Anticipated release: Spring 2025
Fen had patched the spot in the barn wall where the goats would slip through before he’d gone to fetch nails.
“We both should work in the loft,” Rowan said. “That would be safer, instead of only one person taking it on by themselves.”
“The lumber still looks good,” he said. “I climbed up there to check. How long has it been up there?”
“Years.” She shrugged. “I haven’t made it a priority until now.”
“Not until I arrived, here to save the day.”
Her sardonic expression met his charm, his broad grin disarming.
“After the loft, we’ll see about the chicken coop.”
“You go for something, when you set your mind to it,” he said. “I admire that.”
She didn’t look at him, instead taking the hammer from its place on the wall. He’d returned it to the right place after the morning’s work, which didn’t escape her notice. “Then let’s admire that in one another and fix this railing.”
She climbed up, and he followed, both of them reaching the stack of boards and posts. Whether for the loft railing or the fence outside, Rowan kept lumber ready.
“Have I made you uncomfortable?”
She lifted one board, forcing a mask of nonchalance. “No. Why?”
“I feel like I have.”
“I’m not used to you, Fen,” she said succinctly, taking one board to the railing and letting it drop on the pieces of hay at their feet. “Our acquaintanceship is new, and we’re both undertaking a task to complete together.”
“Acquaintanceship.” He raised an eyebrow, the hint of a smirk toying with his mouth. She tried not to look, but the hint of a dimple presented itself despite the beard. “Are you sure that’s it?”
She took a deep breath, slowly, the air cool through her nose. “I’m sure.”
She didn’t waste time pulling the nails from one end of the first board, though her shirt sleeves hindered more than helped. “Here.” She passed Fen the hammer. “Do the others for me.”
She rolled her sleeves as far as they would go, the fabric tight around her biceps. She felt his eyes following her hands, fingers rolling each sleeve until they could go no further.
“Fen?”
He cleared his throat, focusing on the task. “Right. Sorry. It’s just…”
He didn’t finish, working the hammer’s claw beneath the nail head to pry it up.
“It’s just what?”
“Farm work keeps you fit,” he said. He pried one nail loose, then started on the other. “That, and patrolling the woods.”
Her face scrunched, confused, but let the matter drop. With one end of the board loosened from its post, she took the other end and pushed, testing the strength of the remaining join. She patted her sides, lamenting not wearing her belt.
“My hatchets are inside.” She pursued with her bare hands, pushing and pulling the board until the nails gave way, then finishing the job with a strong shove. The board fell to the barn floor with a hollow clatter.
She reached for the hammer but stopped, caught by Fen’s shocked expression. There was a slight upward curve of his mouth as his eyes followed the path from her biceps to her shoulders to her eyes. She braced herself for teasing, a reaction she was used to. But the way he looked at her was different. The kind that made her insides shift. Some said they felt butterflies in their stomach, which would have been preferable to the squirming within her.
“What?” she asked, though she was afraid of the answer.
“How strong are you?”
She glanced down at her arms, self-consciousness urging her to hide them in her sleeves. “Like you said. Farm work.”
“I’m sorry,” he blurted, his tone genuine. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
She scoffed. “Gods, am I that easy to read?”
“I was impressed, but I didn’t mean to embarrass you.” He rubbed the back of his head, his own chagrin flushing his cheeks a light pink. “And now I’m repeating myself.”
The sincerity in his voice helped, though she was all too aware of her arms and shoulders and the power they would bring. “Let’s finish up.”
“I’ll nail the board in place,” Fen said, twirling the hammer. With a grin, he added, “You, my strong new acquaintance, can balance it.”
“Or we nail one end in place.” She took the hammer and didn’t hesitate to pin one end of the board with one nail, then lifted the other end to do the same.
“Gods above, you’re incredible.”
“And you’re a shameless flirt.” She passed him the rest of the nails. “Don’t drop these. Give me one at a time. Acquaintance.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He was still grinning. “I like it when you boss me around.”
“Fen.”
BONUS: HERE ARE THE TROPES!!!
In The Book of Wolves, you can expect
- Grumpy (her) + Sunshine (him)
- “Touch him/her and die”
- Including a moment where he says, “I can’t wait to watch her rip you to shreds” 😍
- Forced Proximity
- He Falls First
- Morally Gray MMC
- Physical Strong FMC
- Feminine Rage
MORGAN REILLY 