Page 32 of Knot The Only Onee

“I was going to bring her a plate up next. I heard her chatting with Alena, so I didn’t want to disturb her too much.”

“Good idea.” I sighed and wrapped my arms around his middle. I allowed myself a few moments where I absorbed his warmth and comfort.

Lucas brightened any room he went into. Being close to him wrapped me in a cocoon of warmth, and instantly, my heart felt lighter.

“She’ll come around.” He ran his hands through my hair, scratching lightly at my scalp.

“I hope so,” I breathed into the crook of his neck before I pulled away. “Go get her food before it gets cold.” I swatted him on his backside as he rose to his feet.

His brows rose as he eyed me critically. “I put it in a warmer.” He said it like I was an idiot for even suggesting he would ever let Bridget’s food go cold.

Of course, he did. It was Lucas, after all.

“Go on, brat. I’ll be up for bed in a bit.”

Lucas leaned down and kissed my forehead tenderly. “Don’t stay too long. You work too hard, Noah.”

“Thanks, pup.”

“Hate it when you call me that,” he grumbled as he made his way out of my office.

I smiled because I used it on purpose just to see him riled up.

“Love you,” I called out, and just before Lucas closed the door, he stuck his middle finger up.

Laughing, I picked at my food. All humor faded as I paid the bills that I could while still leaving us enough to feed us and the animals.

“Fucking Simon,” I growled as I saw a sizable deposit from him come in a few hours earlier.

For the use of the cabin this weekend and to help with living expenses for Bridget. Don’t you dare send it back.

-Simon

How did I know he was going to do this?

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. Because it’s Simon, and he’s never let me have the last word.

Scrubbing a hand over my face, I accepted defeat on this small matter and just used the money to take care of another bill because it wouldn’t do any good arguing or trying to send it back.

Even though it made my jaw clench and I wanted to throw my phone across the room. But I’d broken one too many phones, and James and Lucas would never let me hear the end if I smashed another.

Tomorrow, I had to show Bridget around and get her set up to begin her job. While the official title may be housekeeper, it’s more a general position to help relieve the pressure on us with the small day-to-day tasks.

Now, I just needed to keep my cool until then.

* * *

The next morning, I shuffled down the stairs to get a much-needed caffeine fix. Lucas was whirling around the kitchen, as usual, working on the prep for the rest of the day. Typically, we had more guests that Lucas prepared dinner and grab-and-go breakfast for.

But lately, the cabins hadn’t been rented. Only a random group here and there. Or if Alena and her guys came. Just another thing that contributed to our failing bottom line.

And now I was already pissed off and frustrated to start the day.

“So, are you going to show Bridget around today?” Lucas bent and kissed my cheek as he set a plate loaded with food in front of me. While it looked delicious, my stomach soured at the scent.

“Yeah.” I raked my hands through my hair and let out a deep sigh.

Lucas pursed his lips and for once, didn’t give me shit for my one-word answer. Instead, he turned toward the coffee pot and poured me an oversized mug of steaming liquid gold, and handed it to me.