CHAPTER TWELVE – LILY #3
He gives me a half bow, but I’m distracted by the sight of Tristan and Otley hurrying towards me, and step around a group of stragglers to meet them halfway.
They’re both in jeans and Rosie’s Bloom polos, and my heart gives a happy little skip at the sight.
But I must look as stressed as I feel, because Tristan sighs as he pulls me into his arms. “Oh, Lily! I’m so sorry. This has all gotten way out of hand.”
It's tempting to stay in Tristan’s peppermint-flavored embrace for the rest of the day, but I force myself to step back.
“Seems the rumor is that Ellis is filming a movie here and everyone wants a walk-on part.” I give Otley a quick glance, wondering if he knows why he left so abruptly this morning. “Have you seen him, by the way?”
“I think he was headed back to the house.” Otley comes close enough to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear. “We’re really sorry for bringing this chaos with us, Lily.” He looks grim. “I’ll talk to Ellis’ security and make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
“The Sheriff’s Office wants us to close us down for a few days.” I nod towards Frank and the other deputies, who are finally getting the crowds to disperse. “This is usually our best time of year, but I don’t think any of these people are here for the flowers.”
“Which is why I said we could cover the shortfall.” I’d almost forgotten about the alpha in the gray suit, but he slings an arm across my shoulders as he joins our huddle. “I was telling Lily I’m already sold on the place, and I’m more than happy to give her a bonus for any inconvenience.”
Tristan gives me a wide-eyed look, but Otley goes still, his scent suddenly thick and peppery. I glance at him in concern, shocked to see his jaw clenched and his nostrils flaring as he glares at the other alpha. “Della, if you value that hand, you should remove it right now.”
The other alpha looks at him with raised brows. “You smell a little sour, Otley. Is everything okay?”
“Far from it,” Otley growls, the muscle in his jaw flicking with a furious beat. “I thought you knew better than to put your hands where they don’t belong.”
Instead of looking worried, Della gives a huge smile. “I haven’t laid a finger on your mate.” He drops Tristan a cheeky wink. “Not that I haven’t been tempted, but our relationship is purely professional.”
“Della!”
Otley’s growl shudders down my spine, and the other alpha finally steps back, looking intrigued and more than a little amused by the display. “That’s how it is, is it?”
I glance between them, confused, but Tristan slides his arm around my waist, pulling me close. “That’s exactly how it is. For all of us.”
The other alpha finally lifts both his hands in surrender.
“Apologies for overstepping then. I’m just here to take in the fresh air and hopefully lock down this stunning location for our commercial.
” He turns to me, dipping his head in apology, even though that flirtatious twinkle is still in his eyes.
“If I’m not allowed to stake a claim, Ms. Percy, how about I send you a selection of our finest chocolates? Would that sweeten the deal?”
But I’m already shaking my head and backing away from them all. Tristan gives me a worried look, but I shake my head. “Sorry, but I can’t do this right now. Mr. Della, please get your balloon out of my alfalfa field.”
I leave them without a backward glance, but my skin feels too tight, and my hands are shaking as I tuck them under my arms. I can’t get the mix of black cherries and peppermint out of my head, both edged with a possessiveness I’ve never smelled before.
It’s doing crazy things to my equilibrium, and I have to pause at the store steps to grip the railing.
What the hell just happened? Did Otley and Tristan really just warn that guy off me?
I shake my head again, trying to focus on what’s in front of me.
Secure the farm, assess the damage, and then decide if I’m really going to close down during the busiest month of the year.
The thought makes my stomach cramp, but I’m startled by a whooshing sound behind me.
I turn to see the silky dome of the balloon begin to rise over the barn roof, like an expensive dollop of chocolate against the bright blue sky.
I admire it for a moment, making a mental note to check the state of the alfalfa fields later.
I bite my lip, my gaze drifting to the uprooted sunflowers I’ll need to replace.
More funds I don’t have, I lament, a moment before I’m distracted by the distant echo of a joyous whoop.
I know that sound…
I start to drift towards the barn, but as the wicker basket comes into view, my heart drops and my steps falter. The balloon is definitely out of the alfalfa, but instead of carrying Della away, a small face peers down at me. “Mom! Look at me! I’m so high I can smell the clouds!”
I blink, not wanting to believe my ears – or my horrified eyes.
But there’s no mistaking Leo and the white sling he’s waving at me over the side of the basket.
He’s grinning, but his face is little more than a smudge as he climbs higher and higher, and I feel the earth fall away beneath my feet.
The cry that comes out of my mouth sounds like a wounded animal, and bright lights flash at the corners of my vision.
“Shit.” I lift horrified eyes to Otley and Tristan, who are both looking down at me with concern.
I can’t get any air past my clenched lips, and I feel my head throb, the balloon going fuzzy at the edges.
I blink furiously, trying to keep Leo in sight, but Tristan is suddenly blocking the view.
“It’s okay, Lily,” he says soothingly. “The pilot is with him.”
He points, but all I can see is the endless sky and the speck that’s Leo.
He’s up so, so high, nothing but a tiny puff of air keeping him aloft.
Otley is frowning at me, saying something about air density and parachute vents, but I can’t stop the shudders wracking my body, or the helpless whimpers falling from my lips.
“Look,” Tristan says softly. “Leo’s safe. They’re coming back down now.”
I lift a shaking hand – as if I can somehow claw the balloon out of the sky - but large, warm fingers encircle it, and amber musk washes over me. Logan’s as blurry as the endless, empty sky, but there’s no mistaking his face as he looms over me.
“It’s okay, baby. I’ve got you,” he murmurs, catching me a moment before I hit the ground and everything goes black.