Page 22 of Evergreen Desires (Wildheart Chronicles #1)

JAKE

As I woke from my slumber, feeling a slight chill in the air, I reached out next to me but could immediately tell the bed is empty.

Missing the warmth that flowed off Beau when we were together, panic immediately set in as I opened my eyes and scanned the room.

The first light of dawn filtered through the window, casting a soft glow.

But Beau was nowhere to be found. The emptiness I felt deepened, and a lump formed in my throat.

"Fuck." The idea that he only wanted me for a quick fling crossed my mind. That he played the long game, using me and then discarding me. With a heavy heart, I dragged myself out of bed and hastily put on the clothes scattered across the floor. I needed coffee and a Tylenol to clear my head.

To my delight, I found a note waiting for me on the counter next to my favorite coffee mug, which had been thoughtfully set out. The note read, "Going out to see what I can find in the daylight. Will meet up with you in the greenhouse when done. Looking forward to connecting later! Beau. "

As I read the note, a warmth spread through my cheeks, easing the tightness in my chest. Just those few words evoked a range of emotions—relief, anticipation, and a glimmer of trust. Clearly, I had some issues to work through, and I needed to learn more about Beau as a person.

After a much-needed cup of coffee, a couple of Tylenol, and a refreshing shower, I made my way to the greenhouse. Will was strategically working near the front door, a wide grin plastered on his face as he stared at me.

"Well?" He could no longer contain himself. "What happened?"

"Have you talked to Beau this morning?"

"I saw him heading off on the ATV as I was walking up the trail. Seemed like a man on a mission. Why?" Will's eyebrows furrowed with intrigue.

"There were people here last night, in the groves. Beau came to my rescue once again."

"What?" His eyes widened, as though they’d doubled in size. "What do you mean he rescued you?"

"I was out for a late-night walk alone. I stumbled upon two men just inside the tree line over there. They were discussing how to break into the greenhouse. I was about to sneak away when my phone went off. I ran towards the house as fast as I could. Beau heard me and came running."

"Fuck, are you okay? Did Beau catch them?" Panic reflected in Will's face, his breathing quickening as the reality of what happened hit him.

"When Beau sprinted past me towards the men, I caught a glimpse of... HIM... as he passed by. But then I rolled my ankle and fell. Beau rushed back to me, protecting and caring for me."

"Him?" Will's smile slowly widened.

"Yes. Him. " I studied Will carefully as I revealed this information. If he wasn’t aware, my words would be innocuous enough to explain away. But surely, he had to know.

Silence.

Will's gaze remained fixed on me, locked onto my eyes. Then, suddenly, he closed the space between us.

"Welcome to the family!" he exclaimed, pulling me into a tight bear hug.

"You're squishing me. I can't breathe."

"Sorry." He only eased the pressure slightly at first. It was only when the hug began to feel a few seconds too long that he fully released me. Stepping back, I noticed the glassy glimmer of unshed tears in his eyes. "So, you saw him beast out?"

"Is that what it's called?"

"Well, that's what I call it. I've been the only person outside the family who knows up until now."

"Well, we haven't had a chance to discuss it yet. I don’t even know what happened. We were a little preoccupied with other things, and then he was out checking the property when I woke up."

"Preoccupied?" Will wiggled his eyebrows mischievously .

Heat flooded my cheeks. I took a deep breath. "Yes, but there were also people trying to break in! There are bigger things to worry about here."

Will pumped his fist in the air. "You're right, but we'll come back to how the date went later. You and Beau aren't getting off that easily. Do you know who...?"

"Will, leave him alone," Beau's voice interrupted, accompanied by a chuckle, as he walked through the door of the greenhouse, barefoot as usual. Beau crossed the dirt floor, leaning down to give me a passionate, lingering kiss.

"You're not getting off that easily!” Will repeated. “Well, not as easily as you got off last night," he added, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. My cheeks burned even hotter.

"What is this, high school?" Beau rolled his eyes. "We'll have time for you to tease me later. Right now, there are more pressing matters."

"As long as I can tease you later."

"Fine. The three of us can have dinner later.

But clearly, I owe Jake some explanations.

Not to mention a ton more kisses." Beau leaned in, giving me a quick chaste kiss, his hand boldly squeezing my ass.

Will hooted. "But we do have a problem if people are trying to break in.

I called Police Chief Mat to come out and make a report. "

"Wait, Mateo is coming? You should have led with that!

" Will said, quickly heading towards the office.

"I need to freshen up a little. I don't want him to see me looking disheveled.

" He left the office door open as he disappeared into the bathroom right inside the doorway. "Keep talking, I'm listening."

“I didn’t catch anything on the trail cameras. But I moved them around just in case. I can see shoe footprints out there, they seem to come up the back driveway by your house, Will. My guess is they park down the by the road out of site and hike in.”

“We have never had a problem before,” Will called out from inside. “We don’t advertise our cannabis; most people just think it’s strictly a tree farm.”

“I know. I’m guessing that Rich has something to do with it. He confronted me last night, until my knight here yelled at him”.

“My knight? Oh, I want to hear more about that!” Will walked out with his hair brushed back, wearing a clean shirt.

The shirt might have been a little small for him, but it showed off his farm boy muscles nicely.

The office doorbell rang. “Just in time. I’ll get it!

” Will said, heading through the office to open the door.

Beau smiled down at me, his eyes locked onto mine. "Are you okay? Sorry I missed you this morning. You looked so cute and peaceful sleeping, I didn’t want to disturb you." He leaned in again, capturing my lips in a long, passionate kiss.

Oh, I could definitely get used to this.