Page 22 of Shifter Marked and Claimed

“What? Why? What’s wrong with apples?”

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away and I have no plans to stay away unless you adamantly tell me too, and even then, I’m not sure I could,” I confessed.

Lucy burst out laughing.

“Was that supposed to be some weird pickup line or something? That was the worst joke ever.”

I shrugged completely unaffected.

“Too cheesy?”

“Ridiculously cheesy.”

There was a comfort settling in between us as we finished the meal and I cleaned up our trash.

“Do you want to come inside?” she asked.

I looked down at my watch. “Unfortunately, no. Since I blew off most of yesterday it’s been a busier than usual morning and my lunch break is nearly over. See you tomorrow?”

“Do I have a choice?” she teased.

“You always have a choice, Lucy.”

I knew I’d said the right thing by the look on her face.

“In that case, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.

It should have beenmy day off, but I got called in to deliver a baby. The labor took longer than expected and the little one was breech which required some maneuvering and prayers. At the end of it all I helped bring into this world a new little boy to welcome to the Pack.

I was exhausted and it was after six. I knew I should just call Lucy and apologize for not making it over. I had a good excuse for it, but my wolf was not happy with that decision, and I had to agree. I wanted, no I needed to see my mate.

I had a pot roast waiting for me in the crock pot and I had skipped lunch. I was starving. That posed a difficult decision: dinner or time with Lucy.

I sighed and picked up my phone dialing her number and I headed for home.

“Hello?” Lucy answered on the third ring. She sounded frazzled and it instantly set my wolf on edge.

“What’s wrong?” I barked.

There was a moment of silence. “Micah?”

“Of course it’s Micah. What’s wrong?”

I was about to turn the car around and go straight to her, but she gave an exasperated sound.

“Nothing, and everything. It’s fine, really. I’m afraid it’s simply par for the course of a single mother. Vada is overly tired from her first week of school. I had tried to make it a low-key day to give her time to regroup, but she’s just so cranky. I thought I would surprise her with a little fun and order pizza for dinner, but there’s an hour backup.”

“It is Saturday night.”

“I realize that. I just hadn’t thought it would be this busy or I would have ordered earlier.”

“Does she like pot roast?” I blurted out just as I pulled up in front of my house.

“Uh, that’s oddly specific, but yes. It’s her absolute favorite actually and it’s far too late to run to the store and get the ingredients, Micah. That’s something that needs to cook all day.”

“I’m on it. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

I hung up the phone before she could tell me I was being ridiculous. I ran into the house, grabbed my crock pot and took it right back to the car. Then I drove over to Lucy’s with a smile on my face surprised at just how great it made me feel to care for her.

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