Page 30 of Stolen Mate

Derek shook his head. “I don’t think so. I don’t think Colby is exactly what other people think he is. For one thing, whenever the chips are down or the odds are stacked against us, Colby steps up to lend a hand. Don’t get me wrong; I think the man has a shady side, I just don’t think he’s the bad guy he wants people to think he is.”

“It doesn’t really matter. Zak said Henry is frothing at the mouth.”

“Henry is always frothing at the mouth. I thought I’d run Tess out to Trudy’s to pick up the rest of her things, but she thought we should feed you lot.”

“Can she cook?” asked one of the other guards as he joined them.

Derek nodded. “Surprisingly well. Come on up to the cabin.”

The other two men went ahead of them, but Wyatt held him back. “Why don’t you let me send the boys to Trudy’s to pick up her things? I think your mate is safer back at the lighthouse.”

“Zak is that concerned?”

“He is. Don’t get me wrong, I’d put the four of us up against three or four times that many of Henry’s people, but if we can avoid violence, that would be preferable. How much does she know?”

Derek was getting antsy. The other men were headed into his cabin with his unclaimed mate. He didn’t like it.

Wyatt laid his hand on Derek’s shoulder. “They know she is your fated mate, as do all the other unattached males in our clan. No one will lay a hand on her.”

“She knows the bare bones. She doesn’t know about fated mates or that I’m hers. But she does know what she is, and she knows the little we know about her mother. I told her Doc and Colby might know more.”

“Colby? Colby would have been a child.”

Derek laughed. “I’m convinced that Colby was never a child. He came out of the womb knowing everything and unraveling his Machiavellian schemes.”

“I don’t get it. You’re the deputy sheriff around here, and you like him.”

“I do. He does a whole lot more good than harm. I often wonder if anyone knows him at all. I think he was an enigma even to his sister and Winter.”

“I hope you’re right. I know a lot of people are depending on him if and when the fight comes.”

“I have no doubt he’ll be there. In fact, my guess is he’ll be the one that lets us know they’re coming.”

They headed up to the cabin. Derek bristled as they opened the door, and he could hear Tess laughing with the men. Then his nostrils picked up the aromas coming from the kitchen—berries, bacon, and butter. Despite Wyatt’s assurances, Derek joined Tess in the kitchen, wrapping his arms around her from the back and brushing the side of her cheek with his lips. She leaned into him and brought her hand up to his opposite cheek in an intimate gesture.

“Tess is making some kind of hash with two kinds of potatoes, trout, onions and bell peppers.”

“That’s not what I smell,” said Wyatt, joining the other men at the island’s countertop. “I smell cream, vanilla, cinnamon, and maple.”

“So, the hash I get,” said Derek. “What’s the cream, spices, and maple for?”

“Tres Leches French Toast.”

“What can I do to help?” asked Derek.

“Think you can handle cooking the hash? Everything is cut up and the onions and potatoes are ready so just add the rest.”

“Got it.”

Once again they cooked companionably in the kitchen as they fed Wyatt and the two other men who had stood guard over them.

“Wyatt suggested we send the boys to fetch your things at Trudy’s,” said Derek as they were all eating. Derek had insisted she take the last countertop stool, and he stood eating his breakfast next to hers.

“Your brother is that worried?” she asked.

“Not worried, just cautious.”

“As I told Derek this morning,” drawled Wyatt, “I have no doubt we can and will kick their ass if they try something. It’s just better if we can avoid a fight, but make no mistake, the clan will fight for you.”

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