Chapter 33

Ava

With Chris’s departure, an awkward silence settled over Leonard and me as we stood there in the warm afternoon sun. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, a little unsure of what to say now that it was just the two of us.

It wasn’t like me to feel tongue-tied, especially not around someone like Leonard who I had known for years, but it felt oddly different today.

Thankfully, Leonard didn’t let the quiet linger for long. “Well then,” he said brightly, nodding his head toward the path up ahead. “Shall we? I’d love to show you the greenhouse I’ve been working on, even if Alpha Chris isn’t here to see it himself.”

“Lead the way,” I replied with a small smile, adjusting the basket looped over my arm. “I’ll take some photos for him to look at later.”

We fell into step together, our boots crunching over the hard-packed dirt trail that wound through the lush green fields. All around us, I could see evidence of Leonard’s hard work—rows of crops swaying gently in the breeze, a small herd of dairy cows grazing lazily in the shade of a grouping of trees. The whole place felt so peaceful, set apart from the hustle and bustle of the main village.

As we walked, Leonard pulled the orange I had given him out of his pocket and began peeling it with deft fingers. The bright, zesty scent immediately filled the air between us. “Do you mind?” he asked, holding the fruit up.

I shook my head. “Please, enjoy it. I’ll have one myself.” I plucked one out of my basket as well. Before I could peel it, however, Leonard quickly gave me the one he had already peeled and took another one for himself. The generous gesture made my cheeks redden a bit.

“You’ll have to share your secrets with me, Ava,” he said, popping a section of the fruit into his mouth. He closed his eyes briefly as he savored the flavor. “Goddess, that is divine. You must have one hell of a green thumb to grow oranges this good in a region like this.”

I felt my cheeks warm with pride at the compliment. “Well, you know me—I have a passion for gardening,” I said with a small laugh. “But it’s really nothing too fancy. Just a small vegetable garden and that one orange tree out back.”

Leonard arched an inquisitive brow as he took another bite of the orange. “Just the one tree? You’ll have to let me come see this magical orange tree sometime. If the size and flavor of the fruit is anything to judge by, it must be something spectacular.”

“Of course,” I replied without hesitation. “I’d be happy to have you over to see it anytime. Maybe I could give you a cutting, see if you can get one to take root over here on the farm.”

We lapped the fields in a wide circle as we strolled, the gentle sounds of nature all around us—birds trilling, the rustle of leaves in the trees, the occasional lowing of the distant cows. It was nice, I realized, to have someone to walk with. Someone closer to my own age, who understood the simple pleasures of a well-tended garden or the fragrant citrus groves of our homeland.

Maybe a little too nice, a small voice in the back of my mind whispered. This was awfully… intimate, wasn't it? Just the two of us, wandering the farm like this with no one else around?

I found myself glancing sidelong at Leonard, taking in the fine lines that aged his handsome features, the neatly trimmed beard peppered with silver. He caught my eye and offered me a warm smile, seemingly unaware of my brief internal panic.

“I hope you’ll forgive me for overstepping,” he said mildly, “but I have to admit, I’m a bit surprised that you’ve extended such a personal invitation to your home.”

My brow furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean?” I hadn’t thought much of inviting him over—back when I had been with Ethan, no one ever read into such things. I was a married woman, and gestures such as these were seen as nothing more than being friendly and sociable.

Leonard chuckled, shaking his head ruefully. “Well, I had simply assumed that you and Chris were… you know.” He ran a hand through his silvery hair. “An item, of sorts. Most young men like him pursue romantic interests quite vigorously. At least, they did when I was his age.”

The implication of his words hit me like a bucket of ice water, and I felt my cheeks flush hotly. “Oh! No, Chris and I aren’t—we’re just friends,” I stammered out quickly. “We’ve never...I mean, we don’t have that kind of relationship.”

“Are you sure?” He chuckled. “A man doesn’t look at a woman in the way Chris looks at you unless he’s utterly smitten.”

I blushed, but quickly shook my head. “No. Never.”

I nearly cringed at my own words. Liar, I thought to myself. I could try to tell myself that we were just friends all I wanted, but the truth was this: I could still feel the burn of his lips on my neck from last night.

Leonard’s eyebrows rose somewhat. “If you say so,” he said mildly, although he didn’t look entirely convinced. “But I know how young men can be around a beautiful woman like yourself. Trust me, I was quite the fool when it came to matters of the heart at Chris’s age.” He shot me a wry smile. “Young bucks have a tendency to get ahead of themselves before they truly understand what they want. Or need.”

The weight behind his words was undeniable, and suddenly I felt oddly self-conscious standing there beneath his studious gaze. My throat felt dry as I struggled to find a response, an awkward little laugh escaping my lips. “I-I’m sure I don’t know what you mean…”

But the faint pink tinge that had bloomed across Leonard’s weathered cheeks told me he knew exactly what he had just insinuated.

“You’re right, my apologies,” he said gruffly, clearing his throat. “I’ve overstepped. It’s just…” He sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly as he stared off across the fields. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had intelligent company like yours, Ava. A very long time. Forgive an old man his foolishness?”

There was a melancholy note in his deep voice that tugged at my heartstrings. Of course—Leonard had lost his mate years ago, his beloved wife Ellie. I could only imagine how utterly lonely that existence must be after so long, especially in a society that thrived on the family unit.

But I knew that loneliness now, or at least, somewhat. Ethan hadn’t died, but he had shattered my heart with his infidelity—and now that he had been banished, perhaps he was as good as dead.

Not that that made what had happened anything at all akin to the hell Leonard had gone through when he had lost his wife.

Perhaps sensing my realization, Leonard offered me a rueful smile. “We’re two of a kind in that regard, I suppose. Two lonely souls merely trying to find a bit of companionship in this world.”

His words resonated deeply inside of me, giving voice to the quiet ache I so often smothered in the busyness of day-to-day life. I knew, then, that he was right; I was lonely. More lonely than I had thought.

And maybe that was what had happened last night, with Chris. A lonely soul trying to find companionship in the wrong person.

“You’re right,” I said softly.

The late afternoon light was slanting through the trees in hazy golden beams by the time I finally, reluctantly, turned my head. “I should get going,” I murmured, unable to keep the hint of regret from my tone. “But thank you, Leonard. For…”

I trailed off, unsure of how to adequately express my gratitude for the unexpected connection we had just shared. For making me feel truly seen in a way I hadn’t felt in quite a while.

Thankfully, Leonard seemed to understand. He simply nodded, the same warm smile playing over his lips.

“Of course. And Ava?” He waited until I met his gaze again before continuing. “If you’d ever like to visit my farm, perhaps bring some more oranges, or even just chat… My door is always open. To you.”