Chapter Thirteen
Josie
I spent the weekend days working with Thea at the motel.
She was giving me more responsibilities, in the kitchen, helping with assigning tasks to those who wanted them, and even a little bookkeeping.
That was entirely new to me, well it all was, but surprisingly enjoyable.
Unlike the servitude of the pack where most of my jobs were punitive.
Two new females had come in, in bad enough shape, the healer had been summoned. A female healer. I’d never even known it was possible for there to be such a thing. When I expressed as much to Thea late Monday afternoon, she rolled her eyes and gave a little growl.
“Of course you didn’t. That’s why when I mentioned getting someone to give them a going over and look for any problems, one of the new girls tried to bolt. And she’s very much a girl, just barely eighteen and clearly has been through more than most.”
“So, what can we do to help?”
“The healer is with her now, and she will let us know.” Thea patted me on the shoulder and turned back to the stove. “At least I can make her soup.”
Just then, one of the other ladies poked her head into the kitchen.
“Someone’s at the door.” It was indeed one of those times when it was locked due to fears about our injured resident’s former mate.
He didn’t consider himself former, apparently.
When we were locked up, only Thea or someone she assigned could open the door.
“Can you get it, Josie?” she asked, snipping herbs into the pot. “Be sure you know who is out there, though. Look through the peephole. We really need cameras.”
“Good idea. I’ll be right back.” Chewing on a stalk of celery, I headed for the front of the motel.
Unlikely that it would be someone dangerous, but there was always a chance, so if I did not recognize the visitor, I’d have to call for Thea to come look at them.
Cameras would save her steps and give us a better early warning system.
I’d have to mention it to the guys when I spoke to them—right before or after I let Carver and Aries know our dates were off.
As I reached the door, the person outside knocked again. “I’m coming.” I was about to use the peephole when a familiar voice replied.
“It’s just us, Josie.” Diesel.
“I still have to look,” I replied. “How do I know you aren’t being held at gunpoint by some criminal?
“Good girl.” Carver spoke this time. “Security is important. Go ahead and peek then let us in please.”
Us? The two or all three? “Aries?” I asked before sliding open the peephole and answering my own question. “Never mind. I see you.” All three, heads and shoulders visible.
But when I opened the door, I saw something unexpected. Each of the three held a huge bouquet of flowers, thrust out toward me. “What’s going on?”
Diesel laid at least two dozen roses in every shade of purple in my arms. “I know you only accepted the invitation from Carver and Aries, but we’re kind of a package deal.
” He waved to the other two who added their gifts to my arms. “What we didn’t know, I’m ashamed to say, is what color you liked best.” roses were pink, Carver’s a deep bloodred.
“Or even for sure what kind of flowers,” Aries added. “So, maybe we should have gotten different ones but we thought we’d start with the tried and true then ask for next time.”
“I’m so confused.”
“You are?” Carver frowned. “It’s our date, the one we talked about? We’re here to take you out to dinner, unless you’d rather do something else?”
“It’s tonight?” No, say, I changed my mind. Thanks but no thanks. “I have to change.” Halfway to my room, I turned back and hurried into the kitchen. “Thea, look.”
“Oh my goodness. Those boys are a class act. You are the luckiest female ever.”
“No…I don’t want anyone in my life just now, maybe never.”
“So, did you tell them?”
“Not yet.” I laid the flowers on the counter. “I’ll do it at dinner.”
“Good plan. I’ll get these in water for you while you go out on a date to tell them you don’t want to date them.”
I was letting that thought run around my brain, when I caught sight of Suzie sitting in the corner of the kitchen.
Her gaze lay on the flowers, soft, aching, and I said, “Maybe Suzie could help with the roses? Break them up into smaller bouquets so everyone can have a few in their room? I don’t know about vases… ”
Thea’s broad smile lit her eyes. “Suzie, grab that case of mason jars from the pantry, dear. We’ll take care of that while Josie goes out to disappoint the alphas.”
Halfway out the door, I turned back at Suzie’s soft cry. “No. These alphas are kind. Don’t hurt them.”
Hell. The one opinion she voiced, and it was telling me not to do what I needed to do. “I’ll try not to, Suzie.”
The way I felt, it was more likely to be the other way.
They’d figure out soon that I wasn’t worthy of them.
My wolf responded to that with a snarl. She wanted them, but she’d consider anything negative I said about myself to be about us both and therefore intolerable.
As I started down the hall toward my room again, I heard Thea and Suzie talking about the guys, the flowers, and it was a really normal sort of girl talk. Did my heart good.
I didn’t have time for a lot of fussing, but I could at least put on the dress I’d found in my closet, the high-heeled sandals, and pull my hair up in a high ponytail.
A little mascara, gloss, and I had nothing more to add.
How good did I have to look for a dinner where I was letting them all know I wouldn’t date them?
If I could spill it on the way to the restaurant, I’d save myself time and them time and money.
So, why didn’t I do that?