Chapter 19

Austin couldn’t help but smile. It had been four days since they had arrived at the estate. Four days of mated bliss. Tulia had been a little intimidated by his clan brothers at first, but being around them, seeing how they interacted with each other and how the mated males treated the women they loved, she had relaxed.

Marie had come out of the healing room on the second day. Not for long, and she would keep an eye on the door the whole time, guarding her mate, but at least she was venturing out. She still held the same tense posture her daughter had whenever anyone was close, but she’d feel better when she saw the surprise they had in store for them.

Jeff’s injuries had been severe, but with rest and nourishment, he was getting stronger. He’d need another week or two before he was at full capacity, but he’d get there.

“Can we go now?” Tulia asked as she bounded out of the bedroom, a huge smile on her face, to where he was waiting for her in the sitting room. “Wow, you look delicious.”

He stood and flexed for her, making his T-shirt stretch over his muscles, something he knew she loved. “You look amazing, Tulia,” he told her honestly. She hadn’t wanted to leave the estate until her father was better, so she’d had to borrow the sundress from Charlotte. The emerald green fabric made her eyes shine so bright he couldn’t look away.

“Thanks. So, can we go?” The blush he’d come to adore stained her cheeks.

“Go? Where are we going? I thought I’d take that pretty dress off you and ravish you,” he teased.

She looked at him under her lashes, and he knew she was considering it. “Maybe later? I can’t keep the secret anymore. Dad’s doing so much better. Let’s bring them to the cottage. Maybe I can get food for their fridge and pantry while we’re in town?”

“Sweetness. Do you really think I would have suggested helping them move into their new home and not had it stocked and ready for them?” He tsked at her and wagged his finger.

“You did? How?”

He shrugged. “It was easy. Luke was going into town yesterday afternoon, so I asked him to get a few things.”

Tulia took a step closer, then launched herself into his arms. “How can you be so wonderful?” she asked before she planted a kiss on him.

“I just want to see you happy. Besides, they’re your family, which makes them mine. I want them settled and comfortable, too.”

She gave him another lingering kiss before pulling away. “Okay, let’s do this so we can go shopping, then we can hide in our room for the rest of the day.”

He grinned as she pulled him toward the door. “Best. Idea. Ever.”

The walk to the cottage was a mile, at most, on even terrain, but still, Austin had prepared one of the bigger ATV’s so that Jeff wouldn’t have to walk. From what little he knew of the man, one thing was certain—he did not like to appear weak in front of the Dragon Blood men. He would have pushed himself the whole way and then suffered for it later.

When they got to the front yard, Marie fussing over Jeff the whole way, and came to the ATV, Jeff pulled him aside. “I thought you said it wasn’t far.”

“It’s not. Maybe a mile, but I thought we could take the Argo. Marie is doing well, but after all she’s been through, I thought it best if she didn’t walk all that way.” Austin kept his voice hushed.

Jeff grunted and looked at his wife. “Fine, but I’m driving,” he said in a tone that defied argument.

As quiet and subdued as Tulia appeared in front of others—which she took from her mother, she was stubborn and even a bit bossy in private. Undoubtedly, that, she got from Jeff. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.” He patted the man on the back before helping Tulia into a seat at the back.

When he would have gotten in with her, Marie shoed him away. “I’ll sit with my daughter. You make sure he doesn’t crash us into a tree.”

“I heard that,” Jeff said, the tenderness in his eyes as he looked upon his mate belying his harsh tone as he helped her into her seat. “In you get. No more griping from the back, now.”

Austin turned his head, hiding his grin. They reminded him so much of his own parents when he’d been a kid—before everything changed. His smile fell as the memories—and the guilt—came flooding in. He’d never forget the look on his little sister’s face when he left. The tears streaming down her cheeks when she realized he was going without her. That he was leaving her with them. She hadn’t said much. Hadn’t tried to convince him otherwise, but the betrayal in her eyes was seared into his soul.

Once she’d come of age, he’d sent her a few letters each year, giving her his address and phone number. He’d even gone so far as to invite her to come to Glen Farley to stay, but each one had gone unanswered. Either she’d never forgiven him for leaving, or Meadow had suffered the fate he’d feared most, and their parents had given her away to another clan.

“Are you okay?” Tulia asked, her small hand coming to rest on his shoulder.

And just like that, the heaviness lifted. He had his mate. Maybe they could take a trip out to Greenwater and see if he could find Meadow. Maybe make amends for leaving, and heaven forbid, if she was no longer there, he could find out what had become of her.

“I’m good,” he said, giving her hand a squeeze before turning to Jeff. “See that peak over the tree line? That’s where we’re going.”

Jeff located the spot and nodded. “So, what’s out there that Marie and I have to see? I hate to tell you this, son, but we’ve seen mountains before.”

Austin glanced over his shoulder to Tulia who was smiling as wide as her pretty mouth would allow. “It’s a surprise. One I think you’ll enjoy.”

Jeff looked over at Tulia and gave her a wink. “I guess we’ll find out.”

***

Tulia couldn’t contain the happiness exploding from her soul. Austin had taken her to the cottage the day before to show it to her and make sure she thought they would like it before bringing her parents out. Knowing them, they would love it. The view of the mountain was beyond amazing.

When they rounded the bend and the cottage came into view, she was once again amazed at how pretty it was. Natural stone accented the outside walls, allowing it to blend into its surroundings. What had once been a garden to the left of the house had been freshly plowed.

“What do you think?” Tulia asked her mom.

“It’s beautiful. Is this where you and Austin will make your home?”

She shook her head, blinking back the moisture in her eyes. “No, Mom. I’m staying at the estate. This is for you and Dad.”

“What?” Her mom’s head whipped back to the cabin so fast she might have gotten whiplash.

“It’s yours if you want it,” Austin finally said from the front seat, but his attention was on her dad. “We’ve been meaning to post a man out here to keep an eye on this part of the property, but we’ve never gotten around to it.”

Tulia could have kissed him right there in front of her parents.

“We’d understand if you’d prefer to stay at the mansion itself, and there’s more than enough room, but Tulia thought you might prefer the privacy the cottage can provide.”

Her dad cleared his throat twice, then extended his hand to Austin, shaking it. “I’d be happy to guard this part of the property. It’ll give me something to do other than weeding,” he said with a nod to where flowers had been brought in, ready for planting.

As soon as Austin helped her off the Argo, he wrapped her in his arms, where she hid her face in the crook of his neck and sniffled. Already, her dad had helped her mom off the ATV and was leading her to the front door.

“Hey, what’s this?” Austin whispered, brushing away a tear.

“Nothing. Everything.” She swallowed around the lump in her throat. “I love you.”

Austin’s smile started small but grew wider in seconds. “And this makes you cry?”

A giggle bubbled up from her throat. “No. I’m just so happy. Thank you for this and everything else.”

He pulled her close again and kissed the top of her head. “I love you, too, Sweetness.”