Page 26 of Her Arranged Alpha
I shook my head, deciding I needed to just let it go, but that was easier said than done.
The following morning, I showered and headed downstairs. I paused when I got to the landing and found the house was quiet. There was no noise, and I looked outside the window, seeing that Maddox's car was gone.
I felt my shoulder drop a little, disappointed. I was hoping to at least have a conversation with him, but maybe this wasbetter. I was free to do what I wanted. I hadn't been able to do that in days.
I walked into the kitchen and paused as I noticed a set of car keys on the counter with a note next to them. I picked up the note and scanned it quickly.
Jillian
I brought your car over since you'll be needing it. Regarding everything from your home, we can either bring it into the house or send it to storage. Just call Kelly, my Beta. His number is written below.
You have free rein to do as you please, but remember that I will know if you try to run away again.
Maddox
I rolled my eyes and tossed the note back onto the counter. I rounded the island and walked over to the coffee maker, where I made myself a mug. I sat down and looked outside the window, taking in the backyard. It was just an open field. No garden, no tree, no landscaping done.
I couldn't help but smirk, imagining what I could do. An empty piece of land to do what you wanted with. I had worked with my sister at the flower shop, and we had clients who asked for help redesigning their landscapes, but it was never something I would have wanted.
Would Maddox care if I ripped up his yard? Probably. Did I care? No.
I took a sip of my coffee and slid the door open, stepping outside. I took in the breeze and the rest of the neighbors' backyards. Everyone else looked like Maddox, which just proved that this was a newer neighborhood.
I sat outside for a bit, thinking of what I could do. Since this was my home now, I should be able to redo the outside to fit what we needed. And by we, I meant me.
I was just finishing my mug when my phone rang. I glanced back inside and headed in, grabbing it. I smiled, seeing it was Marsha.
"Hello?"
"You are awake. I was thinking maybe you'd still be sleeping."
I couldn't help but smirk. "I'm just sitting outside taking in my new backyard. Might I add, very boring, zero stars."
I smirked as I took a sip of my coffee, my sister laughing on the other end. "I imagine you have tons of ideas on what you want to do to it as well."
I nodded. "I do. Some landscaping, maybe even some trees. I could put some bushes around the outside of the house."
"Sounds like you have it all figured out. Which then makes me ask Why are you outside in the backyard rather than checking out the new pack?"
My stomach dropped. I chewed on my cheek. "Because it's only noon."
"Jillian, I know you. You're going to focus on redoing the backyard rather than meeting people in the town. While I agree with planting and all that, you need to meet people. That is going to be your new home. Make some friends."
I sighed, setting my mug down. "And what if no one accepts me?"
"They will. But you're never going to know if you focus on the yard."
"It's a very ugly yard, Marsha. It needs work. If you saw it, you'd understand it's crying out for help."
She laughed again. "I'm not disagreeing with you. But I want you to be comfortable there. And that starts with making friends."
I sighed, knowing she had a point. I would rather stay inside this house and do something rather than go out and show my face. But I couldn't do that. I needed to get out and try to find a place for myself here now that we were married.
"I suppose you have a point."
"I always have a point. Now, tell me just how bad the backyard is?"
I couldn't help but smirk, knowing even if no one accepted me here, I still had my sister at the end of the day.
