“Maybe one day you and me could go riding.”
“I would like that. As long as it’s okay with Myka.”
“She won’t mind. Would you, Myka?”
“Not as long as I can come too. Planning on leaving me out?” She chuckled.
“Course you can come.”
She looked over the top of Patrick’s head at Galen, and he nodded as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. “How would you feel if one day soon Galen lived with us?”
“He already lives with us,” Patrick said.
“No. I mean in the house with us.”
“Oh. You mean like you two would get married and stuff?”
“Something like that, but we wanted to wait a bit to give you some time to get used to the idea.”
“Would you be my new dad, Galen?” Patrick frowned.
“I could never take your dad’s place, Patrick. But I would love to be a dad to you in any way I can.”
“Do you think you can make Myka not worry so much over taking care of me?”
“Patrick, I do not worry about taking care of you. I want to take care of you.”
“No. I didn’t mean it like that. I meant how you get upset over money. I know you don’t think I notice, but I’m pretty smart, you know?”
“So you are.” Myka hid her smile at Patrick’s concern for her. She loved him so much.
“I promise you I can take any worry away from Myka where money is concerned.”
“Are you rich or something?”
“Patrick! You shouldn’t ask people things like that,” Myka scolded.
“But why?” he asked, wide-eyed.
She sighed.
“It’s okay, Myka,” Galen assured her. “I worked hard for a long time, Patrick. I invested well and was responsible with my money so that I could assure my future. But, Patrick, you must learn that not everyone who works hard has the luxury of becoming wealthy. Myka works harder than anyone I know, and while she may not be rich, she provides everything you need. Money is not what is important in life. Having people who love you, a family that you can count on, friends—those are the important things in life.”
Patrick nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah. I guess you are right. Although it would be nice if Myka didn’t have to work so much.”
“I agree. I can assure you that she won’t have to work as much, and that she and I both can focus on spending more time with you and being a family.”
“In that case, I think you should marry her now,” Patrick said matter-of-factly.
Myka gasped.
Galen chuckled. “I already tried to get her to, but she said she wanted to wait for a while. We have to respect her feelings. That’s part of being a family. Respecting one another.”
“Yeah, I guess, but I still don’t see any reason you two can’t get married now.”
“Okay. This is not gang-up-on-Myka time.” She ruffled Patrick’s hair. “Are you sure you wouldn’t mind if Galen and I got married?”
“I already said. Course not.”
She smiled and hugged him. “I love you.”
“Love you too.”
The next two weeks flew by as Myka spent all her free time planning a small wedding for her and Galen. Patrick and Galen had spent most days together and formed a bond she was proud of. Galen was always patient, kind, and understanding with him, but firm when the situation called for it. She decided she’d compromise with Galen about his wishes to get married right away and hers to wait a while.
Two and a half weeks wasn’t much, but it had given her and Patrick some time to settle in with Galen. Although, she was pretty sure settling wasn’t the correct term where Galen was concerned. He’d respected her wishes about them not sleeping together under the same roof to set a good example for Patrick, but that hadn’t stopped them from making love anywhere and anytime they could sneak away without the possibility of getting caught. She’d quickly found out that no place on the farm was safe from Galen’s sinful mouth and pleasure-inducing caresses.
She smiled when she heard Galen and Patrick’s laughter from the living room. She would become Mrs. Soloman tomorrow. Butterflies danced in her tummy. She cleared her throat and began the tedious task of checking over every last detail for the wedding and reception. They’d decided to marry at the courthouse, with only her, Galen, Patrick, Betty, and Tom in attendance. After, they’d have a small reception at the community building in town. Everyone who was invited had been instructed to donate to any local charity in lieu of gifts.
She’d been shocked when she found out how wealthy Galen was. They’d had many arguments over that as well. He wanted to buy her and Patrick everything, but she insisted that, while grateful, she didn’t want anything lavish. She’d even had to convince him she’d prefer a much smaller and more practical wedding ring—something she’d be able to wear even while doing chores. He had reluctantly agreed, but had gotten his way where improving the farm was concerned.
She couldn’t deny that after getting used to the idea, she was looking forward to remodeling the old house. Galen had insisted that everything involving the remodel was her choice. She couldn’t wait to turn it into a cozy dream home they could all enjoy while keeping the rustic charm of the original house. She even had a few surprises up her sleeve for her boys. Part of the barn addition would be made into a game-and-media room.
While Galen liked to spend as much time as possible outdoors, she felt it was important for him and Patrick to have a place to hang out together on those days that were too cold or hot or rainy for Patrick to be outside.
She sighed in contentment. She peeked down the hall into the living room to see Patrick sprawled beside Galen as they watched The Three Stooges. Galen looked up at her and winked, and she smiled before closing the door. She fingered the soft material of the dress hanging on the back of the now-closed door. Her wedding dress. It was simple, but elegant. The creamy silk bodice was trimmed with delicate pearl beads. The tapered waist flared gently into a full skirt that ended just below her knee.
After seeing a picture of it in a magazine at Susie’s, she’d instantly fallen in love with it. It hadn’t been the most expensive dress, but just like the wedding ring, expensive simply wasn’t her style. She preferred elegant, classic beauty over bling any day. Her tummy fluttered again. Her nerves weren’t due to marrying Galen—it was a big change in her life, but a good one. Her nerves were due to the looming day of her quickly approaching first shift.
Galen had repeatedly assured her not to worry, but she couldn’t help but do just that. After all, it wasn’t every day that a person turned into a lycan. She’d put on a brave face around Galen, tried not to let her anxiety show, but he’d been able to see through her facade each and every time. She’d intentionally set the wedding date the day before the full moon. She wanted to be married to Galen before she shifted for the first time.
Patrick would be staying at Betty’s house for three days starting the night of the wedding, which would give them a short honeymoon plus time for her to deal with the shift. She had tried to mentally prepare for what would happen to her the best she could, but there was nothing on Earth that could ready her for it. She’d simply set her sights on the happiness Galen had brought to her and Patrick, and deal with the negative thoughts when they came as swiftly as possible.
A soft knock jerked her from her deep thoughts. She wasn’t surprised to find Galen standing at her door when she cracked it open. He had an uncanny way of knowing when she was upset about something even if she was in another room.
“You can’t come in.” She smiled sweetly up at him.
“I know, but don’t think you won’t pay dearly tomorrow night for keeping me out of your bed.” His eyes shimmered down at her.