Chapter 10 #2
“Thanks, but walking is good for me. Keeps the blood pumping.”
She laughed quietly. “It looks like Tak already set up the ladder. Is there anything else you need?”
“Nope. I’ve got my tape measure, notepad, and pen.”
“Well, if you need me, I’ll be taking a quick shower. It’s down the back hall, around the corner.”
Instead of only writing measurements for the window I was customizing, I also jotted down the dimensions for all the windows in the living room, just in case.
Tak might hire me down the line to do another one.
Some people liked stained glass because it gave them privacy.
For others, it was like getting a tattoo, and one was never enough.
The process took a while since I double-checked my measurements for errors.
I also kept having to move the ladder and climb up it again.
I used a tiny hammer to secure a nail through the hole at the end of the tape measure so it would hold in place while I extended it to the other side.
That way the tape measure wouldn’t bend.
After finishing the last window, I carefully started down the rungs and was halfway to the floor when a wave of dizziness hit me out of the blue.
I gripped the ladder and felt the world go topsy-turvy.
As I plummeted to earth like a meteor, someone caught me.
Then we both hit the ground, and the ladder crashed against the hardwood floor.
Just as fast as the spell came on, it disappeared. Panicked, I raised my head, expecting to see Lakota beneath me. Instead, I was shocked to see Salem. “I’m so sorry. I lost my balance. Are you okay?”
His medical bag was near the open front door, just a few steps away.
“What in the world?” Eden exclaimed.
He sat up and rubbed the back of his head. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine. You saved me. Again.”
Eden clutched a towel around her. “Well, as long as nobody’s gotten themselves killed, I’ll leave you two alone.” She padded back down the hall.
Embarrassed, I shot to my feet and lifted the giant ladder. “I hope it didn’t scratch your floor.”
“What happened?”
“My foot slipped.”
After helping me right the ladder, he met my eyes. “That’s not what it looked like to me. You were swaying.”
“You can thank your beta for that. He chased me into the backyard.”
Salem jerked his head back. “What?”
“His wolf I mean.” It made me giggle to think of the alternative. “That put my inner animal on edge. You coming home at precisely the moment I needed to talk to you is kismet.” Taking his hand, I guided him to the front porch. “I need to call on that favor.”
“Now?” He rubbed his head where his hair was bound in a knot.
“You promised me anything—whenever I needed you. Well, I need you.”
Did his cheeks just flush?
“Do you need a car?”
A car? Would he really buy me a car? Now isn’t the time. Focus.
“I need you to pretend to be my husband.”
His lips parted as if to make room for his soul leaving his body.
“Remember that guy you met last night? Scott? It turns out he’s not leaving town. He thinks I’m lying about us.”
“You are lying about us.”
“Of course, but he doesn’t know that. And he won’t.” I clutched Salem’s shirt with both hands, ready to grovel if need be. “Please?”
He gave me a guarded look. “What exactly are you asking me to do?”
I mustered up all the courage I possessed to ask him the most embarrassing question I could ask anyone. “I need to move in with you. Just until he leaves.”
“You want to move in with me?” Salem turned away and crossed to the other side of the open door, keeping his back to me.
Somehow I needed to sell this idea. Even though it was a favor trade, I felt terrible.
“Think of it this way: If I stay here temporarily, I’ll have more than enough room to draw out my designs and work.
You have so much space, and I’ll finish the job faster.
My house is too tiny for this big project.
Think of how happy that’ll make Tak.” I wrung my hands, worried what would happen if he refused my favor the way I had refused Scott’s.
“The glass distributor brings me what I need, and I can have it delivered here instead.” Placing my hand on his back, I tried to read his emotions, but he was intentionally blocking them.
“Please, Salem. You owe me a favor. I swear I’ll stay out of your way. You can put me in a closet.”
Eden cleared her throat from the open doorway. “Sorry, I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but voices carry. Are you talking about that man who’s been interrogating everyone?”
I grimaced while facing her. The last thing I had wanted was to involve a member of the Council. “Scott’s a nice guy. I owe him a favor, but he wants to marry me, and I don’t wanna get married!” I raised my arms in frustration. “I’d rather eat a thousand pounds of licorice.”
“She hates licorice,” Salem added. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. “I’m good at keeping silent, but I won’t lie.”
Eden stepped over the threshold. “I’ll lie for you. No man should have a grip on you like that.” She pulled her hair from a clip and gently squeezed the damp ends. “I don’t think we should involve Tak in this, but we need to tell the beta.”
“Lakota?” I worried my lip.
“He’s easygoing. Tak won’t lie on your behalf, and we won’t ask him to.
This friend of yours is a stranger in our town, so I’m not worried about a little white lie kicking up drama.
If I were you, I wouldn’t go around telling people you’re mated to Salem.
The deeper in that lie you go, the worse off you’ll be. ”
“But what if he asks around?”
“You’ll be fine. In Storybook, people keep their private business to themselves, so nobody knows who’s mated to whom. Besides, nothing pisses folks off more than a nosy outsider asking questions.”
“You’re the best.” I fastened my gaze on Salem’s sweet brown eyes. “So you’ll do it? Then you won’t have this favor looming over you anymore. I swear that once he leaves town, the favor is paid. If he comes back, I’ll be on my own.” I laced my fingers together and silently begged.
He inclined his head. “I’ll do it.”
Lakota filled the doorframe with a spoon in his hand. “What are you three conspiring out here?”
Eden did the honors of explaining. “Salem is in Quinn’s debt, and she’s calling on the favor. We have to respect their agreement.”
He ate the white substance on the spoon. “What’s the deal?”
“He’s going to pretend to be her husband.”
Lakota coughed out granules all over the porch before wiping his mouth. “Is this a joke?”
“No, and she’ll be living with us temporarily so she can work on this window and get away from the person asking about her situation.”
His dark eyebrows gathered over his blue eyes. “What person?”
“An old friend,” I quickly said. “I don’t want anyone starting trouble with Scott.
I owed him a favor, and he wants me to marry him.
For real. But I don’t want to, and it’s not fair to ask someone for a favor that’ll last for years.
I’ll still be in his debt, but I just want him out of my hair until I figure something out.
He won’t leave town until he’s convinced I’m married to Salem. ”
Lakota scratched his jaw, a grin threatening to break wide. “I’m curious how Salem owes you a favor, but we’ll save that tidbit for later. Tak won’t mind you staying, but you’ll need to sleep in the heat house. Better for everyone. Safer.”
“That’s even better. I wouldn’t want your wolf to think I’m lunch again.”
He belted out a laugh and tucked his straight brown hair behind his ears. “Never a dull moment around here.”
“Do you always walk around eating sugar?” I asked.
Eden shook her head. “Girl, that’s salt.” She weaved around him to go inside. “Nasty.”
Lakota shrugged. “My Shifter craving. How long is this bozo staying in town?”
“I don’t know. I told him Salem and I were mated, hoping he’d give up. He threatened to come by here and meet my pack, and that’s what scares me.”
Salem sighed. “If he drops by without an invitation, we won’t be able to keep it a secret from Tak.”
Lakota tapped the spoon against his chin as if in thought. “Tak doesn’t want to be bothered with every little thing that goes on around here. That’s my job. He’ll honor your favor trade, but I don’t think he’ll lie for you. Maybe we can put a muzzle on him.”
“If Scott comes by, Tak doesn’t even have to meet him. Packmasters are busy, so I’m not expecting him to lie for me. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting anyone to but Salem. I’m sorry to drag you into this, but I’m not about to be any man’s bride.”
He gripped the door. “Speaking of bride, when will you be moving in with the groom?”
“As soon as possible. I need to pack up my work supplies and some clothes. Is there anyone who can give me a ride?”
He gestured to Salem. “Ask your husband.” When he walked off, his laughter was louder than it needed to be.