quite surprised. I felt like I looked like a half-decent person instead of someone who had been through trauma. I thought I actually looked sort of pretty, which is not something that I had thought of myself for quite a while.
I did a little twirl and then smiled at myself.
Maybe I wasn’t a hideous creature.
Eventually, when I felt brave enough, I went downstairs. Everyone was in the kitchen, with sizzling bacon and hot coffee. I sniffed the air and smiled.
“Good morning,” I said, and the three of them turned around.
They were very subtle about it, but all three of them checked me out. Normally, I wouldn’t have wanted anything like that to happen. Today, though, I sort of appreciated it.
“Good morning,” Jacob said. “I see that you found the clothes.”
“Oh,” I said as I looked down. “Yep, I did. Thank you.”
“They look like they fit really well,” Frances said as he handed me a cup of coffee. I blushed.
“Yeah, they do,” I said. “It’s almost like you planned this.”
There was an awkward silence and I tried to break it with some laughter.
“It’s OK,” I said. “I was just joking,”
“Of course,” Johnathan said. “Would you like some breakfast? We have to head to the office but—”
“Yes, please,” I said. “Please don’t let me interrupt your day.”
“You aren’t,” Frances said and invited me to sit down.
I was pretty sure this was the nicest breakfast I had ever sat down to in my life. Yes, it was a little bit strange, but I didn’t mind.
“Any plans for the day?” Jacob asked, and I shook my head.
“Not unless...you guys need some help? Is there anything I can do to repay you?”
“No!” all three of them blurted out, and I reacted in surprise.
“Oh,” I said.
“We just mean...don't worry too much about that now. You still need to recover, but that will happen with time.”
“I do feel OK, though,” I said, and Jacob nodded.
“Give it another few days,” he said. “For now, just stay inside. We don’t know if it’s safe yet, so we don’t want anyone to see you.”
“Right, of course, that makes sense,” I said and sipped my coffee. It was very strong coffee, and I felt the warmth radiate through my body. For the first time in two years, I felt like I could truly relax.
I couldn’t wait to see what the future held. I didn’t know how I was going to relate to three triplet bear shifter brothers, but I surprised myself in being eager to find out.
Chapter Ten
Frances
“We have to be more careful,” Jacob said, as we left the office. “She almost figured it out.”
I rolled my eyes.
“She did not almost figure it out,” I said. “She asked a question and we had a good answer ready.”
“I’m actually with Jacob on this one, Johnathan said. “She may not have almost figured it out this time, but she will if we keep dropping stupid hints like that. And what if she tries the door? We’ve literally locked her in.”
“It won't be for long,” Jacob said. “As soon as she starts to trust us and realizes that we have her best interest in heart, I will make sure that she...you know, has some freedom?”
“You will make sure?” I asked. “Who made you the boss?”
“Please don’t fight,” Jonathan said. “Things are complicated enough as it is.”
“Yeah,” I agreed with a sigh. “Sorry. I’m just worried about blowing this.”
“You should probably be more worried,” Jacob said as we walked into the office. “Nick is in town.”
We both choked at that.
“Nick is in town?” Jonathan repeated, like a broken record. “Why? When did that happen?”
“Last night,” Jacob said. “He texted me in the middle of the night.”
Nick was one of Jacob’s brothers, but I considered him my brother too. He was reckless, and sometimes hard to handle, but he also gave the best advice. He was completely in love with his wife, Anna, who was human, and they were rarely apart.
“Is Anna here too?” I asked, and Jacob reached for this phone.
“I don't think so,” he said. “Why?”
“I was just thinking, if Anna was here, she could maybe check on Jenny and see if she needs anything.”
“But we asked her if she needs anything,” Jacob said. “And she said she didn’t.”
“I know we asked her,” I replied. “But there are sometimes things that...women tell other women.”
“Look at Frances; he’s a ladies’ man here,” Jonathan teased as we walked into the office. “Why is Nick in town?”
“He’s come to pick up the files,” Jacob said, and we