He wanted his family, his son and his woman. He wanted her more than he could even verbalize. His bear certainly verbalized it, with his insistent growling and roaring. Tate the man still couldn’t put words to it. He couldn’t make it all straight in his mind.
Visions flitted across his mind of what he would do when he got them back to Juneau. He imagined buying Ella the biggest diamond ring in town and slipping it on her beautiful hand. He imagined the smile on her face when he dropped to one knee and asked for her to be his wife. The vision of her saying “yes” made his heart pump faster. They couldn’t get back to the mainland fast enough.
Tate knew that there was still the little matter of the Glacier Wolf Pack and the Shifter Council. If Shaw and Brock hadn’t dealt with it yet, they could be in a lot of trouble coming back so soon. It couldn’t be helped. He wouldn’t keep his woman and his child out on the island in this weather any longer. They needed to be warm and safe. If the Shifter Council couldn’t see reason, he’d call the human state troopers himself.
Letting Ella and Andrew remain in harm’s way was irresponsible, and he no longer cared what the Shifter Council thought of it. All that mattered was their health and safety. He watched the water from behind the steering wheel of the small fishing vessel. The islands and mainland were dusted with white. He could see the sharp blue of the glacier in the distance as they drew closer to Juneau.
“Tate, the boat is taking on water,” Ella said from behind him. He turned quickly to find her holding the baby, her eyes wide with fear.
“Shit,” he grumbled. “Hold the wheel. I’ll go check on it.”
She moved around him and held the wheel with one hand and the baby with the other. He growled as he hurried down the stairs. At the end of the small cabin, where the patch had been, water was slowly seeping through the cracks. Damn. It was his worst fear. There would be no way to patch it now that they were at sea. They’d have to make a mad dash for town.
He ran back up the stairs and took the wheel from Ella. She slid into a seat beside him, and Andrew burbled quietly.
“I’m going to outrun the leak. Hold on. We’re going to make it.” Tate increased the boat’s speed and they charged over the churning waters of the strait. Ella held Andrew more tightly and looked out at the black water. Weather had moved in and the sky hung low and gray as if it was going to snow again. The last storm had been bad, but it would be even worse if they didn’t make it back to land before it began snowing again.
Worst case scenario, he’d have to pile Ella and the baby into the inflatable emergency raft. He handed her a life vest from under the seat and told her to put it on. Tate had no idea how to protect the baby. They didn’t make infant life vests. Not that he knew of. There certainly wasn’t one on the family’s fishing boat.
Juneau was still five miles off, but growing closer all the time. He could feel the engine bogging down as the boat took on water. It was a slow leak, but fast enough that they could be in serious trouble if they didn’t make it back soon. Ella whimpered as she snuggled closer to Andrew. It was cold up on the deck. It was open to the frigid air. Guilt twisted in his heart. He should have done a better job on the patch and not been so eager to get back to the mainland. Now he was paying for his mistake.
Ella didn’t say anything about it. She didn’t try to make him feel guilty or cut him down. She just sat with the baby and tried to stay calm. He appreciated her strength and integrity. He wouldn’t have known what to do if she’d been angry with him.
The bright blue ice of the Mendenhall Glacier pouring into the sea came into clear view, as did the outlines of the ships in Juneau harbor. He breathed a sigh of relief coming in fast to the harbor where he docked his boat. He’d have to have it pulled up on land or the boat would be below water in no time.
When he came up to his dock, he threw a line over the pier and jumped off the boat. The harbor master came out of his office, and helped Tate tie off the boat.
“We’re taking on water,” Tate said as he helped Ella onto the dock. “We need to have the boat brought up for repairs.”
“What were you doing out there with a damaged boat?” the harbor master said, shaking his head at Tate. The last thing Tate needed was this human judging him for his actions. He’d been trying to protect his woman and child, not put them in danger.
“Long story. Put the cost on my family’s tab,” Tate told him, taking the baby from Ella. He helped her down the dock to where his truck was parked. Just as she climbed inside, her phone rang.
Chapter Twelve
Ella had strapped Andrew into the truck and gotten into the front passenger seat when her phone rang. She pressed the answer button and said hello.
“Ella, this is Tory Little.”
“Hi Tory. What’s up?”
“I talked to your folks last night over the CB radio. They’re stuck out on the islands for now, but they wanted me to let you into the house.”
“You had a key all this time,” Ella said, angry that Tory hadn’t told her in the first place.
“I did. But I wasn’t going to let you into the house without your parents’ permission.”
“I have a baby with me, Tory. What the hell?”
“You left your parents without a word. I didn’t know if they would want you in the house.”
“Fine. I get it.”
“Anyway, they told me to let you in and tell you how to disarm the alarm system. Come over to the shop and I’ll give you a key.”
Ella hung up the phone, both grateful and irritated that she was finally getting into her house. It had been her childhood home. She’d left the majority of her belongings there when she’d left only a year and a half before. She might have left her parents without a word, but she’d assumed they’d want to see her. Especially now that she had a baby.
“There’s a key to my parents’ house waiting for me at Tory Little’s craft supply store downtown,” Ella said as Tate turned the key in the ignition.
“You’re going to go home?”
“I need to go somewhere.”
“What about the Glacier Wolf Pack?” he asked, looking at her with a pained look on his face.
“I don’t know of anywhere that is safer for me than my parents’ place.”
“You can come stay with me.”
She looked at him, seeing the hope in his eyes. The night before had been beautiful, magical even. She wanted to be with him, hold him, love him. She wanted it all. She just didn’t know if she was ready to take it all on now. She needed time to think, to be alone with the baby for a while in a warm place, before she made major life decisions like staying with Tate.
“I need some time,” she muttered.
Tate frowned and put the car in gear. “Fine,” he said. His tone betrayed his anger and frustration. She was hurting him again and that was the last thing she wanted to do. She felt like all she ever did was hurt Tate. It wasn’t like she got to choose whether or not she was his fated mate. She had no control of the matter, and she needed time alone to think.
Ella loved Tate. She knew she did. However, the idea of being forced by fate to accept him as her one and only love forever and ever was a lot to expect. Even now.
“I’ll take you to Tory’s to get the keys and drive you to your parents’ place,” he said in a growly voice.
“Tate. I’m sorry.”
“I’m just worried about you. I’m going to call my cousin,” he said, parking in front of the craft store. “I’ll wait here while you go inside.”
She climbed out of the truck and crossed the sidewalk and into the craft store. The strong smell of cinnamon and cloves hit her nose from the scented candles all around the door. Tory was clearly already preparing for the holidays. The smells evoked memories from her childhood, memories of her family and of Tate around a big Sitka pine Christmas tree draped in twinkling lights.
Tory stood behind the counter but came toward her quickly as soon as she saw Ella. “Here are the keys. This is the
code to disarm the alarm.”
“How do I set alarm again?”
“I don’t know. They didn’t say.”
“Can you ask them?” She was still as worried about the Glacier wolves as Tate was.
“They’d borrowed a CB from another fishing cabin. I can’t just call them.”
Ella took the keys and the code back to the truck and climbed inside. She needed to just lie down on her bed and rest for a moment in her family’s warm house. It was all she could think about.
“I got the keys,” she said to Tate as she buckled her safety belt.
“Shaw says there hasn’t been any sign of the Glacier wolves since we left town two days ago. He thinks they must have gone back to Fairbanks.”
“That’s a relief. Are they still trying to bring them in?”
“He’s really close to getting the council’s approval. They found evidence of the murder back at the mobile home across from your old place. They still haven’t found your roommate.”
“That’s pretty slim evidence.”
“But with your eyewitness testimony, it should be enough for the council.”
“Thank God.”
“Let’s get you home. I know you and the baby are tired.”
“Thank you for everything, Tate.”
“It’s the least I can do for you and my son.”
She took a deep breath and let it out. Tate took the road up to her family’s house and parked out front. As she was getting out, she realized she’d left her car at Tate’s house.
“Shoot, I don’t have a car. I’m stranded up here.”
“I’ll drive it up here later. All right?”
“Sure. That’s fine.”
She carried Andrew up the front path to the porch and punched the code into the alarm system. When it beeped off, she put the key in the door and turned the doorknob. It opened and warmth enveloped her as she stepped inside and turned on the lights. God, it was good to be home.
Ella went to the living room and sank into the big fluffy couch that faced the massive stone fireplace and the big windows that looked out on the snowy backyard. Andrew was hungry and tired. So was she. All she wanted to do was sit and breathe.
Tate carried the rest of her things inside and closed the door. He took a seat across from her and stared at her for a moment as if he was waiting for something. She knew she owed him so much. More than either of them were even ready to admit. Emotions swirled in her gut that she couldn’t explain or even fully experience yet.
“Is there anything you need?”
“I should be fine. My parents keep the house pretty stocked with food.”
“Okay. I’ll get out of your hair now.” He rose, his beautiful, strong body dominating the room. Her heart stuck in her throat as she wanted to speak. Nothing came out.
“Tate,” she finally choked out. “I can’t repay your kindness.”
“Ella. I’m Andrew’s father. If I don’t protect you and my child, I’m useless. You don’t have to thank me. You don’t have to say anything.”
She reached up to him from the couch, and he took her hand. His hand was warm around her cold fingers, reminding her of the passionate love they’d made the night before. The warmth of his body had filled her with pleasure and she couldn’t get enough. A tingle went down her spine at his touch. She wanted to be with him again.
“I’ll be by later,” he said, squeezing her hand before letting go and backing away. She could see the pain in his eyes. Sadness. She bit her lip, not knowing what to do or say.
“Get some rest, sweetheart. Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. I understand you need time. I get it. Okay?”
“Okay, Tate.”
He went to the front door and closed it. She could hear the faint sound of his motor turning over a moment later. She let out a sigh and leaned back into the couch with the baby on her chest. Andrew was fussy and hungry and it was way past his nap time. At least now she was safe and at home. She could relax, take a shower, rest. When her mind was clear, she could deal with Tate and the whole fated mate thing. But right now, she didn’t trust herself to make any decisions or do anything more complicated than mix up baby oatmeal.
Little did she know, there was more than just a warm bed waiting for her at home.
Chapter Thirteen
Leaving Ella at her parents’ house with his son was one of the hardest things Tate had ever had to do. Driving down the driveway, he gripped the steering wheel, feeling like a complete fool. He should be with them, building a fire and making sure they got the rest they needed.
Ella wasn’t ready to commit. She wasn’t ready to go with him back to his house. He could understand her apprehension intellectually, but emotionally it was killing him. All he wanted to do, in the depths of his soul as a man and as a bear, was to cuddle up with his woman and his child to keep them warm through the cold winter.
It took every bit of self-control he had to drive away and leave her alone. This was what she wanted, and he had to respect her wishes. Ella didn’t like that their relationship was predetermined. She didn’t like that he loved her because his bear told him to. She didn’t like the idea that there was no free choice in the matter.
He couldn’t really blame her. Part of him agreed with her. Who wanted to be in a marriage arranged by a wild animal? If it hadn’t been his own inner animal who’d done the arranging, he would have been on exactly the same page as Ella about the whole thing. He got it. He did. Fate meant something different for humans than in did for shifters. Shifters had a greater respect for fate and the workings of their inner beasts.
If Ella had been a shifter with a beast of her own, she would have been able to feel what he felt. Fate was not a one-sided matter. The bond between them included them both. He knew Ella felt as strongly for him as he felt for her. She had a rebellious independent streak that made her want to challenge any rules she felt were unjust or controlling to her nature. That fact just made him love her even more.
He admired that quality in her. It made her strong. But at the same time, it made things between them almost impossible. He couldn’t help that his bear desired her with every fiber of his being. Most women would be swept off their feet by that idea. Not his Ella. She resisted it to her own detriment. Nothing mattered more to her than making her own choices. He just wished she would finally choose him.
He drove down the hill from her parents’ house and headed through town toward the Montgomery homestead. He saw his brother Keaton’s car in the parking lot of the best fish and chips place in Juneau and decided he needed a hot meal and a drink. Keaton and Tate had been on better terms since they’d torn up his greenhouse and put it back together again. He’d even agreed to keep an eye on the plants while Tate was away in exchange for the key to the second hay barn.
Tate parked his truck next to his brother’s and went inside. He found Keaton at the bar talking to a pretty human tourist who looked like she was there for the skiing up at the park. This time of year brought an influx of winter sports tourists, and they were already starting to trickle in.
He sat at the bar next to his brother and Keaton turned to him, a pint of dark beer in his hand. “Hey, baby brother, you’re back.” Keaton was clearly already lit up from beer.
“What are you doing down here, Keaton? Shouldn’t you be up at the pasture with the herd?”
“No. I’m supposed to be down here with my new friend. What was your name again?” he said, turning back to the blond skier.
“Tiffany,” she said. Her tone gave away her irritation, but she didn’t stand up and move away from Keaton.
“I’m spending time with Tiffany,” Keaton slurred. “Where’s your woman?”
“She’s at her parents’ house with the baby. She needs rest.”
“Shot down again, huh, brother?” Keaton said, laughing and slapping Tate’s back. Anger rose in Tate’s chest and he pushed Keaton’s hand away.
“Shut the hell up, Keaton. Ella is none of your business.”
br /> “Whoa there, bro. I don’t mean anything by it.” Keaton leaned back over to the girl and whispered in her ear. She snorted and then took another drink of her own beer.
Tate ordered a beer and a plate of fish and chips from the bartender. A moment later, he had his own pint at the bar. Keaton kept teasing the skier, turning Tate’s stomach. He knew that woman wasn’t Keaton’s mate. There was no way he’d get away with treating his fated mate like that. Whatever woman ended up with his tattooed, growly brother would have her hands full.
He turned to the sound of delicate heeled shoes clicking on the highly polished wood floors of the restaurant. Babs Bula’s white curls flounced beside him as she slid into the barstool to his right. This promised to be interesting. He knew about the shifter matchmaker.
He sniffed the air, wondering if the rumors were true. Sure enough, he couldn’t tell if she was a human or shifter or what. He found it extremely unsettling.
“Hello, dear,” she said as the bartender poured her a glass of white wine.
“Hi, Babs,” Tate said. Most everyone knew everyone else in Juneau, especially if they’d grown up there. It was hard not to know about Babs Bula if you were a shifter, particularly a single, young, male shifter. She tried to set up everyone in town. Somehow, she always played a role in finding shifters their fated mates.
“Tate Montgomery, just the man I wanted to see.” She ran her pink tipped finger around the brim of her wine glass.
“What’s up?” he asked, wondering what she could possibly have to say to him. He knew his fated mate. He’d known for years, and he was sure that Babs knew it, too. However she did it. She knew everyone’s mate.
“Where are Ella and the baby?” she asked. She wore a designer skirt suit with intricate embroidery that was probably hand sewn by nuns in France or something. He grumbled at her question, not wanting to talk about it with anyone, especially a thirty-five year old woman with bright white hair and red lipstick.