Chapter 51
Chapter Fifty-One
Riley
I’m in the rundown pole barn a couple days later, having convinced one of our temporary summer staff to cover my shift again.
I’ve been trying to get this gift sorted for weeks now, and it’s finally coming to fruition.
Maybe it can be a ‘great job getting railed for five days straight and still looking like a goddess afterwards’ gift?
Hmm. That might be too long of a title.
I’ll workshop it.
For now, I need to clear it with Neveah. The pole barn is set with everything I need, and I think it’s safe enough. I had a cleanup crew come out a couple weeks ago when the alphas were out with Sage, and then an inspector after I did some repair work to ensure everything was up to snuff.
I wipe my hands on the rag in my pocket, then swipe my sweaty forehead as I take one last look around the space.
I’ve been putting off telling Vee until I had all the details worked out. She has enough on her plate, and I didn’t want her stressing about this too. I think it’s time, though.
I find her in her office and flop into the extra chair.
“What’s up?” she asks, glancing at me. “Why are you so sweaty?”
“You like it?” I wink at her, and she rolls her eyes. “Fine, you’re no fun. I actually have something to run by you.”
She rolls away from her desk when she hears my more serious tone, turning her chair to face me.
“What is it?”
“I have a gift idea for Sage…”
All it takes is a quick explanation, then a rundown of my plan, what I’ve found, and the work I’ve done on the pole barn, and Vee’s in.
“Honestly, kinda mad I didn’t think of that myself,” she says. “Good work, Sour Patch. You gonna tell Brooks?”
“I was planning to.” I tilt my head, a mischievous grin crossing my face. “But now I’m imagining his shocked face when he sees Sage getting this present, and I think I like that more.”
“Your funeral,” Vee says with a laugh, turning back to her computer.
Three days later, I have Sage blindfolded in front of me as I walk her and Brooks out to the pole barn. Neveah is there already keeping an eye on things.
“Big step,” I say, pretending like there’s something for Sage to step over. “Ope, and a little to the left here.”
I navigate her around a non-existent obstacle.
“Careful, careful!” I say, and she freezes, hands outstretched. “Phew, okay, come back this way, don’t want you running into anything.”
I tug her back toward me and she grips my hand tight.
“Step high this time,” I say, holding in a laugh. “And the other foot. Good, now a reeeaaaaally long step.”
She stretches her legs as far as she can, and Brooks harrumphs from behind us. When I look back, he’s trying to hide the grin on his face.
“Duck,” I say, and she bends down. “Lower.”
She crouches.
“Still lower.”
She hunches down, her ass nearly on the ground, and I put a hand over my mouth to cover my laugh.
“Gonna have to go on your belly, I think,” I say, a snicker finally breaking through.
“Riley!” she shrieks, pulling off her blindfold to see us barely ten steps from where we started, in the middle of the wide dirt trail heading toward the pole barn. She jumps up and throws the blindfold at me.
“Ah, oops,” I say.
She somehow glowers and laughs at the same time, then stomps over toward Brooks.
“You can carry me, and I’ll close my eyes.”
“You can’t be trusted—” I start to protest, but she cuts me off.
“I can’t be trusted? You can’t be trusted!” she says, and I bob my head back and forth like it’s a dubious point, but really, she’s right.
“Fine, but no peeking!” I point a finger at her as Brooks scoops her into his arms, and she slaps her palms over her eyes.
We start walking, and my feelings bounce between eager and nervous. I’m pretty sure she’ll be happy, but what if she hates them?
“Why does Vee call you Sour Patch?” Sage asks, her random question throwing me for a second. To my surprise, Brooks chuckles, then answers for me.
“Because first they’re sour, then they’re sweet.”
“He means bratty but is trying to be nice. That’s what Vee would say,” I interject.
“I don’t get it,” Sage says, pouting her lower lip out.
“Have you ever had Sour Patch candy?” Brooks says.
She shakes her head, and I meet Brooks’ gaze, both of us agreeing to rectify that as soon as possible. We’re determined to introduce her to everything we can that might bring her an ounce of joy.
“We’ll snag you some next time we go into town. As soon as you try one, you’ll get it,” Brooks says, squeezing her and eliciting a tiny squeak that makes us all smile.
I lead them to the pole barn door, and Brooks’ eyes dart around as he tries to figure out what I’m planning.
“Set her down here,” I say, pointing so she’ll be front and center when I open the massive door, and he does so, ensuring she’s steady on her feet. “Then close your eyes too.”
“Me?” he says, pointing to his chest.
“Yes, you, alpha daddy.”
Brooks’ narrowed eyes promise punishment for that later, and I grin, then crack the door open and slip inside.