Page 113 of Talk About… History

“Oh, it’s so pretty,” I breathed out as Arden pulled up to the front drive. It circled around, making it easy for people to park in the future.

Everything was just as I wanted. It had the rustic charm that was pretty common out here in Rockwood Valley, but it also had a modern mix. The outside façade was made of dark wood, but there were also big panes of glass and dark trims.

He’d barely parked before I jumped out to appreciate it in person. I pushed open the front door and walked inside.

The house was still so empty that each step echoed loudly. They had done an amazing job in here. The main common room and kitchen were one big, wide-open space. Each wall was painted a soft sage and the floors were a polished, dark cement that would be easy to clean and could withstand plenty of family parties.

The one thing I had handmade before figuring out any of the other furniture was the dining room table, which they had placed right in the middle of the dining area. It had enough seating for anyone we had over, and room for more when we needed it.

I loved living at our packhouse, the place that used to be Cohen’s but now held all our names on the deed. We’d made a couple of changes to make it our own, but it was perfect.

This place was going to be just as perfect for holidays and family gatherings. A second getaway and a connection to the land I had always called home.

My hand ran over my stomach, caressing the growing bump. I could already picture Christmas time with all the family, opening up presents, and a little baby enjoying it with us.

The emotions were almost too much, and I had to blink quickly so I didn’t cry. I swear, pregnancy had me blubbering like a baby at every turn. The guys all sent waves of calm and reassurance through the bond, and I nearly laughed. They were probably so tired of the mood swings by now, but they would never show it.

A loud knock on the front door signaled the arrival of my brothers. I swear even they looked different now. They’d had to hire bartenders at Whitaker Brews and had more time for themselves. Both Nash and Cameron had started building their own houses, although Cameron insisted he’d never have a pack there.

Maverick had found them a place in town temporarily. I had a feeling he was starting to look for a pack, but they all needed to leave Mom’s place since she and Charlie were a bit more serious now.

She didn’t want to leave Whitaker Ranch, and Charlie was more than happy to join her. They spent their days in the garden, traveling, or just enjoying the rocking chairs on the porch. It was the quiet life she deserved.

Seeing our mama light up and knowing that she was taken care of had taken a huge weight off all of us. It finally felt like life in Rockwood Valley had settled into this beautiful monotony that I would have never appreciated before.

As for my pack, we had pack dates and spent nearly every minute together. I was still working, and the guys were thriving in their own careers. There was a mix of independence and family that was balanced well. It was exactly what I’d always dreamed of.

“Turned out good, didn’t it?” Maverick said, letting out a low whistle as he looked around.

“When are you going to start building yours?” I asked, nudging him when he came close enough.

He let out a sigh. “The number of times you guys ask me that makes me want to scream.”

“We’re just looking out for you, brother,” Nash said, clapping him on the shoulder. “You can’t stay this grumpy bastard for your whole life.”

“Don’t plan to,” he countered. “I’ve just got one more thing that I want to figure out before I start looking for a pack.”

He turned towards me, giving me a small smile.

“My sister here convinced me that we should start looking back into this Artisan Fair. I think the town’s doing great. We’ve got more businesses than ever, and everybody is happy with how it’s turning out. I think it’s time.”

“What, really?” I questioned. He’d talked about it and we’d all encouraged him, but we wanted Maverick to take the first step. I guess the time had finally come.

“Really,” he confirmed. “It’s going to be a while before it’s off the ground, but I’m already putting my feelers out, reading through the notes our dads left behind, and trying to figure things out. There’s a lot more logistics in it than I thought. I might have to find a few people to help, but maybe by this time next year, it’ll happen.”

“You’ll be amazing at this and we’re all here to help,” I promised him, pulling him in for a hug. He was gentle with my bump, but squeezed me back.

Maverick smiled as he pulled away. It transformed his whole face when he lost some of his grumpy mask. His hazel eyes swiveled to his brothers to see if they agreed, and then to my pack, who all nodded in agreement with me.

“It’s going to be great,” Maverick finally said before tapping my belly gently. “Now, are you going to finally tell me if it’s a girl or a boy?” he questioned.

We found out a few weeks ago, but I wasn’t sure how to break the news to everyone, or if I even wanted to.

We kept it close to our chest, letting it sink in. But how could I resist Maverick when he was smiling at me and looking so adorable? They were honestly going to be the best uncles ever.

“It seems triplets run in the family,” I said with a grin. “Two girls and a boy.”

“No,” he gasped, glancing at his brothers then back at us.

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