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“Ha, ha,” I groaned, glad to have Boone walking up as a subject change. The last thing I wanted to be chatting about with a cute beta was my ridiculous fear of birds. It already made me feel a bit silly at times, but fears were like that.
“Here,” Boone said, handing over two then sliding the pumpkin in his hand over the board.
“And now the hat,” I said, sliding it on and using the staple gun again to keep it in place before stepping back and admiring our work. “He’s perfect!”
Before I realized what I was doing I’d thrown my arms around Jack, then Boone, who froze at the contact.
Quickly, before we both had time to overthink it, I was already letting go before he could protest or push me away. Although I couldn’t exactly picture Boone pushing me away.
I’d been dealt that card as an omega throughout school one too many times even with the progressive movement to let omegas choose whether they wanted a pack or not. Thankfully, he seemed to take it in stride as soon as I let go and he and Jack helped me finish up.
When all three scarecrows were complete I felt a bit better about spending harvest season in the orchard, and the experience was even better with their company. I’d taken care of the birds, and I already had a plan so I could sleep through the storm that was supposed to ride in later that night, which made me pretty proud of myself that I was facing my fears and making great strides in Holiday Hollow.
I’d only been here a few days and I was already making great progress with the orchard. Hell, I’d even started making connections with people and friends. I definitely wanted to know more about the adorable beta, surly alpha, and the sheriff I couldn’t quite get out of my head.
Chapter10
Autumn
The sound of thunder cracking harshly in the sky woke me up, the flash of lightning way too bright before my eyes. Terror shot through me as the storm raged on. I’d always been afraid of storms and it was so much more intense out here than in the city. I’d underestimated how the storm would feel without the barrier of tall city buildings, and each flash of lightning had a new wave of panic shuddering through me.
My teeth chattering was the next sound I heard as I came to, quickly realizing that I was soaked, freezing, and should not be able to see the sky from my bed. The fear of the storm surged to new heights as I realized just how dangerous this had gotten.
A whimper left my lips as the storm raged above me and I quickly threw off the covers and got out of bed. I hated fucking storms, it was the whole reason I’d decided to take a sleeping aid before bed, knowing that if I didn’t there would be no chance of me getting any sleep at all.
Although it turns out that was a completely bad idea because I apparently slept through part of the roof coming off and now I was cold and wet and had no idea where my phone was.
Another crash echoed in the sky and I screwed my eyes shut pressing as close to the wall as I could and drew my knees to my chest. I knew I needed to move, to call someone or get somewhere more safe but I couldn’t, terror locking in my chest and freezing me in place. Everything seemed louder out here than the city, no cars or the hustle or bustle to drown out the noise.
I didn’t know how long I sat there, but I was shaking with a mix of fear and cold for what felt like hours until it was consuming me whole.
“Autumn!” A voice called, sounding almost as frantic as I felt.
I heard a slew of curses, and clashes of pots sounded as I willed myself to open my eyes.
A second later the door was thrown open, the rain pelting down all around the man whose eyes swept the cabin, the flashlight in his hand pausing once he came to my huddled figure.
“J-Jack?”
“I’m here,” he said, rushing to my side quickly. “Are you hurt? Can you stand?”
I shook my head back and forth, flinching a little as another round of thunder cracked in the sky.
“It’s going to be okay,” Jack promised, holding his arms out to me.
Quickly moving to him I pressed my face into his neck, inhaling the warm cream notes of his scent and trying to focus on the sound of his heartbeat.
“S-Cold,” I mumbled, huddling closer as his arms wrapped around me tightly.
“Let’s get you out of here, pumpkin,” Jack said softly. “I’ve got the truck out front running with the heat on and the farm has generators. We’ll get you warm and toasty in no time, okay?”
“Okay,” I agreed, my body growing tired and wanting to shut down from shock and terror.
“Wrap your arms around my neck okay?” Jack asked, pulling me into his arms and heading towards the front door that was still wide open.
At the sight of my laptop bag by the front door, I quickly pointed to it, thankful when Jack got the hint and grabbed it on our way out.
By the time we were in the truck I was shivering, the air from the vents, although warm, seeming to make me feel even colder through the wet pajamas that clung to my body.
