In a low voice, she said, “Frank informed me that my ex-husband has purchased the inn from yourfamily.”
I darted a glance toward the enormous glass sliding doors, making sure that Skylar hadn’t emerged from the entrails of the inn. I didn’t want to alarm the loyal staff before alarm needed to be sounded. Perhaps Aidan Michaels would safeguard their jobs. I didn’t know his intentions for the place. Was it simply a strategic location to keep the packs in check, or was this a business transaction to grow his real estateportfolio?
“Evelyn, do you think he bought it to insult . . .us?”
By us, I meant werewolves, although I didn’t doubt for a second that Aidan was the type of man who’d take great pleasure in thwarting his ex-wife’s happiness. Since the man was a snoop with too many connections, I didn’t doubt for a second he knew she was back inBoulder.
“Or do you think he bought it as aninvestment?”
She scratched at a piece of citronella candlewax that had melted onto the teak. “He does not need more money or more land,querida.”
In other words, this was no commercialendeavor.
“Here y’all go,” Skylar said chirpily, depositing a wooden tray loaded with two mugs, a teapot, a bowl of sugar, a tiny pitcher of milk, and a plate of bite-sized jam cookies—one of Evelyn’sspecialties.
Since Evelyn had gotten access to a larger kitchen and a limitless quantity of fresh produce, she’d been making the jam herself, and the already delicious cookies had become downrightsinful.
“Can I get you anything else?” Skylar asked, eyeballing thesky.
“No thank you,” Evelyn said. “You have already spoiledus.”
I smiled up at Skylar, who returned my smile, but her lips kept bending and straightening, as though she wanted to ask me what was wrong. Even though we’d only known each other for two months, I sensed she understood me; perhaps it was because we’d both lost our mothers. Skylar had once told me that she was a good listener in case I needed totalk.
I hadn’t wanted to talk about Mom then. I still didn’t want to talk about her. Her absence remained too fresh. Although I no longer cried when someone brought her up, it still abraded myheart.
“I haven’t seen Emmy yet, but can you thank your wife for covering last night’s shift, please? Jeb and . . . and Lucy, they really appreciateit.”
She grinned. “Will do. Anyway, let me know if you need anythingelse.”
Evelyn poured two cups of piping hot tea while I pilfered a cookie from theplate.
“Frank has an extra bedroom, which I readied for you last night. I want you to come and live with us. I know Jeb is your legal guardian, but he is incapable of caring for you, and I am not too fond of the men who prowl around you.” She flicked her gaze toward Lucas, which had my nose wrinkling. I hoped she didn’t assume he was a suitor, because . . .gross.
“Are you sure Frank won’tmind?”
She placed her calloused hand over mine. “Frank does not mind. His house is . . . it is big. On weekends, his grandson Joseph visits, but otherwise, he lives therealone.”
“Notanymore.”
Her lips curled into a demuresmile.
How I loved the glimmer Frank had put in her obsidian eyes and the rosiness he’d brought to her foundation-caked complexion. I loved that she’d gotten her happy ending. If anyone deserved happiness, it wasEvelyn.
“Meet me in the kitchen tonight. We will leave together after I finish makingdinner.”
“Okay.”
We drank our tea quietly after that, both of us enjoying each other’s easy company. Almost an hour later, we both stood to leave. She leaned toward me as though to kiss my cheek, but instead she asked, “Why does the boy over there keep looking in yourdirection?”
“He’s just helping me out with some errands today. You know, driving mearound.”
If I told Evelyn the truth, that Liam was afraid Everest might try to hurt me, she’d fret, and I didn’t want her to fret more than she alreadydid.
She kissed my cheeks and then rubbed them. “There. I’ve added some color to that pale face ofyours.”
In spite of my summer tan, I could feel I was pasty, the same way I could feel the first drops of rain needling my bare arms. I closed my lids and lifted my face skyward, welcoming thedownpour.
15
