AGThanksgiving_JCSmith (4 page)

She walked through the house
and tapped on Cole’s office door. Really it was more of a playroom than an
office. Yes, he had a desk and computer in there, but he also had a pool table,
two recliners and a large TV. She called it his man cave.

Cole looked up from the video
game he’d been playing and smiled at her. “Have I been in here too long again?”

“No. Keep playing if you want,
but I’m going to head over to Gabriel’s for a minute. Think you can watch the
baby?”

“At what point are you going
to stop calling our child a baby? I think when they hit the two year mark, they
are considered toddlers.”

Marin stuck out her tongue.
“At twenty, she’ll still be my baby.”

Cole laughed. “Fine. Yes, I’ll
watch the baby. But don’t be surprised if Gabriel throws you out.”

“Didn’t Michael tell you? He
went out twice yesterday. First to take Autumn to her apartment and later to
take her to dinner.”

Cole’s eyebrows rose. “So big
brother is coming around? Good to know. I still don’t think we should all land
on his doorstep right away. He may feel like he’s under attack.”

“I’m not going to see him. I’m
going to invite Autumn out for lunch. I know it’s last minute…”

Cole looked at the clock. “You
think? It’s eleven o’clock on a Saturday. You don’t think she may have plans
already?”

“It’s worth a shot. And if she
can’t go today, I can arrange something else. I really want to get to know
her.”

“Go. Make friends. The little
angel and I will be just fine on our own.” He frowned. “Where is she anyway?”

“I put the baby gate across
her door. She was playing with her blocks last time I peeked. You might want to
snag the monitor though. I’m not sure you’ll hear her in here if she needs
help.”

Cole nodded. “I may just go
get her and watch one of those princess movies with her. Don’t worry, Mom.” He
smiled. “We’ll be okay without you.”

Marin gave him a little wave
and headed for the front door, grabbing her purse along the way. She really
hoped Autumn didn’t have any plans. She hadn’t lied to Cole when she said she
wanted to get to know the woman. Anyone who could get Gabriel out of the house
was friend material to her. The fact she was related to Kiera was just a bonus.
As far as Marin was concerned, that made her family. And if there was one thing
Marin prized above all else, it was family.

Chapter Five

Autumn had planned to spend a
quiet afternoon at home with Gabriel. He hadn’t arranged for her things to be
moved yet and had taken her by the apartment that morning for more clothes.
She’d wanted to stay and box some things, but for some reason he’d been anxious
to get her back home. Or maybe he just didn’t want to be out of the house. She
thought he’d done amazingly well the previous night and didn’t want to push her
luck by asking him to stay out longer. For some reason, he refused to let her
out of his sight. Honestly, she thought he was taking this whole protector
thing a little too far. She’d managed just fine since Perry died. It wasn’t
like she was completely helpless.

“I have Netflix hooked up
through my TV,” he said. “Want to rent a movie?”

“Maybe in a little while. I
really should get some work done. I’ve been completely useless for the past two
days. I had writer’s block day before yesterday; then…well, you know what
happened yesterday; you were there.”

“Writer’s block?”

She felt her cheeks warm. “I’m
a romance writer.”

“As in those sappy stories
women like to read?”

“Well, I like to think mine
are a little different. Since people don’t believe in werewolves, I write about
them. But I add in some suspense and a hint of mystery.”

He scratched his head. “I’ve
never met a writer before. You can make a living doing that?”

“Well, not everyone can, but
I’ve done well enough. It’s paid the bills and left me with a little extra
spending money. I’m not clearing six figures by any means, but I’m
comfortable.”

“Are your books in
bookstores?”

She shook her head. “My eBooks
are more popular than my paperbacks.”

“I may be able to help you
with that.”

She looked at him in
curiosity. “How?”

“I know the owner of one of
the local bookstores. I’m sure she’d carry your titles if I asked. At the very
least, on a trial run, then we could renegotiate later. I know my
sisters-in-law would buy them. They’re always reading those things. I’m more
into thrillers, personally. But then, I’m a guy.”

She smiled. “Men read romances
too. They just don’t necessarily advertise it.”

“Maybe I’ll read one of yours
then.” He bounced his eyebrows up and down. “Are there lots of naughty scenes
in them?”

“A few.” She laughed. “If you
seriously want to try reading one, I have a paperback copy of everything I’ve
had published on a bookshelf in my apartment.”

“I’m serious.”

“Then I’ll get my favorite one
for you the next time I’m at the apartment, or after my things are brought
here. Not that I know where I’m putting everything. My room is lovely, but I
have no idea how I’m fitting an entire apartment worth of stuff into one room.”

“We’ll figure it out. If we
need to store some things, there are two storage rooms at the garage across the
street. One is usually empty or, at least, mostly empty.”

The doorbell rang before she
could respond. She rose to answer it, but Gabriel waved her back as he got up
and headed that way. She stood in the living room doorway and watched as he
opened the door, his eyes sharp, his body tense, as if expecting trouble. If
she’d known she was going to acquire a watchdog when she came here yesterday,
she may have ignored the order and stayed home. It had been bad enough when
Perry had wanted an accounting of her every move. She didn’t want to go through
that again, even if Gabriel did mean well.

He swung the door wide open
and smiled. An attractive woman stepped inside and he closed the door.

“Autumn,” he said, turning her
way. “I’d like you to meet my sister-in-law, Marin. She’s Cole’s wife.”

Autumn shook hands with Marin.
“I remember you being introduced at the first pack meeting I went to, but we
didn’t get a chance to speak.”

“I thought I’d stop by and see
if I could steal you away for a while,” Marin said, smiling. “It’s a gorgeous
day. Too pretty to be cooped up inside all day.”

Gabriel looked uncertain.
“Where exactly are you going?”

“I thought we’d have lunch at
the little Mexican place over on Grand, then maybe head to the mall for some
shopping.” Marin looked at Autumn again. “I heard you’re Kiera’s cousin. I
thought, as family, we should get to know one another better. If you’d like to,
that is.”

“That sounds like fun.” Autumn
bit her lip and looked at Gabriel. “I know you wanted to watch a movie, but do
you mind if we do it later?”

“I thought you wanted to
write?”

“I do, but…I haven’t had any
girl time since I moved here. I told you I was making myself as unnoticeable as
possible, so I didn’t really get out and meet the pack members. I haven’t made
a single friend in the weeks that I’ve been here.”

“You won’t let the males
harass her?” Gabriel asked Marin.

“You think they will? Like she
said, she’s been here for several weeks and no one has bothered her. I think
she’ll be perfectly safe with me, Gabriel. Maybe you could use the time to have
a chat with Kinley?”

“I spoke with her after dinner
last night. She looked a little bummed, and more than a little curious about
Autumn, but I promised to help her find another job. So if you hear of
anything, let me know.”

“So you don’t mind if I go?”
Autumn asked. She didn’t like the idea of leaving him alone after he’d just
started getting out and about again, but she really wanted to go with Marin.
The thought of making a new friend was just too good to pass up.

His lips tipped up on one
corner. “You may go. Not that you really need my permission. Ask Marin for my
cell number and program it into your phone though, just in case.”

Autumn shook her head. “You’re
being paranoid. I’ll be fine.”

Gabriel looked at Marin. “Will
you have her home in time for dinner? Or should I make other arrangements?”

“She’ll be back by then. And
if she isn’t, you’ll be welcome to join us.”

Gabriel stepped back, giving
Autumn room to walk around him. She picked up her purse off the table in the
entryway and followed Marin out the door. When she reached the bottom of the
porch steps, she turned and waved to him, hoping to ease his worries. She knew
he was being overprotective because of her tie to his deceased mate, and it was
nice having someone worry about her, but she’d have to get him to back off a
little or he would smother her. Maybe this outing with Marin would be a good start.

She climbed into Marin’s SUV
and waved again as they backed down the driveway. Even as the car turned and
headed down the street, he still stood in the open doorway. She sighed, feeling
a weight lift from her shoulders as they got further away from the house.

“What was that sigh for?”
Marin asked.

“He’s a little intense.”

“He didn’t use to be. I know
he’s being a little overbearing, but I think you’re good for him. Honestly,
you’re the first person he’s shown a real interest in since his family died. He
talks to Kinley and Adriel, but it’s still limited contact. From what I’ve
heard, he stays in his room except for mealtime.”

“It’s still nice getting away
for a bit. He glared at everyone who looked my way in the diner last night. And
I know they weren’t looking at me in an
I
want to mate her
kind of way, but more in the
Oh my god! The alpha is showing an interest in someone
kind of
way.”

Marin smiled. “It’s to be
expected. Since you’re related to Kiera, he’s going to be overprotective.”

“It’s worse. I told him about
my mate. I wanted a fresh start, but I don’t suppose I mind people knowing
about my background. Unless you think it would be a bad idea?”

“Well, I’d have to know about
your background to make that decision.”

“My mate abused me. He would
hit me and throw me around when he became angry. And he wanted to know every
move I made. To make things worse, the entire pack thought that he was some
sort of saint. He was always helping other people, always had a ready smile for
them. He had all of them fooled and no one wanted to listen to me when I tried
to say otherwise. Leaving and moving here was the best thing that could have
happened to me.”

“How did you hear we were open
to new pack members?” Marin asked.

“When I went to see my alpha,
I saw a note scribbled on the pad on his desk. I memorized the phone number and
called right when I got home. The alpha was shocked when I told him I was
leaving. I think he’d already planned to pair me off with someone else.”

Marin’s eyes widened. “He
force mated people?”

Autumn nodded.

“That’s horrible.”

“So do you think I should tell
anyone? I don’t want to seem weak to the males in the pack, easily dominated. I
don’t want to end up mated to another Perry.”

“I can see why you would be
worried. I’d like to say none of our pack members would lay a hand on you in
anger, but I don’t know the new wolves all that well. I do know that if anyone
dared harm you, Gabriel would throw them out of the pack and declare you free
to choose another mate.” Marin smiled. “Something tells me the wolf would be
lucky to escape with his life, the way Gabriel is watching over you like a baby
chick.”

“I don’t mind your family
knowing, but maybe I should keep it quiet as far as the pack is concerned.”

Marin nodded. “If that’s what
you want, that’s the way it will be.”

Marin pulled into a parking
space in front of the restaurant and shut off the SUV. Autumn followed her
inside and they were seated in a booth by the window. The waiter brought them
water and chips with salsa. He left some menus on the table and promised to
return shortly.

“What’s good here?” Autumn
asked.

“I love their enchiladas, but
Cole likes their tacos and burritos.”

Autumn perused her menu before
selecting one of the lunch specials. “Do you mind if I order cheese dip?
 
I’ll pay for it.”

“Oh no, you don’t. Lunch is my
treat, and order anything you want. Consider it a ‘welcome to the family’
meal.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I want to.” Marin smiled.
“It’s not every day I get to make a new friend.”

“How long have you been part
of the pack?”

“About three years. I love
Ashton Grove, and being part of Cole’s family is amazing. Everyone is really
supportive and they welcomed me with open arms. Of course, I was the first mate
in the Andrews/Tierney family. Then Kiera came along.”

“What was Kiera like?” Autumn
asked, curious about the cousin she would never get to know.

“Funny. Vibrant. She always
had a smile for everyone and was fiercely loyal to her friends. Probably her
best friend was Ramsey. I only remember them butting heads once and that was
over his choice of mate. There was a woman in the pack who pulled the wool over
Kiera’s eyes, but once Kiera saw her for who she was, Kiera changed her mind
pretty quick.”

“And she was part fae?”

Marin nodded. “Part fae and
part were-fox. It nearly destroyed Gabriel when the demons killed their
daughter and her. She was pregnant at the time so he really lost two children.”

“That’s so sad. No wonder he
shut himself away.”

Marin smiled. “It seems that’s
changing now. I had begun to wonder if he would ever come out of that house.
There were days I wondered if he’d take his own life; he was just so depressed.
It’s like part of him died the day his family did.”

“He must have loved Kiera very
much.”

“He did.” Marin took a sip of
her water. “But I think there’s still love in his heart, if he’d ever give
another woman a chance. I’d hate to think of him spending the rest of his life
alone. He really is a great guy.”

“Maybe the right woman will
come along one day. I’m sure she would have to be rather remarkable to gain his
attention.”

“Maybe.”

The waiter returned and took
their order before disappearing again.

“What about you?” Marin asked.
“What are you looking for in a mate? Or are you looking for one?”

“If I find one, I’ll welcome
him with open arms, but I’m not going to just go blindly into another
relationship. I wasn’t given a choice where Perry was concerned. This time I’ll
get to pick my mate. I just hope I do a good job of it.”

“There are a lot of single
guys in the pack. None of the new members were mated when they came to us.”

“I want someone kind, caring, and
compassionate. Someone who doesn’t lose his temper easily. I’d like to have a
family one day, so he’d have to be good with kids.”

“Those sound like reasonable
things to ask for.” Marin smiled. “When you’re ready to meet some of the males,
just let me know. Cole and I can have a barbeque at our house and invite a
bunch of people. I’d have to ask some of the females to come too so it wouldn’t
be quite so obvious, but it would give you a chance to mingle with them and
still have family nearby.”