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“Should I make the call?” I asked.
“Yes, see what they’re here for and if they’d be willing to help with our current problem.”
“Can do.” I took it back, sliding it into my pocket. Turning, I headed out the door, a jaunt in my step.
“Beau?” Atticus said, stopping me.
“Yes, sir?”
“Thanks for keeping the girls safe. They’re important to Loren and me.”
“Of course.” I ducked my head in acceptance. He studied me curiously, and I noticed his usual stoic nature seemed brighter.
“You going to finally tell her how you feel?” he asked, surprising me.
Blinking, I swallowed as I tried to find my words. “Um, excuse me?”
“You know what I mean, Beau. Everyone here knows. They’ve all been taking bets on whether she’ll finally give in or kick you in the balls. My money is on the kicking.” He chortled, leaning back against the desk.
My mouth opened, gaping a little. “They what?” I couldn’t seem to find the words I needed.
Atticus waved me off. “Let me know what you find, and I’d wear a cup if I were you. I’m never wrong about these things.”
Nodding absentmindedly, I walked down the hall toward the elevator. People talked? There were bets? And here I thought I’d been discreet. I didn’t know what was more surprising—that my boss knew I was in love with Natalie Hart or that he’d placed a bet on me getting kicked in the nuts.
Either way, it was clear how much things had changed since The Reaper had been gone and the life Mrs. Carter had brought to the place. I, for one, was all for it.
* * *
I decidedif Nat wouldn’t let me in, then I’d go to the next best source. Arms full of groceries, a gaming system, and some items from Loren, I knocked on the safe house door, waiting for the guard inside to answer.
Ryan looked at me oddly, but opened it up for me. “Do you need help?” he asked as I stepped over the threshold.
“Nope.”
“Good, I wasn’t offering,” he chided, smiling. Rolling my eyes, I made my way toward the kitchen to drop the food off.
Maren, or Mama Hart as she was affectionately called, sat at the table with Lily, working on a puzzle. When Lily saw me, she jumped up, running toward me.
“Beau! You’re here.” She hugged my leg, wrapping her arms around me, stopping my forward progress.
“Hey, pipsqueak. I can’t seem to move through. Think you can let go of me with your big muscles, so I don’t drop all the goodies I brought you?”
“I get something?” she asked, peering up with her big eyes. I nodded, and she stepped back, clapping her hands in excitement as she jumped.
“Of course. Only the best for my little princess.” I smiled down at the little girl who’d stolen my heart the first moment I’d met her.
“Mamaw! Beau brought me something.”
“I heard, pumpkin. I’m standing right here, you know. I might be old, but I’m not deaf,” she teased. Maren winked at me, standing to help.
“Don’t worry, Mama, I got you something too.”
“Oh?” Her cheeks blushed as she waited to be handed her prize. Setting the bags down. I passed the gaming system to Lily, her eyes growing huge.
“No way! This is the best, the absolute best! Mom!” she yelled, taking off running through the house.
I pulled out the wine and showed Maren the ingredients I’d gotten for her, kissing her cheek. “Some of those specialty things you were wanting.” Maren clapped similarly to how Lily had as she took in the things spread out.
