As the liquid washed across the windows, the pink test line appeared. The liquid moved into the second window and Sylvia fully expected it to remain empty. She stared in disbelief as the faint pink line appeared and quickly darkened as the liquid finished its path.
“No way,” Sylvia said, sinking to her knees to inspect the lines. “This can’t be happening.”
She held the test in her hands and leaned against the side of the tub, her bottom padded by the fluffy bathmat.
“Leland is going to hate me for taking his ranch. He’ll never want to be the father of my baby.”
A tear slipped down her cheek. She took a deep shuddering breath. She couldn’t think so negatively. Leland loved her, didn’t he? He’d shown her nothing but devotion. How could she question his love at a time like this? But it wasn’t his love that she questioned. Not really. She questioned her ability to look him in the eye every day for the rest of his life after doing what she was about to do to him.
She knew the Kincaids could not afford the bill she was bringing them. She’d seen the ranch. She’d assessed their assets. She knew they didn’t have enough.
The tears came on full throttle after that. Sylvia sat on the bathroom floor with the pregnancy test clutched in her hands and her knees tucked against her chest. What was she to do?
The only thing a strong woman like her could do. Get up, get dressed, go to Fate Mountain and tell her man the truth. She let out a deep breath and stood to turn on the shower. After a minute, she peeled out of her PJs and climbed into the warm spray. The shower felt great and by the time she got out, she was feeling a lot more confident. Even if her stomach was giving her rolling nausea.
Was morning sickness supposed to come on so soon? She managed to get dried and dressed without throwing up, and ate some buttered toast and green tea before packing up her things to go back to Fate Mountain.
She had all the documents Leland had to sign tucked in her briefcase. As she packed her things, she considered how she was going to break it to him. She had no idea what to say. But she decided finally that being straightforward was the best way to go about it. On the way out to the car, a text message came in on her phone from Leland.
“Just got back to the house. Will call soon.”
Sylvia threw her things in the car and climbed in the driver’s seat. She didn’t want to talk to him until she got there. There was too much to say and she needed to say it all in person. She texted him back.
“On my way to Fate Mountain now. I’ll call when I’m close.”
“Great!” His text came back.
She let out a sigh and started the car. On her way up the mountain, all she could think was that she had Leland’s baby inside her.
Her heart flipped in her chest as she stopped at a stoplight on her way into Fate Mountain Village. She continued up the highway and turned off onto the road leading to Timber Bear Ranch, dreading that she would have to give Leland the best and worst news of his life on the same day.
Chapter 16
The days away from Sylvia had been torture for Leland. He was overjoyed to hear she would arrive at any moment. He had an impending sense of dread, deep in the pit of his stomach about what news she might bring back with her. But that paled in comparison to his deep sense of anticipation to be with her again.
Ever since they had been brought together, Leland knew that his life would never again be the same. Sylvia's presence filled the hole in his heart that had been widening since the day his mother died. As a young man, he had tried to fill the hole with work and casual dates with women. But nothing had seemed to help.
Leland was a man who knew what he wanted and knew how to get it. He passed the time by tidying up the parlor and the kitchen and preparing some refreshments for her arrival. Leland didn't consider himself a domesticated man, but he was quite comfortable in the kitchen. Thinking about his culinary skills and what he had to offer his future wife, Leland fantasized about what it might be like to have her here with him on the ranch all the time. It was hard not to get his hopes up about a happy ending.
His phone pinged and he checked the screen and found a message from Sylvia.
“Just turning onto your road.”
His heart jumped and a smile curved on his lips. She was the first thing he'd thought about when he came off the mountain and shifted into his human form. Not the ranch or the cattle or his brothers or anything else. Just Sylvia. He stepped out onto the porch just in time to see her drive up the driveway and park in front of the farmhouse.
She climbed out of her car, looking happy and anxious at the same time. He took the steps quickly and crossed the distance between them to gather her in his arms.
"I'm so glad you're back," he said into the top of her head, smelling the soft floral fragrance of her shampoo as he caressed her long, luxurious black hair.
"I missed you so much,” she whispered.
She looked up at him with those big brown eyes that melted his heart, and he wanted nothing more than to take her inside and lay her across his bed; to make love to her, and claim her once and for all.
He needed her more than he could imagine, and every moment without claiming her was like torture. His grizzly growled and gnashed inside his mind. Leland had to shake it away so he could be the man she needed him to be right now. Sylvia had news to give, that much was obvious.
He could smell the anxiety rolling off of her, and it did him in. The last thing he wanted was for his sweet Sylvia to feel anything but bliss.
"Come inside," he said, taking her hand in his and guiding her into the house.
They sat in the parlor in front of a low fire that kept out the chill of early spring.
"Tell me what happened while you were away," he said gently.
"Well, I have bad news and good news. But I think I have to give you the bad news first," she said softly, barely meeting his gaze.
He reached out and took her hand, trying to reassure her.
"Bad news first it is," he said.
"Okay, so," she said, opening her briefcase on her lap. "The case was given to a team of auditors and the conclusion was that you owe over one-point-one million dollars in various back taxes. Because you are all shareholders of the corporation, you are liable for the debt. My boss is tempted to take you to court and will if you are unable to meet the repayment conditions.
“To avoid court and the possibility of jail time for you and your brothers, the auditors will accept a lump sum payment of five hundred thousand dollars. The rest can be paid in a negotiable payment plan. You have until the end of the quarter to make the payment, or there will be criminal charges. There will be no other conditions," she said, her voice falling on the last phrase.
Leland's sat still, considering what she told him. He knew something like this would be coming. He had no idea how he would come up with that much cash in such a short time. But he was not surprised by the outcome.
"I'm so sorry, Leland," she said, her voice cracking.
"Sylvia," he said, squeezing her hand. "This has nothing to do with you. You have nothing to be sorry for."
"I know you don't have the money to pay it. You'll have to sell off the land and the livestock and maybe even your brothers’ equipment. I can't live with knowing that I did that to this family," she said, her voice shaking.
"Whatever happens happens. But I want you to know, my dear sweet mate, that you matter more to me than any of that. Please don't doubt that for one second."
"Leland, how can I live with taking your life from you? I know you won't ever be able to forgive me."
"There's nothing to forgive."
"I won't be able to forgive myself. I brought this to your door, and I don't know if I can look into your face every day, knowing what I took from you."
"Nothing matters more to me than you. Now tell me your good news."
"I'm not sure I'm ready to tell you," she said.
"Okay,” he said, letting out a long sigh.
"What did
you find out from your brother?" she asked hopefully.
"Only that our dad had a gambling problem that got much worse during the war. He suggested that our father might have taken out a loan from a loan shark.”
"That makes sense," Sylvia said.
"I knew the man was hurting. We all hurt after mom died. But I swear to God that man just made it worse and worse. With everything he tried to do to help it."
"That must have been hard for you," Sylvia said, looking up at him sympathetically.
“It was, but that's life. I have to see the man for who he really was, the bad and the good alike. I loved him and I hated him. But I can no longer blame him for anything. Everything that happens in this life is my responsibility."
"You are a good man, Leland," Sylvia said, letting her briefcase slip to the floor with the papers inside it.
Leland wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deeply, pulling her soft curvaceous body against his. She'd worn a pink dress with nude stockings and pink ballet flats. It was softer and more feminine than the suits she'd been wearing before.
She smelled different too. Somehow, even more delicious than she had before. He took a long draw of the scent in the crook of her neck, intoxicating his senses. His arousal jumped to the forefront, and his grizzly roared that he claim her.
He pulled her to his chest and let out a soft growl as he looked up at the ceiling, cradling her curves against him. She nestled her cheek over his heart and let out a soft sigh.
"I love you so much. You know that?" Leland said, feeling his heart and his cock throb for her.
"I love you too, Leland," Sylvia said.
He cupped her face in his hands. Realizing it was the first time she'd said it to him. He'd felt it from the start, but couldn't push her.
"I think I'm ready to tell you the good news,” she said.
"What is it, babe?”
"I'm pregnant," she said in a soft voice, her eyes darting downward on the second word.
"Pregnant?" he repeated, gathering her to him and cradling her in his arms.
His sweet Sylvia was carrying his cub. He couldn't remember a time in his life when he had felt this much joy. He let out a deep growl and slid his hand under her knees, lifting her off her feet. He carried her to the stairs and took them two at a time up to his bedroom.
He laid her across his brass bed. She looked so innocent and beautiful in the morning sunlight coming through the window. He kissed her soft face so gently, belying the aching need in his core. He'd taken her quickly the first time. He wanted this time to last in his memory forever.
He caressed her body, kissing her softly on the lips as he sank between her thighs. He was hard as a stone, throbbing with pent up need. He'd waited so long to be with her again.
This time she was carrying his child.
He growled as he softly thrust against her core. Sylvia ran her nails down his back and arched her neck, gasping and exposing her delicate throat. He buried his nose in the curve of her neck, drinking in her scent as his teeth grazed her skin. He needed to claim her.
His grizzly was barely contained as he pushed her skirt up around her waist. He unbuttoned her top and slid his hand inside her bra, exposing her breasts. She groaned and he took a taste of her sweet nipple, sucking hard and biting gently. Sylvia's body shuddered as he pressed his cock against her wet panties.
He unbuttoned his pants, pushing them down to reveal his long, aching need. He pressed it against her opening through the seam in her panties. She was so wet and open. Her nipples, pointing up to his hungry tongue. He couldn't wait to kick off his boots. He thrust inside her, and she took him with a gasp, arching her back, exposing her lovely neck to him again.
He groaned and pulled back, savoring her velvety softness before he gave a hard, short thrust inside her again. Sylvia's nipples pricked. He grazed his teeth over her breast.
Holding her round hips in his hands, he planted a hard kiss on her lips. Sylvia was so soft and open, yielding to his hardest embrace. He had to slow down and give her what she needed. The feral part of him roared to sink his teeth into her skin and take her. He thrust again, his teeth brushing against the skin of her neck. Sylvia groaned as her body contracted around him.
His teeth broke the skin of her neck and buried deep inside her. The heat of his bite, and the heat of his cock united in one exquisite thrust. His cum erupted volcanically, thrusting even deeper inside her core. His teeth bit down in the mating bite, giving her the final bond of their lives. Forever on, they would be united as mates. Their spirits a single whole.
He could feel her heartbeat and the quiet whispers of her mind coming in contact with his. For the first time, and now forever, the mate bond spread out before them.
Chapter 17
Sylvia followed Leland into the bathroom, giddy with excitement and the awakening connection that was imbued with mountains of unbridled desire. Leland didn't let go of her hand as he turned on the shower and tested the water.
He turned to her and slowly helped her undress, taking in the curves of her body as he removed each garment. She stepped out of her shoes and helped him out of his jeans.
The wide shower smelled of his aftershave. He kissed her as she stood under the spray of the water. She could still feel him inside her and the hard need of his animal. She'd seen the light of the grizzly in his eyes while he'd taken her, raw and primal.
Her body shuddered just thinking about it. These last two weeks she'd been waiting for him every day to show her the same intensity he had on the first night, but he'd been holding back. She couldn't stand it. She'd wanted him, just as much as he wanted her, but their fears had kept them apart.
Now, nothing would stand between them. She could feel Leland's devotion to her flower inside her and bloom like a rose. He reached down and sprayed body wash into his hand. The fragrance filled the shower as he rubbed it over her body and between her legs. The water sprayed down her hair and her back, running between the curves of her ass as Leland washed her. He growled into her ear as he rinsed her clean and started to stroke her need. Her nipples were painfully erect. Even under the stream of warm steamy water.
"You need more attention. Don't you?" he growled into her ear.
He pressed his finger against her clit and she groaned, arching her neck. Leland sank to his knees, drawing his hard teeth over her body intermittently with his soft seductive kisses. He rested on the shower floor, still so big and imposing as she looked down at his dark head. He spread her open and ran his tongue up her slit. His eyes going back in his head as he tasted her.
She could barely stand to look. She had to brace herself on the shower walls to keep her knees from buckling. Leland twisted and twirled his tongue over her clit and the entrance to her pussy. She was gushing for him as his fingers entered her and his tongue vibrated on her clit. Sylvia groaned, her nipples painfully erect as she braced herself under the warm spray.
His fingers moved over her g-spot as he nibbled on her clit, making her explode in a gush of heat that was doubled by their new psychic bond. Each nuance and movement; each instance of pleasure seemed compounded as their connection radiated between them. They could feel each other's lust, and he could feel her release as she came throbbing on his hand.
He stood and turned her around, the water spraying over her back as her elbows braced against the shower wall. Leland ran his hands over her curves. His cock throbbing and slapping down on her ass. Her knees shook as he pushed against her. The place where she longed for him to be. He spread her again, this time, achingly slow.
His hands caressed her as the water fell on her back, down over her thighs and between her legs, washing down her clit as Leland pulled back and thrust again. Her nipples ignited and her body released. She called out his name, and he kissed the back of her neck.
"My sweet darling," he growled, nibbling in the tender flesh behind her ear and licking the delicate skin of her earlobe.
She contracted again, her mind throbbing in ti
me with her body. She could barely comprehend what he was doing to her or how much pleasure she could feel. She was slammed against everything that was him, and it erupted inside her, making her giddy, making her languid and open and so much more than she had been.
His hands caressed her skin, cupping her breasts, moving over her hips and thighs, encouraging her to build her pleasure again as he moved into her so rhythmically.
"Oh, my dear girl," Leland breathed into her neck.
She could feel him throbbing inside her as he pulled her back against his chest and held her body tight to him. He pounded into her soft core relentlessly with his need for her. She was set alight as they came together in a burst of fire and light, as the water hit her chest. The scent of perfume surrounded them. They stood breathless in the moment, entwined in each other’s arms.
Sylvia wiggled and pulled away, collapsing against the shower wall, breathless. She looked up at him and smiled. He smiled back, and cupped her cheek.
Sylvia giggled and grabbed the soap, since she knew her face must be covered in smeared mascara, and went about taking a proper shower, and Leland joined in.
Once they had washed and dried themselves, Leland got dressed and went down to the car to get Sylvia's bag so she could change into some fresh clothes. She put on a comfortable pair of jeans, boots and flannel shirt. She joined him in the parlor. He had a cup of tea in his hand and another waiting for her. He handed it to her when she joined him on the couch. She took a sip, taking in the flavor and aroma of chamomile, honey and cream. She let out a satisfied sigh and smiled up at her mate.
"It's beautiful out here," she said, looking out the window at the northern pasture where the cattle grazed. "I could spend the rest of my life looking at that view."
"And I hope that you will," he said, reaching into his breast pocket. He sank to one knee and took her hand in his. He gazed up into her eyes.
"Sylvia Becker, will you be my wife?" he asked, opening the box.