Hooking Him (How to Catch an Alpha #3)(10)

“It’s okay.” I get up from the floor and laugh when he comes back over to nuzzle his face into my stomach. “Is he a German shepherd?”

“Yeah, Calvin’s been training him so he’ll be able to go out on patrol with him. But unlike what he told you about his dog listening, he obviously lied.”

My cheeks warm. “He told you about that?”

“Pearl told me, and I told him to find you and apologize for what he said.”

“Oh.” Well, that answers why he came by the shop, and now I feel like an idiot for thinking he felt the same pull I did when we met and couldn’t stay away.

“Enough about that. Let’s put your bag up, get you a drink and some food, and introduce you to some people.” She takes my purse from my hand and places it on the bed, then walks back by me. “Do you mind helping me carry some stuff outside?”

“Not at all.” I give Bane’s head another rub, then follow her to the fridge with him at my side. Once our arms are full with condiments, she opens the sliding door, allowing the sound from outside to pour in.

“Everyone here is either family or a close friend. You don’t need to be nervous.”

“My parents used to have get-togethers at least once a week. I’m used to being around people I don’t know. I’m out of practice, but I’ll be okay,” I reassure her.

“Where are your parents?” she asks, eyeing me with curiosity.

“Chicago. They both were born and raised in the city.”

“Have they come to visit you here?” she asks.

“Not yet,” I say, not wanting to tell her the truth—that my parents have pretty much disowned me since I called off the wedding and moved. At first, they seemed convinced I’d gotten cold feet and would come back in time. When I didn’t return after three months, they threatened me with the loss of my inheritance. Now they’re just giving me the cold shoulder. They don’t call or check in, and when I reach out to them, they get off the phone as quickly as possible or ignore my calls completely. It hurts, but I can’t say I’m surprised by their actions, since neither of them would ever win an award for parenthood.

“Tell them to come at the end of the summer when there aren’t so many tourists,” she says as we step out onto a large deck that overlooks a swimming pool where kids are playing and people are lounging. As large as the backyard is, it looks miniscule with so many people packed into the space. “Honey, this is Anna. Anna, my husband, Drake,” Elsie says. She takes the things from my hands and places them on the table next to the grill. I focus on the very handsome black man with a beer in one hand and a skewer in the other she’s motioning to.

“Nice to meet you, Anna.” Drake drops his beer to the table so he can stick out his hand toward me.

“Nice to meet you too.” I look between him and Elsie, then at Todd, who’s standing next to his dad.

“She’s got the look, babe,” Drake says, holding my gaze, and Elsie laughs.

“Drake and I couldn’t have kids, so we adopted Calvin when he was five and Todd when he was two.”

“I—” I start to apologize for possibly offending them but am cut off when Todd gasps.

“I’m adopted? Why didn’t you ever tell me?” he asks, looking between his parents, cutting the tension I’m feeling immediately.

“Oh, stop.” Elsie rolls her eyes at him, then looks at me. “We’re used to people being curious, and so are the boys. Since the day we brought them home, we’ve been open about their adoption.”

“Plus, it’s not like they’d be able to keep it a secret for long,” Todd adds, patting his dad’s shoulder.

“I don’t know. You two have the same eyes,” I say, and Todd looks at his dad with admiration.

“I guess you’re right,” he agrees, and his father wraps his large hand around the back of his son’s neck in an affectionate gesture. “Do you want a drink, Anna?” Todd asks when his dad lets him go.

“I’ll have a wine cooler, if you have one.”

“I already like her.” Drake grins, lifting his own wine cooler toward me, and my chest warms.

“Honey, set her up with a burger. I’m going to take her down by the pool and introduce her to everyone,” Elsie tells Drake, and he turns toward the grill, placing a patty of meat on the bottom rack.

“I see you’ve been claimed,” Todd says, handing me a wine cooler.

“Pardon?” I ask, confused. He tips his head down, and I follow his eyes to Bane, who is sitting at my feet. “I guess you’re right.” I rub the top of Bane’s head, and he leans into my side, resting his weight against me.

“Don’t even think about it, bud. Your brother already called this one,” Drake says, which I find odd.

“I know.” Todd rolls his eyes at his dad.

I want to ask what they’re talking about but am distracted when Elsie threads her arm through mine. “While that’s cooking, let’s go mingle.”

“Sure.” I smile at both men, then let her lead me down the steps to the lower yard and pool. I stand at her side as she introduces me to every single person who’s there. By the time we make it back up to the grill, my burger is cold and my wine cooler is empty, but my soul feels full, because everyone is genuinely nice and welcoming.