Page 20 of Kodiak's Heart

“Ruby,” Emersyn began, and big, green eyes pleaded with her. “Okay, two.”

“Softie,” Laramie murmured as he brushed against her on his way to the table. Her nipples pebbled at the touch, and visions of him sucking them filled her head. She forced the thoughts away, turning toward the counter and hoping no one had noticed.

“Here’s a plate.” Jaeda handed it to her.

Emersyn busied herself getting Ruby’s breakfast ready. She cut the pancake into bite size pieces and gave Ruby two pieces of bacon as promised.

“Syrup?” The youngest Holloway brother held a bottle out to her. Matheus. He had an engaging smile and according to Malachi was the brother who looked most like their father.

“Thank you, but no. Ruby takes hers with—”

“Honey,” Sidia said as she joined them.

“Yes,” Emersyn agreed.

Sidia shrugged. “Malachi always did, too.”

“She’ll warm up,” Emersyn whispered. “Give her some time.”

She carried the plate to the table and took the bottle of honey Jaeda offered her. She put one small dot of honey on each bite then set aside the bottle before sliding the plate in front of Ruby and handing her a fork. Laramie had put a booster seat in the chair beside his and placed Ruby there.

“Grab a plate, Em,” Laramie said, brushing his fingers along her thigh as she stood between him and Ruby.

“Here you go.” Jaeda slid a plate in front of the seat on the other side of Laramie.

“Thank you,” Emersyn said. Jaeda had plated two pancakes and four pieces of bacon for her.

“Syrup?” Jaeda offered.

“No, thanks,” Emersyn replied, taking a pancake, placing two pieces of bacon in it then wrapping it up and lifting it to take a bite. “Mmm. Delicious.”

She glanced up and found everyone staring at her except Ruby, who was humming while she ate.

“What?” Emersyn asked, wondering what she’d done wrong.

“Nothing,” Matheus answered. “I’ve never seen anyone but Laramie eat his pancakes and bacon that way.”

Her gaze flew to Laramie, and he winked at her. She decided not to comment and concentrated on eating instead. Laramie stood, and she made a point of not watching him. Mostly, because she knew others were watching her. As she finished the last bite, a cup of orange juice appeared by her plate.

“Thanks,” she murmured, not needing to see more than the hand to know who’d placed it there. It was a hand with intimate knowledge of her. She definitely couldn’t let her thoughts go there.

“I thought we might take a walk after breakfast. There’s a play area around back I think Ruby would enjoy,” Laramie offered.

“I yike to pay!” Ruby exclaimed, clapping sticky hands.

Emersyn laughed. “Let’s clean you up first.”

Jaeda beat her to it, lifting Ruby’s hands one at a time while the little girl chatted away about her pink boots and pink jacket. As soon as she was done, Jaeda tossed the used cloth to Matheus.

“Why don’t we go grab your jacket while your mama finishes eating,” Jaeda offered.

“Up,” Ruby demanded and held her arms up to Jaeda. With a laugh, the other woman lifted Ruby and set her on her feet. The girl was off like a shot, hollering over her shoulder as she moved. “Is in the caw.”

Laughing, Jaeda grabbed her sister’s hand and pulled Sidia along as she chased after Ruby. Matheus trailed after them and just like that, Emersyn was alone with Laramie.

“I should go after them,” she said, pushing from the table and carrying her plate and cup to the sink. A hard body pressed along her back, and Ruby’s dishes were placed beside hers.

“Stay for a minute,” Laramie whispered at her ear.

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