Page 48 of Relentless Hearts
Willow was fifteen minutes late getting to the kitchen the next morning—a rarity that would have raised eyebrows on any other day. But given the events of the previous evening, she doubted anyone would be up early enough to notice her delayed start to her morning routine.
She moved through the familiar actions on muscle memory, grinding fresh coffee beans and starting the first pot. The rich aroma filled the kitchen as she began pulling out ingredients for breakfast, noting her body was pleasantly sore in ways that made a blush crawl up her cheeks every time she shifted.
The sound of footsteps on hardwood announced the arrival of a sister-in-law or two. Willow bit down on her lip, bracing herself for questions she wasn’t totally prepared to answer.
Layne appeared first, one hand resting on her growing belly as she moved to fix a cup of decaf tea. “Morning, Willow.”
“Hi.”
“A call came in after you left yesterday. Someone looking for a spot in the program. They asked for you. I didn’t get the number because they hung up when I told them you weren’t available.”
Willow’s brows pinched. “I hope they call back. Or I can look them up on caller ID.”
“Good idea.” She took in Willow’s appearance. “You look…different.”
“Didn’t have time to braid my hair is all.” She could kick herself for bringing up the time crunch. And she had a sneaking suspicion she knew exactly what Layne was seeing.
There was probably no hiding the satisfied glow that seemed to radiate from head to toe.
“You look relaxed.” Honor added as she joined them. She took a step toward the coffeemaker and stopped when she saw the empty pot.
“Coffee will be ready in a few. I got a late start.” Could Willow make this any more obvious that she just climbed out of Decker’s bed and rushed through the fastest shower of her life?
Honor drifted to her usual seat across from Layne at the big table. Her eyes were bright as they took in Willow.
Rhae bounced in next with Navy on her hip, her trained therapist’s eye immediately cataloging details. “Your hair’s different. And you’re not in chore clothes.”
Willow glanced down at herself, realizing she’d put thought into her outfit this morning—soft jeans that hugged her curves and a red sweater that complemented her coloring.
She reached for a colorful flower mug to match her mood, then went about fixing scrambled eggs for the group.
Juliette entered with Aspen right behind, both women looking a little sleepy. Lastly, Shiloh, Oaks’s wife drifted into the kitchen, her usually radiant skin a little duller. But she still possessed her usual soft smile for all.
She walked right up to Rhae and took Navy from her arms, cuddling the child for a moment before settling her in her highchair while Rhae fetched the toddler a banana.
Shiloh cast Willow a sidelong look. “Willow, you always look like a model, but that red sweater has you positively glowing.”
“Thanks. But can we talk about what happened here after we left the bar last night? You all look like you could use a little more sleep.”
Shiloh issued a throaty laugh. “If you think we look tired, your brothers look like they went through a blender.”
“We were up late patching up your brothers. Carson was drenched in beer. He looked like he bathed in it. I guess someone tossed a pitcher at him.” Layne yawned.
“Oaks came home with bleeding knuckles.” Shiloh pulled the orange juice from the fridge and poured herself a glass.
Aspen fetched mugs for each of them and racked them up on the counter, ready for that caffeine. “Colt needed a couple stitches on his forehead. We had to drag the doctor out of bed.”
“Gray wrenched his shoulder throwing a guy out of the bar,” Honor said through a yawn.
Juliette shook her head. “I’m glad Theo missed out on the fun then. But we got home late from the performance.”
Rhae set a sippy cup of milk on the tray for Navy, who scooped it up and sucked, her eyes big over the plastic lid.
“And Denver?” Shiloh asked.
Rhae gave them an apologetic smile, but before she could respond, Carson walked in with Denver behind him.
“He was completely unscathed,” Carson announced.
