Conversation continues about Light Knot Night and the date last night. I’m relieved I am no longer the subject of intense scrutiny.
“Just jumping back to that author, though,” Imogen says. “It says here that she travelled and met Fox and Katsu, and that’s how she came to write about them. It’s some big, clandestine elaborate scheme.”
“Do you know what clandestine means?” Milton asks with an amused smile.
Imogen flushes. “Yes, Dad!”
“So, people think we knew her? I can assure you, we didn’t. This isn’t a ploy or a plan, it's actually very invasive,” Fox says in a hurt voice.
“Don’t take it to heart, people will say just about anything these days,” Franco says gently.
“It also says that they think she is a middle-aged beta with kids and a complex about her miserable life.”
I wince.
“Again, someone’s opinion should not be hailed as truth until it’s been verified.”Milton says through a mouthful of eggs.
“But we can’t verify anything while she’s hiding,” Fox points out.
“Perhaps she has a good reason?” Grandma says. “Regardless, baseless rumours won’t help this idle town.”
“Ooh, this one is good.”
“What is it?” Fox asks.
“She came to Sunshine Cove because she’s secretly an heiress who was engaged to a horrible alpha who wanted to keep her locked up in a room and stifle her creativity. So, she ran away,became an author, and writes about her long-lost loves, hoping they will come find her.”
I burst out laughing. The entire table turns to look at me. I wipe tears from my eyes.
“Sorry, I’m sorry. It’s just…that would make a better story than the romance between Cat and Wolf.”
Sofia chuckles. “She’s right. It’s a great plot. Perhaps someone should write an anonymous note to Lynn Marino and let her know about this storyline. I’m sure she can have heaps of fun with it.”
I settle down and relax. No one has any idea. They don’t have a clue.
I glance at Grandma, and my unease returns. Except her, and if one person can figure it out, won’t more be able to?
That question stays with me.
“I’m going to go get Gale up,” I say. “I’ll come back and clean up after I’m done.”
“Don’t worry about that, darling,” Lorelei says. “We’ll take care of it.”
I stand up and walk away but turn back. Mum is talking with Katsu, and I can tell she likes him. Fox is embroiled in an animated conversation with Elijah and Devon. They fit here. They could fit here forever.
There’s only one tiny, little thing I need to confess.
Chapter 19
Cordelia
Iclose the gate, then turn around when I hear the now-familiar footsteps. Fox creeps up to stand beside me, watching as Gale trots up into the paddock. His hands find my hips, and it feels as natural as breathing. I lean back into him.
“Are you all right?” he asks after a minute.
I glance at him over my shoulder, surprised. “Of course.”
“So, you don’t hate me for…” he stops, his face turns bright red, and he drops his eyes, unable to look at me. “For last night?”
