Free Forbidden Seduction (Lee County Wolves Series) Book #2 by Teresa Gabelman

this. If I knew for a fact I would never meet my mate in my lifetime, Emily would be mine.”
    Dell turned and walked toward the coffee shop leaving Hunter to stew on that bit of information. Feeling the shift begin, he controlled it. “Over my dead body,” Hunter snarled, not caring if Dell heard him or not.
    ******
    Hunter had been gone for about an hour. The store was finally cleaned with everything put back in place. Emily was going to have to order more seed, but she was glad it wasn’t worse than that. Dell had said the coffee shop had minimal damage, but Roxy had been scared to death. Emily knew Roxy Patel’s violent past with her husband, and she felt for her. She had started to head over after everyone left just to make sure she was okay, but Sadie, Linda, and some other women were over there along with Marcus, Dell, Hunter, and Jonah. She had decided Roxy had enough comfort and turned back to the feed mill alone.
    Looking around once more to make sure all was in place, she locked the front door. Heading toward the back to turn off the lights, lock up the back and go to bed, she thought about Hunter. He’d said he would be back, but she wasn’t going to set her heart on that.
    Being held by him was something she would never forget. It was going to be a one-time lapse on her part, though. Her heart couldn’t afford Hunter Foster; the cost was too great. She absently lifted the collar of her shirt and sniffed, smelling his woodsy scent. His scent clung to her.
    Hearing voices, she slowed and listened. She could hear Sam and his sister, Leda, talking from the back of the store. She stopped herself from opening the door when she heard Max’s pitiful whine.
    “See, she doesn’t w-w-want to go back. She wants to-to-to stay with me.” Sam’s voice carried to her. “And she named her Max. Sh-sh-she doesn’t like that name.”
    “You can’t keep her, Sam. She doesn’t belong to you,” Leda responded appropriately. “And I know she doesn’t like the name, but I don’t think Emily named her.”
    “Well, she could name h-h-her something el-el-el-else, dammit,” Sam shot back, making Emily grin.
    “Why is it when you say cuss words you don’t stutter?” Leda asked with a chuckle. “And stop cussing. Garrett will whip that butt if he catches you.”
    “No, he w-w-won’t,” Sam replied, his tone confident.
    “Well, come on. Let’s get Max back so we can go. Garrett put me in charge of watching Janna and here I am arguing with you about a dog.” Leda sighed.
    “Okay. Okay!” Sam growled at her. “Sorry girl, b-but you have to go home n-now. I know it’s no-no-not fair.”
    Emily smiled, knowing in her heart what she needed to do. The only reason she took Max, even though she loved the pup to pieces and Max was a good cuddler on lonely nights, was because her ex was an ass. She hadn’t trusted him to take care of anything, let alone a harmless little puppy.
    Opening the door, she smiled, even though what she was about to do was hurting her heart something fierce. “Hey, there. Did you guys have fun?”
    “Yeah.” Sam shrugged, petting Max and giving her kisses on the nose.
    “Good. Ah, Leda, can I talk to you for a minute?” Emily stepped back to make room for Leda to step into the back of the store.
    “Sure.” Leda walked up the steps. “Stay here, squirt. I’ll be right back.”
    Emily pulled Leda deeper into the store. “Listen, I know how much Sam loves Max and Max loves him. They totally belong together.”
    “Okay.” Leda frowned.
    “If I give Max to Sam, will you please help him with her?” Emily saw the beginnings of a smile on Leda’s face. “But you have to promise me because Janna has her hands full, and I know she cannot handle taking care of a puppy.”
    “Are you serious?” Leda’s eyes were opened wide in happy surprise. “You would really give my brother your puppy?”
    Emily nodded, knowing she was making the right choice even though her heart hurt, but what