Chapter 33 #2
“—and the lavender helps with the anxiety some omegas feel during pre-heat. Caro can custom blend scents for your specific needs, though it’ll just be something that smells nice for you as a beta.”
Holly spots us and her eyes widen in what looks like a plea for rescue.
“There you are,” I say, stepping up beside her. “We were looking for you.”
“Noah! Kai!” Aspen greets us with a knowing smile that makes me instantly wary. “I was just showing Holly the new nesting materials Caro just got in. They’re amazing.”
“How thoughtful of you,” I reply, looking back and forth between them. From the apologetic look of embarrassment on Holly’s face, she’s the one who let this particular cat out of its bag. “I didn’t realize you’d left the pharmacy to work for Caro.”
“Nope, I’m just very passionate about quality heat materials,” Aspen continues innocently. “I thought Holly might find something here of interest to her. She mentioned she’s been sleeping a lot better since starting a supplement I recommended.”
Holly hasn’t spent a night in that cabin in weeks. Which means Aspen knows exactly where and how she’s been sleeping.
“That’s very considerate,” I say, keeping my tone neutral.
Aspen’s smile widens. “Anything for our new doctor. Especially one who’s settling in so well with the local population.
I’m just glad she’s found a place to stay that isn’t that lonely, dusty old cabin.
It’s so nice of you guys to take her in literally out of the cold like this, just like the good neighbors you are. ”
The emphasis isn’t subtle. Neither is the way her gaze flicks between the three of us.
“We should probably keep exploring the fair,” I say, placing a hand lightly on Holly’s lower back. “Lots to see.”
“Of course,” Aspen agrees, her smile mischievous. “Let me know if you ever want to know more, Holly. Nobody knows how to make a house your home like an omega.”
Holly’s face turns an even deeper shade of red. “Thanks, Aspen. I’ll, um, keep that in mind.”
We make a hasty retreat, Holly practically vibrating with mortification beside me.
“I’m sorry. I had to tell someone,” Holly whispers once we’re out of earshot. “I had no idea she would get such a kick out of this.”
“She won’t say anything,” I assure Holly, keeping my hand on her back. Secret relationship or not, I’m not going to completely avoid touching her in public. “Aspen can be discreet when she wants to be. She wouldn’t have teased you like that if anyone else was listening.”
Holly doesn’t look convinced, but she nods. “I hope so.”
We continue through the fair, stopping at a booth run by the city council. They’re selling small bottles of water from the hot springs, each one decorated with a ribbon and a tag describing the spring’s special properties.
Mayor Winters stands behind the table, elegant as always in a wool coat and cashmere scarf. She smiles when she sees us.
“Dr. Klinkhart, Dr. Chang. How lovely to see you both enjoying the fair.”
“Mayor,” I greet her with a nod. “I didn’t know the spring water was for sale.”
“A company out of Fairbanks offered to bottle it for tourists about a year ago, now,” she explains, gesturing to the neatly arranged bottles.
“And trekking all the way to the spring is tedious, so a lot of the local parents will just stock up on the bottles rather than taking their children all the way out to the spring. The glass is recyclable obviously and the label is made with biodegradable glue so there aren’t any negative environmental consequences. ”
Holly picks up one of the bottles, examining it curiously. “I wouldn’t have believed this stuff worked if I hadn’t tried it myself.”
“You certainly can’t argue with the fact that the children in town present earlier and with fewer complications than the national average,” Mayor Winters agrees with a smile. “Whatever is in the water certainly adds to what makes our town special.”
Kai reaches past her and grabs a bottle. “I’ll take one.”
The mayor looks surprised but pleased. “Wonderful. That’ll be fifteen dollars.”
Kai hands over the money without hesitation. Holly gives him a soft smile that makes me wonder if I’m missing something.
“Enjoy the rest of the fair,” Mayor Winters says as we move on.
“What’s with the water?” I ask Kai once we’re out of earshot.
He shrugs, tucking the bottle into his jacket pocket. “Just curious about something.”
There’s something in the exchange between him and Holly—a shared secret, perhaps. But Holly changes the subject before I can ask.
“Can we get food now? I’m starving.”
“We have to cast our votes for the gingerbread house competition first,” Kai insists, steering us toward a booth with a long line. He takes a long swig from the bottle, winking when he catches me looking at him. “Then we can gorge ourselves on enough festival food to make us regret it for days.”
Holly hooks an arm through each of ours, propelling us forward. “Sounds like a plan.”
“I’m pretty hungry for something else, too.”
I pull us behind Mrs. Landry’s candied apple stand that backs up to the empty woods, glancing over at Grayson for a nod that the coast is clear.
I cup Holly’s face between my hands and tilt her up for a deep kiss. Her surprise melts into immediate response, her body softening against mine as she kisses me back. She tastes like hot chocolate and possibility—like a future I never dared imagine for myself.
When I pull back, her eyes are wide, pupils dilated.
“What was that for?” she whispers.
“Because I wanted to,” I say simply. “Because you make me happy.”
A smile blooms across her face, so bright it rivals the Christmas lights strung above us. For a moment, all my worries about the future fade. Who cares what happens after her rotation ends? Right now, she’s here, solid and real in my arms.
“Careful, Doc,” Kai teases, “someone might see you two and start asking questions.”
“Worth it,” I murmur, not looking away from Holly’s face. The bond between us pulses warm and steady, carrying emotions too complex for words.
Worth every risk. Worth any future, as long as she’s in it.