“W
inter, dear, I spoke with the owner of the place where we’re having the party. The ballroom is ready for us to get into,” Gerri said, her voice filled with enthusiasm.
Winter could barely believe Gerri Wilder, matchmaker extraordinaire, was her current client. She tucked the phone against her shoulder and walked into the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee.
“Hello, Gerri, that’s great. I’m ready to get inside and get started with the decorations. The rentals are due to arrive Friday.”
“Have you spoken with the security company?” Gerri asked.
“I’ve left several messages for this Finn Blackburn and he still hasn’t returned my calls.” She grabbed the phone in her hand and gazed out the window at the back yard and beyond into the woods bordering her property. “I’ll admit I’m freaking out a bit, this is coming fast.”
“Listen, you decorate and coordinate the security with Finn. I have a company who has catered for me before. They know the place, and what I expect. Don’t worry about that. The rest is up to you, though. I’m going to text you the address. There is someone there most of the time, so just go over whenever. You’ll get a key when you arrive to come and go as you need.”
Winter turned back to the stove to turn it off. “Thanks, Gerri, that would be amazing. I’m going to call Finn’s office again and if I have to I will go to his office and knock until someone answers me,
dammit.” She laughed, but she was serious. How could he run a business when he wouldn’t even return a phone call?
“All right, sweets, just give him a chance. He’s exactly what you need. For the party I mean, security-wise.”
“I’m sure that’s what you meant, Gerri. I’m on to you, but I will use his business because you want him there, but I reserve judgment on the rest.” She opened the cabinet next to the stove and pulled out a to-go mug. “I’ve got to go, coffee’s done and I’ve got an unprofessional security company to contact and planning to do.” She hung up with Gerri’s laughter echoing in her ear.
“Stupid man, can’t return a phone call even when it’s about business. Gerri should just pick a new company. Mate or not, dammit, I don’t want to be with someone who just blows off others. My job is just as important and my time just as valuable.”
She poured the coffee in her mug and slapped the lid on tightly. “I’ve got to get a cat or something, so I can at least say I’m talking to someone and not just myself.” Her phone pinged and she glanced at it. A text from Gerri with the address of the property.
“Well, no time like the present. Might as well see where I’m working. I can’t visualize without knowing what space I’ve got to work with.”
She grabbed her phone, hitting the speed dial to the office and walked out of her house. “Events by Winter, this is Malorie speaking. How may I be of assistance today?”
“Let’s start with meeting me at the location for Gerri Wilder’s party. She just called and texted me the address. Want to get out of the office and take a look with me?” Malorie was Winter’s partner and protege. It helped that she was also a good friend. They worked well together and Winter trusted her opinion.
“Sure, boss. It’s a slow day so far. Text me the address and I’ll meet you there.”
Winter rolled her eyes. “The office opened twenty minutes ago. I’m sure it’s slow. Just put up a sign saying we will be back this afternoon and hurry up.” Winter laughed and hung up. The perk of a friend/employee was she could be short on the phone and Malorie knew she was just messing with her.
Winter locked the door to her house and jumped into her car. She pulled up the GPS and inputted the address Gerri had sent over. It showed she was about thirty minutes away.
She backed out of the driveway and tapped the phone button on the steering wheel. “Call Finn Blackburn Security company.” Winter drummed her fingers on the wheel as she drove, listening to the phone ringing then the ringing stopped. Dammit, had she lost connection? “For the love of all that’s good, why don’t you ever answer your phone?”
“Well, I was just about to say hello, but with that kind of greeting, I think I will bypass that and say who the hell is this?”
Winter squeezed the steering wheel and glanced at her phone like she could see through it to the other end of the line. “Um, yeah. Hi. I’m Winter Delgado. Gerri Wilder put me in charge of planning her party this year. She also told me I had to use your security company.
“I’ve been calling for two weeks and no one’s returned my calls or answered the phone ever.” Shit, she thought, she was rambling at this man. What if it was Finn, the one who was supposed to be her mate? What a great first impression, not that she cared to make one. She was not mating him! Shit, why couldn’t she stop thinking about that?
Winter realized she had tuned out the conversation, carrying on a lecture in her own head. “I’m sorry. I’m in the car and zoned out on you for a second.”
“Interesting. I was saying I was out of town on business for three weeks. I just got back. Would you like to meet this afternoon to discuss the event and any other information I need to know?”
“Just to verify, I am speaking to Finn, right?”
“Yes.”
“Fine, I can be at your office at two if that works for you?” Winter tried to keep her voice even and not betray the nerves she felt.
“See you then.”
Winter growled and hit the end button. “Mate or not, this is not going well, mister.”
“What did you say?”
Winter jolted in her seat and darted her gaze to the phone. Shit, she hit the wrong button and hadn’t hung up.
“Um, Gerri Wilder is the Paranormal Dating Agency guru. She never does anything just to do it. If she insisted I had to work closely with your company, I just assumed I was your mate.”
Winter let out a long breath and then glanced at the GPS, almost to her destination thankfully. She wasn’t paying attention to what she said because she was multi-tasking and now stuck her foot in her mouth.
“I can promise you, I choose who I mate and you have nothing to fear coming to see me today. This will be a business meeting only.”
This time Winter made sure she hit the end button before muttering anything out loud. The GPS chimed in saying right turn in two miles and her destination would be on the left. She couldn’t wait until Malorie arrived and she could share her embarrassing phone call.
The GPS voiced her destination as arrived. Her first view was of woods, nothing but woods. Then she spotted the driveaway, a long circular strip of concrete that led to a mansion. “Holy crap on a cracker. This was not what I was expecting to find.”
She pulled into the driveway and craned her neck to look up at the building as she approached. “Damn, this place must be amazing decorated for the holidays.” She stopped the car and fumbled with her phone to bring up her notes app.
Checkinto white lightsstrungalongthedrivewayleadingto the house.Ifitdoesn’tinterferewithotherdecorating.
She closed the app and shut the car off. She had to start remembering to hold the phone up when she was talking to herself. At least that way she would appear to be talking to someone and not herself. It really was a bad habit she had to break. Winter heard a car coming up the drive behind her and glanced in the mirror to confirm it was Malorie.
Her assistant jumped out of the car. “Holy shit! This place is amazing!”
“I know. I can’t wait to see inside. I’ve got lots of ideas and this will be the best party we’ve ever planned!” Winter couldn’t contain her small happy dance. This was a make-it-or-break-it, a careerchanging party and having a venue like this was going to put it over the top. “You ready to see the inside? I really hope it’s as amazing as the outside.”
Together they walked up to the front door and Winter knocked. “I was thinking if they don’t already have decorations planned, we could do some white lights up the driveway and maybe something tasteful and elegant on the building itself. What do you think?”
Winter didn’t know what would look good on a place this size. She didn’t want it to come out looking like a party store threw up on the place.
“I think that’s a brilliant idea. We should keep that going across the whole building. Put some plants out front on the porch or leading up to the house, all covered in white lights. I think it would be elegant and really pop.” Malorie twirled in place and Winter could envision what she was seeing.
“I think you’re right. It sounds perfect.” The door opened behind them and Winter turned to see a tall man with salt and pepper hair.
“Hello, I’m Winter Delgado. Gerri Wilder hired me to plan her party. She told me I could come by anytime to look over the place.” Winter glanced at Malorie and then back to the man.
“Yes, Ms. Wilder told me to expect you. Here is a key. The house is yours to come and go as you please. If you or your assistant need anything, please ask any member of staff you see.” He stepped back and gestured for them to enter.
“Thank you, sir. We really appreciate your time and help.” Winter stepped inside and glanced around. The entryway was stunning, a double staircase led to the upstairs. The light bounced off the wood railing and the steps drew her eye to the chandelier that hung above their heads.
From the corner of her eye, she saw something dashing across the tiled floor. A calico cat slid on her paws and disappeared around a corner. How cute!
“The ballroom is to your right and there are various other rooms you can use and set up as you need. If I may suggest, there is a garden behind the ballroom. You should visit that before you leave today. If the weather isn’t too cold, you may utilize that area.” The man bowed and walked away, leaving them standing in the foyer.
“Damn, Winter, this place is even better than I expected! Come on, I can’t wait to see what the ballroom looks like.”
A couple of hours later they walked out with a firm plan in mind and Winter had the number to the catering service to discuss the food. She glanced at her watch and realized she had to run to make her appointment with Finn. After her horribly mortifying call this morning, she couldn’t show up late.
C H A P T E R T W O
Finn Blackburn hung up the phone and sat back in his desk chair. Did she really think she was his mate? He couldn’t wait to meet her. She was very opinionated for a professional. He couldn’t tell if she was a shifter or a human over the phone, but he was curious to find out.
He wasn’t lying about being away. His mom was sick and deteriorating fast. His pack was going to hell quickly under their current alpha. Shit, even the town was dying. There was too much going on to deal with a potential mate. Assuming she wasn’t a crazy stalker who just wanted to land a shifter.
Finn turned his attention to his computer and the link to his answering service. He wanted to know how many times this Winter woman had actually called. He opened the site and logged into his account. There were several messages from his cousin Jared. The most recent one simply said, “Call me, I’ve got news and need to talk in person.”
There were fifteen calls from Winter Delgado and her company Events by Winter. He didn’t bother reading them. He got the gist of her message from the phone call earlier.
Finn did open the message from Gerri Wilder.
Hello, Finn,It’s GerriWilder . You willbehearingfrom a friendof mine very soon. I needyou to beopen to her . Give her a chance. You’regoingtoneedsomeone toleanon inthenear future. Winter
can be that person for you. You just have to let her in. See you soon.
Finn pushed his chair away from the desk and leaned his head back, staring at the ceiling. What would happen, or had happened, that Gerri thought he would need someone? The message from Jared popped into his head. He sat up and grabbed his cell phone and dialed his favorite cousin. After a few rings, he answered.
“Jared, what’s going on, cousin?” From the other end of the phone, he heard him sigh.
“Shit, I’m glad you’re finally home. That job took way too long. Listen, are you busy? A lot has happened and we need to talk.”
Finn leaned forward in his chair and opened his calendar. “I’ve got nothing until two p.m. Can you meet now?”
Jared spoke with someone and even with shifter hearing, Finn couldn’t make out his words. “Yeah, I’ll come to you. I’m not far. I’ll be there in about ten minutes.”
Jared hung up and Finn sent out a mass text to his staff. Most were on assignments but he didn’t want any interruptions. “Do not disturbuntilfurthernotice.I’vegotameetingthisafternoonabouta newjobthatcouldbebig.Detailslater . ”
He had a few minutes until Jared arrived so he did some digging into Events by Winter. If he was going to work with this woman, he wanted as much information as possible.
A few moments later, a knock on his office door drew him away from the computer. “Come in.”
Jared strode in with a smile. “Man, you’ve been gone too long.”
Finn got up and walked around his desk and pulled the younger man into a hug. “Three weeks really wasn’t that long. We’ve gone longer without talking.” Finn turned to the sideboard of his office and gestured to the coffee pot. “Would you like a cup?”
“Nah, I’m good. Listen a lot’s happened in the last three weeks. I’m not even sure where to start honestly.” Jared walked to one of the chairs in front of Finn’s desk and dropped into it.
“Start at the beginning.”
Jared laughed. “I’m not sure that’s the best way to do this. I think I will start with the easier news then move to the rest.” Finn
sat in the chair next to Jared and waited. He didn’t know what the hell was so hard to share but he was getting anxious. His bear was not a happy camper either.
“Alpha Blackmon is dead. The pack is in an uproar and there is a lot of discussion and fighting on who should take over. No one wants the pack succession to continue. There’s been talk that you are an alpha in your own right and they want you to take over. Fix Blisstown and make it prosperous again.” Jared blew out a breath and Finn could feel his eyes on his face.
“Hmm. Okay, I wasn’t expecting that. I’m glad that bastard is dead, but how did he die?”
Jared ran his hand down his face and shifted in his chair. “That’s harder to explain. For now, I’ll just say he paid for his crimes when he condoned the kidnapping of the brown bear alpha’s mate.”
Finn leaned forward in his seat and rested his elbows on his knees. “Okay, what happened to the rest of his cronies? I’m assuming they are the ones pushing to take over and keep the pack stuck in the old ways?”
Jared gave a loud laugh. “Oh yeah. They have a few supporters but not many. We need you to come to the next pack meeting and announce you will be taking over. You’re the only bear that is a true alpha. We need you.”
Truealpha?Whatwasanalpha,really?he thought. The guy with the most thugs to do his bidding? The bear with the most money to buy his way out of anything others would be jailed for? What a joke.
Finn stood and paced the office. “You know, that isn’t what I want. I don’t want to be a part of what they do, how they treat people and their own bears. I have a company that needs my attention. I don’t have the time or patience required to start over. The den needs more attention than I’m willing to give.”
“I know, dude. I really do. Just come to the meeting and see for yourself what’s going on.” Jared sighed and shifted in his seat. “Sit down. I’ve got more to tell you, and this one, it’s big.”
Finn slowly walked to the empty chair and turned to face Jared. “Okay, what’s going on? No more stalling.”
“What do you know about your father?” Finn wasn’t sure why he started the conversation that way. Jared knew as much as he did.
“Nothing, really. Mom rarely talked about him and the grandparents never said shit. They refused to talk about him and changed the subject or ranted at me if I brought him up. You know I learned early to not mention him at all.” Finn couldn’t figure out where this was going.
Jared blew out a breath. “Okay. Well, your dad is alive and he’s been searching for you and your mom for years. Like Bess, though, he was descending into madness being without his mate. A private investigator hired by Gerri Wilder found us and reunited them.”
“Gerri freaking Wilder. Why does her name keep popping up today? Explain how this PI found them, and what the fuck do you mean he’s been alive all this time? Did he search for us? Fuck. I don’t even know what to think or say right now.”
Finn jumped up and stared out the window. “Fuck, man, my bear is pissed. I need to run or work off this energy.” He started for the door but Jared’s next words froze him in his tracks.
“You have a twin brother waiting to meet you.”
Finn spun around and stalked back to the chair Jared sat in. “What the fuck do you mean I have a twin brother? Are you fucking kidding me?”
“No, I’ve met him. He’s the brown bear alpha and you’re identical twins. He has been searching for you for as long as he’s been able. He knew your name, but it wasn’t until recently he found out the details of your disappearance.” Jared gave him a small smile. “Growing up, you always said you wished you had siblings. Well, you did.”
Finn ran his hands through his hair. “Dammit, I can’t even process this right now.” He dropped back into his chair. “Start at the beginning and tell me everything.”
“I don’t know everything, honestly, and I think it should come from Quinn and your father.” Finn stood. “Would you like me to set up a meeting or do you need time to process?”
Finn stared off into space, lost in his thoughts. He heard Jared’s question but couldn’t gather his wits enough to reply yet. After a few
minutes, he responded with “Shit, maybe start with my brother. I have a lot of questions. He might be the best person to answer them.”
“Do you want to call him or do you want me to set something up for you? By the way, the PI that found you is his mate.”
“I’ll call him if you don’t mind. But you’re welcome to join us when we meet the first time if you want.” Finn didn’t want Jared to think he was going to be left out now that his family showed up. Jared had filled that spot for too many years to be ignored now.
“Nah, next time. I’ve hung out with Quinn and his mate Summer. They’re good people. It’s your turn to get to know them.” Jared smiled tightly and walked out the door.
A few moments later, his phone pinged with a text from Jared. Here’sQuinn’snumber,goodluckandcallmeifyouneedme.”
Finn glanced at his watch to see how much time he had before his next meeting. With trepidation, he walked around his desk to sit and stared at his cell phone. After a moment, he dialed the number and waited for his twin brother to pick up.
A husky voice on the other end of the phone said hello and Finn hesitated.
“Quinn?”
“Yes, this is Quinn. May I ask who’s calling?”
“Finn Blackburn. Finn. I guess I’m your brother.”
Finn heard an audible gasp and he didn’t know what to say to break the silence.
“Listen, I’m sorry to just call out of the blue. I can call back if it’s better.”
“NO! No, don’t hang up. I’ve been waiting to hear from you but Jared said you were out of town. I’m glad you called. I really am. I was just surprised.”
“Okay. So, Jared just left my office after dropping this bombshell on me. I really don’t know what to say or even think. I never knew you existed. I’m sorry that sounds rude and short, but it’s the truth. My grandparents wouldn’t talk about my dad and never mentioned a brother. Mom was never in good enough shape to tell me anything.”
“Dad was the same for many years. It wasn’t until several days ago that he had a day of lucidity. It was then I was able to get information. My mate used that to track you down. Listen, Finn, we have a lot to discuss. Could we meet and do this in person?”
“I have an appointment at two that I have a feeling I should really keep. We could meet at two forty-five? Do you want to come to my office? It’s private and we won’t be bothered.”
If Gerri Wilder was involved with his brother and the PI, then perhaps this new client washis mate. He wanted to meet her.
“I’ll be there.”
“Quinn, bring your mate. I would like to meet the woman who made this all possible.”
“Will do, brother.”
Finn hung up and sat back in his chair. So much had happened. He needed a few minutes to decompress and adjust to how fast his life changed.
C H A P T E R T H R E E
Winter drove to her meeting with Finn, but she couldn’t keep her fingers still. She tapped on the wheel faster and faster as the miles passed. She wished this was just another business meeting, but no such luck. No, she was going to meet her mate. And nothing anyone said could make her think differently.
She would love to turn the car around and put this off longer. She was still building her business and turning away the client’s requests would hurt. And this was a huge event that would put her name in the minds of a lot of people. So, she just had to meet the man who was her other half and remain aloof. That didn’t sound difficult at all. Her sister was able to go almost twenty-four hours before jumping her mate. Winter could hold out, no problem at all.
Winter pulled up in front of the building that said Blackburn Security and stared at the front door. It was a bit surreal to think about the man who would complete her was on the other side of the wall. She was a closet romantic and knew all about shifters and their mates and what it meant.
But she was human. Would she feel the attraction? Dammit, she should have asked Summer more questions and there was no time to do it now.
With a deep breath, she reminded herself she was a grown woman and no one could make her do anything she didn’t want. She pushed open her car door and climbed out. If her hand shook a little
as she reached and grabbed her bag, well, that was something she didn’t have to acknowledge or share with anyone.
She marched up to the door and paused for just a second, hoping no one was watching her through the glass. Winter took one more fortifying breath then opened the door and stepped inside to an empty lobby.
Winter rolled her eyes. Of course, no one would be out here to greet prospective clients. “Hello, anyone here?”
“Come on back. Sorry, my secretary is on vacation and won’t be back for a few days.” Winter followed the warm velvet voice that sent shivers down her spine. She shuddered slightly as she reached the doorway to the office. His office. It had to be Finn. There shouldn’t be anyone else here that drew this reaction out of her.
“Hello,” she said with a tentative smile. Her breath caught in her throat when he looked up and they made eye contact for the first time.
“Shit, you must be Winter.”
“Yeah, and you must be Finn.”
Winter wasn’t sure how long they stared at each other but suddenly the trance was broken. “Gerri Wilder recommended you as the security company to use for her party. Thank you for making time to meet me so quickly after your return.”
“Yes, please come in and have a seat.”
Winter hesitated on the threshold. She knew if she took a step closer to that man, her life would be forever changed. It was a question of how quickly it would happen and if she could put it off.
Finn cocked his head and gave her a half smile. She figured she looked like an idiot standing in the doorway hesitating. “Thank you.” Winter tried not to roll her eyes, she already sounded like an idiot thanking him twice for nothing! She scuttled to an armchair in front of his desk and gingerly sat on the edge.
“I must apologize but I haven’t had a chance to listen to your messages. Can you give me the details of the event?”
Winter nodded and glanced at his hand that gripped a pen. His fingers were white. She wondered if he was as tense as she was.
“Of course. The party is scheduled for this Saturday at six p.m. Gerri Wilder has a mansion we are using as the location. I went this morning to look it over. From an event planner’s view, it’s an amazing place. But for you and security, it may be a nightmare.” Winter thought about the garden with the multiple entrances to different parts of the house.
“Would you mind walking through the property with me? I’d like to get an idea of your plans so I know what areas need to be watched and which can be sectioned off for non-use.”
Winter closed her eyes a moment and debated what to do. Maybe she could send Malorie to walk through. Just sitting across the desk from him was posing a problem for her senses. She wanted to wrap her body around his and purr like a damn cat. He was stunning but she was trying to avoid those thoughts.
“Of course. We can do that anytime.” If her voice stuttered over the words she hoped he didn’t notice or ignored it. “Time is short. Tomorrow or the next day?”
“That’s fine with me. I have things to wrap up and I need to free up some employees for the event.” Finn leaned forward in his chair and took a deep inhale. His eyes flared for a moment and Winter swore she saw his animal looking back at her. Something in her mind wiggled, like an old memory trying to dig its way up. Something not good.
“So, um...” Winter’s pulse increased and she felt lightheaded as she stood. “I think that’s all we have to discuss for now. Maybe we can touch base at the end of tomorrow.”
Finn copied her movements and walked around the desk. “What can you tell me about the guests? I need to know who we are expecting so I can plan how many guys to have present.”
Winter looked into his eyes and forgot what she was going to say. He stood close enough to feel his body heat and it was making her brain foggy from lust. “Um, I didn’t ask for the guest list. Gerri has a catering company handling the food. So, I really didn’t need that information. Maybe you could reach out to her. She would be the best person to answer your questions.”
She stepped back to put space between them. Her hands itched to reach out and touch him. Even if a casual gesture on the arm, she wanted to feel his skin against hers.
“Yeah, that makes sense.” Winter licked her lips and his gaze shot down to her mouth. “I guess I’ll be in touch.”
“Okay.” She dragged her eyes away from his lips and took another step back. “Listen, what I said about me being your mate… Well, it doesn’t have to mean anything. I mean, I’m not a shifter so I don’t even know if it’s true. But we can avoid that. I’ve got a lot going on right now and you just got back from a trip so you have a lot to catch up on, I’m sure.” Winter slammed her mouth shut. She wanted the word vomit to stop.
“Oh, you’re my mate all right. My animal is bristling to get out and claim you. But I agree we are adults and can handle this attraction. No reason to rush into a relationship.” Finn took a couple of steps closer to her and she edged backward to the door.
“Right, no relationship. A mutually beneficial business partnership.” Winter glanced behind her to see how close she was to the door and bumped into the wall. Finn took a step closer and she could feel his heat again.
“Business partnership,” he mumbled and placed his hands on either side of her head against the wall. “Then why can’t I resist this urge to kiss you, Winter?”
“Well, maybe if we kiss once, the urge will pass and we can continue this professionally.” Winter was okay lying to herself just this once. She thought she would combust if she didn’t get to taste his lips soon.
Finn smirked and leaned in close. “Just one kiss.” He lightly brushed his lips against hers and Winter moaned. Her hands were clenched at her side as she tried not to wrap them around his neck and hold him to her.
Finn’s hand slid down the wall and he wrapped them around her body; he pulled her against his chest and she gasped. His tongue swept into her mouth and she succumbed to the desire to touch him. She couldn’t keep her hands off him even if she wanted to.
She slid her tongue across his and moaned as his scent and flavor flooded her system. For a first kiss, it was everything she wanted and never expected to find. Her toes were curling in her shoes and he had to support her body weight.
Finn pulled back and stared into her eyes.
Winter stared back, no words coming to her mind.
“I won’t apologize for kissing you.”
“I don’t want you to apologize for kissing me.”
Winter let her hands unwrap from his neck and slide down his chest, then she lightly pushed him away. “I have to go.”
Finn took a step away and opened the door next to them for her to leave.
“Winter?” a familiar voice said. “What are you doing here?”
Winter’s head snapped up and standing in the lobby was her sister Summer and her mate Quinn.
C H A P T E R F O U R
Finn’s head spun from the scent of his mate, the taste of her had his bear fighting to take control. The kiss was a mistake but not one he could regret. He was sure he would never regret that first taste. When they exited the office to find his twin brother and a woman who looked a lot like Winter but different coloring standing there, he was at a loss for a moment. That had to be Quinn.
His mind was on overload, though; he met his mate and his twin brother in just a few moments. The woman with his brother must be his mate’s twin sister. Fate had a twisted sense of humor, it seemed. Gerri Wilder was probably cackling like an evil witch anticipating this reunion.
“Summer? Quinn? What are you guys doing here?” Winter gaped at them for a moment and then spun to look at him. “I should have realized you look just like him but it didn’t register at first.” Her eyes darted between them and then to her sister. “Finn, meet my twin sister Summer and her mate Quinn, who is your twin brother.”
“Yeah, this isn’t awkward as fuck. Finn, nice to meet you, but maybe we could sit somewhere. All of us, and have a chat.” Summer wrapped her arm around Quinn’s and took a step closer to where he stood.
Quinn stared at him but didn’t say anything. Finn was attempting not to stare back but his bear was at attention. He knew the scent of family and wanted to greet their long-lost member. “Uh, yeah, come
on back. There’s a conference room across from my office. We can sit there.”
Finn turned and grabbed Winter’s hand. He whispered, “Don’t leave yet, please. Right now you’re the only person I know and barely at that. I need you here, please.”
Winter nodded at him and his body relaxed. His bear was content for the moment, but still pushing to get out and meet their mate and brother.
He could hear Summer and Quinn following him down the hall and he resisted the urge to glance back at them. Winter opened the door and walked into the room, then around the table to the far side. She stopped behind a chair and pulled it out, then the one next to it.
Finn was powerless to stop himself from following her, he wanted to be close and bathe in her scent. His bear wanted the comfort of having her near. Behind him, he heard Summer and Quinn pull out chairs across from Winter.
Quinn cleared his throat. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve been looking for you all my life. I can’t believe we finally found you. Um, Dad wanted to be here but I asked him to wait until we had a chance to talk and clear the air.”
Finn sat and leaned his elbows on the table. “I admit when Jared said we were twins, I didn’t really think about us looking alike. But now, it’s all I can think about. Is it as strange for you as it is for me?”
Summer reached over and grabbed Quinn’s hand. He glanced at her and smiled. “Yeah, it really is. I grew up thinking Mom chose you over me. That she left me behind and took you. It took a long time for me to realize we were too young for either of us to have been better than the other.
“I don’t know what you were told about Dad, but he’s never forgotten you. He had rare days when he was semi-lucid and he would talk about you like you had been with us all along. He’s never given up searching for you.”
Finn blew out a breath and rubbed his hand down his face. “I didn’t give myself enough time to adjust to this news today. Forgive
me if I’m slow in responding. No one ever mentioned Dad. I honestly had no idea if he was alive or dead. They NEVER mentioned a twin brother.”
“I’m sorry you grew up thinking Mom didn’t love you, but she used to call me Quinn on occasion. I just assumed it was because she was addled, not that I had a missing brother out there somewhere.” Finn sat back in his chair and they glanced at each of their faces. “I don’t even know where to begin with this. Can one of you tell me everything?”
Summer sat forward in her chair and cleared her throat and gave Winter a sheepish look. “I went to Gerri Wilder to set up my sister, Winter, with a date. I hoped she would find a shifter mate. Someone who would love and protect her above all else.
“What I didn’t expect was to find my soul mate when I was leaving her office. We know now she set up my appointment to coincide with the weekly appointments Quinn had with her.” Summer smiled at Quinn and he leaned in and kissed her.
“Quinn, why did you visit a matchmaker weekly? My twin brother couldn’t possibly be that difficult to set up on a date.” Finn hoped the light jab would ease his tension and that of the others.
Quinn laughed and tore his eyes from his mate. “I own the Bearly Comfortable Bed and Breakfast. Gerri Wilder has an amazing scone recipe and I’ve been trying to get her to let me make them in my B and B. She finally agreed the day I met Summer.”
Winter smiled and glanced at him, and Finn couldn’t draw his eyes away from the beauty of it.
“Gerri is amazing and sets you up even when you don’t expect it. I told Finn when I called that I thought he was my mate.” Winter glanced at her sister then back to him.
“Well, she was right. But that’s a story for another time. Summer, please continue your story.” Finn tore his eyes from his mate and over to her sister.
“Gerri Wilder refuses any payment for her services, so I offered to look into her break-in a few weeks ago. This led me to Blisstown and Mates & Dates run by Annabella. Her son kidnapped me in some bizarre woman slavery thing they had going. Mayor Blackmon was
planning to have several men knock up women with or without their permission to help Blisstown repopulate.” Summer reached over and took Quinn’s hand in hers.
“Jared came to me and told me Summer was kidnapped and took me to Blisstown along with Dad to rescue her. Moments before, though, our housekeeper came clean about her part in the story. She sent me and Dad to a safety deposit box that had Mom’s scarves in it. Her scent was enough to keep him lucid.”
Finn sighed and stared down at the table for a moment.
“When we arrived at the cabin Summer was being held in, Mom wasn’t there and apparently had been taken out of town by Gus. When we were leaving, we were stopped by the mayor’s goons. They didn’t survive. We found out from the bitch who ran the historical society that Gus took Mom to another cabin. Jared helped again and took us there. We have Mom and Dad reunited, Finn.” Quinn smiled, and Finn saw the happiness in his face.
“Wow, this is a lot to take in. How is Mom doing…I mean, she was really fading away. Did being near Dad help?” He was shocked, he hadn’t stumbled over the word dad, but the more he thought about it, the easier it flowed off his tongue.
“She’s doing great. When we first found her…well, the reunion was sweet and you could see the confusion clearing on her face the longer she was near your dad.” Summer leaned forward with a huge smile on her face. “Wait until you see the change in her, Finn.”
Finn glanced at Winter. He felt her gaze on his face. Silently, she expressed her support through her tender touch. He blew out a breath. “There’s just so much information to take in. Jared stopped by this morning…and obviously, you know that since that’s how I got your number.” Finn groaned.
He sounded like a damn idiot in front of his brother. What a great impression to give. “Anyway, he wants me to go to the council meeting and put my name in the hat for the position of alpha. He says I’m the only one qualified.”
Quinn sat forward in his chair and leaned his elbows on the table. “I agree, it’s in your blood and you can’t be any worse than Blackmon. But you should consider pushing Jared to run for mayor
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