Chapter 6
Chapter Six
TEA, TRAITOROUS CATS, AND AN INVITATION
Maya
Everything is officially set up.
The van is hooked up to water and power, my gear is organized, and I’m settling in nicely. It feels good to have both the luxurious cabin and my trusty home-on-wheels at my disposal—kind of like having a penthouse suite and a getaway car all in one.
The only thing missing?
My cat.
“Belvedere!” I call out, scanning the area for a flash of fluffy ragdoll fur. “C’mon, buddy. You’ve had your stretch.”
Silence.
I sigh. Typical.
He’s probably off exploring, pretending to be a wild mountain beast before returning to demand food and attention on his terms.
Fine. He’ll come back when he’s good and ready.
For now, I turn my focus to arranging my outdoor space. The alpine chairs I brought with me need positioning, and I want everything cozy but functional—a little personal oasis where I can sip tea, journal, and take in the gorgeous mountain view.
I’m shifting a chair when a shadow moves at the edge of my vision.
“Need a hand?”
I turn, and there he is.
Ronan Silverpelt.
All towering fur and golden eyes, his deep voice like a warm, crackling fire against the cool air.
I blink, startled for half a second before offering him a smile. “I’d love one, actually.”
He steps forward, his movements effortless and fluid, picking up the other chair like it weighs nothing.
It probably doesn’t —not to him.
I’m grateful for the help, and as we set up, I realize I don’t want him to leave just yet.
“Would you like some tea?” I offer. “I just need a minute to get things ready.”
Ronan tilts his head slightly, considering. Then, smoothly, he asks, “And will Mr. Belvedere be joining us?”
I blink. “You know about my cat?”
“You mentioned him,” Ronan says. His ears twitch slightly, betraying amusement. “Lynn Aloysius Belvedere, was it?”
I groan. “Only when he’s being naughty, which he is right now .”
Ronan lets out a soft, huffing chuckle, and something about that sound warms me all the way through.
I run back inside, excited.
I’d wanted to spend more time with him, and now? Here he is.
As I prepare the tea—choosing my favorite cinnamon-spiced black blend, because it feels like a Ronan sort of tea—I let my thoughts tumble over themselves.
He’s so… intense . In a solid, grounding kind of way. The complete opposite of me—free-spirited, always moving, always chasing the next adventure.
And yet…
I like being around him.
Shaking off the thoughts, I head back outside, only to stop mid-step at what I see.
The outdoor space has transformed .
The alpine chairs are perfectly arranged, a matching wooden corner table has somehow appeared between them, and a small fire crackles comfortably nearby.
I gape.
“How long was I gone?” I mutter, not entirely joking.
I’m too stunned to finish the thought, though, because that’s when I notice?—
My traitorous cat is curled up beneath Ronan’s chin, purring like he’s never known hardship.
I blink.
I stare .
Ronan, utterly unbothered, scratches Belvedere’s ears and rumbles, “He’s welcome to stay as he is.”
Then— as if that isn’t already enough —he tucks my cat into his flannel like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Oh.
Oh, that is deeply unfair.
Because now I am thinking impure thoughts.
Like how cozy I would be against all that warmth and muscle, tucked under his broad, furred chest, those strong arms wrapped around me just like?—
Nope. Abort. Focus on tea.
I clear my throat, ignoring the heat creeping up my neck. “So,” I say, pouring his cup, “tell me about Avalon Vale.”
Ronan exhales slowly, his ears flicking as if debating his words. “I’m almost as new to the area as you are.”
I raise a brow. “Really?”
“Only arrived last week,” he admits. “I came to help my sister—you met her. Luna.”
Something unwinds inside me, a coil of tension I hadn’t realized I was holding.
“She’s lovely,” I say truthfully.
Ronan snorts. “She’s nice to guests .”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Still. You dropped everything you were doing to help her out.”
His ears flick back slightly, like he doesn’t know what to do with the compliment.
I sip my tea. “Where are you from originally?”
His expression shutters slightly, his golden gaze flickering to the fire.
“Somewhere else,” he says after a beat.
I recognize that kind of answer.
The kind that means I don’t want to talk about it .
Instead of pushing, I nod, watching how he chooses his words carefully.
“I’ve got my family here now,” he says, “and the ability to start over.”
That? That resonates.
I exhale, shifting in my chair. “Starting over is nice.”
He tilts his head, waiting.
I sip my tea, swirling the liquid in the cup. “I’m heading to California,” I admit. “Leaving behind a mess in Florida.”
His ear twitches. “A mess?”
“An ex. A mistake. A financial disaster.” I sigh, shaking my head. “Fresh starts are good for the soul.”
He hums in agreement, waiting for me to continue.
So I do.
I tell him about my cross-country journey, how I make my living as a freelancer, submitting travel stories and lifestyle pieces. I tell him how much I love the freedom, the way the road never ties me down.
“If it weren’t for my inheritance, though,” I admit, “I’d probably be stuck in a corporate job. So I am grateful to my parents for that. I love what I do. Freedom and all that.”
A chime interrupts our moment.
“Oh—” I blink at my phone, groaning. “Speak of the devil. I forgot I have a conference call .”
Ronan’s ears flick. “Even here?”
“Deadlines don’t care where I am,” I sigh, standing.
Then, before I can stop myself, I blurt out, “I wish we could keep this conversation going.”
Ronan’s gaze intensifies.
Then, smoothly, he says, “Join me for dinner.”
My stomach does a little flip.
I want to.
But I’m exhausted from the day, and if I go to dinner, I know I’ll get all wrapped up in Ronan’s presence and completely forget to sleep.
So instead, I counter-offer.
“How about brunch?” I suggest. “Luna recommended a place.”
His tail flicks thoughtfully. “Brunch.”
“Brunch.” I nod. “It’s a thing. Mimosas. Pancakes. Civilization.”
His lips curl slightly, the closest thing I’ve seen to a full grin. “Alright. Brunch.”
I grin back. “Meet me here at eleven?”
His golden eyes burn like embers in the firelight.
“I’ll be here.”
And something about the way he says it makes my whole body hum.