Ellis: Emerson Wolves ― Paranormal Wolf Shifter Romance (8 page)

~~~

“I cannot believe you talked me into this.” Ellis only smiled at Dawn. “You tricked me, and here I am.”

“All I said was that I wasn’t going without you. You’re the one that called Sloan and told her that I was being stubborn.” He laughed, and she glared at him again. Something that she’d been doing for three days now. “You’re going to love my family. Hunter and the rest of them are waiting at the house to see you. I didn’t think you’d want them all there at once.”

“I don’t want to do this.” It was, of course, too late, but he only held her hand. “Ellis, they’re going to think you’ve really fucked up with this. I like your dad and all, but he’s bound to have told them what kind of person I am.”

“I’m sure he has. Dad loved you and he’s more than likely singing your praises about how wonderful you are. And how lucky I am to have you in my life.” Her fingers tightened in his hand and he kissed her. “It’s going to be just fine, Dawn, you’ll see. They’ll love you. And after the event on Saturday, we’ll come back if you want to.”

“I want to now.” He nodded and held her. When she looked out the window, Ellis wondered what she was going to do when she found out that the entire pack was coming for a pack meeting tonight. He hadn’t told her because he was too afraid she’d back out. And Ellis wanted to show her off. Besides, she’d be fine so long as he didn’t leave her. He hoped so anyway.

When they landed, there was a limo waiting for them, along with Jack, Sloan, and Addie. He’d forgotten they were going to take her shopping, and tried to think how to tell her now without having her freak out. Seeing Addie helped, but when his brother Graham pulled up in the truck to take him, she looked terrified.

“You have to have a dress. Remember?” She nodded and gripped his hand tighter. “Honey, you know Addie. And Jack and Sloan are two of the nicest women I know. They won’t hurt you.”

“I know that.” Her snapping at him nearly had him laughing, but he just caught himself. “I can take care of myself. But I didn’t know they were going to be there too. I thought it would just be the two of us.”

“I know nothing about dresses and all the mysteries that go into putting one on. I can certainly strip one off you if you have it on, but as far as the things that go with it, I’m lost.” She glared again. “Christ, you’re beautiful when you’re pissed off. I’ll be only a call away if you need me, but I don’t think you will. Graham and I are going over some plans about the house, and then he said he was going to make me an offer. We’ll be free to live in your little house when Addie decides on a price.”

“She said she’d do it before we left.” He nodded. “You don’t really want to sell your house, do you? We can…we can live here if you want.”

“I want you to be happy. And wherever that is, that’s fine with me.” She nodded and Addie and the rest of them came toward them. “Sloan is the pregnant one, and Jack is the one that looks like she’d beat you up if you talk to her funny. I love them all to death, and they’ll love you.”

When she got into the limo with them, he thought of the first day of school and when his mom had brought him to the class then left him. He’d felt abandoned and lonely too. But within minutes, he was making friends and forgot all about the fact that he’d not wanted to go at all. His mom had been right, as usual.

“The house is up, so to speak. The interior walls need to be put in, but Dan said that I needed to pick out where I wanted plugs and shit like that.” Ellis started to point out that they’d not come to an agreement yet, but he let Graham talk. “I talked to Sloan’s cook, and she’s going to help me pick out the kitchen stuff. Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Honestly? Yeah, I think I do. If I can get a good price on Addie’s land and you with the house, we’re going to build deeper in the woods. Another log cabin. That’s what she has her heart set on.” Graham asked him about the rest of it. “You mean the pack? I don’t think that’s going to be in the cards just yet. I’m happy just being a boss. And I need to talk to Dan about a partnership as well.”

“I haven’t said anything, as you requested, but I think he’d go for it.” They were pulling into the long drive of what would more than likely be Graham’s house. “Well, here you go.”

It was much bigger than he’d thought it would be. Even with the doors and windows not put in, he knew it was going to be gorgeous. He could not wait to see it finished. As Graham took him inside the place, he could see the changes that Graham had been talking about since he’d asked him if he really wanted to purchase it, such as the hardwood floor in the dining room. The slate that he’d wanted in the kitchen was there, but the cabinets that held the china were all open with lights in them. The built in cabinets in the bathrooms were a nice touch, and one that he’d try to put into his own home.

He decided that bringing Dawn here would be a good thing. She could see what she wanted in their own home and things that she didn’t. He was sure she’d see things that he hadn’t that were nice to her but only a job to him.

Graham took him to the back of the house, which was all one floor. Ellis had wanted that to be able to use the house when he was older and not getting around as well. But their new home would be two levels, for the children they were talking about. He was excited and sad at the same time.

Living in their own house was going to be great. This house would be wonderful for Graham because he would make it his home before he found his mate, if he found her. But the more of his brothers that found their mates, himself included, the more he thought the rest of them would as well.

As they moved through the rest of the house and into the yard beyond, he thought about what else he wanted to put into his new home. Well, the yard anyway. A garden. And a big barn so she could have her own tractor and anything else that she wanted. He wasn’t really into vegetables that much, but it made her happy and that was what he wanted more than anything.

When his brother said they were going to Hunter’s for beer and pizza, he thought it a great time to talk to Hunter about being an alpha. Not that he thought it would come to that, but he wanted to be aware of things before it became something he had to decide on. And Dan was going to be there as well.

Chapter 8

“This would look amazing on you with your coloring.” Dawn took the dress that was handed to her and again looked in vain for the price tag. She had asked several times where they were and was told the same thing. What did it matter?

“You do know that I have no idea what the hell you’re costing me.” Sloan only snorted at her. “I need to know what I’m paying for this stuff.”

“Just put it on and we’ll tell you. If it looks good.” Dawn jerked the robe off and started to rip the dress off the hanger to put it on. But Jack’s voice over the changing booth door had her pause. “And if you tear it in your pissy mood, then I’ll have to find you ten more that don’t suit you to try on.”

She growled. Not that it had done her any good the first few times she’d done it, but she did it again. When she pulled the dress over her head she stopped to look in the mirror. Good heavens. When Dawn heard Addie laugh, she wondered if they were making fun of her and started to pull the dress off again.

I’m not making fun. I can feel that you like this dress, and I’m looking forward to seeing it on you.
Dawn turned to her right, then left in the three-way mirror
. Oh, I have to see it now. Come on out. Or wait, let me come in to see if you’re all tucked in the right places.

When Addie joined her in the large room, she watched her face. Dawn loved the dress and was hoping that Addie did as well. When she asked her to turn around, Dawn felt like one of the pretty princesses she’d seen on television when she was a little girl.

“Do you like it? It’s pretty, isn’t it? I’m sure it costs a fortune, but Ellis assured me that he had a lot of money. I’m not really sure what he means by a lot. I mean, I feel like I have a lot when I have a thousand dollars stashed away.” Addie put her hand over her mouth, then smiled at her when she pulled it away. “I’m nervous.”

“No, you’re gorgeous. And Ellis has a great deal of money. Millions. He and his brothers have invested well, and Sloan has helped him and the others put their money in the right places.” Dawn was still trying to wrap her mind around millions when Addie told her to turn around and let her pull her hair back. “You have such beautiful hair. No matter what you do with it, it still looks good. But with this dress, you need it up and off your neck. Show off those gorgeous shoulders and make Ellis drool.”

She could almost see his face when he saw it. When her hair was pulled up and into a fancy twist, she went out to the store to show off the dress. Jack whistled better than most men she knew could, and Sloan put her hand over her heart.

“You don’t like it?” Sloan nodded, then shook her head. “I’m really sorry, but I do. And I think it looks good on me.”

“It does, and you do. But what I meant was you can’t wear those boots, and you need your hair styled.” Dawn flushed hotly. “Christ, you’re going to be the bell of the ball. And there is already a lot of buzz about your donation.”

“My donation? I gave the same thing last year and you said it did well.” Addie nodded and looked at Sloan. So did Dawn. “They didn’t want it this year, right? I told you it was a dumb thing to donate, but you said it was good and people would love it.”

“They do. As a matter of fact, I wanted to talk to you about advertising.” Jack plopped down on the couch that they’d been using like it was their own. “You need a logo and slogan. I’ve been thinking about the logo all week. I like Dawn’s Preserves. But that doesn’t really work because—and I didn’t know this—all jellies are not preserves.”

“No. They’re all cooked and have pectin or gelled fruit products in them. But jellies are made with just fruit juice and other liquids, while jams and preserves are gelled with pieces of fruit in them. Sometimes I put pulp in them just for the texture.” Dawn looked at Jack when she nodded and smiled. “I still have no idea why my donation is causing such a problem.”

“Everyone wants it. Since we put it up for auction, I’ve already gotten a silent bid of five grand.” Dawn sat down when Addie continued. “You have no idea what a buzz this is causing us. I mean, the woman who got it last year paid fifty-three dollars for it. And that was an amazing price. But she bragged around, and then people came to me and asked me if I had any, and Bill pulled out the jars you’d sent me last year. I had to hide the last five jars of it or it would have gotten taken from me.”

“I have more.” Jack kissed her on the mouth. “What on earth? Did you want some too? I have about two hundred jars of it from last year. The fruit was really good, and I even bought some…what are you doing now?”

Jack was laughing as she went to the counter and asked for a pen and paper. When she came back, she sat on the couch while Dawn went in to change back into her clothing. As soon as she came out, Jack handed her a drawing.

“It’s rough, so you know, but this is what I have in mind. Dawn’s is perfect, just like that. And the jars will be colored in, or I can use a picture of the actual jars.”

Dawn’s name was written out in the prettiest font she’d ever seen, and the trees behind her name were full of fruit that Jack said she’d fill in later. The little jars, about five of them, were lined up on a picnic table that had a basket overflowing with napkins and plates. Biscuits sat on a plate with steam coming up off them.

“I still don’t understand.” Jack took it from her and smiled. “You do that a lot instead of answering people. It’s sort of scary.”

“You should market them. I’m sure with the right store front and the perfect advertising company you can make millions. And I’m not kidding about that either. Howling, my advertising company, would do all your work for you, you being family and all, but you could, say in about six months to a year, be selling to big names all over the—”

“Hold on.” Dawn pointed to the paper. “You aren’t serious about this. Who would buy my stuff? I mean, it’s just mashed up fruit with sugar in it. It’s good, but millions of dollars’ worth?”

“Honey, you have no idea what you’re sitting on. I took a sample to Mabel—she owns the local diner in town. She told me that it was just like her own grandmother made. And my grannie placed an order for five dozen of each kind you make to give away as gifts next year. You’re sitting on a gold mine.” Addie pulled her to the couch they were all sitting on. “You can do this, Dawn. You’re very good at this.”

“I don’t think this is a good idea.” They all just stared at her. “I mean, what if I had to talk to one of them? Tell someone what was…I can’t talk to people very well.”

“That’s where I come in.” She looked at Sloan when she spoke up. “Jack can do the advertising, and I’ll find you a front man. Or in this case a front woman. She’ll be your spokesperson, like that dog that does it for those beans.”

“You want a dog to advertise my jellies?”

Sloan told her not to be silly. Dawn was trying really hard not to look dumb, but this was too much. When Ellis touched her mind to ask her if she was all right, she told him no.

Take a deep breath and let me know what’s going on. If it’s the cost of a dress, I told you I have the money.
She told him what they were saying to her.
Oh. Well, that’s a great idea. And so you know, I think Dad might have taken about a half dozen with him when he left. It’s really good stuff.

But they’re saying I could be a millionaire in no time.
He laughed.
This is not funny. They’re being mean, telling me this kind of stuff only to take it all away.

Dawn, honey, if they say you’ll make a million, you’ll probably double that. They know their stuff. Has Jack drawn you a logo yet? She did mine for me. And the letterhead on my billings. She’s that good. And Sloan knows a good investment when she sees one. If she says it’ll sell, then you can bet it will.
She told him it was just jelly.
And it’s damned good jelly. And you’re going to be happy to know that Graham made me a great offer on the house. Now all we need is property to build us one on.

I’ll talk to her now.
She took a deep breath.
Ellis, this dress is so pretty. Are you sure about this? I mean, taking me to this charity event?

More sure now than ever before.
He told her to have fun, and she told him to fuck off. He laughed, and she smiled. Dawn loved him so much.

“I need a place to put this all. How about you sell me the property that the house is on now and a few extra acres?” Addie nodded. “Just like that? You’re not even going to try to talk me out of it?”

“No. Why would I do that? And the house is already in your name. It has been for years. As for the extra acres, I just made a deal with the farm next to yours.” Dawn felt overwhelmed and said as much to Addie. “You deserve it, Dawn. You’ve made it your home for so long that you should have it.”

“You kept me safe for all these years. It was only because of you that I was able to survive.” Addie nodded and hugged her. “I love you, Addie.”

“And I you. So let’s get this thing going so we can go and eat. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starved.” They all agreed, and Dawn was sent to the shoe department with Sloan. Addie was making arrangements to have the dress sent to her home, and Jack was looking for underthings. For some reason, that frightened her more than going into a crowded restaurant did. Jack could be dangerous.

“I want to be an investor in your new company.” Dawn started to tell her that she didn’t have a company, but Sloan continued. “I do it all the time. Look for businesses that I think will make me some money, and the other person a good deal more. I was an investor in Emerson Construction for a while, but Ellis was able to buy me out. It was good for both of us.”

“And if I fail?” She told her she wouldn’t. “But I might. I don’t know what I’m doing. I haven’t the slightest clue what I might be doing. I’m not even sure that you know what you’re doing if you think I can make this work.”

“You know as well as I do what we’re doing. And as for you not having a clue what you’re doing, all that would work in your favor. You have no preconceived notions about how it should work. You just want to make your jellies. I want to help you make that dream come true. For a time. After you start showing a profit, which I think will be sooner than anyone thinks, then you can buy me out.”

“You do know that this just might be a fluke and that no one will want them once they realize that they’re just jelly. Jelly they can purchase anywhere for a lot less than I’d have to charge.” Sloan just smiled. “That’s an Emerson woman trait you pick up, isn’t it? You smile instead of answering, and the other person thinks you’re being nice, but what you’re really doing is calculating how quickly you can slit their throat.”

Sloan hugged her. “I’d never cut your throat while smiling at you, Dawn. You’re too scary for that.”

It wasn’t a compliment. It was…Dawn wasn’t sure what it was. It was fucking scary was what it was, and she was pretty sure that when Sloan laughed, she’d meant it as a joke. But Dawn didn’t know that many people, and this one was beyond frightening. “I’m going to like going into business with you. You’re extremely intelligent and the bravest woman I know.”

“Brave? How the hell do you get that? I’ve been hiding on my farm for years, and the thought of going to this thing with you guys has me sweating bullets.” Sloan handed her a pair of incredibly high heels. “You want me to break my neck instead of cutting my throat?”

“No. What I want is for you to look as beautiful as you are.” Dawn flushed hotly. “You really don’t see it, do you? The fact that your aunt and uncle didn’t know who you were is because you are simply gorgeous. And Ellis? I’ve never seen a man so besotted in my life. He worships you.”

“I love him as well.” Dawn held the shoes to her breast and looked at Sloan. “If I do this, and I’m not saying I will, you’ll tell me right off if it’s not working for either of us. And you’ll not expect me to do any kind of upfront stuff. I really don’t do people well.”

“Deal.”

Sloan agreed too quickly. Dawn had a feeling that she’d missed something, but Jack and Addie joined them and started on the shoes and how she had to get them. When she saw the price tag of nearly five hundred dollars, she handed them to Jack and told her they were perfect. It was time for her to start thinking bigger.

~~~

“And you will still be there should I need you?” For the fourth time, Ellis told Dan that he would be there whenever he needed him. “This is not what I had in mind when I came to work with you. My plan was to learn from the best, then be your competition.”

“Now you don’t have to be.” Dan shook his head. It was harder to convince him that he could do this than it had been to convince Dawn to get on the jet. “You don’t have to do it. But I’m not going to be around as much. My mate has a home that we both love, and we want to live up there.”

He hadn’t mentioned anything about the pack to anyone but Hunter. And Hunter was going to talk to Mike and see what he wanted to do before anything was done. Ellis was still not sure he could do it, but Hunter said that he had faith in him to be the best at anything he did.

“I want to do this.” Dan had said that three times now but was still backtracking a little. Less now than when he’d first asked him, but still a little nervous. “My dad…he said that you were going to do this someday. Told me that a month ago. I didn’t believe him. Still don’t believe that you want to do this. It makes sense, I guess. Partnership over having me as competition. Not that I’d be that much, but you get it.”