“You have my gratitude all the same.”
Maddox’s gaze darkened. “For your sake, wolf, it better not happen again. That’s the second time you’ve hurt him.”
Lake frowned at his half-drank cup of tea. He and Briar had wanted tea. Maddox was like me and preferred coffee. “I’ll never forgive myself for it.”
“Well,Iforgive you,” I said. “You didn’t do it to hurt me. You just didn’t want me to leave, right? And since you were in defense mode, you acted on impulse.”
“Yes,” Lake said, his voice barely above a whisper. “It’s still no excuse.”
I sipped my coffee and eyed Maddox over the rim. “Maybe I’m wrong, but didn’t someone mention an apology?”
The muscle in Maddox’s jaw jumped before he breathed out, his gaze trailing from me to Lake. “If it weren’t for me threatening you, you wouldn’t have been in that mindset to begin with. And for that, I’m sorry. I suppose I wasn’t in my right mind either. When the storm hit early this morning, Evan was all I thought about. I knew he’d be scared, and I was sick about it, knowing he was alone. But because of the high wind and hail, I couldn’t risk hurting the horse by traveling in it.”
Briar reached over and placed his hand on top of Maddox’s before looking at me. “We were both beside ourselves, counting down the minutes until we could return to you.”
“He wasn’t alone during the storm,” Lake said. “I was with him.”
Maddox glowered at that. I thought he was about to spout off something rude, but he bit it back and exhaled—again. “Thank you for being here for him when I couldn’t be.”
Lake nodded, not meeting his stare.
Progress.
“The amity muffins are working,” I said, motioning to the platter. “There are plenty left. Y’all should eat another.”
Lake grabbed a strawberry one. I’d baked two types that morning; the tried-and-true banana nut, and I’d tested out a recipe for strawberry with a lemon glaze.
“I was about to eat that,” Maddox said.
“You already have one.” I nodded to his hand. “Quit being stingy.”
He ate the rest of it in one bite before washing it down with coffee.
Briar pressed his lips into a thin line. His body then jolted, and he shot Maddox a look, who arched one brow, as if to feign innocence. I hadn’t seen it, but I knew Maddox had kicked Briar’s leg beneath the table just like I’d done to him earlier.
Silly boys.
But I loved them more than life itself.
The scent of brewed coffee and baked goods drifted through the kitchen to the small table by the oval windows where we enjoyed our breakfast. Earlier, I had put a batch of chocolate chip cookies in the oven. As a timer went off, I jumped up and took out the cookies before putting in another batch.
“Those look delicious,” Lake said from behind me.
“Good lord, you’re so quiet.” I spun around to him. “I need to put a bell around your neck.”
Albeit small, Lake smiled. “Would you like any help?”
“Sure.”
He placed more cookie dough on the cooking sheets as I whisked egg whites for the lemon meringue pie. When I caught his eye, he softly smiled and averted his gaze.
Hard to think the horribly intense morning would turn out so nice.
“I must be on my way, I’m afraid,” Briar said, pulling me into his arms. He kissed my temple. “The clinic received a large order yesterday afternoon that must be completed by tomorrow. But I’ll see you later this evening.”
“Work hard but nottoohard.” Not ready to let him go just yet, I hugged him tighter. “Remember to take breaks. And eat. You forget to do that when you’re absorbed in your work. Take some cookies with you.”
Briar lightly chuckled. “All right.”
