Chapter 10
Vaughn sat on the couch with a cup of coffee and watched his mate open the gift he’d brought from her world as a surprise.
She lifted the lid from the large box and gasped. “You didn’t!”
Inside was the sign from the bar. She picked it up and stared at it, her eyes welling with tears. She set it back in the box and hugged him tightly. “Thank you so much. It’s the best gift ever.”
“You’re welcome, beautiful. You’re my best gift ever.”
“Well, I still got you something.” She handed him a small box.
“You already gave me a gift yesterday,” he said, thinking about the news of their baby.
“I know. Open it.”
He opened the box and was surprised to see a communicator.
“Turn it over,” she urged.
He did and read the engraving, “To the best mate in the world.”
“When Abe came to get me last night at Ivy’s, I asked him if there was a way to have a special communicator for the two of us. He took me to the security office, and one of the officer’s mates was willing to engrave the back for me. We can video-chat with each other on it, plus call and text. It’s one of the upgraded models.” She flashed her wrist at him. “I have one, too.”
“Is it engraved?”
“No.”
“Then let me get it engraved for you.”
She grinned. “Okay. Do you like it?”
“Of course!”
“Time for breakfast,” Penny said. “I hope you like omelets, Holly.”
“Very much so. Do you need help?”
“Not a bit.”
Penny left the room, the sounds of her in the kitchen spilling into the family room. He hugged Holly and kissed the top of her head.
There was a knock at the door, and he looked at his dad in surprise. “You expecting anyone?”
“Nope.” He stood, tightening the tie of his robe, and walked to the door.
“Who would visit on Christmas Day morning?” Holly asked.
“Maybe Ivy?”
“No, we made plans to get together for lunch later today.”
Abe walked into the room, his brows high. “It’s for you, Violet.”
“What’s for me?” she asked.
“The visitor at the door.”
She stood slowly, looking confused, and left the family room. There was a quiet murmur of conversation, and then Violet squealed happily and Vaughn could pick up the scent of tears.
“What’s going on?” he asked his dad.
“It’s her mate,” Abe said. “The male at the door said he’s her mate.”
“No freaking way,” Holly gasped.
“What?” Vaughn asked.
She got up and walked to the fireplace, pulling her stocking from the hook, and reaching inside. Pulling out a piece of rolled paper, she unrolled it and grinned, then brought the paper over to Vaughn and handed it to him.
In her handwriting were the words I wish Violet would find her perfect mate-match this Christmas.
Underneath, in SC’s handwriting: As you wish.
“Holly?” Vaughn asked.
She smiled at him. “Mrs. C said last night that there was still time for me to have a Christmas wish. And she also said timing is everything.”
He chuckled. Mrs. C was so very wise and sweet. He cupped Holly’s face and kissed her. “You used your Christmas wish for my sister. You’re amazing.”
“I’m in good company,” she whispered.
Violet walked into the room, holding hands with a young male Vaughn recognized from the builders’ guild.
“Everyone, this is my mate, Reed.” Violet introduced each person in turn, ending with Holly.
“Welcome to the family,” Abe said. “We were wondering when you’d show up.”
“Mrs. C came into the guild last night while I was working and told me to come here this morning and bring this.” He handed a gift sack to Holly.
“For me?” Her eyes widened.
“What’s inside?” Vaughn asked.
Holly pulled silver tissue paper from inside the colorful bag and let out a barking laugh as she lifted a wooden statue of a pony.
“What on earth?” Penny asked.
“My Christmas wish as a kid was always for a pony. I guess Mrs. C knew I’d use my Christmas wish this year for Violet and her mate, so she sent along a pony for me. There’s just so much freaking magic in NPC. It’s the most wonderful place.”
Violet hugged Holly and sniffled. “You used your wish for me?”
“Of course!”
“Oh, thank you.”
“Yeah, thanks! I was wondering when I’d get matched,” Reed said as Violet returned to his side.
“How long have you been waiting?” Vaughn asked.
“Almost a year.”
“Wow. Timing really is everything,” Holly said.
Vaughn kissed her temple and thanked his lucky stars for timing.
“It sure is, beautiful.”
Coming Next from R. E. Butler
Auden (Were Zoo Book Seven)
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The Wolf’s Mate Book 3: Callie & The Cats
The Wolf’s Mate Book 4: Michael & Shyne
The Wolf’s Mate Book 5: Bo & Reika
The Wolf’s Mate Book 6: Logan & Jenna
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Coming January 28, 2019
Auden (Were Zoo Book Seven)
In the tradition of their people, owl shifter Jessica Thompson’s parents have chosen a mate for her. On the way to a celebratory hunt to meet her arranged mate, a group of hunters spies them, and she’s separated from her nest in the flurry of bullets. Injured and disoriented, she crash lands in a zoo.
Wolf shifter Auden James has lived at the Amazing Adventures Safari Park his whole life and loves working on the VIP tours that they’re hopeful will bring soulmates to the shifters who live in secret underground. When he takes a shift as a security guard, he hears something crash in the lion paddock and rushes to the scene, where he finds an injured owl. As the owl slowly changes into a beautiful female, Auden knows he’s in the presence of his soulmate.
But Jess’s nest isn’t about to let her go without a fight. When a betrayal puts everyone in danger, will Jess and Auden be able to find their way back to each other?
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