Chapter 130
No, thank you, I said. ‘I’ll make dinner for him myself.” It was the least I could do to thank him for all his kindness.
As Theaded toward the kitchen, I noticed the window at the back of the cottage was open.
My hand hesitated on the frame. Open or closed? Such a simple thing, yet it held such power over my future.
With a decisive motion, I closed it. I had made my choice.
But as I turned away, my heart squeezed painfully in my chest.
In the kitchen, I prepared Carter’s favorite lamb dish, placing it in the oven to slow–cook.
The rich, savory aroma filled the air, but my thoughts kept drifting to Nathan–to the evenings we’d spent together, to the pain in his eyes last night when he spoke of losing me.
Was being too cruel in not giving him a chance to explain himself?
After putting the meat in the oven, I returned to the living room and opened the window. The scent of spring rain drifted in from outside.
I gazed out into the garden, hoping to catch a glimpse of Nathan or smell his pine scent, but there was nothing.
Back in the kitchen, I decided to make an apple pie–Carter had mentioned once that he enjoyed the dessert.
As I kneaded the dough, I reminded myself that letting Nathan back into my life was asking for trouble.
When I’d placed the crust in the baking dish, I went back to the living room and closed the window, my movements
hesitant.
“Is something wrong with the window, Rose?” Scarlet asked, noticing my behavior.
“It’s a bit warm from baking the pie,” I lied, but my unease must have shown.
Scarlet looked confused. “Then why not leave it open?”
I didn’t answer, just looked down and stroked my belly.
After finishing the pie, exhaustion washed over me. Pregnancy in the final stages was draining. I decided to lie down for a quick nap but couldn’t fall asleep, the baby moving constantly inside me.
As I tossed and turned, I heard Selena say to Scarlet, “It’s too hot in here. Let’s open a window to let
* air in.”
I wasn’t sure if someone had actually opened the window or if I was dreaming. In my drowsy state, I couldn’t tell. I was too tired to get up and check, and eventually drifted off to sleep, Nathan’s name on my lips.
The sharp sound of the kitchen timer jolted me awake.
I sat up quickly, noticing first that the window was closed and second that I was alone.
But Carter didn’t come back like he usually did. It seemed normal enough, though–he was an Alpha after all and probably
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Chapter 130
had things to handle. I didn’t think much of it.
Hurrying to retrieve the food, I prepared for Carter’s arrival, grateful for the friend who had helped me when I needed it
most.
*I was confused about whether Selena had actually been there and frustrated with my own indecision. If Nathan had come
meet him in the garden. while I was sleeping and seen the window open, he might expect me to
“He’ll be disappointed,” I said firmly. “I’m not going.” My voice was determined, but my eyes betrayed the pain I felt.
I gently caressed my baby bump and whispered, “This is for the best for us.”
Later that night, a soft noise at the window woke me from a restless sleep. Half–dreaming, I rose from my bed and padded to the window.
Nathan stood there, illuminated by moonlight, a beautiful rose in his hand and a smile on his face. “I’m here,” he said
simply.
I hesitated, then accepted the flower, inhaling its sweet fragrance. My trembling hands opened the door that led to the garden, and suddenly we were face to face.
His scent–pine and mountain air–surrounded me, and I felt my resolve weakening with every breath I took.
What am I doing? I wondered, even as I followed him into the garden, toward the swing where our future would be decided.
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