“What’s up?” Harper murmured in her ear.
“Alpha female eats first.” Cindy giggled. Harper rolled her eyes and grabbed two plates. She put one down on the table in front of Ryder and the other in her place. When she sat down, she saw everyone else grabbing sandwiches.
“How would you feel about something other than a sandwich?” Ryder said around a bite.
“I think slow cooked beans tomorrow, with cornbread? What do you think?” Harper asked after swallowing. Ryder nodded. She patted his thigh under the table and he growled softly at her. His eyes were dark amber. She knew that color. It was the color that they turned just before he entered her. “Not at the table.” She whispered and he grinned. The rest of the pack was silent. They were watching when she turned back to them. Everyone was staring except Cindy who was grinning down into her plate. Nicole looked furious. What was up with that? Harper ignored her and stuck a chip in her mouth then turned to Curtis. He was sitting next to her today instead of Lucy who was on Ryder’s other side.
“Curtis, do you remember my friend Sidney?” His brows lifted and he gave a little growl before answering.
“Sure do. Fine looking wolf.” He grinned. Jack laughed.
“What is it Jack?” Harper asked.
“He remembers her. He can’t shut up about her.” Curtis snarled at him then and Jack ducked his head. “You can’t.” Jack said quietly and went back to start eating his second sandwich. Harper grinned when he glanced up and Jack gave her a cocky smile. She knew then that Jack was going to be fine. He didn’t need anyone to help him fit in. He was treating them like brothers and they were doing the same for him. He was pack, in and accepted. Good. Jack seemed like a good kid.
“So what did you think of her?” Harper asked. “Did you like her?” She continued when he looked at her curiously. “Sorry. I’m probably being nosy. It’s just that she liked you and she asked me to get the details. That’s girl code for find out if he likes me too.”
“So childish.” Nicole said from her place at the bar. Harper couldn’t contain the growl that rumbled up her throat. It came straight from her still angry wolf. “What I mean is,” Nicole turned around, “you shouldn’t sit by wondering if she likes you and if you like her. You should call her, meet up, introduce your wolves, and get on with it.” Nicole spun back around.
“Good plan. Get on that Curtis.” Ryder said getting up to put his plate in the trash. “A mated pack is a stronger pack.”
“Would she want to do that?” Curtis said so only Harper could hear. She nodded grinning. “Call her and ask her to stop by.” Harper winked and pulled out her cell phone.
“On it.” Harper threw her trash away and thumbed through her recent calls.
“Everyone, Nicole and Kelly are making dinner. Six o’clock, okay?” Ryder announced. “How are our projects coming?”
“Still putting the freezer together,” Lee said. “We finally got the floor braced enough. We had to build several columns to support it so you lost some room in the basement.” Ryder shrugged. “We’re working on the electrical now. We think that all new wiring would be a good idea especially if you want to bring the kitchen into this century. It’s all going to run hot on these old wires. I’m not much on fire myself.”
“Get on it. I don’t care for fire unless it’s under food. So, I guess in this case it would be okay.” Ryder grinned. “No, on second thought I don’t want it loose in the house.” Lee nodded. “The paint?”
“Paint is on hold, we’re still hooking up the bathroom. You can pee but you can’t shower yet.” Curtis grinned and Ryder nodded.
“Good to know. Who’s planning the chicken coop?” Jack raised his hand.
“Oh and she needs to pick a paint color so we can go fetch.” Curtis interrupted.
“Harper, there is a ring in the bedroom with paint colors on it, pick one and show Curtis.” She nodded and gave him a thumbs up. Curtis grinned. Ryder wasn’t sure if that thumb was for paint or because she had Sidney on the phone. He’d heard it ringing.
“I don’t like the spot she picked.” Jack said then creased his forehead with worry.
“Why?” Ryder asked and put his arm around Harper’s shoulders.
“Well, it’s out in the middle of the yard.” Ryder nodded. “And it’s going to be in the way of the new barn.” Ryder nodded again. “I was thinking that it would be better to section off part of the barn so it’s in there but not.”