Chapter Seven
Rook
The woods near the inn were a mix of deciduous and trees like pines that did not lose their leaves, so the scents that surrounded us as we walked spoke to my cat and to me.
Idris and I strolled along, undisturbed by animals that no doubt sensed the predators who walked among them.
We were no danger to them as we were, but it would take only a few seconds and a waste of perfectly good clothing to present them with larger-than-normal versions of apex predators.
Yet, my cat wanted to protect the omega as if he was a small, delicate creature instead of a giant bear.
Not that I’d seen the bear yet, but I knew.
“Why do you think the orchard smells like cinnamon apples?” he asked as we were getting close to the tree line. “Is there a variety with that scent?”
“I don’t believe so.” I stepped over a fallen log and guided Idris over so he wouldn’t get hurt. “But I did see a sign when I was arriving that said something about a farm stand. Maybe they make cinnamon apples to sell there.”
“Oh, okay,” he said. “Thanks for clearing that up.”
“I could be wrong. We’ll have to ask Franklin.”
“Or we could pop over there and see?” he suggested. “Might be closed though.”
Leaving the woods, we crossed the road to the orchard and walked along for a few hundred yards until we came to a wooden structure.
I hadn’t noticed it when I arrived, but it was much larger than the little shed I expected, but the sign out front said closed.
The cinnamon scent grew stronger here, almost overwhelming yet still in a good way.
Idris cupped a hand over his eyes and peered through the window. “Wow, they have everything here.”
“Not just fruits and vegetables?” What I’d expect from a farm stand. “Pumpkins and apples?”
“It’s a fall-palooza in there. We have to come back. Do you see a sign with the hours?”
“On the door. Open seven days, nine-to-five, Monday through Sunday. So we can check it out tomorrow or Sunday if you like.”
“One hundred percent.” He gave a little bounce. “Hey, looking at all these treats is making me hungry. Do you think Franklin has any snacks we can nibble on?”
I reached for his hand again, trying to remember when I’d let go of it. Probably when he went to look through the window. “Only one way to find out.”
Ambling back along the orchard, the scent of cinnamon faded a bit, but others replaced them. Leaves and the lingering smells of tires and gasoline and asphalt. And the one that had never disappeared—my mate.
Where our hands connected, most of my attention focused, but once we were inside the inn and in the kitchen, it grew a little awkward to hang on. I’d have preferred his hand to a snack, but my omega’s hunger mattered more than my preferences.
“Do we need to ask, do you think?” Idris asked, studying the refrigerator shelves. “I don’t want to overstep after Franklin has been so nice.”
“We don’t want to wake him up, so as long as we just eat sandwiches or something, we should be fine.” At least I hoped so. We could always run to the store in the local town if we ate something we shouldn’t. “What kind shall we have?”
“There’s prime rib left?” He pulled out a plate with the remains of the roast. “And Swiss cheese?”
“Perfect. I’ll grab the bread. Any mustard?”
We laid out all the makings and put together thick roast-beef-and-cheese sandwiches on whole grain bread. “Milk?” I held up the container. “Or would you prefer something stronger?”
“You like milk, too?” Idris looked up from where he was assembling his meal. “I don’t mind a beer from time to time, but I honestly am not much of a drinker.”
With mugs of foamy, ice-cold milk, our food tasted even better.
And the company put it right over the top.
When we finished, we cleaned up, washed our dishes, and put everything back where it belonged—hopefully.
Franklin had said he had a system, and we didn’t want to do anything to make him feel we didn’t appreciate his generosity.
Of course, I could easily have afforded to pay for the weekend, but everything I’d found online indicated he would not accept.
He did what he did in homage to his late mate, and to push the issue would be to insult him.
“Guess it’s time to turn in,” Idris said, closing the cabinet after placing the mugs inside. “It’s been a long day.”
“Yes.” I hung up the dish towel on its hook. “Tomorrow will be another busy day.”
“Do you know what Franklin has set up for us?” Idris linked his arm through mine, making it tricky to navigate the kitchen doorway, but worth it.
“No, he didn’t say. But I’m sure it will be nice, especially if we do it together.” We moved up the stairs, past where moonlight spilled through the stained glass window, casting shards of color on the wooden floor. “I’m glad you’re the person I’ll be spending it with.”
“Me, too.” We stopped outside his door, and he turned his face up to mine. “Thank you for a nice evening.”
I cupped his cheek, the light fuzz tickling my palm.
“Sleep well, omega.” In the past, I’d have suggested we spend the night together, but this bear was not a casual conquest. So, instead, I pressed my lips to his, savoring the sweetness of a first kiss.
No rush, even if I was hard for him already.
We had this weekend to get to know one another and for him to decide if I was his mate. I already knew he was mine.