Ryder said stopping the vehicle beside an expansive porch that sat before a huge white farmhouse. There was a barn farther out in the field behind it but it looked like it was going to fall over. “The barn isn’t safe so don’t go inside of it.” He said following her gaze. “I’m not sure if we will get to knock it down or if it will fall first. It’s a race at this point. I bought this place off the internet. There are one hundred acres all told, plenty of trees for running and hunting, and plenty of open ground for building and farming.”
Harper watched him talk. She found the way his mouth moved fascinating, the warm husky tone of his voice entrancing and didn’t notice that everyone else had climbed out until she saw them going up the porch steps. “You’ll sleep in the attic. The single wolves occupy two bedrooms on the first floor, the mated ones the other two on the second floor. They are probably asleep by now so I will introduce you in the morning if they’re up.”
“Where do you sleep?” Harper’s voice came out as a whisper. He reached over and released her seatbelt.
“The attic. You’ll be safe there with me, don’t worry.”
“So I sleep with you?” She chewed on her thumbnail. Ryder reached over and pulled it from her mouth.
“The boys are carrying a mattress up now that you’ll sleep on, I’ll shift and sleep in the corner.” He winked and she gulped. “I’ll introduce you to my wolf first, he likes you already though.” She nodded and watched him climb out then opened her door. He was there to help her down before she could move. “Careful darling.” He set her down gently in the grass and took her elbow to help her up the steps. His arm was around her waist in an instant when one of the boards gave.
Lee was flopping down on the couch with a beer when they came inside. “Lee, porch steps, first thing.”
“On it boss.” Lee tipped the can back and swallowed then wiped his mouth with his sleeve. He wasn’t a typical looking wolf, Harper thought. Lee had blonde streaked hair and bright green eyes. She wondered if he was part human. He had a broad chest but was short. He could be mistaken for human if you didn’t scent him.
Most wolves looked more like Ryder. They were big, broad and dark haired. Their eyes varied in color but usually they were dark eyed as well. The young one looked more like what she was used to. He was tall, blue eyed and had black hair. They called him Jack. He was a good-looking kid. She figured him to be late teens or very early twenties, younger than her.
This house was old and needed a lot of work. Her house was maintained by Bronson’s family over the years. She’d moved in when she first mated and had done her best to keep it up but anything that she couldn’t fix, Ellis usually ended up fixing. Bronson wasn’t any good at that stuff he’d always claimed. Now she thought he was just lazy.
“I know it needs paint, and varnish but a little elbow grease and this will be a great house again.” Harper looked up at the crown moldings and agreed. She loved to watch DIY shows and she could see its potential. She thought about calling the crew from the show that worked on old houses. This would keep them busy for a whole season.
“The kitchen is through there, if you get hungry just help yourself,” he pointed. “Bathroom is the first door on the right down there.” He pointed in the other direction. “We’re up there.” Ryder nodded at the stairs. “After you.” Harper turned toward them and started up. She could feel his eyes burning into her backside and she had a very strong urge to step out of the way and let him pass. “You’re doing fine sweetness, keep going.” His voice had dropped to a huskier baritone.
“Who’s that Uncle Ry?” A tiny blonde girl stood at the top of the stairs with a teddy bear and a pink blanket. She wore footed pajamas and her hair was sticking out everywhere from sleep. She had chocolate brown eyes with grey streaks, wolf’s eyes; they were exactly what you would expect if you knew about them.
“This is Harper. She’s going to spend the night with me. Go back to bed Lucy.” He said from behind Harper.
“I need a milk and I can’t sleep ‘cause I’m hot.”
“You’re hot because you insist on wearing those fleece pajamas. Go find a tee shirt to put on and don’t wake anyone. Lee can get you a glass of milk. He’s downstairs, go on, and hurry up. Little girls need their rest.” He smoothed a hand over her hair as they passed her. She hurried down the stairs. “Another bathroom on your left and the steps up to the attic to the right.” He said to Harper now.