Ellis: Emerson Wolves ― Paranormal Wolf Shifter Romance by Kathi S. Barton Page B

When he spoke again, Basil listened, but all he could think about was having a baby with his Neva. Basil interrupted Shawn, not really listening anyway.
    “How old you gotta be to be too old to have a kid? I mean, I got me some juices left. What about Neva?” He asked how old she was. “We’re in our fifties. She’s a might older than me, but she’s still just as lovely as when I first met her.”
    “I’m pretty sure you’re past the time to start a family, but you might want to check with your doctor.” Nodding, Basil thought about having to find one first, but that was down the road for now. They had to get this money thing taken care of first. “About the house and land. You leave now, for good, as soon as you’re released, and my client is willing to pay off the taxes and assume the responsibility of cleaning up the place.”
    “Well, that’s right nice of them. Tell them I said thanks.” Basil leaned back on the little cot and thought of how nice it would be to live with the place all cleaned up. “Any chance of us getting something for our own selves out of this? I don’t mean to be greedy none, but it would be nice to have some pocket money and all.”
    “I’m to cut you a check for five thousand dollars as soon as you agree to the terms.” Basil nodded again. “You’ll leave as soon as you’re released?”
    “Sure. Sure. We just gotta get us a few of our things out first. When you think they’ll start on the yard? It’s been a long time since we’ve had us a mower. My niece should have been doing it, and when we get her back, we’ll make sure it’s all caught up. But for now, how long you thinking?”
    Shawn told him to sign off on the pages where the little tabs were. He even handed him a really pretty pen to do it with. Basil thought of asking if he could keep it, but didn’t. He was nice enough to pay off the tax man and clean up his yard for him. He didn’t know where they’d have to stay until it was done, but he’d figure something out.
    “As soon as you’re out of the house, give me a call at this number. Then they’ll begin working on the place. The taxes, all of them, will be paid, but you’re going to be responsible for any other fines and back taxes you might owe. As for the social services money, you’ll also have to take care of that.” Basil nodded. “You’ll be out within twenty-four hours, right?”
    He told him he’d be out by then. Just as soon as he was released. Wait until Neva heard about this. She was going to be as happy as a clam. A nice clean house and a yard they could walk around in. Man, things were looking up.
    ~~~
    “I cannot believe you talked me into this.” Ellis only smiled at Dawn. “You tricked me, and here I am.”
    “All I said was that I wasn’t going without you. You’re the one that called Sloan and told her that I was being stubborn.” He laughed, and she glared at him again. Something that she’d been doing for three days now. “You’re going to love my family. Hunter and the rest of them are waiting at the house to see you. I didn’t think you’d want them all there at once.”
    “I don’t want to do this.” It was, of course, too late, but he only held her hand. “Ellis, they’re going to think you’ve really fucked up with this. I like your dad and all, but he’s bound to have told them what kind of person I am.”
    “I’m sure he has. Dad loved you and he’s more than likely singing your praises about how wonderful you are. And how lucky I am to have you in my life.” Her fingers tightened in his hand and he kissed her. “It’s going to be just fine, Dawn, you’ll see. They’ll love you. And after the event on Saturday, we’ll come back if you want to.”
    “I want to now.” He nodded and held her. When she looked out the window, Ellis wondered what she was going to do when she found out that the entire pack was coming for a pack meeting tonight. He hadn’t told her because he was too afraid she’d