Page 71 of Fated Despite the Moon

Makayla's cheeks heated. "I do."

Mary nodded and walked toward her taking her hands. "I misjudged you. I'm sorry."

Makayla laughed. "No, you didn't misjudge me. You were spot on in your assessment. It's I who misjudged Caleb and Wolf River."

"Well, we're glad you gave them both a chance," said Jeremiah.

"And I'm glad you both gave me a chance, though I didn't deserve it."

Mary hugged her. "When you get a minute, I think you might want to charge that phone and give your mom a call. Hearing you say those things would really ease her heart. She's been calling me every day for updates."

"She has?"

Jeremiah slung his arm around her shoulder. "You don't give your mom enough credit. She's a tough cookie, but she had a tough upbringing, and your dad was no picnic with all he put her through. Don't get me wrong, he loved your mom fiercely, but they definitely had their hard times. And she has never loved anyone more than she loves you and Colt."

Makayla gave him a tight smile. If that was true, she sure wished her mom would tell her that herself.

Makayla walked downmain street thinking about Jeremiah's words. He obviously believed what he said, but she wasn't so sure. She stopped outside the diner and peered through the window. Hannah stood inside taking an order from an older couple in a booth. She'd been avoiding the place for almost a month trying to keep her distance from both Hannah and Alice. She didn't know what to say to them. That she was sorry about Franny sounded so insincere. To tell them Caleb was hers now, and they needed to get over it was even worse. But, as it was the only place to eat, she knew she couldn't avoid it forever—unless she finally learned to cook and not just bake.

She placed her hand on the door to open it when she heard her name.

"Makayla?"

She turned, and her stomach dropped to her toes.Derek.She glanced around wildly for a place to run, but there wasn't anywhere. He advanced on her, a bright smile on his face. Wrapping his arms around her, he hugged her tight. Her wolf’s hackles raised, and she growled.

"Makayla, damn, I never thought I'd find you."

She patted his back and then stepped away. "Derek, what are you doing here?"

"You stopped returning my texts, so I came to find you." He looked at her. "Wow. Look how big you are." He touched her stomach.

Makayla's wolf pushed upward wanting to be let loose. She shoved his hand away.

He threw her a smile, but his eyes only showed irritation. "Don't be like that. Come on, I'm your knight in shining armor, here to rescue you from the big bad wolf."

Her throat dried. "You need to go."

"I just got here."

Makayla scanned the street again. Caleb would be there any moment. "You should leave, Derek. I didn't ask you to come here. I didn't ask you to rescue me. I'm doing just fine. Better than fine. I’m happy here."

"Are you serious? You're having my baby. I'm not leaving. Look." He dug into his pocket and pulled out a small ring. "I've been carrying this thing in my pocket for weeks. I came here to tell you I want you. I want our baby."

"My baby," she said. "Not our baby. You told me to get an abortion."

"I explained that. I was freaked out and confused. You just sprung it on me out of the blue. I think all things considered, I reacted like any guy would have."

Her anger spiked. He was so dense. "Actually, not all of them would."

"What? The guy your mom shipped you off to marry?"

"If you must know, yes. His name is Caleb."

"Do you love him?"

Makayla shook her head. "I'm not doing this, Derek. My personal life is mine, not yours."

"Well it's mine too, when it comes to my baby."

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