"Well, hot damn!" Clayton whooped.

"Hot dan," Markey parroted as he whooped as well. "Popped up."

Dresden, along with Harland and his mother, chuckled as Clayton squatted until he was eye level with Markey. "You can't say those words."

Markey's tiny shoulders slumped, his arms dangling at his sides as he walked away, disappointment and a touch of sadness on his face.

"Now, wait," Clayton said as he chased after the toddler. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

Dresden could only shake his head. He was glad his son was getting along with everyone and that the men who lived here-along with...Ma-loved the little man to pieces.

"Now," Dresden demanded. "You have to tell me your name since I'm carrying your grandchild."

But instead of doing that, she began to cry and then raced into the kitchen. Dresden arched a brow.

"Don't mind her," Harland said. "She is running to tell her friends that she is officially going to be a grandma."

"What is her name?" Dresden demanded.

Harland laughed. "Since you are so damn persuasive"-Harland's fingers skimmed over Dresden's belly-"it's Renee."

"About damn time," Dresden said. "Now, what did you say about ice cream?"

"I didn't say anything about ice cream."

"Wrong answer." Dresden grabbed Harland's hand and started leading him toward the kitchen.

Chapter Eight.

Harland sat atop his black stallion, Titan, as he rode the property. It was something he loved to do. The mountains in the backdrop were simply gorgeous and Harland liked to get out daily and feel the wind on his skin and the sun on his face.

They only had seventy acres, but the sweeping beauty of the land, the snow covered mountains, and the lush green fields called to Harland. Whether riding Titan or roaming in his bear form, Harland always felt like he'd found the perfect place to call home.

And now he had a family to show just how much this place meant to him.

"I think you'll make a fantastic daddy," Jed said as he rode next to Harland. "You're doing great with Markey."

Harland snorted. "Dresden keeps snapping at me for feeding the poor kid sweets in the morning. He always says something about sugar rush. How can any man be denied sweets?"

Jed chuckled. "Easy, Markey isn't a man just yet. I think Dresden would know best."

That might be so, but it was hard as hell telling the toddler no when he gave Harland those big puppy dog eyes. Harland still couldn't believe that Dresden was his mate, though. It thrilled him to no end and he couldn't stop wanting to be near the guy. It actually drove him nuts when he was more than two feet away from Dresden, but Harland knew he couldn't smother the man.

"What about you?" he asked Jed as he steered Titan toward the north pasture where a large, worn down barn still stood. He and his friends had talked of tearing it down, but they all agreed that it leant history to their place, a feeling of days gone by. "Ever wonder if you'll meet your mate and start a family?"

Jed gazed off into the distance, growing quiet. Although the four friends had been almost inseparable their entire lives, Harland knew Jed had some dark secrets, secrets he never talked about. There were times when the guy would disappear for days at a time. He never told anyone where he was going, but he always promised to return.

If anyone deserved a little happiness, it was Jedediah Gibbs. The man was too serious, too reserved, and he needed someone who could bring back the bear shifter Harland had known before the military.

"I think we better be heading back," Jed said, avoiding Harland's question. Harland let the subject drop. He wasn't about to force a conversation on Jed.

"Do you think it's weird that I've always wanted a family and now that I have Dresden and Markey, I'm scared shitless?"

It was true. Just thinking about Dresden giving birth made Harland's stomach tie into knots. Dreaming about having a family and actually raising kids were two totally different things.

What if he fucked this up? What if Markey and his unborn child grew up to be hoodlums, drug addicts, criminals, unproductive members of society, or...Hell, the list went on and on. Harland had thought about that last night as well. All he wanted for his kids was for them to grow up and do something they loved, to appreciate the little things in life. He was just starting out with this parenting thing and already he could feel heartburn in his future. Maybe Dresden could put off giving birth for another year or ten.

Could Markey stay two forever?

"That worried?" Jed asked and then grinned. "You'll do just fine, Harland. You're a natural with kids."

"You think so?"

"Sure," Jed answered. "I mean, you're still a big kid yourself."

"Very funny," Harland groused but wasn't offended. He did tend to act a bit juvenile. But then again, Harland didn't want to grow up, not all the way. He liked having fun and laughing.

Harland grinned from ear to ear when he saw Dresden on the back porch, his hand spanning over his distended belly, rubbing in a circular motion. Dresden was now two months pregnant and it showed. Harland's mate was no longer allowed to go into town. There would be no way to explain to the humans who lived in Bear County how it was possible for a man to be pregnant.

This made Dresden irritable as hell. But Harland tried his best to keep his mate occupied.

"Doctor called," Dresden said after Harland had set his horse free in the corral and headed toward the house.

"What'd he say?" Harland grabbed Dresden and pulled the man into his arms, releasing a deep sigh at how good it felt to be close to his mate again.

"He's bringing a portable ultrasound machine to check up on the baby." Harland took a seat on the well-worn wooden chair. Dresden sat on Harland's lap. "That means we can find out what we're having."

It didn't matter to Harland. As long as the cub was healthy, it could be a boy or a girl. But Dresden was super excited to find out. It was all he had talked about for the past week. Harland circled his arms around his mate as he watched the sunset.

But his tranquility didn't last long. He heard a vehicle pulling into the ranch. Harland patted Dresden's hip. "Better go inside."

Dresden narrowed his eyes before he stood. "I really hate this hiding crap."

Harland grabbed Dresden's wrist and tugged his mate back to him. He laid a gentle kiss on Dresden's lips. "Just another month, hon."

Dresden sighed and then went inside. Harland walked around the side of the house to see the sheriff's car. Sheriff Zackary Sparrow was standing there talking with Bryson. As soon as Harland was in sight, the sheriff turned, eyeing Harland in a way that said he wasn't going to like this visit.

"What's going on?" Harland asked, an uneasy feeling settling in the pit of his stomach.

"Harland." Sheriff Sparrow nodded. "Can you tell me where you were two nights ago?"

Harland's eyes flickered to Bryson, but his friend had a confused expression on his face.

Scratching his chin, Harland said, "I was here, at home."

Sheriff Sparrow shook his head. "When was the last time you spoke to Stork?"

"Stork?"

"Yeah." The sheriff nodded.

Harland shrugged. "A few weeks back, why?"

"Stork was found dead in his trailer, a shotgun blast to his chest. Someone said they saw you running away moments after the shot was heard."

"That's bullshit!" Dresden paced the kitchen as he waited for Bryson and Jed to call. The sheriff had taken Harland in for questioning. He knew for a fact that Harland wasn't anywhere near that damn trailer park.

"I know," Clayton said. "But the sheriff is only doing his job."

Renee was upstairs putting Markey to bed. Dresden was too wound up to deal with a toddler tight now. His son could always feel when Dresden was angry or scared and he didn't want Markey to worry about his daddy.

"Jed and Bryson will get him out," Renee said as she gave Dresden a reassuring smile. He was growing to love this woman. Renee was the sweetest person Dresden had ever met and Markey was head over heels in love with her.

He still couldn't understand how anyone could claim that Harland was the one who killed Stork. Hell, Dresden still couldn't believe Stork was dead. Although Stork's lifestyle was a surefire way to live fast and die hard, Dresden just couldn't believe it had happened.

"Jed and Bryson know how to work magic," Clayton said as he took a seat at the kitchen table. "Don't go worrying about Harland," he added. "You shouldn't be stressing."

Dresden just stared at Clayton a moment. How was he not supposed to stress? His mate was being accused of murder. If that wasn't a stressful situation, Dresden didn't know what was. And to top that off, he couldn't even go into town-not when his belly was so damn round. He looked like he'd swallowed a watermelon.

So he was relegated to staying on the ranch and worrying his ass off. That wasn't something he was very good at. Dresden felt like he was going to have a meltdown at any minute. Maybe he should sit down. He wasn't feeling so well.

Renee brought him a glass of water. "Now just take a few deep breaths, Dresden. Harland will be home before you know it. My boy knows how to handle himself."

"But the sheriff has a witness," Dresden said with a near whine.

"Evidence," Clayton said. "If there ain't no shotgun, then they can't pin this on Harland. Jed is calling an attorney."

An attorney. Dresden had flashbacks of his life before Bear County and he suddenly felt nauseous. He'd had it all until he'd dated a narcissistic prosecuting attorney. His life had turned into hell after that.

Roger Downfire had been the worst kind of scum. The scandal had driven Dresden into bankruptcy. "I hate attorneys."

He hadn't thought about Roger in weeks. Dresden still felt a cold chill race down his spine at the mere memory of his old lover. His stomach twisted into knots at the thought of ever running into that man again.

Clayton chuckled. "Yeah, but we need this one to get Harland out of his mess."

The guy didn't understand why Dresden hated attorneys, and Dresden wasn't going to explain himself. But Renee was looking at him peculiarly. Her intelligent eyes said she knew Dresden wasn't telling it all.

The house phone rang and Dresden nearly jumped out of his seat. His heart was racing in his throat as Renee answered.

"Hey," Clayton said in a low tone. Dresden suspected that he didn't want Harland's mother hearing him. "He'll get out of this one way or another. If they try and sink him, we have property a good two hundred miles from here. You and Harland can go there to live."

Dresden didn't want to uproot his son again and he didn't want to live life on the lam. But he'd do whatever it took to be with his mate. He knew in his heart that Harland hadn't killed his uncle. It was true that his mate could have snuck out in the middle of the night, but Dresden knew the man hadn't.

Harland wasn't a killer.

Clayton patted his knee. "Just keep that in mind. One way or another, you'll be with your mate."

Dresden nodded as Renee hung up the phone. Although he appreciated what Clayton was saying, Dresden would much rather raise his family with his mate, on this ranch.

"Well?" Clayton asked Renee.

"They let Harland go, but there is still going to be an investigation, and as of right now, he's their number-one suspect." Renee was worrying her hands at her breasts and Dresden caught the way she was looking at Clayton. The woman was nervous.

Dresden got up and walked from the kitchen and out the back door. He needed fresh air. It felt as if he couldn't breathe in that damn house. Who the hell had accused Harland of shooting Stork? Why would they accuse Harland? None of this made any sense to him.

When Dresden heard a vehicle pull into the driveway, he didn't bother to go inside. At this point, he didn't care who saw him pregnant. All that mattered to him was getting Harland back.

"There's my honey-baked clerk."

Dresden felt like crying when he heard Harland's deep, whiskey voice. He fell into his mate's arms and tried his best to keep his tears at bay. It was bad enough his hormones were all over the place. He cried for no reason, laughed at the strangest moments, and got pissed over the stupidest stuff. The doctor said all that would pass. But right now, he was a hot mess.

"Hey," Harland said as he hugged Dresden tighter. "It's okay, hon. I'm here and I don't plan on going anywhere."

Dresden wished he could believe that. He finally had a life he loved, and some asshole was threatening to take all of that away from him. He sniffed and wiped at his eyes, but refused to let Harland go. "What if things go wrong?"

Harland leaned back and wiped at the tears escaping down Dresden's cheeks. "There's no way anyone is taking me away from you or the kids. If we have to, we can-"

"Go to the property two hundred miles from here," Dresden finished.

"I see you've been talking to Clayton." Harland pulled Dresden into the house and led him upstairs. Dresden followed, but his mind was off in another place, imagining a life with Markey and the child yet to be born. But in this thoughts, Harland wasn't there. He was locked up, doing hard time. Dresden didn't want to raise his family all by himself.

He knew that he would do whatever he had to in order to keep Harland at his side.

"I think we need to start making preparations," Clayton said after he, Jed, and Bryson moved far enough away from the house that Renee couldn't hear them.

"I wouldn't jump the gun just yet," Jed said. "We retained a damn good attorney."

"But you saw how those cops were acting," Bryson chimed in. "They were just about salivating, thinking they had them a real-life killer at the station. They're chomping at the bit to pin this one on Harland."

Which didn't seem right to Clayton. Sheriff Sparrow was a good guy. He'd known the human for some time and had never once heard a bad thing about the man. Although the sheriff's personality was a striking contrast to his looks. Clayton had always felt a little something when he was around the guy-which wasn't too often. But Sparrow's gorgeous Native American looks just did it for Clayton. The guy's long, black hair that was always tied back and his fathomless dark eyes gave Clayton a hard-on every damn time.

It didn't help his hormones that Sparrow was built like a brick house.

"Regardless," Clayton said as he leaned against the corral. "If they think they're sinking Harland for killing Stork, they got another thing coming. I say we help him pack now and get him, his mate, and Markey as far from Bear County as possible."

"We will," Jed said. "If things start looking bad. But until then, I don't want him getting into trouble for up and leaving. He needs to maintain his look of innocence."