Read Online Gifts of Fate [Kindred of Arkadia 7] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Alanea Alder - Free Book Online Page A

would have a baby too. We need to stop at the general store and pray they have another
    Pack ’N Play.”
    “It doesn’t feel like Christmas anymore.” Madison pulled the afghan over her legs for comfort. Connor
    looked down at his depressed mate and decided that maybe she needed her Christmas gift early.
    “How about you open a Christmas gift?”
    “I’m not in the mood.” She sighed.
    “How about that small square one. The one wrapped in green paper.” Connor suggested, smiling at his
    mate. She looked up and a grin started to tug at her lips.
    “What’s in the box?”
    “Open it and find out!” Connor said, nudging her leg with his own. Madison eyed the gift then looked
    at him, before her eyes wandered back to the small square box.
    “Hmm I wonder what it could be?” Connor asked playfully.
    “Argh! You got me!” Madison bounced off the sofa and sat in front of their tree like a kid at Christmas.
    Her eyes were still edged by sadness, but there was a sparkle back in her eye. She picked up the square box.
    She tore into the wrapping and stared down at the plain white box. Carefully she lifted the top. When she
    moved aside the tissue paper he watched as her face was transformed into a look of wonder.
    “How?” she asked, her trembling fingers reaching out to touch the textured canvas before she thought
    better of it, and continued to stare. She carefully lifted the small painting out of the box and walked back
    over to the sofa to sit next to her mate.
    Connor looked down and was still impressed by the pure beauty that he saw. Right after mating with
    Madison and hearing that her sister was missing, he had gone to Doc to see if he had any pictures of the
    three of them together. He had found one, the three of them as babies. Connor had then taken the
    photograph to Caleb and commissioned a small painting. Caleb hadn’t simply copied the photo. He had
    taken his own personal experiences with Doc and Madison, and stories about the missing Maddie, and he
    had brought them to life.
    Little Maddie looked to the side of the painting with wide-eyed wonder, staring beyond her brother and
    sister at a landscape painting in the distance. Baby Maddox was staring at Madison, his tiny mouth quirked
    to one side, frowning slightly. Madison stared right back at her brother, her face full of laughter. In the
    background he had painted three white, Bengal tiger cubs. Caleb was truly a genius.
    Madison couldn’t stop staring at the painting. She propped it up on the coffee table and sat back on the
    sofa, her eyes never leaving the small canvas.
    “I hope you like it.”
    “I love it. It’s the best Christmas gift I have ever received.” She looked up at him as the tears started to
    spill over onto her cheeks.
    “Come here, wildcat.” Connor pulled her into his lap and held her close.
    She pulled back suddenly and looked him in the eye.
    “Do you want a baby?”
    He blinked. “Like now?”
    “I’m not sure if I would be a good mother, but I know you would be a wonderful father. I look at that
    painting and I can’t help but wonder what our baby would look like.”
    Connor held her at arm’s length, his heart racing. He desperately wanted a child, but only when his mate
    was ready.
    “I would love to have a child, but only when you are ready. I think you’d make a wonderful mother. I
    mean look how much you look after Giddey,” he said, smiling. Madison grinned back at him.
    “Do you really think so?” He nodded.
    “You live to protect and help people. I can only imagine what you would do for our child.”
    “What time do we need to leave to head to the diner?”
    “About eleven.”
    She looked over at the clock and turned back to him, licking her lips.
    “Let’s try. If it happens it happens. But I want you to know, I’m not against it.” Madison ran her hands
    down his chest.
    “Wildcat, you have me so hard thinking about getting you pregnant.” Connor groaned when she reached
    between them to