To Claim His Mate (12 page)

“You’re okay with me going to town again? With just Sarah?” Eva was glad for the freedom but still felt better with a larger crowd.

“Sarah’s a werewolf, Eva, and a born fighter. Don’t let the fact she’s small fool you, because that girl’s mean as a snake when she’s pissed. I have total faith in her to keep you safe.”

“I’m not sure I want to shop today though. Would she want to go tomorrow?” Eva was afraid of getting sick again and preferred to vomit in a toilet where she knew whose ass had sat on it. “I think I’ll call Stephanie too and see if there’s anything I can take for this nausea. It’s cruel to be so hungry but terrified to eat.”

“Well, you have to eat. I’ll call Stephanie now and see what I can find out.” He’d already dialed, and there was an unmistakable hint of amusement in his voice when he spoke. “Abraham? I need to speak to Stephanie.”

She could hear the deep, not-so-nice voice on the other end of the call and felt bad for having disturbed them so early in the morning. It was only six-thirty for crying out loud!

“It’s about Eva. She’s throwing up again and—” He paused, grinning like a naughty child. “Well if you don’t want to hear about vomit, put your wife on the line. I can hear her in the background.”

“Just don’t worry about it right now. I’ll be all right.” Eva tried to reach for the phone, but he blocked her attempts and covered the mouthpiece.

“Are you kidding? I love pissing off Abraham. This is a bonus.”

“Erik wasn’t kidding. You guys
are
like a bunch of kids.” Eva just shook her head. “I’m going to lie down for a few minutes then I’ll try to eat. It just smells so
good
.”

“I’ll bring you some in bed,” he promised before returning to his call. “Yeah, Stephanie, I’m wondering if there’s anything Eva could take for her nausea? She’s only had a bite of cheese and threw it up, but she’s hungry and I know she needs to eat and I can’t stand to see her sick like this—”

“You’re babbling, dumbass,” Stephanie cut in groggily. “It’s morning sickness, and yes, I realize it’s a stupid thing to call it since it tends to happen all day, but it’s normal and will pass soon. I’ll call something in to the pharmacy for her in the meantime.”

“Thank you.”

“She’s not in any pain, is she? No cramping or stabbing pains?”

“No, just the nausea.” Thank God. “Hurting would be bad right?”

“Yes, twinkle-douche, hurting is very bad.” An exasperated sigh came over the line. “Just call my cell if you need anything, and I’ll make sure grouch-ass over here doesn’t answer.”

Said grouch-ass growled in the background, and Adam laughed, but what had she called him? “Twinkle-douche? What the hell is a—”

“Bye now!”
Click
.

Adam closed his phone and shook his head. The insults that woman pulled out of her ass amazed him at times.

He peeked in on Eva, who was lying on her side with a pillow hugged to her chest. She looked so small like that. “Want to try some food?”

“Yes, I’m starving. If I get sick again, I’ll stop, I promise. Just no cheese.”

“You got it, princess. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

He gathered everything he thought she might like to eat and loaded the tray. On it he had some already made fajitas, rice, beans, lemonade and a few cookies.

He made his way down the hall while listening to the clicking of wolf claws on the floor behind him. He knew they were following for the food and glanced back at the pair. “Beggars.”

Eva was just sitting up when he came into the room. Her sweet face already seemed to glow from pregnancy, and he was once again awestruck by her beauty. She was so very precious to him, and all Adam wanted to do was wrap her in his arms and take care of her forever.

“Are you sure that you wouldn’t rather have some toast or something like that?” Adam wasn’t so sure her stomach would tolerate the seasonings and feared it would make her ill again. The last thing he wanted was to be the cause of
that
.

“Oh, no. That smells delicious, and I want to try it, at least.” She eyed the food-laden tray like a woman starved.

“Are you positive? I’ve already got some toast going,” he jabbed his thumb over his shoulder and toward the kitchen, “just in case.”

Eva narrowed her eyes and gave him the meanest look he’d ever seen on her. “Adam, if you take that food out of here, I swear I’ll make Stephanie look like a Sunday school teacher by the time I’m through yelling. I’m starving, miserable and determined to try that food so put it down now.” Her usually non-existent temper flared, and for some reason, Adam found it totally hot. A moment later, she sighed, looking as if she might actually cry. “Look, I’m sorry…”

“Don’t be. Honey, after all you’ve been through you can have whatever you want. I’ll bring the little garbage can over here in case you need it, okay?” She’d been dealing with everything that was thrown at her with such fine grace and composure. Sure she got upset and cried, mourning her loss, but she’d have to be made of stone to go through all of the disasters in her life and not show any emotion.

The woman truly amazed him. She had a will of iron and would be the perfect mother to his cubs. Werewolf children tended to be a rowdy bunch and seriously headstrong, but after that little outburst, he had no doubt she’d be able to set them straight.

When he returned to the bedside with the wastebasket, she was busy eating some of the rice with an utterly content expression upon her face. “So? How do you feel? Think it’ll stay down?”

“Like I’ve died and gone to heaven,” she groaned. “This is so delicious. You know, you could open a restaurant and make a ton of money.”

Adam laughed. “Well, I’m glad you like it, and thank you for the compliment.”

“You’re welcome.” She held up a rolled tortilla. “Want some?”

“No, thanks. I’m going to clean up the kitchen then pick up your prescription. Do you want to come, or would you rather stay here?”

“I’d rather stay here, if you don’t mind. I’d hate to barf all over your truck if I get sick again.” He grimaced at the mental image and she chuckled. “I’ll be fine.”

“I know. I just hate to leave you here if you’re not feeling well.” He bent and gave her a chaste kiss. “I love you, Eva.”

“I love you, too, Adam.” Her warm smiles did funny things to him, and he wanted to be the only one she shared them with. Damn but he was turning into one selfish bastard when it came to this woman.

“Listen, while you’re out with Sarah tomorrow, I’m going to swing into town to pick up a few things. We’re going to have a special dinner. Just the two of us, so don’t let Sarah or anyone else invite themselves over. Tomorrow evening, you’re mine, all right?” He took her hand and kissed the heart of her palm before leaning his cheek into it. “Do you have any idea how happy you’ve made me, Eva? In the last month, I’ve gone from wondering if I’d ever find my mate, to not only finding her but starting a family, as well. You’ve given me so much, and I want to give you something special in return.”

“But you have,” she insisted, sitting up a little straighter.

“How do you figure?”

“Adam, you’ve protected me, laughed with me, loved me, and…you’ve given me a family again.” Moisture gathered in her eyes. She hadn’t realized just how much she’d missed being a part of a family until meeting him and his siblings. They were the type of close-knit family unit she’d longed for as a child.

She loved her parents to the depths of her heart but had always wished they’d been able to do more together. Work had always come up or business trips had stolen vacations. However, thanks to them, Eva now had the financial means to spend every second with her children, and she made an unspoken promise to her baby that they’d be a tight family unit no matter what.

As if he’d read her mind, Adam said, “We’ll be good parents, Evangeline. This baby will want for nothing in this life. Camping, travel, sports, building tree houses and forts…whatever he or she wants.”

Adam promised her everything she’d basically just thought, and a feeling of love swept over her. Hell, it was like a building tidal wave. Just knowing how much he loved her and their child gave her a sort of inner peace that she’d been missing for so long.

“You just relax, and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“I’ll clean up the kitchen. You cooked so it’s only fair.” He shook his head, and her brows drew together. “And why not?”

“Calm down. I don’t mind you cleaning the kitchen. I’d just feel like a real ass if I let you clean it up after you’ve been feeling sick. While you’re having your morning sickness, I’ll do dish duty, and when you’re over it, you can start. Deal?”

There was obviously no way in hell he’d let her lift a finger in her current condition, and she was smart enough not to argue with him about it. Yet.

“Eva, the baby will take a lot out of you, and you just haven’t realized that yet. A five month pregnancy means rapid growth, and any doctor will tell you that the baby takes what it needs from the mother, whether or not the mother can afford it—at least, that’s what Sarah and Stephanie have assured me.”

“You won’t budge on this, will you?”

“You’re catching on quick,” he teased.

“Stubborn werewolves,” she muttered. He gave her a playful growl, and they both laughed. Adam always managed to make her smile.

“I’ll be back as quick as I can. Call my cell if you need anything.”

“You got it.”

Chapter Twelve

“So what do you think of this one?” Sarah held up a sundress roughly the color of baby food peas.

“I think if this medicine wasn’t working so well, that would definitely send me running for a toilet.”

“Oh fine,” Sarah huffed, hanging the dress back on the rack. “It’s not like any of this is very attractive. I take it they think pregnant women don’t want to look good. I mean, seriously, who thinks a pregnant woman looks good in overalls? And if you like,
really
need to pee, that’s just wasting precious time getting those things off.”

Another shopper giggled at Sarah and nodded her agreement.

“I just need some shorts, pants and a few tops.” Eva shrugged as she glanced through another rack. “If I don’t like the shirts here, I’ll just go buy some oversized shirts in the women’s section.”

“We could always order online, too,” Sarah suggested. “It’s nothing to have things express shipped. I’ll bet we could find some really nice things on the internet.”

“What do I need anything fancy for? I’m a simple kind of girl, Sarah.” They’d been shopping for a while now and still had a few stops to make before heading home. Adam had left strict instructions not to come home early unless she was feeling ill. He was so excited about his “special dinner” that Eva was determined to stick it out, though she was more than ready to go home.

“You’re a simple girl but a beautiful one. I would kill to look like you.”

“Are you kidding? I’m short, my hair is insanely frizzy, and if I stay out in the sun too long, you could play connect the dots with my freckles—and I mean
everywhere
.” She made a sweeping gesture with her hands to indicate her whole body, and Sarah just stared, wide-eyed. “Curse of being a red-head.”

“You are petite, your hair curls into nearly perfect ringlets, and I think your freckles suit you. You look like a little fairy or a pixie. I’ll bet you were extremely popular with the boys in school.”

“Not hardly. They were afraid of my parents, I think. They were rich and insisted I have the best of everything. They even went so far as to approve my friends and any boys who I showed interest in. I was extremely sheltered before their deaths and even more so afterward, due to my sudden wealth.” She was a little regretful that she’d lost out on a normal childhood but wouldn’t have traded her parents to gain it.

“Well, it doesn’t matter about the boys now because you have Adam. He’s a real sweetheart when he wants to be, and I have no doubt he’ll spoil you and your kids rotten.” Sarah had such a warm look in her eyes, almost as if she yearned for a child of her own. “He’s just that kind of person.”

“I’m glad I ended up being his mate. I actually feel like I’m starring in my own romance novel.”

Sarah quirked one of her freshly waxed brows in response.

“Yes, I’m one of those females who lives vicariously through those books with half-naked men on the covers.”

They were still laughing after they’d checked out and walked from the store. Sarah spotted a red dress inside the boutique next door and was glued to the window like a puppy in a pet store.

“I gotta try this on.” Her entranced voice made Eva giggle.

“I’m going to put these bags in the trunk then I think I’ll come in too and give it a shot. It’s a really nice design.” The car was parked down the street, but Eva already had six bags in her hands and was getting tired of hauling them around.

“Here,” Sarah held out her hands, “let’s combine as much as we can, and I’ll hold on to them until we’re done in here then we’ll go back to the car and park farther down before we shop any more.”

After that was settled, the two women entered the store. They tried on anything and everything that caught their eye. Eva even decided to get a nice dress for her “special dinner” with Adam. She had no doubt the man was up to something, but if Sarah knew anything about it, she wasn’t talking.

“That is absolutely
stunning
on you!” Sarah’s rather loud observation startled Eva out of her thoughts. “You should wear that the rest of the day so you can walk in the house tonight wearing it.”

“Are you sure? It seems a little risqué.” The dress was a rich, sapphire blue with a back that was open clear down to her hips and an enticingly low v-neck in the front that showcased her cleavage to scandalous proportions.

“Absolutely, and honey, do us all a favor and take a picture with your cell phone of his face when he first lays eyes on you. I’ll bet fifty that he swallows his tongue.” Sarah had a positively evil look in her eyes, and Eva knew this would be the topic of conversation at the next girl’s night out for sure.