I do. I like making things grow. I have tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and two types of peas.
Micah grinned. He liked the idea of Jacee digging around in the dirt, babying her little plants. Wow, I can’t even grow a cactus! I’m impressed.
Don’t be too impressed. I killed my row of corn last year. Ha!
Warmth spread through him. He also liked that she could laugh at herself. I thought you lived in town.
I do. It’s just a small garden. I only need enough for me, and the rest I put up in jars and give as gifts.
An uneasy feeling stirred inside him, and he struggled with how to respond. Well, you might not want to give all the rest away now. . . .
True. I may have a hungry wolf at my door very soon. ;)
The uneasy lump dissipated and he grinned to himself. I have a feeling you’re right. He paused. So, are we still on for tonight?
You bet, but why don’t you let me make you dinner instead of going out?
Was there anything not to like about this woman? Next time. I don’t want you working on our first date—let me treat you. Then maybe we’ll go for a run later.
Okay, that sounds great.
Cool, see you soon. Looking forward to it. :)
Me too. :)
“What in the ever-loving hell are you grinning about?” Aric drawled, stopping next to Micah in the hallway close to the recreation room. “Who are you texting?”
“None of your biz, bro-in-law. Take a hike, literally.”
“Is it that Jacee chick? The one you went all Mike Tyson on that asshole for last night?”
“What of it? Buzz off, Aric,” he said, getting annoyed at the derision in the other man’s tone.
“Come on, you hooking up with her now or something? I thought you had better taste than to get involved with that ho.”
Micah’s wolf roared to the surface, straining to be set free. White-hot anger sent the blood to his head, fangs and claws shooting forth. Only Mac’s promise to lock him up if he lost control again kept him from wiping the floor with the redheaded wolf. Yeah, mauling his own brother-in-law would accomplish that, quick.
“Jacee is my mate,” he said in a low, deadly voice. It was quite possible he’d never seen Aric pale that fast or look so sick.
“I— Say what, now? Your mate?” Aric looked around, clearly stunned. “Shit.”
Micah snarled, “Is it so fucking shocking that I could possibly have a Bondmate, especially a woman as gorgeous as her? Say what’s on your mind.”
“No, man.” Aric shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. When he met Micah’s angry gaze again, his words and expression were sincere. “You know me better than that. So what if you have scars? Nobody who matters will care about those.”
“Okay. Does this have to do with whatever Mac knows about Jacee that she won’t tell me?”
The other man held up a hand. “Listen. I do not want to get in the middle of this. I’m sorry for what I said about Jacee, all right? I had no idea she was your mate.”
“That shouldn’t matter. You have no right to talk like that about somebody, especially calling her a ho when you don’t really know her. I thought you were better than that.” Slowly he forced his wolf to recede. It wasn’t easy, his anger was so volcanic.
Aric winced and had the grace to look contrite. “You’re right. Judging people isn’t fair, and I should know better. I just want to point out that you don’t know her either yet.”
“Aric,” he warned.
“That’s all I’m going to say. Except you’re my brother and I care about you.”
The jerk would have to go and say something nice. “Thanks, but I can take care of myself.”