Quinn is quick to respond. “Well, you can’t choose the family you’re born into, but you can choose your forever family. And we’re all your forever family.” His hand pats my shoulder, and we all return to finishing the gate installation, leaving the conversation at that.
For now.
Much later on, Adley orders Chinese take-out food for delivery and we set up the bigger folding tables and chairs outside the trailer, away from the trash. Vaughn supplies the beer, bottled from his own brewery—and really good—while Adley handles wine and non-alcoholic drinks for everyone.
“Gotta get rid of most of this stuff,” she had told me in the kitchen with a kiss on the cheek.
We already moved the freezer for all the pet food into the trailer. Heavy lifting is a lot easier when you have a full crew helping you. Which sounds like it should go without saying, but I didn’t realize how much of a difference it would make.
Back in Texas, traveling all over and working on ranches my whole life, you found different kinds of folks in different places. Some helpful, some not so much.
I don’t know I’ve ever been so grateful that the people of Crescent Lake are so incredible.
Would they be if they knew your past, though?
That question has been floating through my mind since gathering at Violet’s house, then even more after going to Izzy’s and chatting with their pack. Everyone is so nice and understanding, but what if they knew I was a convicted felon?
Arms wrap around my shoulders, and Adley’s sweet scent envelops my senses. She leans in under the brim of my hat, lightly kisses my earlobe and whispers, “Stop thinking so hard. You’ll break something.”
As she confiscates my hat and puts it on her head before walking away, I can’t help but laugh despite my dark thoughts. And get a little turned on.
Okay, a lot.
Sue me.
“Jasper, did you know Quinn was a wide receiver in college?”
Quinn cringes at Violet’s words, his head shaking. “Vi, sweetheart, you don’t compare college ball to professional league.” He looks at Jasper, who’s grinning ear-to-ear. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s no problem, man. Your Omega is proud of you. Let her hype you up.”
Quinn smiles back at him, then turns to Violet down the table. “Sorry, sweetheart. Please, stroke my ego more.”
The look she gives him could melt the lawn furniture, I swear.
“Should we leave you two alone?”
Laughter rumbles through the table at Adam’s quip, and I lean back in my chair, take it all in.
This place, the people in it, all feel like home.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The past few weeks have been a juggling act of keeping all the animals calm amid the loud construction noise during the day, and all of us finding our proverbial groove living together in the trailer.
Adam and Jasper have been visiting every day, staying long enough that it’s been sitting on the tip of my tongue to ask them to stay. But it’s not a decision I’m comfortable making on my own, especially in the trailer that’s been Ezra’s home for over two months now.
I feel like I’m invading his space enough as it is.
And, Ezra has been working much harder than any of us, as if he has something to prove.
He wakes before sunrise every day, cares for Pie and Gator, works with the construction crew all day, comes back to thehouse at night to shower and sleep, and barely has enough energy to eat the food I cook for us.
I’m just glad I got him to teach me what I needed to know about taking care of Pie and Gator in the afternoon and at night, even though he mostly insists on getting them ready for bed. He’s forged such a bond with these two that it’s a strain on me to argue he needs rest.
As I roll hay out for Pie and Gator, refresh their water and pour feed into their stalls, Gator follows me every step of the way, watching every move with his big brown eyes.
“Am I doing it right, buddy?” I scratch his fluffy head, and his eyes close with delight.
