Page 71 of Dragon's Rejected Mate

As Luke stormed out of the hardware store, Carl said, “We’ll see about that.”

25

Jamie

The sun was shining brightly, making the snow glisten like diamonds. The morning rush was over. Everyone had been in a great mood as Christmas was just around the corner. Different colored lights glowed everywhere. Candy cane, wreath, and star decorations were hanging off the street lights and in the shop windows.

Jamie still had a few gifts to purchase. She wasn’t sure what to get for Luke. She would have to find a way to subtly question him to see what he might enjoy. Zeke, who was off from school for a two week break, was getting antsy, so Jamie volunteered to take him and Reno for a walk around the block.

He proudly told Jamie about the beaded necklace he had made for his mother as a gift and a clay bowl he had made for his dad. Reno was going to get a big bag of treats, but he couldn’t have them all at once, “because it would make him sick.”

Zeke said, “I haven’t made anything for my sister yet because she hasn’t got here. I’m not telling you what your present is.”

“That’s fair, because I’m not telling you what yours is,” Jamie said.

“Mama and Aunt Charlie have babies. When are you going to have a baby?”

“I don’t know, kiddo. When the time is right, I suppose.”

Jamie hoped that Luke wanted a family. She was sure that he would be a good dad.

Knock it off. You have a long way to go before that happens.

Jamie was a little shocked at her quickness to fall in love with Luke after what happened with Ryan. The cognitive side of her brain told her that rushing it was playing with fire while the emotional side of her brain quoted the cliché, “the heart knows what it wants.”

When they got back to the café, Zeke was ready to settle down in his play area and make some Christmas cards for everyone.

“I hope that when I have kids, they are all just like Zeke,” Jamie said.

“He is an awesome kid. My kind of luck the baby will be the opposite and will be wild and crazy.”

“Probably,” Jamie said. “But you never know.”

Clara and Jamie got into their regular routine, making sure that everything was stocked and waiting on the customers who needed something warm to drink to combat the chill.

Jamie was at the register when a tall, regal man walked in. He looked a lot like Luke, so Jamie figured that it was his father.

“Welcome. What can I get for you today,” Jamie asked.

“You are Jamie, yes?” the man said, looking down his nose at her.

“I am.”

“My name is Carl Abrams. I am Luke’s father,” he said.

“I can see the physical resemblance,” Jamie replied.

“Let me be blunt. I knew who your father was. He was a bear shifter. You are a bear shifter.”

“I am,” Jamie acknowledged.

“A bear shifter has no business being with a dragon shifter. Dragon shifters are the elite of the shifters and need to stay with their own kind,” Carl said haughtily. “You need to walk away from Luke and leave him alone. You have him confused so he is unable to do the right thing.”

Jamie had a hard time not laughing in the man’s face. Luke was a strong person who knew exactly what he wanted.

“Luke is a grown man. He is old enough to make his own choices. If Luke wants to be with me, then I think that’s great, because I care very deeply for him,” Jamie said, trying to keep her voice even.

“I won’t allow you to ruin Luke’s life. If you don’t walk away from him, I can make sure that you disappear.”

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