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“I know it hurt when he told the lies that kept the two of you apart, but all of it was for you, none of that was selfish. He thrives in your presence, and your safety is his paramount concern. I knew he would love the cottage, and having you both here works out perfectly.”
I studied his face.
“Speak,” he said, in that way he had that made it clear he’d been giving orders his whole life.
“I thought you weren’t crazy about Deacon.”
“I was as blind as you, but for far longer where he was concerned. I have no excuse. You were actively misled. I let my own feelings cloud my judgment. I should have known to take a closer look when I realized both my children adored him,” he confessed. “But now I see him clearly, just as I do you and Wade and Linden and everyone else I consider part of my family.”
I glanced away so he wouldn’t see my tears.
“It’s all right, omega. Crying doesn’t make you weak.”
“Of course not,” Avery said as he joined us, and I smiled up at him. “Being confident enough to show every emotion is a gift. I need to be more honest about mine.”
“Well, being a homicide detective, that might be dangerous when you catch the bad guy and want to murder them yourself.”
“There is that,” he agreed, grinning at me. “And by the way, your father is checking with mine at the moment, because he didn’t believe me when I told him I was an omega.”
When Graeme grabbed his mate and hugged him, I couldn’t help smiling.
Dinner was wonderful, and after I went to thank Graeme’s staff for my and Avery’s scrumptious vegan feast, I took a turn and wound up outside on the patio that led out into the backyard.
It was stunning. There was a carpet of fallen leaves in shades of yellow, orange, and red, wooden benches with metal scrollwork on the sides, and antique lampposts. I was in love. There was a pond that I was betting the kids could skate on when it froze over in the winter, but now it had some leaves floating on it like little boats, and the moon was reflected on the surface as well. I had to go touch the willow tree, astounded at how good it looked, knowing all the effort it took to grow and maintain them in our Chicago climate.
The path wound around everything like it would in an actual park, and I found the children’s playground, complete with swings, then picnic tables and an area for grilling. I bypassed the pool entrance and realized Gigi was right, the cabana and pool house were enormous. Someone could live there.
The grounds were perfect; I could walk them for hours and would hopefully have the chance. It was probably a wintery dream in December.
Finally, I saw the wall, and smiled. There were floodlights that came on the moment I stepped close, but instead of a bright white prison vibe, the lights shining up on the wall were amber. It was like my house now, everything soft and inviting.
When I reached the door, I rolled it open easily, loving the look of the ancient wood—it looked like olive. I peeked inside, noting that the cobblestone path continued up to the front steps of the cottage.
“What are you doing out here all alone?” Deacon asked from behind me. “You’re gonna give me a heart attack.”
“Oh, I will not.” I chuckled, glancing over my shoulder at him. “And I know you did this all because you knew I’d come out here.”
“What?” He caught up to me, and I was spun around before he wrapped me in his arms, hugging me tightly. “No.”
I kissed his cheek, then pulled back enough to look up into his eyes. “I know those floodlights were probably white, but you had them changed out.”
“How could I have done that?”
“And the house.” I gestured at it, the front door open, everything glowing with warm amber light. “You did that too.”
“You’re giving me far too much credit,” he said before he bent and kissed me.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, and when he leaned back, I smiled at him.
“Your nose is cold,” he muttered.
“I forgot my coat, so all of me is cold.”
Instantly, he started taking off his.
“No,” I ordered, and then I had a better idea. I was sure the heater was on in the cottage.
Bolting away, I ran up the path to the newly added white picket fence, opened the gate, and closed it behind me just as Deacon reached it.
