“There’s a bathroom over here, too,” Ben said, skipping through the room and turning on the light inside.
“Really?” she asked, crossing to peer into the adjoining room. Larger than the hall bathroom the three of them shared, it had a separate shower and tub, a big linen closet, and double sinks. “This is all for me?”
She turned to find all three Evans men nodding, and each looking prouder than the last.
Slider gave a nervous shrug as he glanced around the space. And, man, all his raw masculinity was ten times more potent when you could see his handsomely rugged face. “If you don’t like the color, or anything, we can—”
“I love it. I just can’t believe you did all this. It’s beautiful. It’s the most beautiful bedroom I’ve ever had,” she said, blinking away threatening tears. It was just that no one had ever done something like this for her before. She’d left their house midmorning yesterday, which meant they’d spent all day yesterday creating a place for her, just like Slider said he would. It really touched her.
Ben scrambled awkwardly up onto the bed. “You gotta try the mattress. It’s new.” He bounced as much as he could with one arm in a cast.
“New?” she said, sliding up next to Ben. “I’m going to have to pay you all back for—”
“No way,” Slider said. “This is the least we can do. You’re our guest, and we want you to be happy here.”
He nailed her with a stare that stole her breath. Because she believed him, and it made her feel hopeful and valued. Cared for. Wanted, for the first time in so very long. Maybe ever.
“Well . . .” She flopped back onto the bed, and a giggling Ben flopped back next to her. “I think I’m going to be so happy here you guys just might never be able to get rid of me.”
Chapter 9
“We brought a bottle of champagne, strawberries, and dipping chocolate,” Haven said when she and Cora walked through the front door of Maverick and Alexa’s house, “because we have things to celebrate.” Maverick was gone on the same club business Dare was, so Alexa had proposed a girls’ night in on Tuesday since Cora didn’t have to babysit. They’d readily agreed.
“That sounds fantastic,” Alexa said, welcoming them into the lakeside cottage out on the edge of the Raven Riders’ property. Not many of them lived on club lands, but this house had once been Bunny’s, the founder’s sister, and now belonged to Maverick. “I also made a seven-layer dip, salsa, and a big pot of chili. So I hope you’re hungry.”
When they’d served everything up, they settled around the table in front of a window that looked out at the lake. From the cat climber a few feet away, Alexa’s sweater-wearing Sphinx cat Lucy watched them.
“Okay, what are we toasting first?” Cora asked. “Definitely Alexa’s engagement.” That got the first enthusiastic round of toasts. The bubbles in the champagne tickled Cora’s nose.
“Are you setting a date?” Haven asked as she scooped some dip.
Alexa shook her head. “Not yet. But maybe next spring. I’m holding out hope that my mom could still get better, and I’d like all the stuff with Grant to be entirely behind us.” She shuddered a little when she mentioned her ex’s name.
“How about a toast to the fact that the people who hurt us will never be able to do it again,” Haven said, raising her glass.
“Hell, yes,” Alexa said. They all clinked glasses, and Cora joined in the toast, even though she felt a little guilty that they didn’t know all the ways she’d been hurt. No one did.
“You okay, Cora?” Haven asked.
“Oh, yeah. Sorry. Just daydreaming.” She forced a smile. “I understand I have you to thank for my pretty new blue bedroom.”
“No, no,” Haven said. “That was all Slider. I just helped with a few ideas. Seriously, it was so cute, Cora. He really wanted everything perfect for you.”
Cora couldn’t quite bite back her grin. “He and the boys are being really sweet about it. And with what he’s paying me, I might be able to join you in a class in the spring.”
Eyes wide, Haven gasped. “Really? That would be great. I think that’s toast-worthy, too.”
Cora didn’t disagree, so they raised their glasses one more time.
“We better keep eating with all these toasts,” Alexa said.
Laughing, Haven nodded. “Especially because I kinda got a job today.”
Pandemonium erupted around the little table.
“It’s just part-time. But, do you remember Dutch, the man who owns that little diner downtown? Well, I sent him a basket of my baked goods after his hip replacement surgery, and he liked them so much he wants to hire me to do all his pastries, cakes, and cookies for the shop. Apparently, he wants to try opening for longer hours, so he needs the extra help.”