EIGHTEEN
After lunch was finished and the kitchen cleaned, Jae noticed Hannah staring out the window. He smelled sadness and worry from her.
“Hey, Hannah,” he said, “thanks for helping with dinner. You ladies are excellent cooks.”
“Of course.” Hannah looked down at herself. “Would you trust a skinny cook?”
Jae growled. “You are a beautiful woman, Hannah. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.”
Hannah smiled. “Thank you, Jae, but that’s not really what I meant. I’m happy with my self-image. I’m overweight according to charts and diagrams doctors and nutritionists flash around, but over 70 percent of American adults are overweight. That doesn’t make it ‘right,’” she made bunny ears with her fingers for the word right, “but I’m overall healthy and my heart is in great shape. I’ll be around for a long time.”
His anxiety about this fated mate eased. It was better for her psyche and mental health to be happy with her body. He knew that yo-yo dieting put undo strain on a woman’s heart. The number one killer of women was heart disease. He’d make sure his mate knew how much he loved her body. He would never get enough of it. He was thinking of Avery, but it could be this woman in front of him.
His damn mark better show up soon. This not knowing was driving him batshit crazy. He wanted Avery so badly, and told her that as often as he could. But what if his mark showed right after making love to her? What would he say? Thanks for the sex, now get out of my bed so my real wife can have sex with me? Holy fuck, that would be the death of him.
Why was he wavering again? Outside talking with Ker, he’d decided he was going for Avery. Damn the mark. When it did materialize, he’d pretend it never did. But he knew that’s not how it worked. The appearance of the mark began the lust if it hadn’t already happened.
Hannah must’ve felt the awkwardness between. She turned back to the window and said, “What have you heard about the weather for tonight?”
“On the way to the cabin, the radio reported a storm coming in. That’s why I brought up extra food. Figured we might stay a few extra days up here. Keep out of sight that way,” he said. “Are you worried about being snowed in?”
“No,” she said, “I’m worried about the kids and their celebration. They’ve all been looking so forward to it.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “When you’re dying of cancer, you don’t have a lot to cheer you up.”
Oh shit, he thought. He forgot about the cancer event she mentioned earlier. “That’s tomorrow?” he asked.
“Yes. All the parents were coming in today to help setup and spend time with the kids. So, at least they are safe. But I’m afraid others won’t be able to make it tomorrow. If the clowns and balloons aren’t there, the children will be disappointed. If the funds the hospital hopes to raise aren’t there, the children will be sent to another hospital with less special care for each. That breaks my heart.” Tears poured down her cheeks.
Jae took her into his arms and rocked her. “Hey, now, you’re thinking the worst case scenario, which it seldom is. The folks around here know how to handle and live in snow. It’s going to be fine.”
“You can’t promise that, Jae,” she said, sniffling against his sweater.
He grunted. “Oh yes, I can.”
Hannah laughed and pulled back from him. “What? You think your dragon can scare away a blizzard?” She laughed again. “I’d like to see that. If you do that for the kids, then I’ll give you as many children as we can pop out—” She suddenly quieted, this time embarrassment and worry took over her smell.
Jae put a hand on her shoulder. He wanted to comfort her, but his dragon didn’t want to feel her against his body. Without his mark, he guessed his lust for this woman wouldn’t exist.
“My dragon has little to do with me making a promise, Hannah,” he said. “The funds your hospital needs is easy to make a reality. My corporation will make a contribution for $50 million each year for five years. For the other stuff, I need to make a phone call.”
Hannah stood staring at him. Her eyes narrowed. “Are you kidding?” She put her hands on her hips. “You’re kidding, aren’t you? You know it isn’t nice to—”
A hearty laugh escaped his stomach. “I kid you not.”
She threw her arms around him and sobbed into his sweater. “You’re an amazing person, Jae Drachen. I’m honored to know you, mate or not.”
“Same here, Hannah. You have a huge heart and a gift you need to share with the world. We’ll make sure you do.”
“Thank you so much.” She pulled away from him and wiped at her face. “I’m sure I’m a mess. I think I’ll rest and read or take a nap for a bit.” She squeezed his hand. “Thanks for everything, Jae.” She turned and walked down the hall toward the guest rooms.
He sighed and leaned against the window, taking the spot his potential mate occupied seconds ago. No, not potential. Then a thought occurred to him. He’d been selfish and self-centered this entire time. Thinking only about himself and his mark. If his mark matched Hannah’s, then him ignoring it and staying with Avery would probably nearly destroy Hannah emotionally.
And even though Ker volunteered to mate Hannah, who’s to say she’d want that? Her heart and soul were created to be with his and if it wasn’t, would the woman with a heart the size of Texas ever find love? Fuck! He hated this.