“Not good. She told me she doesn’t want to be friends. She puts up walls faster than I can tear through them, so I’m not going to do it any longer.”
“What do you mean? You’re not giving up. She’s your mate.” Jared stopped pacing to stare at Granger.
“When have I ever given up? I’ve decided to let her miss me for a while and at the same time I am going to kill her with kindness. Every time she turns around, I will arrange something nice for her. I just won’t be there to gloat or take credit.”
“Well, at least you have a plan. I don’t know if you’ll succeed or fail miserably, but you have a plan.” Jared rubbed at his chin thoughtfully. “Until we know who was behind the attack on our women, I don’t want any of them going out alone.”
“I told Remi to keep an eye on Brenda.” Granger nodded in agreement.
“I informed our security people. No more trips to Quebec unless a male guard goes with them.” Jared sat in his desk chair.
“I’m sure Esme is going to love that,” Granger pointed out.
“I know. What else can I do?”
§
Brenda woke up feeling lousy. Another storm had come through, and when she turned on the radio, the news said another meter of snow had fallen overnight. She hadn’t slept well, thinking about Granger, and her head hurt this morning. It seemed even lycans needed a good night sleep to feel good. She groaned and forced herself out of bed.
At least she woke up in a beautiful room. The sun kissed the wooden beams on the ceiling making them glow, and when Brenda walked into the bathroom the water for the sink came on making soothing sounds as it dribbled down the rocks to the basin below. She washed her face and decided to have a good breakfast to make up for the lack of sleep. Dressing quickly, she then headed downstairs to enjoy the process of cooking.
She had finished eating breakfast when a knock on the door made her walk downstairs. She opened the entrance and one of the young male lycans stood on the porch, a tall paper wrapped bundle in his hands.
“I have a delivery for you, Miss Ross. I hope I didn’t come at a bad time. Here you go.”
Before Brenda could thank him, he ran down the drive. She brought the long, narrow bundle into the house. Excitement zinged through her as she unwrapped the package. Only one thing could be inside, skis. Sure enough, a brand new pair of Heidiskis and Leki poles were inside.
Brenda ran her fingers over the shiny surface of the white ash, admiring the wolves running over the blades. She should probably send them back. She knew how much they cost, but it would be so much fun to use them. She sniffed at the paper, and there it was, Granger’s woodsy scent. Why did he have to be so nice, buying her a gift she really liked? There wasn’t even a note with the package that she could tear up. Returning the skis would be hard. She’d always dreamed of being able to afford nice equipment like this. Brenda bit her bottom lip and placed the skis next to the door. She’d decide what to do after she finished washing the dishes.
The resort officially opened in three days. With the new powder from last night, she might be able to get some skiing in today after checking out the runs for Remi. What would it be like to fly down the mountain on her new skis?
A short time later, another knock on the door heralded the arrival of Remi and her ride to the resort. She glanced at the skis sitting next to the door as she hurried to answer the summons. Brenda had decided she couldn’t keep them. Granger must think he could buy her love to send such a gift. She would tell him exactly what she thought about his attempt when she saw him. In fact she looked forward to it.
She swung open the door to see Luc’s smiling face. A handsome young man, he had dark hair like his father. It was Luc’s eyes that called attention, with their emerald green color, and long black eyelashes any woman would covet. Remi waved from the Jeep sitting in the drive.
“Hey, Brenda. Did you like the new skis? Isn’t it great the Ski Patrol is getting new equipment this year? Dad was saying how they needed to update their supplies. Where are they? I’ll get them strapped to the Jeep.” Luc smiled and stood waiting.
Brenda pointed to the skis and poles sitting next to the door. New equipment for the Ski Patrol… not a personal gift from Granger. Her skin flushed and she shook her head. She had almost made a fool of herself, again. Of course the skis were for the job, and not because she was Granger’s mate. Why did she automatically think the worst? She needed to get her head on straight. Grabbing her parka and lunch, Brenda rushed after Luc.
The ride to the Ski Patrol office didn’t take long. Brenda followed Remi to the door as Luc hurried to his job in the restaurant. He used his key and reached over to flip on the light switch. “Uh oh, looks like the power is out. I’ll get the generator going out back. Can you call the hotel and see what the problem is?” Remi asked.
“Sure.” Brenda dashed to the phone and pressed the number for the switchboard operator. In a few minutes she had the information written down for Remi’s return. He walked in the door, knocking the snow from his boots.
“What’d you find out?” Remi asked.
“It looks like the storm dropped some trees over the power lines. They’ve called for a utility crew.”
“Well, at least it didn’t happen on opening day. You might change your mind about working for the resort after you experience that madness.” Remi winked at her.
“I think I can handle it, Remi.”
§
“This tree wasn’t knocked down by the storm. It was cut.” Granger pointed out to the utility crew.
“We’ll have to report this to the Sûreté du Québec. Looks like vandalism,” the crew supervisor said.
Granger nodded. “Do what you have to do. The resort opens in two days.”
“We’ll get on it as soon as we can, Monsieur Thibault.”
Granger trudged through the snow to his truck on the newly plowed road. They’d had a few cases of vandalism before, but this felt wrong. Granger headed for the Alpha’s lodge to make his report. First, the storm, and now with working on the power outage, he wasn’t going to get into Quebec City today.
He pulled through the gate and stopped at the guard shack, at least the power outage was limited to the resort side of the mountain. “Yvon, I want security to be increased. The downed tree was no accident. Tell, Mathis to contact me for more details.”
Mathis Levesque was the current head of security for both sides of the mountain. A large man, even for a lycan, he was extremely strong and a wonderful asset to the pack. He was also member of the Sable Guard, a peace keeping force controlled by the Beta’s Council.
“Sure thing, Granger. I think he’s at the resort now. I’ll hunt him down.”
“Thanks, Yvon. I’m going to see the Alpha. Have him give the lodge a call.”
Granger drove through the gate and turned toward the Alpha’s lodge. Parking in front, he went in to find Jared. As he walked the hall toward Jared’s office, the smoke alarms sent a high pitched whine through his head. Raised voices from the kitchen caused him to rush to the back of the house. He stepped into the room to find black smoke pouring out of the oven.
“I’m so sorry, Esme,” Susan wailed as she applied ice to Esme’s hand. “I’ve never really tried cooking before.”
Granger hurried to the stove and turned it off then opened the window. “What is going on here?” he asked, as the fire alarms stopped screeching.
“I ruined breakfast,” Susan said. She looked first at Esme and then Granger and started sobbing before she ran from the room.
“Esme, are you all right?” Granger asked.
“I think so. I burnt my hand opening the stove. There were actual flames shooting from inside.”
“Do you need to shift? Let me see?” Granger took Esme’s hand and lifted the ice from her skin. It was red, but there were no blisters.
“Esme!”
They looked at each other and smiled. “That would be, Jared,” Granger said. He put the ice back on her hand and step
ped back. Jared ran into the room and grabbed Esme close.
“It’s only a little burn, Jared,” Esme protested.
“You’ll need to shift. I’ll talk to you in a moment, Granger.” Jared swept Esme up in his arms and carried her out of the room.
Granger heard Esme’s objections all the way up the stairs. A door slammed and Granger smiled. He might as well come back later. Jared would be busy with his mate for at least an hour. He made it halfway down the hall, when sniffles coming from the library gave him pause.
The musty scent of sadness filled the air, along with the sweet smell of blueberries. He turned to the room and found Susan perched in one of the reading chairs, her arms wrapped around her knees, her shoulders shaking with her sobs.
“Susan, it wasn’t that bad. Stop crying and tell me what’s really bothering you.” Granger sat in the chair across from hers. He reached forward and patted her head.
“I’m horrible at everything. I can’t do anything right,” Susan said, between sobs. “I screwed up so much in the Army, they were going to discharge me, and then I got cancer so they medically discharged me first. Why am I such a loser?”
“Susan, you’re not a loser. Anyone who can survive cancer and being changed into a lycan isn’t a loser. You just haven’t found your gift. We all have things we’re good at and things we aren’t.”
She lifted her head and wiped at her face. “What do you think I’m good at?”
“Well…”
“See, even you don’t know,” Susan accused.
“That’s because we haven’t spent enough time together. What do you like to do?”
“You mean besides drinking and partying and hanging out with my friends?”
“Okay, that tells me you like people. What did you like to do as a child?”
“Well, I liked to play outside with my dogs. I used to run all over my grandma’s farm. She raised me after my parents died.”
“Do you still like dogs?”
“Yeah. They’re sometimes easier to understand than people, and they don’t get mad if I say the wrong thing.”
“Get some warmer clothes on. Let’s go down to the dog sledding shack and see how you do.”
“You mean like a job?” Susan said with a sniffle.
“Let’s see how you like it first. You may find it’s not really what you want to do. You can try as many things as you like until you find what you’re good at.”
“Okay, but Granger? Can we eat something first? I’m starving and I ruined the casserole your mother left for breakfast. I can’t believe she’s gone for a week.”
“Yeah, with Dad managing the maple syrup company and being head Beta for the pack, this is the only time he can take a vacation. He and Mom went to Niagra Falls. Don’t worry, you won’t starve while they’re gone. Go get dressed. I’ll whip something up for everyone and then we can visit the sled dogs.”
Susan walked over to his chair. “Thanks, Granger.” She kissed him on the cheek before leaving the room. He sat a moment, thinking. Susan was a little wild, but if they could channel her energy into something positive, she’d take off like a shot. If she didn’t like the dogs, there were always the children, and if that didn’t work, they could start on jobs at the resort.
Whistling a soft tune to himself, he headed to the kitchen and pulled out pans. Guess he was staying for breakfast. He seemed to be connecting well with Esme and Susan. Now, if only Brenda would walk in the door.
§
Brenda returned from inspecting the runs on the north side of the mountain, and except for a few downed branches, the trails were clear. The power had been restored to the resort and the ski patrol building was toasty warm. The door to the Ski Patrol office opened and Jared and Esme walked in the door.
“Hi, I mentioned to Jared that I missed seeing you, so he brought me over. Can you take a lunch break?” Esme asked.
Brenda glanced at Remi as he came in from the back room. “Sure, go ahead,” he said, nodding. “The restaurant at the resort is open. You should try it, the cook is very good.”
Brenda walked around the counter and Esme slipped her arm through Brenda’s, pulling her close. “Now that you’re working, I never see you. When do you have a day off?” Esme asked.
“Day after tomorrow. I can’t believe Remi is giving me the opening day off. He said if I wanted to see the madness, I could come over and check things out. But under no circumstances should I be on the slopes.”
“He’s probably afraid the madness will freak you out and change your mind about being on the ski patrol,” Jared suggested as they walked down the trail that led to the hotel and restaurant.
Soon people would be laughing and talking as they made their way to the lifts. Children and first time skiers would be rolling down the bunny trail. Parents would watch from nearby, cheering their little ones on. Tables and chairs were set up on the back decks, where people could gather to eat if the weather was nice. Ski racks stood ready to store people’s equipment as they took a break. It might get a little crazy, but Brenda loved it.
The resort lodge always amazed Brenda when she saw it. The huge logs used in the construction should have made the building look rustic, instead it held a feeling of elegance with large windows reflecting the crystal chandeliers. A circular drive in front of the building offered easy loading and unloading of cars. Young men stood ready to assist patrons and valet park their cars for them. Already, vehicles were lined up to deposit their passengers, and the ski trails didn’t officially open for two days.
Jared veered to the right and led Esme and Brenda to a side entrance, away from the hustle and bustle at the front. The door opened into a large hall with signs marking the way to different areas. The restaurant was on the front side of the lodge with its many windows showcasing the beauty of the mountain and the village below.
Brenda took in the sitting areas around large fireplaces, and the boutiques showcasing pieces of art, and decorative items lining the walkway. They turned next to the bar and walked the short distance to the restaurant entrance. As they moved closer, loud voices filled the air.
“I cannot work like this. I must have fresh ingredients. You promised only the best,” a voice complained.
“Guillaume, please, I promise you, I will find out what is going on with the shipments. You must give me time to fix this.”
Brenda and Esme followed Jared, as he joined the arguing men. One wore the white uniform of a chef, while the other wore a business suit. “Is there a problem, gentleman?” Jared asked.
“Jared, I’m glad you’re here. I was going to call you to meet with me. We have a problem,” the man in the business suit replied.
“Perhaps we could discuss it in your office, Parker. Instead of here where we might ruin someone’s appetite.” Parker—Brenda remembered that name. This must be the human owner of the resort.
“Of course, you’re right,” Parker said, appearing to just notice the line of guests waiting to be seated. “Guillaume, please return to duty. Do what you can for now, while I get things straightened out.”
With a sniff, the cook walked toward the kitchen. Parker turned to Jared and noticed Esme and Brenda for the first time. “Oh, you were going to have lunch. Please forgive me for interrupting.”
“This is my fiancée, Esme, and her foster sister, Brenda. From her uniform you can see Brenda is working with your ski patrol,” Jared replied. Brenda noticed the careful way Jared explained their relationships for their human audience.
“Very nice to meet you, ladies. Perhaps you would like to wait here and order your lunch. This meeting shouldn’t take long and then Jared can join you.”
Esme looked to Jared, and Brenda knew they were speaking telepathically. “That would be lovely,” she said.
Parker motioned the hostess forward and whispered in her ear. Brenda, with her lycan hearing, heard the order of only the best for her party. The hostess quickly grabbed up two menus.
Esme gave Jared a quick kiss on
the cheek before following the hostess. Brenda hesitated. She really wanted to know what was going on at the resort. Jared winked at her as if he knew what she thought. Brenda sighed and followed Esme to their table.
§
Granger watched a delighted Susan play with the sled dog pups. She sat contentedly on the floor as they scrambled around her, biting each other, and at her clothes. Susan picked up one and it gave kisses to her face. Susan giggled and put the pup down. “They’re wonderful,” she said, her face alight with joy. Granger felt an answering warmth in his chest. He was glad Susan had found something she liked.
“But, what is the job? I’m sure you don’t want to pay me to play with the puppies all day.” Susan helped one pup roll onto his stomach, after being knocked over by a littermate.
They both looked at Rosalie, the human mate of Hubert Blais, and owner of the sled dog company.
“No, but playing with all the dogs is part of our day. We feed and groom them as well as clean up their living spaces. Hubert, trains them to the sled. But, he may ask for assistance if he’s having problems. So, we go where we’re needed if something comes up. I would love to have you join us. We’ve been short a set of hands since our son, Bénin, went to University.”
“Why don’t you try it out for a few days, Susan?” Granger suggested.
“I would love to, if that’s all right with you, Rosalie,” Susan asked.
“Yes, yes, that will work. I will drive Susan to the Alpha’s lodge when she’s done working,” Rosalie suggested.
“Well then, I guess I’ll be going. I hope you have a great day, Susan. See you later, Rosalie.” Granger pulled himself away, suddenly reluctant to leave the tranquil setting.
He’d need to check in with the utility crew, though power had been returned to the resort already. Sighing, he made his way to his truck. He started the motor and leaned his head against the steering wheel.
He missed Brenda, his heart lay heavy with her absence. Staying away was one of the hardest things he’d ever done. He longed to see her face, to touch her soft skin. His mind automatically reached for her with his telepathy. She was being seated at the resort restaurant with Esme.
Beta's Mate (Siberian Volkov Pack Romance Series Book 8) Page 5
