“Besides, you’re not alone. You have me.” Chloe grinned.
Karen returned the smile. “I’m going to go lay down. I have my phone with me if you need anything or have questions.”
Chloe nodded, eager to go see Ryan.
“If anyone comes in, just tell them I’m sick. Get their info and I’ll get in touch as soon as possible. If it’s an emergency, call me.” Karen kissed her on the cheek then moved toward the back of the house.
As soon as the bedroom door clicked shut, Chloe gathered up some food to take to Ryan. He had to be starving by now. She placed everything in a plastic shopping bag then grabbed her mom’s keys off the hook. Not only would they unlock the clinic door, but it would prevent her mom from coming in without her knowing about it.
Feeling quite pleased with her cleverness, Chloe hurried down the graveled driveway toward the clinic. She quickly unlocked the door then moved toward the back of the building.
“I brought food.” She announced as she entered the kennels.
Ryan’s cage was empty. The door hung open and there was no trace of him anywhere. Whirling on her heel, she hurried toward the exam room they’d used the night before.
“Ryan?” she called as she pushed the door open.
He was still asleep, curled atop the exam table. The blanket he’d covered with had slid to the floor, his bare back and butt facing her. She hated to wake him, so she replaced the blanket then moved away. Before she left the room, she placed his folded shorts on the seat beside the door. She left the bag of food there as well.
Chloe went back to the kennel to feed and water the animals. She selected a leash from the ones hanging on the wall hooks then opened the big Labrador’s cage. Clipping the leash to his collar, she led him toward the back door. All of the dogs would need to be walked and taken outside to do their business.
By the time she took all three dogs outside, she was exhausted. One had spotted a squirrel in a nearby tree and had barked its head off. To make matters worse, the dog had pulled and jerked at the leash until her shoulder ached. She breathed a sigh of relief as she latched his kennel door.
“I don’t have to be on a leash if I go outside, do I?” Ryan’s voice sounded behind her.
Chloe spun around to find him leaning against the doorway. He took a bite of the cherry Pop-Tart she’d brought. Thankfully, he’d slipped into the shorts.
She closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around his waist. Laying her cheek against his chest, she smiled against his bare skin. “How does your leg feel?”
“Hurts, but not as much as before.” Ryan finished the breakfast pastry then put an arm around her. “I forgot all about it when I saw you.”
Chloe tilted her chin up to stare at him. “You overslept. You’d be in deep shit if my mom came in instead of me.”
He sighed then hugged her close. “I took a pain pill last night. I must have slept right through the alarm.”
“It’s okay,” Chloe smiled up at him. “Mom’s having a bad morning and I’m watching the clinic for her today.”
As if to prove this point, the desk phone rang. Chloe squeezed past Ryan and hurried toward the front desk. After listening to the rancher’s concerns, she asked him to hold. Then she called her mom.
Karen’s voice was a bit groggy when she answered. Chloe said, “Hi, mom. Sorry to wake you, but I’ve got a guy on the phone who says his horse is in labor. He said the colt isn’t positioned right and needs help. He sounded all freaked out.”
“That colt isn’t due for another week.” Blankets rustled as Karen undoubtedly sat up in bed. “Tell Mr. Talbert that I’m on my way. It’s going to be about a thirty minute drive out to his place.”
This excitement must be exactly what her mom needed. She sounded like her usual, take charge self. Maybe this would take her mind off Coach Lewis for a little while. She gave the rancher her mom’s answer then hung up.
Ryan watched her from the other side of the desk. “Everything okay?”
Chloe rested her chin on her fist and smiled. “Better than okay. Mom has to go deliver a colt. She’ll be gone for most of the day.”
Ryan planted himself in one of the chairs that lined the lobby wall. Chloe moved around the desk to join him. She sat in the chair closest to him and leaned against his shoulder. She ran her fingers across the scars on his chest then realized she’d never actually asked him how they happened.
She sat up and looked him in the eyes. “What caused these? Is it how you became a werewolf?”
His fingers covered hers and stroked across the back of her hand. “No, I was born with this affliction, or whatever it is.”
Her fingers traced over one of the worst silvery white lines.
“The scars are from the last time I tangled with the pack.” Ryan stretched his legs out. “When they kicked me out. Let’s just say we didn’t part on good terms.”
Chloe pressed her lips against his neck, feeling his pulse racing beneath the skin. “Is this how they resolve all the pack problems? If you hadn’t escaped…”
“They would have killed me. They still might, if they find me.” He sat up, planting his feet firmly on the floor. His hands closed around her shoulders and gently pushed her away. “That’s why I have to get out of here. It’s too dangerous for you and Jenna to be around me.”
“Jenna!” Chloe gasped. She’d forgotten all about her best friend. She jumped to her feet. “We have to tell her you’re okay. She’s worried sick.”
“No,” Ryan said, clasping her hand. “You can’t let her know. Not yet. They’re probably watching the house.”
He clamped a hand against the back of his neck and stared at the parking area through the big window. “I shouldn’t even be here. I’m putting you in a lot of danger.”
Ryan stood then hobbled toward the door.
“Wait!” Chloe threw her arms around his waist. “Don’t go. You’re safe here.”
“For how long?” He sighed then rolled his shoulders. “I can’t stay indefinitely. Your mom will be back eventually and she’ll be curious where the big black mutt came from.”
“I know, but you have to heal.” She glanced at his leg and frowned. The sutures looked okay, but the area around it was a bit inflamed and red. “Jenna and I will figure something out. We’ll find Travis.”
He laughed at that then sat down. “The two of you are gonna find him, even when the entire pack can’t? I don’t think so, babe.”
Chloe pouted. His skepticism hurt her feelings. “At least I’m willing to try.”
His fingers pushed through her hair, tucking a strand behind her ear. “I have to leave.”
They stared at each other in silence for several seconds.
“I’m trying to help you,” she said on a shaky whisper. A tear leaked down her cheek and she turned to dash toward the back of the building.
Ryan bolted after her. “Chloe, wait!”
He caught up to her then gripped her shoulders to turn her around. His lips claimed hers. His hands trembled as they moved down her back to grip her hips. Her body melted against his.
“I’m trying to protect you,” he said when they drew apart. “I don’t want to lose you and I sure as hell don’t want the pack to hurt you.”
He gripped her hand and led her to the exam room where he’d slept. The blankets were in a pile on the floor. Chloe watched in silence as he dropped to the floor, spread the blankets to form a bed then stretched out.
“Come here,” Ryan said softly then patted the area next to him.
Chloe’s heart raced. Her gaze shifted toward the front of the building then back to him. Words stuck in her throat and all she made was a helpless little croaky sound.
“Don’t be scared. I just want to hold you,” he said with a sincere smile. “Just for a little while.”
She sank to her knees beside him and fought a new wave of tears. “You’re going to leave, aren’t you?”
Instead of answering, Ryan pulled her down un
til her upper body was lying across his. His hands ran across her back and shoulders in soothing, circular motions. “We’re meant to be together, Chloe. I won’t go far.”
Tears soaked his chest, but she didn’t care. Tracing fingertips across the thin wispy scars, she sighed then attempted to calm her frazzled emotions. Ryan turned onto his side, pulling her against him. His arm draped across her hip and he continued to stroke her lower back. His lips grazed her forehead in a gentle kiss.
Chloe shut her eyes and snuggled against him. His bare skin was warm and felt so right against hers. Her stomach was full of nervous fish and her heartbeat raced. Ryan’s fingers eased beneath the hem of her t-shirt and tickled across her ribs. Even as they trailed further upward, she didn’t stop him. Fingertips brushed aside the lace of her bra and he hesitated as if he expected her to protest. Instead, she kissed his throat then his mouth.
That niggling little voice at the back of her brain cautioned her to stop before it was too late, before she allowed it to go too far. She knew better than this. Hadn’t Karen warned her a million times? Did she really want her first intimate experience to be on the floor of the exam room? Besides, they didn’t even have protection.
She sighed as his fingers continued to explore her body. Not knowing what to do with her own hands, she rested them against his chest.
“You don’t have to do this, not if you aren’t ready,” he whispered against her hair. His words were soft, but there was honesty in his voice.
“Ryan, I…” What could she possibly say? No, she wasn’t ready, but the words died before they slipped past her lips. She lowered her gaze and feared the worst.
Ryan tipped her chin up to look her in the eyes. Humor danced across his features. “There’s no rush. I want it to be special for you.”
Bang, bang, bang! The sound came from the front of the building and rattled the glass windows. Chloe scrambled up then cast a frightened glance at Ryan. He started to get up, but she held out her hand to stop him.
“Stay here,” she said then hurried out of the exam room. A million what ifs played in her mind, each one more terrible than the first. Had her mother suspected something was amiss and come to check on her? What if Mackie had somehow tracked him back to the clinic?
She smoothed her rumpled clothing as she rounded the corner. The first thing she noticed was the blue hatchback parked out front. Then Coach Lewis passed by the window. He cupped his hands against the glass then leaned forward to peer in.
Chloe didn’t unlock the door or invite him inside. “What do you want?”
“Where’s Karen? I need to talk to her.”
Feeling terribly protective of her mother, Chloe said, “I think you’ve said enough. Leave her alone.”
Coach reached for the door. The cuff of his jacket slid up to reveal an angry wound on his arm.
“What happened to you?” Chloe asked.
He jerked his hand from the door handle then adjusted the sleeve of his jacket to cover it. “Nothing.”
“Doesn’t look like nothing to me.”
“I got bit by a dog,” he said in a huffy voice. “Where’s Karen? I really want to talk to her.”
“Like I said, she isn’t here,” Chloe yelled through the glass.
Coach frowned then nodded as if he was thinking hard about something. “She wasn’t at home either.”
“She’s out attending to clients.” Chloe watched him move a few paces away. His shoulders were slumped and his hair stuck up in odd little spikes all over his head. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days.
“Will you tell her I stopped by? Tell her that I’m really sorry.” He didn’t look all that sorry. In fact, he looked as if he was biting back a smile. “I didn’t mean to upset her.”
“Sorry, Coach,” Chloe said in mock sympathy. “She doesn’t want to see you anymore. I think it’s best if you give her some room to breathe.”
He pursed his lips and gave her a hard look. Finally, he turned to go. Quick as anything, Coach Lewis turned and smacked his palm against the door. Chloe shrieked them stumbled backward.
Ryan rounded the corner and her heart swelled. Her protector, her beloved.
Fearing Coach would see him, she held out her hand and in a frantic whisper, said, “Stay out of sight. He’s leaving.”
Coach dropped into his car and backed away from the building. Within seconds, he rocketed down the drive in the little car.
Chloe glanced at the clock then sighed. It was getting late and her mom would probably be home soon. “I’d better go.”
Ryan caught her wrist and pulled her toward him. “Be careful.”
“I’m going to find Travis.” She smiled up at him, despite the heartache she felt. “I’ll use my gift. If he’s in wolf form, I might be able to track him down.”
Ryan’s arms tightened, crushing her against him. “The pack cannot find out about your ability, Chloe. They won’t understand. They’ll hate you even more.”
She tucked her head beneath his chin then sighed against his skin. “Then I won’t tell them about it. Jenna and I will form a search party.”
“I’d rather you didn’t get involved.” His hand stroked against the back of her head, smoothing the hair.
Chloe pushed away from him, but still gripped his arms. “And I’d rather you were cleared of suspicion. If we can find Travis, he can straighten this out and clear your name.”
“How do you know he isn’t dead?” Ryan challenged. “You may only find a body, if you find him at all.”
Chloe twirled a lock of hair tight around her finger. The way he’d said that…
Seeming to understand her alarm, he clarified. “Why would someone kidnap him and not ask for some kind of ransom or make demands? Travis has made several enemies in town. I’m not the only one who thinks he’s an asshole.”
She backed away from him and bit her bottom lip. “I’ve got to go,” she repeated.
Ryan grasped her hand then brought her fingers to his lips. He kissed her knuckles then allowed her hand to fall away. “See you later.”
She nodded then hurried out the door. Just as she twisted the key in the lock, headlights lit the front of the building. Crap!
Karen tooted the Outback’s horn and Chloe ran to the passenger’s side and slid in.
“Did you have any calls or business?”
“Nope, none at all.” Chloe stared out the window as a plan of action formed in her mind.
Chapter Twenty-One
Ryan ventured into the lobby to stare out at the night. A crescent moon hung low and didn’t provide much light. Even so, he wished he were out there prowling around. It wasn’t that he thought Chloe couldn’t be of help, but rather, he didn’t want her on the pack’s radar. If they even suspected there was something different about her, that she wasn’t just an ordinary girl, things might get dangerous. He’d never forgive himself if something happened to her because of him.
Headlights swept across the gravel road in front of the clinic. It took him a minute to realize it was another car creeping up the driveway. The car slowed to a crawl as the driver turned on a spotlight and tilted it toward the building.
Cursing, Ryan ducked behind the front desk. Thankfully it was stationary and was built into the floor. No one would see him on this side.
The light swept across the big windows at the front of the building then turned to light the wooded area on the other side. Ryan carefully peeked around the massive desk.
Sheriff Mackie’s cruiser continued to roll past the clinic. Before it passed, the spotlight turned toward the building again. Had Mackie spotted him?
Ryan’s heartbeat leapt into his throat when he heard the car door open. He pulled himself into as small a package as he could behind the bulk of the desk and took shallow breaths.
Mackie stood there with his nose pressed against the glass for what seemed like forever. Ryan held his breath, afraid the pack leader might somehow hear the inhale and exhale of air in his lungs. His legs began
to cramp and his body trembled beneath the stress of keeping so still.
After what seemed like an eternity, Mackie’s boots scuffed away from the window. He called out to whoever waited in the car, “Doesn’t look like anyone’s here. Let’s go up to the house and check around.”
He dared to breathe a sigh of relief just before a new fear gripped him. Would they confront Chloe? Mackie had a knack for sniffing out a lie. The slightest shift in body temperature, heartbeat or even the way she breathed might give her away.
Standing now, Ryan found himself in quite the predicament. He couldn’t leave the clinic without tripping the alarm. Chloe hadn’t given him the password and if he opened the door, the thing would wail bloody murder and alert Mackie that something was going on at the clinic.
“Damn it!” he smacked his palm against the desk and struggled to focus on what to do. Before he could gather his thoughts, the cruiser trundled back down the gravel driveway. This time, it didn’t stop to search the woods or building front. It just kept going until the taillights disappeared from view.
His heartbeat no longer pounded like a frightened rabbit’s. He even found that he could breathe easier. Tomorrow morning, soon as someone opened the door, he’d bolt. His heart lurched as if in protest, but he ignored it. He would do what he had to do to protect Chloe. Even if that meant he had to leave her and never see her beautiful face or hear her sweet laugh again. He’d rather live in lonely misery than with the knowledge that he’d brought harm to her by staying.
With a heavy heart, he went back to the exam room and gathered the blankets. He made himself a pallet by the back door. Tomorrow, when someone came to open up the clinic, he’d make his escape.
Ryan sprawled out and sighed. His leg was healing nicely. Another transformation probably wouldn’t hurt it too bad. Tomorrow, he’d run. Tomorrow, he’d begin anew, somewhere else. He only hoped Chloe would understand and that she’d wait for him to return.
Sleep came in agitated spurts. He tossed and turned, unable to get comfortable on the cold floor. The blankets offered very little padding and before long, his back ached. Knowing sleep would not come any time soon, he put the blankets back where Chloe had found them. He spent the rest of the night in Karen’s office, surfing the web.
The Bad Wolf Page 19
