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“No, sir, but maybe you should.”
I jerked back as if my pet kitten had bitten my hand. And Davey, despite his cute name, was not anybody’s kitten, but neither had he ever made such a statement to me. His lion rarely appeared at all. “I beg your pardon?”
“I’ve never told you what to do, sir,” he began.
“As you shouldn’t.” Irritation rose, and my bear who had actually been pretty quiet today was grumbling. I so did not need that voice heard from.
“But just this once, you need a break. You work harder than anyone ever should, and maybe a few days off will give you renewed energy to go back to it. You have that big meeting coming up, and, if you’ll forgive me for saying so, you don’t look like you’re getting much sleep.”
Wow. Davey did have a voice; he just usually chose not to use it, and I kind of liked this version of him. Not that I’d say so, but honesty was good.
“I haven’t been, actually.” I was just grateful he didn’t mention knowing about my naps, since we were being so open with one another. “And you’re probably right, but as you know, the cost isn’t an issue. I could go to the lodge?” I’d bought the A-frame in a ski resort area as an investment and also with the idea of using it when I took time off.
“Yes, you could, but I think you’ll enjoy the Bearclaw. And why not go somewhere new.” Not that I’d been to the lodge—not once since I closed on it. If I loved it so much, wouldn’t I have gone?
I studied my assistant, his expression earnest and kind. He never gave me unasked-for advice, and maybe I owed it to him to take it the one time he did. “You do think it’s a good idea?”
“Yes.”
“For sure not a scam or someone wanting time alone with me to present a business scheme?”
“I’m sure, sir.” He stood up. “Should I make the airline reservations?”
“And the car rental. But if this is bad…”
“I know, I’ll never hear the end of it.” He started for the door, calling over his shoulder, “But if it’s good, I want a raise.”
“You’ll get it.” I always liked a deal, even this kind. And I hoped it was a bet I’d lose. I really needed the rest.
Chapter Four
Sheppard
While Jenson and I had never heard about the Bearclaw Inn, the internet had a lot to say about it. A lot.
Apparently, Franklin, the owner, didn’t take reservations. There was no phone number, and to call his website minimalist was being kind. He did all his business via handwritten letters. No emails. No online RSVPs. Nothing.
Reddit omegas and alpha alike had a ton to say.
Those who spent the weekend at Franklin’s invitation never left unmated. Never. In all of his years of inviting people and having them stay at his B&B, all of his matches worked out in the end. A couple of omegas and alphas said that the road to getting together was a bit of a struggle since Franklin invited people from all over the country, but not a single one of them had broken up or not gotten mated.
My rabbit was thumping his leg and scratching at my insides to give this a chance.
A chance, almost a guarantee to meet our mate.
An alpha to love and feel safe with—to love me and steady me when lately I felt like a wave in the ocean—ebbing and flowing but never really going anywhere.
In my parents’ house, I went to the kitchen where the smells of fresh pumpkin bread and cookies wafted through the air. One of my fathers was a baker, so this was no surprise.
“Morning,” I called out so that if they were in the middle of anything, I wasn’t going to walk in on it. Jenson and I had both interrupted our fathers in the middle of all kinds of things over the years. They were very affectionate and…energetic.
“Hey there,” my dad Abe said, coming from the pantry. My other dad, Bryan, came out shortly after. Both of their faces were red, and Abe was smoothing his shirt down.
“Really? In the pantry? That’s where the cookies are,” I joked.
“Damned straight,” Bryan said and swatted my other dad on the behind.
“Jeez.” I grabbed a freshly made cookie and went to pour a cup of coffee. “I have something to talk to you about.”
