Still, Collin smiled encouragingly and wrote everything down. He took the printed email receipt of the Amazon purchase from the book. Taking the page, he examined it. “I’ll look this book up and see how many trails it has that pertain to our area. In the meantime, maybe you want to drive the park areas and see if anything strikes a memory,” he advised. “See if perhaps you recognize a name that Bud might have mentioned or something.” He smiled, then added, “I’ll keep looking into your private detective.” He even managed to keep from sneering those last couple of words.
Twenty minutes later, Collin was back in his truck and on his way to the office. He had a few new leads to follow up on, including a book. While he’d told Canaan he was checking trails in the book, he hadn’t said why. He actually wanted to know which trails ran closest to Maelgwn’s property.
Just as he pulled into the precinct parking lot, Collin received a call. On instinct, he activated his Bluetooth as he parked. “Detective DeSoto,” he responded as he backed up his truck.
“Hi, honey,” Rosa DeSoto greeted cheerily.
Collin smiled at his mother’s perpetually happy attitude. “Hi, ma,” he responded.
“I’m so sorry for the short notice and I know you can’t stay long,” she gushed, “but can you please come meet us for lunch? Your sister has an announcement and it’s so very important?”
Chuckling and shaking his head—his family loved last minute gatherings, celebrating everything—Collin replied, “Where and when?”
Chapter Seven
Tristan strolled down the sidewalk of the main street. Having never been in town, he took his time sweeping his gaze over the sights. It’d been nearly thirty-five years since he’d lived outside of some kind of a pen.
He wasn’t too proud to realize why it’d taken so long to shift—hell, nearly a week—after being rescued by the gargoyles. Visiting the human’s world was difficult. While he knew he wasn’t like the gargoyles, they were at least paranormals, like him. The humans, though, they were something else altogether.
Allowing his human mate to walk away the evening before had been a strange kind of punishment, unlike anything he’d ever felt before. Both he and his alligator craved the man. He needed to have the hope of seeing the man today, at least.
To that end, Tristan had done exactly as he’d told Bud. He’d headed to town. Of course, he’d not made any attempt to locate either his mate or Canaan—not that he’d know the man on sight, anyway—but at least he’d done as he’d said he would. His conscience was clear.
Instead, Tristan had caught a ride with Golren and Taolma. Sitting in the SUV for twenty minutes had been just long enough to cause his skin to crawl. When they’d arrived at the restaurant, Tristan had told them he needed a short walk before entering the human-run restaurant.
His stomach rumbled just as Tristan arrived back at the café. He pulled open the door and spotted the empty hostess stand directly in front of him. He stopped in front of it and glanced around the large restaurant.
Tristan instantly spotted Caladon’s black, bald head seated next to a blond-haired head. He knew that was Leroy. Opposite them on the large booth were Golren and Taolma. Taolma waved.
As Tristan made his way toward them, he eyed the way Golren flirted with the waitress...no, wait, the hostess, considering she still had a hand on the menu she was placing on the table in front of him. Golren rubbed a couple of fingers to the back of her hand, petting her.
Huh.
Tristan figured, to human eyes, Golren looked about forty. So, what was he doing not-so-subtly flirting with the hostess...who couldn’t have been more than twenty-five? Tristan neared the table and got his answer right-quick. The scent of arousal filled the air.
Stopping beside the table, Tristan ignored the flirting pair in favor of greeting his fellow shifter. “Caladon, thank you for allowing me to crash your lunch.”
Caladon grinned as he peered up at him. The man quickly rose to his feet to tower over Tristan’s much shorter frame. “Tristan,” he greeted, pulling him into a one armed hug. “I’m glad to see you out and about.” His hand moved to Tristan’s shoulder and grinned at his mate. “Leroy. You remember our alligator loving friend.”
Leroy’s eyes widened as he swept his gaze up and down Tristan’s frame, then his grin split his face nearly in two. “Hey, so glad you could make it. Please, sit. Caladon has told me so much about you.”
Then, the tiny Caucasian male glanced at Golren and Penelope and snickered. He, too, quickly slid free and motioned Tristan to slide into the middle of the U-shaped booth.
“Guess he’s busy,” Leroy whispered loudly, chuckling.
“How long have they been going at it?” Tristan couldn’t help but ask as he slid into the circular booth. He found himself in the middle between Taolma and Leroy. “They seem pretty intent.”
Evidently, they both loved gardening, and Golren was inviting Penelope to see the gargoyle’s expansive gardens.
“I’ve been waiting for years for a good man to come along for Penelope, so if Golren is the one, well...” Leroy shrugged, not at all afraid to speak about his obvious friend considering the look he flashed between the still flirting, completely oblivious pair. Then, his voice hardened. “And if he’s not.” The small human actually growled.
Relaxing on the cushy seat, Tristan found amusement filling him and he grinned. “Aren’t you a nurse? Aren’t you supposed to preserve life?”
Leroy hummed, resettling himself. He picked up his menu and focused on it as he muttered, “All the better to know how to hurt people.” He curled his lip and added, “No one fucks with who I care about.”
“I’m sure that’s not...” Tristan began, but then he noticed the look in Golren’s eyes and how Caladon discreetly sniffed the air.
Tristan followed suit.
Yep, definitely something going on there.
Tristan tapped Leroy’s shoulder and assured, “I think your friend is going to be in very good scales...I mean, hands.” He winked, still snickering.
Leroy looked at Tristan, then at Penelope, then back at him, again. “Oh,” he murmured, realization settling in. “Really? Cool.” Grinning, Leroy turned his attention to his menu.
Following the vibrant human’s lead, Tristan picked up the menu. He slowly worked out the words on the page. He hadn’t learned to read until he was almost twenty-five, compounded with not having read much of anything in over thirty years, he found the letters a bit confusing at first.
“Got any recommendations?” Tristan asked, glancing at the young man next to him. “I like meat.”
Taolma cocked his head, sniffing discreetly. “Alligator, right?”
“Good nose,” he complimented. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a restaurant,” he admitted. “Ever been here before?”
Nodding again, Taolma told him, “My dad has fallen in love with their meatloaf sandwich. I normally just get a bacon cheeseburger, but I hear their chicken and dumplings are awesome. Leroy likes their turkey club sandwich.” He grinned. “If you have a sweet tooth, I’ve heard the pie is excellent.”
“The pie is excellent,” a deep voice stated, drawing attention to the big dark-haired man standing next to Penelope. He rested a hand on a blushing, guilty-looking hostess, while his attention remained on Tristan and Taolma. “I suggest the peach.” He winked. “I’m Wren Cleaver.”
Turning to stare at Golren, Wren’s eyes narrowed just a bit as if he were sizing him up. Tristan finally noted how the snake shifter hissed softly under his breath while his gaze fixed on the hand Wren had on Penelope. Wren, on the other hand, seemed to dismiss him in favor of looking at Penelope.
“There’s a large party waiting, Pen,” Wren commented, tilting his head to indicate the front of the restaurant. “They’ve been waiting a few minutes now.”
“I’m so sorry,” Penelope muttered, her face turning a pink hue in her embarrassment. She flashed a smile Golren’s way, then scurried back to her post, sayi
ng, “I’m so sorry to have kept you waiting.”
As Penelope did that, Wren smiled widely. “Good to see you again, Leroy,” he greeted, then swept his gaze over the rest of them. “Welcome. What can I start you all with? Coffee? Soda?”
“Penelope’s phone number,” Golren replied, making his intentions known.
“You’ll have to ask her,” Wren responded curtly, his eyes narrowing on the man. “Aren’t you old enough to be her father?”
Tristan bit back a laugh, lifting his hand to hide his smile as he glanced toward the woman in question. Wren had no idea. Hell, Golren was probably old enough to be her grandfather...or even her great, great grandfather. Age, beyond being old enough to give consent, held little meaning for a shifter.
His focus remained on Penelope, ignoring the words of Caladon and Leroy as they tried to smooth over Golren’s behavior. Instead, he stared at the large gathering of people Penelope seated. She and a waitress moved three square tables together to create one long seating area. Then, the large family gathered around it, talking to each other in a combination of English and Spanish.
Tristan cocked his head, taking in the family’s antics. He watched a woman introduce her female friend as Emily to the group, pointing out parents, sisters, and a brother. Emily smiled and seemed to take it in stride as she was seated between her friend’s sister and an empty chair. Evidently, they were still waiting for someone...the sister’s other brother who said he’d be a bit late.
Grimacing, Tristan shook his head at the idea of getting squished between two people he’d never met before. He hated crowds, and the size of that group made his skin crawl. Tristan suddenly longed for his pond and a relaxing swim...and having his naked mate lying on the bank waiting for him would be the icing on the cake.
“Hey, Tristan,” Caladon called his name.
Tristan turned and focused on his...well, he wouldn’t call him a friend, really. Fellow escapee, maybe? “Yes?”
“What do you want, Tris?” the tall boa constrictor shifter asked.
Since he hadn’t really finished reading the menu, Tristan thought about the items that Taolma had mentioned. “Hmm, perhaps a cheeseburger. Cow sounds good right about now.”
Wren grinned widely. “You want pig on that?”
Tristan cocked his head, trying to figure out the request. He chuckled as he nodded. “I’d love some pig on that. Thanks.”
“Good choice,” Wren responded. “And what to drink?”
“Water is fine.”
Wren nodded, then swept his gaze over the group again. His gaze lingered on Golren for an instant, his eyes narrowing, before he said, “Anything else?” After a round of no thank yous, Wren nodded and said, “Sounds good. I’ll get these started right away.”
After the big human had walked away, Tristan frowned and asked, “Is it usual for the owner of the restaurant to wait tables?”
Leroy snorted. “Occasionally when they’re short staffed,” he told him. “Of course, it could have something to do with you petting Penelope’s hand.” He gave Golren a sly smile. “Something you want to tell me about my friend, Ren? This isn’t the first time you’ve flirted with her.”
Golren settled back in his seat and sighed. His gaze strayed toward the front of the restaurant. “Penelope is my mate,” he mumbled. “I’m trying to get her used to the idea of dating an older man.”
“Told ya,” Caladon quipped, pecking a kiss to Leroy’s cheek. He picked up his water glass and tipped it at his friend. “Congrats. It’s about time you told us.”
“Thanks,” Golren muttered. “That’s the most I’ve been able to talk with her. She’s always so busy.”
“You should have said something sooner,” Leroy said. “I could have put in a good word for you.” He winked. “Maybe we should throw a barbeque. Have her over? Then you can set up a garden date? What do you think?”
Golren smiled, the move making his dark eyes sparkle with pleasure. “Thanks!”
“So, what brings you to town?” Caladon asked, turning to Tristan. “You don’t normally leave the pond, let alone the estate.”
“I found my mate and I’m—”
An excited shriek from Leroy split the air, followed by the human leaning over and squeezing him tightly for an instant. Tristan tensed and Leroy released him, still grinning, completely unrepentant.
The snickering human nearly drowned out Caladon’s voice saying, “Whoa! When did this happen? Who is it?” Even the other two men were grinning at him and Taolma patted his shoulder in obvious congratulations.
“It’s—” Tristan started, then paused when his sensitive hearing picked up someone muttering a slur.
“Fucking faggots,” a male voice said. “They shouldn’t be allowed in civilized places.”
At that moment, Wren appeared carrying a tray of drinks. He scowled at the man at the table near their booth, having obviously heard the man’s hateful words. Wren’s smile appeared more predatory than friendly when he set his tray on an unoccupied table and stepped up to their table.
“I don’t allow that kind of language in my establishment,” Wren stated bluntly.
The dark-haired man scowled at Wren and curled his lip. “Freedom of speech, asshole. I can say whatever the fuck I want.”
Wren’s expression darkened and his jaw clenched, his smile slipping from his bearded lips. Considering the man’s broad shoulders, heavily muscled build, and shaggy shoulder-length hair—coupled with his facial hair—he looked like a bear...and a pissed off one at that. He crossed his thick arms over his apron-clad chest and glared at the man.
“This is my establishment, and I have the right to refuse service to anyone,” Wren stated. “Leave now,” he demanded, his deep voice brooking no argument.
The customer’s female companion’s face appeared flushed, although Tristan wasn’t close enough to scent her. He didn’t know if it was embarrassment or her own ire. Either way, she slid her chair back, obviously preparing to obey.
The man’s face clouded. His hand curled into a fist where it rested on the table. “No. We haven’t gotten our food, yet.”
“And you won’t get your food,” Wren responded bluntly. “I’ll even give you your drinks for free,” he continued, nodding at the coffee in front of the man and lemonade in front of the woman. “Now, get out.”
The man finally rose, but instead of listening, he raised his fist. “Now see here. You can’t just kick us out for—” He began yelling.
As the man hollered, Wren lifted his chin. His eyes narrowed. He didn’t back down. Tristan felt respect growing for the human.
Tristan noted how both Caladon and Golren slid toward the edge of their seat. When Wren just pointed at the door, the guy pulled back his fist.
As the boa constrictor shifters stood, a familiar, musky scent snagged Tristan’s attention. He was about to turn and look when Collin appeared behind the angry patron and grabbed his arm just as he started to swing. It would have missed anyway, as Wren was bringing his arms up to block.
Still, Tristan’s gut clenched and his cock thickened as he watched Collin use the angry customer’s momentum to turn him toward an empty booth next to them. Hiking the guy’s arm back and up, Collin forced his face to the laminate tabletop.
Collin leaned over him and stated gruffly, “The owner of the establishment asked you to leave, Marty. I think you better do what he says.” As soon as he finished speaking, Collin released him and took a step back.
The customer, Marty, straightened and turned. He scowled at Collin as he jerked a nod. Turning to the woman, he ordered, “Let’s go, Jeanette.” Without even waiting for her, Marty stalked out of the restaurant.
Jeanette quickly scurried after him.
Collin turned to Wren. “Would you like to file charges? Is there anything he broke you need to fine him for?”
Wren shook his head. “No, we’re good. He just had a mouth on him, was all.” He slapped Collin on the shoulder and smiled down at him. “Thanks fo
r the assist, Detective.”
After nodding back at the owner, Collin turned and froze, his gaze stalling on Tristan. He licked his lips, then glanced at the large group of patrons on the other side of the restaurant. Returning his focus to Tristan, he gave him a small smile. Then, he nodded at the others at the table, turned and headed across to the group that, Tristan suddenly realized, were pretty much all staring at him.
To Tristan’s disappointment, and clenching gut, Collin walked up to a short, plump Mexican woman who stood and gave her a hug, then kissed her cheek before greeting, “Hi, ma.”
Chapter Eight
Collin felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, and he knew Tristan watched him. When he’d seen the man sitting at the table with a few other men that he knew were shifters, too, he’d frozen. His gut had done a couple of summersaults as blood flowed south, plumping his dick to half-mast.
Then, he’d remembered why he was in Wren’s diner in the first place...to meet his family while on his lunch hour.
Walking away from the sexy man, when all he wanted to do was slide in and shoot the shit with him and the rest of the guys, had been damn difficult. Now he had to suffer through a family meal while the man he’d fucked sat just a short distance away watching...and Collin couldn’t even acknowledge him.
This is why I don’t fuck people in town. Too damn complicated.
Still, Collin couldn’t deny, at least to himself, that for the first time in a long time, he wished things were different.
Pulling away from his mother, Collin put the thought out of his mind. He greeted everyone with a, “Hey, guys,” and a nod. Then, his mother pointed toward an empty seat between his youngest sister, Clarisa, and a woman he didn’t know.
“Hey, little brother,” Tania greeted from across the table. “That’s my friend, Emily.”
Paranormal's Love 11 - Hot-Blooded Alligator Page 6
