8
For the first time that Glory could remember, life felt magical. She was practically floating through her days—and her nights.
Mmm, the nights were beyond incredible.
No doubt her uplifted spirits were the result of a week-long sexual marathon. Not once had Kam pushed beyond her rules. In
some subtle ways, he’d made it clear that he’d prefer to have the lights on—that he’d love to see her completely bare.
He definitely wanted to touch her all over.
But he didn’t make a big deal of it. On the occasions when she darkened the room, when she held him back from removing her
top or redirected his hands, he didn’t say a word.
All he did was scorch her with amazing sex.
She’d never felt anything like it. Were they that compatible, or was he just that good?
In comparison, the sex she’d had with other men now seemed mediocre, so she assumed it was his skill.
“Glory,” he said, his lips hovering near her ear. “What are you thinking? Or should I guess?”
“Hush.” With Kam’s family and her cousin within earshot, she worried that someone might overhear. “Behave please.”
“For now,” he agreed. “But when I get you alone tonight, all bets are off.”
What a wicked tease! With Addie, Callie, and Tanner all close, she struggled to keep a friendly smile in place. So far, no one had questioned
Kam’s presence in her home, likely because they knew about his streak of protectiveness. But how was she supposed to keep
their relationship under wraps when he said things that turned her pink?
As if she’d sensed the tension, Addie said, “We’ll have beautiful weather next week.”
“Good. I’ll be able to get caught up.” Tanner put his arm around Callie. “Not that I’m complaining about my recent diversions.”
Callie, who didn’t seem at all embarrassed by the comment, only laughed.
Yes, she and Tanner were still celebrating their marriage, but yesterday, they’d each gotten back to work. Tanner claimed
orders were piling up—even though Kam had done his best to stay on top of everything with his own job and the deliveries from
the tree farm while Addie handled all the paperwork. It had still been a busy week, but none of them had minded.
In one breath, Callie had thanked Glory for taking over her duties with the animals, and in the next, she’d swore the chickens
and goats missed her. It didn’t matter that, the first botched day aside, Glory had managed her exact routine; Callie loved
the animals, and they obviously loved her, too.
“You two are creatures of habit,” Addie said. “Happiest when you’re busy.”
“Look who’s talking.” Tanner sent Addie a salute.
“It helps that we love our work.” Callie picked up a dish to carry to the table. “But it sure works up an appetite.”
Tonight, the dinner would have been immediate family only—Addie, Kam, Tanner, and Callie—except that Kam insisted Glory come
along.
It made no sense. He shouldn’t still be worried. An entire week had gone by with nothing else happening. Not a peep from Mike.
It was Glory’s fondest hope that Mike had given up and gotten back to his own life.
Except . . . Kam had an apartment waiting for him, and she hated the thought of him leaving her house. It was so nice having
him there, sleeping with him each night, sharing coffee each morning. Even when they spent hours apart, he kept track of her,
and at the same time, he checked in so she’d know how to reach him. He’d text her before driving out a delivery, call her
during his lunch break, and let her know when he was heading “home.” On the occasions when she was busy, he was understanding
about it.
Neither of them had said it, and she definitely didn’t want to share, but they were a couple. At least, she thought they were.
There wasn’t extra time for him to be seeing anyone else. He hadn’t actually declared they were together—but how could he
when she’d sworn him to secrecy?
As sexually active as Kam had been, no one would think they were truly involved unless they were sleeping together. Looking
at Tanner and Addie . . . No, she still wasn’t yet ready to make that admission.
Avoiding Kam’s knowing gaze, Glory carried a pitcher of iced tea to the table. “We talked with Dan Fellows today.”
“How is he?” Tanner took the pitcher from her and began filling drinks.
It was nice how everyone worked together—how they let her work with them. She loved the relaxed atmosphere. Whenever she was there, in their family home, she truly felt a part of things.
Not an interloper, not an awkward extra. She almost felt like family, too, except that, other than Callie, they weren’t her
family.
But a girl could wish.
If they knew she and Kam were sleeping together, would it change things? Honestly, she just didn’t know—and she wasn’t yet
ready to take the chance.
“He’s great, considering.” Automatically, Kam took the seat beside Glory. “He’ll have the cast on his arm for a while yet,
but the concussion still has him down, anyway.”
Putting a hand to her stomach, Glory tried to quell her sudden uneasiness as she recalled seeing Dan, his battered face and
broken arm. “He’s still covered in bruises. All around his forehead, his temple, and one of his eyes.” No matter what anyone
said, it felt like her fault. “His poor nose . . .”
“His glasses broke from the impact.” Without looking at her, Kam reached beneath the table and retrieved her hand for a gentle
squeeze. “Dan was all smiles during our visit, but this one—” he tipped his head at Glory “—looked ready to cry when she saw
him.”
“It’s awful.” The worst part was imagining what might have happened. “He could have been killed.”
“But he wasn’t.” Addie passed the platter of pork chops to Tanner. “Fortunately, he’s at home being pampered by his family.
He’ll recover, so let’s focus on that.”
Giving her a sympathetic glance, Tanner said, “Callie and I will stop in and see him, too.”
“I asked if he needed anything.” It would have made her feel better to do something for him. “He swears he doesn’t.”
“He has his family.” Briefly, Callie put her head on Tanner’s shoulder. “For most of us, that’s enough.”
Tanner kissed her forehead.
They were so close, so in love, that it was hard to believe her cousin had almost married someone else. Thankfully, the loser
had shown his true colors before that happened. Sometimes, Glory thought, things happened for a reason.
Callie had busted her ex cheating, and now she had Tanner. A perfect outcome to what had started as an awful situation, especially
with how everyone had tried to pressure Callie into marrying the ex, anyway.
Wearing a big warm smile, Addie glanced around the table. “It’s so nice having all of you here.” Her gaze landed on each of
them, one by one, until it stopped on Glory. “My heart is full.”
That started a round of gratitude with everyone telling Addie what a treat it was to get both her food and her company.
“Thank you for including me,” Glory added last, “even though I’m not related.”
“Bull.” Callie tossed a napkin at her. “You’re my cousin who’s more like a sister, and when I married in, I made you part
of the deal.”
“True,” Tanner said. “You’re officially stuck with us.”
That earned him a big smile from Callie.
“We’re not so bad,” Addie said, teasing her. “But they’re right. You’re family, honey. Don’t ever forget it.”
Oh, God. What if things went sideways between her and Kam? No way would they feel the same, it’d be too awkward. Naturally,
she’d be on the outside again.
Exactly where she didn’t want to be. It was too nice being included. Too special. If she screwed it up . . .
Using his shoulder, Kam nudged her out of her worry.
She had to grab the table, so she didn’t fall off her seat. “Hey.”
Callie and Tanner laughed, while Addie swatted at him.
Devilish amusement glittered in his green eyes. “I’m the worst of the bunch, you know. But I’m not so hard to get along with, right?”
Heat rushed into her face. She got along with him just fine—especially in bed. Feeling guilty, and probably looking it, too,
Glory struggled to find something to say.
Bless Callie, she started up a conversation about the renovations to her small home. Though Glory chose to stay silent, the
others chatted through the rest of the meal.
She was saved by the ringing of the doorbell. Since she was the closest and anxious for a reason to escape, she said, “I can
get it.”
Tanner got up before she could move. “Stay put.” He shared a male-inspired glance with Kam. “I’ve got it.”
Wondering what that look had meant, she relaxed back in her seat. “Is something going on?”
“Men conspiring.” Callie, who had a mouthful, lifted her napkin and hastily chewed. “They’re still worried about that creep,
Mike.”
“Rightfully so.” Kam stared toward the muted voices at the door. “Until we know where that jackass is, you have to be careful.”
“He wouldn’t come here.” At least, she hoped he wouldn’t.
“Maybe not.” Kam rolled one shoulder. “But we’d rather not take chances.”
Good grief, what did he think Mike would do?
“Leave room for dessert,” Addie said, switching the topic. “I made blueberry cobbler and it’ll still be warm. I have vanilla
ice cream to go with it.”
“Oh, that sounds good, doesn’t it, Glory?”
“It sounds like pure temptation.”
Kam grinned at her.
Just then, Tanner reentered the dining room, an unmistakable expression of irony on his face. “Kam, you have a guest. I told her you were eating, but she was . . . persistent.”
On his heels was a woman Glory hadn’t met. Tall, model-slim, with long fawn-colored hair and dark eyes, she breezed in with
familiarity—until she spotted Callie and Glory. That drew her up short and she glared at each of them.
After coming to his feet, Kam put a hand on the back of Glory’s chair. “Shara. What are you doing here?”
“You didn’t call me back, so I came by to see you.”
First Natalie at the reception hall, then Ronna from the hardware store, and now this woman? Kam certainly got around.
Done with her meal, Glory stood. Pride kept her voice even and friendly. “I’ll just take our dishes to the kitchen.”
Callie jumped up. “I’ll help you.”