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tremble. Coffee, a banana, and maybe a yogurt smoothie was her usual fare for breakfast.
    “Wyatt could probably use a hand. He’s in there cooking up a storm. Hope you have an appetite this morning. There’s a bunch of guys coming out today to help work on setting up for the wedding. My guess he’s taking out his jitters by cooking too much.”
    Aimee’s eyes sparkled as she talked about her special day. But Liberty noticed the dark circles beneath those eyes and wondered how much stress Aimee carried. “You think he needs me underfoot in there?”
    She placed the tray on the table and took a deep breath as she lifted her gaze. Liberty noted an odd look flicker through her eyes. She blinked a couple of times, shook her head and took a deep breath, releasing it slow. “Are you okay?” she asked.
    Aimee nodded. “Yeah, I need a bit of fresh air. If you could go help in there, I’m going to step out on the porch, just for a minute.”
    Liberty nodded and watched her leave. Her hesitancy to face Wyatt alone however, kept her feet frozen in place. “Liberty?” She turned to face Aimee, who had her arms wrapped around her middle. Her eyes shimmered in her pale face. “Wyatt’s kind of quiet until he gets to know you. But he’s a good man, Liberty. Loving, fair, and kind. Be patient. You’ll see it’s worth the effort of breaking through the hard exterior.”
    Her chief concern wasn’t Wyatt. What had plagued her sleep had been Rein’s look of disapproval when they first met, and the thought of Angelo’s temper when he discovered she’d left. She had so much to overcome and welcomed Aimee’s instantaneous friendship, but she wondered what it would take to be accepted by Rein, Wyatt, and Dalton. “If you say so.” She started toward the kitchen.
    “Hey Liberty?” Aimee called quietly.
    “Yeah?” She glanced at the kind woman.
    “You’re very pretty, too. Without the make-up. I didn’t notice last night how your eyes are the same color as Wyatt and Dalton’s.”
    Liberty smiled and ducked her head as she entered the kitchen. Wyatt eyed her and returned to flipping pancakes.
    “Sleep well?”
    “It’s really quiet out here. I’m not used to that,” she replied.
    His gaze took her in. “I suspect you’ll have a lot of things to get used to while you’re here.”
    The backdoor opened, and Rein stepped in. He tried to hide his startled expression, but those clear blue eyes were as open as a book. In a hurry it seemed, he passed them with but a nod and disappeared in to the other room. She could hear him chatting with Aimee, asking whether someone named Sally would be stopping by today to discuss the wedding.
    Liberty folded her arms across her chest and dove in. “I didn’t get the chance to really congratulate you properly about your engagement. I realize I’ve missed out on all the preparations, but I’d like to be of help. Maybe I could do something nice for the both of you.”
    The muscle of his clean-shaven jaw ticked as he flipped another pancake. “That’s much appreciated, but you being here is quite enough.” He handed her a platter of pancakes. “Can you take these to the dining room? The guys ought to be here soon.”
    Mulling over his remark, she carried the plate in and found Rein seated at the table, perusing the morning paper. His gaze met hers, locking for a moment before he put the paper down and motioned her closer. Thinking it pancakes he wanted, she held out the plate, surprised when his hand closed around her wrist. He took the plate from her hand and set it aside, and holding her gaze, leaned forward until their noses nearly touched. Liberty’s heart thudded in her chest. Those piercing eyes, the color of a brilliant summer day, held hers.
    “Just a little advice.” He spoke low, the sound of it sending a shiver across her shoulders. She pressed her lips together, trying not to imagine what his lips might taste like. He smiled and though pleasant, her gut cautioned