Chapter 11 #2
"It's definitely part of your problem." I found myself shifting my basket to my other hip, settling into the conversation despite my better judgment. "What kind of flour are you using?"
"Just all-purpose. Should I be using something else?" He asked, genuinely wanting to know as he asked me questions.
"Bread flour is better for structure. Or a mix of bread flour and whole wheat. The whole wheat adds complexity to the flavor." I said hesitantly, very unused to having conversations like this. It was very odd.
"Complexity." His grin turned self-deprecating. "Right now I'd settle for 'edible' and work my way up to 'complex.'"
I felt another unwilling smile tug at my lips. "Start with getting the starter healthy. Everything else follows from that."
"And you learned all this from...?" Levi asked, his blue eyes intense as they were looking at me.
"My adoptive parents. They had a farm, and taught me to bake everything from scratch." The words came out before I'd thought them through, and I tensed, waiting for the follow-up questions, the prying.
But Levi just nodded, typing a final note before tucking his phone away. "They taught you well. Garrett said your jam was the best he'd ever had. Now I'm wondering what else you're hiding at that market stall."
"I'm not hiding anything. I'm selling it." I shifted my basket again, using it as a subtle barrier. "And I need to finish shopping before the rain starts."
He glanced toward the front windows, where the sky had darkened considerably.
"Good point. That's coming in fast." He paused, then added, "Should be interesting dealing with it.
The whole pack's finally in town now—we finished moving everything yesterday.
Been going back and forth for weeks getting things sorted, but now we're all here permanently. "
"All of you?" I asked before I could stop myself.
"Yep. Me, Garrett, Oliver, and Micah. Four Alphas trying to renovate a property that's been abandoned for years." He shook his head with a rueful smile. "It's been chaos, but good chaos. Nice to finally be settled instead of living out of trucks and hotel rooms."
The information settled over me with unexpected weight. They weren't just visiting, weren't just testing the waters. They were here. Permanently. All of them.
"That's... good," I managed to get out slowly. "For the property. It needed attention."
"It definitely did. We're doing a lot ourselves. Keeps us busy but it also takes time from the actual business too." He tilted his head, studying me with that same open curiosity. "You've been out here five years, right? Garrett mentioned that."
"He mentions a lot, apparently." I mutter, not knowing if I like that Garrett is talking about me that much with his pack mates. It made me a bit unsettled.
Levi's grin widened. "Only about things that interest him. And you, Daphne, seem to interest him quite a bit and I can say I get the interest. "
My face heated. "I really need to finish shopping."
"Right, sorry." But he didn't sound sorry. He sounded amused. "I'll let you get to it."
I moved past him, heading for the baking powder, and this time he let me go. But as I reached for the container on the shelf, I felt his presence behind me—not crowding, just... there.
"Hey, Daphne?" I turned, eyebrow raised.
"Thanks. For the sourdough advice. And for not completely shutting down when I ambushed you in the aisle." He smiled softly, his teasing grin gone as he looked at me full of warmth.
"I didn't think I had much choice." I said after a quiet moment not expecting him to be so grateful over such a small conversation about baking of all things.
"You always have a choice." His expression turned more serious, the playfulness dimming slightly.
"We all do. And I know we're probably coming on strong—new pack, Garrett's interest, Oliver making declarations at the market, the whole scene with Trinity.
But for what it's worth, none of us want to make you uncomfortable. If we are, just say so."
The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard. This wasn't charm or strategy, it was genuine consideration, offered without expectation of anything in return.
"I'll keep that in mind," I said quietly.
He nodded, that easy grin returning. "Good. And if you're ever willing to give me more baking tips, I make a mean cup of coffee as payment. Not as good as Garrett's apparently, but I'm working on it."
"Everyone seems very confident in their coffee," I observed dryly, my lips twitching up slightly.
"It's a competitive pack." He winked, then finally stepped back. "I should let you finish shopping. But hey—thanks for running into me. Or letting me run into you. Whichever."
"Both," I said, surprising myself. "It was both."
His laugh followed me as I moved down the aisle, warm and uncomplicated. I finished gathering my items—baking powder, vanilla extract, yeast, and a small bag of brown sugar. My basket was respectably full now, heavy enough that I had to switch arms as I made my way toward the front.
I was examining a display of local honey near the counter when I heard Levi's voice again, this time talking to Mrs. Morrison about delivery schedules for the Henderson property. I tried not to listen, tried to focus on reading the labels on the honey jars, but his voice carried in the small store.
"...should have the last of the furniture arriving next week," he was saying. "Then we'll finally feel like we're actually living there instead of camping."
"About time you boys got settled," Mrs. Morrison replied warmly. " Garrett’s father was worried you'd change your minds about Haven's Rest."
"Not a chance. This place feels right, you know? Quieter than what we're used to, but in a good way." He laughed as he grinned at the older woman.
"Well, we're happy to have you. Especially after what you did at the market the other day—standing up for our Daphne like that…even though she did try to stand up for Oliver first." She told him softly.
I froze, honey jar forgotten in my hand.
"Oliver just did what anyone should do," Levi said, his tone turning more serious. "Trinity was out of line. Way out of line."
"Still. Takes character to step in like that, especially for someone you barely know." There was a pause, then Mrs. Morrison added, "She's a good girl, our Daphne. Been through more than most, though she doesn't talk about it. Keeps to herself, but she's got a good heart."
"I can tell," Levi said quietly, and something in his voice made my chest tight.
I set down the honey jar and moved to the counter quickly, not wanting to hear any more. Mrs. Morrison looked up with a knowing smile as I approached, and I knew she'd been aware of my presence the whole time. "Find everything you need, dear?"
"Yes, thank you." I started unloading my basket, avoiding eye contact with both of them.
Levi stepped aside to give me space, but I could feel his attention on me. When I finally risked a glance, he was watching me with an expression I couldn't quite read—something softer than his earlier playfulness, more thoughtful.
Mrs. Morrison rang up my items with her usual efficiency, chatting about the incoming storm and how her garden would appreciate the rain. I responded with nods and minimal words, hyperaware of Levi standing a few feet away, scrolling through his phone but clearly still present.
"That'll be thirty-two fifty," Mrs. Morrison announced, and I pulled out my wallet.
"Add it to mine," Levi said suddenly, stepping forward.
I turned to stare at him. "What?"
"Your groceries. Put them on my tab." He said it casually, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Absolutely not." I held out my cash to Mrs. Morrison, who looked between us with barely concealed amusement.
"Why not? I'm already paying, you're already here. Makes sense." He told me, but I could see something else under his eyes and I didn’t know what it was.
"It makes no sense. These are my groceries. I pay for my own things." I told him, trying to get him to see reason. I only met him, he didn’t need to pay for anything of mine.
"I'm aware you're capable of paying," Levi said, that playful tone returning. "I'm just offering to do it this time. Neighborly gesture."
"We're not neighbors. Not really." I told him, raising an eyebrow in challenge.
"We're close enough. Same road, separated by what, a quarter mile of trees?" He leaned against the counter, completely at ease despite my obvious irritation. "Besides, you gave me valuable sourdough advice. Consider it payment."
"I don't need payment for basic information." I titled my head at him, trying to see what he was going to really get out of this. People weren’t just nice like this because they could.
"Maybe not, but I'd like to offer it anyway." His expression turned more sincere. "Look, I get that you're independent. Garrett's made that very clear. But letting someone buy you groceries once doesn't change that. It's just... kindness. No strings."
There was that phrase again. No strings. Why did they keep saying that, like they knew exactly what I was afraid of?
Mrs. Morrison was watching our exchange with undisguised interest, her hand hovering over the register, waiting to see who would win this standoff.
"I pay for my own things," I repeated, more firmly this time. "It's not personal. It's just how I do things."
Levi studied me for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Okay. I respect that." He stepped back, hands raised in surrender. "Your groceries, your rules."
I handed the cash to Mrs. Morrison, who accepted it with a small smile. "You're as stubborn as as ever. " she murmured as she counted out my change.
I gave her a small smile, she was right. I accepted the change and grabbed my bags quickly, feeling a bit awkward. "Thanks, Mrs. Morrison," I managed, heading for the door.
"Daphne?" Levi's voice stopped me at the threshold. I turned back reluctantly.