A shiver of dread ran over her. Wherever they moved, how were they supposed to live? Cora had waitressing experience, but Haven had no skills at all. She’d never held a job in her life and didn’t even have a high school diploma. The unknowns that lay before her were so numerous she could barely think on them all.
When she’d left Georgia, there’d been a lot of unknowns then, too, of course. But she’d believed to the depths of her soul that whatever happened, wherever she went, it would all be better than where she’d been—trapped in hell with her father.
Now that she’d lived with the Ravens for nearly a month, she wasn’t sure she could believe the same. It was good here. How did she know whatever came next would be, too? Because now that she’d found safety and good people and a little sliver of happiness, the prospect of giving it up hurt in a way that her father’s mean comments and treatment never had. Because she hadn’t let that get under her skin. She’d refused.
But this place . . . oh, and Dare—he was so far under her skin she wasn’t sure how she’d ever get him out. Or if she’d ever find another man who made her feel all the things he did.
The timer on the oven went off, pulling Haven from her thoughts. She scooped the cookies onto a flat expanse of aluminum foil to cool, having made six dozen total. When the ovens reached the correct temperature, she put the buns in to bake next.
Waiting again, sleepiness finally hit her, so Haven busied herself with cleaning up to keep awake. A little before five in the morning, the buns were done and iced, giving Haven just enough time to grab a few hours’ sleep before breakfast—which she planned to attend.
If they only had a few more days here before they had to go, Haven didn’t want to spend another second of it hiding out in her room. Because who knew if she’d ever feel as safe again as she did with the Ravens.
And with Dare.
CHAPTER 16
Haven came down to breakfast late to find at least twenty people already digging in. She’d been so nervous to walk into a big group of mostly strangers that she’d delayed in her room forever, fussing over her clothes and her new hair, which she loved even more in the light of day. But she was done with letting her fear keep her from doing things, trying things, living life to the fullest.
All of which led her to walk into a room of mostly seated people, and not a few heads turned her way—and did double takes.
“Whoa, Haven. Is that you?” Phoenix asked from where he sat across from Cora, who waved her over, wearing a big smile.
“I’d tell you but then I’d have to kill you,” Haven said as she rounded the table and scooted between the chairs until she got to her own. Laughter filled the room, which eased some of her anxiousness until she noticed Dare staring at her from where he sat at the head of her table, dark eyes hot and intense.
“Please tell him then,” one of the Ravens she didn’t know said to more laughter. Phoenix flashed his middle finger at the guy.
By the time she sat, her face was on fire, but she felt good for having come.
“You came,” Cora said in a low, excited voice. “I’m so glad.”
“I’m here,” Haven said, her gaze flicking to Dare, who was still looking at her. “And I’m kinda starving.”
“Well, we have the perfect cure for that,” the big guy next to her said. He passed her a platter filled with scrambled eggs and bacon. “I’m Joker, by the way.”
The guy who’d tried to talk to her at the party that first night. She should’ve recognized those friendly green eyes and the dark beard. “Hi Joker, I’m Haven.” As she scooped some food onto her plate, other words threatened, and then she decided to throw caution to the wind and just say them. “I’m sorry I freaked out at the party when you tried to introduce yourself. I’m kinda ridiculously shy, and big groups like this . . .” She shrugged. “. . . well, they’re usually too overwhelming for me.”
“Don’t worry about it, darlin’,” he said with a wink. “We have a knack for being intimidating.”
“You do,” she said with a little laugh.
“Here, you gotta have one of these, too,” he said, passing her the plate with her cinnamon buns.
“I’d love to,” she said, biting down on her lip to try not to smile. She took one and then passed the plate to Phoenix, who was waggling his fingers for it.
Cora elbowed Haven in the ribs, and Haven threw her a look.
“Too bad you’re already taken, Bunny,” Phoenix said. “Because I’d marry you in a heartbeat for making these buns.” Raucous exclamations and agreements circled the room.