9781618854704HolidayGemBeckNC Read Free

quiet was a good or bad thing. Her eyes remained blank as if she was
unseeing, her skin clammy and he could tell her throat was dry. He wanted to
ease her distress. Normally he’d talk to Donovan but right now, that was a
no-go. Shit, he needed advice. He wouldn’t risk hurting his mate.
    “How
about something to drink? You’re dehydrated. Some
water?” Seamus talked quickly and then sprang from the room before she could
answer. An overwhelming need to protect this precious woman propelled him from
the room. He needed to get away long enough to think.   He wandered the house until he found the
kitchen but before he poured Gemma’s water, he made a phone call.
    “Father,”
Seamus was relieved when his father answered the phone. His mother–the
well-meaning but spirited Irish mother-would’ve insisted on becoming involved
and right now, he needed his father.
    “Seamus,
what is it? Your voice tells me there is trouble for you,” his father cut right
to the reason for his call. Anthony Bonmarito was not a man for mixing words.
He spent his days in a lab with herbs and medicinal supplies creating new drugs
to help humans fight the diseases that ransacked their race. He had no need for
anything but straight facts, even from his son.
    “I
have found my mate.” Seamus went for the direct route too.
    “And
you aren’t happy because…” his father paused for Seamus to explain.
    “She’s
sick. She gets these panic attacks when she’s overwhelmed and apparently I
overwhelmed her. Now she’s so distracted, I don’t think she’s picking up on the
connection between us. Donovan…”
    His
father cut him off, “One thing at a time. She isn’t in the throes of an
attack?”
    “No,
I spoke with her sister who was able to help me calm her. She’s resting now,”
Seamus explained.
    “Good,
son, very good. Now you would like to calm her so she
can naturally notice the mating connection. You need her to understand before
you lose control and claim her without consent.” His father’s reassuring words
and calm voice were easing Seamus’ stress. Despite his parents living in
Ireland while his home was now in the US, just a phone call could relieve
stress when life became too much.
    “How?” Seamus implored Anthony for answers. For as long as he could remember, his
ever-rational father knew how to fix anything.
    “Lavender. Find some lavender and sprinkle it into a tub. Allow it to soak and then have
her take a warm bath in the water. It has calming qualities that will help.
Once she relaxes, her natural powers should reform and she’ll sense you.”
    “That’s
it? Lavender?”
    Anthony
chuckled, “Seamus, you will find that despite the jokes many men tell, women
are quite simple. Love them. Care for them. Be there for them. And they will be
happy.”
    “It’s
really that simple?”
    “Yes.
Now get back to your mate,” his father paused, “Son, what is the name of my
future daughter-in-law?”
    “Gemma,”
Seamus answered. Her name sounded good on his lips.
    “Gemma
Sinster?” Seamus was taken off guard that his
father knew her name.
    “Yes.
How do you know her?”
    “We’ve
met through her research on the Valendite Breed. She’s traveled to see us on
occasion in order to gather some information. Your mother will be thrilled,
son,” his father seemed excited. He clearly liked Gemma.
    “Great.
Now let me go on the hunt for lavender and get her well. I’ve got other TEU
issues to deal with as well.”
    “Okay,
son, and please contact us once your Acclimation is underway so that we may
meet her. Perhaps if you are still over on this continent, we can be together
sooner rather than later.” His father was right. With them in Ireland, he could
make a trip to introduce them. Shaking his head, Seamus thought first things, first . He needed to get
her well and then claim what was his.
    “Thanks. Will do.” Seamus hung up the phone and went in search
of lavender. He might have to hunt but it was a