Page 47 of Brandt's Rule

Possibly. Sleep well, Brandt Marchande’.

Lock your doors, Tempest.

The only answer he got was laughter eventually fading into silence.

Chapter 11

“Hey, anybody home?” Brandt called out as he pulled open the screen door and stepped inside Kaid and Delilah’s house.

“In here, Brandt,” Delilah called back.

Brandt walked through the living room and down the hallway connecting it to the kitchen, his boots echoing on the old, yet richly polished wooden floors. “Hey, Aunt Delilah. You got this place smelling like a bakery.”

Delilah flashed him a smile. “Thank you. I’ve been busy trying to get everything for Christmas. We don’t have that much more time, you know. And we can’t have Christmas without the pecan pies.”

“I’d say from the scent, you’ve outdone yourself this year,” Brandt said, stopping to hug her from behind quickly and peck a small kiss on her cheek.

Delilah looked around conspiratorially, then lowered her voice. “Would you like a sample?”

“Of your pecan pie? Yes!” Brandt said, lowering his own voice when she shushed him.

“I always make one or two to eat now. I just don’t tell everyone because then they’ll all want some and there won’t be any left for Christmas.”

“I won’t tell,” he promised, shaking his head for emphasis as she placed a rather large slice of pie in front of him. Brandt took a huge bite and closed his eyes. “Yep. Nothing like it.”

Delilah smiled delightedly. “I know,” she said, going back to the assembly line she’d set up to make the next one. “You just come by hoping for pie?”

“No, ma’am. I was looking for Maverik, but he’s not around. Valerie either. So I thought they might be here.”

“I think Valerie went to the grocery. Maverik is with Kaid. They went to look for Christmas trees. But I’m sure since they’ve been gone all morning, there’s more to it.”

Brandt laughed. “Maybe they’re hunting each other.”

“Since they have your father with them, I wouldn’t be surprised,” Delilah said.

Brandt nodded and ate more of his pie.

Delilah watched him curiously as she prepared the filling for the next two pies. “Can I help?” she asked.

“I’m sorry?” Brandt asked.

“Something has you unsettled. Is it something you care to share with me? I might be able to help.”

Brandt shrugged. “I’m not sure.”

“That I can help? I assure you that I can,” Delilah said.

“No, not that you can’t, just that I’m not sure I even know what to say.”

“Ahhh, I see. Well, start with the obvious.”

“Maybe I should just wait until Maverik gets back,” Brandt said.

“Maybe. What’s it about?” Delilah pressed. It wasn’t often that Brandt felt unsettled and that had her really curious.

Brandt took a deep breath, mulling it over one last time before he shrugged and went for broke. “I think I met my mate and it’s really freaking me out because she’s nothing like I expected, and she keeps knocking me off balance and I thought mates were supposed to make you stronger not make you more unsure. I mean, I don’t even know what she is! Well, she’s a Dragon, but that’s only one side.”

Delilah had turned around to face him again with her brows raised and her expression clearly stunned. “And you thought Maverik was the best person to talk to about questions regarding a woman that is keeping you off balance and is very likely your mate?” she asked, the doubt in her voice almost comical.

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