Chapter 5 #2
All the sunshine and fresh air was just what I needed, but there was no way I would admit it to them. I wasn’t about to encourage them to repeat this every early morning. I’d never survive.
Ten minutes later, we were nibbling on a picnic that Holt had prepared for us. Each new thing I tasted was better than the last and I put a silent plea out to the universe that I found a mate that could be the cook to my baker.
"You sure got lucky with Holt and his cooking.
All of this was delicious," I told my friend as I brushed crumbs from my hands and glanced out at the lake.
It was pretty this time of day, the air just a hint of cool and the sun sparkling over the water.
Even the town still seemed to be asleep. No noise to disturb our peace.
"I know, right? If it wasn’t for him, we'd all starve," she admitted. “Last week Ash tried to help out and make dinner. Let’s just say Holt banned him from ever trying again.”
"Truth be told, I go out to the ranch just to be fed," Bea laughed. “After working in the diner for so long I fucking hate cooking. It ruined it for me.”
"Oh, we noticed. Holt has commented a few times about charging you per plate," Taryn teased her but looked secretly pleased.
"Remind me to punch him when I see him next," she said, always the aggressive one. Her pack better be strong to handle her attitude.
Then again, the same could be said for me. Especially if I got morning people.
Oh god, that would be literal hell. I could practically feel my omega rolling her eyes. She didn’t care when they got up, as long as they found us.
Taryn turned to me and raised her eyebrows. "So, any luck with getting a hold of Cy?"
I frowned, picking at the hem of my dress where it laid over my thighs. "I emailed the team and they rejected it. They won't even tell him I sent it. How could I be so stupid? I bet that they get that all the time. Probably figured I was some crazy stalker or something."
"Well, if he is your match, he'll find you. Maybe we need to go to another game, but we’ll have to take the guys this time. I promised that they could go," Taryn said, trying to reassure me. I wanted to believe it.
"They want to go see the guys shaking their asses and play baseball? That’s interesting." I commented, trying to cling to the lighter mood a little longer.
She picked up a grape and launched it at my head.
"I think they just want to size up Cy. They think of you and Bea as sisters. Holt told me that he wants to make sure that they’re good enough for you," she told me.
"That’s really sweet of him, but Cy is my scent-match, does it matter if Holt doesn't approve?" I asked.
Both Taryn and Bea nodded yes, making me laugh again.
"You're right. Holt has enough land that he could make someone disappear, huh?"
"For us, the twins, Ash, and Matthias, yes," she answered with a wicked grin.
"We’ll figure out something to get you two together," Bea promised me, bringing the conversation right back to the elephant in the room.
"If it's really meant to be, you'll get together," Taryn promised. “We can hang outside the locker room like the baseball groupies. They can’t deny it if you’re right there in front of them.”
My omega was all for this new plan, but I shifted uncomfortably. The last thing I wanted was to go full stalker and look crazy. Sure, I wanted a pack, but I didn’t want to do it the wrong way.
Not all romances are like the books.
"It's time to clean up, we have a business to run," Bea said as she started to pack up.
"I know I'm supposed to be off, but can I come in? I don't want to eat my weight in chips at home," I told them with a sigh. “This has me all out of whack. I’ve literally been a hermit since Friday after I sent that message.”
"How sad are you?” Bea asked, looking concerned now.
“Just out of sorts, more than sad,” I said, letting the honesty fill my voice so they’d know I wasn’t falling into the pits of despair.
“Fine, come in, but I'm putting you on baby nap duty," Taryn told me, pointing a finger at me. “No overdoing it. We all need breaks.”
"Like I could say no to that?" I beamed at her. Baby snuggles over wallowing? I’d take that deal every damn time.
"Come on, let's get going. Those babies aren't going to snuggle themselves," Bea reminded us.
With the three of us picking up, it didn't take long and we were on our way to our store. I loved working and living close.
We walked in silence, enjoying the scenery. The road led through the forest and into town. Being surrounded by the gentle breeze and fresh air was like a balm to my soul. Soothing and reassuring. Familiar. Cozy.
As we neared downtown, the streets were coming to life. Shopowners putting signs out, the diner in full swing, people on the sidewalk offering smiles and greetings. Our little town was flourishing these days.
After the bad storm that hit, shops were rebuilding. Between that and our new storefront, it seemed like more businesses were encouraged to open, new ones popping up as the weeks went by.
The changes brought in more people and income to fund the renovations of some of the older buildings and even the town park.
Willow Lake was changing for the better.
"How great is this?" Taryn asked before we entered the building, gesturing to the new specialty tea and herb shop that was putting out their sign. The woman out front with wispy, gray hair gave us a friendly wave that we easily returned.
"I love watching all the new faces around town," I agreed. “This place was feeling desolate for a while there. That storm changed everything. I think it forced some places to finally do these renovations, and with us opening, and the other new shops, it’s like a whole new town.”
"Now, for some sexy guys to show up at the lake and I’ll be golden," Bea huffed out a laugh as she pushed open the door and flipped the sign to ‘open.’
"Oh, so you're looking now?" Taryn perked up, eyeing our friend who just rolled her eyes.
"For a good time? Yes. Nothing more yet," she said with a shudder, like finding your pack was a punishment. Then again, look at the drama that followed me trying to find mine.
"Move it, ladies, it's almost time to open," I told them as we moved toward the register.
Just then the bell rang and a cute teen girl in a Knuckleball Knockouts tee walked in.
"Excuse me, my boss asked me to put up flyers around town, can I place one in your window?"
"Do you work for the Knockouts?" I asked, unable to stop myself. Hope and curiosity lined my voice but she didn’t seem to notice.
"Yes. The PR side for now. I'm an intern," she explained with a professional smile.
"Of course, anything Knockout related is welcome," Taryn told her. “We’re big fans.”
She shot me a look that barely hid her amusement. Brat.
"Do you need tape or anything?" Bea asked her, already reaching under the counter.
The girl held up a roll of tape. "No thanks, I'm good."
While she did her thing, we rushed around doing our opening tasks. The guys wouldn’t be coming with the babies for another thirty minutes, so I lost myself in straightening the shelves.
Until I remembered the flyer.
When I walked out front to read the bright blue paper that faced the sidewalk, my jaw dropped.
No fucking way.