Chapter Eighteen – Adam

The morning sun crept in through the window, casting its rays across the bed where he slept with Lynn in his arms. Damn, it’s morning already. His chores beckoned, he couldn’t put his life on hold, no matter how much he wanted to spend all of his time with Lynn.

Slipping out of bed, he kissed Lynn on the lips. She stirred, and he whispered, “I’ll be back before lunch.”

“OK,” she said, and then turned over and went back to sleep.

He smiled down at her. “Sweet dreams, Lynn.”

She reached up and grabbed his hand, not asleep after all. Pressing her lips to the back of his hand, she said, “I’ll dream of you. And coffee.”

“I can make you some instant, or bring you some when I come back.”

“I would love you forever if you brought me some when you come back,” she murmured sleepily.

He bent down and kissed her shoulder, then whispered, “I already do love you forever.”

Lynn turned onto her back, and looked up at him. “I can’t believe how lucky I am.”

“Believe it,” he said, and kissed her on the lips.

Lynn cupped his face in her hand, and smoothed his stubble-rough chin. “I love you too.”

He took a sharp breath in, before letting it go. “You don’t have to say that. I know it’s not the same for you as it is for me.”

“That doesn’t mean I don’t love you,” she said. “Even a non-shifter knows when she is in love.”

“I don’t want to leave you, not now.”

“But you have to, I understand. Anyway, the sooner you go, the sooner you can bring me coffee.”

He chuckled and kissed her before dragging himself away. Quickly dressing, he pulled on his well-worn boots, and headed out of the house. His truck was parked in the courtyard, and he was in it and driving out of the Hawkins Ranch at a fair clip, eager to get on with his chores and then get back to Lynn.

A large car was coming the other way, and he had to pull right over to let it pass on the narrow road. It looked expensive and out of place on these back roads. “Tourists.”

Going over his plans for the rest of the day, he pulled into the courtyard and ran into the Homestead, to find his father and three brothers in the kitchen. Jon was issuing the first round of coffee, and Adam took a cup and drank it, the caffeine buzz welcome.

“Adam, Jordan is going to give us a hand this morning, and looking at you, I think it might be an idea if he splits your chores with you.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Adam asked. He had a mate, a woman to provide for, and the insinuation that he couldn’t cope hit his male bear pride.

“It means you look as if you haven’t slept well,” Jon threw at him.

“I think I’ve slept too well,” Adam returned. “There is something about lying next to your mate that makes sleep so much better.”

“I agree,” Jordan said, and shoved into Jon. “Don’t knock it until you have tried it.”

“Chance would be a fine thing. I expect Samuel and I will be waiting around for our mates. You two have used up all the Williams’ luck.”

“Don’t be too sure,” their dad told them. “A mate can appear out of nowhere. Just make sure you have your eyes open, and you’ll be fine.”

“Thanks for the fatherly advice,” Jon said.

“You’re welcome.” Russell tipped his head. “And I mean it. Fate is always working for you. Just as right now, you should be working for me. Let’s get started.”

“OK. Come on, Adam, let’s see how soft I’ve become.”

“I thought since you worked for Dylan, you would be hardened to manual labor again,” Adam said.

“The farm is harder work,” Jordan admitted.

“Hey, Adam,” Russell called before they left. “I thought I’d visit Lynn with you later. She invited me to walk the ranch with her, see if we can come to some arrangement.”

“OK,” Adam said. “I’ll meet you back here after chores.”

“Great, that’s one fine woman you have,” Russell told him. “I’m blessed my sons have found good mates, worthy of them.”

“We know, Dad. Just like you are lucky to have Mom.” Adam not used to his father sharing his feelings.

“Let’s hope your mates are half as patient as your mom.” Russell voice unusually emotional.

“What’s gotten into him?” Jordan asked as they crossed the courtyard, heading to the barn where the young calves needed checking over and feeding.

“He’s getting soft in his own way,” Adam said. “Started with that accident of yours. He’d never say anything, but it hit him hard. He’s always been so strong, so full of vigor and willing to do whatever it takes for his family. Then you lost the use of your legs, and there was nothing he could do.”

“Certainly makes you feel powerless, believe me.” Jordan placed his hand on his leg, feeling the movement, as if reassuring himself they were working OK.

“You are back to normal physically, but mentally, emotionally, I think it changed us.”

“And that’s where this sharing the Homestead came from?” he asked.

“Yes. Perspective, and all that. Look, we don’t need to get sentimental, but it means a lot to me that you agreed to be part of it all again.”

Jordan nodded. “Is this as much for Dad as for you?”

“It’s for all of us. But yes, I think it gives Dad a reason to think we’re all still anchored here. That we’re not going to drift apart.”

“Thank you, Adam. I don’t know if I’d have done the same thing. If I’d have stayed.”

“We’ll never know, and I am not going to think about it. The past is the past, and our futures all look promising. All we need to do is get the other two mates.” Adam tipped the feed into the trough and stood watching the calves eat. They jostled each other, trying to get the best of the food.

“If only we could just wave a magic wand, but it isn’t that easy.”

“No, but fate brought Lynn here, so you never know. Although I’m not sure Samuel wants a mate, he spends so much time in the mountains.”

“He always did like the freedom. But it’s his life, as long as he does the work, right?” Jordan said.

“He doesn’t even have to do that, he would have enough income coming in from his shares of the farm to go and be a solitary mountain man.”

“Best not point that out to him,” Jordan said. “OK, enough talk, what’s next?”

“You’ll like this.” Adam handed his brother a pitchfork.

“Great, my favorite thing.”

“That is why dad sent you out here with me, he knows how much you love to muck out the horses.”

They walked across the yard together, like it was old times and they were young, free, and single. But neither of them were, or ever would be again.