Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 21341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 107(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 107(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
My mother immediately races over as if she has Rokan's knowing. "Did you finish, Joden? Let me see what you made!"
Her eyes are bright and sparkling with excitement, and I remember what Father said to me this morning. Your mother is very excited about today. Make her smile for me, all right? I would rather stay but the feast needs food. You watch over her and the little ones.
Father wanted to be here. Carving these silly roots so he can just be with Mama. I chew back my irritated words and manage an expression that I hope passes as a smile. "I messed up. Can I have another one to carve?"
"Of course, baby!" Mama kisses my head again like I'm a baby and then races off to get me another root. I glance over at Vekka, and she's got a tiny little knowing smile on her stupid mouth.
Girls are so dumb.
Except Mama. She's okay.
CHAPTER
TEN
JOSIE
The day grows late, and there's no sign of my mate. His hunt must be taking longer than anticipated. Poor Haeden. I know he hates spending all day away from the kids and me. I keep the stew warm over the fire, adding a bit of water so it doesn't cook down into sludge, and pick up my sewing. The kids are already in bed, fast asleep. Shae and Joha are tucked together in bed, clutching their dolls. Joden is sprawled in his little nest, one fist curled tight around the blankie he makes me promise not to tell anyone that he still sleeps with every night.
I'm just putting the final touches on Joden's costume when the front door flap pushes open and my mate enters the hut. He looks tired, my Haeden. Strands of hair have come loose from his normally tight braid, and his leathers are soaked from the snow. I jump to my feet, helping him unwrap his damp layers. "There you are! I was starting to worry."
He leans in and presses a kiss to the top of my head. "The weather was bad. It slowed me down."
"Everything all right?"
Haeden nods, a hint of a smile curving his hard mouth as he shrugs off the last of his layers. "There will be much fresh meat for the feast tomorrow. I brought down three dvisti and had to rig a travois to bring them all back."
"You're amazing," I breathe. I'm always so impressed by him. He's such a good hunter and an even more amazing father to our kids.
"Enough about me." Haeden drops to his knees and puts his hand on my rounded belly, all of his focus switching to me. "Tell me about your day. Did this one kick?"
Nodding, I pull my tunic up so he can rub my bare stomach. He nuzzles it and presses his cheek to my skin, his fingers moving over the bulge of our upcoming baby. "Very active today. This one's going to be another Joden, mark my words."
"One might be enough."
I bite back my giggle at that. Our son is a boy of extremes. "He really wanted to go with you today. I felt guilty at first but now seeing how tired you are, I'm glad he stayed home." I pick bits of ice out of Haeden's braid as he rubs my belly.
"I am glad, too. It was no weather for the young. Did he carve the roots in your ceremony today?"
"It's not really a ceremony. It's just...fun. A tradition. Decorating for the holiday. And yeah, he did some carving."
"What did Joden make out of his not-potato?"
I bite back a giggle. "Hash browns? A mess? All of the above? He doesn't have the patience for carving. Kae was sitting right next to him and of course hers looked like a darn sculpture. I think that bugged him." I smooth Haeden's hair back from his brow, using any excuse to touch my mate as lovingly as he touches me. "Joden's been kind of quiet lately. Do you know if something's bothering him?"
Haeden rubs his cold nose against my belly. "I can feel this one moving. As for Joden...he is getting older. It is most likely nothing, but I will speak with him." He glances up at me. "You worry too much, my resonance."
"I just want to be a good mom."
"You are the best mom."
My eyes well with silly tears and I caress his cheek. "You're the best mate."
He grunts and gets to his feet. "I am the most tired of mates this day. Is there food? I could eat."
"Let me fix you a bowl." I move to brush past him.
Haeden snags me gently by the waist and bends down to nuzzle my neck. "No, no. You have been watching the kits all day and your belly grows heavy. You sit. I can make my own bowl of food."
So sweet. I beam at him because I know it's impossible to argue with Haeden...and I'm just as tired as he thinks. I sit by the fire and watch as he ladles the stew into a bowl. He hates hot food normally, but in the brutal season, it's welcome, no matter the taste. When he's got his food, he sits on the cushion next to me and then tugs me into his lap with one arm, his other hand holding his bowl.