She crouches.
“Still lower.”
She hunches down, her ass nearly on the ground, and I put a hand over my mouth to cover my laugh.
“Gonna have to go on your belly, I think,” I say, a snicker finally breaking through.
“Riley!” she shrieks, pulling off her blindfold to see us barely ten steps from where we started, in the middle of the wide dirt trail heading toward the pole barn. She jumps up and throws the blindfold at me.
“Ah, oops,” I say.
She somehow glowers and laughs at the same time, then stomps over toward Brooks.
“You can carry me, and I’ll close my eyes.”
“You can’t be trusted—” I start to protest, but she cuts me off.
“Ican’t be trusted?Youcan’t be trusted!” she says, and I bob my head back and forth like it’s a dubious point, but really, she’s right.
“Fine, but no peeking!” I point a finger at her as Brooks scoops her into his arms, and she slaps her palms over her eyes.
We start walking, and my feelings bounce between eager and nervous. I’m pretty sure she’ll be happy, but what if she hates them?
“Why does Vee call you Sour Patch?” Sage asks, her random question throwing me for a second. To my surprise, Brooks chuckles, then answers for me.
“Because first they’re sour, then they’re sweet.”
“He means bratty but is trying to be nice. That’s what Vee would say,” I interject.
“I don’t get it,” Sage says, pouting her lower lip out.
“Have you ever had Sour Patch candy?” Brooks says.
She shakes her head, and I meet Brooks’ gaze, both of us agreeing to rectify that as soon as possible. We’re determined to introduce her to everything we can that might bring her an ounce of joy.
“We’ll snag you some next time we go into town. As soon as you try one, you’ll get it,” Brooks says, squeezing her and eliciting a tiny squeak that makes us all smile.
I lead them to the pole barn door, and Brooks’ eyes dart around as he tries to figure out what I’m planning.
“Set her down here,” I say, pointing so she’ll be front and center when I open the massive door, and he does so, ensuring she’s steady on her feet. “Then close your eyes too.”
“Me?” he says, pointing to his chest.
“Yes, you, alpha daddy.”
Brooks’ narrowed eyes promise punishment for that later, and I grin, then crack the door open and slip inside.
Chapter Fifty-Two
Sage
I’m trembling with excitement when Brooks sets me on my feet, and my ears strain for any hint of what Riley has planned. All he said was “a surprise” and I have no further clues beyond that.
Other than we’re still outside.
Waiting.
I start to get impatient, when a loud creaking whine fills my ears. A door opening?
