13. Putting Down Roots
Putting Down Roots
Jessie
Gravel crunches under the tires of my van.
I steer the vehicle down the long dirt driveway toward the white farmhouse, gripping the leather steering wheel.
The sun dips low on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the property.
Winston meows from his carrier on the passenger seat, voicing his displeasure at the bumpy ride.
I reach over, rubbing a finger against the plastic grating to soothe him.
My heart pounds against my ribs. Adrenaline hums through my veins. For the first time in my life, the racing pulse has zero connection to fear or a desire to run. The energy stems from certainty. I'm ready to plant my roots in this soil. I'm done running.
The ninety-day deadline on my contract expires in one week.
Spending another seven days pretending I plan to leave is a waste of time.
Earlier this morning, I marched into the town hall, slid a signed piece of paper across the metal desk, and notified the Willowside town board.
I accepted the veterinarian position. The clinic belongs to me now. This town is my home.
I plan to spend tonight sitting these three men down to deliver the news. Leaving the heavy lifting to them isn't an option anymore. I intend to meet their eyes, tell them I'm staying, and ask for their bonding marks tonight. I want to be theirs.
Pulling the van up to the front porch, I shift the gear into park and kill the engine. I grab the handle of the cat carrier, push my door open, and hop out into the crisp evening air. The cold wind whips my hair around my face.
The heavy oak front door swings open before my boots even hit the bottom step.
Jake, Nolan, and Edward stand in the entryway, offering a solid wall of muscle and warmth.
All three men boast serious height, but their builds offer a distinct contrast. The intoxicating pack scent of ripe fig mixes with vetiver, black tea, and clove, rushing out of the house.
The aroma wraps around my shoulders, settling my racing pulse into a steady rhythm.
"You made it." Edward offers a bright, welcoming smile, stepping aside to clear the path. A thick, styled dark beard frames his strong jaw, and a spark lights up his bright blue eyes. His broad muscled frame takes up the most room in the hall.
"So good to be off the clock and here." I step over the threshold, kicking my boots off against the welcome mat. I carry the crate into the wide hallway.
Nolan shuts the front door, locking out the wind. He pushes a lock of ear-length, chestnut brown hair behind his ear. The porch light catches the glare on his black-framed glasses, highlighting his slender build and sharp, angular features.
Jake leans down. His mid-sized athletic frame bridges the gap between Edward's bulk and Nolan's lean lines. He presses a firm, lingering kiss to my temple, his smooth, clean-shaven jaw brushing my skin. His dark hair shifts, and his brown eyes lock onto mine as he breathes in my scent.
A flurry of golden fur charges around the corner. Duke hits the hardwood floor, his nails clicking a rapid beat. The retriever spots the plastic carrier in my hands. He drops his front elbows to the ground, his tail wagging a mile a minute, letting out a sharp bark of pure excitement.
"Let's play this safe." I lift the plastic carrier higher to set the crate onto a small decorative wooden table in the hallway.
My vet brain always defaults to a cautious introduction. Giving the cat the high ground prevents any accidental trampling, even with their solid track record. Reaching over, I squeeze the metal prongs and pull the wire door open.
Duke whines from the floorboards, inching closer to sniff the air below the table edge.
Winston steps out of the plastic crate. The black and white tuxedo cat fluffs his fur, peering over the wood drop to assess the huge dog hovering below him.
Duke gives another excited whine, his tail thumping hard against the wall.
Winston stares down at the retriever, gives a slow, unfazed blink, and turns his back.
He takes a seat on the woven table runner and begins washing his front paw.
"He gives zero fucks." Jake lets out a rough chuckle, scratching the golden retriever behind the ears. "Duke seems disappointed."
"Give them a few days." I straighten up, offering a smirk. "Winston makes everyone work for his attention."
Edward steps up behind me. He wraps his large hands over my eyes, blocking out the light. The spicy scent of clove and ripe fig washes over me, sending a shiver down my spine.
"Keep your eyes closed, Doc." Edward keeps his voice low, his chest rumbling against my back. "We have a surprise for you."
"A surprise?" I place my hands over his wrists, letting him guide my steps. "You guys cook dinner?"
"Something better." Nolan walks beside me, his shoulder brushing mine.
Edward guides me down the hallway and into the large living room. The thick rug squishes under my socks. He stops me near the couch, letting his hands drop away from my face.
I blink, letting my eyes adjust to the new lighting. The setup catches me off guard.
The guys pushed the sectional sofa back against the walls, clearing the center of the floor.
A plush air mattress occupies the empty space, covered in thick quilts and fleece throw blankets.
Above the mattress, they built an elaborate blanket fort.
Sheets drape over the backs of chairs and secure to the walls, creating a giant tent.
Strands of warm fairy lights weave through the fabric, casting a magical glow over the entire room.
The large coffee table sits near the entrance of the fort.
Mountains of classic childhood snacks cover the wood surface.
Glass bowls overflow with buttery popcorn, colorful gummy worms, and salty pretzels.
Three large cardboard pizza boxes sit next to a plastic cooler packed with canned fruit sodas.
I stare at the big flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. The screen displays a colorful menu of classic, animated kid's movies.
A confession I made at the cabin during our card game pops into my head. I told Jake about the strict foster home rules, about older kids hogging the remote, and about never getting the chance to sit down and enjoy a Saturday morning cartoon.
They remembered. They built this entire setup to give me the movie night I missed out on as a kid.
My throat goes tight. A sob catches in my chest, breaking the silence in the room. The wave of love and shock hits me all at once.
I pivot on my heel, jog back down the hallway, and throw myself into the nearest bathroom. I shut the door and twist the lock, needing a minute to process everything.
I lean my weight against the cold porcelain sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror.
Hot tears stream down my cheeks. Turning the metal faucet, I cup the freezing water in my hands and splash my flushed face.
Crying in front of people is hard for me.
Growing up, the foster parents viewed showing emotion as a sign of weakness, and the older kids used tears as an excuse to pick fights. I hate crying.
Racing footsteps pound down the hardwood floor outside the door.
"Jessie." Jake knocks a hard beat against the wood, his voice laced with panic. "Sweetheart, I'm sorry if we overstepped."
"We wanted to give you something nice you never had." Nolan speaks up, his tone tight with worry.
Their panic breaks my heart. To them, this grand act of love chased me away.
I grab a hand towel off the metal ring, drying the water and tears from my face. I take one deep, steadying breath, reach for the door handle, and swing it open.
Jake and Nolan stand in the hallway, their broad shoulders slumped.
Edward hovers right behind them, his face pale with anxiety.
I reach out, grab the fronts of Jake and Nolan's flannel shirts, and haul them forward.
I crash into their chests, burying my face against them in a crushing, desperate hug.
Edward steps up, wrapping his strong arms around all three of us. The combined warmth of their bodies and the rich, soothing scents of their pheromones envelop me.
"You guys did nothing wrong." Stepping out of their embrace, I walk down the hall. They trail close behind me. Stopping in the center of the living room, I gesture to the blanket fort and the snacks on the coffee table.
"No one has ever done anything like this for me before." I turn back to face them. "It overwhelmed me."
Jake lets out a ragged breath. He crosses the floor, his hands dropping to grip my waist.
"I came out here with a plan tonight." I swipe a rogue tear from my cheek, holding Jake's dark gaze. "I'm done running. I'm done waiting out the clock. I accepted the permanent vet job this morning. I'm staying in Willowside."
Silence drops over the living room. The three men freeze, staring at me in total shock.
"I love you guys." I drop my walls. "I want to share my life with this pack. I want to build a home with you. I want your bonding marks on my skin tonight."
I watch the rigid tension of the past three months drain right out of their broad shoulders.
A deep, rumbling growl of pure joy tears from Jake's throat.
He pulls me flush against his chest, crushing his mouth to mine.
As he breaks away, Nolan steps in, tilting my face toward him.
He captures my lips in a fast, heated kiss, his fingers tangling in my hair.
Edward moves in, pulling me free from Jake's hold.
He lifts me straight off the plush rug, spinning me around in a tight circle while burying his face in my shoulder.
Tears of relief and euphoria mix with our laughter.
Edward refuses to put my feet back on the ground. He carries me two steps forward, lowering me onto the plush air mattress inside the blanket fort. The fairy lights cast a warm, golden glow over the pillows and the thick quilts.