Joey: Spring (Shifter Seasons Book 6) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Shifter Seasons

  Foreword

  Chapter One – Joey

  Chapter Two – Breeze

  Chapter Three – Joey

  Chapter Four – Breeze

  Chapter Five – Joey

  Chapter Six – Breeze

  Chapter Seven – Joey

  Chapter Eight – Breeze

  Chapter Nine – Joey

  Chapter Ten – Breeze

  Chapter Eleven – Joey

  Chapter Twelve – Breeze

  Chapter Thirteen – Joey

  Chapter Fourteen – Breeze

  Chapter Fifteen – Joey

  Chapter Sixteen – Breeze

  Chapter Seventeen – Joey

  Chapter Eighteen – Breeze

  Chapter Nineteen – Joey

  Chapter Twenty – Breeze

  Chapter Twenty-One – Joey

  Chapter Twenty-Two – Breeze

  Chapter Twenty-Three – Breeze

  Chapter Twenty- Four – Joey

  Chapter Twenty- Five – Joey

  Chapter Twenty-Six – Breeze

  Epilogue

  Also By Harmony Raines

  Get In Touch

  Joey

  Spring-Shifter Seasons

  Book Six

  ***

  All rights reserved. This book, or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written consent of the author or publisher.

  This is a work of fiction and is intended for mature audiences only. All characters within are eighteen years of age or older. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, actual events or places is purely coincidental.

  © 2020 Harmony Raines

  Shifter Seasons

  Hex

  Winter-Shifter Seasons Book One

  Beck

  Winter-Shifter Seasons Book Two

  Mac

  Winter-Shifter Seasons Book Three

  Kelos

  Spring-Shifter Seasons Book Four

  Shawn

  Spring-Shifter Seasons Book Five

  Joey

  Spring-Shifter Seasons

  Book Six

  A silverback seasoned shifters romance

  Joey’s mate, Breeze, is a midwife. She’s about to deliver his friend Polly’s baby. The problem is, Breeze thinks he is the father of the baby—And that Joey and Polly are married.

  Fate sure has a sense of humor when it comes to true mates.

  Joey’s longing for a mate is finally brought to an end when he meets Breeze. After straightening out their brief misunderstanding he asks Breeze out on a date. She eventually says yes. However, Breeze is afraid to commit to a relationship with Joey, or any other man, because she has been unexpectedly left to care for her nephew, Tristan.

  Can Joey persuade Breeze that he can be there for them both? After all, to a shifter like Joey, his mate’s family is his family.

  Breeze moved to Bear Creek for a new start. However, her problems followed her. At least her sister’s problems did. When her sister’s marriage implodes Breeze left to pick up the pieces and Tristan comes to stay.

  When she meets Joey, she is instantly drawn to him. Breeze doesn’t want Tristan to feel threatened by the new relationship but not falling in love with Joey is going to be hard. He’s the perfect man for her and would be the kind of father figure Tristan has been missing his whole life.

  Just as things start to work themselves out, Breeze’s sister and her husband come to town and throw Breeze’s plans into disarray.

  Can Joey and Breeze find a way to true happiness? For themselves and Tristan.

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  Chapter One – Joey

  “Joey, I need you.”

  Joey sat up in bed rubbing his eyes, his cell phone pressed to his ear. “What?”

  Was he dreaming?

  “I need you. Right now.” Polly, the woman he’d loved nearly as much as if he had a mate, was pleading with him to go to her.

  But she has a mate, his bear warned him.

  I remember, Joey answered as if he could forget.

  How could he forget? Joey had dated Polly for a few months. They’d gone on dates and had fun. Talked about everything and anything. She was as close to a mate as he was ever likely to get.

  However, while Joey’s mate still eluded him, Polly had found her mate and dumped Joey immediately. Which he could completely understand and did not blame her for in any way. His brain paused as his thoughts ran away with him. Just because she didn’t mean to hurt him didn’t mean that she hadn’t hurt him.

  His heart still felt as if it had been torn in two.

  “Are you hurt?” Joey asked as Polly groaned.

  “No,” she replied through gritted teeth. “I’m having the baby.”

  “Oh.” Joey sat bolt upright, his mind clear. “Just breathe.”

  “I am breathing.” She sucked in a long breath, to prove it to him. However, as Polly exhaled, she erupted into a volley of sobs.

  “Okay, honey. Calm down. Where’s Miles?” Joey asked as he slid off the bed and padded across the room to his closet. With his phone nestled against his ear, he yanked open the doors and pulled out a clean pair of jeans and a T-shirt.

  Miles was Polly’s mate. Her husband. The father of their child who was about to arrive in the world imminently. He should be the one Polly called. It was his duty to be there. So why wasn’t he?

  “He’s working out of town for a couple of days. The baby isn’t due for another two weeks. We needed the money and we thought it would be okay.” She panted down the phone. “I’m scared. I don’t think I can do this alone.”

  “You won’t be alone,” Joey assured her. “Have you called your mom?”

  Polly gave a short laugh. “I don’t want her there when I give birth.”

  “Why not?” Joey asked. When they were together, Polly had a great relationship with her mom. Had things changed? Perhaps Polly’s mom hadn’t approved of her daughter dumping Joey for Miles. Instantly, he realized how stupid that reasoning was. Of course, Polly’s mom understood that fate had stepped in and Joey had been kicked out of Polly’s life.

  “You know what she’s like.” Polly sniffed loudly. “She’ll hate seeing me in pain. She’ll likely yell at the doctors to make it stop. I wish it would stop.” Another sob. “I’m not ready. It’s too soon.”

  Joey clenched his fists, wishing he was there for her. Wishing he could take the pain away. “It’s okay. I understand.”

  Polly went quiet. Which panicked Joey.

  “You still there?” Joey asked as he wriggled into his jacket one-handed, his other hand clasped around the phone. “Polly.”

  “I’m not going anywhere, I’m having a baby, remember?” She sucked in air and then said, “I want you to be there with me.”

  “Me. When you have the baby?” Joey wanted to make sure he’d heard her right since this seemed like a crazy idea. Not that Polly hadn’t always been one for crazy ideas. It was one of the things he loved about her the most.

  Carefree, Polly was like a child, never taking things seriously. Although, he’d heard that had changed now that she and her mate were married with a kid on the way.

  On the way right now, his bear reminded him.

  “I shouldn’t have asked you,” Polly whispered down the phone.<
br />
  “Yes, you should. If you want me there, if it’s okay with Miles, then I’ll be there for you, Polly. You know I will.” His mouth was so dry his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth. This would be one of the most amazing things he’d ever done, witnessing a child coming into the world was an incredible thing.

  But it would also rip his heart to shreds.

  “Are you sure? I wouldn’t ask but…I trust you, Joey. You make me feel strong. You make me feel as if anything is possible.” She hiccupped. “I also know it’ll be painful. For you.”

  “For us both.” He gave a small laugh, wanting to put her at her ease. “It is you who is going to give birth.”

  “And soon.” She groaned as a contraction swept over her. “Hurry.”

  “On my way.” He ran for the door. “Are you still at home?”

  “Yes. I called the hospital, they said they would send an ambulance if I can’t get there by myself.” She moaned, low and deep. “I still have time. My contractions aren’t that close together.”

  “Okay, I’m getting in my truck now. I’ll be with you in fifteen minutes. Then it’s a half-hour drive to the hospital. Are you sure you’ll be okay? I don’t mind being there with you at the birth. But I was hoping there would be a doctor or midwife there, too.” He kept talking as he got in his truck and started the engine.

  “We have time,” she assured him.

  “Are you okay if I hang up the phone?” Joey asked. “You can just call me back if you need me.”

  “I’ll be okay.” She paused, not ending the call. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” Joey replied.

  “I’ll see you soon.”

  “You sure will.” The call ended and Joey put the truck in drive. He lived on the outskirts of Bear Creek, in a small cabin in the woods near the sawmill where he worked. At this time of night, the roads were clear, and he should make good time.

  As he drove, he focused on the road, not thinking about what he’d find at his destination.

  It’ll be okay, his bear told him. We can do this.

  I know we can, Joey agreed. I’m just worried we’re going to get stranded on the side of the road and Polly will give birth in the back of the truck. He looked behind him. Maybe I should have brought towels and hot water.

  Polly said she has a way to go. Her contractions are not too close. It’ll be okay. His bear shared Joey’s concern even if he didn’t voice it.

  They were both caught up in the same thoughts. Why couldn’t this be their baby? Why couldn’t Polly have been their mate?

  They loved her. It was that simple.

  Life is never simple, his bear replied.

  The turning for Cougar Ridge was up ahead, his headlights reflected off the sign and he took the road that wound up toward the small town where shifters were often seen in the streets. The people here didn’t encourage outsiders which helped protect their shifting secret.

  Joey took the familiar route to Polly’s house. Her new mate…her new husband, had moved here after they married. Maybe it would have been easier if Polly had moved away.

  But he liked knowing she was here, and she was safe.

  He’d never admit it to anyone, but there were nights, not long after she’d broken the news to him that she’d found her mate, when he would run over the mountains and sit on the high slopes and look down on the town, wondering whether he would ever be blessed with a mate of his own.

  Okay, time to drop the pity party. This was not about him. This was about Polly and making sure she gave birth safely.

  From here on in, Polly and the baby were his priority, nothing else mattered.

  After parking the truck outside her house, Joey got out and ran to the front door. He knocked and said, “It’s me.”

  “Come in, it’s open!” Polly shouted. “I’m in the kitchen.”

  Joey opened the front door and headed down the hallway and into the kitchen which was situated at the back of the house. “How are you doing?”

  “The contractions are getting closer together.” Polly was leaning against the countertop, her knuckles white as a contraction came.

  “Okay.” Joey went to her and placed his hand on the small of her back, rubbing it around and around as he tried to soothe her.

  “It’s passed.” She straightened up. “My bags are just inside the living room. Could you grab them and put them in your truck?”

  “Sure.” He let his hand drop to his side. “You stay there. Once the bags are in the truck, I’ll come back for you.”

  She nodded, then as he turned away, she grabbed hold of his hand. “Thank you, Joey. You have no idea how thankful I am that you came.”

  “Of course I came.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips to her cheek. “I want you and the baby to be safe.”

  “You’re a good man, Joey.” Her face screwed up as her belly tensed. “We need to hurry.”

  Joey nodded and left the kitchen. Ducking his head inside the living room, he spotted the two bags. One was Polly’s designer overnight bag, the other was a diaper bag covered with little yellow ducklings and fluffy rabbits.

  A soft smile crept over his face as he looped his arm through the bags, left the room, and went to the front door. Once outside, he ran for the truck, placed the bags in the back, and then went back for Polly.

  “Right, put your arm around my shoulders.” He took hold of her hand and looped her arm across his shoulder, then placed his hand on her waist. “Lean on me as much as you need.”

  “Okay.” She puffed as she walked one slow step at a time.

  “Is there anything else you need?” Joey asked as they left the kitchen.

  “Miles. I need Miles.” Polly turned her face into Joey’s shoulder. “He should be here.”

  “Is there no way he can get to the hospital?” Joey asked as they reached the front door and stepped out into the night.

  “He couldn’t get a flight.” She inhaled through her nose and let out a slow breath through her mouth. “We knew it was a risk, him going away this close to the birth. But we needed the money.”

  Joey nodded. “How far away is he?”

  “It doesn’t matter how far.” Polly gritted her teeth as they reached his truck. “Unless he sprouts wings and flies home, he’s stuck.”

  “What if I could get him here?” Joey put his hand on the truck door and opened it.

  “How? Do you have someone with a private plane?” Polly leaned heavily on Joey as he helped her into the passenger seat.

  “Something like that.” He took his phone out of his pocket. “Let me have his cell phone number and the address he’s staying at. Then I’ll make a call and see what I can do.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “You don’t know anyone with a plane.”

  “Will you just trust me and do it?” He thrust his phone into her hand. “Just put his number in. If it’s a go, you can give him a call and warn him that he’ll be getting a phone call from a friend of mine.”

  “I trust you to be there at the birth of my child so I guess I can trust you with Miles’s phone number.” She tapped the screen and input the number while he dashed around to the driver’s side of the truck. “Here.”

  “Thanks.” Using hands-free, he dialed Kelos’s number, ignoring his guilt at calling the dragon shifter at this time of night. But speed was necessary if Joey’s plan was to work.

  The phone rang. And rang. Joey was about to hang up when a groggy voice answered, “Hello. Joey, is everything all right?”

  “Yeah. Kind of. I’m really sorry to call.” Joey glanced sideways at Polly as her next contraction took hold of her.

  “What’s going on, are you hurt?” Kelos asked.

  “No, I’m fine but I have a really big favor to ask…” Joey winced, this was a crazy idea that put Kelos at risk. “And if you say no, I completely understand.”

  “Just ask.” Kelos paused as Polly groaned deeply. “Is someone hurt?”

  “Polly is having her baby. She called me t
o come and get her and take her to the hospital because her mate, Miles, is out of town.” Here it was, time to ask the big question.

  “Miles isn’t going to be at the birth of his firstborn?” Kelos asked.

  “Not unless we can find a way to get him here. He can’t get a flight.” Shawn glanced at the clock. It was probably a good time to start timing Polly’s contractions.

  “Can I help?” Kelos asked. “Can I go and get him?”

  “That’s why I’m calling,” Joey admitted. “I just…”

  “We both know we would do whatever it takes to get there when our mates have our child,” Kelos said, forgetting that Joey didn’t have a mate and most likely never would have a child of his own. However, Amber, Kelos’s mate, was pregnant so the dragon shifter had more of an insight into how special seeing his child born would be.

  “I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t so important. Polly really needs her mate by her side. Not some stand-in.” That’s all he’d ever been. He could see it now. See how important it was for Miles to be here for Polly. Joey would always be the backup plan, never the first choice where Polly was concerned.

  That is the life of a shifter, his bear said. Those are the rules we live by. Mate first above all else and we are not Polly’s mate.

  “I’d have to fly there and back again before first light,” Kelos mused.

  “I have the address. I think you can do it.” Joey let out a pent-up breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. “It would mean everything to Polly and Miles.”

  “Text me the address. I’ll see what I can do.” Kelos hesitated before he ended the call. “If Miles isn’t there, you’ll have to be there for Polly. Are you okay with that?”

  “Yeah. Whatever she needs.” Joey ended the call. “I just need to pull over for a second and text Kelos. Then you can call Miles and tell him to expect a call from him?”

  “Kelos has a plane?” Polly asked.