“She wants you to do a signing,” Theo says, sliding a grocery list across the counter. “She’s been planning it for weeks.”
“I know. She’s very persistent.”
“Maeve Bennett has never taken no for an answer in her entire life.” Theo kisses my cheek as I pass. “Get the good rosemary. The stuff in the back, not the wilted bunches up front.”
“I know how to buy rosemary.”
“You bought cilantro last time.”
“They look the same!”
“They absolutely do not.”
I’m still arguing with him when I walk out the door, and I can hear Nate’s quiet laugh behind me.
This. This is what I missed for ten years. This easy, comfortable bickering. This feeling ofbelongingsomewhere, to someone, tosomeones.
I almost ruined it. Almost let fear keep me running forever.
Thank god for manipulative grandmothers and charity auctions and three alphas who refused to let me go.
The Honey Crumbis busy when I walk in, which means half the town sees me enter.
It’s the first time I’ve been in here since the bonding—since the heat, since everything. I’ve been too wrapped up in my alphas and the farmhouse and figuring out this new life to venture into town much. But now people are waving, smiling, a few calling out greetings.
Mrs. Patterson beams at me from her usual spot by the window.
“Cara!” Maeve’s voice cuts through the murmur, warm and knowing. “There you are. I was starting to think you’d forgotten about us.”
“Never.” I make my way to the counter. “Just been... settling in.”
“I’ll bet you have.” Maeve’s eyes sparkle with amusement. She’s wearing her usual floral apron, silver hair pinned back, looking exactly like the town matriarch she is. “The usual?”
“Please.”
She starts making my vanilla latte with cinnamon—she remembered, after all these years—and leans closer. “Good tosee you out and about. I was starting to think those boys were keeping you locked up at the farmhouse.”
“We’ve been... busy.” My cheeks warm.
“I’ll bet.” Maeve chuckles. She adds an extra shot of espresso without being asked. “Theo’s been in here every other day, buying enough groceries to feed an army. Lucas stopped by for his usual coffee last week and couldn’t stop smiling. And Nate—” She pauses, something soft crossing her face. “I’ve never seen that boy look so peaceful.”
My throat goes tight. “He’s... yeah. He’s good.”
“They all are.” Maeve slides the cup across the counter. “I’m happy for you, Cara. Truly. We all are.”
“Thanks, Maeve.”
“And between us?” She leans in closer, lowering her voice. “The whole town’s been taking bets on when you’d come to your senses. I made a killing.”
“Youbeton my love life?”
“I bet on you being smart enough to recognize a good thing when you saw it.” She winks. “Different thing entirely. Now, tell your grandmother I expect her at book club Tuesday. We’re discussing your latest, and she owes me twenty dollars from poker.”
Before I can respond, the bell over the door chimes and Bea walks in.
“Cara!” She spots me immediately, her face breaking into a grin. “Finally dragged yourself out of the farmhouse, huh?” She tilts her head, studying my neck. “Bond marks looking good on you. About damn time.”
“Bea—”
