Chapter Six
Jude
He’s our mate.
That’s what my wolf said for the hundredth time since Ripley barged into my life.
“Are you sure it’s okay? I…you’re an omega. Unbonded.”
My face probably gave me away, as it usually did but, I chalked his comment up to the fact that I probably had no other scent mixed with my own as I would’ve if I was mated. “Are you some kind of axe murder?”
A whisper of a smile tugged at one side of his mouth. Goddess, his lips were so full. So inviting. Even in the cold, they appeared supple and soft. “Not that I know of.”
“Serial killer? Purposefully breaking down in front of omegas’ cabins and slaying them?”
Ripley pursed his lips. “No.”
“Well, if you have any inkling of killing me or robbing me, just leave. Not that I think you will. You don’t smell dangerous.”
His dark gaze roamed the property, the cabin, trees, and fluffy flakes falling down above us. Then he shrugged. “Okay. I guess I’ll have to stay.”
I snorted and a giggle erupted from me. “I mean, don’t let me force you.”
Ripley sighed, scrubbing his hands down his face.
There was nothing more I wanted than for him to come into my nest, my den, and share warmth with me.
My wolf thought he was my mate and I was sure, at least, that I really, really liked him and his smell.
“I’m sorry. My attitude is sour, and you don’t deserve that.
I’m just aggravated. Thank you, Jude. I appreciate your offer. ”
Nodding, I began to walk toward the house. “Grab your stuff. It’s warm inside, and I have chili and cornbread.”
The way to a good alpha’s heart was through his stomach. Maybe my cooking would melt the icy exterior he was carrying around as well. Hearing Ripley open and then slam the truck door, I glanced over my shoulder to see him hefting a small leather duffle over his shoulder.
The man loved to eat, judging by his stature. I should’ve thought of it sooner.
“What did you say?” he asked. “Chili? Damn it’s been a while since I had chili.”
I stopped in my tracks. “It’s winter and you haven’t had chili in a while? Yeah, you broke down in the right place.”
We both stomped the snow off our boots and went inside, shutting the door behind us. I showed him where he could hang his coat and put his boots, quelling a smile at seeing them lined up next to mine.
Like they belonged there.
“You, um, you like Christmas?” he asked.
I tried to see my home from a stranger’s point of view. To me, it looked lovely. Decked out, of course, but tasteful and natural. “I do.”
“And you haven’t taken your decorations down?”
Laughing, I shook my head. He really was a grump.
“Well, Christmas was only yesterday. I usually don’t take everything down until the new year.
The bathroom is at the end of the hall and the guest room is the bedroom to the right.
My bedroom is to the left and my office is in the loft upstairs.
Make yourself at home. I’ll get you some food. ”
Ripley stomped down the hall, and he put his bag on the bed.
He used the restroom and I heard the water running in the sink, so he washed his hands afterward.
I gave him points in my head for doing that.
I’d once dated a man who didn’t. I scooped out some chili, making sure to get a little bit of everything, including the masa dumplings.
He got two large servings of cornbread, and I put the butter dish on the table.
“Here you go,” I said as he came back into the living room. “What would you like to drink?”
He sat down, and his shoulders relaxed the tiniest bit. “Just water, please. Um, do you happen to have the number of the mechanic’s shop? I just want to check. Maybe there’s a chance he’s open or would take a chance if I paid him extra.”
So eager to get out of here. My wolf must’ve been wrong about the mate thing. A mate would not want to leave so soon. This alpha couldn’t wait to get out of here.
Such a shame. He was handsome and sexy and just my type.
“Sure. Let me get the directory.”
I pulled out a trifold brochure from the drawer near the silverware drawer and slid it across my dining table for two. “Here you go. Oliver Creek is growing, but they still put out a phone book of sorts once a year.”
He huffed out a laugh. “I saw that when I passed through.”
I filled a second bowl of chili, sat across from him, and began eating while he dialed and waited for it to ring. Only two rings later, the voicemail picked up, telling the caller that they would be closed until the new year.
I didn’t mutter “I told you so.” The alpha was irritated enough. Poor guy. He was clearly traveling to something or from something, and this had put a major wrench in his plans.
“I’ve never heard of a mechanic closing for a whole week.”
“That’s Oliver Creek for you. We love our holidays. Besides, everyone needs time off. It’s good for the soul.”
Ripley regarded me with a cocked brow. He hadn’t heard of time off? He took a bite of the chili, and I held my breath, waiting. I had hundreds of customers both locally and online, but what this man thought about my thrown-together chili…it might throw me off if he didn’t like it.
It might wreck my whole world.
I watched him chew then swallow, tracing the movement of his Adam’s apple.
“This is so good, Jude. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”