Page 79 of Fragile Sanctuary

I shook off my lust-induced haze and hurried to get changed. I put on khaki shorts and my usual work shirt withBloom & Berryarched across the chest.

A soft mewl came from the box on the floor, and Biscuit was instantly on alert, heading over to nose at the kittens.

“Don’t worry. I’ll get them fed.” Lifting the box, I headed toward the sound of muffled voices. “Anson, can you grab Biscuit? He needs to go out.”

Anson let out a whistle, deterring the pup from snarling at Shep, and set to work taking him out on the leash. Back to communicating without words, I guessed.

Shep’s gaze cut to me the moment I stepped into the living space, and my brother didnotlook happy. I winced. This would not be good.

“Morning,” I greeted, trying to keep my voice as nonchalant as possible. I crossed to the kitchen, setting down the kittens and getting to work on their bottles.

Shep followed me, standing on the other side of the small island and staring me down.

Double crap.

“Want to help feed them?” I asked as if I had no idea he was giving me the death glare.

“Why didn’t you call me?” Shep demanded.

I flicked my gaze to him as I mixed the kitten milk replacer with water. I always kept the stuff on hand because I usually ended up with babies this time of year, and if they were dehydrated, you had to move quickly. “About what?”

“If you were scared to stay alone, you should’ve called me.”

The hint of hurt in Shep’s tone had me stilling and guilt settling in. The last thing I wanted to do was cause anyone in my family pain. “Is that what Anson said?”

A muscle in Shep’s cheek popped. “No. He said that he wanted to make sure the system was up and running properly before you stayed alone. But I would’ve stayed here. You know that.”

I did. God, did I ever. I looked up at Shep, making sure hereallysaw me. “Not everything is your responsibility.”

Shadows flickered in his amber eyes. “You’re my sister in every way that matters. I just want to make sure you’re safe.”

But it was more than that. Shep carried the weight of the world, and I was starting to really worry about him taking on that sort of pressure. “It means everything that you care so much about me, but I can take care of myself. Sometimes, that means asking a friend to stay because I realized I wasn’t quite ready to be on my own.”

I wasn’t sure what Anson and I shared could be classified asfriendship. It was more. But something undefinable. The kind of bond that made you feel truly seen for the first time.

The fluttering in Shep’s cheek intensified. “A friend?”

I let out a huff. “You asked me to cut him some slack. I did.” I sent Shep a pointed stare. “He needs people. And I like his grumpy ass.”

Shep scoffed. “Grumpy is an understatement.”

My lips twitched as I lifted the first kitten out of the box to feed her. “True. But I find it kind of funny now.”

Shep studied me for a long moment before finally lifting the black-and-white baby to give him another bottle. “You’re right. He does need people.”

“We all do. It’s just harder for some to let them in.”

Shep went quiet as he fed the kitten. “Your new coworker that way?”

My gaze flicked to him. “Thea?”

He nodded. “I’ve seen her at the bakery a few times. She’s pretty abrupt. I feel like maybe I did something to piss her off, but I’m not sure what.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. Shep was wonderful in so many ways, but he was also used to women in this town falling at his feet. Between his golden-boy reputation, the successful business he’d built, and the Colson family name, he was a catch. But he might’ve gotten a little too used to the status.

I set the patchwork kitten back in the box and picked up the orange tiger stripe. “I get the sense she hasn’t had it easy. She’s guarded with me, too, but we’ve gotten friendlier as time has passed. Just don’t push it.”

Shep tensed. “What do you mean she hasn’t had it easy?”

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