Page 52 of Wanted

“You’re always presentable.”

The words take me by surprise.

I almost tell him that’s not true, at all, before my stomach growls. On instinct, I place my hand against my flat belly.

“I don’t know what’s going on today. I usually never have such a big appetite in the morning.” Embarrassment coats my comment.

“Food.” That’s the only thing Chance says before he grabs my hand and tugs me toward the door.

I don’t protest or even bother asking where we’re going as we exit his front door. We’re heading over to the alpha’s home again.

It’s a bit of a walk since Chance’s house is more on the edge of the pack’s territory, and the alpha’s is smack dab in the middle. Yet, I enjoy the walk because Chance doesn’t release my hand the entire time.

He doesn’t talk much.

I watch him sniff the air and wonder what he’s doing.

“It stormed last night,” he says almost to himself.

“I can’t believe I slept through it,” I say. I rarely sleep through thunderstorms. Ever since that night, when I was ten.

They don’t frighten me like they do Ashley, but I become restless in storms. As if those same uneasy feelings from that night all of those years ago remain stored in my body, waiting for a storm to come out.

My heart sinks a bit when Chance doesn’t respond.

Something tells me to tug on his arm, which I do.

His attention on me is immediate. I repeat what I said about sleeping through the storm.

His large hand tightens around mine.

You’re always presentable.

The words he said moments ago float back to mind. I know that’s not true. I must’ve looked horrid this morning in a silk bonnet with slight bags under my eyes from crying last night.

But the tone of his voice almost makes me believe him.

“Thank you,” I say, looking him in the eyes. “For last night. I was kind of freaking out a little.” I push out a sigh and look away.

Too many thoughts and emotions roll through me to put words to them all. He probably wouldn’t want to hear it all anyway.

“You’re here,” a cheery Ms. Elsie greets from the front door. Her warm, welcome smile has me stopping in my tracks.

Chance looks at me curiously.

“Is she always so welcoming?”

He looks between me and the older woman. “Pushy too.” Though he grunts and frowns, his eyes soften just a touch when he looks over at her again.

He may try to hide it, but he has complete affection for Ms. Elsie, who is also Ms. Cynthia’s sister.

“You must be starving.” Ms. Elsie takes my hand as we enter. “Saved a seat just for you. We have three types of sausage this morning. Scrambled eggs, of course and I made my special sweet potato and pepper hash since our harvest of potatoes was so bountiful this year.”

I nod and stare at the array of food. My stomach growls as soon as the scent touches my nostrils. It smells amazing.

“Eat up,” Chance says before he sits. “Later on, we’ll go visit Dr. Drake to get the results of your blood tests,” he says low enough for only me to hear.

I grab his arm before he can leave. “You’re not staying?”