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“Franklin? Aren’t you going to eat with us?” Sheppard asked.
“No.” He moved a plate of croissants to the sideboard where a buffet was laid out, enough breakfast for twice as many people. “I had breakfast a couple of hours ago while you two were still snoozing away. But I will sit and have coffee with you, if you don’t mind. I have some suggestions for places to go and sights to see.”
“We were just going to take a walk…” I began, but Franklin arched a brow and I stopped. “Of course, I’m always up for ideas.” In fact, I hadn’t been open to ideas from others much in a while. Too used to being the boss. But if I wanted to show this omega a good time, expert advice would be welcome.
Sheppard and I surveyed all the food and made our selections. Bacon, fluffy scrambled eggs, the croissants, country potatoes…and big bowl of gorgeous fruit salad. I took some of everything, reminding myself I was going to be walking or sightseeing and could enjoy the calories. Besides, I had a feeling that calories didn’t count here at the Bearclaw.
“What do you do with the leftovers?” Sheppard asked, waving at the bounty. “Do you have a second seating?”
“No,” laughed Franklin. “Only you two, but if you wouldn’t mind, I’ll package up what we don’t eat and you can drop it off at the shelter in town? They can always use a little something extra.”
He went up even higher in my estimation with this request. “Of course. Is there anything to see there?” I asked.
“That’s just what I was going to suggest. It’s a nice little place with some interesting shops, a bookstore, antique places… Many of my guests enjoy spending time there. Also, the diner is very good for lunch.”
“If we have room,” I joked. “But the town sounds good. Are you up for it, Sheppard?”
He was, so we went.
The town was every bit as nice as Franklin said, better even, and the shelter where we dropped off the food held none of the depressing aspects of the one I volunteered at in the city on Thanksgiving. The people there probably were every bit as much in need, but the place itself felt much homier and, kinder if that was a thing. Just overall, a place much nicer than one would expect to find called a shelter. It was a two-story building on Main St. between the hardware store and the bookstore Franklin mentioned, and after we handed off the food, we followed the scent of ink and paper next door.
The whole town was lovely, and we walked up and down, going in and out of stores for a few hours, but nothing could top the fact that I found two signed volumes by a mystery author from the 19th century. I had some first editions of their works, but nothing autographed, and I bounced from foot to foot while the shop assistant carefully wrapped my purchases.
Apparently even I had my weaknesses, like these books and the omega who laughed at me while also laughing with me.
Chapter Ten
Sheppard
“For business or for pleasure?” I asked as we were seated at a table for two in the quaintest diner I’d ever seen. The place was decorated in bright, bold colors, and everything was intimate and yet, fun.
Locke coughed, choking on his water. “I’m sorry?”
“The books. Are you going to keep them in your home or read them or sell them for more money? Sorry. It’s really none of my business. I was just curious.”
Locke reached across the table and put his warm hand over mine. As a rabbit shifter, I tended to stay warmer than a human would, but my temperature was nothing compared to his. It traveled up the length of my arm before spreading throughout my body. “It’s fine. A fair question. I keep these. I’ve actually been looking for these two particular books everywhere. I can’t believe I found them in this small town. Together. In the same shop. What about you? Do you enjoy reading?”
“I do. But I prefer my Kindle to a paperback. I love books, don’t get me wrong, but having an entire library at my fingertips is convenient.”
“That’s true. Don’t let me fool you. I have a Kindle in my backpack a well.”
The server approached the table and smiled. He was handsome but nothing compared to the man next to me. “What can I get for you two?”
We ordered quickly. Wine for the both of us and after I ordered the turkey club, Locke requested a steak-and-brie sandwich with onion rings.
It sounded so good! “Actually, can I change my order, please? I’ll have what he’s having.”
The waiter chuckled. “Of course. I’ll be back with your wine.”
“It’s a lovely day,” I said and noticed that Locke still hadn’t removed his hand from mine. When he caught me looking, he removed it, but it didn’t miss my attention that he had blushed furiously.
“The fall is my favorite. You know, I almost didn’t accept the invitation when I received it. I’m glad that I did.”
His eyes bore into me, telling me more than his words ever could. A pleasurable tingle rippled along my skin, waking up every part of me. “You mean when you saw that letter in a wax-sealed envelope, you were excited? I thought it was another mating ceremony or a wedding.”
He cocked his head while the waiter came and delivered our wine. “You don’t like ceremonies or weddings?”
I sighed. “I like them. I do. They are a beautiful display of love. But after a while, you want to send out the invitations and not receive them from others. Gods, I’m a downer.”
