Page 19 of Kodiak's Heart

“Because I’m so happy to meet you,” Jaeda said, dashing a few off her cheeks with the back of her hand.

Ruby glanced up at Emersyn. “Good teaws?”

“Yes,” Emersyn agreed.

Ruby nodded. “I yike you,” she told Jaeda. “But I don’t yike the other you. She make Mama cwy.”

“The other—Sidia.” Jaeda answered her own question. “But she’s your daddy’s sister, too. Plus, our other sister, Xandra is here. We all love your daddy very much. We miss him.”

“Daddy ‘tect Daddy for Wuby,” Ruby told her. Then she glanced up at Emersyn. “I want pannycakes.”

“We were on our way to find the kitchen,” Emersyn told Jaeda as she stood.

“I can show you the way,” she offered. “Want to hold my hand, Ruby?”

Ruby looked at the hand and shook her head. “I stay wif Mama.”

Emersyn scooped up Ruby and placed her on her hip. Her little girl immediately wrapped a lock of Emersyn’s hair around her fingers and laid her head on Emersyn’s shoulder. “Give her some time,” Emersyn whispered to Jaeda. “At least, she likes you.”

Jaeda laughed and nodded. “Follow me. I think you met most of the household last night. There are also four other women here. Hadley, Demi, Sara, and Jemma. I’d suggest you avoid Jemma. She’s trouble.”

Oh, Emersyn could tell that for herself, but she merely nodded when Jaeda glanced back at her. “Fletch and Milo are still here. They’re two of Laramie’s enforcers. Chance and Wood were here, but Laramie sent them to do something for him. They should be back today, but you probably won’t see them.” She shrugged. “I’m not sure what they’ve been up to, but my mate probably knows. I think you met him. Holt. He’s mine.”

Emersyn nodded in agreement. “He seems like a great guy.”

Jaeda’s whole demeanor softened as if just thinking about her mate filled her with happiness. “He’s perfect.”

Emersyn wondered what it would feel like to love that fully, with no reservation. Then she remembered what she’d allowed Laramie to do to her in the bathroom last night. That wasn’t fair. Not only had she been willing, but she’d been eager to participate. The man had gotten her off twice, and not even asked her to return the favor.

“The kitchen is this way,” Jaeda said and led them through a large room with tables scattered all around. “We used this when everyone was here, swearing allegiance to Laramie as alpha. But when it’s just family, we all eat in the kitchen.”

Emersyn wasn’t sure what to say to that. She wasn’t family, but Ruby was. Then all thought left her head as Jaeda pushed open a door and Emersyn caught sight of Laramie standing by the sink with his shirt off. Bronze muscles gleamed as he toweled off water. Dark hair spread across his pecs then trailed down his center leading to what she imagined was a very happy trail, considering what she’d glimpsed the night before.

“Yawamie!” Ruby yelled, bouncing on Emersyn’s hip and wiggling to be down.

Laramie’s gaze flicked to hers and locked there. A smile titled his lips, and warmth filled her cheeks. She let Ruby slide down until her feet hit the floor, then the little girl was running full bore for him. He didn’t miss a beat. He bent and scooped her up, tossing her a bit so she squealed before he settled her on his arm.

“I see someone is awake,” he said.

“It’s me!” Ruby yelled then giggled.

“And in a good mood, I see,” Laramie agreed.

“I hungwy,” Ruby told him and dropped a hand to rub her stomach. “I stawfing.”

“Well, we can’t have that,” Laramie said and turned to take the cover off a warming tray on the counter, revealing golden pancakes. Ruby clapped her hands.

“And bacon,” she said.

Another cover was removed, revealing what looked like perfectly crisp bacon.

“Now, how many pancakes does a starving girl eat?” Laramie asked.

“Five,” Ruby said.

“Let’s start with one,” Emersyn said, stepping forward. “And a piece of bacon.”

“Two bacons,” Ruby challenged.

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