Her Dream Come True [Blackwood Falls 2] (Siren Publishing Classic)

  “And what was yours?”

  “Rocky.” Eric and Luke both laughed. “Back then I fancied myself as a bit of a boxer. And before I shaved it, my hair was a bit like his so they called me Rocky.”

  As Eric and Trish started talking, Luke made them all coffee. Shortly after, Adam left.

  “I hope you don’t mind me dropping in. I went by your sister’s and she said you’d moved here so I came down, see how you’re getting on?”

  “Of course we don’t mind, Eric, you’re more than welcome,” Trish said before Luke could.

  “I’m glad you did actually. We need to get together more often. Catch up,” Luke told his old friend.

  The three chatted for most of the afternoon and at their insistence, Eric brought his bag in from his car and put it in the spare bedroom where he would stay while in visiting. Luke and Eric headed to the store for beer and wine while Trish prepared dinner. While in the store, Luke phoned his sister in New Orleans. He felt it was time for his family to meet Trish now that they were settled into their mating. He called his parents in Canada next, then his younger brother. They all planned to come in a few days together. He hoped Trish would like them and that she wouldn’t get upset that she had no family of her own. He had been thinking about this for a while now. He loved his parents and siblings and wanted Trish to get along with them. But, with her being abandoned as a baby, he didn’t know how she would react to a large family like his. When all the plans were arranged, he hoped it would all work out.

  The next day, the party arrangements were in full swing. As Luke and Eric were putting together the new barbecue he bought, pack members popped by asking what they could bring. That was the way in the Blackwood pack. Everyone brought something to a party, helped out when someone needed something. No one was ever left when in need. It was a great place to live and brilliant pack to be in. As the afternoon drew on, Trish called Luke and Eric inside. When they went in, she handed each an ice-cold bottle of Bud. “Thanks. Red. You okay?”

  “Yeah. Everything’s set for the party. We can have it tomorrow.”

  “That soon?” Luke asked, starting to panic a little.

  “Yep. With half the pack…I mean town bringing things, there’s nothing else to do, really. Besides, we’re both due back at work on Monday. Having it tomorrow will give us a few days still to ourselves before normal life continues,” she said with a smile. It faded as she looked at Luke. “Is that okay?”

  “Yeah. Yeah, sure. No problem,” he said, trying to cover his expression. With the party tomorrow, Trish would meet his family there and not in a more private setting.

  Luke spent the next hour, while they enjoyed a cold drink and the great beef stew Trish made, thinking about calling his family and changing the date. When Trish went for a bath, he explained the situation to Eric, hoping the man could give some advice.

  “Dude, stop panicking. It’ll be better introducing them at the party. Trish will be relaxed and in a great mood. It will be perfect.”

  Luke prayed it would be. As he was thinking about it, there was a knock at the door. When he answered, he found Donna standing there, surrounded by trays of beer and wine for the party.

  “Hi. I thought I’d drop these off while I was passing,” she said as he kissed her cheek in greeting.

  “That’s great Donna, thanks.” He picked up a tray and carried it into the kitchen. “Eric, can you give me a hand with this? Donna’s got a load at the front door.”

  As Eric went to get more, as Luke walked to the pantry to make room. When he managed, he realized Eric hadn’t returned yet. He walked back to the front door to find Eric and Donna staring at each other. Donna was looking up at the dark-haired former SEAL with a mixture of lust, awe and surprise in her eyes.

  “Everything okay, guys?” Luke asked when neither of them noticed him.

  “Mine,” was all Eric said before closing the distance between himself and Donna. The kiss was full of passion with a hint of desperation. Then it hit Luke. Eric was Donna’s mate.

  * * * *

  Trish was one happy wolf. She loved her new bath. The computer kept it at the perfect temperature with the touch of a button. She quickly dried off and put one of Luke’s T-shirts on under her fluffy dressing gown and matching slippers when she got out. She decided to let her hair dry naturally.

  Heading downstairs, she found Luke and Eric at the dining room table with Donna.

  “Hey, Donna. You okay?” she asked her friend. She didn’t know what was going on when Donna didn’t even look at her, let alone reply. She noticed Donna was staring at Eric, who was staring back at her. Luke was looking between the two. “What’s going on?”

  “Trish, say congratulations to the happy couple. Eric and Donna are mates,” Luke told her.

  “Oh Donna, I’m so happy for you,” Trish said as she hugged her friend. She wasn’t that bothered when Donna hardly hugged her back. “Have you told him?” she asked.

  “I was going to. But they don’t seem to be paying attention to anything but each other.”

  It took Trish and Luke some time, but they finally managed to get them looking at something other than each other.

  “Donna, do you want me to tell him?” Trish asked. When she nodded, Trish went to explain to Eric about them being werewolves but looked to Luke instead. “I think you should do it. You’ve known him longer.”

  “Tell me what?” the man in question asked.

  Luke sighed and rubbed his hands over his face before answering.

  “Right, Eric, there’s something you need to know. This town, it’s different from others. The people, we’re not normal humans. We’re werewolves. Donna’s one and you’re her mate. You’re destined to be with her. She’ll mate, claim and change you, probably tonight.”

  “What the hell are you talking about, Green Mile?”

  “Luke!” Trish said. She couldn’t believe him. “You cannot tell someone something like this the way you did. Honestly, I can’t believe it. I can’t even begin to imagine what the poor man is thinking now.”

  “What? I told him everything he needs to know.”

  “Yes, but you can’t just blurt it out like that.” Luke seemed like he didn’t understand what was wrong with what he had just said and so she spent the next hour explaining all about werewolves and mates to Eric. Soon after she began, Eric moved over to the chair next to Donna and held her hand. When he seemed not to believe her, Trish got Luke to shift for him.

  It was another hour later he finally understood and believed her that Donna spoke for the first time. “Eric, are you okay?” she asked, a little unsure. “If you want some time, or to leave, I’ll understand.”

  “Donna,” he said, walking back over to her. He had moved to near the sink when Luke had shifted. He got down on his knees next to her, once more taking her hand. “I never want to be away from you again.” He sat up and kissed her. As the kiss turned into something deeper with more passion, Trish worried they would forget she and Luke were there and get down and dirty on their kitchen table.

  Luckily though, Donna pulled away. “My house?” she asked her mate. He didn’t answer verbally, simply stood, picked her up into his arms and carried her to the front door.

  “I guess they’re gonna be okay,” Luke said, coming up behind Trish.

  “Yeah. I’m so happy for her. I could see how sad she was as her friends met their mates and she was left single.”

  “Not anymore. Come on, your own mate has something for you.”

  “Oh? And what could that be, Care Bear?” she asked, turning in his arms.

  “It’ll be a very sore behind for you if you don’t hurry up and find another name for me,” he told her, unable to hide his smile.

  She pulled out of his arms after quickly kissing him. “You’ll have to catch me first,” she said, running out of the kitchen and up the stairs. She only made it halfway before he caught her. She knew he would follow through with his threat of spanking her and that she wouldn’t
be sitting comfortably for the next few days.

  * * * *

  “Finally finished,” Trish said to herself as she looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror inside the closet. She and Luke had spent all day getting things ready for the party and now it was almost time. She smoothed down her green, strapless dress and double-checked her hair and makeup before heading downstairs. “Luke Pointer!” she shouted at her mate as she caught him at the dining table sneaking food. He turned and gave a sheepish look at being caught. His attention changed when he looked her up and down. She saw the flecks of gold flicker in his eyes and a tent growing in his pants. “I don’t think so, mister. There’s people due any minute and I haven’t got the energy to get re-dressed. So just forget about having your wicked way with me and go light the barbecue.”

  He ignored every word she said as he stalked toward her. Just as he got close enough to touch her, she was literally saved by the bell. The doorbell, that is. She laughed as Luke pouted when she walked away to answer.

  An hour later, Trish was having a great time. Most of the guests were there and the party was in full swing. Luke and a few of the guys were out in the garden manning the grill while Trish was in the living room with her friends. Donna and Eric had called and said they were going to be a little late. After using the bathroom, Trish was about to get herself a glass of wine when the doorbell rang once again. When she opened it, she was greeted by the most beautiful woman she had ever seen.

  “Hi, I’m Rosa, and this is my mate Edward. Is Luke here?” The woman asked. Trish caught the woman’s eye and she froze. They were identical to Luke’s. She noticed there were a few more people with Rosa and Edward, who she looked in the eyes of. All but one had Luke’s eyes. Holy shit, it’s Luke’s family. Trish didn’t know what to do. She had wanted to meet them for a while but they had never come up.

  “Is everything okay, hun?” Rosa asked. “Have we got the right house?”

  “Yeah,” Trish managed to say after clearing her throat. “Sorry, come on in. Luke’s out the back. I’ll take you through.”

  Trish let the group in and walked to the back garden. She started panicking when she made it. She had never had luck with family before and she had just made herself look like a complete idiot in front of Luke’s. She knew they were her family now and would bet both her arms that they wouldn’t want to visit her again.

  “Luke,” she said as she approached him. She hoped he couldn’t see the panic in her face. She would drop his family off with him, then go and hide in the bedroom for the rest of the night. “Luke, there’s some people here to see you,” she said to get his attention. When he heard her and turned around, the surprised look on his face wasn’t as big as she expected.

  “Mom, Dad.” He greeted Rosa and Edward with hugs. Trish went to sneak away as he was hugging his parents, but she wasn’t quick enough. His arm came round her shoulders and he pulled her into his side. “This is Trish, my mate. Trish, this is my mom and dad, Rosa and Edward. My sister Jane and her mate Robbie. And this is my little brother Aaron. Guys, this is Trish.” She couldn’t move, could hardly breathe.

  “Trish, it’s so good to finally meet you. Luke has told me so many things about you,” Rosa said. Trish was shocked the woman was smiling at her. She couldn’t believe it when she reached forward and pulled Trish into a hug. She didn’t know what to do at first. But, she was soon returning the other woman’s welcoming hug and thought that maybe, just maybe, she hadn’t scared them off with her idiotic welcome.

  “It’s great to meet you too, Mrs. Pointer. I’m glad you could make it. Luke told me about your job and how hard it is to get time off,” Trish replied as the two pulled away.

  “Sweetie, you call me Mrs. Pointer again, we’ll be having words, you hear?” she told Trish with a smile. “You call me Mom, okay? I’d be honored if you did.”

  Trish didn’t know what to say. How did one reply to that? She was hugged by all of Luke’s family who were all kind and friendly. She didn’t want to, but she thought they might be acting to make Luke happy. She took a deep breath as Rosa hugged her again and nearly cried. All she could smell of the woman’s feelings were happiness and hope. The good kind of hope, Trish realized. She couldn’t begin to think that this wonderful, loving family would want her.

  After chatting for a few more minutes, Luke asked his family to excuse him and Trish for a moment and walked her into the house. He didn’t stop until they were behind their closed bedroom door. “Red, what’s going on, I can tell something’s wrong. Are you okay, baby?” His concern brought a tear from her eye. “I’m so sorry. I know I should have told you about them coming. I’d already arranged for them to come and meet you today before you set the date for the party. I’m sorry Red. Please, talk to me.”

  She didn’t speak. Instead, she threw herself into his arms as more tears fell from her eyes. “Luke, I think they like me,” she cried.

  “Of course they like you, Red. My mom’s already half in love with you from what I’ve told her. She’s been wanting to meet you since the day I told her I had met my mate. I can’t believe you thought they wouldn’t like you, Red. Even if you weren’t my mate, they’d still love you. I wish you would believe me when I say the entire pack loves you.”

  She sobbed into his chest. “I just thought, oh I don’t know. I love you, Luke.”

  “I love you too, Red. Come on now, tell me what you were going to say,” he encouraged her.

  “Nothing, it’s nothing honestly. I’m just being silly,” she said, pulling away and wiping her eyes. It looked like Luke was about to ask something else but a knock on the bedroom door interrupted him. She was grateful because she didn’t want to confess her biggest fear of not being lovable. “I’m going to look a mess now.” She laughed. “You see who’s out there and get back to the party while I clean up. I’ll be down in a few minutes.” She kissed his cheek before rushing into the bathroom.

  Her face was the mess she guessed. She quickly washed her ruined makeup off before reapplying. When she was finished, she was glad her red, puffy eyes from crying were covered and nobody would be able to tell. She was also glad for the few minutes it gave her. While she was reapplying her makeup, she had made a decision. She was no longer going to fear things she had no control over. Luke loved her more than life itself and that was all that mattered to her. She hoped his family would like her and thought they would, but she wouldn’t let the worry of it turn her into a blubbering mess.

  When she made it back downstairs, Luke was in the kitchen with Donna and Eric. The new couple had their bodies touching in every possible position as they stood talking. The happiness coming off them was evident.

  “Congratulations,” Trish told them as she walked over to Luke’s side.

  “Thanks, Trish,” they both said together as they hugged her. “I’m sorry we’re late. We’ve been talking,” Donna said. Trish didn’t believe talking was all they had been doing by the blush rising on her friend’s face.

  “That’s okay,” she replied, trying to keep her lips from breaking out in a smile. “Everything sorted out?”

  “Pretty much, yeah. I’ve done more years in the SEALs than most and retired two months ago. I’ve been visiting friends and family during that time and was thinking of settling somewhere, after I’d visited Green Mile anyway. Donna’s settled here and I’d be happy anywhere she is,” Eric said, kissing his mate’s forehead.

  “I’m so happy for you both,” Sarah said from where she had joined the four. They chatted for another few minutes before Trish went to get a bite to eat.

  “So, how’s living with that brother of mine?” Jane asked from behind Trish as she was making up a plate of party food. She knew she couldn’t walk away and ignore the woman, but really wished she could. Turning to face her, Trish took a deep breath before talking.

  “He’s great actually. Really clean and tidy.” As she was thinking of something else to say, Trish noticed the look of disbelief on Jane’s face.
Just before she could say anything, Trish decided to tell the truth. “Not really.” She laughed. “He hasn’t got a clue how to use the washer, he’s broken the hoover already and his favorite meal to cook when it’s his turn is takeout.” To Trish’s relief, Jane laughed and nodded her head.

  “That sounds more like him. Mom tells me you’re a doctor?”

  “Yeah. I’ve been licenced about twenty years now. It’s amazing how fast medicine changes.”

  As the two women chatted, Trish became more comfortable and relaxed. She really enjoyed getting to know Luke’s family. She found herself talking to Rosa and Edward as well as Jane and laughed so hard her stomach hurt. Their little group grew in size as more joined in the conversation about this and that. Trish wasn’t sure how to react when Luke joined them and sat her on his knee. When no attention was paid to her new seating arrangement, she relaxed into the heat of her mate.

  When there was only Josh, Tyler, Kirstie and Luke’s family left, Trish went to start cleaning the kitchen as the others played a game of poker. She was shocked to find Rosa already there clearing away.

  “Rosa, you don’t have to do that. Why don’t you go play cards with the others?”

  “It’s not a problem, darling. I’d rather clean public toilets than play cards with my family. Any game for that matter. I bet you anything they’ll be arguing in five minutes and another five after that, they’ll be all-out brawling.”

  The two cleaned the kitchen and dishes while Rosa had Trish in fits of giggles telling her about a game of Monopoly a few years ago between the family. They never did find all the pieces after Luke threw the board, pieces and all, in the air after landing on one of Aaron’s properties and being unable to pay the bill.

  A few minutes later they heard Luke and Jane arguing.

  “What did I tell you?” Rosa asked, causing the two women to laugh again.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Sorry sweetie, can you say that again?” Trish asked a young pack member who had come into the hospital.