“You okay?” He looked concerned.
“Nothing more than my pride hurt.” She muttered. He looked at the ground, squatting beside what she’d tripped over once he made sure that she was steady. He grunted then grinned. “What?”
“Moles.”
“Eww.” Harper cringed. He smirked up at her. “They’re so ugly. Have you ever seen one? They don’t have eyes and they’re weird.” He smirked again.
“They’re fun though.” Her brows climbed. “The boys love a good scavenger hunt and it gives me an idea. Come on.” He took her hand again and tugged her along faster than they’d been walking but she didn’t mind. If there were moles out here, eww, she thought again, then she didn’t want to be out here. He went straight up the stairs and she headed for the kitchen. She needed to get busy on that turkey.
“You’re back.” Cindy said looking up from the mixing bowl. “Good. The turkey is waiting for you.” She poured the cake batter into the pan and smoothed it out then popped it in the oven. “We’ll get this baked first so it can cool while the turkey bakes.” She smiled then picked up the bowl and mixing beaters and put them in the sink. “How was your walk?” Harper flushed and looked away. “That good huh? Wait until you’re mated.” She waggled her eyebrows. “I think Ryder will be…interesting.”
“How will Ryder be interesting?” Ryder asked, coming into the kitchen. Harper hid her face in her hands.
“In the bedroom.” Cindy said matter of fact. “I was telling Harper that when you’re mated you will be interesting in the bedroom.” Ryder pulled Harper into his arms and gently pulled her hands from her face.
“I will be interesting, she’s right.” He winked at her. “In fact, good news. The bedroom is nearly finished. The boys are heading into town to get a tub, sink, and toilet. Is white okay?” She nodded. “I don’t know if they will finish the bathroom today, it’s possible but the floor is in, the drywall finished throughout and the sanding is done. I’m having them wait until tomorrow to paint though. I don’t to smell that all night. They’ve worked hard and I’m proud of them. I have some things in the barn to see to, I’ll see you at dinner.” Ryder pulled her closer and kissed her again. It wasn’t as romantic or as long as the kiss by the pond but it still melted her. “Soon.” He whispered for only her to hear and she felt her face go puce. She was behaving like a virgin. She scolded herself. When she looked up Cindy was fanning herself.
“Mathew needs to find a job closer to home.” Harper laughed. “A week ago, I was running him out of my kitchen and today…” She sighed. “Interesting.”
“I never felt this way before.” Harper admitted. “These feelings are all so new.”
“You were mated before.” Cindy scoffed.
“But it wasn’t like this. He wasn’t like him. He was cruel and I was only his possession to abuse.” Cindy gave her a pitying look. “Don’t.” She said. “It’s why I blush like a girl and why I’m so skittish. I want to please him.”
“Oh, I’d say you have that down. I’ve never seen him more pleased.” Cindy laughed. “Seriously though Harper, you are going to have a blessed life if you mate him. I mean it. Ryder is the best. He is the best Alpha that I’ve ever met.” Harper smiled.
“I know.” Harper went to get a large pan and some foil from the cabinet. She loaded the bird into the pan then mixed herbs and butter that she stuffed under the skin. It was something her mother did. This bird didn’t come with a pop up timer button in his thigh so she pushed the thermometer that she’d bought at the grocer into his flesh. Once she’d trussed him with butcher’s string, she turned the bird breast down in the pan. She turned to find Cindy staring at her with one eyebrow raised. “What?”
“He’s upside down hun.” Harper laughed.
“I know. Half way through I will turn him over but this way the breast won’t dry out.” Cindy shook her head. “Really, it’s how my mother did it. You’ll see. It’s awesome, I promise.”
“I hope you’re right because Ryder is a turkey fanatic.” Harper smiled brightly knowing they were meant to be if that was true because it was her favorite too.
“Earlier we saw evidence of moles out in the field and he got excited, what was that about?”
“Crap.” Cindy said. “I hate doing that.”
“What?” Harper asked.