Page 15 of Broken Chains

I lifted my leg off the bike and took off my helmet, deciding it was a safe enough area to leave it there. Then I walked down the neatly kept trail to the infamous greenhouse.

I didn’t know if I should knock or just walk in. I took a deep breath and reached for the handle. There was a little bell above the door that jingled.

“We’re in the back,” a melodic voice yelled. I followed in the direction it came from. “Tell me you brought Opal today because we are ready for a playdate,” she hollered again, dancing around a small room with her back to the door. She slowly turned and froze when she saw me. “You aren’t Ruby,” she said, slowly staring back just as in shock.

I couldn’t believe the sight before me. The woman from the grocery store that I’d gotten fired over and had dreamed about every night since was standing there, wearing Evie in some contraption on her chest. My daughter’s little hands were out to the sides, confidently holding on to Peyton’s fingers as they swayed to some cheesy kid tunes.

“Hi,” I managed to say.

She looked confused, but happy. She gave me a shy smile. “It’s you. Um, what are you doing here?”

“Uh, you’re wearing my daughter,” I blurted out, because it was the only thing I could focus on.

This woman had haunted my memories since the first moment I laid eyes on her. I had to fight back an obsessive need not to actively search for her, and here she was, dancing with Eve like it was the most natural thing in the world.

My wolf let me know he approved and was happier than I felt him in weeks.

Mate,a voice in my head sang. I’d heard him clearly say the same the first time I’d seen her, but I still didn’t know what that meant.

“You’re Oliver?” she asked, clearly shaken.

I nodded. “Are you Peyton?” I asked, and I saw her slowly nod in return.

We were still staring at each other awkwardly when the bell over the door rang.

“Auntie Pey, are you in here?” a female yelled.

“Um, yeah, in the back, Ruby,” Peyton replied. “My sister,” she said softer to me.

A curly redhead practically skipped into the room wearing the same contraption Peyton had Evie strapped to her with. The little girl on her chest began babbling in baby noises as her legs and arms started flailing in excitement. I was mesmerized as I watched my daughter duplicate her movements, as if they were old friends happy to see each other.

“Oh my. Hello,” the redheaded Ruby said. I didn’t miss the curious glance she shot Peyton.

“Hi,” I said, offering her my hand. “I’m Oliver.”

“Wait, Kenneth’s brother?” she asked.

“Yeah. I’ve been meaning to come by and check the place out. He said it was all clear and okay to drop by anytime.”

“Oh yeah, sure, anytime,” Ruby said with a smirk. “Wait, that means you’re Eve’s dad,” she said, putting two and two together.

I couldn’t help but notice the blush that spread across Peyton’s cheeks from the questioning looks her sister kept sending her way.

“I’m Ruby, this is Opal. She and Evie have made fast friends. Everyone at Mommy and Me class this week just adored her. That’s a really sweet girl you have there,” she gushed.

I couldn’t help but beam with pride. “Thanks. Wait. Mommy and Me classes?” I turned to look at Peyton, whose cheeks were burning red now. “You’re taking my daughter to Mommy and Me classes?” I asked, amused by the situation.

“Ruby dragged us there. I’m sorry. I should have checked with you first,” she apologized.

“No, it’s okay. I don’t really understand why you’ve been helping us out like this, but I appreciate everything you’ve done for Kenneth. And I’ll admit, I was a little nervous about him bringing Eve to work with him, but I can see she’s in good hands,” I said.

The truth of that statement hit me hard. I didn’t know this woman, but I trusted her without question. I could sense how protective she was of Eve and instead of getting in an uproar over that, my wolf was excited by it. I didn’t understand what the hell was happening.

The bell chimed again and Peyton and Ruby both craned their necks to see who it was. I expected Kenneth, but instead a tall, dark, brooding man walked in and I instinctively moved to protect Peyton. I instantly tried to reason with myself that it was only because she carried Eve, but I was certain that wasn’t true. My wolf and I were protecting them both and it felt so natural that it scared me.

“I should hang out here more often, Pey. This place is just crawling with handsome men,” Ruby gushed as the man smiled and leaned down to first kiss the baby, then planted a kiss on Ruby’s lips.

“Bran, this is Evie’s dad, Oliver. Oliver, this is my mate, Bran.”

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