A Very Merry Iona Christmas Read Online Free PDF

rushed out.
    “Yeah, you’ve got a
couple of those.” Mason looked to Hope.
    “And an imaginary
friend.” Hope whispered and Mason looked from Carly to Hope and back again.
    “An imaginary friend?”
Mason asked and saw Carly’s eyes drop downwards to her daughter.
    “Really, long story.”
Carly was hopeful that would be enough to silence him.
    “It’s a witch friend.”
Hope whispered. Then she placed her index finger against her lips and shushed
him. Carly frowned.
    Iona!
    ‘ That is not my
doing or my fault.’ Iona protested her innocence. Carly sighed inwardly as
Mason tipped his head and tried to read his mate’s expression. Pissed off mixed
with guilt.
    “I’d say that’s a
story I might have to add to my list for later.” Mason offered and Carly rolled
her eyes. This was not going to end well…
     
    ~
    ~
    ~
     
    “You know what
Princess’s need more than anyone else?” Mason leaned in towards Hope across the
table as they sat in the cafe and Carly resisted the urge to pull Hope closer.
She still didn’t trust him. Not yet.
    ‘ A big handsome
Prince of a hunky man on a white charger riding through the battle with his
colours flying and his muscles on display…’
    Geez, Iona. And I
thought I had problems. Carly
admonished her and Iona cleared her imaginary throat.
    “What?” Hope beamed
him a wide, excited smile.
    ‘ A big castle with
lots of men wielding swords… and jewels, lots of jewels…’
    “Ice cream.” Mason
enthused.
    ‘ Sure, that would
have been my third guess, not.’ Iona scoffed.
    “Ice cream’s good.”
Hope giggled.
    “Good. Because they
have the best ice cream here, and sprinkles…”
    Carly had to hand it
to the man. He knew kids. He had Hope eating out of the palm of his hand.
Anymore of this and Hope would be sold.
    “I love sprinkles…”
Hope giggled some more.
    “Come on, trouble.
I’ve got some sprinkles with your name on them. Or maybe I can write your name
with them on the ice cream.” Annie had appeared as if by magic and Hope was up
and out of her seat before Carly could stop her.
    “Damn it, you set that
up.” Carly hissed at him across the table. Mason considered it for a long
moment.
    “Actually, I didn’t.
In my world, it takes a pack to raise a child…”
    “I don’t live in your
world and I can raise my own child.” Carly hissed back. She wasn’t liking this
conversation one little bit.
    “You don’t live in my
world yet, Carly, but you will.” Mason watched the way her eyes kept flicking
back and forth to where Hope was sitting up at the counter with Annie.
    “I should be getting
back.” Carly went to press up from her seat but Mason’s hand reached out and
covered hers against the table top and for the life of her she couldn’t
remember what the hell she was supposed to be doing…
    “Easy, Carly. We’re
just talking.” Mason tried to sooth her with his words, but it was his touch
that had already done that.
    “Look, I don’t doubt
that you’re a… nice guy in your own way.”
    ‘ Biting heads off
live chickens. Eating Bambi…’ Iona teased, but she stopped when Carly
cursed inwardly.
    “I can’t put my
daughter in that world.” Carly informed him with all of the honesty that she
felt inside. Mason got it loud and clear.
    “Carly, if anyone is a
danger to Hope. It’s not me.” He shook his head to emphasise his point. Carly
sighed.
    “Talk is cheap…” She
snapped out.
    “It’s not talk, Carly.
You’re my mate and that makes Hope my daughter whether you like it or not. I
would kill to protect her and so would my pack.” Mason hated the fact that
there was no trust there. She was his mate. It should have been instinctual.
    ‘ You ain’t ever
getting a better offer than that, girl.’ Iona bit out. ‘ Listen to the
man.’
    “I need to get Hope
home to bed.” Carly went to push up again, but Mason kept his hand over hers.
    “I can’t let you go
back to where you’re living…” Mason