Page 15 of His Little Pumpkin (Alphas Fall Hard Collection #2)

ELDON

I t warms my heart to pull into my driveway and see the lights on inside, knowing that Laura is there and that I’ll be able to hold her soon.

Before that, though, I’m going to apologize profusely for overstepping my bounds and interfering with her work without asking first. On the drive over, I realized how wrong that was, especially given that she’s at a point in her life where she is taking control.

I’ll admit it: I was an asshole. But my heart was in the right place. I’m hopeful that if we talk it out, she’ll forgive me.

I park the truck and walk toward the house. The dining room window is open and I can hear Laura talking to someone on the phone. But I’ve never heard her use that tone before. She sounds…small. Afraid. Even more nervous than when I first found her.

“It’s just that I’m not sure,” she says softly, walking right past the window. “I mean, it’s my decision, right?” There’s a long sigh. “Yes, I realize there aren’t any hurricanes headed your way this season. Yet. But there’s more to it than that.”

I stop in my tracks as I shamelessly eavesdrop for a moment. I can’t hear the exact words of the person on the other end of the phone, but they’re loud. Harsh. My fingers clench to fists. If someone is yelling at my Laura, I will…

I burst in the front door just as Laura is saying, “Sure, call me back in a few minutes. But I still might not know.”

She ends the call, drops the phone on the table, and looks up at me with tears in her eyes.

I lunge for her, wrapping her soft, sweet body in my arms and carrying her to the couch. She snuggles against my chest, her hands circling around the back of my neck as she clings to me.

“To start, I’m so sorry for stepping into your business.” I stroke her back gently. “That was not my place. I just got really pissed off at the idea that jerk was screwing you over.”

Laura nods, her chin trembling. “I understand. And thank you. I know you meant well.”

“Good.” My hand caresses her hip gently. “May I ask who was on the phone?”

“My mother.”

My jaw tightens. “Well, I’m definitely not a fan if she upsets you like this. Care to tell me what happened?”

Laura nods, taking a moment to collect herself, then sits up straight and meets my eyes. “Before Mom and my stepdad moved, I offered to work from home and babysit my little brother for them. They refused.”

And then took off without her. I swear, if I ever meet that stepfather of hers, the speed at which my fist shatters his nose might break the freaking sound barrier.

“But now,” she continues, “it turns out they’re both working crazy hours at their new jobs.

They have the money for childcare but want to rein in their expenses for a couple of months so they can upgrade their cars.

” Her bottom lip quivers. “So now I’m allowed to stay on the couch for two months if I babysit for them. ”

I want to demand that she stay with me forever. But this has to be her choice.

“Pumpkin,” I whisper, trailing my fingers up into the back of her hair.

“I want you to do whatever is right for you. I would love you to stay with me as long as you like. As long as you like me, and like our home. As long as you feel comfortable and safe. Basically, Laura, I want you to stay forever.”

I pause, placing my forehead against hers. “But it’s your choice. I’m so sorry that apparently you have to make it in a hurry.”

Her palm feels so good as it runs along the top of my shoulder.

“I realized earlier that I’m…well…surrounded by you.

Your home. Your food. The clothes you gave me.

Everything is you. So…” I hate that her bottom lip wobbles again.

“What do I even bring to this relationship?” Her eyes fly wide open.

“I mean this…whatever. Not necessarily a relatio?—”

I cut her off with a slow, soft kiss that goes on and on as I cuddle her closer, our mouths exploring and searching.

Finally, I pull away. “Laura, I want you everywhere. When I look around this house now, I see every little change you’ve made.

Over time, I want to see more and more of those.

I want to build you a proper desk and set up an office area for you wherever you like, maybe in front of whichever window has the view you like the best. I want to rearrange the kitchen so you can reach everything more easily.

I want us to work together sometimes and apart sometimes, so we have a chance to miss each other a little. ”

I love that she laughs at that.

“Pumpkin, like I said, I want you to stay forever. And yes, this is a relationship. If you want it to be permanent, it is.” Clasping her hand, I set it over my heart. “This is your home now, beautiful. Yes?”

Laura’s eyes fill with tears again, but a very different kind. She nods quickly. “Yes. I want to stay. I want a relationship with you.”

I glance at her phone on the table. “Baby, I didn’t mean to overhear through the window. But I hate the way you sounded on the phone with your mother. I can’t stand the idea of you being so rattled like that.”

She sighs. “Mom is calling back in a couple of minutes. I’ll take it outside.”

“No.” Lifting her hand, I kiss the back of it gently.

“Unless of course you want privacy, in which case I’ll clear out until you call me back in.

But I would love to help, if you’ll let me.

I can hold your hand during the call. I can coach you on what to say.

” My eyebrow lifts. “Hell, I can even tell her off, if you want me to.”

Laura’s lips purse as a mischievous light flashes in her eyes. “I know I’m supposed to take care of everything myself, but that is very tempting.”

“How about if you become flustered at any time on the call, you hand the phone to me?”

Her soft smile melts my heart. “Thank you.”

“Perfect. Now – what are your talking points going to be?”

We run through everything for a few minutes, then the phone rings. I can hear the sharp voice yammering away on the other end before Laura can even say hello.

“Mom.” She takes a deep breath and stands, squaring her shoulders. “I’m not coming to live with you. I have a wonderful home now that’s right beside a ranch. I have two part-time jobs, and a fantastic boyfriend.”

Her head swivels to meet my eyes. I nod enthusiastically and give her a big thumbs up.

There’s a barrage of yelling from the phone. Laura holds it away from her ear, letting me pick up a few choice curses. How could anyone speak to their daughter that way?

“Mom. Stop. There’s nothing you can say that will change my mind. Please tell Davis I love him and that I hope to see him in a few years. I’m blocking your number now. Goodbye.”

She taps her thumbs on the screen, then drops the phone back on the table and immediately snuggles into my open arms. “Quite a mouth on her, that mother of yours,” I grumble.

Laura laughs. “Yeah. Funny, she has no problem with leaving me homeless, but is suddenly extremely concerned about my safety as soon as I use the word boyfriend .” She glances up to see me chuckling.

“Pumpkin, you have no idea how good it feels for you to call me that.”

“Yeah? Good. I wasn’t quite sure.”

I cuddle her tightly. “ I am. We belong together. You’re the one for me.

” I can feel her breath becoming shaky as I stroke her back again.

“I didn’t know how long I was going to stick around here.

This was just a house until you arrived.

Now it’s home.” I kiss her cheek. “Unless we decide to move and make a new home somewhere else. Anywhere you like. As long as I’ve got my beautiful pumpkin, I am home. ”

“Even aside from you and this beautiful house, I love it here.” She looks up at me with sparkling eyes. “I love the idea of rescuing horses. I love being out here in the country.”

“I love you .”

The words pop out so suddenly and naturally that I’m not even surprised.

Laura, however, looks completely shocked.