by Jane Jamison
She gritted her teeth to keep from verbally striking back. “Look, Harry, I’ve tried taking it easy on you because I know you didn’t want to leave Dallas. But if you think I’m going to let you talk to me that way, you’ve got another thing coming.”
For a moment, she could see the sweet child she’d raised in his face. “I’m sorry, Mom.”
“Thank you for that. Now, how about we get some sleep? Tomorrow we can drive into town and have breakfast somewhere.”
He didn’t acknowledge her. Instead, he leaned against the wall and stared out the window again.
She hurt for her son. If she could’ve taken away his pain, she would have. She’d do anything for him.
“Okay, then. I’m going to fix us a couple of sandwiches. After that, we can just chill.”
She’d used the word chill on purpose, knowing Harry thought she sounded ridiculous whenever she used a slang word. But the smile she’d hoped to get from him never came.
* * * *
“This is a cute place, don’t you think?” Bonnie parked her car in front of the small diner called Milly’s Coffee Spot.
“I dunno.”
She glanced at Harry in the passenger seat then pushed his shoulder. Why had she expected any other answer?
“Come on, cham—uh, Harry. Try and act like you’re having a good time.” She held up her hand to cut off what she knew would be a short retort. “Okay, forget I said that. But I know you’re hungry so let’s go.”
She was halfway to the diner’s door when she had to stop and wait for Harry. At least he was like a normal teen in that way. Shuffling walk, head down just like every other teenage boy she’d ever seen. She pushed open one of the double doors and followed him inside, resisting the urge to hurry him along.
“Hi, there.” The pretty blonde woman behind the counter lifted a hand in greeting. “I’m Milly. Come on in and sit a spell.”
Bonnie gave her an awkward smile, took in the two tables of people as well as the three men seated at the counter, then slid onto one of the bar stools. Harry took the one next to her then slumped and rested his forearms on the counter. “Hi. I hope the food here is good because we’re starving.”
“I like to think it is.” Milly’s attention shifted to Harry. “Let me guess. This is your son, right? But then you must’ve had him when you weren’t much older than he is.”
Bonnie hadn’t expected to give her life story within the first ten minutes. But Milly’s abruptness threw her.
“Sorry. I tend to speak first and think later. Plus, I’ll admit it. I’m a bit of a snoop and as curious as a cat outside a mouse hole.” Milly’s smile widened.
Her questions were the in-your-face kind, but Bonnie got the impression that Milly had a good heart and hadn’t meant to sound like an interrogator. Maybe she was just nervous. After all, it was supposed to be a town full of werewolves. “This is my son, Harry, and I’m Bonnie.” She offered her hand. “Bonnie Remington.”
Milly pointed at the board on the wall above the pass-through to the kitchen. “Good to meet you two. What would you like? Or would you rather have the works? That’s a heap of bacon, two scrambled eggs, and a pile of toast along with the beverage of your choice. Or can I get you a steak?”
“A steak?” Bonnie followed Milly’s gesture toward the others seated at the counter.
The three men had plates overflowing with steaks. Steaks so rare she could almost hear them moo. An old man with white hair and a long scraggly beard glanced up then lifted his lip in a snarl. Bonnie gasped and looked away. Had she somehow offended him?
“Uh, no. No thanks. I think we’ll go with the works. With orange juice for both of us.”
Milly fisted her hands on her hips. “Clyde Pickens, you old fool, stop acting like a jerk. Can’t you see you startled her?” She turned back to Bonnie. “Don’t let him bother you. He has more bark than he has teeth.”
Bonnie thought he had a good set of teeth on him. Good enough to tear apart the steak. Could he do any less to her soft skin? Was he a werewolf?
“I want a soft drink.”
Thank goodness for predictable teen attitude.
She jerked her attention away from Clyde. She and Harry had talked about drinking beverages that were good for you, especially for breakfast. “Sorry, honey. That’s a no-go. We’ll stick with the orange juice.”
“Coming right up. Mack, two big ones.” Milly filled two glasses with juice then set them in front of Bonnie and Harry. Leaning her forearms on the counter, she tilted her head to the side. “So, Bonnie Remington, what brings you to our fine little town? Are you passing through or hoping to stay?”
Bonnie could sense the other patrons focusing on their exchange. Did that always happen in a small town? “I’m not sure yet.”
Milly tilted her head to side even more. “What’s going to make your decision? Are you looking for anything in particular?”
If she hadn’t known it was impossible, Bonnie would’ve thought that Milly had guessed why they’d come. She considered telling Milly what was going on, but something held her back. “I’m not sure. And no. I’m not looking for anything specific.”
Just an adult werewolf male to help my son.
Harry frowned and shot her a look. But he kept quiet.
“Okay. Good enough. You’re keeping your options open.” Milly’s smile let her know that she didn’t hold any hard feelings about Bonnie holding back. “So where are you two staying?”
Bonnie countered the question with one of her own. “Is there a motel or a B&B in town?”
“Nope. Although Jackson Carr has a few rental homes. If you’re interested, I could give him a call.”
Shit. I stepped right into that.
“No, that’s okay. We’re actually traveling in an RV.” She’d hoped for a hotel or maybe a B&B. Renting a home seemed too permanent, too soon.
Milly studied her harder. The pretty owner knew something was up. She glanced out the window. “Is that your car?”
“Yeah. I had it hitched behind the RV I rented.”
Milly gave her another studied look. “You’re a resourceful woman. I like that.”
“Food’s up, Milly.”
Milly pivoted around to take the plates that Mack had placed on the pass-through counter. She slid them in front of Bonnie and Harry. “Well, no matter what brought you here, I hope you stick around a while.”
“Thanks.” Bonnie dropped her gaze to the enormous amount of food before her, hoping Milly would understand the subtle dismissal. Thankfully, she did. Milly moved away to tend to the other customers.
She and Harry ate in silence, diving into the delicious food. She tried looking up every so often to check out the other people, but every time she did, she caught them studying her. Their frank appraisals made her jittery, but she put on an easy smile and pretended like they didn’t bother her.
Do they know why we’re here? But how could they? No, they couldn’t know. They probably act that way with every stranger that passes through.
Then it hit her. Dirk had once told her that a werewolf could sense another werewolf’s presence.
Do they know that Harry’s part werewolf?
She took the last bite of her food then dug into her purse for her money. Harry was still shoving huge mouthfuls of food into his mouth. He’d had a healthy appetite growing up, but since his first change, his appetite had grown even larger. Bonnie placed a twenty-dollar bill on the counter, more than enough to pay their bill along with a hefty tip.
Milly waltzed back behind the counter, saw the money, and came over. “Nope. Sorry, but your money’s no good here.”
“I’m sorry?” Bonnie stared at the bill. Was it counterfeit? But she couldn’t see anything wrong with it.
“Breakfast is on me. Consider it a welcome-to-our-town gift.”
“I couldn’t do that.” Bonnie tapped Harry on the shoulder, telling him to come along. She slid off the stool.
“Sure you can.” Milly took the
plates then snatched up a towel and wiped the counter.
“Well, okay, if you insist. Thank you.” Letting a stranger pay for her meal seemed plain wrong, but maybe her nerves were still on edge after her conversation with Dirk and the drive up to Forever. She thanked Milly again, scooped up the twenty, and headed for the door with Harry in tow.
“Oh, Bonnie, just one thing.”
“Yes?”
Amber flecks came to Milly’s eyes. She’d seen the same amber flecks in Dirk’s and her son’s eyes.
She’s a werewolf.
Although she’d come to Forever to find werewolves, she couldn’t shake the fear those amber eyes gave her. The stories she’d heard about the werewolves in the small town had said they were peaceful, but what if the stories were wrong? After all, she’d gotten most of the information through people she’d met on the Internet and that was always an iffy proposition.
“Be careful about going out after dark. I wouldn’t want any wild animals to get you.”
Bonnie’s jaw dropped until she forced herself to shut her mouth. “Uh, okay. We will.”
Harry leaned closer. “Mom, why don’t we—?”
“Shh.” She ducked her head and lowered her voice. “Not yet.”
Damn, I wish they’d stop staring at us.
Taking Harry’s arm, she pushed him toward the door.
Chapter Two
Bonnie hurried Harry into her car. He slid in then pivoted to face her. “Mom, why did we have to leave so fast? You saw her eyes. She’s a werewolf. Isn’t that why you dragged me here? To meet other werewolves?”
“Yes, it is.” How did she explain to Harry when even she wasn’t sure why she’d left?
“This is so fucked up.”
Her nerves got the better of her. “Harry, if you don’t stop it with the cuss words, I’m going to have to—”
“Have to do what, Mom? Spank me?” He lifted his lip in a snarl that reminded her of Clyde’s. “Yeah, right. I’m not a little kid anymore.”
Not for the first time, it hit her. If her son wanted to, he could shift and kill her in seconds. She studied him, hating her train of thought. He’d never turn against her, not even in his wolf form. Yet a nagging tingle of anxiety said otherwise.
Instead of pushing him, she put the car into motion and backed out of the parking spot. “I saw a little market down the road. Let’s get some fresh fruit and vegetables. I can make us a vegetable pizza tonight if you like.”
“I’d rather have meat on it. Lots of meat.”
To her relief, he turned his attention out the side window. “Okay, sure. Meat it is.”
It didn’t take any time at all to cruise around the corner to the little market called High Tide Market. Once inside, Bonnie took one look around and fell in love with the place. It was small and quaint with friendly people chatting and milling around.
Now this is more like it.
She grabbed a shopping cart and headed for the meat section. That part of the store was larger than the rest of the place. The people of Forever, the werewolves of Forever, obviously liked eating meat more than anything else.
Even Harry’s mood lightened once he started going down the row of display cases filled with various kinds of meats. “Can I pick what I want?”
“Sure. Within reason, of course. I can’t afford prime rib.” She gave a smile to the older man who came to the counter.
“Name’s Walter, ma’am. How can I help you?”
She’d never had anyone at a grocery store, much less the meat counter, introduce themselves. But that was a good thing, right? “Nice to meet you, Walter. I’ll let my son do the choosing. He’s the meat eater.”
Oh, crap. Why did I say that?
Harry had his eye on the steak section as she waited for him to make his selection. Walter continued to stare at her, much the way the people at the diner had done. Did she stand out like a sore thumb because she wasn’t a werewolf? If she didn’t know better—she did, didn’t she?—she’d start to feel like a lamb waiting for the slaughter.
“Oh, for pity’s sake, Walter. Stop staring at her like she’s your lunch.”
An elderly woman wearing the store’s apron stood behind her. Her blue hair remained firmly in place as she fisted her hands on her hips. The worn name tag on the left side of her chest boasted the name Clara, and a scowl filled the woman’s face. Bonnie felt like she’d done something wrong until the woman’s disapproving gaze settled on Walter.
“It’s okay.” Bonnie started to add that she was getting used to it, then held her tongue.
“No, it’s not, young one.” She waved a hand at Walter as though dismissing him. “I don’t know what’s gotten into folks today. They act like they’ve never seen a woman and a teenage boy before.”
Bonnie’s gaze followed the older woman’s to find that the friendly people had stopped minding their own business and were staring at her. It was getting very unnerving.
“Git. All of you. Act like you’ve got some brains in your heads.” The older woman made shooing noises and scattered the others, before turning back to Bonnie. “Everyone calls me Miss Clara, and you can do the same.”
Bonnie liked the woman if for no other reason than the fact that she seemed like a straight talker. “Good to meet you, Miss Clara. I’m Bonnie Remington and that’s my son, Harry.”
“Humph. Babies having babies.”
Harry jerked his head up, his blue eyes glittering as he studied the older woman. “I’m not a baby.”
Miss Clara arched an eyebrow. “Young one, didn’t your mother ever teach you any manners? You don’t use that tone with an elder.”
Bonnie was about to chastise Harry, too, but then Miss Clara and Harry exchanged a hard look that held more than a simple admonishment to it. Instead, she got the impression that her son and a stranger had just had a silent communication that she could never understand. Was the old lady a werewolf, too? Was everyone in Forever a werewolf? All at once, she understood how much of an outcast her son had felt growing up among humans.
Miss Clara drew in a long, slow breath. Her nostrils flared. Did the old woman have a difficult time breathing? Then it hit her. Miss Clara was trying to smell her son.
Miss Clara held the breath, then let it out before turning back to her. “Teenagers. Sometimes I think we should lock them up until they’re grown.”
“I hear you.” She couldn’t deny that she’d had the same thought cross her mind on more than one occasion. “And yes, I was just a kid when I had him.” It was strange, but she felt like she could tell Miss Clara anything.
“Well, it happens.” Miss Clara’s gaze skimmed over her. “Don’t make it wrong or right. Just makes it so.”
She’s a straight talker, all right.
“So, young one, where are you two staying? In one of Jackson’s rentals?”
“No. We came in an RV, but I have my car, too.” Maybe she’d been too quick to dismiss renting a house. “Still, I’d like to hear about those rentals. Could you tell me how to get in contact with Mr. Jackson?”
“Jackson’s his first name and Carr’s his last. You won’t have to get hold of him. He’ll hear about you and find you instead. You can count on it.”
“I see.”
Miss Clara thrust out her chin toward Harry, who was busy telling Walter to package up two huge steaks. Bonnie wondered if they’d have enough money to buy anything else, but if Harry wanted steak, she’d buy him the steaks. She’d happily spend the money if it made him smile.
“You’re looking for a man, aren’t you?”
Miss Clara’s question threw her, but she recovered enough to at least speak. “I’m sorry?”
“Don’t give me no kind of sorry. I can smell it on you. You’re looking for a man for your son.”
Bonnie started to deny it, but she could tell by the woman’s expression that she’d never believe it. Besides, the truth was the truth. “Yes, ma’am. Yes, I am.”
“Humph. Well, I can’t say if
that’s going to work out, but I can tell you one thing.”
“Yes?”
“We don’t run any mentoring organization for lost werewolf boys, so you might as well get that out of your head right now. As for a man for yourself?” She gave Bonnie another hard once-over. “That just might happen. You hang around long enough and we’ll find out.”
Bonnie felt the heat sweep up her throat and into her cheeks. How had Miss Clara known? Was she that obvious? Had she given any unconscious clues? To have it out in the open was embarrassing.
“Oh, don’t worry your head about it, young one. It’ll all come out in the wash anyway. In the meantime, keep your boy near. We’ve had some trouble with a group of teenagers lately. That’s why they’re giving you two the evil eye.”
“You mean like you’re giving me right now?” She decided a straight talker would appreciate her candor.
A surprised look brightened Miss Clara’s expression a second before she laughed. “Good for you, young one. It’s nice to see that you have a little spunk.”
If suspicion that Harry was part of the teen gang causing trouble was the reason for everyone staring at them, then she had to put their minds at ease. She made sure her voice rang out loud and clear. “We just got here last night and we don’t know anyone in town, much less a group of disruptive teenagers.”
“Like I said. You’ve got spunk. See that you remember that. You’re going to need it.” Miss Clara’s gaze drifted to somewhere behind Bonnie. “Norman Hollister, put that bottle of booze down or I’ll break it upside your head. You can stand to wait until The Moonstone opens back up tonight.”
Miss Clara shuffled toward the man, then twisted around and pointed a finger at Bonnie. “You take care, young one. And get into one of Jackson’s rentals. Living in an RV isn’t safe.”
Not safe? Did she mean from the teens causing troubles? Or from werewolves?
* * * *
Thirty minutes and two arguments with Harry later—why does he have to disagree about everything?—Bonnie and Harry each carried a bag out of the market and loaded them into the trunk of the car.
