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“We can rain check,” I promised. Part of me was glad that someone was finally taking a real move forward. All of us had our own issues to work through and they knew about mine at this point.
Now all I wanted to do was move forward with this pack. I wanted them, even if it was moving slow. The last thing I wanted was to let them think I was too fragile to give them my full attention.
He glanced at his watch again. “I’m sorry, I really have to go,” he said, giving me one last peck before jumping in his car. “I’ll text you.”
My gaze followed the white Charger as it drove away. Heat still lingered on my cheeks and a sappy smile was on my face. Just one brush of his lips and my body was craving so much more.
After calming myself down, I walked up the sidewalk to the house Atlas had left. I knocked on the door before someone yelled for me to come in. I guess in Lockwood, you didn’t have to worry as much about who was on the other side.
It was silent at first as I stepped inside. I was standing in a small foyer, a staircase to my right in the small hallway, the kitchen straight ahead, a door to my right before the stairs, and a living space on the left.
A round of coughs had me walking into the living room. A man was sitting in the corner, hunched over with a cloth pressed to his very red face. Blankets were bundled around him as he sat in the armchair fighting for breath. A sheen of sweat clung to his skin and I rushed over, pushing a cup of water into his hand, starting to worry.
When he finally took a sip and found his air again, he looked up at me. His eyebrows drew down.
“Who are you?” Then he paused as realization dawned in his gaze. “Wait, you're her. Ellie.”
“I am,” I confirmed. “And you are?”
“Grant,” he said with a smile, pausing as he waited for me to explain myself.
“I’m sorry I don’t usually intrude but Atlas told me you wouldn’t mind me dropping this off. Dean and I went and got some teas for you and I was going to drop them by, but Dean forgot to give me his number. I, by chance, ran into Atlas outside just now, I’ve been carrying them around just in case.”
“That son of mine,” he said in exasperation. “He really does need to get his shit together. Of course, you’re more than welcome to come in. You said something about tea?”
I nodded, relieved he didn’t care. “I don’t know if he told you anything about this but I make some natural herbal tea blends. I had a recipe for one to help with breathing and coughing. Dean thought you’d be interested in trying it, so he took me out to the nursery and herb store and I got to work.”
“At this point, I would try an exorcism,” he deadpanned. “Please, by all means.”
“You look like you could use some now. Mind if I step into your kitchen and make you a mug?”
He tried to protest but coughed, not speaking until it calmed again. “Oh, I don’t want to be a bother.” I waved it off with a smile.
“I’m more than happy to make it. I think I saw the kitchen in the back, I’ll be right back.”
The twins had been taking good care of him. The house was spotless and well stocked. A kettle was already waiting on the stove, clean and ready for me. I filled it with water before getting it on the fire.
As I waited I glanced around the kitchen. It was definitely a bachelor-style kitchen. There was no theme to it but everything was clean, orderly, and semi-matching. There was just a lack of decor.
The kitchen table was well worn like many family dinners had been served there. Through the sliding glass doors I could see a pretty big backyard that still had an old swing set. It was a lot smaller than the house I grew up in yet it had twice as much love. I could almost picture a happy family here.
From what Dean told me they did have their hardships with his mom and pack leaving but his dad gave them his all.
As soon as the tea kettle was whistling I pulled it off the stove and went in search of a mug. The third cabinet was full of a mismatched set and I snagged one down, smiling at the number one Dad design.
The second the tin was open the scent of flowers and herbs filled the space. It was one of my favorite things.
Once the diffuser was bobbing in the hot water I set the tins next to the stove and snagged a memo pad from the refrigerator, taking the attached pen and leaving a note for the guys.
Doubting anyone liked pure, bitter tea, I stirred in a spoonful of honey before grabbing the salve and heading for the living room.
“It’s probably pretty warm still so don’t get too hasty,” I warned him as I sat it down on the table next to him. “I put a little spoonful of honey, I hope that’s okay. I worried it would be too bitter without it. I’m fairly confident it will give you some relief, though.”
“You’re a godsend,” he told me seriously. The hope in his eyes had my chest aching for him. I couldn’t imagine living every day so miserable. As he took the first sip, I sent a silent prayer up to the tea gods that it would work.
After a few drinks, he eyed me. “So, I saw you on TV.”
“It wasn’t pretty, was it?” I joked. For some reason, this man had my defenses down. “I’m alright, though, it led me here to this town.”
