Page 21 of Sweeter Than Honey
“It is. By tomorrow, every shifter in my pack will be aware of what’s going on. You’ll have hundreds of eyes looking out for anyone who shouldn’t be in on our land. My scent surrounds the property, along with those of my family. It should be enough to slow intruders down.”
“But not stop them.”
Jett gave her what he hoped was a reassuring look before he parked in front of the house. “Iwill stop them.”
He jumped out and came around to open the door for her. He heaved a breath as he glanced at the house, then at Cara. She’d be the first non-family female to cross over the threshold since his wife and daughter died. Guess he’d find out soon enough how well he’ll handle that.
He helped her down, and she took in the two-story, white farmhouse and glanced around at the grounds. The yard was surrounded by thick trees with the backdrop of the mountain peaks behind them. The awe on her face was beautiful. She made him feel the same way Frannie had, in every way, and he didn't know what to do about that.
Time to get busy.
Work always cleared his mind, and hell if he didn’t have enough of it to do. Grabbing her things from the back of his truck, he motioned for her to follow him. He caught a glance at the gashes in her car and the creeping heated anger flared to life. A mental image of ripping her attackers limb by limb played in his head.
He had to calm down. The last thing she needed was to see him glaring. She was already wary of him, and he didn’t want to make it worse.
“Beautiful flowers,” she said, sweeping a finger in the direction of the gardens along the porch. "Your place is nice. Looks like something from a fancy magazine. Didn’t picture you as a fancy magazine guy."
“My late wife was the fancy magazine type.”
Cara bobbled a bit. Shit, he hadn’t meant to say that. Too late.
“Come on, let’s get you inside.”
He walked to the porch, aware of the paltry weight of the sum of her things. She’d left her entire life behind, and here he was getting salty because she’d complimented Frannie’s flowers.
Blinking the angst away, he hurried up the wraparound porch to the front door. He never locked his house, but with her here, that would have to change.
He let her go ahead of him as they entered and closed and locked the door behind them. He didn’t give her much of a chance to look around as he went ahead to the open staircase.
“This way.”
Her feet shuffled behind him. "Wow, this is really nice. Can I— never mind.”
Her words trailed off as he went upstairs, and she hurried to follow. He didn't spend much time in the house, and it had been a long time since he’d appreciated any of it. Things inside were mostly the same as they’d always been. He hadn’t changed much since—
Once on the landing, he led her in the opposite direction of his daughter's room, the only closed door in the house, and past his bedroom, to a small room with a guest bed, a connected bathroom, and a small adjoining sitting room. The walls were a pastel yellow with purple-flowered curtains and dainty floral wallpaper. His gaze went to the adjoining room as he set her suitcase down at the foot of the queen-sized bed. That small room would make a good nursery if she stayed after the baby was born.
"There's bed sheets and blankets in the closet, and there should be some pillows still in the plastic.”
Her hands were crossed shyly in front of her. This was awkward for him. He imagined it was double that for her.
“Thanks, Jett. I… almost feel safe here.” She took a step toward him.
He took a step back. "I have to look after the bees and get stuff done. Look around if you want. I can’t say what’s in the kitchen.”
“Do you want me to make something for lunch?”
“I don’t feel like dying today.”
He paused to see if she’d smile. She did and it made his insides flip.
“Just, ah, make yourself at home." The words were hard for him to say. This place hadn't felt like home in so long.
She cocked her head. "Bees?"
He ran a hand through his hair. "I have several bee colonies. I sell the honey to Allie's bakery, the farmer's market when it's around, and the local groceries also get a shipment of it every month.”
She made an impressed face. “So, it’s just you and a bunch of bees up here on this mountain?”
