15. Lucy

"Hi, Lucy," Rose said, smiling brightly.

"I was wondering if you were available for lunch today?" she asked.

"Sure," Lucy said. "I don't think that Vera has started making anything for me yet."

"I would love to take you to eat someplace," Rose said.

"Um, would you mind if I drove?" Lucy asked, tentatively. She didn't want to hurt Rose's feelings, but she didn't want to die, either.

Rose looked shocked for a second and then said, "You can drive." She smiled as though she read Lucy's mind.

Once they ordered, Rose whispered, "Micah told me you were pregnant. I'm so excited."

Lucy smiled. "We are, too."

"Don't worry, I won't say anything to anyone, although I think that you are starting to get a little bump. Women who are pregnant with shifter babies tend to show a lot sooner than women do with mundane human babies."

"The doctor explained that when he told me what to expect," Lucy said. "In some ways, a shifter pregnancy is harder because the baby grows so fast. It is a shorter gestation period, which can be nice."

"I enjoyed being pregnant, although I was happy when Micah finally arrived."

"If I can ask, why didn't you have more kids?"

"Micah was perfect and I didn't need any more," Rose said, smiling. "Honestly, Gavin and my relationship wasn't great, and I didn't want him touching me."

"Oh," Lucy said, shocked. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I have Micah and I adore him."

"Why did you stay married if you and Gavin don't get along?"

"I guess because I thought I was supposed to stay with him for the sake of the child. Although, if I could go back in time and know then what I know now, I would have left as soon as Micah was born. Now, I guess it's just kind of a habit. Gavin does his things and I do mine."

Lucy didn't know what to say. She didn't want to spew out any meaningless platitudes, so she just focused on her food.

"Micah is nothing like his father. He is an amazing man, sweet and caring."

"He is pretty awesome," Lucy said.

"I saw the way you guys were dancing together at the fundraiser. The looks you gave each other told me that you have feelings for him."

Lucy blushed.

"You're falling in love with him, aren't you?"

Sucking in a huge breath, Lucy studied the woman sitting across the table from her and debated about whether to tell her the truth.

"I am."

"I knew it," Rose exclaimed. "You need to tell him. Sometimes a woman needs to take the first step and open that door."

"It's not that easy," Lucy said. "You know how we met. I don't want to overstep my bounds. In reality, I'm the hired help."

Rose laughed. "That might have been the case when you two first met, but woman, I've seen the way that Micah looks at you. You are much more to him than just a surrogate carrying out her duties."

"Maybe," Lucy said. "I started to say something the other day, but we got interrupted. I took that as a sign from the fates that I should keep my mouth shut, at least for now." She laughed and added, "I can't believe I'm having this conversation with Micah's mother."

"Micah's mother wants to be your friend," Rose said. "No matter what happens."

"Thanks," Lucy said.

"How about some shopping?" Rose said, brightly.

"More shopping?" Lucy asked. "The baby already has more than most."

"I want to get a couple more things. I also want to get you a few more shirts, pants, and dresses."

"We bought some the other day," Lucy objected.

"A couple more won't hurt," Rose said. "I want to do this. I love shopping. Please."

Lucy sighed and shook her head. "Two more dresses and a couple of outfits. No more."

Rose grinned and clapped her hands like a kid. "Yeah."

While they were walking through a couple of stores, Rose talked about her hobbies. She enjoyed needlecraft on the days that it was cold or nasty outside.

"The rest of the time, I love being outside. I shift and go for a run every day. When Micah was little, I used to take him to different places that we could explore. We had so much fun together. I miss it."

"Micah has been taking me to different sites in New Mexico. He told me that his best memories are when you guys went together. The next time Micah suggests an outing, you'll have to come with us."

"I don't want to intrude. Three's a crowd," Rose protested.

"Nope, it isn't," Lucy said. "It'll be great."

Lucy had the idea that even though Rose had friends, she sometimes got lonely.

"We'll have to make it a point to have lunch at least once a week," Lucy said. "Although we won't be going shopping each time."

Rose grinned. "I can agree to those terms."

"Instead of shopping, how about if we go for a walk on the mountain? Bears don't run like wolves do. We just kind of mosey along."

"That sounds nice."

Lucy drove to the mountain. Rose led the way to the same spot where Micah took Lucy to undress and shift.

"I don't have a bag," Lucy said.

"I brought two. I always keep some in my car," Rose said.

The two women wandered around the mountain. The warm sun shone brightly. The air was filled with the sweet scent of the pine trees.

"It is so peaceful out here. I love it," Lucy said, telepathically.

"It's peaceful now," Rose said. "Not too long ago there was a coven of evil witches who were kidnapping shifters because they thought shifter blood would give them the power to control the paranormal world."

"You're kidding, right?"

"I wish I was. Olivia and Jade were actually kidnapped by them."

"Why can't people just leave others alone? This world would be a lot better place if everyone followed the adage of live and let live."

"Don't I know it?"

As Lucy drove them back to the mansion, Rose said, "Thank you for spending the afternoon with me."

"I loved it. We'll make it a part of our weekly routine."

Rose hugged Lucy and then jumped in her car. Lucy shook her head as Rose pressed the gas pedal to the floor and zoomed out of the parking lot.

"She must have a guardian angel looking out for her," Michelle said, as Lucy walked through the door. "That's the only thing I can figure out because of the way she drives. She's only got into one accident."

"That is a miracle." Lucy laughed.

Her phone buzzed. I have a dinner meeting with a potential client tonight. I won't be home until late.

Although Ronnie, Michelle, Vera, and Lucy had a good time playing Hearts after dinner, Lucy missed Micah. She was starting to get used to his company and enjoyed seeing him. Her mind wandered back to the conversation she had with Rose. If Lucy and Micah did get together, would their relationship get to the point where they were happy to do their own things and not be a part of each other's life?

No. That is just one example. My parents have been married for thirty years and they still act like they are completely in love with each other. They have arguments and get mad at each other once in a while, but they literally define the term fated mates.

Lucy settled into bed with a book. She was just about to turn off the light and go to sleep when there was a light knock on the door.

"I saw you were up. Want some company?"

"Sure," Lucy said, patting the area in front of her.

She spread her legs and he sat between them, leaning up against her chest. Lucy draped her arms around him. It felt so natural.

"How was your day?"

"Long," Micah replied. He told her about the reports he read, proposals he signed, and the dinner meeting.

"I don't think this man has any friends because he doesn't need them. He is positive that he is the neatest thing to happen to this earth since peanut butter was made. The man has done everything, seen everything, and knows everything," Micah said.

"I think people who are like that are lonely. They brag because they are trying to impress people into wanting to be their friend."

"You're very smart and kind."

"I people watch and notice things," Lucy said.

After a minute, Lucy noticed that Micah was quiet. She laughed when she saw that he'd fallen asleep.

Lucy hated to wake him up, but she had to. "Let's get you undressed."

Together, they managed to get his clothes off. He slid between the sheets and pulled Lucy close to him. A second later, he was sound asleep.

He was gone when she woke up the next morning. According to the note, he had a meeting he had to attend and he would see her later.

Lucy was sad that he hadn't added anything like, "I miss you" or "Hugs" or anything like that. She didn't really expect it, but that didn't stop her from hoping.

The doorbell rang just as Lucy was finishing lunch. A man with a tan delivery outfit had a box. A mountain emblem was on the left side of his shirt. The name Jeff was embroidered on the right.

"Delivery for Lucy Sawyers," he said.

Lucy signed for it and took the box into the kitchen.

"What is it?" Vera asked. "Who is it from?"

"It just says ‘from your secret admirer,'" Lucy said.

A cake and a single red rose were inside the box.

"Nice," Vera said.

"I bet it's from Rose. She is about the sweetest woman on Earth," Lucy said. "You were right about her."

She grabbed a couple of plates and a knife and cut the cake. Lucy was about to take a bite when Vera knocked it out of her hand.

"Don't eat that," Vera shouted.

Startled, Lucy asked, "Why? What's wrong."

"I smell bitter almonds. Red velvet cake doesn't have almonds in it. There's something wrong with this."

Vera grabbed the phone and called Micah. He called a buddy at the police department, and the two of them arrived at the same time.

The detective got all the information about the delivery man and then took the cake and the rose back to the station. He would have it tested immediately.

"It doesn't make sense," Lucy said. "I haven't been here long enough to make someone so mad at me that they would want to kill me and anyone else who ate the cake. For all they knew, Micah could have eaten it, too. You almost did, Vera."

Lucy sat in the chair and rested her face in her hands. Her stomach rolled and she was afraid that she was going to be sick. Vera made her some chamomile tea to help calm her nerves.

It seemed like forever before Micah's friend called back with the news. He put his phone on speaker.

"There was enough cyanide in that cake to kill a whole herd of horses. Anyone who took a single bite would be dead in a matter of minutes. We're launching an investigation to find out who might have done this," the detective said.

Lucy gasped loudly. Her head started to spin and she couldn't breathe.

"Someone tried to kill me and the baby," Lucy said. "Vera, you saved our lives."