My stomach growled greedily as I reached for my wallet.
The man held out his hand. He shook his head. “It’s on the house.”
Maddox cleared his throat. “Good, because I’m going to need a rack of ribs and a smoked chicken. And three of your twice-baked potatoes.”
The man narrowed his eyes at Maddox. “What makes you think you’re getting things for free? Just because you’re my nephew doesn’t mean you can treat my restaurant like it’s your personal kitchen.”
Nephew?
I looked between the two men for similarities, but I couldn’t find them. Where Maddox was tall and broad-shouldered with fine, blond hair, this other man was short. His widest part was his middle, though his shoulders were doing their best to rival his barrel chest.
“It’s only going to get worse from here on out,” Maddox said with a laugh in his voice.
Though his uncle didn’t know what that meant, I did. With the wolf in Maddox demanding most of Maddox’s energy, he would need more protein and carbs than ever. His uncle seemed to have both, and flavor to boot if the smell on the air meant anything.
His uncle snatched up a fork from a container beside him and passed it over, handle first, to me. I marveled at the metal fork. He gave a wink and declared that he did his best for the environment. If someone needed a fork at home, they were welcome to steal it, too.
“I love you,” I said upon first bite of the pie.
“What is it with women and food?” Maddox asked while my eyes rolled back in my head from the salty and sweet orgasm in my mouth.
His uncle laughed heartily. “That’s how I got your aunt, too. The peanut butter pie recipe captures the heart of every woman craving a bit of sweetness in their life. It’s because the men can never give them what they really want.”
Maddox wrinkled his nose and turned his attention away from his uncle as if the statement had hit a soft spot. I recalled our conversation about Maddox’s ex-wife, Paige. While I hadn’t gotten the whole story, I figured there was a lot that Maddox still needed to work through.
I slowed down on the pie. My stomach churned nervously now that Maddox was uncomfortable.
“I’m really sorry,” I said. “I can pay for his food if need be. He needs to eat something, soon, though. He’s been running on fumes for hours.”
“I told you, your money is no good here. Since you’re sweet enough to take care of my nephew, I can help you out. Just this one time, though!” He turned back to Maddox. “Remember to bring your wallet next time! Family only pays for the cost of goods around here. It’s not that much, my boy.”
He reached over the counter and clapped Maddox on the shoulder. I flinched, waiting for Maddox to snarl in response. However, the new shifter didn’t react other than with a slight smile that betrayed how much he was enjoying this back and forth. Maybe his uncle had hit a soft spot, but that didn’t mean that Maddox would be mad forever.
The craving for family this tight and kind hit me out of nowhere. I was reminded of my own, neglectful family all over again. It made my stomach drop to my feet. The pie in my hands was a heavy weight, filled with all the things I’d never had.
I couldn’t blame my Dad and my step-family. My arcana made me strange and fearful. It made sense that they would pull away from me. When my arcana hurt those around me, it was better that it’d been that way.
It’d been for the best, I told myself.
“While I get the boy’s food ready, tell me about yourself, missy. Where are you from? What do you do? What would you rather do with your life?” The uncle threw open the door to the back of the shack but didn’t close it behind himself so he could hear me.
My heart lodged itself in my throat. Speaking wasn’t easy—not at first. After my first few, fumbling words, it became easier. I found myself regaling him with my time at Bad Moon Café and some of my adventures in the Adirondacks.
“I’m a nature man, myself. But I prefer to enjoy it while hunting or fishing. Walking around with no purpose makes me restless.” He came back and set a whole chicken into a plastic travel container and plopped a rack of ribs into a plastic bag. “I think that makes you a better person than me, though. While I go out to kill things, you’re admiring the life all around you.”
I pressed my lips together. How could I tell him that I went out to escape death?
The answer was that I couldn’t. If I started telling him, he would look at me like I was on drugs.
“We’re going to take these for a walk,” Maddox said as he took the offered food. “Mind if we use the trail on your property?”
The man nodded and waved a hand towards the land beyond the house. “Mind your step. It’s a bit muddy out there. Though, it looks like the missy has already had a mishap in the mud.”
I glanced down at my knees. After this lovely conversation with him, I’d forgotten all about my earlier break from reality. It made me look at Maddox again. He’d brought me out here not only to get food, but to help me forget about my woes for a little while.
Maddox
I didn’t tell Addie that the house full of her friends had been driving me up a wall, almost literally. I’d needed to get out of there, and her panic had given me a good excuse. I owed her an apology for using her like that, but she seemed happier out here.