Abandoned by Becca Jameson Read Free Book Online Page B

her, fighting for control.
    Part of her wanted to run after him and breathe in his scent some more. It was calming. Even though she was scared out of her mind, his presence had been soothing.
    Another part of her demanded she run in the opposite direction. Get in a car and drive away to anywhere but here.
    Natalie set a hand gently on Allison’s shoulder and her words penetrated. “Honey?”
    Allison turned her gaze to the kind woman who would be a part of her life forever now. At least you know your mate’s family is nice . If Natalie was a good representative of the rest of the clan, Allison could be sure of good in-laws.
    She shook her head. What was she thinking? She couldn’t mate now. It was absurd. She swallowed. “I’m fine. I just need…” She had no idea what. A reverse in time to five minutes ago before she met her mate would be a good start.
    “I’m so sorry. I know this wasn’t in your plans for today,” Kenzie said. She reached forward with her free hand and set it on Allison’s knee. “You have so much on your mind.”
    Natalie nodded. “Let’s deal with one thing at a time. Your parents will be here any minute. Why don’t we head to the main house , and then when they get here , you can spend some time with them alone. I’ll talk to Daniel. Tell him to give you some space for now. Okay?”
    Allison turned to face Natalie. “Is it that simple?” Somehow Allison’s racing heart and sweaty palms knew better.
    The woman smiled. “No. It’s complicated. But like I said, let’s take it one step at a time. You need time with your family first and foremost.” She stood, taking a limp Allison with her. She was so kind, keeping her arm around Allison on the walk back to the house.
    When they entered through the back door, the place was quiet. The only person inside was a man who looked like an older version of Daniel.
    He beamed when he turned to Allison. “Allison. So nice to meet you. I’m Jerome.” Instead of taking her hand in greeting, he pulled her into his huge embrace and held her.
    It was awkward. Her own father wasn’t as affectionate with her as Jerome. But the discomfort she expected never came to surface.
    He pulled her back to arm’s length and met her gaze. “Welcome. Anything you need, you let me know, okay?”
    She nodded, silently. Tears threatened again for the millionth time in two days. She glanced down.
    “I’ll leave you women alone.” With that he released her and stepped out the back door.
    Now that Allison was back in the main house, she could smell Daniel’s scent everywhere. She almost moaned. There would be no escaping him. “I think I’ll go out front and wait.” She stepped away from Kenzie and Natalie without looking at them, heading through the kitchen and living room and out onto the front porch. She finally inhaled slowly, long and deep. At least in the open air she was able to breathe easier without the world filling her senses with her mate’s pheromones.
    Kenzie joined her, still cradling the baby. She sat on the porch swing.
    Allison decided to sit next to her.
    “Would you like to hold him?” Kenzie offered the squirming bundle to Allison.
    For the first time Allison peered into his sweet face and almost melted. Babies could bring a person to their knees. Aaron’s puckered face and baby scent would do wonders for her rattled nerves. “I’d love to.” She took the swaddled child from his mother and held him against her chest. She brought her lips to his forehead, inhaled deeply, and kissed his soft newborn skin. “How old is he?”
    “Four weeks tomorrow.”
    “He’s so tiny.” As she spoke , his hand broke loose from the blanket and flailed in the air. Allison set her index finger in his palm and he gripped her tight. She smiled. God, it felt good to smile. Her face hurt from so many months with nothing happy to live for. “Aren’t you a strong little fellow?”
    “He likes you.”
    Allison giggled. “How would you know