Her CEO Stalker and Her Second Chance Mate (Adelaide) novel Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Martha

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Briar shrugged at the look. “Mama used to complain about all the animals I brought home

when I was a kid. Baby squirrels, orphaned bunnies, birds fallen from nests. I even had a

raccoon once, they all made their way back to the wild, but they still came to visit till they

took the house away. I worry the new owners will not take a liking to random rodents and

birds taking residence on their porch.” Now that was something else she got from her daddy,

he was always sneaking in wayward animals.

“Ya know your daddy brought home this stray cat once, he was a mess, but he kept the riff raff

away. He’d go after any dogs sniffing around for our Nida when she was in heat. Never saw a

big dog run so fast in my life from a feral ball of fluff,” Henry said, reminiscing with a smile.

“I’m just glad he never came across a cougar or a bear cub. Once he adopted something, there

was no changing his mind,” I added.

Henry chuckled. “That boy couldn’t be stopped if he put his mind to something. That’s for

sure,” he added.

Briar peered at us. “It’s nice to hear stories. Mama didn’t like talking about him too much, she

said it hurt her heart to think about what had been.” Briar said, sadly. Carter rubbed her

shoulder, and I watched her lean in on instinct.

Good. Everything could be right in the world if these two leaned on each other. Carter was a

good man, he’d been alone for far too long. There was a time all the single girls around here

batted their lashes at him. He never let it get to his head. He stood by his morals, he didn’t

take dating casually, and kept on waiting for ‘the one.’ It was best to let things happen

naturally but I couldn’t help but hope that these two figured it out sooner, rather than later.

Maybe he knew, like Henry had. Boy, did I test that man’s patience and perseverance. I tried

pushing him away so many times when I was at my worst.

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Chapter 46

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Everyone was scraping their plates with garlic bread, heading straight into a pasta coma. I got up and Briar followed me as I put everything away. She seamlessly assisted without a word.

The gathered dishes hit the sink and when Briar went to start washing them, I grabbed her

hand and shook my head. “That’s Henry’s job.” Her mouth was shaped into an O, when she

glanced behind her at the burly old man talking animatedly with Carter.

“Train them right from the get go,” I said, with a wink and she just smiled with a soft nod.

“Henry?”

“Yeah?”

“How about you get some wood and we will build the fire by the overlook, it’s a nice night out

and we have company for a change.” I suggested.

“Sure thing,” was his reply, as he stood to comply.

Carter got up to help and I guided Briar outside. “I may not know all the parts of your story

Briar, just know, your mama and your daddy are proud of you, and that we are here for

whatever you need. Our door is always open to you.”

“Everyone has been so kind, I don’t know what to do with myself,” she admitted. “Right now I

just want to stand on my own two feet, but I can’t deny I need people; not to do things for me, not for money, not for anything, but friendship. I can’t say no to it. The old me didn’t

need anyone besides Uncle Jake and Mama in my corner. Since they have been gone, and after

everything, I just feel so alone. No offense, but I don’t want to need anyone. However, something inside me craves this place and its friendly people. I don’t think I deserve all the

kindness bestowed on me, though.”

“You mean Carter?” I asked, as our trail took us to the overlook. She shrugged. “I suppose he

is a part of the equation. I never fit in anywhere, not at home, not at college, not even when I

started my internship. I’ve always been the black sheep, the outsider. I just want a place and

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