Page 18 of The Twelve Knots of Christmas
All three of them turned to face me. Balthazar’s wide grin said he knew what I was going to say already, and Lucian’s hands fisted, shaking slightly as he waited to hear what I decided. Jasper ran a hand through his hair and looked at me as if he didn’t care either way, but I couldn’t see his breaths in the cold night.
I didn’t go any farther. I couldn’t trust myself.
“Okay. Twelve dates.” I swallowed hard. Another cold shower was calling me. “What time are you picking me up tomorrow?”
CHAPTER EIGHT - Balthazar
I pulled up in front of Primrose House and put the truck into park. My heart was thundering in my chest. I’d barely slept the previous night.
Mariska had said yes.
We finally had our Omega. There was no way she’d leave us after the twelve dates. I knew it in my fucking heart and soul. “She’s the one.”
“Balthazar,” Mom sighed and unbuckled her seat belt.
I turned toward her, grinning. “She’s the one. I know it. Wait until you meet her. You’ll love her as much as I do.”
“I’m sure I’ll like her. She’s one of Eloise’s girls, so I know she’s a good egg. But,” she patted my leg, talking carefully in that maternal tone I knew so well. I was a handful growing up, but she was always there for me on my side. “Every Omega you’ve dated, you’ve said she’s the one. Get to know her first before pinning your heart on her. Take things slow for once.”
“We’re scent matches. She’s scent matched the whole pack.” That was the bow on this massive gift. I opened my truck door and hopped out, leaving it running.
“Yes, Lucian told me. I still say take things slow. You don’t want to scare her off.” Mom didn’t physically waggle her finger at me, but that was a verbal waggling. She slipped out of the passenger seat and moved to sit in the backseat.
I chuckled and trotted to the front door of the house. There was no way I could scare Mariska off. I’d give her the life every Omega dreamed of: a big farm house, attentive Alphas, and a dozen babies.
The front door opened before I even pushed the bell, and Lyla greeted me with a cheeky smirk. “Hi Balthazar. You’re looking good today.”
“Thanks.” I’d put on my dressiest flannel shirt and wore a winter vest over it. I rarely dressed up, but this wasn’t the Omega I wanted to notice how I looked. Lyla was nice, but she barely registered on my radar now. Yet I couldn’t help but take note of her godawful ugly Christmas sweater. “And you look like… the inside of Santa’s sack of gifts?”
“It’s supposed to be the presents under the tree. See the green fringe like pine needles around my neck?” She fluffed it up. “Your guess was really good. I think I’ll have to work on the collar. Maybe make it longer and fuller.”
Right. The girl had a strange sense of fashion.
Eloise came around the corner with her purse tucked under her arm. “Good afternoon. I’m so excited to go to the market today. Did Liz come with you?”
“Hi. Yeah, she’s waiting in the truck.” I bobbed my head. My heart started to pound a little harder. Where was Mariska? I’d imagined her waiting on the porch for me with a big smile.
“Wonderful.” Eloise put on her boots before glancing at the door and then up the stairs. “Where’s Mari? She knew when we’d be leaving.”
Lyla skipped over to the foot of the stairs and yelled up. “Mari! Your date’s here!”
A door opened and the click of nails on hardwood came fast to the top of the stairs. Artemis gave a single bark and wagged her tail. While she seemed eager to run down to me, she stayed upstairs and waited for Mariska. That was one very well trained animal. If Mariska had the patience for that, she would be an amazing mother.
The tap of boots announced my Omega’s arrival… bundled up from head to toe, with a scarf covering her nose and mouth. Hat, coat, gloves, scarf, jeans, and boots were black. It was like she was trying to be a ninja.
“Come on, dear. Let’s get going.” Eloise gestured to her and then gave Lyla a hug. “Have a lovely afternoon. I can’t wait to see the dress if you finish it.”
“It’s just going to be me and Artemis singing Christmas carols and creating a new line of holiday fashion.” Lyla hooted. “Have fun and don’t buy more than you can carry.”
“No promises.” Eloise laughed, and I stepped back so she could slip by me and go to the truck.
Mariska slowly came down the stairs with Artemis at her side. She stroked the dog’s head as they reached the bottom and nodded at me. Even with her scarf up, I could see a flush in her cheeks.
“What the heck, Mari? I told you that you could borrow any of my leggings and you should totally wear your blue sweater. Blue is your spirit color.” Lyla said the last bit like some fashion guru. She then gave Mariska a quick hug. “But even in black, you’re beautiful. Have fun and bring me back some jingle donuts.”
“Okay. Thanks.” Mariska’s gaze kept darting my way. The girl couldn’t keep her eyes off me. I grinned as she told Artemis to stay and walked to the door which I held open for her. “Hi.”
“Hi to you too.” I breathed in her scent as she passed me. There was a light scent of Ivory soap and peaches, as if she’d attempted to hide her natural perfume, but I could still smell her. Creamy vanilla only made sweeter by the hint of peaches.
