Page 28 of The Quiet Alpha and His Fox

Joe liked to remind us of that all the time.

In the evening, we'd build a fire and sit around, thinking or talking. I was beginning to see how much good I could do by working with kids like this. I had thought the farm was it for me, but it was exciting to realize I could have a much bigger purpose.

One night, I brought up the idea to Joe. He was reading in bed, so I got out the lotion and started to rub his feet. "Is that a new series?"

He showed me the cover. "It's the last one. I'll go to town tomorrow for more, if you don't need the truck."

I eyed his large belly and raised my brow. "I don't know how I feel about you driving alone at this point. Can you even fit behind the steering wheel anymore?"

Joe laughed and kicked at me, then looked at his belly and his smile dropped. "Actually, maybe not. I feel like a beached whale."

I rubbed lotion into his calves. “But you’re my beached whale.”

He grinned and closed his eyes. "You have no idea how good that feels."

"I’m glad. This seems like a good time to ask you something, then."

One eye peeked open as he looked at me suspiciously. "Why do I think I’m not gonna like this?"

I smiled. "Hear me out. I think we’ve made a real difference with the boys, like we actually helped them."

Joe nodded in agreement. “Yeah, of course we did.”

"I want our place to be a place where kids like them can come. I mean, beyond these two. I think we should keep doing this."

Joe set his book down and leaned forward. "Of course, babe. I thought that was what we were doing."

He did? Huh. "Oh, well, once again, you already know what I'm thinking."

I put the lotion aside and gently rolled Joe onto his side. "Lemme do your back."

"God, yes. Thank you." He groaned as I rubbed the tension out of his muscles. "Can I read you the end of my book?"

"Sure."

He started to read and then stopped. "I've been thinking that maybe, you know, I could write a book."

"Yeah? I mean, yeah! You totally could, Cinnamon."

"Cinnamon would be a good author name, too." He laughed. “Or porn star.”

My eyes narrowed. “Author name. But I'll build you a desk. Then again, I can probably get our little minion group to build one."

Joe laughed. "You build it, please. They're learning a lot, but I don't want a wobbly desk."

Chapter 17

Joe

We were a little bit late to plant the summer crop because Waylan wanted to wait until the baby came. But neither of us could have anticipated the restlessness that took hold of me during those last few weeks of pregnancy.

I had done everything I could to prepare for the baby and then some. Waylan built a crib, a highchair, a sandbox, and made a beautiful set of blocks. I wanted to get everything finished so I could spend my last days resting, but then the last thing I wanted to do was rest.

One morning, I took over control of the seed spreader from Dylan. I craved hard work. Waylan urged me to take it easy, but I felt like I was losing my mind. I'd been careful for months and couldn’t do it anymore. I missed running and shifting and soaking in hot baths.

I was ready for the baby to be out.

Abigail had come out that morning to check on me. She said I was still at least a few days away, but I couldn't imagine being this pregnant for three more days. The only thing that made me feel the least bit of comfort was movement…and thinking about something else.

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