Home For The Holidays (Dirt Track Dogs #6) by P. Jameson Page B

come up with that on your own?”
    Drake was baiting him for info, but Aaron either didn’t care or was too baffled by the evening to censor his words.
    “No. Not me. The group I was with in Memphis.”
    Annie straightened. “You’ve been in Memphis all this time?”
    “Just the last few years.”
    “And I’m guessing those experiences you speak of weren’t good ones,” Drake mused.
    Aaron’s expression turned grim.
    “Alright, then.” Drake nodded. “We’ll give you time to come to your own conclusions about us. I can vouch for Blister but that won’t mean anything to you right now. Trust your sister though. She has a good head on her shoulders. And friends like Punk and the other mates who would gleefully castrate any male that hurt her. She’s safe with us. And so are you, as long as you don’t try to harm any of us.” He strolled forward, offering Aaron his hand. “You’re welcome here.”
    Aaron shook it, looking all out of sorts. Like he’d stepped into some alternate reality and was looking for a hidden portal to take him back to his own world.
    “Alright,” Drake called. “We’re out.”
    “Us too,” Diz said, collecting his brood and strapping them in their infant seats.
    “Yep,” Surge murmured. “Both my baby girls are looking tired.” He winked at Tana.
    “Thanks for the help today.” Annie smiled at their friends. “We appreciate it.”
    “Not a problem,” Drake said, smiling back. “You take it easy until that little one is ready to come out.” He nodded at Blister while Ella, Tana, and Destiny each took turns hugging Annie.
    They watched everyone leave and then there was only Aaron left.
    Blister eyed him while Annie picked up what little mess was left in the kitchen. He ran a hand through his curly blond hair and blew out a breath that sounded like he’d been holding it for a century.
    “How far along are you?” Aaron’s murmured question was barely more than a breath.
    “Thirty-seven weeks.” Annie came back to stand beside Blister. “I’m due the twenty third.”
    “A-a Christmas baby.”
    Annie nodded, grabbing Blister’s hand and winding her fingers through his. “The most perfect Christmas present.”
    “And… you’re happy like this?” His brow furrowed, and Blister could see that Aaron did care for Annie. Whatever last night was, it was clear he wanted her well.
    “I am.” She let out a little laugh. “I really am. And it’s a big deal Aaron, because for so long, I wasn’t. I was sad and lonely, going through life on auto-pilot. Blister changed that for me. And he’s so good to me, brother.”
    Blister shifted on his feet, uncomfortable. He could feel the tips of his ears burning with his mate’s praise.
    “He treats me like a queen. He makes me feel so special, and I know he’ll do the same for our little one.”
    Aaron met Blister’s gaze and it was like a clash of truth and disbelief, the two things warring right there in one expression.
    “You love her?” he ground out.
    Blister nodded, as sure of his answer as the day he’d marked her. “Fiercely.”
    Aaron looked away, jamming his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “I need to think,” he said. “I’m staying at old man Hubbard’s place at the edge of town if you need me.”
    “Okay.” Annie nodded.
    And then her brother was walking away, and Blister still didn’t know where the man stood, or if he was a danger to his family.
    Time. Drake said they’d give him time. And since it was Christmas, Blister guessed he could do the same for the man.

Chapter Nine
     
    Annie sat on the tailgate of Surge’s truck, bundled in her winter clothes even though she was roasting like a Thanksgiving turkey. Tana had backed it up to the main street and they’d piled the young in the back with blankets to watch the parade. The sun had set minutes ago, and with it came the December chill that being pregnant obviously negated.
    Punk approached, carrying a drink tray full of steaming hot