Read Online Force of Nature by Kathi S. Barton - Free Book Online Page B

know. Austin wasn’t sure if he’d even be allowed in after what he’d done. He looked over at his mother who was holding the spoon in her hand like she’d use it on him if he thought of even thinking of the wrong thing right now.
    “She was mad when I left. She was really mad. She told me if I darkened her door again, she’d shoot me.” Austin glared harder at his brother when he snorted. “What the hell am I supposed to do if you know so fucking much?”
    “Whatever it is, you can’t do if from here. Go to the store if you can find one open, buy the stupid protection, and flowers if they have some, and go and beg. Beg like you’ve never begged for anything in your entire life.” His mom finally put the spoon down as she picked up the phone.
    “In fact, let me call this friend—oh Elis, you’re not going to believe it,” she said in the receiver.
    “Austin has found his mate. Yes, I know, I can practically feel the grandkids on my knee right now…oh yes, I do know. Austie would have been about to bust. But he had a little tiff with—
    what’s that? Oh I couldn’t ask you…yes, that would be better, but still, it’s the middle…are you sure? Well, you have probably saved his butt. Yes, Elis, I’ll tell him to hurry. Oh yes, that’s wonderful. I’ll send him right over.” She hung up the phone and looked at him.
    “Mom, I’m so sorry. But this doesn’t change how I feel about her. I don’t want her. I never wanted a mate. Not now.”
    “It matters little the timing, son, it’s the doing. Now, go to Elis’s flower shop on Tenth. She has it in her head that she can help you smooth things over for you and your mate. You just try and keep your mouth shut about the protection and the diseases, please.”
    Austin reached over and took the spoon from her then pulled her close for a hug. He kissed the top of her head and held her. Dallas told him to wait there and he’d be back. Austin hadn’t meant to hurt his family, but this business with CJ had screwed all sorts of things up.
    His brother came back in the room with a box of condoms and handed them to him. “They were a gift at Christmas last year. I’d forgotten all about them until just now. I don’t think you’ll find anything open at this hour so go have fun.”
    Austin hit his brother with the spoon and handed it back to his mom. With a wink, he was out the door. And by the time he’d gotten to Elis’s, he still didn’t have a clue what he was going to say to CJ. So far, all he’d gotten was, “This isn’t supposed to happen to me.” Probably not a good beginning, but for now, near enough, he thought.
    Elis had been a member of his father’s pack many years ago. She’d been a sort of honorary wolf in that she was never anything but a friend of his mom’s. But she probably knew more about their kind than anyone he knew. When he opened the door, he nearly burst out laughing at the bouquet she handed him.
    Roses and daisies fought for room with the greenery and the baby’s breath. There was perhaps three dozen roses and at least that many more daisies. The roses were a deep red to a dusty pink, yellow, and light orange. There were even blue-black ones. The daisies were all white with their bright yellow centers, their petals a white so brilliant that he was sure they’d been bleached. He took the large spray from her only to be told his money wasn’t any good.
    “You go and woo the young lady. Women like to be wooed. I know I did and your mother…
    Why, your dad was the most romantic man I knew. He’d buy your momma flowers just because the sun was shining and then on days it rained because it was raining. You do that for your girl.
    She’ll love you all the more for it.”
    Austin flushed. “She’s mad at me right now. I don’t think…she’s a human. I had to…she didn’t believe me.”
    Elis snorted. “Course she didn’t. What person in their right mind believes there are men who can turn themselves into wolves?