Page 23 of Forbidden Love

“Hunter’s not bossy, he’s just... confident.”

“Oh, honey, you’re deep in love if you’re spinning that man’s alpha tendencies into ‘confidence.’” Deb smirked with a shake of her head. “But hey, if your kid ends up with his loyalty and your common sense? That’s a damn good combo, hopefully, with your looks.”

Emily’s smile trembled with emotion. “You really think I might be…?”

“I don’t know. It’s either that or you have a stomach bug, which I probably will get now, so I hope you do have a little wolf pup or two growing.” Deb said honestly, softer now as they reached the bathroom door.

“Or two?” Emily frowned, and then her eyes popped open. “Oh shit. We do have twins in our family.”

“Yes, we do.” Deb laughed at her horrified expression. “Better you than me. Garrett and Janna also have twins, so the odds are absolutely in your favor of having twins. Now go on and take the damn test already.”

Emily hesitated for just a second before pushing open the door. “Thank you,”

“What are you thanking me for?” Deb asked, confused, waiting for Emily to walk into the bathroom.

“For being here… and being my sister again,” Emily said softly, her voice trembling as she stepped forward and wrapped Deb in a tight hug.

Deb froze for half a heartbeat, caught off guard by the raw honesty in Emily’s words. Then she hugged her back just as tightly, closing her eyes as emotion swelled in her chest.

By the time Emily gently pulled away and slipped into the bathroom, Deb could no longer hold it in.

The tears came fast—quiet, hot, and unstoppable—as she stood there in the dim light of the office, her heart full and aching all at once. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed this—being needed, being trusted… being forgiven.

Wiping at her cheeks with the sleeve of her hoodie, she let out a shaky breath and whispered to the empty room, “I missed you too, Em.”

And for the first time in a long time, Deb didn’t feel like the outsider looking in. She felt like family again.

CHAPTER 11

Deb locked up the Feed Mill, giving the door an extra tug just to be sure. The sun had dipped low, painting the sky in streaks of amber and rose, but for the first time in a long time, she didn’t feel the weight of the day pressing on her shoulders.

She was late for her shift at Roxy’s. Deb had already texted her, and she knew Clair would cover until she arrived. Roxy was still on maternity leave, and Deb had promised to fill in when needed. She actually liked working at Roxy’s little café. It gave her a chance to bake and...well, eat. She smirked at that thought. She was afraid the longer she worked there, sweats were going to be her preferred mode of dress since her jeans were getting a little tight.

She walked toward Roxy’s with a smile so wide it almost hurt her cheeks. The thought of tight jeans brought her thoughts back to her sister. Emily was pregnant. Her little sister was going to be a mom, and she was going to be an aunt. Emily hadn’t been able to look at the test she was so nervous, so Deb had the honor of seeing the pinkpregnantin little letters. They had screamed, hugged, cried, and laughed.

Her heart swelled, so full it felt like it might burst right there in the parking lot. Deb was sworn to secrecy until Emily was able to tell Hunter.

She hurried toward Roxy’s with the world feeling like it shifted, just slightly, but enough to make everything look a little brighter.

Life hadn’t been easy—she’d made her fair share of mistakes and burned bridges she never thought she’d cross again. But today, something had changed in the small confines of a Feed Mill bathroom. A bridge had been rebuilt. A bond had been reforged with her sister, who she cared most about.

She wiped at her eyes, laughing softly at herself. “Get it together, Deb,” she murmured. “You’ve got shit to do.”

Her smile stayed stubborn and sure. Tonight, she wasn’t just heading to another shift. She was heading into a new chapter with her sister, and it felt so damn good.

Deb stepped into Roxy’s, the scent of chocolate and sugar wrapping around her like a hug. God, she loved that smell, which gave her that warm, fuzzy feeling. But the warmth fizzled the second her eyes landed on Linda Cadel and Darla McClain. They sat at their usual table by the window, their heads together, no doubt gossiping about some poor, unsuspecting soul.

Sadness and disgust twisted in Deb’s stomach. Not long ago, she’d sat at that table, doing the same thing. Whispering behind hands, laughing at someone else’s pain, judging the world one narrowed glance at a time. Now, she couldn’t stomach the thought of it.

Deb muttered under her breath, “Shit,” then ducked her head and made a beeline for the kitchen before either of them could open their perfectly glossed mouths.

Pushing through the swinging door, she found Clair bent over the oven, pulling out a tray of brownies that smelled like heaven on a pan.

Clair looked up, startled but smiling. “Hey! Everything okay?”

Deb winced, already reaching for an apron. “Yeah. I’m sorry. I meant to get here earlier.”

Clair waved her off, brushing flour off her cheek. “You’re here now, and that’s what matters. Want to plate these while I finish frosting the other ones?”

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