Page 75 of Wild Wolf

“Such as?” She still wasn’t ready to forgive andforget.

“I’ve been secretly dating Adam Harlow,” Erica admitted. “Shirl’s seeing hiscousin.”

“Ah. That’s why I saw you two together at thestore.”

Red-faced Erica twisted her hands together. “I’m sorry I was mean to you when you got back, Jordan. Real sorry. I’d like to be friendsagain.”

“Me too,” Shirlechoed.

Maybe they couldn’t be friends again, but she understood their reasons for doing what they did. “I forgive you. Nolan and I are going to pay a formal call on the Harlows tomorrow. Maybe you both can come with us, help break theice.”

They noddedvigorously.

Jordan handed the ladle to Shirl. “Can you take over forme?”

Leave them to attend to the punch, she joined Nolan at the buffet table as he refilled a tray of beef. Typical Nolan, making sure his people were caredfor.

Jordan pulled him aside. “Outsidenow.”

The stars sparkled overhead and in the distance, coyotes howled. A cool breeze blew, rattling the wind chimes hanging from the rafter. Nolan went to a rocker, sat and pulled her into hislap.

His kiss was long and filled with passion. He smoothed back her hair. “Happy?”’

Shenodded.

“You nervous about formally acknowledging your fathertomorrow?”

“A little. But you’ll bethere.”

He rocked back and forth, the sound soothing. “I’m making arrangements to bring the elderly back here to the pack. Some will live here, on the ground floor. They’ll be teaching the children about the past, and sharing pack history. It means those living on the ground floor rooms will have to move. Thought you and I could move into a cabin down by thevineyard.”

Jordan’s heart gave a happy kick. “Our ownplace?”

Nolan’s smile widened. “About time we got some privacy,pixie.”

Turning in his arms, she kissed him again. She had run away from the pack, from Nolan, and herself, but now she was finally home to stay here with hermate.

Making a life with Nolan Mitchell would be everything she ever dreamed of…and Jordan was a bigdreamer.