“Glad to know I can keep your interest.”
“No, I swear, I am interested. It’s… been a day.”
Instantly, Torin’s mood shifted. He closed his door and rounded the bonnet, popping open my door and unhooking my seat belt before I could do anything else. I gaped up at him as he leaned in and hauled me out of the car.
The man was clearly used to lifting heavy things. I wondered if he even realized that several times now he’d just pulled me to him, or in this case, lifted me. It must be second nature to him, what with picking up logs all day long, but I certainly wasn’t used to being handled like this.
Not that I minded it.
Not at all.
“What happened and who do I need to beat up?”
My insides went all warm and gooey. He leaned over me, one arm braced over my head on his truck, and I suddenly felt all faint and fluttery. Like a damsel in actual distress. Not a woman who had taken a magickal oath and was supposedly going to help defeat mythological water beasts. A part of me desperately wanted to fan myself and ask Torin to take his shirt off while he chopped wood for the winter.
Settle down, woman. The whole forest is watching.
My gaze flew to where Bracken chattered at me from the roof. That little shite! And I couldn’t respond to him because then Torin would really have to decide whether he’d gotten himself in too deep with me.
“Long story. Shall we go inside? I’d love a cup of tea.”
“Aye, lass. I hope you’re hungry as well. I stopped at the market on the way from my last appointment.” Torin surprised me by opening the back door and pulling out a market bag full of food.
“You cook?”
“Of course, I cook. I’m a grown man, aren’t I?” Torin looked at me like I’d said the silliest thing in the world and whistled his way up to the front door before unlocking it and heading inside. I followed more slowly, waiting a moment until he was fully inside before looking up at Bracken.
“Did you know? About the Order?”
“I did. It’s why I said you’re mine. I’m here to help, lass.”
“Can we talk? Later or tomorrow? I need some help, I think.”
“I will come by in the morning after the man leaves.”
“Thanks, Bracken. See you then.”
“Are you talking to someone?” Torin appeared at the door, his coat off, and I smiled brightly at him.
“Just a cute red squirrel up on the roof.”
“Cute? I’m handsome,”Bracken chattered at me.
“Aye, I love those little buggers. They’re so fun to watch, aren’t they?”
“The best.” I trailed inside and closed the door behind me, realizing, belatedly, that I’d walked into the main room of the house and not my wing. I needed a moment alone, just to think about what I was going to say to Torin about my day.
“I’ve got the kettle on. Is lasagna okay? It’s easy enough to throw together.”
“Sounds great, thank you.” I couldn’t remember the last time anyone had cooked for me, let alone a man. It felt oddly comforting, to have someone to take care of me that way. “I’m just going to be a moment.”
Ducking inside my side of the house, I closed the door behind me and took a deep breath and then another. Dropping my handbag on the table by the couch, I made use of the toilet, changed into some comfortable clothes, and then studied my reflection in the mirror. Even my comfy clothes needed an upgrade. I’d been budgeting for so long that it was easy to overlook the state of my clothes, but there wasn’t much I could do about it now. When I did shop, it was typically at vintage stores, and I picked pieces thoughtfully, hoping they would last a long time. My joggers and hooded jumper didn’t exactly fall into that category.
Indecision warred, but the need to feel comfortable after an emotional day won out, and I left the bedroom. My gaze landed on my handbag where my now-magickal brooch was tucked away. Did I bring it with me? Was I supposed to have it on me at all times? Hilda had said it was more symbolic than useful, and I truly couldn’t imagine wielding a brooch in an attack, so surely it was fine where it was. Decided, I left the brooch behind and slipped back into the main room to the scents of garlic simmering and music turned low in the background. Torin had changed as well, looking just as rumpled and cute as he had yesterday, and I realized that I wanted to go over and give him a hug.
Stifling the urge, I wandered closer to the kitchen.
“Anything I can do to help?”