“My brothers and I own everything in-inside this valley. The saloon, the general store, all of it.” I realized how that might sound. “We’re not trying to control anyone or anything. We-we…built it all ourselves.”
She leaned back in her chair, processing this information. “You’re not just a pottery barn owner. You’re like, the founding family of an entire town.”
“I guess. It sounds im-im-impressive when you put it that way.”
“It is impressive, Hail. What you’ve built here, the community you’ve created…” She shook her head. “I know it’s for tourists, but it’s amazing.”
The admiration in her voice made my chest swell. I wanted to tell her about the plans we had for expanding, the dreams we’d talked about late into the night when we first bought this valley. Not yet. Despite being my mate, we didn’t know each other well yet.
We stood to leave. As we walked toward the door, someone called out from the right side of the room.
I turned to see Gracie and Tark at a corner table, along with Ostor and Rosey.
Gracie’s face was bright with happiness as she leaned into Tark’s side. “Come say hello.” She waved us over.
I met Allie’s gaze, and when she nodded, we walked over to their table.
“Everyone, this is Allie Tuttle,” I said. “She’s working with me at the pottery barn now.”
“Is she the one who helped with yesterday’s class?” Rosey asked with a smile. “I heard all about it. You’re so sweet to jump in and help Hail like that, Allie.”
“It was nothing,” Allie said, but I caught the way she watched the couples with a wistful expression, a longing that made my throat ache.
“Now that you’re one of us, we should have dinner together soon,” Gracie said. “Get to know each other better.”
“That sounds wonderful.” Allie seemed to mean it.
We chatted for a few more minutes, my brothers’ mates immediately making Allie feel welcome with the easy warmth that had drawn my brothers to them in the first place. But Inoticed how Allie’s gaze kept drifting between the couples, like she was studying something she’d never seen before.
Family. That’s what she was looking at. The easy affection, the way Tark’s hand rested on Gracie’s shoulder, how Ostor and Rosey finished each other’s sentences. She was seeing what I’d been watching for months, the way love could transform everything.
I hadn’t thought to ask her about her own family. Did she have parents or siblings, people who were worried about her?
We said goodbye and headed back toward the pottery barn, but I noticed the change in Allie’s demeanor the moment we stepped outside. Her shoulders tensed, and her worried brown eyes started sweeping the street again.
“What are you looking f-f-for?” I asked.
“Nothing. Just enjoying this amazing town you’ve built.”
But I didn’t find enjoyment on her face, only fear. The same scared look that had shown up when her phone rang.
I stopped walking and turned to face her. “Allie.”
She only glanced my way before directing her attention to the boardwalk. “What?”
“Who’s try-trying to hurt you?” My words came out in a growl, deep and threatening. Some primal part of me recognized her as my mate and was ready to tear apart anyone who dared threaten her.
She took a step back, her eyes widening. “What? No one’s hurting me. I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine. You’re scared. I c-can see it.”
“Hail, really, I’m?—”
“If someone’s threatening you, I need to know. My brothers and I will protect you. But we need to know what we’re protecting you from.”
For a moment, I thought she might actually say something. Her mouth opened, and vulnerability crossed her face before she shook her head and straightened her shoulders.
“There’s nothing to protect me from. I’m adjusting to being in a new place. That’s all.”
