I transfer my smile to Sofia. “Not yet, but one day.”
Her cheeks turn red. “Morning, Mack.”
I step into her space and smile down at her. “Good morning. You look absolutely enchanting today.”
She can’t hold my gaze.
“Oh, you are just oozing charm. You did when you were a kid, too!” Grandma says with a scoff. “Don’t you let those sweet words turn your head. Look at the deeds of an alpha.”
“Deeds?” Sofia asks in confusion.
“What does he do? How does he treat people? Is he kind to those less fortunate than he is? What worth does he bring to your life?”
Sofia looks up at me.
“I have a hammer,” I whisper, leaning in close. I could almost regret it as her scent goes deep into my lungs, reminding me that she’s not mine…yet.
She bursts out laughing, the most charming and delightful sound I ever heard. I want her always smiling and laughing.
“Tch!” Grandma says with a massive grin. “Go and play with your wood.”
My eyebrows go right up. “Grandma!” I say in shock. I fan myself and smirk at the old alpha.
She stands up as regally as her body can get and glares at me. “You are a very, very, naughty alpha.”
I double over laughing, and by the time I stop, Grandma has spirited Sofia away, and I’m standing with Grandpa Sol, who is studying me with fondness and amusement.
“We are really glad you came back to Sunshine, Mack.”
“Me, too.”
“When your uncle took you, we tried to convince him to let someone here keep you; we even volunteered.”
“Did you?” I say, surprised.
“Of course. Sunshine is your home. It was devastating after losing your parents to lose you, too.”
He puts a hand on my shoulder and squeezes. I can feel the strength he still has, even if he shakes.
“Thank you,” I whisper hoarsely. “That means a lot. Uncle wasn’t a warm person, and he certainly never mentioned that anyone from here cared.”
“We do; we care a lot.”
I clear my throat a couple of times and look past him at the house.
“Sofia is different from the rest of them. She’s like her grandmother. Her confidence is shook right now, but she’ll come good, you see, and when she does, she will bloom into who she’s supposed to be.”
“She’s special,” I say reverently.
“Yes, she is. Now, come and have a look at the shed. There’s something wrong with the smoker.”
“Smoker?” I ask, bemused despite myself.
He glances over his shoulder and looks up at the house, pressing his finger to his lips. “Come on!” he whispers. Then looking up, he says loudly. “Yeah, my fish smoker. It’s been not right.”
He leads me around the back to the shed and opens it. I stare in amazement.
“Grandpa, this is incredible.”
