Page 108 of Altius
“Never said he was annoying,” Wyatt grumbled, pulling his seatbelt away from his neck. “A bit of an overprotective ass, maybe. But not annoying.”
Owen nodded in agreement. “Except his scent is too sweet.”
Joaquin laughed, weaving our fingers together, then bent our conjoined wrists at an extreme angle. “See? Annoying.”
When the light changed, Owen turned, taking us past municipal buildings and a city park with an outdoor ice rink.
It was picturesque to the extreme, filling me with envy—until we drove past the Maple Falls Rehabilitation Center. The sprawling medical complex was far less charming than its name suggested.
“That’s where she was,” Wyatt said in a low voice, breath fogging the glass. “After her accident.”
Where things went sour between them.
Cal caught up as we left downtown behind. He trailed us past shopping centers and newer subdivisions until we reached an area with older houses on larger lots. The GPS took us on a winding, scenic route across an old stone bridge and through a snowy ravine before finally arriving at a spacious cul-de-sac framed by historic houses.
We parked outside a stately colonial farmhouse clad in white shingles, with black shutters and a wrap-around porch decorated with pine garlands.
I didn’t know where to look—the wreaths with red baubles and giant bows or the life-size nutcrackers flanking the front door. A Christmas tree gleamed in a bay window. Even the attached garage out back, which looked like a carriage house, had candles flickering in the dormers on the second floor.
“What’s the verdict, babe?” Joaquin asked, rubbing my mating bite through my coat. “It’s a ‘holy shit, that’s stunning’ from me, but I could also see a simple ‘wow’ sufficing.”
“All of the above,” I replied, reaching for the door handle.
It was gorgeous. Beyond gorgeous, like a Christmas card come to life.
I was so captivated by the house that it left me breathless. And more than a little nauseated.
As we started up the driveway, Morgan came out of the side door, wearing her black anorak coat. She looked pleased to see us, in that muted way of hers, where only the corners of her lips curled up, and her eyes seemed more focused than usual.
At the very least, we were welcome.
“Any trouble finding the place?” she asked, mainly directing the question to Owen.
“Nah, your directions were crystal clear,” Wyatt replied instead, swooping in for a hug and kissing her cheek.
Morgan didn’t protest, but she also didn’t respond.
Nothing that would stop my mate from repeating the action. Joaquin snuck a kiss on her temple. “This place is incredible.”
She gave him a half-hearted shove. “Dad would love to hear that—and to regale you with thirty years of renovation stories.”
“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” Joaquin said, reaching over to pinch my ass. “Right, babe?”
“Manners,” Owen said dryly.
Joaquin snorted and followed Wyatt to check out the pair of tiny snowmen by the lamppost, clearly made by her nieces.Despite their rough construction, they were decked out to the max, with scarves, stick arms, carrot noses, and charcoal eyes.
Morgan stepped closer, her fingertips resting against the center of my sternum. “You all right?”
“Me?” I asked with a start.
“Yeah, you look…” After mulling over her word choice, she said gently, “A bit dazed.”
“Just a little real estate envy. It’ll pass in a minute.” I brushed snow out of her hair and leaned down. “Thanks for having us, even if it’s against your will.”
Not wanting to be left out, I quickly kissed her cheek, the movement almost frantic.
“Hi yourself,” she said, half of a smile breaking through as she poked my chest and stepped back. “Hope you’re hungry. Papa and Kelsey started prepping last night.”
