by Ardy Kelly
“I don’t understand,” he admitted. “Aren’t I a good guy?”
“Not yet. You can be nice without emotion, but you can’t be good without passion. Those wolves aren’t always nice, but they’re always passionate. A nice guy doesn’t stand a chance.”
“So, about your guest list…”
“Yes, he’s here. I told him it’s a two-night minimum.”
“Since when?”
“Since the second he called. Figured you’d need two nights to seal the deal.”
Chet rolled his eyes. “There is no deal.”
“Then you’d better get busy.” Trisha pulled the hat off Chet’s head. “I suggest you get a haircut soon. Once the town finds out David’s back, Joe’s Barber Shop will be more like an interrogation room.”
Chet snatched his hat and flipped it back on his head. “Don’t know why everybody is so interested in my love life.”
Trisha barked a laugh. “This is Timber Crossing. You can’t avoid it. And it’s not like you were keeping anything secret. Tabitha saw you two fight when David left town. When you were a bear for the next week, it sealed the gossip. You think he’s the one, right?”
Chet debated acknowledging the answer. “I know he is.”
“How?”
Chet hesitated. The ranch knew he was a watcher, but the locals didn’t. “Signs,” was his terse reply.
“Have you told him?”
“Haven’t talked to him since he returned.”
“Well, next time you see him, don’t pussyfoot around. Let him know how you feel. The wolves around here are always claiming their mate. You should do the same. Tell him you’re ready to lay claim, figuratively and literally.”
“I don’t want to scare him.”
Trisha patted his arm. “You’re not the scary type. Just be direct with your feelings. The uniform will help. Things always sound more definitive coming from someone in a uniform.”
She swung back to the bushes, snapping the pruning shears. “Get busy. I don’t want David checking out on Sunday without a ring on his finger.”
Chet headed to his car, jaywalking across the street. Determined to get to Joe’s Barber Shop before it closed, he failed to notice the car approaching until he heard the loud clicking of anti-lock brakes.
Turning to glare at the driver, his expression changed to a smile at his good luck.
Chapter 4
David left the ranch before dinner, wary of driving down the mountain after dark.
He replayed his sister’s words. He knew about us the whole time.
Freed from his promise to avoid Chet, David could give the sheriff the apology he deserved. Maybe more than an apology.
He turned onto Main Street, driving by the sheriff station slowly. He needed a plan. Could he leave his car at an expired parking meter? If he walked into the station to pay the fine, he could explain the misunderstanding and finally have their date.
Unless Chet was off the market. You really think someone that good-looking is still single after two years? It’s not as if he was waiting for you to come back.
Lost in thought while turning the corner, he almost missed the pedestrian stepping out into the street. David slammed on the brakes and then groaned.
Sheriff Chet Thompson stood inches from his bumper. He seemed to smile before putting on his mirrored sunglasses.
“I’m sorry,” David yelled as he rolled down his window. “But I was hoping to run into you.”
Chet walked up to the driver window, his expression hidden behind the sunglasses. “Running into or running over?”
“Into you. Definitely into you.”
A smile curled on the sheriff’s lips. “Into me, huh?” Placing a hand on top of the car, he leaned into the window, scanning David. “You weren’t texting, were you?”
“No. Just a little distracted.” And you standing so close isn’t helping.
“Distracted driving causes more accidents than alcohol.” He rested an elbow on the window frame, inching closer. “What had you so distracted?”
“You.” David saw his reflection in Chet’s shades, and he looked like an idiot. “I mean…I need to explain what happened last time I saw you.”
The sheriff’s lips pressed together so tightly the blood left them. “Yes, you do.”
David swallowed before blurting out his unrehearsed apology. “Mack told me to cancel our date. He said you didn’t know what Lone Wolves Ranch was…what they were…we are.”
Chet’s stern expression softened a fraction. “That’s why?”
“Yeah. It’s not like I could explain at the time. But it’s bothered me that I wasn’t able to. I hope you can forgive me.”
Chet straightened. “You’re very persuasive. Okay. But you owe me more than an apology. You owe me dinner.”
Momentarily distracted by the tight crotch on the sheriff’s uniform, David whipped his gaze up to the man. “Great. I haven’t eaten all day. Is that café still open?”
Chet removed the sunglasses. “Mabel’s Café? You’re ready to make our relationship public?”
David blinked. “Relationship?”
“The town’s timber mill closed years ago, but the gossip mill is still thriving.”
“Oh, yeah. Of course,” David mumbled. “I understand if you’re in the closet.”
Chet laughed. “No chance of that. Mabel’s Café sounds perfect.”
David smiled. “I’ll just park. You better get out of the street because now I’m totally distracted.”
Years of driving in the city hadn’t improved his parallel parking, but the road was deserted enough that it appeared David knew what he was doing.
Chet opened the car door. “How’s your nephew?”
David fumbled with the seat belt. He really does know everything about the ranch. “You knew Diana had a baby?”
“I’ve kept a close eye on the entire bridal party. I never want to go through that again.”
David’s stomach lurched. This isn’t conflict. It might be a date. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Chet replied, strolling toward Main Street. “It’s how I met you. A sort of hero’s journey, battling the fourteen-breasted bachelorette party-monster to find my true love.”
David laughed. “True love? That’s a lot of pressure to put on me for our first date.” He kicked himself for using the d-word.
“Our first date was dinner two years ago,” Chet answered. “This is our second date.”
“You’re counting that as a date?”
“Of course. I never put out on a first date.” Chet pulled open the door to Mabel’s Café.
The strong smell of fried food and grilled meat assaulted David’s nostrils, and his stomach dropped like a plane hitting an air pocket.
The buzz of conversation in the restaurant came to an abrupt halt as all eyes turned to stare at Sheriff Chet’s date.
Mabel herself came out from behind the counter to greet them. “David! I was wondering when I was going to see you again.” She waved her hand toward the room. “Like everyone else.”
Chet’s arm went to David’s shoulder. “Don’t scare him, Mabel.”
The patrons returned to their own conversations until Mabel asked, “When’s the wedding?”
“That’s rushing things,” David insisted.
Mabel shook her head. “It’s been two years. Shit or get off the pot.”
Before he could object, his stomach roiled. Not now he prayed, before rushing out the door.
Finding the nearest storm drain, he emptied his stomach into it. A shadow in a sheriff’s hat hovered over him.
“For someone who hasn’t eaten all day,” Chet remarked, “that sure was a…mouthful.”
David nodded before retching again. As he tried to stand, his knees buckled.
Grabbing him, Chet wrapped an arm around David’s waist. “My car is down the street. Can you walk?”
“I think so.” He took a few hesitant
steps, while Chet’s strong grip steadied him.
“I hate to see you like this,” Chet said. “But wow, you’re a father already.”
David felt light-headed, only partly listening to the man by his side. “Father? What about my father?”
“Not your father,” Chet replied. “How far along are you?”
David didn’t want to discuss his nervous stomach issue. “It started Monday. I thought I was over it.”
Chet stared at him. “Over it?”
David shrugged. “The fresh air was supposed to do me some good.”
Chet seemed unusually happy regarding David’s illness. “You’re not the first one it’s happened to.”
“Oh, is there a bug going around?”
They stumbled, though David wasn’t sure whether it was his footing or Chet’s that caused it.
The sheriff looked him in the eye, curiosity replacing concern. “I’m going to take you back to Lone Wolves Ranch.” He glanced around and lowered his voice. “You need to have a shifter examine you.”
“I’m not a shifter,” David whispered, as he leaned against the patrol car.
“Then how—” Rather than finish the sentence, he opened the passenger door.
“I can open it myself,” David protested.
“I do this for everyone. Though usually I’m putting people in the backseat.” He fastened the seat belt around David, and placed a stomach distress bag on his lap.
While Chet walked around the car, David cursed his traitorous digestion.
Chet drove slowly, keeping an eye on his passenger. “So, your twin sister is a shifter, but you aren’t?”
“We’re not identical twins, remember.” He bit his lip, realizing he sounded snappish. It was hard to be even-tempered when he felt like crap and had just ruined his second chance with Chet. “Sorry, didn’t mean to bite your head off.”
“You’re not the first wolf to try.”
“Again, I’m not a wolf. Diana got the shifter powers.”
“But you must have some…enhancements.”
“I’m supposed to live longer. At least the women do. Other than that, there’s nothing unusual.”
“Don’t be so sure of that,” Chet replied. “So, tell me about this shifting/non-shifting twin thing.”
“The Morehouses are the Kardashians of the shifter world. Nobody can figure out why we’re famous but everybody wants to know all about us.”
David gave him the family-approved legend, which left out all the lurid gossip. After finishing, he rolled down his window. “Funny—two years ago, I wasn’t supposed to breathe a word of what I am, and now you know all about my family tree.”
“I knew more than you think.”
“What about you? What’s your animal?”
“I don’t have an animal. I’m not a shifter.”
“My sister said you’re something.”
“I’m a watcher.”
“What? Like a voyeur?”
Chet laughed. “You have a dirty mind. No, I can only see what may happen in the future.”
“May happen?”
“They are usually warnings. Things that need my intervention.”
“Like what?”
Chet shrugged. “Murders, lost children, you arriving in town.”
David nodded. “So…catastrophes.”
Chet laughed. “I wouldn’t say that.”
“Do you use a crystal ball? Stare into fireplaces? You’re not into psychotropic drugs, are you?”
Chet chuckled. “No. I use a vortex.”
“A what?”
“It’s a place where earth energy lines converge. I’ve got one in my backyard.”
“Is that an upgrade anyone can get on their home? I’d like to know my future.”
Chet gave him a sideways glance. “I’m not sure you’d believe it if you saw it.”
Before David could question the comment, they were at the guardhouse. Sarge stepped over to the driver side. “Twice in one day? To what do we owe the pleasure?”
“David isn’t doing well. I thought it best if some wolves checked him out.”
Sarge glanced over at David’s pale face. “I’ll call his family to come get him.”
“I can drive him.”
Sarge shook his head. “Sorry, Sheriff. Only those with shifter blood get past this point.”
Chet kept his expression neutral, though his tone chilled. “And if I had a warrant?”
“We would obey the law. But without a warrant, we hope you’ll obey our request.”
Chet nodded stiffly. “Call his family. We’ll wait here.”
“No need.” Sarge pulled out his walkie-talkie. “Claw, I’ve got someone for you to transport.”
In less than a minute, Claw pulled up to the guardhouse driving a small ATV. Chet watched them load David in it and drive away.
Sarge looked from the retreating vehicle to Chet’s face. “You sure you’re only a watcher? You’re acting kind of wolfy.”
For the first time, Chet didn’t give Sarge his winning smile. The expression resembled pure pissed-off lupine.
“What’s got your tummy in a knot now?” Diana asked. “Mother won’t be here until tomorrow.”
David pulled the blanket up to his chin. As much as he wanted to be home in his own bed, he would have to tough it out on Diana’s living room sofa. “My stomach seems to have something against Sheriff Chet.”
“Your stomach should want to rub against the man.”
“I think that ship has sailed,” he said. “What’s wrong with him? Is he a player?”
“Chastity Chet?” Diana laughed. “We suspect he’s a drone. He’s too handsome to be human, and there’s a rumor he’s still a virgin. It’s not natural.”
“I don’t think he’s a virgin. He told me he doesn’t put out on a first date.”
“And how did that subject come up?” When David moaned, she rose. “I’ll make you some tea. Helen gave it to me for morning sickness, but I’m sure it’s good for any stomach upset.”
“You’ve also got that leftover case of saltine crackers,” Lionel said. “She ate so many of those I thought Joshua was going to be born square shaped.”
A few minutes later, Diana returned with a cup of steaming tea. “I tried getting Ricky to come over and sleep with you but Adam said no. The alpha usually doesn’t mind but this is the one night of the week he gets Ricky all to himself. So, I pulled some strings and got you booked for an afternoon nap tomorrow.”
“Thanks, sis. Must be a cushy job, getting paid to sleep with people.”
“You don’t pay him. He’s a healer. It would be an insult to the wolf gods if he charged for the gift they gave him.”
“Got it.” David took a sip of tea, wondering when his sister started buying into all this superstitious nonsense.
The next morning wasn’t any better than the night before. It took a cup of Helen’s tea and half a dozen plain crackers before David’s stomach settled.
Once Diana fed Joshua, she checked on her brother. “How are you feeling?”
“I must be worse, because I know Mother is coming in two hours and I don’t even care I haven’t showered or changed clothes since yesterday.”
“Don’t worry,” she assured. “Mother will care enough for the both of you.”
Anticipating Constance’s arrival, Diana began a deep cleaning of the house. She bounced between snappishness and tears while attacking every bit of dirt and dust.
After half an hour of her mood swings, David grabbed her by the shoulders. “What is going on with you?”
“What do you think? Mother is coming to see my cub! You know how she is. You think she’s going to want to hold him? A full-blooded shifter baby? She’ll mumble some lukewarm congratulations and escape as fast as she can.”
“She’s coming all this way to see him,” David said.
“Because it’s her duty. It’s what Morehouse women are supposed to do. Once she fulfills her obligations, Joshua will never
see her again.” Diana’s eyes began to tear up. “It’s bad enough she did it to me when I was a teenager, but Joshua is just a baby. She’ll hurt his feelings.”
David wrapped his sister in a hug. “The only woman Joshua cares about is you. So, put him in the stroller, get your jacket, and let’s go for a walk. The fresh air will do us all some good.”
Diana looked at the clock. “We’ve got a little time before you have to be at Ricky’s.”
The walk proved to be a tonic for Diana’s mood. While David pushed the stroller, she linked her arm in his. “I’m sorry for acting so crazy. You probably think I’m losing my mind. It’s just…everything seems so overwhelming right now.”
“No worries. I’m used to it. You’ve always been dramatic.”
She slapped his arm. “I have not!”
“Really? You don’t remember all the fights you had with Mother?”
He expected his sister to protest, but was surprised by the long silence.
“I was angry,” she finally admitted. “My teenage years were fueled by resentment and rage. I wasn’t raised to be a wolf. I didn’t want to be. I wanted the life I was told I would have.”
“That life wouldn’t have given you Lionel and Joshua.”
“Okay, Dr. Phil,” she replied before changing the subject. “I hear the sheriff drove you to the ranch.”
David nodded. “Tell me about this healer. His name is Ricky?”
“You first. Tell me how you ran into Chet.”
“With my car,” he replied. “I almost hit him.”
Diana laughed. “Real smooth there, brother. I don’t know why I’m surprised. You were never good with people.”
“I’m good with people.”
“No, you’re not. None of the Morehouses are. We are raised with a sense of superiority and fear of discovery. We inherited that long before we knew why. Nothing like family secrets to fuck up a perfectly good kid.” She growled before shaking the emotion off. “So what did you two talk about…before tossing your cookies?”
David bit his lip. “He’s acting like…he’s been waiting for me.”
“Sheriff Chet’s been waiting for you?” Diana paused, staring at her brother. “He can predict the future. Maybe you two are meant for each other. Like fated mates.”
