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Eventually, he lowers his hand.

“That’s it?” I ask.

“For today.”

There’s no disappointment in his voice, no frustration as he puts the food into a small bowl and pushes it across the floor toward her before taking a few steps back.

Indigo still doesn’t move, so Jude takes another step back and gently pulls me with him.

We wait.

Finally, her head lowers.

She takes one careful step forward, then another, her eyes still fixed on us. Jude doesn’t move an inch, and neither do I.

Only when she’s satisfied we’re not coming any closer does she finally reach the bowl and lower her head toward the food.

I look at him and find him smiling.

It’s small, barely there, but there’s something about it that makes me realize this is a win.

A tiny one.

But a win.

“Where to now?” I ask.

He starts walking toward the stable doors.

“Fed Indigo. Now I’m feeding you.”

I follow him.

“Finally. Something I can get behind.”

We drive up to a coffee bar named Sugar & Spice, and as soon as we walk in, the smells hit me.

Freshly baked bread, warm sugar and something with cinnamon that makes me want to follow the scent straight behind the counter, until the smell of coffee reaches me and my stomach grumbles.

Loudly.

I look around and immediately love how colorful and joyful the place is. Pastel chairs surround small wooden tables, fresh flowers sit in mismatched vases and the glass counter is filled with cakes, pastries and enough sugar to make me forget every healthy choice I’ve ever made.

A tall, gorgeous brunette with the lightest baby blue eyes I have ever seen looks up as we walk in and smiles widely at Jude.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite brother-in-law.”

She walks out from behind the counter and comes over to hug him. He pats her back, then steps away.

“Tellin’ Jace you said so.”

She laughs out loud.

Even her laugh is gorgeous.

Then she turns those eyes on me.

“You must be Nora.” She tilts her head to the side.