Joey: Spring (Shifter Seasons Book 6) Read online

  “Something like that.” As Joey sent the information to Kelos, he decided to keep Kelos’s secret to himself for now. Not because he didn’t trust Polly with his secret, but because hearing that your mate was going to fly to your side on the back of a mythical creature might be more than a woman in labor could take.

  Chapter Two – Breeze

  “Anything for me? I would love to deliver a baby today.” Breeze dashed down the corridor with only a couple of minutes to spare before her shift started. She was the newest midwife at the hospital in Bear Bluff, having recently moved to the area. It had been a big move and a huge upheaval in her life.

  Fortunately, Breeze found the people both in work and outside of it very welcoming. Including Loni, her manager.

  “Mother in labor on the way in. She’s two weeks early but has had a healthy pregnancy so I hope there are no complications. She should be here any minute now.” Loni tilted her head to one side and studied Breeze critically. Loni could assess a person or a situation in two seconds flat. “Or I can get someone else to take it. You could go get a cup of coffee and catch your breath.”

  “No, I’d love to take this one. Thanks. I’m ready.” Breeze smiled easily as she pushed open the door leading to the staff room.

  “It’s just that you have your sweater on inside out.” Loni grinned as Breeze looked down at her sweater and groaned. “I know it must be tough taking a later shift. I’m sorry I couldn’t have given you a day shift. After next week we should be able to alter the schedule around.”

  “Oh, don’t worry. I’m sorry I’ve had to mess you around.” Breeze peeled off her sweater, her shoulder propping the door open as she spoke to Loni. “When you accepted my application, I agreed to flexible working hours. That hasn’t changed, I’ll find a way to make it work.”

  “You don’t have anything to prove,” Loni told her. “I know things haven’t exactly worked out the way you planned with this move.”

  “That would be an understatement,” Breeze replied. “But I have it all under control.”

  “Okay, I’ll leave you to get ready. It’s going to be a busy night.” Loni grinned and let out a low whistle as she checked the clipboard in her hand. “I have another two moms in the early stages of labor. We’re going to need everyone pulling together.”

  “Give me two minutes and I’ll be ready to pull.” Breeze went into the staff room, quickly changed, and washed her hands before heading back out into the corridor.

  “That was fast.” Loni looked Breeze up and down as if checking that she had everything on the right way. She handed Breeze the notes on her mother-to-be. “Any problems, just holler.”

  “I will. Room two?” Breeze asked, pointing to the door of one of three delivery suites.

  “Room two works for me.” Loni turned away as her cell phone rang and Breeze headed into room two, glancing over the file as she walked. As Loni had said, mom was two weeks early but was healthy and all her records showed it should be a straightforward birth.

  If only it was that easy. One thing she loved about her job as a midwife was not always knowing what she might face, but knowing she was well equipped to handle every eventuality. And if she couldn’t handle it alone, she had a good team of other midwives, nurses, and doctors to step in and help.

  She liked being part of a team. Only in Bear Bluff, she was the newest member of the team. Normally this wouldn’t trouble her one bit. She was good at her job. Not that she saw delivering babies into the world a job as such. Every time she helped a mother give birth, she felt truly blessed to be part of a small miracle. However, as Loni said, things had not worked out as she had expected. Breeze also reminded herself of what else Loni told her—she had nothing to prove. She just had to do her job to the best of her ability.

  “Mom is coming through now.” Loni poked her head around the door.

  “Thanks. I’ll come meet her.” Breeze scanned the room, checking that she had everything she needed for the birth. “Is dad with her?”

  “Yes.” Loni nodded toward a middle-aged couple heading down the corridor. The father was pushing his wife in a wheelchair as she cupped her hand under her baby bump, a look of concern on his face as he placed one hand on his wife’s shoulder at the onset of a contraction.

  A twinge of longing registered in Breeze’s heart. What she wouldn’t give for a man to look at her like that. What she wouldn’t give to be a mother about to give birth with an attentive man by her side.

  Instead, she was single and that didn’t look to be changing any time soon. Not when she had her nephew living with her. Moving to Bear Bluff was supposed to be a new start, a chance for her to meet new people and date. A chance for her to live her own life. She’d felt as if she’d lived in the shadow of her sister’s marriage for years. Especially since her nephew was born.

  Tristan. Breeze loved him dearly. As if he were her own. And that was the problem.

  In a moment of clarity, Breeze had realized that she was spending more time with Tristan than his parents were. Not that she minded one bit. She adored watching Tristan grow up. However, when it got to the point that most people thought he was her child and not her sister’s, Breeze had decided it was time to step back.

  The family had to learn how to function without her. For all their sakes.

  Or had she been selfish to move here? That’s the accusation her sister, Lisa, had thrown at her when her marriage broke down.

  Two weeks after Breeze left for Bear Creek and her new life, Lisa had called to say that her husband, Uri, couldn’t take it anymore. He wasn’t cut out for family life. It was too stunting. Whatever that was supposed to mean.

  So he’d left to find himself. His old self, the one who existed before he was shackled to a wife and child.

  Breeze’s temper flared. How could a man be so damn selfish?

  Caught up in the fallout was her nephew. Instead of staying home and nurturing her child, Lisa had dropped a bombshell. She intended to follow Uri and make him see sense. Make him come back to her. After all, as Breeze was aware, Uri was the love of Lisa’s life. They were soul mates.

  Lisa’s reason for ditching her son and running away was the same excuse she’d used to explain her whirlwind romance with Uri that had ended in marriage within two weeks of them meeting.

  Lisa had called them mates. Claimed fate had brought them together and their love was unbreakable.

  Neither Lisa nor Uri had given any thought to the effect all this would have on Tristan who had been deposited at Breeze’s house in Bear Creek before Lisa took off. Not that Breeze was complaining, she loved Tristan with all her heart. However, Breeze had seen this as a sign she was not destined to date or ever find Mr. Right.

  Her destiny, instead, was to be good old dependable Breeze.

  “Breeze.” Loni’s voice jerked her out of her reverie. Time to focus.

  “Hello, I’m Breeze.” She introduced herself, her attention on mom, but her eyes were inexplicably drawn to the father’s. Who was staring right back at her. “How are you doing, Polly?”

  Breeze swallowed hard. She’d never experienced a connection with another human being before. Not in the way she felt connected to Polly’s husband. She glanced down at her notes. Miles. Miles, who was married to Polly. But when her eyes drifted back to the father-to-be, he was staring back at her with wonder. As if she were the most precious thing he’d ever seen.

  “The contractions are two minutes apart,” Polly said as she gripped Miles’s hand tightly and leaned into him. “But I think they are getting closer together. Aren’t they?” she asked her husband.

  “Yes. They are.” Miles seemed to shake off his fascination with Breeze. Pity.

  What was wrong with her? The two people in front of her needed her help to bring a baby into the world. It was her job to help them and then send them home with the most precious gift in their arms.

  It certainly was not her job to encourage a letch who latched onto any woman he found attractive. How coul
d he behave that way when his wife was in labor?

  Ahh, maybe that was it. Miles was scared about the consequences of impending fatherhood on his relationship with his wife. He was in a state of panic and transferring his affection for his wife onto Breeze.

  “It hurts,” Polly gasped as another contraction hit her. She tightened her grip on her husband, who hunkered down next to her and held her close while it passed.

  “Let’s get you comfortable. We need to get you out of your clothes and onto the bed. If we all work together, it won’t take long and then I can check all your vitals and we can make sure everything is perfect for your baby. Is that okay?” Breeze asked, already guiding Polly toward the bed.

  “I have her bags here,” Miles said and dropped them on the chair next to the bed.

  “Great, can you find Polly’s PJs or whatever she’s chosen to give birth in?” Breeze asked as she helped Polly out of her coat and slipped her shoes off her feet. As she worked, she checked Polly for any swelling or other visible symptoms that something was amiss. If Polly was two weeks early, Breeze needed to be sure there wasn’t an underlying health condition causing early labor.

  “This?” Miles held up a set of what looked like new PJs.

  “No, those are for after. Look for the nightshirt. The one with the polar bear on it.” Polly pointed at the shirt as Miles pulled it out. “That’s it. Thanks.”

  “If you could come and help Polly undress,” Breeze directed Miles.

  “Oh.” He looked at Breeze wide-eyed and unsure.

  Perhaps there were marital problems and this couple had split up, only coming together for the birth of the baby. She’d seen it enough times.

  “Or I can help Polly.” As long as these two people worked together, it wasn’t any of Breeze’s business. It also did not excuse Miles eyeing her up when he’d arrived with his pregnant wife. Mother and child were his responsibility, and his focus should be there, not on Breeze.

  “No, it’s okay.” Polly reached out for Miles. “We can manage.” She tensed and fear showed in her eyes. Her hand clamped around her husband’s and she gripped it tightly as her contraction came.

  “I’ve got you,” he crooned softly as she buried her face in his shoulder and moaned.

  Breeze took a look at her watch. The contractions were close. “You’re doing really well. Before the next one, we need to get you dressed and onto the bed.”

  Polly nodded as she breathed through her contraction. Miles gave her the sweetest smile before he started undressing his wife. Maybe there was a chance these two people might find a way back to each other through the birth of their child. There was definitely a closeness, a tenderness between them.

  Yet each time Miles’s eyes locked with Breeze’s, there was a sense of knowing. Of belonging. She couldn’t shake it even though she knew she should.

  This new job in Bear Bluff was a new start, she would not blow it because a guy made eyes at her and made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

  And safe. He made her feel safe. As if nothing else could ever touch her.

  Maybe he used his charm to date women, let them fall under his spell, and then move on?

  “Everything seems fine, Polly.” Breeze finished her examination. “Your contractions are strong, you are eight centimeters dilated. This baby is close.”

  “How close?” Polly glanced at her husband.

  Miles smiled reassuringly. “There is time.”

  “Time?” Breeze asked. “Is there something I need to be made aware of?”

  “Oh!” Polly’s stomach muscles tensed as a strong contraction swept over her.

  “Breathe, Polly. You’re doing great. Just breathe. Let your body do what comes naturally. Just don’t push yet.” Breeze oozed calm. The calmer the mother, the easier the birth. That’s what one of the midwives she’d trained under told her. So far, Breeze had never found the advice to be a lie.

  “I don’t think I can do this,” Polly sobbed.

  “You’re doing great,” Miles told his wife. “You are one of the strongest people I know.” He nodded as he smoothed her hair back from her face. “I’m here for you.”

  “I know.” She kissed his cheek. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough.”

  “You don’t have to thank me.” His eyes misted with tears as he looked at Polly.

  “Baby’s doing great, Polly. How are you coping with the pain?” Polly asked.

  “I’m okay for now. But I’m scared.” Polly’s eyes widened. Another contraction was beginning. The baby would be here soon.

  “I’m here for you, Polly,” Miles told her gently. “We can get through it together.”

  “Can we slow it down?” Polly asked as the contraction passed.

  “Are you worried about the baby being early?” Breeze asked. “Looking at your charts, the baby should be healthy.”

  “No, I’m…” Polly looked toward Miles as his phone beeped.

  “Your phone should be switched off,” Breeze told Miles firmly.

  “I really need to check my messages.” He held up his hand. “Just this one.”

  “Please,” Polly took hold of Breeze’s hand. “It’s important.”

  “Hospital policy. All phones must be switched off.” She sighed. “Read your text. Then switch it off.”

  “Thanks.” He flashed her a smile that melted her heart. Damn, he was attractive, a typical tall, dark, and handsome guy.

  “Oh.” Polly’s next contraction arrived as Miles tapped a reply to the message he’d received. As soon as it was sent, he was at Polly’s side. “What did it say?” she ground out through the pain.

  “He’ll be here soon.” Miles brushed his wife’s hair back from her shoulder. “He’ll be here.”

  The news seemed to give Polly renewed strength and renewed calm once the contraction passed.

  “Are you sure?” Polly asked.

  “I’m sure.” Sadness flickered across Miles’s face. Heart-wrenching sadness. Breeze couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. Then his expression softened, and he stared at Breeze. Sadness had turned to hope.

  The same hope bloomed in her heart.

  Along with confusion. What the hell was going on here?

  A baby. She was delivering a baby. The rest of it was irrelevant.

  “Okay, we’re getting close to pushing baby out,” Breeze told Polly after a quick examination.

  “Not yet,” Polly replied firmly. “Not yet, please.”

  “I understand that it’s scary, but baby is coming.” Breeze’s attempt to calm Polly failed.

  “Polly. It’s okay.” Miles stroked her hair. “It’s okay.”

  “It’s not okay.” Polly shook her head. “He needs to be here…” She gasped. “I sense him.”

  Miles looked up, his eyes were unfocused, as if he could see right through the walls of the building to the open air outside. “He’s close.”

  Breeze frowned. “Listen, guys. The most important thing is that we deliver this baby. I need you to both commit to this.” Her tone was firmer than she usually used but Miles and Polly were behaving oddly.

  “Sorry,” Miles said gently. “It’s just really important to Polly that the father is here for the birth of their child.”

  “Father?” Breeze asked. Her heart stuttered to a stop before hammering in her chest so hard she thought it would break free. “You are not the father?”

  “Oh.” Miles shook his head. “No. I’m not the father. Polly didn’t think he would make it and so she asked me to be her birth partner.”

  “Okay. So you two are not currently together?” Breeze hadn’t read that on the notes.

  “No,” Polly said quickly. “Joey came as backup. My husband, Miles, was working out of town, and we didn’t think he would get back in time. But Joey managed to arrange a flight for Miles. So that he could be here.” She leaned forward, her eyes fixed on the door as footsteps approached.

  “Polly.” A man came into the room and marched right up to the bed and
flung his arms around Polly.

  “Color me confused,” Breeze said. But before anyone could answer, Polly’s next contraction started. “Okay, let’s meet your new baby, Polly.”

  As she prepared to help Polly give birth, she could not deny her relief that Joey, who she thought was Miles, was not the father of the baby, or husband to the mom-to-be.

  But did she really want to get involved with a man when she had so much else going on in her life? She’d moved to Bear Creek to simplify her life. Instead, things had gotten more and more complicated.

  Chapter Three – Joey

  “I should go.” Joey had done what Polly had asked of him. Now it was time to leave. But how could he when his mate was there right in front of him? How could he walk out of the door without saying anything to her?

  It’s not exactly the best time to invite her to dinner, is it? his bear asked.

  Not exactly, Joey agreed.

  So what was he supposed to do?

  “Stay.” Polly reached out and grabbed his arm. “Please.” She glanced sideways at Miles who nodded his consent.

  Breeze looked up from where she was monitoring Polly’s baby who was about to crown. “Sort yourselves out fast. This little one is coming.”

  “Stay. Please,” Miles said.

  “As long as you don’t mind.” Joey made it sound as if he was staying to watch the end of a movie, not to witness the birth of his ex-lover’s child.

  Who was being delivered by his mate. Fate certainly liked having a joke with him.

  “Does dad want to watch baby being born?” Breeze asked.

  Miles looked at Polly, his expression filled with uncertainty. He wanted to be with his mate, holding her hand as she pushed through the pain. But he also wanted to witness his child’s first breath, first look at the world outside of Polly’s womb.

  “Go.” Polly nodded at Miles. “I can squeeze Joey’s hand for a little while longer. If he doesn’t mind.”

  Joey held out his hand. “Squeeze away.”

  “Oh, it’s coming.” Polly rolled her neck forward and pushed down just as Breeze had told her to as her contraction came.