“Nicole.” Ryder said sharply. “You may be excused from lunch. Anyone else that has an unkind word for my mate may be excused as well.” The wolves that were in the attic were filing in now and filling seats around the table. Two more wolves came in the back door from the yard but Harper didn’t know them. “Will, take you mate to your room.” The Alpha commanded. “Take lunch with you, you’ve worked hard this morning. She’s not welcome at this meal.” Ryder said more to Nicole than to Will. Cindy brought a plate with two sandwiches and some chips to him from her place behind the counter. Harper watched Nicole flip her hair over her shoulder and turn on one heel to leave.
“Mark my words. She won’t be here long.” Ryder inhaled sharply. “Children, come.” She commanded.
“Mathew, this is Harper. She is going to help you plan the garden, she grew up on a farm, and she knows how to run the equipment.” Mathew came over and hugged her quickly.
“Welcome.” His eyes twinkled much like his mate’s. “I’ll take all the help we can get. It’s harder than it looks on television.”
“Not really.” Harper said quietly looking up at Ryder who was studying them. He didn’t like that Mathew hugged her. That was clear. Harper grabbed a plate and filled it with two sandwiches and some chips then brought it to Ryder. He smiled softly at her and took it.
“Get yourself a plate and join me.” Harper hurried back to the counter and took a sandwich with a few chips. She didn’t want to eat more than was appropriate and she wasn’t sure what a she-wolf sized portion was. Cindy slid past her and took the plate from her hands.
“That’s Lucy’s little sandwich, get another one honey.” Cindy said putting the plate in front of her daughter. Cindy hurried back to the counter passing Harper again who had not moved to where the meal was laid out and grabbed two more plates. She handed one to Harper and kept the other. “Dig in boys.” Cindy called over her shoulder getting out of the way. “Watch this.” Harper edged around to the backside of the table and settled beside Ryder. The pack cleaned the counter of all food. Cindy grinned and bit into her lunch. “See, get yours and get out of the way or starve and get trampled all in one afternoon. Ryder chuckled biting into his lunch.
“We aren’t that bad.” Cindy harrumphed. Harper glanced up at him. “Eat sweet pea.” Mathew settled beside his mate and leaned over to kiss her. She whispered something against his ear and he drew back to look at her grinning.
“Hey Lee, want to take Lucy for a tractor ride after lunch?” Lee grinned around his sandwich and nodded, his green eyes twinkled. Harper watched. This pack was more giving than Bronson’s pack. They seemed to be more understanding. She was not regretting her decision so far. She hoped they would accept her. Ryder’s hand was at the small of her back now.
“Eat.” He whispered against her ear. She looked down at her untouched sandwich and lifted it to her mouth. Taking too much would be less of an offense than not touching the food that you took. Harper ate while absorbing the chatter around her. Lucy took her plate to the trash then disappeared into the living room. Harper heard cartoons from the TV a few seconds later.
Most of them were working on Ryder’s space as they called it. They wanted to please him. That was evident. Curtis had the most pleasing news at least it seemed that way.
“I think I have the bathroom worked out for your attic Ry. Give me a couple of days and you won’t have to share with the rest of us peasants.” Alan grabbed the chip bag.
“Problem though.” Ryder raised an eyebrow and looked at him. It needs to go in her new bedroom.”
Curtis grimaced. “She doesn’t need it though, you’re mating right?” Harper’s cheeks burned. Everyone knew everyone else’s business in this pack and she wasn’t sure if she was comfortable with that.
“I’m wiring, almost done.” Alan said then stuffed his mouth full of chips. He sat back and chewed then swallowed. “I’m putting in a bunch of outlets at the other end from where your bed is set up too. I figure that’s where your office will go. Do you want overhead lighting? Or something more…uh…romantic?” He glanced at Harper who blushed more. She was waiting for spontaneous combustion.
“Overhead is fine Alan, give me plenty of light because that side of the house is darker, no sunshine. Who has worked out my porch?”
“Me!” Jack said excitedly.
“Yeah, the kid did, but you’re going to lose some closet space.” Lee told him. “You said that you wanted it to face dawn, east.” Ryder nodded. “Well that puts us in your closet, like six feet for a doorway but you’ll still have plenty for both of you. Me and Jack can create an organizer and double the space you have by using multiple rods and shelves.” Ryder sat back and thought about it while Harper finished her sandwich.