Page 28 of Claimed By the Bookstore Alpha
CLARK
"I need pickles, please.” I’d wandered into Turning Pages at nine in the morning. "Specifically, pickles dipped in peanut butter."
My mate looked up from his paperwork, one eyebrow raised. "Picklesandpeanut butter?”
"Don't look at me like that, my love.” I patted my belly. “The baby wants what the baby wants."
“That makes some sense.” He grinned and set down his pen, “ That concoction contains salt, protein and healthy fats. Your body is craving what it needs."
I put my hands on my hips. "How do you know that?"
He pointed to the stack of pregnancy books that had taken over half his desk. "Chapter Twelve of 'What to Expect When You’re Probably Having A Shifter Baby.' Dr. Bauer recommended it."
Of course there was a book specifically about shifter pregnancies or ones where one parent was a shifter. Flynn had read it cover to cover and was taking notes. Knowing him, he’d written to the author and suggested changes.
"I'll get pickles.” He reached for his jacket.
“You don't have to.” We could do a grocery shop later.
"And peanut butter. The good kind, not the processed stuff." He paused at the door. "Anything else the baby wants?"
Gods I adored this man who had a whole other side to him, a furry one.
"Maybe some of those weird purple carrots from the farmer's market?"
He nodded as if an order of purple carrots were a perfectly reasonable pregnancy craving. "I'll be back in twenty minutes."
After he left, I settled behind the counter with my latest manuscript. I'd been working on a story about a pregnant dragon who had to protect her eggs from local villagers. She was doing a deal with them, saying if they didn’t steal her eggs, she'd protect them from invaders and provide fire whenever they needed it. My editor loved it.
The bell chimed, and a regular customer, Arden, came in with his usual cheerful smile.
"Good morning! How are you feeling?"
Each time the bell jingled at the door, the person asked about my health. They treated me like I was made of glass. It was sweet, but unexpected and overwhelming.
"Great, thanks. Flynn's getting me snacks."
"Oh, the cravings! I remember when I was pregnant with my youngest, I ate nothing but mustard sandwiches for a month." He headed toward the romance section, then paused. "You know, my son-in-law is bringing his book club in next week. They're all excited to meet the author who's made this place so family-friendly."
In the months since I'd started doing readings, Turning Pages had transformed. The children's section had tripled in size, there were now comfortable chairs scattered throughout the store and weekends brought a steady stream of families browsing together.
"It's Flynn who's made the changes.” I hoped he’d be back soon because I was hungry. "I just gave him a nudge."
"Don't sell yourself short. This place has life now. It’s full of joy." He selected a book and brought it to the counter. "Flynn's happier too. Anyone can see that."
He wasn't wrong. Flynn still had his grumpy moments, but the bone-deep loneliness that had shadowed him when we first met was gone. Even his posture was different. He stood up straight and sometimes bopped around the store listening to his favorite band when no one else was here.
The bell chimed again, and Flynn returned with two grocery bags and what looked like a small bouquet of dandelions.
"Pickles, peanut butter, purple carrots," he announced, setting the bags on the counter. Then, with a slight flush, he handed me the dandelions. "And, um, these."
“Did you pick me flowers?"
"They're not flowers, they're weeds," he muttered. "But they smelled... right. My wolf thought you'd like them."
Arden made a soft “Aww" sound and my mate’s blush reddened even more.
"They're lovely.” I brought the dandelions to my nose. They did smell good and their earthy scent tickled my nose. "Thank you."
