No weaknesses allowed.
Chapter 10
Everybody Wants To Be A Cat
Seth rose earlier than usual. In the kitchens in LA, he’d worked the evening shifts. Hitting the sack before two had been unusual.
That had been his most difficult transition in the army—falling asleep early and waking before dawn had been rough.
After his injury, he’d slept in sporadic chunks. It was better now, but staying in one spot too long still bugged him. Which meant he slept when he could, wandered when he couldn’t.
After the conversation with Gray and Amber, he’d been waking before Mara headed to the inn. Some days he walked with her. Others, he watched to ensure she was safe.
He’d gotten used to doing his dinner prep early, and she didn’t appear to mind him sharing her time in the kitchen.
Hell, he’d even gotten used to the music she played. Well, mostly. Some of her playlists were far too cheerful and optimistic for mornings.
He’d learned to block it out by focusing on his menu choices.
Today, he met her in the farmhouse mudroom where he was swapping his moccasins for his boots. She didn’t need to know he’d waited in the kitchen until he heard her on the stairs.
“You’re up early again. Couldn’t sleep?”
And there she went, mentioning sleep, which led to thoughts of beds, which led to thoughts of a naked Mara in his bed.
Instead of answering, he shrugged and straightened, waiting for her to slip on her blue sneakers decorated with pink polka dots. They shouldn’t make him smile.
On the porch, he locked the door and re-armed the security system. It might seem like too much security for an apple farm in the middle of nowhere Vermont, but he was all for it, even more so after hearing about the incidents that had happened since the Malssums had taken over the property.
He liked knowing that Mara would be safe in the inn’s kitchen when she was alone. She hadn’t dropped any more hints about what had happened in New York. He didn’t know if the creep who’d touched her was a stranger, neighbor, or coworker. He’d put his money on coworker or boss after how she’d reacted in the kitchen, but he wished he had a name to research. He didn’t want to worry Ford by asking him for the name of her former workplace, but he’d stay on alert for hints. Maybe even figure out how to ask directly, although he didn’t think she’d answer.
If he were more of a talker, he could figure out how to slip in questions, but he’d always been straightforward and blunt.
Mara’s hand on his arm had him ditching his thoughts, and tuning back into his surroundings. So much for being her protector.
He didn’t sense or see any threats. The mist hanging low on the grass couldn’t conceal anyone. He didn’t see or sense anyone lurking in the area. “What is it?”
She squeezed his arm and whispered. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you. Look.”
He spotted a scraggly cat huddled against the porch railing.
“Do you think it’s hurt? He looks lost and lonely.”
The compassion in her voice made him want to help. Not that he would ignore an injured creature of any kind, but he tried to reassure Mara and the cat at the same time.
They slowed as they approached the porch steps.
Mara spoke softly. “Hey there, sweetie. Are you hurt? Do you need some help?”
The orange cat blinked at them, but didn’t run away. Maybe it was entranced by Mara, too.
While Mara kept up an encouraging monologue, Seth widened his senses and took stock of their surroundings. Was it possible this was some kind of trap to get Mara’s focus on the cat while someone attacked?
Seemed like a ridiculous scenario, but he wasn’t taking chances with her safety.
If the animal had been abused, it was more likely to be afraid of men, so Seth hung back, guarding Mara’s back as she crept up the stairs, chatting quietly.
The cat didn’t budge, except to blink slowly at her. Was it injured, or did it instinctively trust Mara to help?
