Red Rose Moon (Seasons of the Moon) Read Free

Ranch before the next moon.”
    “The next moon? Why?”
    Rylie bit her bottom lip and avoided her aunt’s questioning gaze. “Considering everything that’s happening with Cain and Eleanor, I don’t think we have time to mess around,” she said, trying to sound casual about it. That was the excuse she had given Seth, but it was harder to lie to her aunt.
    Nothing got past Gwyn. Her gaze sharpened.
    “Seth, would you clean up breakfast?” Gwyn asked. “It’s your privilege as the newest member of the family, broken hand and all.”
    He laughed. “Of course.”
    Gwyneth gestured, and Rylie had no choice but to follow her out into the living room. It was decorated like a country cottage, and just as cozy as the kitchen; Rylie could easily imagine having a tea party at the coffee table. It must have been Heather’s style.
    She took three steps into the room before her aunt spoke.
    “I’m happy to arrange your wedding, babe. You know that. But so soon…” Gwyn’s gaze sharpened. “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”
    Rylie’s cheeks flushed, and she gaped like a dying fish as she searched for words. She glanced at the kitchen door, then back at her aunt, hoping that Seth hadn’t heard what her aunt just said.
    How could Gwyn have known? How had Rylie given herself away?
    Her speechlessness was answer enough. Gwyneth sat on the couch with a weighty sigh. “Well,” she said. “Well, well.”
    “Oh God.” Rylie sank onto the opposite chair and dropped her face into her hands. She didn’t want to see the anger on her aunt’s face.
    “Eighteen is mighty young to start a family.”
    “You think I did this to myself on purpose?”
    Gwyn chuckled. “You make it sound like you’re trying to perform a self-amputation or something else terrible.”
    “ Pregnant ,” Rylie whispered. It was so hard to say the word out loud. Gwyn smoothed the hair off of Rylie’s forehead, and her entire face glowed with warmth and joy.
    “Your daddy would have been a wonderful grandpa, and I know he’d be disappointed if I didn’t spoil your baby rotten.”
    Rylie blinked. “Does that mean you’re not mad at me?”
    “Mad?” Gwyn laughed. “How could I be mad? Babies are always a blessing. Maybe it’s not the right time, but it’s never the right time. You’re smart, Rylie, and Seth is a fine young man. I can’t think of anyone better equipped to handle it.”
    Rylie hadn’t even realized that she had been worried about Gwyn’s reaction until that moment. She suddenly felt so much lighter.
    And then her aunt spoke again.
    “Have you thought about what this is going to do to you and Abel?”
    Rylie smiled sheepishly. “You’re way too perceptive.”
    Her aunt tapped a finger on her temple. “Forgot to tell you. I’m psychic.”
    “No, you’re just old. You’ve seen everything.”
    “Not so old that I can’t still kick your ass, girl,” Gwyn said. “Abel’s going to be hurt. I know things had changed between you two. Just make sure to be honest about your feelings, and it’ll be fine.”
    “That’s the problem, Gwyn,” Rylie whispered. “I don’t know what I feel.”
    She didn’t have to say any more than that. Her aunt obviously understood.
    “Everything changes when you bring kids into the picture. I think your choice has been made for you, babe.” She squeezed Rylie’s hand. “What does Seth think?”
    “I might not have told him yet.”
    “Tell him. And tell him soon. Trust him—he’ll be fine.” Gwyn gave her a tight hug, and then gave a bright, sparkling laugh. It had been years since Rylie heard her aunt laugh like that. “Now, we better get moving. Sounds like we have a shotgun wedding to plan.”

F OUR
    Transport
    Abel had hung out with Cain when he was still pretending to be a member of the pack, and he had seemed pretty cool. Abel had assumed that it was all pretense—there was no way that someone who sent Rylie silver bullets and wrote threatening messages in blood could