Page 82 of Healer’s Betrayal

She smiles. “Yep.”

“They are so adorable. Thanks for letting us pet and feed them.”

“Sure. It brings me pleasure to see other people enjoying them.” She walks over to the gate. “Want to come inside and sit with them?”

“Really?”

She laughs and waves me over. I follow her inside the gate, closing it quickly behind me so none of the goats escape. “I’m going to work in that barn over there for a few minutes. Feel free to sit with them. They'll crawl all over you. If they become too much, just push them away.”

The goats have already started circling me, so I don’t make it very far before I decide to just sit. The white one climbs right into my lap. “Hi, Sweet One.” I stroke his or maybe her fur; I really have no idea which ones are males. Another one pushes under my arm and another jumps over my lap. I laugh and look up at Jackson. “Can you take a picture for Noah?” He pulls his phone out, and I hold the white one up for a picture. Something tugs on the back of my head, and I shriek. “You can not eat my hair.” There’s another yank. “Bad goat.” But my words hold no heat. Honestly, I can’t stop laughing. One of them jumps against my back and nearly knocks me over. I look up to see Jackson still taking pictures. “Okay, your turn.”

He lowers his phone. “I’m good.”

“Jackson.” He lifts an eyebrow at me, and I give him my sternest look. “Come on. They’re so fun.” I lift up a small brown one and hold him up to my face. “See? Isn’t he the cutest thing ever? Come on. You have to hold at least one, and then I’ll let you be.” He pockets his phone, and I think that’s going to be the end of it. But he shocks me by walking over to the gate and stepping inside. I pat the ground next to me. “Look, this guy’s all ready for you.” I hold the brown one up as he walks over and sits on the ground next to me.

He surprises me again by picking up a black one, the one that I’m pretty sure was trying to take a chunk of hair out of my head. “I like the feisty ones,” he says, glancing over at me. I don’t exactly know how to take his words. Thankfully, the goat takes matters into his own hands and head buts Jackson in the leg. “Hey,” he says, picking up the goat. “None of that now.” The goat bleats at him, and I burst out laughing.

“I wish I had a video of that,” I say, wiping my eyes. While he’s busy with the goat, I manage to pull my phone out and snap a pic.

“Aren’t you guys the cutest couple ever,” the owner says, stepping out of the barn.

“Oh, we’re not a couple,” I tell her with a smile. “This was amazing; thank you so much.” I set the white goat down and start to stand. Jackson puts a hand out and easily pulls me to my feet.

“I’m Alice,” the woman says, putting her hand out.

I shake her hand. “Kayla, and this is Jackson.”

“Well, Kayla and Jackson, it’s so nice to meet you. And you are welcome to stop by anytime. You can see how wary of strangers they are.”

I laugh at her words and the obvious sarcasm. “That would be wonderful; we will definitely take you up on your offer. Thank you.”

I reluctantly follow her to the gate, and Alice opens it for me. When I step past her, she puts a hand on my arm. “Honey, you may not realize it yet; but you are definitely a couple. With the way he looks at you?” She shakes her head and gives a low whistle and then smiles and pats my hand again. “Enjoy it.”

I manage to smile and thank her; I think. I don’t face Jackson. I know for a fact he heard every word of that conversation, and I really don’t want to face him until my face is a little less red. He opens my door for me, and I climb inside. I wave a hand at my cheeks when he walks around to the other side of the truck. He climbs in and starts the car and then backs out. Relief fills me that he’s not going to bring it up. He prepares to turn onto the main road. Before he does, he looks over at me, those gorgeous eyes pinning me in place. “I was ready to be a couple with you the moment I met you; I’m just waiting on you now.”

I blink and then turn and stare out the front window. Thankfully, he doesn’t push for a response. It’s quiet in the truck, and I look out the window. I sip on my iced coffee again. The scenery is just as beautiful, and it’s a good distraction for my overactive mind. “Do you mind checking in with Ransom to make sure Noah doesn’t need anything?”

He nods and doesn’t call me out on the fact that I’m avoiding the conversation. “Ransom said he’s good.” He’s quiet a moment. “Are you okay to keep going, or do you want me to take you back?”

I think about his words and think about what he’s offering. I know I have a decision to make. Actually, I have lots of decisions to make in the next few days. One of them is about this man sitting next to me. He’s explained that I’m his mate, and he’s already told me he’s ready to become a couple. I need to ask him about his pack, about where he lives, about the future...“Do I get a say in any of this?” Okay then. That wasn’t the question I was going to ask; it just sort of popped out. But now, I really want to hear his answer. Except he doesn’t answer; he just keeps driving. “Did you hear me?” I ask after a few more minutes of silence.

“I did.”

And we keep driving. All my questions from before circle in my mind. Are we like some variation of married now? Will Noah and I have to live with him? Will we have to leave this place? My stomach rolls a little, and I wonder if I’m going to be sick. After a few more minutes, Jackson turns off onto a road. The road winds for a little bit and then eventually turns into a gravel road. I look over at him, but he doesn’t seem lost or anything. We drive for a while longer, and I take in the fields of bluestem grass and the wildflowers. Finally, he pulls off and parks. I look around. “Where are we? Can we even be here?”

“I know the guy who owns the field; we’re good.”

I level a look at him. “You just happen to know the guy who owns this field?”

“I’ve done business with him before.”

“Your building company?” I ask.

He nods and then opens his door and climbs out. After a moment of indecision, I climb out as well. I walk to the back of the truck to where he’s waiting. He puts out a hand. “Ready?”

I eye his hand. “For what?”

He points his chin towards the back of the truck. “I figure we can sit in here since there’s nowhere else to sit.”