Page 37 of The Patron Saint of Timber Hollow

"Absolutely. She appreciates my cooking, unlike those other brutes I live with." I flash the older woman a charming smile, tightening my arm on Artemis's shoulder.

Aggie chortles, lays a hand on my other arm, and says, "Yes, she will do that, won't she? Banana bread is off limits, though, young man; otherwise, she won't come and see me!"

"Hey! I would, too!And," Artemis pauses for dramatic effect, looking down her nose. "I am but a simple She-Wolf. I like not having to cook my food. What's so wrong with that?" Artemis's free hand swings around my back, and if her hand slips down my wrist anymore, she'll feel my pulse skyrocketing at the amount of contact we share. She's not only tolerating my touch, but she's initiating more contact.

If I were a cat, my beast would be purring. As it is, my wolf's cinnamon fur and green eyesglowwith contentment from inside the confines of my mind.

Sam shoots me a knowing smirk that I can't help but return with a grin. Then the Snake chimes in with, "Isay there's nothing wrong with that. She knows what she likes, right?"

"Right." I immediately agree.

"So, does that mean you're hosting the next family dinner now?" Aggie asks arms crossed in front of her middle.

Artemis makes a choking sound before she sputters, "Oh, uh, I don't know… I hadn't thought about it."

Looking down at her, I ask, "What's family dinner, Tiny?"

"She hasn't told you?" Aggie asks incredulously.

"It's not that big of a deal. My sister hosts dinners. Her wife is a good cook, from what I hear."

"Daisy likes to entertain. She makes different courses and sometimes multiple desserts." Aggie says, propping her hand back on her hip. Artemis rolls her big, beautiful brown eyes before her aunt continues. "Last time, it was a rack of lamb with potatoes and asparagus."

"Well, Then that settles it. We're hosting a family dinner."

Artemis swings those big beautiful eyes towards me, widened comically to show the whites all around."What?"She hisses at me, slender fingers tightening around my wrist, digging into my hip.

I grin. "I'd love to cook for your family, Tiny."

Her mouth flops open, and she makes a noise in her throat, but nothing comes out. It's like I've short-circuited her brain. It's a monumental effort not to laugh, bend down, thread my fingers through her hair, and kiss those plump lips. She smells like wild roses and the forest. Like she just stepped out from between the trees. Her hair always feels cool to the touch, like she'd just sprinted through the night, and it refuses to let go of her.

"Oh, I can't wait to tell your mother. She'll be so happy. Athena and Daisy will be, too! Can we bring anything?"

I grin at Aggie, replying before Artemis can. "Banana Bread."

16

BLT

Artemis

Since Jay drove to the Packhouse for the meeting, my options are shifting and running back to the Cabin or riding with Saint. Magnusjusttold the entire Pack not to run alone, so thesmarter choice would be to go with Saint. Before walking out of the brick building, Jay kissed my lips staggeringly and said he'd be home later.

Sam is already speeding towards old Grimes's place, her white Bronco disappearing down the curve in the road. The forest lines either side of the blacktop, bare trees reaching up to the gray clouds. It looks like it could rain or snow at any moment.

Since I'm allowing Saint to steer me towards his Jeep with the arm he still has slung across my shoulders, I assume he has a plan. Jay has to stay and help his dad with Pack business, and Dante is stuck behind with him, leaving just Saint and me to return to the Cabin. "So what now?" I ask, tilting my face towards his.

"Are you hungry?" Saint asks, opening the passenger side of his obnoxious orange SUV. I hop in, buckling my seatbelt.

"I could eat." I concede.

Saint doesn't reply until he's seated on the driver's side, pulling out of the parking spot. "Then, food first. I don't have plans for after. What do you want to do?"

"What are my options?"

"Movie marathon, working out in the basement, reading, we can go for a run together. Whatever you want, really."

"Hmm, how about we figure the rest out after we eat," I laugh, watching the quiet town pass in a blur.