The Wolf and the Bobcat:

by E A Price

  Casey dug his hands into his pockets, on finding his lucky charm he felt immediately reassured, and his wolf growled encouragingly. “I heard you were opening a cake shop… and I… umm… I was wondering if you would be hiring.”

  Carly’s face showed her obvious surprise. “You? You want to work in a cake shop?” she asked slowly.

  Casey felt heat dust his cheeks. “Yes,” he replied, softly.

  He knew he would get ribbed by his friends for this, he knew other males in the pack would consider it to be unmanly, and not the act of a male wolf, but at this point he could give a crap. Since an early age, it became very apparent to Casey that he wasn’t exactly cut out for manual labor. He found out the hard way when trying to help out his carpenter father… his thumb was sewn back on, and everything healed, so it was just best forgotten. Growing up, Casey did, however, enjoy baking with his grandmother, Jeanette. He always looked forward to visiting his grandmother after school every day, because it meant they were going to do some baking. It was a love he’d assiduously kept hidden from his friends, but he figured it was time he got over it and grew a pair.

  “Well, I… I…” Carly looked flustered. “I guess I’m just a little surprised.” She looked at him doubtfully. “I’m actually looking for people who can bake, and who like baking.”

  Casey squeezed his good luck charm. “I can and I do. I know why you’re unsure, but I’m the right person for this job. I mean unless you don’t think I’m up to it because I’m a guy…”

  Carly pursed her lips, and sent him a burst of annoyance that made him quiver. “Now, don’t start that sexist crap with me, young man. I don’t think anything of the sort. If I have any doubts about you, it has nothing to do with your gender and more to do with your own arrogant and silly behavior.”

  Casey’s face fell, and Carly felt a tad guilty. “I’m sorry…”

  “No,” he interrupted as his wolf licked his wounds. “You’re right, but I want to change that, starting now. I think this would be a wonderful opportunity if you’ll give me a chance.”

  He gave her his best puppy dog eyes, and he could see she wasn’t going to hold out.

  “If you’re sure this is what you want, of course, I’ll give you a chance, Casey,” she told him kindly.

  A huge grin spread over his handsome face, and he had to restrain himself from fist-pumping the air. “Thanks, Carly.”

  “Why don’t you make me a few things? So I can taste them, and see how good you are.”

  Casey nodded energetically. “Definitely, what would you like?”

  Carly spread her hands out. “Surprise me.”

  There was a knock at the door; Carly excused herself to answer it.

  Casey’s wolf howled, pleased at how this was going. If this worked out, he could quit his part-time job at the horse stables. Hunter’s father had been kind enough to give him a job, but Casey was the first to admit that mucking out horses did not float his boat.

  There was also the bonus that he would have a steady job, added to the fact that he had his own home, he was a much more desirable proposition for his dream girl. Or dream bobcat. All he had to do was find her.

  He twisted her panties through his fingers. Yep, he was carrying them around in his pocket. He considered them his good luck charm. Although, admittedly they hadn’t given him much luck in finding her, but they were the only physical proof he had that his delectable bobcat actually existed. No way was he giving them up.

  His wolf snarled at a familiar scent. For a moment he panicked, thinking it was Lisa/Laura, but no it was another puma altogether. He panicked again when he realized it was Darcy.

  Darcy had dated his high school best friend, Mal Tanner, off and on. When Mal refused to make a commitment to Darcy, the angry puma had tried to make Mal jealous by sleeping with Casey. It hadn’t worked; Mal could care less.

  Over the years, Mal slept with Casey’s casual girlfriend, Casey slept with Mal’s, they both flirted and competed for the same girls… Now, looking back, Casey could see that he and Mal weren’t exactly the best of friends. And that neither of them had been very gentlemanly when it came to women.

  That had changed for Mal, now that he was mated and expecting a pup. Maybe that would be me too soon, thought Casey longingly.

  His wolf pranced around like a puppy in approval, while Casey shook his head. Where the hell had that come from? A month ago, if anyone had told him he’d be dreaming about mating and having pups, he’d have told them to shut their damn mouth. Yet, here he was.

  And here was Darcy.

  The tall, pretty puma froze at the sight of Casey. He frowned. For a second, he almost didn’t recognize her. She was always attractive, but she used to wear skin-tight clothes, layers of make-up and teased her hair into ringlets. But now, in a pair of jeans, a man’s Captain America sweatshirt, hair in a simple braid and no make-up, she was radiant. Not a patch on his gorgeous bobcat, but still.

  Carly looked between the two of them. “I take it you know each other…”

  Darcy sucked in a breath. “You could say that.”

  Casey folded his arms.

  Carly took a deep breath and tried to temper the burgeoning feelings of anger. “Well, both of you are here because you would like to work in the cake shop…”

  Darcy and Casey shouted out in dismay at the same time. Both stated they did not wish to work with the other. There were more than a few lingering feelings of animosity following the fallout of Mal and Darcy’s relationship.

  Carly held up a hand for quiet. “Both of you calm down, I haven’t made any decisions about the shop yet. I’m sure you would both be excellent employees…”

  Casey snorted. “Yeah, I’m sure she’s fine until you say something she doesn’t like and she slashes your tires.”

  Darcy blanched before fury tore through her. No way did this wolf have the moral high-ground with her! “Says the boy who put sugar in his high school principal’s gas tank, after she gave him detention for a month, for making fun of the history teacher’s mole!”

  “That wasn’t my fault! If Mr. Woods had any sense, he’d have that thing removed! It was like a freaking third eye!”

  Darcy opened her mouth to put in a retort, but thought better of it. The old Darcy would have argued, and screamed the whole house down until she was blue in the face. But that wasn’t her anymore. She was the new Darcy. The Darcy who was patient, who wasn’t overly competitive, who didn’t feel the compulsive need to chase after things she didn’t really want… including ex-boyfriends. She was loved, and she had a family, and she was finally happy. She didn’t need this job, if she didn't get it she would still be okay, but she would be grateful if she did.

  She breathed in and out and counted to ten. She didn’t like Casey, or the way he had treated her, not that she behaved much better, but she wasn’t going to start world war three over it.

  “Carly, I’d be grateful if you would consider me to work in your shop, but I understand if you don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  Casey scoffed and was about to say something, when a stern look from the little Omega silenced him.

  Carly sent them both calming tendrils. “I’m happy to give you both a chance, really I just need to judge how well you bake. So, both of you make some things for me, and we’ll take it from there. Okay?”

  Darcy nodded, and Casey ground out a yes.

  With the tension temporarily diffused, Carly took the opportunity to usher them both out.

  Casey stood on the porch eyeing the puma. “You’re… different.”

  “Yes, I am. I’ve grown up, maybe you should try it sometime.” With that she haughtily walked away from him, okay maybe she wasn’t that grown up yet.

  Casey sighed as his wolf grumbled. He hated to admit it, but she was right. If he had any hope of attracting his mystery bobcat to maybe be with him a long-term basis, it was time to grow up.

  He chuckled, remembering how he had mercilessly needled Mal about wanting to set
tle down with his mate, Terri. A few months ago the idea of being mated and expecting a pup was unthinkable to Casey. But, here he was, having met a woman only twice, ready to change his life in the hope that she might deign to be with him. Life does take you by surprise sometimes.

  Chapter Six

  15th January

  Deanna sat down on the wall outside the auto shop. Six hundred dollars to repair the Corolla. How the heck were they going to afford that? They were struggling to keep up with her grandmother’s medical bills as it was, and she didn’t think either she or Dennis could take on any extra hours.

  She considered asking Darcy to get a job, but Darcy already looked after their grandmother and Dinah, as well taking Danny and Drake to school, she was currently doing most of the chores around the house, and all the cooking. Deanna felt guilty just for thinking it. She wondered if Darcy had realized what she was letting herself in for when she mated with Dennis.

  Deanna let out a hysterical giggle. She pitied the poor guy she ended up mating with; marry me - you marry my whole family.

  Her bobcat yowled, and her heart twinged. Again, with the wolf from the bar! Lord how she regretted meeting him. No, that wasn’t true. Meeting him was the best night of her life, closely followed by their second encounter. She wished she hadn’t run out on him that night, but then she was pretty darn panicked.

  Briefly she wondered if there was something more to him than just a random wolf shifter looking for some fun. She felt a fluttering in her stomach at the thought of seeing him again. But, it wasn’t to be. Her bobcat whined plaintively, and Deanna firmly shook her head. No, she just didn’t have the time for dating, even if it was something both she and her bobcat wanted…

  “Hey!”

  Deanna jumped up, pulled out of her reverie by Carl.

  He grinned at her. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “You didn’t,” she said quickly, trying not to fluster. “How are you, Carl?”

  He frowned, pondering the question. “Pretty good, when all things are considered. And you?”

  She shrugged. “Same, all things considered.”

  Carl rocked on his heels. “I’m just taking my rabbit for a walk.”

  “So I see.” Deanna frowned, looking down at the shivering rabbit at the end of a red leash. She didn’t claim to know a lot about rabbits, her experience with them had definitely been of the hunting and eating raw variety, but she could tell the little critter wasn’t loving being dragged around town. “By the way, what’s his name?”

  “I don’t know; he didn’t come with one.”

  “I guess he’ll tell you when he’s ready.”

  Carl’s eyes lit up. “Yeah, you think?”

  Deanna rolled her shoulders. “Sure, why not?”

  “So, you got car trouble?”

  “What makes you say that?” she asked abruptly.

  Carl nodded at the auto shop.

  Deanna flushed a little. “No, no trouble, at least nothing I can’t handle.”

  She was embarrassed by how even an innocuous question put her on guard. She couldn’t help herself; if ever she suspected anyone was insinuating that she was having problems, and couldn’t look after her family, financially or otherwise, she went on the defensive. She’d been taking care of her family off and on for many years, and she hated people trying to butt in and tell her she couldn’t.

  At least Carl didn’t seem to notice. Nothing seemed to annoy him. He bent down and picked up the trembling rabbit, who immediately snuggled into Carl’s sweater.

  “Will you go out on a date with me?” Carl looked at her with interest.

  Deanna stared at him, wide-eyed. Of all the things she was expecting him to say that was way down the list. She’d have thought it was more likely for him to tell her about the time he was abducted by aliens. Her bobcat growled in disapproval, and Deanna tried to get her to pipe down. She wasn’t interested in Carl; the cat had nothing to worry about.

  “Uhh, thanks, Carl, but I’m not really interested.”

  Carl continued staring at her with a dazed smile; he didn’t even falter at her rejection. “Well, let me know if you change your mind.”

  “Sure.”

  “See you around, Deputy pretty kitty.”

  Deanna sighed; she figured it wasn’t worth the fight. “See you around, Carl.”

  She chuckled as she watched him amble away, chatting to his rabbit. When he was out of sight, she groaned and sank back onto the wall.

  She still had to come up with the money to fix the car; either that or the whole family would have to figure out a way to share the minivan. Maybe she could ask the Sheriff if she could have a patrol car. No, she doubted Alec would want her using it when she was off duty.

  Then there were her grandmother’s hospital bills; they weren’t going to pay themselves.

  She fiddled with her ring. It had belonged to her great-grandmother, given to Deanna on her eighteenth birthday by Grams. It wasn’t worth a lot, but if she went to the right pawnbroker, she could swing six hundred bucks. It was hardly a precious treasure, but it did have sentimental value. That would have to be a last resort.

  Her bobcat almost purred. If only her handsome wolf were there, he’d save them.

  Ugh, no way! She didn’t need a man to swoop in and make all her problems go away – as if he could anyway! Deanna Hardison and her family stood on their own feet; they didn’t need charity or handouts.

  But wouldn’t it be nice to be taken care of? Instead of us always having to take care of everyone else.

  Deanna shook her head, got up and began walking home. They would be fine. Darcy would use the car to get everyone to school and doctor’s appointments, Dennis would need to get lifts to and from Darlington for his shifts at the hospital, and she would just walk to and from work. Easy peasy.

  Deanna had no problem walking everywhere. God knows, when she was little she had to walk home from School dragging Dennis behind her, whenever her mom forgot to pick them up. Which was more often than not.

  Besides, things would pick up once Dennis was fully trained as an EMT, he’d get a higher salary and they’d be a little more secure. See, who needed a man to ride to her rescue?

  Who needed a tall, handsome, magnificently sculpted, potent, gorgeous wolf? Not her, no way, no how. Nope, she was fine spending her nights curling up in bed with a good book, and a cup of hot chocolate. Yep, that was all she needed… yep… definitely…

  Deanna sped up and thrust her hands in her pockets. Jeez, she was pathetic. Her bobcat concurred with that sentiment.

  She’d been dreaming non-stop about him. If she were half as brave as she liked to think she was, she’d track down her guy, and find out whether there really was anything more to this attraction, or if it was all just in her befuddled head.

  But no, she was chickenshit. Too worried that he meant more to her than she did to him, and too worried that if she did invite him into her busy life, he wouldn’t be able to measure up. He was better off left where he was, starring in some very erotic fantasies.

  Her phone chirruped, and without looking she answered, letting out a labored hello.

  “Deanna, pumpkin!”

  She froze in surprise as her bobcat let out a wail. It was the last person she expected to hear from. Well, second to last, the last was her mystery wolf – no, she couldn’t think about him now. She had bigger things to worry about, a phone call from her mom for one thing…

  “Mom?”

  “Hey, pumpkin! Have you missed me?”

  Missed her? Missed her? Was she freaking kidding?

  Deanna breathed in and out, trying to control her spiraling temper. “Where the heck are you, Mom?”

  “I’m in Vegas. It’s fabulous out here pumpkin; you should get out here one day.”

  Gee, she’d love to, except she had a few responsibilities, like her job and taking care of her siblings. “What are you doing in Vegas, Mom?”

  Her mom’s laughter tinkled down the
phone. “I’ve been working as a blackjack dealer; I’ve been having a great time.”

  “Well, I’m really happy for you,” she ground out.

  “Thanks, pumpkin.” Her mom tended to ignore sarcasm. “So, how are you? How is everyone?”

  “We’re fine, Mom, but I…”

  “Good, I knew you’d look after everyone, you’re such a good girl, you always have been, ever since you were little. I remember how you used to be so protective of Dennis when we were living by the beach.”

  Deanna winced and tried to forget how hard things had been back then. Like the time her mom couldn’t cope anymore, and had to put them in emergency care. She got them out again, when she found out she was pregnant with Danny.

  Her mother continued, undeterred by Deanna’s less than welcoming tone. “You always looked out for all of us, I swear you were born middle-aged, pumpkin.”

  Deanna ignored the jibe. ‘Why haven’t you called? Dinah’s been asking for you. She’s only 4; she misses you.”

  Dinah cried every night after their mother left six months ago, after a while she did calm down a little, and things got easier when Darcy joined their ranks. Dinah adores Darcy.

  “I’m sorry, pumpkin, really I am. I would have, but I didn’t want to confuse things. I knew Dinah and Drake would just get upset on the phone and want to know when I was going to visit; I didn’t want to rile them up, I thought it would just make the situation harder for you.”

  Deanna’s bobcat growled as she squeezed her phone in her hand. That was her mom, always thinking of others. “You should have called,” she said, quietly.

  “I know, pumpkin, I know.”

  “Why have you stayed away so long?” What the hell were you doing that was so much more important than your five children?!

  “It wasn’t my fault…”

  Deanna rolled her eyes; no, it never was.

  “But Gary wasn’t allowed to leave Vegas, just while the court case was being heard…”

  “Whoa, hold on. Who’s Gary?”

  Her mom squealed in excitement. “Oh! Didn’t I tell you? He’s my fiancée; we’re getting married.”