Come Home

Chapter 13

Alice opened her eyes and groaned as she noticed the pillow beside her was empty. She rolled over to her back and lifted her left hand. Seeing the three hearts combined ring on her finger she sighed, "I can do this," she whispered. Getting out of bed, she slipped on some sweats and pulled a hoodie on before pulling her hair up into a ponytail. She took a deep breath then grabbed some headphones. Turning on some music, she took another breath before opening the bedroom door.

Entering the kitchen, she turned on the light and started making some coffee. While that was making she opened the fridge and grabbed a flavored water. Heading out to the gym she began her yoga routine. Once she was finished, she went back to the house to make her cup of coffee.

"Shit," she gasped seeing Marc at the counter.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you," he said once she removed her headphones.

"Just wasn't expecting anyone to be awake at this hour," she mumbled walking around him to grab a tumbler. "Excuse me."

Marc stepped to the side, "I can make it for you if you'd like. I still remember how you liked it."

"No thank you," she said as she made her drink. "Excuse me," she mumbled as she turned to leave.

"Would you like some breakfast?" Marc called out. "I'm about to start cooking."

"No thank you," she said refusing to turn and look at him. She kept walking and headed to her room to start a shower. Once she was dressed for the day, she headed back to the kitchen to make another cup of coffee. She ignored the men's requests to join them for breakfast, instead going to the office to power on the computer.

Once the computer was on, she sat her cup down, slid on her headphones to listen to music then got started on what she had to do for the day. Noticing her phone light up, she picked it up and smiled softly seeing it was a group message from Jackson and Jasper.

Did you skip breakfast?

You know she did so she wouldn't have to be around those guys. Time for a break, go eat lunch.

Send a video too.

We can't wait to come back to you, Pet.

She smiled softly as she reread the messages then sighed and saved her work. Standing up, she stretched then put her headphones back on before leaving the office.

Opening the fridge, she sighed as she looked at everything. Shutting it, she opened the freezer and frowned when she noticed a lot of vegetarian frozen meals in it. Grabbing her phone, she hit redial.

"Alice," Jackson's voice surrounded her.

"Hey," She smiled softly. "Did you by chance stock the freezer for me before you left?"

"Noooo," He trailed off, confusion in his voice. "What are you talking about?"

"There's a bunch of vegetarian things from Morning Star Farms in the freezer," she tried to explain. "I just thought maybe you got them before you left."

"It wasn't me."

"Did Jasper?" She asked confused.

"I got them for you."

She turned around, "Marc?"

"I got them for you when I went shopping last night," he said from the doorway. "I wasn't exactly sure what you liked so I just grabbed various things so you would have something to choose from."

"Alice," Jackson warned.

"Oh, thank you, Marc," she said shocked.

"Good girl," Jackson said, "now make you something for lunch."

"Yes Sir," she mumbled.

"We love you."

"Love you too," She said before hanging up the phone. She looked up at Marc and bit back a sigh, "I, um, appreciate it."

"You're welcome," he said watching her. "I can make you something if you'd like."

"I can do it," she shook her head. "I'm sure you are busy on the ranch." She grabbed the vegetarian chicken strips and started to cook them while preparing a salad. Once it was made, she sat down at the table and hit the video call.

"Hey Pet," Jasper smiled answering it.

"Hi," she beamed. "You busy?"

"Yeah, I got just a few minutes," he said honestly. "Training these newbies. Jackson busy?"

"I think so, he called me by my first name when I called him a few minutes ago," she pouted making him chuckle. "Not funny."

"No, it's cute," Jasper smiled. "You know he only does it at work."

"I know," She pouted as she took a bite of her salad.

"Jackson make you some food before he left?"

She shook her head, "No, I got her some vegetarian things while I was shopping last night," Marc said coming into the room.

"Oh, appreciate it," Jasper said as someone yelled in the background. "Got to go, Pet. I'll talk to you later, Meine Liebe."

He ended the call, and she sent a quick text to Jackson letting him know that she talked to Jasper while eating then sat the phone on the table. "Do you video call every time they have to leave?" Marc asked.

"Yes," she said after swallowing her bite. "They aren't always able to answer since they are busy, but we try and that's what matters."