinked their glasses together, and she swore a tiny volt of electricity passed between them both. She took a big gulp of lemonade so that she could tear away her eyes from his incredibly hairy and powerful chest, accentuated by his V-neck shirt. Somehow, his sweat and grit were oddly enticing. Not at all like the nerdy guys that she usually dated back in the city.

  Her phone buzzed in her back pocket. No doubt Ellen begging for updates. She couldn’t wait to tell her that the handsome Shifter was actually single—although tragically so— and that they’d had an actual conversation.

  When he left, she hung halfway out the door and called, “If you come again, bring your daughter!”

  He smiled and waved. Then he was off down the road. She never thought that seeing the back of an old beaten up truck would make her this sad.

  Luke

  Charlotte. Charlotte was a good name, Luke thought. It wasn’t usual around Shifter parts. It sounded like the name of a Southern belle in an old film.

  Baby Natalie gurgled playfully as she stared up at Luke. He’d been lost in thought, but the baby was happy to remind him that she was there. He was lucky. Natalie was a good baby. Most Shifter babies were, especially when they had multiple days with the midwives. Midwives were notoriously good at taming children. Of course, they had to be since these kids could potentially shift into bear cubs at a moment’s notice. It wasn’t common until a certain age...but with Luke’s genes? He’d shifted six times before the age of twelve, a record for his Clan. The older women never let him hear the end of it!

  But Natalie was calm, they said. He was thankful for that since Sam had been a spitfire too. Well, a bit too impulsive, given she left him for a Wolf shifter of all people. He snuggled his face against Natalie, who cooed in delight.

  “Charlotte invited us over,” he told the baby, who blinked in response. “Do you want to go?”

  He rocked her in the chair and wondered how it might look to the Chief. Did he know about Charlotte? The whole Clan must’ve smelled a new female human scent nearby, one that hadn’t left. Yet, nobody had mentioned her at their weekly Clan dinner on Friday night.

  Natalie fell asleep in his arms, and he gently placed her in her crib just outside his room. He slept with the bedroom door open, so he could hear her at night. Sometimes, he would purposefully stay up just to listen to his daughter’s soft breathing in the night. Shifter hearing was great for these feats.

  He worried. He worried about Natalie’s life. He worried for this blasted summer that he was now not working. The Clan took care of everyone financially, and there was no lack of provisions within their community. They lived a simple but wonderfully rustic life. But work had been his blissful space away from the bullshit of his personal life.

  He sighed softly into the night and climbed into bed. He’d visit Charlotte tomorrow, arrange an approved outing on one of the days that he had Natalie. Earlier today, he’d called ahead to see if she could do lunch.

  “I’ll make a beef roast,” she said. “I’ve got to go grocery shopping.”

  How nice it had been to hear a woman tell him that she would invite him to a meal. Meals were highly ceremonial occasions for Shifters when it came to making new alliances. He smiled as he drifted to sleep.

  When he drove up, he could smell the lunch from outside. His stomach growled. He parked the car and took Natalie out of her baby seat. The little girl was complaining loudly from hunger. He muttered reassuring words and grabbed the baby bag.

  Charlotte’s face lit up when she opened the door.

  “This is Natalie,” he said.

  “Oh, she’s beautiful.” Charlotte reached out a hand and gently touched Natalie’s arm, who didn’t pull away but stared back with interest.

  “She’s hungry,” he explained with a wink. “I’ve got to get her formula going.”

  “The roast is almost done,” she said and waved him inside. He tried to think of carrying the baby bag, a leather satchel, around as manly. Of course, it was difficult when the midwives had embroidered bear cubs and pawprints all over the bag in traditional styles.

  She cocked her head to the side as she sliced a loaf of bread, watching him feed Natalie. “You look adorable, feeding her. She’s hungry too!” Indeed, his daughter was gulping down the formula, a special Shifter blend concocted by the Shifter midwives.

  He grinned. “Shifters have bigger than average appetites, even the kids.” His stomach growled audibly, and he laughed. “I guess the increased appetite never stops.” After Natalie was done with her bottle, he gently burped her and laid her down in the baby seat that he’d brought inside. The baby was out like a light after her food. Not a surprise.

  Charlotte caught his gaze. She’d been watching him. He pressed down an excited spark in his chest. He could smell her amusement in her scent; he could sense her delight with him and his daughter. One of the midwives told him that it wouldn’t be long until he mated again. She’d told him in no uncertain terms, “Women loved the wounded. And she will find you soon enough.” Of course, that had been Old Anne, who was known for her mysterious and cryptic wisdom. She was the Chief
’s mate, so perhaps that’s what made them so compatible.

  “How is it?” Charlotte asked after he took a few bites. He nodded his head up and down enthusiastically.

  “Delicious.” He was going to have to force himself not to shovel the whole meal down in three bites. Try to be a gentleman, he reminded himself. But it was hard. The roast and mashed potatoes with vegetables on the side were tapping straight into his bear spirit.

  “Natalie looks like a healthy baby,” she said after a bite, admiring the snoozing baby. “She has your eyes. Not just the color, I know it’s gold, but the way her little eyebrows are.”

  He glanced at Natalie and felt a warmth come over him. “I hope she grows up to be happy.”

  “Why wouldn’t she?”

  He turned back to Charlotte. “I worry about what Sam’s absence will do to her when she grows up and finally understands.”

  She nodded with a small frown. “Sam was the name of your ex-mate?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, my biological father was an alcoholic. My mom remarried when I was only four years old after separating from my father when I was born. She was able to find her true love after all that business with my father. I love my stepfather, Mike. Gramps liked him too.”

  He smiled. “I miss your Grandfather. And that’s good to hear. It’s a bit strange. I know separation is common among humans, but it’s unheard of for Shifters. It’s a strange situation.” He shook his head. “What can you do? That’s life.”

  “Perhaps you’ll find your Mike.” She winked. “Well, maybe a Michelle.”

  But, he was thinking, Perhaps a Charlotte would be better. After all, he liked the name.

  Charlotte

  Ellen wanted news from Charlotte that night after work. She was calling from her car in traffic. Charlotte could tell from the sheer amount of times that Ellen groaned beneath her breath.

  “Maybe I should move out to the country,” Ellen said. “Traffic is a nightmare today.”

  “Everyone leaves work at the same time,” Charlotte said with a laugh. “I can’t say that I miss it. I have a surprisingly good internet connection out here...just not cute coffee shops or boutiques to waste time in.”

  “Must be good for productivity. Now, tell me about that Bear hunk who came for lunch. I need the full scoop. You said his wife left him?”

  “His mate, Sam. Apparently, it’s really unheard of for that to happen. I did some research on the internet. Mating for Shifters is supposed to be for life for most species,” Charlotte explained and chewed her lip. “She must’ve been insane. He’s absolutely ripped, and you should see him with his baby. Your ovaries would explode.”

  “They’re already exploding. I want a baby so badly. Jeff and I are trying, but it may take a while since I’ve been on birth control for so long.” Ellen said a foul word as someone evidently cut her off in traffic. “City people are the worst. And the baby?”

  “Natalie. She’s so sweet. Apparently, Luke told me that his Chief is forcing him into a sabbatical, basically. He’s supposed to improve his relationships with humans around the Shifter territory.”

  Ellen snorted with a naughty air. “He could sure improve his relationship with you. I’d love that.”

  “Don’t you think it’s too soon, though?” Charlotte sighed. “I don’t want to pursue him if he’s still thinking of his ex-mate.”

  “Fuck Sally or whatever her name is. She made her choice. I mean, of course, he’s hurting. But, we’re all hurting, Charlotte, in some way or another. I say go for it. Do what you feel is right. You like him, don’t you?”

  “I do,” Charlotte said and then sat stunned at her kitchen table. “I really do like him. He’s funny and smart and strong...all the things I used to dream about when I used to steal my mom’s romance novels from under her bed.”

  “Ah, those were the days. Before we had to deal with sexist comments once a week about women working with computers. You know, that guy Charles from IT casually told me during lunch that he didn’t think women really wanted to be in computer science. Can you believe that?” Ellen groaned. “Stick to that sexy Shifter-man. Sounds like they’ve got a great equality system going on in that place.”

  Charlotte smirked. Ellen was always ready for a rant about equality in the workplace and relationships. “I’ll see if I can visit the Clan. They are my neighbors, after all. I’ll have to call his phone though. He doesn’t text?”

  Ellen gasped. “Bear Hunk doesn’t text? My Lord!”

  “No e-mail either.”

  “Wild! Well, let me know if you do, I don’t want you to get eaten.” Her voice was playful. They said their goodbyes and Charlotte dove back into her work after her lunch break. Working from home was nice, if not a bit lonely. Her thoughts were constantly wandering to Luke and little Natalie, wondering how they were doing. It’d been a week since their lunch. He hadn’t stopped by, but she hadn’t reached out.

  As she pressed save on her computer, her phone rang. The contact read: Luke (Neighbor). She shivered.

  “What a surprise,” she answered. “I was just about to call you today.”

  His handsome voice was as delightful as ever on the phone. “Life is full of funny coincidences. Listen, the Clan is having a dinner on Friday. It’s our weekly get-together, and I was wondering if you wanted to come.”

  “Yes! I was actually going to ask if I could visit soon. I don’t want your Clan to think I’m a rude neighbor.”

  “They don’t think that at all. Most of them have realized there’s a new scent around these parts that’s been staying. Your Gramps sometimes visited us, so it’ll be nice for them to meet his granddaughter.”

  “Can I make something?”

  “Well, we’re 200 people in the summer...You really don’t have to.”

  She gasped. “No, I have to bring something. It wouldn’t be right. I’ll definitely have to double my recipe for brownies...or multiple it by 30.”

  “Chocolate is great,” he said with a laugh. “I’ll pick you up around seven on Friday. We tend to eat late.”

  “Perfect.” She glanced at her calendar after they said their goodbyes. It was Wednesday. She’d have to run to the grocery store today and make sure she got enough to prepare her signature brownies, virtually the only dessert that she felt confident about. She wanted to make sure it was perfect.

  Luke would be trying them, after all.

  She dressed carefully that afternoon. Showered and fresh with a light amount of makeup, she paired a pair of dark jeans with smart looking boots and a sturdy blouse. Since Luke often showed up looking like a model for lumberjacks, she didn’t want to wear a dress.

  “Perfect,” he said when she came out on her doorstep. She was carrying three large metal trays of brownies. Hopefully, enough. He helped her put them in the truck, and they drove the upward stretch towards the Clan territory. As they got closer, her heart began pounding harder and harder in her chest.

  A handsome wooden sign advertising the Clay Creek Clan appeared. A paw print in polished wood. She sucked in a deep breath as he drove up and parked near the rest of the cars.

  “We don’t use our vehicles much,” he explained as they got out. “Nat is with the midwives right now. I’ll give you a mini-tour on our way to the Hall. She nodded numbly and followed behind him as they passed a fortress-like wall. It was like something out of a movie! She could easily see pioneer actors running around this wooden fort.

  Inside, there were quite a few people milling about. Women and men carrying laundry, playfully laughing. A man hauling a barrel of something—no doubt the famous Shifter beer that Luke had told her about—to the big building towards the center of the forted area. Eyes turned to look towards them. Beautiful, golden eyes that sent shivers down her spine. She kept close to Luke, nearly tripping over his legs.

  “Don’t worry,” he told her with a grin. “They all know.”

  Luke

  Luke knew he was nervous because his leg wouldn’t st
op bouncing. As much as he tried, it was still hopping underneath the table, as the Chief began the weekly announcements. They’d introduced Charlotte, and Luke would’ve had to have been blind to miss the sneaky eyebrows shooting up as he brought the pretty human woman to the dinner.

  Someone nudged him as people got up to help serve and whispered, “Nice catch, Luke.”

  He prayed that Charlotte hadn’t heard, but she was busy chatting to one of the midwives who was cradling Natalie. The Chief’s smirk was evident too. It was as if everyone was watching a secret romantic comedy, and he was the accidental star of it.

  He got up to help carry the main dishes to the table. Old Anne stopped him in front of the kitchen.

  “Make no mistake, that human woman is positively pretty,” she said frankly and batted her eyelashes. “The whole Clan is talking about her.

  He snorted. “I can tell.”

  Anne smiled coyly. “You like her.”

  “I enjoy her company.”

  “Oh, really?”

  He wasn’t going to fight them. “Yes, I enjoy her company.” He repeated it. That was neutral, right?

  Someone clapped him on the back. “Man, he’s in love!” A sporadic burst of giggles surrounded him. He groaned.

  Luke shook his head. “Stop, guys.” Which, as everyone knows, makes it even worse. The children teased him. The midwives too. He grabbed a fresh beer and a breath of fresh air outside. To his surprise, Charlotte was leaning against one of the wooden columns and looking out over the main courtyard.

  “Too much action inside?” he asked in a teasing voice. She turned around to see him, and as she did, her hair came back like a curtain. Her scent was heavy here. A delightful presence of jasmine. His mother’s favorite flower. She glanced at the mug of beer in his hand.

  “I could ask you the same thing.” She smiled and looked around with delight. “Just taking a quiet minute to admire.”