lifted a piece of bacon in her fingers and took a bite.
“You came in as a wolf. I figured you were cold.” Not really. He assumed she was worried about an intruder showing up.
“I guess I was having a nightmare and I instinctively knew you would be hero material and protect me. I don’t usually shift into my wolf in the middle of the night without knowing I’m doing it. I’m a royal, so I can shift anytime I want.”
“Me too. I was glad you joined me, and I hoped I could make you feel better and you could sleep.”
“You really didn’t mind? Here you’re taking care of me and I offer you a guest bed, and the next thing you know, I’m making you share it with a virtual stranger.”
“We’re not exactly strangers any longer. Besides, I couldn’t sleep until you joined me. I was worried about someone breaking in and you being by yourself in the other room. It really worked out for the best when you came in to share the bed with me. If you don’t remember, you very politely waited until I saw you and told you to join me.”
“Vaguely. It was like I had been dreaming. Including the part about snuggling up to you as a human. I never do that with my guests. Ever. I just wanted you to know that.”
He laughed and finished up his breakfast. “I’m glad to hear it. You were a welcome companion. You were tired though. I checked the house about four times during the night, looking to see if anyone was observing it and making sure everything was fine, and you never once stirred.”
“I was having trouble sleeping well at first because I was still hurting. Then I must have finally fallen asleep. Thanks for being so understanding.”
“You’re welcome. It’s what we do for each other.”
Josh suspected the word hadn’t gotten out to the rest of the pack about her yet, or some of the other bachelor males would have been here already, offering to help.
She finished the rest of her French toast, carried the dishes to the kitchen, and placed them in the dishwasher. “As soon as Adam comes over from the shop, we need to hurry over there to get it ready so we have some time before I need to open it.”
Just then, Adam arrived, a tall cup of coffee and a sack of doughnuts in hand. Perfect timing. Brooke thanked him for everything, including coming to stay there today to watch over things.
“Tomorrow, if you stay the night, you can have breakfast with us. I should have offered last night.”
“Thanks. Uh, you didn’t tell me the Napoleon bed was barely bigger than a child’s bed.”
She smiled. “You could have turned wolf and curled up on it.”
“I did. It was nice and comfortable otherwise.”
She laughed. “Well, some people were smaller back then.”
“We picked up security equipment, the best we could get,” Adam said. “A couple of the guys are coming here to install it first thing this morning, both on your house and the shop, inside and out, if that’s acceptable.”
“Oh, thanks so much. With all the trouble I seem to be having, I need the cameras. How much do I owe for the security equipment and the labor?” she asked.
“Leidolf and Cassie said it was on them—anything to protect a new she-wolf to the pack.”
Brooke smiled broadly. “That’s wonderful. I should have moved here a long time ago. I hope they don’t believe taking me into the pack will be a mistake after all the difficulties I’ve had.”
“Not at all. As long as you’re not a rogue wolf, he and Cassie and, well, the rest of us are delighted. The guys with the security equipment should be here soon to start installing it. Maybe I can order something to eat for us when it’s time for lunch.” Adam set his thermos and sack of doughnuts on the kitchen table.
“I have to stay at the shop,” Brooke reminded them.
“I’m sure we can work something out.” Josh knew Adam was trying to come up with a way to have lunch with Brooke and hopefully get to know her better. He didn’t blame him. Adam had done a lot for her already. “I take it you didn’t have any problems over there.”
“No, it was really quiet. Same at the house?” Adam asked.
“Yeah,” Sierra said.
Josh took a sip from his mug of coffee. “It was a perfect night.” Especially the part about sharing it with Brooke.
A blush