Page 77

“Then what we do ain’t just a job to us,” he says. “It’s our life. You understand?”

“But why are you choosing to spend your free time with me?” My voice is small. “You’re damn busy. If this is all for Angel, why fix up my inn? Why is Luca getting up at dawn to work in the garden?”

When Rhett slowly eases back from me, I can finally take a deep breath.

“Because we believe that this community is worth saving. You are worth it, darlin’.” He grips my chin, forcing me to meet his piercing blue gaze.

My emotions threaten to overwhelm me. “I can’t…”

“I’ve got you.” Rhett’s rumbling voice anchors me. “We’re all here for whatever you need.”

Suddenly, even though he’s made it clear that this is temporary to him, it’s too hard not to accept his offer.

I dive into his arms, and he wraps them tightly around me.

I nuzzle against Rhett’s neck, taking desperate breaths of his pheromones.

I am shaking, falling apart, and I don’t know why.

Does it matter?

I have Rhett’s hard chest and arms to hold me through it.

“Good Omega,” Rhett murmurs. “It’s okay to let us carry your weight. I’m here.”

Unexpectedly, a blast of nineties country-pop music rings from Rhett’s pocket.

“Is that Shania Twain?” I try not to laugh, but not that hard.

It seems that I don’t know him.

I wouldn’t have guessed “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” would have been his pick for his phone.

“See, a true Alpha isn’t proved by the size of his knot but by being brave enough to have “Barbie Girl” on his playlist like Angel does.” I chuckle. “What tops yours? “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls?”

“Keep running that bratty mouth of yours, darlin’, and you’ll never find out,” Rhett growls.

He drags out his phone, pressing off the alarm. “Angel changed this as a prank last year, and I ain’t giving him the satisfaction of changing it back.”

“Music chicken. I like it.”

Rhett shoves the phone back into his pocket. “It’s the alarm for breakfast. Come on, you don’t want to miss one of Angel’s specials. Whenever he has the time, he cooks. I doubt we’ll be able to coax Luca in for breakfast though, not when he’s set his mind on gardening. We’ll keep it warm for him.”

I follow Rhett down the stairs, watching his broad shoulders.

I clatter down the stairs, following Rhett across the wide lobby and down the shadowed corridor toward the kitchen at the back of the inn.

I am still not used to someone else being here with me.

I sigh happily, as the savory smells become stronger.

I pad barefoot over the cool pine floors.

Sunlight streams through the window at the far side of the kitchen over the stone walls, which are hung with copper pots. A stout pine trestle table stands in front of a large, limestone hearth.

LED lights, which are inbuilt underneath the open shelves, cast a glow over the counters.

“You’re here!” Angel gestures at us with his spatula. “Sit down. It’s ready.”