New Alpha – New Rules(39)

“I hope Mathew comes home for lunch.” Cindy whispered. Harper covered her face with her hands. Cindy blew out a breath and shook herself then pulled out of her parking space. “I never knew that someone else getting petted could turn me on so much.”

“Oh stop. It wasn’t that big of a deal.”

“Ha! Could you not scent the pheromones coming off that man? He wanted to eat you up right there in the parking lot girl.”

“He wanted raisins and nuts in his carrot cake.”

“Uh huh.” Cindy grinned at her then pulled through the intersection and headed home. “If you say so.”

Harper looked out the window of the truck and saw a former pack member who didn’t see her thankfully. She would rather they part amicably but if it had to be this way then there wasn’t anything she could do about it. They couldn’t all feel the way that Ellis did. Not everyone worshipped Bronson some of them had to disapprove of his predilections. There were decent wolves in his pack like Max, he was a decent man with values and morals. If he’d been a decent Alpha, Bronson would’ve been disciplined for his deeds.

Harper decided that past was past and to let it go. If they hated her, there was nothing that she could do about it and she had a new pack to concentrate on. If she wanted to be a part of this pack, she must adapt to their ways, she told herself. That meant letting them know where she was, eating her meals even when she wasn’t hungry and getting up before the chickens to cook breakfast. Maybe when she got the hang of things, she could negotiate with Cindy to take lunch and alternating dinners if Cindy would handle breakfast. Harper did not like early, not one little bit.

“You okay?” Cindy asked pulling up to the house. “You’re extra quiet.”

“I’m fine. I saw someone that I used to know and my mind wandered. That’s all. Let’s get cooking, we have a lot to do.”

“Lunch first, we are behind schedule.” Cindy climbed out of the truck and the front door opened. Eric and Evan, the twins came outside to grab bags. Between the two of them, they nearly emptied the back of the truck. Silently, they carried the bags inside then disappeared.

Harper wondered where they’d gone to because the bags crowded the counters and table but she didn’t pass them on the way inside. Cindy must’ve noticed her looking for them. “Back door.” Cindy said and started unloading her items from the bags. “Those two are like ghosts. They only appear once in a while and then they’re gone like that.” She snapped her fingers and smiled. “Grab stuff and put it where you think it should go. This is your kitchen after all as soon as you mate with Ryder but close enough. Besides, we haven’t really organized yet.”

“I can do that for you.” Harper volunteered.

“Like I said it’s your kitchen. You’re part of this now, do what you like. You don’t have to ask permission.” Harper considered that for a moment then nodded. She started opening cabinets and looking at what was in them then adding items they’d bought. “I think sandwiches again. Harper found the onions they bought, tomatoes, and lettuce. “Cheese too.” Cindy said and Harper got it from the place in the fridge where she’d stowed it.

“Do you have sandwiches every day?” Harper asked slicing an onion. Cindy put the last of the groceries away.

“No, but we have since we got here. We used to slow cook beans or make soup but I haven’t settled in yet. I’m still unpacking and they’re busy fixing. We’ll get there.” Harper nodded.

“Extra onion on mine.” Ryder wrapped his arms around her then, startling her. “Easy.” He soothed then kissed her neck. Harper leaned into him. Would she ever get used to this man being this close? Would she ever stop being so jumpy? She loved his hugs and kisses but she wasn’t used to it. It wasn’t something Bronson would ever do. She scolded herself, stop thinking about him, Ryder isn’t Bronson, he’s gone, get him out of your head. The truth was though that she’d spent the last ten years with him and there was no switch to turn it off or to shut him out. She needed a mental file drawer to lock him up in. “Got the freezer on the way Cindy, we need to clean out the laundry room and move it all to the basement. I’ll get the electrical installed after lunch. No washing today, okay?” Cindy gave him a whoop and Harper laughed.

“I think she’s disappointed.” Harper grinned and they both laughed.

“I’m going to open up that dumbwaiter we found and get it working for you too.”

“Don’t worry about that being a priority, they can walk down and get the clothes. You need to get the attic finished.” She gave him a knowing look. He nodded. “Twenty till lunch, tell the boys.” She said to his retreating back. Harper missed his heat that had wrapped around her a moment ago but spread out the bread slices on paper plates trying to ignore the bereft feeling. “We’ll get you mated in no time.” Cindy said brightly.