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I nodded. “I am. I often look after her.”

“Well, I’m glad you could join us today. I’m sorry I can’t stay and talk. I must go and check on the other booths. But have a wonderful day, and if you have any issues, don’t hesitate to find me, Bethany.”

“I won’t. Thank you so much. It was lovely seeing you again.” I waved goodbye, the smile on my face making it ache.

I was going to need a facial massage after this because I was smiling far too much.

“I stacked all the milk cartons,” Joey said, sliding up to me.

Turning away from the mothers still lingering, I gazed down at Joey, “Good job! I think we are ready to sell some cookies.”

I didn’t even bother to turn back to look at the woman who had been criticizing us a moment earlier.

I had something more important to pay attention to.

A sweet, kindhearted little girl who deserved all the love in the world.

The Thanksgiving festival was a hit.

Joey and I were stuck behind the cookie stand for most of the day, but we had a blast. Every now and then, a wave of nauseawould hit me, and it would take a moment of deep breathing to ease it, but I refused to let it hinder me when it came to being there with Joey.

Shortly after we’d finished setting up, the doors opened and members of the public started flooding in.

Naturally, the men of Pack Noble were some of the first through the door. They didn’t hover, though. They came, grabbed a butter cookie each, and handed their cash to Joey so she could put it in the cash box before going and enjoying the rest of the festival. I could see them glancing back constantly, a look of joy on their faces when they saw how ecstatic Joey was.

Kennedy even dropped by with Charlotte. The toddler was planted firmly on her hip, but upon seeing the cookies, she made several grabby motions for them.

“Joey, this is my friend Kennedy and her baby, Charlotte.”

“Hello, Joey! I’ve heard so many nice things about you from Bethany. She said you’re one of her best skaters.”

Joey beamed. “I am!” she agreed, nodding. “Did you come for cookies?”

“I did. She told me all about the festival, and I just had to come and see it. Can I have a whole box of cookies?”

Joey gathered the cookies excitedly, while Kennedy gave me a beaming look. “She’s so adorable,” she whispered.

I nodded, biting back a smile.

“I’ll call you later, okay?” I said once she had the box of cookies and Charlotte had her own personal cookie in hand.

Joey’s dads came back toward the end, heaping praise on their daughter and giving her hugs for the amazing job she had done.

When Cullen saidgood girlto me, I nearly melted into a puddle.

Chapter 29

Cullen

Iused to love working at the restaurant. The quiet hours in the office, when I could muddle through paperwork while Joey was at school, was relaxing.

Only, now, my mind kept thinking about a certain omega.

Seeing her at the festival with Joey had been something else. The way she had looked after Joey, while giving her space to be herself, yet was always there to help if Joey needed it. They had worked together so well, and both of them had radiated joy the entire day.

The sight was almost painful, it was so beautiful.

And now Bethany was a part of our family.