Scooting down the stairs, I leaned out into the main house and held up five fingers.
“All right.” She smiled. “But since it looks like you just woke up and I had allowed time for breakfast, why don’t you take ten?”
With ten minutes, I stood a chance of looking human. Or at least clean. Not wasting any of the time allotted to me, I showered and washed my hair, towel dried all of me, yanked my hair into a high ponytail, and quickly slipped into the jeans and top I’d laid out three days previous. I added the cards that had been drying all night to the basket with the others, put on socks and high-tops, and started down the stairs, halfway, before turning to dash back up and get my glasses.
“Here you are,” Lily said, taking the basket from me. “There’s a coffee and a croissant on the counter for you to eat on the way. I can’t wait for you to see the market.” She accompanied me out to the car, chattering away while my nerves screamed for me to go back inside and up into my haven. Would it really matter if I went? The guy probably just wanted to say something pleasant to me like compliments to the chef. And if Ishowed up then ran away to hide, how bad would I make my friends look?
When I hesitated outside the car door, Lily opened it for me. “There’s no need to worry. Rumor and I have your back, and if you get uncomfortable at any time, you can signal me, and I’ll see to it you get right home, okay?”
Nodding, I shrugged.
“You’re right. We need to set up the signal. Any ideas?”
I gave a thumbs-up, but she shook her head. “No, because you might do that anyway.”
A thumbs down was similarly rejected, although since I was not Nero, I had probably never given one in my life. But, I tried one last gesture, and she burst into laughter.
“I never thought you’d flip me the bird, but that should cover it. How about you just give me the sign for home?”
With that, I climbed into the car, feeling like I was going to my own execution.
Despite myself, I was charmed by the first sight of the farmers market. I’d pictured a bunch of people sitting behind tables selling turnips, cabbages. Possibly a flower vendor, and I knew there was a bakery stand, but what lay before me were of course every kind of in-season fruit and vegetable, but so much more.
Apparently craftspeople were welcomed, which made perfect sense when I thought of it. After all, we were selling my cards. Three grandmotherly types were sitting on chairs knitting away, their stand filled with afghans and scarves, hat and mittens, sweaters even. A candy booth sold hand-dipped truffles and seasonal candy apples. On the way to our assigned spot, we passed the baker who made the fairy bread, and they were featuring all sorts of pumpkin treats. Breads, pies, rolls, and I didn’t know what all.
My head swiveled from side to side, taking in everything around me. People were bustling around, setting out their products, greeting one another in cheerful tones, and my heart ached with the desire to be part of all of this.
Lily paused by an empty stand and set down the boxes she carried. “We used to be way back there, but we got a chance to move, and I think we’ve done much better here. Nice, isn’t it?”
It was very nice, if I could get my heart rate down. Yes, I wanted to be someone who came here every week and waved at friends, but it was overwhelming already, and only the other vendors were here. How was I going to handle it when the aisles filled with customers? Or, worse, when the man showed up specifically to meet me? I helped Lily and Rumor, who had her child with her, set up, but then signed restroom, and left the booth, wanting to get it together. If I could. This was a huge mistake.
Chapter Eight
Talon
I may or may not have been up since sunrise. My stomach was a bundle of nerves that twisted in my gut, making me unable to stomach breakfast or coffee, which was a shame because I desperately loved and simultaneously needed coffee.
Today, there was a good chance we would meet our mate. Our omega.
The one who would give us new purpose.
The one who we would live for.
“You’re making me nervous,” Archer said from the back seat. He’d brought his laptop with him and his clicking on the keys along with Dax’s bouncing knee were driving me nuts. I was already internally freaking out, but they weren’t helping.
“Me? You two are making me nervous. Where was the exit again?”
Archer caught my gaze in the rearview mirror. “For the umpteenth time, it’s Exit 42. Get a grip on yourself, Talon.”
“I wish I could. You two scent like two caged, scared wolves.”
Dax snorted. “Not far from the truth.”
“What are you scared of?” Archer asked, finally, finally, closing his laptop. At least I didn’t have to hear his typing anymore.
“Oh, I don’t know…our omega rejecting us. Her already being mated. Her not being interested. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.”
“Her not liking us. Her not wanting to be mated at all. Her not liking you and your frown.”
