Wild for Milly [Werewolves of Forever, Texas 9] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)
Werewolves of Forever, Texas 9
Wild For Milly
Milly Swinson, owner of Forever’s favorite diner, has watched others find love in Forever. Just as she’s ready to leave town to search for her men, they show up. But they’re not alone. Their teenage niece refuses to accept Milly, and Milly fears she’ll lose the men for good.
Matthew and Dan Hudson have searched years for their mate. They’re ready to form a family that includes their niece, Riley, but the girl refuses to accept Milly and forces them to make an impossible choice. It’s her or the woman they love.
Just as the Hudson men are forced to make that choice, Riley is abducted by vampires intent on taking her blood in an ancient sacrificial ritual. The Hudson brothers are ready to fight for her, but they never expect that they’ll have to save Milly, too.
Note: There is no sexual relationship or touching for titillation between or among siblings.
Genre: Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Vampires/Werewolves
Length: 42,843 words
WILD FOR MILLY
Werewolves of Forever, Texas 9
Jane Jamison
MENAGE EVERLASTING
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Ménage Everlasting
WILD FOR MILLY
Copyright © 2013 by Jane Jamison
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62740-003-9
First E-book Publication: June 2013
Cover design by Les Byerley
All art and logo copyright © 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
Dear Readers,
If you have purchased this copy of Wild for Milly by Jane Jamison from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.
Regarding E-book Piracy
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This is Jane Jamison’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Jamison’s right to earn a living from her work.
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www.SirenPublishing.com
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DEDICATION
Dear Readers,
Thanks for asking that Milly find her mates. As you can see, I agreed. It was time she found her own happiness. Not, of course, without a little drama getting there.
Jane Jamison
WILD FOR MILLY
Werewolves of Forever, Texas 9
JANE JAMISON
Copyright © 2013
Chapter One
Milly Swinson, owner of Milly’s Coffee Spot, ran a towel over the counter of her diner and stared out at the main street of Forever, Texas. The lunch rush was over and time lagged between the end of that shift and when customers would come through the double doors for their dinner. Most of her clientele were her friends and neighbors, but every once in a while, someone would pull off the highway and venture into the small town.
Her gaze drifted over to Nate and Milton Wusk, two of her regulars, and their new mate, Felicity. They lingered over coffee, laughing and touching each other. Although Felicity had only recently gone through the transition from human to werewolf, she was already easy in her fur. Milly had run into the threesome last night.
She drew in a long, slow breath. When was the last time she hadn’t seen a happy couple or threesome during a nightly outing? It seemed like everyone had found their mates. Everyone except her.
Turning away from the newly-in-love, she took the receipts for the day so far and ran the tally through her head. The number was disappointing, but it made what she’d been thinking about more attractive.
Should I leave Forever?
Forever was her home and she loved it. But how long could she stand to watch others’ happiness while hers always eluded her? Still, if she left, she’d have to sell the diner, and who knew what she’d find in another town?
Should she try Passion, Colorado? She’d heard the town had a strong population of supernaturals that included a large group of werewolves. Passion was also close to Denver, and that city had several packs of wolves.
But living in the big city wouldn’t suit her. Where did those wolves run at night? Would the city lights drown out the stars like they did closer to Dallas?
Maybe if I wait a little while longer. My true mates might be out there looking for me.
Sooner or later, the connection that drew all werewolves to their mates would kick in and head them toward Forever. The only problem with that was just how long it would take. Most werewolves found their mates early on while some only found each other as they grew old. Scarier still, some never found them at all. What if her mates didn’t make it to her in time? Would she end up living alone the rest of her life? She shuddered to think so.
“Hey, good-lookin’, what ’cha got cookin’?”
She groaned and faced Jackson Carr. “Did you seriously just say that?”
He shrugged, emphasizing his broad shoulders. The man was delicious, all testosterone and sex appeal, and if she’d had the connection with him and his two equally sexy brothers, Jayden and Jacob, she would’ve counted herself one of the luckiest women in the world. But their bond had found Emma Rand, who was now Emma Rand-Carr.
“What can I say? I’m a corny son of a bitch.”
“Ain’t that the truth?” She didn’t have to check behind her to know that Mack, the cook, had gone on his lunch break. “Mack’s chowing down, but I’m happy to fix you something. At least, as long as you don’t tell me how much better he would’ve made it.”
“I wouldn’t dare
. How about a cup of coffee?”
“Coming up.” She went about pouring his coffee and adding in the dollop of milk that he liked. “What’s brought you into town?”
“Nothing much.” He blew on the drink as he settled onto the barstool. “I had some business with Robert regarding the rentals. The renovations on the Malone brothers’ ranch are almost completed.”
Robert Virton, the local realtor and one of the more reliable fairies in the area, owned and ran Forever Realty. Jackson had all his rental houses listed with the rotund and very friendly man.
“Which means Stormy and her daughter, Jazz, will be moving in and leaving the rental vacant.” Milly refreshed his coffee. “But that’s not a big deal, is it? You don’t need the money from the rentals to make it, do you?”
Just as it had for the human population of America, the recession had hit werewolves and other supernaturals hard, too. One family had left after they were unable to make the mortgage on their home, and the town wasn’t about to let it happen to another. They chipped in, helping their neighbors whenever they could. But that was the kind of town Forever was. They stuck together, werewolves, werebears, fairies, and the rest of the supernaturals living there. Even a few of the more sociable vampires had given money.
“Naw, we’re good.”
Rumor had it that the Carrs were more than good. They’d invested in the right stocks, including several software companies that had struck gold with their computer and cell phone applications.
“What’s going on with you?”
She dropped her gaze, unable to hold it against his dark one. “Nothing much.”
“That’s not what I hear.”
She put on an amused face. “Nothing gets past you guys, huh?”
Jackson’s laugh rolled through the small diner. “Hey, it’s not me. It’s Emma. She said that you might be considering leaving our little town.”
Milly had mentioned it only once, a week earlier when the idea had first occurred to her. Emma had been having lunch with Sandy Hamilton at the time. Although the pretty brunette mate of the Braxton men and Mark Colter had glanced at her with a question in her eyes, Milly hadn’t followed up with any more details. In fact, she’d laughed it off as just “a silly idea.”
Milly fisted one hand on her hip then leaned on the counter with the other. “Considering is the word you need to focus on. I haven’t decided anything.”
Yet.
“But you’re really giving it serious thought?”
Yes.
“Maybe. I don’t know. Forever is my home and I love it here.”
“Then why leave?”
She met his gaze then. “You know why.”
“No, I don’t. You’ve got a good business,”—he paused, his eyebrows lifted in question until she nodded— “and a nice little place out back. You won’t find any town better than Forever.”
“You’re right about that.” Her gaze slid past him to the street again. “I can’t see myself living anywhere else.”
“Which begs the question. Why on earth would you ever leave?”
She didn’t like getting into the subject, especially not with a man, but she knew Jackson well enough to know that he’d keep digging at her until she told him the truth.
“I might have to leave so I can find my mates.”
He blinked, taken aback. “But they’re supposed to find you.”
It was the male werewolves who left home to find their intended mates. Not the females. But desperate times called for desperate measures.
She scoffed, letting out a derisive snort. “Well, they’re doing a shitty job of it, aren’t they? I want a family and I want kids. Preferably while I can still push them out without needing my arthritis medication to help.”
“Urgh. I’m sorry I asked.”
“Oh, for Pete’s sake. You men are all alike. Give you a head to bash and you’re all over it. Talk about reproduction and you turn pale and start to upchuck. You’re all a bunch of wimps at heart.”
“Give it time, Milly. They’ll find you.”
“You mean if it’s meant to be, right?” She leaned both arms on the counter so she could whisper. As long as she’d told him this much, she might as well go all the way. “I’m scared, Jackson. I’m afraid I might never find them. And if I don’t, then I’m going to find someone else.”
He frowned, the scowl bringing wrinkles to his forehead. “You’re not saying what I think you’re saying, are you?”
“That I’d consider marrying a human who isn’t my intended mate? That I’d find at least one man to love who’ll love me back? Even if we’re not joined by the connection?” She took a moment to reflect then gave him a truthful answer. “Damn right I would.”
“Is it really that bad?”
She reached out and put her hand over his. “I’m lonely. Real lonely.”
“But everyone in town loves you. And what about the diner? What will happen to it? Milly’s Coffee Spot is a Forever institution.”
“And that’s why I wouldn’t have any problem getting it sold. I bet Mack would buy it in a heartbeat.”
Horror widened Jackson’s eyes. “Oh, hell no. I can’t imagine walking in and having to look at that ugly mug over the counter.”
She laughed, knowing he was trying to put her in a better mood. “I think his mate, Gertie, would more than likely take the front and leave Mack where he does his best. In the kitchen.”
“Well, at least that’s a relief. But I sure hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“I could ask Gertie and Mack. In fact, there she is now.”
Jackson swiveled around to see the big cook’s tiny mate waltz through the door. Mack and Gertie Royston were a bit of an oddity in Forever since they were one of the few unions that consisted of only one man and one woman. Although he was a werewolf, Mack had refused to share Gertie with any other male, which was fine with Gertie. She lifted her hand in greeting then scooted over to hop on a stool beside Jackson.
“Hey, you two. What’s going on that’s got you looking so serious?” Gertie’s ever-ready smile faded. “Don’t tell me Mack ate all the raw hamburger again?”
“Nope. He’s good. He’s eating right now if you want to head on out to the back room.” Milly glanced out the window again. Was she looking for something? For someone? Then again, wasn’t she always looking for the men who would bring love into her life?
Jackson called in reinforcements. “Milly’s talking about leaving town.”
Milly winced as the Wusks turned to gape at her. Felicity was already on her feet and headed toward the bar with Milton and Nate on her heels. “Damn it, Jackson. I don’t need the whole town to know my business.”
“You leaving would affect the whole town.”
“You’re leaving?” Felicity and her mates huddled around Jackson and Gertie. “No way. I mean, I know I haven’t been here long, but I know you’re as much a part of the town as the market or The Moonstone Bar.”
“Gee, thanks. I feel like a wall of siding right now.” But she grinned, letting the young woman know she was kidding.
“Are you really going to leave?” Gertie’s eyes moistened.
Milly attempted to head off one of Gertie’s infamous crying jags. The woman’s emotions often jumped from one extreme to the other. “Don’t you dare cry, Gertie Royston. I’m only talking about leaving. That’s a long way from actually doing it.”
Nate looked almost as close to tears as Gertie did. “You can’t leave, Milly. We all count on you. Plus, you’re like family. Right, everyone?”
Everyone agreed, nodding their heads and adding to Nate’s statement.
Now it was her turn to keep back the tears. “Aw, shit, ya’ll. Stop trying to make me feel bad. I didn’t say I’d leave and never come back. At the very least, I’ll come back to visit.”
“A visit isn’t the same as seeing your pretty face every day.”
She slapped Jackson’s hand in a playful manner. “You’d better watch it,
Jackson Carr, or Emma’s going to tan your hide for flirting with me.”
“She’d probably tell me to go ahead and do it as long as I got you to stay.”
The people were the best in Forever, and looking at them right then, she couldn’t imagine living a day without them in her life. But what else could she do?
“I don’t want to leave. Really, I don’t. But I don’t see another option.”
“I think I do.”
Everyone turned to Jackson. She should’ve known he’d had something in mind. “Okay, I’m open for suggestions. Give it to me.”
“I’m guessing you haven’t thought about this for long, have you?”
“It’s been in the back of my mind for a while now. But if you’re asking if I’ve given it real consideration, then no. At least, not until last week.”
“Then I’d like to suggest that you take more time. Write the pros and cons down.”
“I plan on doing that.” Although she doubted it would help. She knew that the one pro, finding her mates, would far outweigh a slew of cons. Still, she sensed he had more in mind.
“But why not do it without any distractions?” He cocked his head toward the others. “You could think clearer without having the grind of your usual day wearing you down. Give yourself some space as well as time to think it through.”
She laughed then lifted the coffeepot, offering to pour the others a cup. Nate accepted, while the others refused. The tinkling of the bell over the door had her and the rest turning to see more of Forever’s residents piling in. Shannon Newman along with her mates, Daniel and Anderson Holms, led Sandy Hamilton and her mates over to the counter while more people crowded around them. Kate Wingate and Tucker Lawson came in last, easing the door closed behind them.