Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
TESSA
Hope Valley’s Halloween Festival was officially in full swing.
The guys had done a wonderful job converting the barn and stringing up all kinds of scary decoration.
My kids were beside themselves, getting a huge kick out of scaring the pants off everyone who came through, and they really were something.
Thanks to Lily’s help, I’d finished the costumes in no time.
Rory and Sage had helped me with the kids’ makeup, and by the time we were done, they definitely looked like the dead come back to life.
I’d been manning the ticket table out front with Rory, and it seemed like every single person in town had come out, paying an additional two dollars for a chance to go through the spooky barn.
“Isn’t this incredible?” Rory chirped. “The haunted house is a hit! I’ve already lost track of how much we’ve made, and it’s only the first day. I’d say that’s a success.”
On cue, a chorus of screams came from deep inside the barn.
I grinned huge, feeling like I was floating on a cloud.
“It’s unbelievable. I’ve never experienced anything like this.
The people in this town . . .” I looked out at the people passing by.
Every single one who caught my eye waved or called out a greeting .
. . like I’d been here all my life. I was a part of this town, this community.
For the first time, I actually belonged somewhere.
“They’re good people,” Rory said, coming over and looping an arm across my shoulders. “We take care of each other here. You and those kids are a part of this place, which means we take care of you too.”
Before I had a chance to burst into tears, Sage and Dani came skipping out of the haunted house, both of them in full undead regalia since they’d volunteered to be part of the attraction.
“Time for a water break,” Sage stated, fanning her face. “And by water, I mean beer. Making grown men nearly pee their pants really takes it out of a lady.”
I looked at her, my brows lifting. “Do zombies drink beer?”
“That one does,” Dani answered, hiking her thumb in Sages direction. “And watch out. If you try to stop her, she probably wouldn’t hesitate to take a chunk outta your pretty face.”
“Then consider this your break. And if you happened to swing back by with a funnel cake or two, I wouldn’t be mad.”
“Consider it done,” Dani said, hooking her arm through Sage’s. “We’ll be back in a few.”
They took off, and Rory moved to the other end of the table to collect money and hand out more tickets just as a shadow passed over me.
“Hey, Tessa. How’s it goin’?”
I looked up at Leo wearing a black T-shirt with VOLUNTEER stamped across the front in big white letters. I offered him a polite grin. “It’s good. Great actually. We’ve raised a lot of money for Hope House.”
“I’m glad. Those kids deserve it.”
“Thank you so much for helping with this, by the way. It probably wasn’t your idea of fun to stand around, making sure nothing goes awry, but I appreciate it all the same.”
“Don’t mention it, darlin’. I don’t mind helpin’ any way I can.” He took a step closer. “So I heard an interestin’ bit of gossip the other day.”
“Yeah, what’d you hear?”
One corner of his mouth kicked up in a sly grin. “That you’re married to Dixon.”
At the mention of my husband, a big smile pulled at my lips. “You heard right.”
He didn’t seem upset or put off by the news. In fact, he looked almost . . . happy for me. “Not gonna say I wasn’t bummed when I first heard. I’d been wantin’ to ask you out since we first met. But Bryce is a good guy. He deserves a good woman.”
Man, could the people in this town get any more awesome? “Thank you, Leo,” I said gently. “That means a lot.”
His gaze shifted to something over my shoulder just before two arms banded around my waist. The man in question leaned down and spoke in my ear. “Hey, beauty. Everything good?”
I looked over my shoulder, feeling my expression go soft and dreamy. “Everything’s great, baby.”
His smiling eyes shifted from me to Leo, and he tipped his chin in that way only guys did. “Drake.”
Leo returned that weird, alpha greeting with a jerk of his own chin. “Dixon. You boys did good work. Place looks great.”
“Thanks.”
With one last look in my direction, Leo took a step back, saying, “Well, I’ll let you get back to it. Nice to see you again, Tessa. See you around, Dixon.”
As he started to turn, I spoke up. “You know, if you’re on the market, I know a certain gorgeous coffee shop owner who might be interested.”
He followed my gaze toward the funnel cake booth where Danika was standing, chatting with Sage. When his attention returned to me, he had one brow lifted in question.
“A woman who looks like that, bakes littles pieces of heaven, and can brew the best cup of coffee you’ll ever taste? She’s our town’s own personal unicorn. Bet men are lined up for a chance with her.” I lifted a single shoulder in a shrug. “Maybe that’s something you should think on.”
He shook his head on a chuckle. “Maybe I will.”
I really, really hoped so.
He took off a second later, and I spun around to face my husband.
“What was all that about?” he asked, looking equal parts amused and curious.
“Just doing my part for the sisterhood,” I answered casually.
He hummed, pulling me closer and leaning in for a short kiss.
“Well, if you can pull yourself away from your little matchmakin’ scheme, there are some people I want you to meet.
” He moved me, tucking me into his side without once letting go.
I shifted my attention to the three people standing in front of us as Bryce announced, “Tessa, these are my brothers, Beck and Brad, and that little pipsqueak there is our baby sister, Briar.”
Holy shit. Bryce’s siblings!
“I’m not a pipsqueak!” Briar snapped, slamming her hands down on her hips. “You jerks are just abnormally huge.”
She wasn’t lying. Bryce’s two brothers were just as big as he was. They were also just as good looking. Seeing the three of them together was enough to make every woman with in a ten mile radius pass out from lack of oxygen. Because dayum!
Briar, only a couple inches taller than her mother, was just as beautiful as her brothers were attractive. Lily and Sam Dixon made some seriously gorgeous kids.
“Oh, wow, hey . . . hi. It’s um . . . wow, it’s really nice to meet you.”
“Pop was right,” the one I thought was Beck said. “She is cute when she’s all flustered.”
My cheeks caught fire as Bryce laughed from beside me. “Sorry, I’m just surprised. I mean, I’m really glad you’re all here. It’s just that someone didn’t tell me you guys were coming.” For added effect, I glared up at Bryce.
“Hey, don’t look at me, beauty. I didn’t know they were comin’ either. Apparently Mom set this whole thing up behind our backs. Blame her.”
“Blame me for what?” Lily asked as she and Sam joined our little group.
“Nothing,” I told her. “You’re never to blame for anything. It’s always a man’s fault.”
“Yes!” Briar cried, throwing her hands up in the air before rushing forward and pulling me into a tight hug.
“I’m so glad you’re part of the family now.
” She pulled back and beamed up at me. “It’s just been me and Mom against these losers for years.
You’re helping even our numbers. We’re gonna have so much fun torturing them. ”
Oh, I really liked this girl. “Anything I can do to help,” I returned on a giggle.
“Christ, Bri. How about you let her go so the rest of us can welcome her to the family,” Brad said. “You can finish bringin’ her over to the dark side later.”
I received welcoming hugs from the other two Dixon boys, and just like that, I was swept into the family fold. It felt great.
“Hey, Tessa. Come over here. I want you to meet someone.”
I handed the tickets to the couple in front of me and looked to the far side of the table where Rory was standing with her husband and a boy.
When Bryce and I got close, Rory put her arm around the kid and pulled him into her side. “Tessa, this is our son, Zach. Zach, this is Tessa.”
I beamed down at him, excited to meet the boy Rory had talked so much about. “Nice to finally meet you. Rory’s told me so much, I feel like I know you already.”
The kid gave me an assessing look. “You’re the new lady at Hope House, right? Is it true you were a foster kid too?”
Bryce’s arm went around my waist, holding me close in a show of support. It wasn’t necessary, but it still felt damn nice. “Yep. From ten to eighteen.”
“My dad was a foster kid too,” he said, his chest swelling at the mention of Cord.
It was obvious Zach was proud to be part of the family the Paulsons had built.
“I think it’s cool you’re helpin’ out over there.
I mean, you and Dad get it, so it makes it easier, you know?
A lotta folks don’t know what it’s like.
But you do, so I think what you’re doin’ is pretty awesome. ”
Oh God, this kid. No wonder Cord and Rory fell in love so easily.
“Thank you, Zach. That means a lot.”
“I mean, not all kids are lucky enough to get a mom and dad like I did, so it’s good they have someone cool watchin’ out for them.”
Rory looked like she was on the verge of tears at her son’s sweet words, and Cord looked proud as hell.
I couldn’t help but giggle. “Well, thanks for calling me cool. I think you’re pretty cool too, and I also think your parents are pretty lucky.”
His cheeks flushed pink, making him even cuter. As I was about to say something else, Charity ran out of the haunted house with Brooklyn on her heels.
“Hey, Ms. Tessa. Brook and I are starving. Is it cool if we take a break to grab something to eat?”
“Fine with me, but you know the rules. You guys stay where I can see you.”
“We will, promise!” They started skipping off, but at the last second Charity turned back, slamming into me with a tight, quick hug before taking off once more.
“I’m kinda hungry too. Think I’ll go with them.”
At Zach’s declaration, Cord, Rory, and I turned to look down at the boy who was eagerly tracking Charity’s movements.
“Reel it in, bud,” Cord said with a frown, his voice a deep baritone. “She’s older than you.”
Zach looked up at his dad in exasperation. “Only by like, a year.”
“A year’s a big difference at your age.”
He rolled his eyes. “Not that big a difference. Besides, I’m mature for my age. Probably way more mature than the thirteen-year-old boys she knows. Anyway, I’m just goin’ with ’em to make sure they stay safe. I’ll be right back.”
With that, he ran after Charity like his behind was on fire.
“Ah, Christ,” Bryce muttered, his body shaking on a silent chuckle.
I clapped a hand over my mouth to keep from laughing at the horror etched on Rory’s face. “I’m so not ready for this,” she grumbled, turning to give her husband a scathing look. “This is all your fault.”
Cord’s eyes went wide. “Me? How the hell is this my fault?”
“He acts just like you!” she cried, throwing her arm out and pointing in the direction of the booth where Zach stood with my girls.
“That right there was mini-Cord through and through.” Her head whipped around to me.
“I’d tell you never to hook yourself to an alpha male, but you screwed the pooch on that one long before I did. Just wait until you guys have kids.”
Cord and Bryce both threw their heads back in laughter, and as I sank deeper against my husband’s side, I couldn’t help but think that I couldn’t wait for us to have kids.
Alpha male or not.