I return her smile but my stomach still rolls with the nerves I’m feeling about today. If Finn and I had our way, Eden would not leave this house again until we roll out with the wagons two days from now. Everything has been bought and planned for. The wagons are lined up and packed with more supplies than we will ever need. All that’s waiting is to hook up the oxen. Twelve freed slaves and seven indentured men and women and their families have agreed to join and work for us in exchange for help to set up their own homesteads when we reach our destination. We are so close to getting Eden away from here and to safety that it seems like an unnecessary risk to allow her to go into town for the final shopping trip.
Eden very forcefully pointed out that this may very well be her last chance to visit civilization once we leave the established colonies. She insisted that she would be safe with Flora, who also wished to go, and Sebastian as her escorts. It should be fine, she should be safe but I can’t help the sick feeling in my gut that letting her go to town is a mistake that could cost us everything.
“Mae and Alice helped me put together a list of things that their people will need. Do you know that most of them don’t have any belongings except the clothes on their backs? We can’t let them leave here with nothing! So we will be buying as much clothing and shoes as we can to outfit them with at least a few changes of clothing as well as extra blankets. We’ll also buy fabric and sewing supplies to make more as we go. The children will need school supplies of some kind so we can teach them how to read and do basic math. Mae told me that most of the freed slaves don’t even know how to read!” She leans back into her chair and drinks the rest of her coffee with a frown. “These people aren’t just coming to help us on the way. They will be our neighbors, our community once we settle and start building. We have to help them in any way we can.”
I drink in her determined expression and marvel at the huge heart my mate has. She’s unlike any woman I have ever known and I’m so thankful that we have a second chance to have her in our lives again. The love I have for her is an overwhelming ache in my chest and I once again wish she would just give us the list and let us go buy the things she wants so she can remain here and safe.
I look across at Finn and see from the look in his eyes that he feels the same. Two days. Two days and we will leave this place and all the dangers that the war poses for her. Traveling through the wilderness will be much safer as we will be able to roam and scout in our wolf forms to keep the wagons and all the occupants safe. Happiness fills me at the thought of being free to run through the endless forests and wild lands we will travel through, free of men’s politics and conflicts.
“Oh! I just had a thought! What would happen if any of the new people found out what you all are? We could have a riot on our hands of terrified people!”
Luca answers her. “No, we would not. All servants that we employ are compelled to accept and keep secret anything they see. They also will not be able to harm any of us in any way.”
He will not look at her for more than a few glances and he still resists the love we know he has for her. He is a fool to deny himself the happiness and love she offers us so freely but at least he no longer treats her cruelly. I sigh and turn to her.
“Lass, it has always been so with any human that is near us for a prolonged period of time. We would not chance your safety by not ensuring that the people joining us were unable to cause any of us harm.” I tell her.
She has a conflicted look in her eyes but nods slowly in understanding before looking to Luca again.
“So that means you’re coming with us, right?” She asks him and I hear the hope in her tone that makes me want to reach out and punch my brother for being such an ijit. He keeps his eyes down as he sighs.
“I will be joining you all for the journey. I have yet to decide if I will be remaining wherever you all choose to settle.”
I see her fingers tighten around her cup but she only gives a curt nod. I want to sweep her up into my arms and take all the sadness he has caused her away. Show her how much the rest of us love her and that Finn, Sebastian, and I will more than make up for Luca’s refusal to open his heart to her.
“Are ya not done yet? The day’s a-wastin'! We need to be off ta town so as I can get back and oversee the new uns to be sure they be doin’ the chores correctly!” Flora grouches at us as she comes in to start clearing the breakfast dishes and Eden sends her a smile filled with fondness that makes me want to ravish her mouth.
“Yes, Eden, we should be off soon so that we are home well before the light fades. I fear your shopping list has grown to the point that we will have to visit multiple merchants to fill it all.” Bas tells her with an amused smile.
She jumps to her feet, grinning. “Give me ten minutes and we can go!” She leans over and brushes her sweet lips over mine and murmurs, “Love you.” And then repeats the gesture and words to Sebastian and Finn.
I see her hesitate as she moves past Luca’s chair and her hand lifts hesitantly to reach for him but then drops back to her side before she rushes from the room.
I watch him follow her out with his eyes and shake my head. “As Eden would say, yer a fucking dumbass, Luca!”
Luca
Ibelieve Cade is correct in his insult to me. I have tried to keep my distance from her and shield my heart but have failed spectacularly. Every laugh, every smile flays me open and causes the love I have locked away for her to surge forward. I cannot resist her any longer. I had decided not to join them on this journey but the agonizing thoughts of seeing her and my brothers ride away from me destroyed my will to keep the distance between us. My hands ache to touch her constantly and my arms feel empty without her in them. Hearing her tell my brothers that she loved them and the soft sweet kisses she bestowed on them has my heart throbbing painfully for her words and kisses to be mine as well. I am lost to her completely no matter how hard I fight against it. I push to my feet and scan the faces of my brothers and then nod. I see the understanding and relief cross Bas’ face and the grins that start to form on the wolves’.
“I will tell her,” is all I say before leaving the room to go and find her. A shout from the front of the house has my feet changing directions to stride to the main doors to see what the commotion is about. When I throw open the doors my jaw clenches as I grind my teeth and my fingers fist at my sides at what I see. A full patrol of British redcoats, at least thirty men, are riding into our yard. I hear my brothers follow me out as I stride down the stairs of the porch to meet them as they begin to dismount. One man turns to face me and I spot his rank and watch as he squares his shoulders and smooths down his jacket. He is young but by his bearing, I assume he is a peer of the realm.
“Sir! Are you the Duc de Gaul?” He calls out as I move toward him.
“I am. Who might you be and what is your business on my land?”
I see him swallow nervously but then lift his chin arrogantly. “Captain Alistair Lancaster at your service. My men and I are in search of a missing patrol that was reported to be seen in the area. Have you any information or sightings of them?”
“Your Grace.” I snap at him, annoyed that he would presume to come on my lands and question me without the proper respect. I see the narrowing of his eyes as he tips his head in acknowledgment.
“My apologies…Your Grace.”
The contempt is clear in his tone and the soldiers behind him pick up on the tension that now fills the air, causing them to tighten their holds on their weapons. The wolves and Sebastian have spread out to either side of me at the perceived threat so I wave a dismissive hand his way.
“Your wayward sheep are not here. Perhaps they are off terrorizing my good neighbors. Make leave of my lands for you and your men are not welcome here.”
His hand moves to the pistol he wears at his hip and I see a single drop of sweat course down from his hairline but before he has a chance to speak next a gasp of surprise from behind me has my shoulders tensing even more and his eyes widening as he looks past me. I do a quarter turn and see Eden rushing down the stairs and bark out at her.
“Return to the house this instant!”
