Page 50 of A Nest of Maple & Mist

I pushed a forkful of eggs into my mouth. When Mia returned from work two nights ago, she went straight to her room. She hadn’t come out since. Ty checked on her. Without opening the door, she said she’d taken a couple of personal days and wanted to rest.

We figured there was more to it but respected her space.

Shane sighed, leaning his elbows on the stone countertop.

“I took her out to lunch. I told her why I broke up with her like that.”

I froze, a piece of bacon dangling from my fingers. “And?”

“And she said she needed time. So, I’m giving it to her.”

“Giving Mia space doesn’t mean you have to leave the house. We took today off, where are you going?”

“Not far. I’m going to work on my courting gift. Whether she’ll have me or not, I will do this for her. With my own hands.”

Whatever the gift was, Shane had been working on it for a few weeks. I had an idea, but didn’t question him on it. I walked over and clasped his shoulder, squeezing hard.

“Do you need help?”

Shane gave me a small, appreciative nod, but then shook his head. “Not yet. But at some point I will.”

“All you have to do is ask, Shane. We’re here for you.”

“Thank you.” Shane grabbed another piece of toast on his way out. “And thank you for this too. I’ll need the fuel.”

As the door clicked behind Shane, I fixed a plate for Mia, leaving it outside her bedroom door.

The next few hours passed in a blur. I scrubbed the counters, organized the mudroom, and washed the walls—anything to keep my hands busy. I never sat still well.

Ty eventually surfaced, looking adorably sleep-muddled.

“Where are you going?” I asked, dragging him in for a drugging kiss.

“Groceries. Unless you keep kissing me like that.”

I groaned against his lips. “I do suppose we need food.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be back before you can miss me, Daddy.”

“Doubt that.”

Ty waggled his brows, winking at me as he plucked his keys from the bowl on the entry table.

The microfiber cloth caught on my hand. I finished dusting all the bookshelves in the living room when I heard a knock at the front door. I opened it, expecting a delivery driver or a lost tourist.

Instead, an unfamiliar man stood on our porch. Dark hair hung over his even darker eyes. He held a large basket filled with brownies, pastries, and cookies.

“Is Mia here? I have something for her.”

His voice pitched slightly too high as he lifted the basket to accentuate his point.

The blood in my veins transformed from a low simmer to a boil in seconds. My grip on the doorframe tightened until the wood cracked.

An alpha.

At our door.

Asking for our omega with a courting gift.