Page 56 of The Alpha Option
Jace strolled past before pausing to sneak his arm around Cassidy. Not so much a claiming but more as if he simply didn’t want to be apart from her. “I’m glad you guys are all okay.”
Her friend put the knife down, her hands quivering slightly as she carefully wiped them dry. Then she lifted her gaze to Jace’s. “I can never repay you for what you did.”
Jace brushed his knuckles over her cheek, wiping away a tear that had made a sudden break for it. “There’s no debt between friends. There’s no debt between family. There’s no debt between pack, and you’re all three. You and the boys.”
A second later, Stacy had her arms wrapped around their shoulders, clinging to Jace and Cassidy as she fought for control. “I’m so glad we have you.”
Cassidy squeezed her tight. Jace patted her on the back even as he spoke softly. “Let’s get to breakfast before Thing One, Two, and Three get curious as to why their mama is upset.”
“I’m not upset,” Stacy insisted, letting them go and wiping her eyes dry with the back of her hand. “I’m so grateful you were there when that damn bridge gave way. I thought we were all done for.”
At the counter, Stephanie finished loading the final pancakes onto a massive plate. She laid it on the table then tugged Stacy into the seat next to her. “I don’t understand why you were on that road, though. I sent you directions.”
“Three sets of directions,” Stacy complained. “I had to keep plugging new coordinates into the GPS. The last ones you sent are what I followed.”
Stephanie shook her head. “Sissy, you really think I attempted technology and maps more than once? I sent you one copy—the same one we followed to get here, and that route was nowhere near the disaster zone.”
Three sets of curious eyes turned their way, worry rising as the boys listened in. Cassidy hurried to redirect the conversation. “Well, however it happened, it turned out okay.”
“It did.” Jace pressed a kiss to Cassidy’s nape, then dropped into the seat next to Colt, who stared at him with an awe usually reserved for superheroes. Jace examined the boys, gaze narrowing. “Ready for your first big test of the Jasper pack?”
Three heads dipped, their eyes wide.
“It’s called the piggy stack challenge.”
Stephanie snorted. “Oh, I can already see where this is going.”
A loud knock was followed immediately by the front door slamming open and bouncing off the wall.
“Don’t start piggy stacking without me.” Marvin strolled in, an enormous platter balanced on one hand. He winked at Cassidy. “Hey, darling. I’d tell you I invited myself to breakfast, but that one told me to come.” He pointed at Blue.
Everyone twisted in their seats. Blue lifted his hands in the air. “I knew Jace would issue a challenge, and Marvin’s the only one who might be able to give him a run for his money.”
Cassidy laughed then pulled another chair up to the table. “Okay. Make yourself at home. Oh, I forgot—you already did.”
Marvin grinned.
The platter he carried turned out to be filled with crispy bacon.
Jace was showing the boys how to build a piggy stack—alternating layers of pancakes and bacon and then dousing the entire thing with maple syrup—when another knock sounded.
“Grand Central Station around here.” Stacy hopped to her feet. “I’ll get it,” she insisted as Cassidy made a move to join her. “You need to be a judge for what I think is going to involve my boys and soon-to-be tummy aches.”
Still, Cassidy watched with curiosity as Stacy strode to the door and pulled it open.
Del stood there, hands shoved in his pockets, gaze flying over the gathering then back to Stacy. “Hi.”
She slammed the door shut and calmly walked back to the table.
Cassidy and Jace exchanged puzzled glances before Cassidy bounced up to open the door and poke her head outside.
Del stood there, rubbing his forehead.
“She hit you? I didn’t think the door moved that fast.”
He blinked then offered a weak smile. “Um, no. Just…came over to see how everyone is doing after yesterday’s adventures.”
Jace slipped up behind Cassidy, draping an arm over her shoulders. “Hey. You want to come in for breakfast?”
