Chapter 54
Chapter 54 – Date Night
Jane
I don’t know what I’m going to do about Ethan. The idea of finally having my family together is incredible,
but the idea of living with him again is only too daunting. Eric isplete ly against the idea, and spent
most of the night trying to talk me out of it, however Linda seemed unusually supportive of the scheme.
Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.
Of course there are three opinions I don’t need to bother asking. I know my pups would be beyond
thrilled to live as one big family with Paisley and Ethan. That’s actually what worries me most – I can
easily see the logic in helping Paisley adjust to the change in circumstances, but what happens when my
other pups be attached to Ethan? How are they going to handle losing their father after only just
finding him?
I don’t even know if his offer is real. I want to believe he really feels guilty for the terrible wrongs he
committed in the past, but would that remorse be enough to make him let go of his only daughter? What
if he’s having a paternity test con ducted at this very moment? My friend at theb is on the look out for
any samples from Ethan and Paisley, but that’s no guarantee. All my lies areing back to haunt me,
and I’m beginning to worry I won’t be able to keep up much longer.
When my phone rings the morning after Ethan and I had our reckoning, I’m not surprised to see his
name shing across the screen. I answer with slight hesitation, “Hello?”
“Good morning Janey.” His warm voice sends a shiver down my spine as I remember the way he
touched mest
night, at how easily I unraveled in his arms.
“Hello Ethan.” I greet him, making my voice as even as possible. Assuming he’s reaching out about his
proposal, I of fer, “I haven’t made a decision about moving in yet I need
more time.”
–
“That’s not why I’m calling.” Ethan answers, surprising me. “I wanted to touch base about our next date.”
“What?” I reply nkly, not processing his words.
“Our next date
are you free tonight?” He presses.
“That’s still happening?” I utter in surprise.
“You didn’t think our deal would change just because you came clean did you, little wolf?” He purrs,
sounding every bit the predator.
“I… I guess I didn’t think about it.” I answer honestly.
“Well, the deal is still on sweetheart.” He informs me, “So are you free?”
“I – yes.” I admit, too taken aback toe up with an ex cuse at the moment. “But I don’t have a sitter
lined up.”
“I do, why don’t you bring the kids here and leave them with my sitter. It seems silly for us to have two
anyway and this way Paisley can start getting to know her siblings better.” Ethan proposes.
“O-okay.” I agree, once again finding myself tongue-tied.
“Great,e round about five o’clock, and then we’ll be off.” He instructs, sounding much too pleased
with himself.
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When we hang up, I lower my face into my hands and try to figure out what on earth is happening in my
brain. No sooner have I emitted a drawn out moan of frustration, that a small voice sounds near my hip.
“Mommy what’s wrong?”
Raising myself off the counter, I look down to find Ryder standing beside me looking concerned.
Kneeling down to his level, I pull the sweet pup into my arms and squeeze him tightly. “Nothing a hug
from my Ryder can’t solve.” I tell him honestly. Having the little bundle of love in my arms makes all my
stress fade away – for the moment at least.
“Mommy, are you being honest?” He asks in the same tone I often use on my mischievous pack, when
I’m certain they’ve been up to something naughty.
“Yes my darling.” Iugh softly, “where are Parker and Ri ley.”
“Still napping.” He answers with a yawn, cuddling closer.
Lifting him into my arms, I emit a dramatic groan, “Oh my goodness, you’re getting too big for this.”
Settling on the couch, we wait until the others are awake, enjoying some rare one on one time together.
When his siblings finally emerge, bleary eyed and stretching their limbs, they happily mber onto the
sofa with us. I’ve always felt a slight pang sharing af fection with them when Paisley is so far away, but
for the first time in a long time that pang is smaller and less severe. Maybe because the day when our
family will finally be whole again is in sight atst.
“Guess what you three, you get to see Paisley tonight.” | tell them, chuckling when they all cheer. “The
Alpha is taking me out, so you four will get to hang out with a babysitter.”
Lv.1
Their excitement is temporarily put on hold as curiosity takes over. “Where’s he taking you, Mommy?”
Riley asks.
Sighing nervously, I admit. “I have no idea.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I gripe, climbing out of the back of Ethan’s chauffeured town car.
He closes the door behind me, guiding me forward with an arm around my waist, “What do you think?”
“I… is it safe?” I ask, eyeing the huge red aircraft in front of us. In truth I’m excited beyond belief, I’ve
always dreamed of going on a hot air balloon, but it’s also much too romantic for me to feelfortable
being alone with Ethan. The oversized wicker basket was already stocked with a bottle of cham pagne
and pic basket full of goodies, and the inted ny lon envelope looked ready to take off at any
moment.
“Of course,” He grins, “I checked the weather three times, we’ve got clear skies ahead and all signs point
to a beautiful sunset.”
“A sunset hot air balloon ride.” I whisper softly. “If I didn’t know any better I’d think you were trying to
seduce me, Al pha.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them
– far more flirtatious than I intended them to sound.
—
He chuckles darkly, “Then it’s a good thing you know bet ter.” He teases, pulling me forward. “After all it
would be much harder to seed if you saw iting.”
“Ha ha.” I jibe, letting him lift me into the basket, “I’ll re mind you one of our rules about these dates was
‘no funny
Lv.1
up and leaning away from the ming heat of his mouth. “It’s just that I’d rather do something I enjoy if
I’m already going to be losing the time.”
“Don’t worry, little wolf.” He teases, “I’m not going to go and start thinking you actually enjoy my
company.” Reaching up, he adds a bit more propane to the balloon, carrying us higher into the
stratosphere. Extending my hand, my fingers whisk through a fluffy white cloud on our right. Ethan’s grip
on my waist tightens protectively, but he doesn’t try to stop
Soon I’m beaming like a pup in a candy shop. “This is in credible.” I revel, not wanting to praise Ethan,
but unable to contain my amazement either.
“Do you recognize that?” Ethan murmurs in reply, nodding towards a nearby ridge. Following the
direction of his gaze, my eyes soonnd on a gleaming stone circle overlooking the valley below. It’s the
only corner of the mountain not totally covered by dense alpine forest, and it’s a ce I remember only
too well.
“Of course I do.” I whisper, feeling suddenly as though I’m falling, rather than flying. “It’s the temple
where we got mar ried.”