We kept walking for a bit before Garrett said, “Simone doesn’t want to ask you because she knows things are heating up again, but you made some granola a few weeks ago and she ate the entire batch in less than a day.”
Moira cackled. “She’d be mortified if she knew you told us that.”
Garrett grinned. “I caught her in the corner of the dorm’s kitchen, shoving a palm full in her mouth.”
Rowan let out a loud laugh. “What happens in Joy Springs stays in Joy Springs. We’ll keep that secret between us.”
“I’ll make her a huge batch when I get back,” I promised. Everyone loved that granola. Two other shifters had come to the back door a few days ago asking if I had any more. I’d planned to make more before Caelan sent one of his people to us. Guess I needed to move up the timeline.
Moira cleared her throat. “If I did anything with the shop, I bet you could sell it there. If you wanted to.”
Opening her own tea place had always been on her list, but she felt like she was betraying me. But this wasn’t a job. This was ownership. Rowan knew Moira had valuable skills and wouldn’t be content with only being an employee. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d made room for her to open up a business and made her think it was all her idea.
I reached for Rowan’s hand and entwined our fingers. “You should do it.”
Moira blinked. “Do what?”
“Open up the tea shop. You’re good at it. You love tea. Your brews are wonderful. I think it will be a hit.”
Moira frowned. “What about your shop?”
“That’s the thing. It’s my shop, but it’s never been your dream. You still hold ownership. Keep it, sell it back to me, whatever you want. I can hire someone else to help out. I want you to be happy, and however you make that happen is good with me.”
Tears shimmered in her dark eyes. “I—are you sure?”
“Of course.” I stopped walking and held out a hand to stop her. “This is what we’ve worked for.”
We stayed together because safety came in numbers, and it worked for a while. Until Caelan blew into my life like a summer storm.
“All those years we spent trying to be safe finally paid off. We’re safe now, Moira. Don’t hold yourself back because you’re worried about me. It’s time for you to spread your wings.”
She yanked me into a rib-bruising hug. “I love you.”
“Ditto,” I squeaked.
“I’m still not moving,” she said stubbornly.
“I hope you don’t.” I tugged a strand of her dark hair. “But if you do, I hope it’s for a spectacular reason.”
She grunted. “Enough sappiness. Someone or something is watching us. Best not poke the bear until we have to.”
Moira rubbed her hands over her arms. “This place gives me the creeps now.”
I agreed. “We still haven’t seen anyone,” I whispered.
“I don’t smell anyone. The place feels abandoned.”
“They’re here,” Rowan said. “Few would abandon their livelihoods if there was a chance the danger would pass. I can only assume they’re hunkering down at home.”
“Let’s hope,” I muttered.
We walked in silence for a while until the Keep came into full view. My heart did a painful stutter, and I stopped in my tracks. Rowan slipped an arm around my waist.
“Steady,” he murmured. “He can’t hurt you now.”
Untrue, but I appreciated the thought. “Do you think I’m here for anything positive?”
Rowan paused and appeared to think about it. “No,” he said eventually. “Caelan is a stubborn bastard.”
