Emmitt's Treasure: Judgement of the Six Companion Series, book 2 by Melissa Haag Page A

was bouncing between Winifred and me.  Ruffling his hair, I dropped to my knees.
    “Hang on to my shirt because we’re going to win.”
    He grinned and climbed onto my back.
    We’d only managed a few official laps when I heard Michelle on the stairs.  I almost stopped, but Liam’s heels dug into my sides in an effort to keep me moving.
    “Ready for them to come up to bed?” I heard Winifred ask.
    “Not yet,” Michelle said.  “Could you watch them a little longer?  I was hoping Emmitt and I could go for a ride.”
    I put on a burst of speed to round the third corner as Winifred answered.
    “You smell like wine.  Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
    Winifred, you’re killing me.
    If she’s drunk, do you think it’s wise to have any type of serious conversation?
    Serious?  No.  Conversation?  Yes.  This means she’s willing to listen, and I don’t want to throw a chance away.
    “It’s the only one I have.”
    Michelle’s soft, desperate words had me racing for the next bend.
    “Of course, I’ll watch them,” Winifred said.
    I turned the corner just as she added, “I’ll put them to bed for you, too.”
    Stopping before the women, I let Liam climb off then rose to my feet.  The boy looked up at me with a disgruntled expression, and I mussed his hair with a smile.
    “This doesn’t mean they won.  We’ll just need to race them again tomorrow.  Okay, bud?”
    He nodded and reluctantly went to sit by Winifred.
    Meeting Michelle’s gaze, I held out my hand.  Her cheeks were flushed, and she looked ready to run back inside.  Yet, she remained where she was, watching me steadily.  Winifred was right, she did smell like wine.  That meant she’d drunk more after sending us all outside.  I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.  Was the wine to give her temporary courage or was it a sign that she wasn’t able to deal with who we were?
    Michelle glanced at my hand, then at her brother.
    “Nana will watch you, Liam,” she said, as she placed her hand in mine.
    The feel of her skin against mine sent a shiver of need through me.  No matter what her reason for drinking, I wanted her to myself for a while.  I tugged her hand and led her to the bike.  Her pulse raced, a quick cadence easy to hear in the silence of the evening.  The beat of my heart increased to echo hers because tonight’s ride would be different.  She would hold me.
    I released her hand to quickly mount the bike.  She used me for balance as she got on behind me.  When she tried reaching back to hold the bar, I stopped her.
    “No holding the bar this time.  Hands around me so I know you’re still with me.”
    I started the bike as she nodded and reached forward.  The tentative slide of her hands around my waist had me clenching my teeth.  I wanted more.  More contact.  More time.  More everything.  She scooted forward on the seat so her front almost touched my back and the flat of her hands pressed against my stomach.
    Glancing at the porch, I caught Winifred studying me.
    Make it work, Emmitt , she sent to me.
    I gave a slight nod and slowly pulled out of the garage.  Behind me, Michelle waved to her brothers.
    Once we reached the end of the driveway, I signaled left and settled in for an easy ride.  The feel of her arms wrapped around my waist had me floating.  Occasionally, her fingers would move and send a new jolt of awareness through me.  My head knew I’d recently dropped a bomb on her and that she needed time to process everything, to accept me.  My body didn’t give a damn.  Every cell wanted me to roar with my need for a Claim.  Her fingers trailed three inches lower, and she exhaled contentedly behind me.  My teeth ached as I fought to maintain control of the change.
    Then she tapped my stomach and pointed to the left at the old country bar we’d passed when I’d first brought her home.  There was no sign with a name, only a neon light advertising “bar” in one of the high