Page 19 of Country and Clove
A smile ghosted over her lips. “You might be right.”
“Just think about it.” Waylin tossed her a harness and smiled. “Come on, let’s ride.”
* * *
It took less than twenty-four hours for Clove to make her decision. She’d laid in bed that first night unable to sleep as a giddiness she hadn’t felt in months swirled within her. This was the right thing to do. She knew it. Earl had taken the news of her quitting the restaurant to join the recruit program surprisingly well. He was sad to lose her, but he supported her no matter what. Earl was the best and he’d always worked hard to understand his girls and help them along their paths in any way he could.
Clove would never understand why a car crash deprived the world of someone as beautiful and kind as her mother. It had been beyond difficult to lose her, especially as a teenager, when so much was changing. But Clove was certain the universe knew what they were doing when they chose Earl as her and Gigi’s father. He was more than a parent. He’d become everything they needed after Annie died. Even with one parent, the girls felt more love and support than most people with a full family. She should have known he’d be nothing but supportive of this newest venture.
Two days later, Waylin had come banging on the farmhouse door bright and early, hootin’ and hollerin’ about it being training day. He managed to get her out of bed, dressed and out the door in under thirty minutes. The boyish blond was practically bursting at the seams. His energy was infectious and the two of them joked and laughed all the way into town.
Waylin suggested getting breakfast at The Coop on their way to the complex. He claimed it was because it was “the best food in town.” But Clove figured it had more to do with the fact that Earl always comped their meals when the two of them came together.
Rylie greeted her with a frown. “I can’t believe you’re leaving. The new girl they hired is too nice. I have no one to talk shit with.” Rylie pouted, crossing her arms and sticking out her bottom lip in a way that was far too childish for someone so beautiful.
Clove pulled her in for a hug. “It’s not like I’m moving away. I’ll still come here to eat and I’m sure Dad will talk me into picking up shifts here and there.”
“That’s absolutely true.” Rylie giggled. “Oh, actually one of your friends is already here.”
“Really? Who?” Clove looked around.
“I think it’s the Alpha’s sister and her mate.” Rylie lowered her voice. “The one with the white hair and eyes that change colors.”
“Aria and Lark,” Clove confirmed. “Don’t be intimidated, Ry. Lark’s a nice guy.”
“Whatever you say,” Rylie said skeptically as she walked them to their table. Their asses hadn’t even hit their seats before Aria was waving them over. She and Lark were sitting side by side with an absolute mountain of food in front of them.
“Wow, Aria. I see you’ve taken it upon yourself to ensure Earl can pay all his bills this month.” Clove nodded to various plates.
Aria grinned. “You know me, I’m as charitable as they come.” She popped another bite of pancake in her mouth and Lark shook his head.
“The worst part is she’ll actually eat all of this. I have to fight for my bites.”
Aria elbowed him in the ribs. “I’m eating for two,” she protested.
“True.” Lark beamed down at her, his hand falling to her stomach.
“Ugh, can y’all not?” Clove shielded herself with a menu. “If I wanted to be smothered in ooey gooey mate perfection this morning I would have just gone to Ginger’s.” She laughed but the sound was hollow. A deep ache formed in Clove’s chest. Her wolf howled mournfully. It hadn’t even gotten to meet Aaron’s wolf. The animal was feeling the loss just as deeply as Clove was. Visions of Aaron with his hand on her belly and a smile on his face flooded her thoughts
Too bad I’ll never have a love like that.
Lark’s eyes snapped toward hers. His irises were mid-shift, transitioning from light blue and gold to a deep green and silver. Clove’s stomach tightened as she tried to guard her thoughts. Aaron said Aria and Lark already knew about their rejected bond, but it didn’t mean she wanted him to watch her while she wallowed internally. She just needed to eat as fast as she could and get to recruit training. Surely there wouldn’t be any fated mates in the group.
Lark’s eyes lit up. “Aria”—he nodded to his mate—“why don’t you ask Clove where she’s headed today?”
“Yeah, what are the two of you doing in town so early?” Aria asked around a mouthful of cinnamon roll.
Waylin, who had spent the duration of the conversation silently stealing pieces of bacon from Aria’s smorgasbord, answered before Clove could. “We’re hoping to land a spot with the new group of recruits. The tryouts and training start today.” Waylin’s smile grew as he spoke. Aria’s mouth dropped open, revealing her partially eaten food.
“Ew, swallow, you heathen,” Clove teased.
“Sorry.” Aria quickly swallowed. “Y’all are joining the new trainees?”
“Yeah,” Clove confirmed. Why was Aria staring at her like she’d shifted into her wolf in the middle of breakfast? Aria looked to Lark who was housing a less-than-subtle smirk on his handsome face.
“You’re going to train with—”
Lark cleared his throat and nudged Aria with his shoulder, stopping her mid-sentence. Aria peered up at him, her eyes sparkling. She jumped up from her seat, slamming her hands on the table and leaning halfway across.
