Page 29 of Bear's Midlife Bridesmaid
Her steps matched his, their fingers entwined. “It was just a simple tea.”
“It was more than that,” he insisted. “I know how kids are. You can’t just tell them to take their medicine and expect everything to turn out right. You really helped Eliana.”
“Well, thank you.” She turned her head shyly away.
“Hey.” Jace stopped and used her hand to turnher to him. “I really want you to know how incredible you are. If you can do stuff like that, it’s no wonder people come to your shop, witchcraft or not.”
She tipped her head back. Her lips found his, warm and soft.
Jace wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, deepening their kiss, wanting to hold onto her for as long as he could.
13
“I thinkthat’s just about everyone,” Jace said, looking around at the Brigham clan members who had flooded the beach. “Can I get you a beer or anything?”
Erin quickly shook her head. “No, the soda I have is fine.” She didn’t particularly feel like drinking that night, probably because meeting the entirety of the Brigham clan was overwhelming. They all seemed more than happy to say hello to her, and she didn’t feel like a stranger in their midst. No one demanded to know exactly who she was and why she was there with Jace. That made it harder to handle because she was tempted to stay there and be a part of them. “You said you do this often?”
“Whenever we can. It’s a good excuse to gettogether, and why live on the beach if you’re not enjoying it?” Jace reasoned. “Our houses might be close together, but we all have our own lives. It’s nice to reconnect.”
“I love that.” Erin took in the bonfire that crackled before them. Every now and then, someone would add a log to the flames, keeping it going. Lawn chairs of all shapes and sizes were arranged in a rough circle around it. Jace had explained that they were behind the clanhouse, where their Alpha and his family lived. The other houses surrounding it were just as bright and busy, with adults and children alike running in and out to fetch a towel, drink, or toy. It was a private party that everyone enjoyed, casual and free.
Jace sat in a lawn chair next to her, reached over, and took her hand. “What’s really nice is having you here.”
“Thank you.” She felt so warm and comfortable with him, but under it all, Erin knew her time was running out. In a couple of days, she was due to drive back to Salem. She knew she would miss this, though it was nothing more than an illusion at the moment. Vacations were always fun because they weren’t real. They were just a brief escape from the demands of life, when you could pretend that youdidn’t have bills to pay and responsibilities to tend to.
“Oh, wait. Here’s someone you haven’t met yet. This is Ruby.” Jace smiled as a little girl toddled up to them, moving easily on the sand.
“Hi, Ruby.” Erin felt her heart rise at seeing the sweet little thing. Her eyes were bright and happy. She carried a sippy cup by the handle and was heading straight for Erin. She planted her cup right on Erin’s knee. “Is that yummy stuff in there?”
Ruby nodded and grinned as she took a drink. Then she shoved herself at Erin’s knees, reaching up.
“You want to come sit with me?” Charmed, Erin brought the girl onto her lap. She was so warm, snuggly, and soft, and her simple presence reached down into the bottom of Erin’s heart. It poked at that secret desire to have babies of her own, something Erin had been keeping locked away for so long.
“Are you making friends?” A woman about Erin’s age had been tagging along behind Ruby.
“Erin, this is my cousin, Holly. Holly, this is Erin.” Jace made the same introduction he’d been making all evening, with no particular explanations needed or provided. “She’s Ruby’s mom.”
“It’s nice to meet you, and Ruby must think so,too,” Holly laughed. “You don’t have to hold her if she’s a bother, though.”
“She’s not a bother at all.” Erin’s bobcat hissed at the very thought of putting the little girl down. She admired the girl’s soft dark hair, tiny hands, and the way she wiggled with delight when she heard someone strike up a few chords on an acoustic guitar. Erin was absolutely in love. “I don’t mind a bit.”
“She’s very comfortable with you,” Holly noted. “Do you have kids of your own?”
“No, none for me,” Erin admitted. Other people had asked her that in the past, and they often wanted an explanation. The societal pressure to have children often hit Erin’s biological desire for them at an odd angle. Everyone thought a woman should have had her babies by this point in life, and Erin would gladly have done so if only the circumstances had been right. Now, that chance had slipped away from her. She gently touched Ruby’s chubby cheek.
Holly’s phone chirped, and she whipped it out of her pocket. “Oh, man.”
“What’s wrong?” Jace asked.
“Pierce and Rick are stuck at the firehouse.” She tapped a quick reply intoher phone.
Jace nodded. “I was going to ask you where they were. They’ve been working a lot lately.”
Holly nodded. “They’ve had a few guys out sick. I know they really wanted to be here tonight, but they can’t get away. I should run them some dinner. I’ll have to see if Lila can watch Ruby for a minute.”
“I don’t mind hanging onto her for a bit,” Erin offered.
“Look at you, Rube. You’ve charmed yet another innocent adult into doing your bidding.” Holly kissed her daughter’s head. “Mommy will be back in a few.”
