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“Yeah, you make me look good.”
“Fuck you, Thorne. You’ve seen what I’m working with.”
“Now, Kingston. We’ve already discussed this.”
I laughed all the way to the house as their banter filled up the space between us. But my laughter died as Alek and I went through the gate. The woman stood at the front door, facing us with a gentle smile on her lined face. She looked like a mom. A sweet, soft mother who just wanted to take care of us.
“Sunday?” she asked, her blue eyes sparkling with kindness.
Alek gripped my hand tighter. “Who are you?”
Why was he asking her that? Clearly she was the midwife. These protective men were driving me batty.
“I’m Victoria. The midwife? Caleb summoned me. I thought he would have told you.” Her accent surprised me. An American midwife in Ireland. That sounded like a sitcom. Or a rom-com. Good thing this lady wasn’t in her twenties. I was so not okay with a hot nanny situation.
Releasing Alek’s palm, I stepped forward and offered my hand. She grinned and looked down at her arms, full of bags and a picnic basket.
“Sorry. You’ve got your hands full.” I let her inside, feeling the weight of my men’s gazes on my back the whole time. They were going to be overprotective about this, of course. I bet Kingston would hold my legs open for me while she checked my cervix too. Hell, he’d probably insist he was the one who did it as he reported back to her.
“I know our appointment isn’t technically until sundown, but instinct told me I needed to come early to introduce myself and see if you needed any help. You’re much farther along than Caleb said. Usually we have more time to get comfortable with each other. But from the looks of things, we’ll be to the main event soon. And you’ve had no care?”
She settled her bags and the basket on the kitchen table as Kingston came up behind me, his fingers trailing over my arm and down to twine with mine.
“Does she know?” he murmured.
“Does she know what?”
“You know...” He raised his free hand and mimed claws. “Rawr.”
I shrugged, trying not to laugh at him. That was the cutest thing he’d done in a long time. “Caleb wouldn’t bring someone here who didn’t understand our kind.”
“But she’s human.”
Victoria turned around, training her focus on us. “I am. But I’m also up to speed on your particular... situation. Don’t worry, I know what I’m getting into.”
Kingston grunted but didn’t seem any more inclined to trust her now than he did at first. This was going to be a fun afternoon. I could tell. I was already anticipating having to shove Kingston’s snout away from my crotch.
“Bad dog. Sit.”
He leaned in and nipped my shoulder. “You’re gonna pay for that later, baby. I promise.”
“Looking forward to it.”
“We should wait for Caleb to wake before I begin my initial exam. In the meantime, I brought you all some goodies. I figured you could use a little treat after being stuck on this island during that awful storm.”
“There are treats?” Alek asked, coming toward us with a curious tilt of his head.
“I like to bake. Apple pie, salted caramel brownies, hot cocoa. I can’t help myself. I’m a mom. I have this deep need to care for people.”
“Apple pie?” Alek repeated, his eyes glowing.
Victoria smiled indulgently. “It’s still warm. Or it should be if you hurry.”
The guys exchanged uncertain looks. None of us were very comfortable with strangers at the moment, even ones vetted by Caleb.
Not taking any offense, Victoria lifted a plate of brownies, selecting one from the pile and taking a big bite. “They’re safe. I promise.”
Alek needed no further convincing. He was up and digging through her basket in a flash, pulling out the pie tin. “Mine!” he snagged a fork and dove straight in without offering anyone a slice. Then, with an embarrassed grin, he looked at us. “Sorry. Did you want some?”
