Page 56 of Pumpkin Patch Pack
The threat hangs in the air as she turns and walks away, her designer boots impractical on the gravel path. I watch until she reaches a sleek silver car parked near the entrance.
Needs a new car, my ass!
My heart is pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat.
“An old friend?” Rowan asks quietly when she’s out of earshot.
“The opposite.” My voice sounds distant to my own ears. She works with Marcus, my ex.”
Rowan’s hand at my back tightens slightly, drawing me closer to his side. “The one you’re running from.”
I nod. “She’ll tell him where I am. He’ll come. He thinks he owns me.”
“Let him.” His statement carries such quiet certainty that I look up at Rowan in surprise. His expression is calm but resolute. “This is our territory, our home. He has no power here.”
I want to believe him and trust in the safety he’s offering, but fear has been my companion for too long to be easily dismissed.
“You don’t know him,” I say. “What he’s capable of.”
“And he doesn’t know us,” Rowan counters, turning to face me fully. His hands come to rest on my shoulders, warm and steady. “Emma, listen to me. You are not alone anymore. You have a pack now. We protect our own.”
My eyes burn with unexpected tears. “I can’t put you all in danger.”
“You’re not. You are ours, and this is your home now. Nothing will happen to you.”
25
Theo
Ispot Emma standing near the hay slide, watching children zoom down with looks of pure joy on their faces.
She’s been quieter since Jessica’s visit, and I’ve been trying to find ways to bring back her smile.
She has that look on her face—a mixture of longing and hesitation that I’ve come to recognize over these past few weeks, as an expression of when she wants to join in but isn’t sure if she’s allowed to have fun.
“Wanna give it a try?” I ask, bumping her shoulder playfully with mine.
Emma startles slightly, then laughs. “It does look fun,” she admits, her eyes following a little girl who slides down with her arms raised victoriously. “I’ve been watching the kids all afternoon. They’re having the time of their lives.”
“You know, this slide isn’t just for children,” I tell her with mock seriousness. “Some of us sophisticated adults enjoy a good hay slide too.”
“Aren’t we a little too old?”
“Too old for fun? Never!” I gasp in mock horror. “Come on, live a little. When was the last time you went down a slide?”
She bites her lip, considering. “I haven’t done anything like this since I was a kid.”
“Then you’re overdue,” I say, holding my hand out for her. “What do you say? Live dangerously with me?”
Her smile widens, and she slips her hand into mine. The simple touch sends warmth spreading up my arm.
“Lead the way, farm boy.”
I laugh, leading her.
“It’s higher than it looks from the ground,” Emma remarks as we climb the wooden steps to the top of the slide.
“Having second thoughts?” I tease, though I give her hand a reassuring squeeze.
