Page 43 of Run Free

“Gage?” Peyton asked, and Kate shot her a glance, surprised she knew who he was already.

He shrugged. “I guess French toast for me, too, if Clara raves that much about it. How about some eggs and bacon to go with it?”

“How do you want your eggs?” my sister asked.

“Scrambled’s fine,” he said.

“Coming right out.” Peyton leaned down and hugged me again. “I’m so glad you’re home!”

Kate stayed when Peyton left. She was looking at Gage awkwardly. I knew Kate pretty well. She was a few years younger than me and mated to one of Thomas’s best friends. Wyatt had always been a good guy and I was really happy when he found Kate, his one true mate.

“Kate, this is Gage,” I finally said, easing the tension between us.

“Gage, this is Kate. I think you’ll really like her mate, Wyatt,” I said.

The mere mention of his name made Kate gush. “It’s nice to meet you, Gage. Will you be in town long?”

He shrugged, looking to me for the answer. “Depends on work,” he finally told her.

“Oh, you work with Clara?” she asked, and I knew she was fishing for gossip. Nothing in Collier generated business like good old-fashioned town gossip, and Kate was a shrewd businesswoman.

“Yes, he does,” I said, leaving it at that.

Gage frowned at me, but didn’t say anything further.

“Well, if you’ll be around for a while, Wyatt and I would love to have you two over for dinner. Are you staying in town?” she asked sweetly.

“No,” Gage said, deferring to me with an amused look on his face as I squirmed under the scrutiny.

I hadn’t been prepared to filter questions regarding my mating. I should have, but I hadn’t thought about it before. I didn’t know how Gage felt about making the announcement and knowing everyone was talking about us.

Kate got called away and gave us a quick apology as she left to address her customer.

“They’re already talking, angel,” Gage said sarcastically, like he could actually read my thoughts.

“I know. I was just taken aback by her simple questions. We didn’t discuss what we’d tell people. I should have prepared for this. I’m so sorry,” I rambled.

He laughed at me. “A stranger in these parts is going to cause gossip. Period. There’s no avoiding it. Besides, hasn’t a Pack notice already been given?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t really spoken with Thomas much.”

“Clara, we should be almost a month into the challenge period by now.”

“I know, but when does that start? When we um, you know, or after the announcement?”

He laughed. “When we um, you know.”

I smacked his arm and laughed with him. “Stop. I was being serious.”

We were interrupted when Peyton brought out two big plates of food. My stomach rumbled in anticipation and I gleefully clapped my hands.

“You have no idea how excited I am to have these,” I said.

Gage shook his head. “You’re such a dork.”

Peyton’s face dropped, taken aback by my mate. I just laughed, and she relaxed some.

I shrugged. “Just you wait.”

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