Page 24 of Pick Yourself Up (Heroes to the Core #3)

Strengthen Your Core

G ray wanted Amber to feel happy and secure in her new home. Finishing up the owner’s suite was a step toward making that happen and the security they’d installed would help, too.

He wasn’t sure she’d be ready to spend the night there, but he hoped so.

For years, she’d lived in hotels. The large building around her wouldn’t be new, but the emptiness would be. Would the presence of him and Boomer be enough to help her feel safe? If not, he’d gladly stay with her in the farmhouse where she’d be surrounded by family.

It was his turn to cook, so he’d reluctantly left Amber and Boomer in the large house. The doors were locked and the alarms were set. She had her phone and Boomer, who was the very best type of security.

He’d still rather be there with her or have her here with him.

But the mushroom risotto he’d planned for the night required his presence. It wasn’t a quick meal to fix, but the patience required to make the rice creamy and delicious was worth every moment.

He also had fish to pan-fry and bread to bake. The dough had risen perfectly while they’d been at the B&B, and he just had to time it for everything to be ready at the same time.

Still, he thought about Amber being alone up the road. Unable to help himself, he texted her to see how she was doing.

He could hear the smile in the words she texted. We’re good. All of us. We’re working on painting the laundry room and replacing the fixtures in the powder room off the kitchen.

He grinned. Perfect. He could relax. Those tasks hadn’t been on her do this stuff first list, but he knew she’d be thrilled to have them completed. Having a laundry on-site would be great. Another step toward making this a home.

How else could he help her feel like this could be her place—their place—forever?

He knew she’d changed jobs a few times over the past years. Always to a new hotel that needed to be updated.

According to his research, Amber had been instrumental in turning around at least three hotels. The changes she’d implemented had taken them from run-of-the-mill hotels to unique properties catering to wealthy clients.

The security systems she’d implemented at The Sidderlight had saved his client and who knew how many more.

Would the lure of running her own B&B be enough to have her wanting to stay forever? He hoped his presence and that of her family would push her in that direction because that’s where he was leaning.

The apple farm was far more alluring than he’d expected. Angelina and his mamma would love everything about it.

He could see himself tending the gardens and helping with the rest of the property for the rest of his life. He’d never intended to be a lifer in the army. Two tours of seeing the horrors humans could inflict on each other were enough. Body guarding had been nothing but a stopgap.

Following what he thought of as Angelina’s advice had led him here. To a place full of happiness. In contrast to his previous two jobs, he was seeing some of the best things humans could do for each other and for the planet. It was soul satisfying in the very best way.

He hoped Amber felt the same, but he knew he’d follow her anywhere she wanted to be.

How could he improve his odds of her falling in love with the farm forever?

Ideas percolated as he tended the rice and fish, checked the bread, tossed the salad.

By the time he rang the dinner bell, he had a plan in place. One he thought would help him and the rest of their team.

The clomp of boots on the porch had him smiling. As did the sounds of them kicking off wet footwear and slipping on the moccasins. Home. It was definitely home.

Amber moved straight to where he stood at the stove and reached up to kiss him lightly. “Smells delicious. Supper does, too.”

Laughing, he hugged her and returned the kiss. “Ready to serve, and I’ve got an idea.”

Knox slugged him on the shoulder. “Hands off my sister. We’re hungry here.”

Amber’s eyes sparkled with fun at the innuendo her brother hadn’t planned. Gray kept the snort inside because he wasn’t twelve, but it was a close thing.

Once everyone sat and helped themselves from the dishes he’d placed on the table, Knox gestured to him. “Tell us your idea.”

“We should invite the neighbors over for some apple picking fun. They can keep whatever they pick in the afternoon and then we’ll have a picnic for everyone.”

Jolie grinned. “That’s an amazing idea. You two haven’t met everyone here yet. They’ve been great at helping us out, and this would be a fun way to return some of their kindness. We should add our friends from Phail and Midnight Lake as well.”

Amber had stiffened slightly beside him. He knew meeting new people was never her favorite thing, but he wanted her to get to know the neighbors. Wanted them to know her. It would add another layer of protection around them and connect them all more deeply to the area.

He took her hand and squeezed it. “Too much?”

She blew out a small breath before she answered. “No. It’s a good idea. I know the names of some people around us, but I haven’t met anyone yet. It would be good for Boomer to recognize more friends.”

On Amber’s other side, Knox rubbed his sister’s shoulder. “It’ll be good. They’re great people, and you’ll like them all. Not a pushy, obnoxious one in the bunch.”

She nodded and smiled. “I’ll be fine.”

Because she didn’t want anyone worrying about her, but they would. He’d stick to her side and make sure she was okay.

Jolie took a bite of the risotto and moaned. “Okay. I vote we let the gardens do their own thing and insist that Gray take over the kitchen. This is amazing.”

Everyone laughed, and Amber bumped his shoulder. “It really is. You could open a restaurant.”

He patted his heart with a grin. “Thank my mamma. I think I was making bread dough before I could speak in sentences. I didn’t have much time for cooking in my last two jobs, but it’s no fun to cook for one, anyway.”

Ford laughed. “Going to give up the gardens, then?”

He shook his head. “Not a chance. I’m having way too much fun out there.”

The conversation turned to plans for the neighborhood picnic, and Amber slipped her hand into his and squeezed.

He wasn’t sure what she was trying to convey, but her eyes were full of warmth and contentment.

Now it was his job to ensure she always felt that way.

A mber slipped out of a sexy dream involving Gray and his magical hands to the reality of Gray using those same hands in the very best of ways.

When her eyes flew open, he smiled down at her and kept his fingers moving. “There you are. Let’s see you soar.”

Her body contracted and spun, sending waves of pleasure through her. When she managed to flutter her eyelids open, Gray leaned down to kiss her. “Good morning, Gorgeous.”

She barely managed a laugh, with her system so revved and sated at the same time. “Good morning. I was dreaming about you. Then I woke up, and it was even better.”

His eyes sparkled in the soft light of the rising sun. “It was.”

Amber laughed and reached up to poke Gray’s shoulder. He followed the direction of her soft touch and rolled onto his back so she could climb on top. “Now let’s make your morning better, too.”

A couple of orgasms later, they were dressed and in the kitchen, making oatmeal.

Gray leaned his hips against the counter and studied her. “Did I overstep about today?”

A laugh burst out of her, even though she was sure he wasn’t talking about the way they’d spent their time upstairs.

He grinned. “Not that. About the picnic. Is it going to be hard having strangers here? I should have asked you before I suggested it.”

She smiled at him, ignoring the way her nerves bounced at the thought. Boomer lifted his head from his food bowl to check on her, and Gray’s frown deepened.

Amber forestalled his words as she grabbed some bowls. “It was a great idea. It’s important to meet everyone. The more people Boomer recognizes as friends, the easier it will be for him to recognize strangers.”

“And you?”

She shrugged. “I’m glad I’ve already met some of them, but I’ve been meeting strangers through my jobs for years. As well as you and Boomer, I’ll be surrounded by family and friends. I’ll be a little nervous, and probably a little awkward, but it’ll be fine.”

He snagged her hand and reeled her in. “I’m sorry that you’ll feel nervous doing something I suggested. That wasn’t my intention.”

She hugged him. “I know, and it’ll be fine, I promise. If there are too many people or I feel overwhelmed, I’ll take a break with Boomer.”

“And you’ll let me know.”

She studied his worried gaze. He was such a good man. “It’ll be fine. I promise.”

“You’ll let me know.” His repetition had warmth spreading.

She kissed him lightly. “I’ll let you know.”

Hours later, the first of the neighbors arrived.

She’d pestered the others for information so that she would be prepared.

Just like she’d always preferred having as much information in her job as possible.

This was close enough to working the front desk at a hotel that her nerves weren’t singing. Just humming a little.

Boomer nuzzled her hand, and she grounded herself in his fur even as Gray walked toward her with a soft smile.

He didn’t think she was a mess because new people made her nervous. He accepted her for who she was. Didn’t try to change her. Instead, he ensured she felt safe.

Loved.

They hadn’t exchanged the words yet, but her heart knew. Did he feel the same?

Two men exited the car with broad smiles and a huge tray of fresh veggies.

They had to be Mort and Callum Welch who lived north on their vegetable farm.

Knox rushed forward and shook the hands of both men. “Mort. Callum. Welcome. You didn’t have to bring anything.”

They both laughed. “Can’t waste an opportunity to show off our veggies.”

Knox waved at the group. “You know the others, but I’d like to introduce my sister Amber and our friend Gray Santoro. Amber and Gray, Mort and Callum.”