by Lisa Ray
It was perfect. Except for one thing. She was starving and thirsty. Making her way to the kitchen she opened the fridge to find it stocked and a nice note from Chloe. She almost cried at the kindness of the gesture. She poured herself a soda and made herself a sandwich and then, after eating, she fell into the large bed and fell asleep so fast she forgot to change her clothes.
Morning came too quickly after Bella’s jetlag. But she was up and dressed and downstairs when Chloe arrived. She gave Chloe a quick hug and thanked her for the food and then the marathon was on. Chloe was right. Everyone in town seemed to need a veterinarian today for everything from toenails and shots to rashes and itchy ears. Bella was sure that she would have no business for a month because everyone was coming in today. She met so many people she knew she would never remember their names. She smiled and petted and chatted until her feet hurt and her mouth was sore. When the last customer left, she turned to Chloe and for a moment they stared at each other before bursting out in laughter.
“I thought you were kidding.” Bella said as she plopped in a chair in the waiting room.
Chloe sat across from her and propped her feet on another chair. “Oh, no. I know this town well. And I will say that you passed the test with flying colors. I think old man Fancher is in love with you because his mean little dog actually liked you. I’m not sure his wife feels the same way though," Chloe said with a laugh, “You definitely have a way with animals.”
Bella was pleased with Chloe’s praise, “Thank you. I’ve always felt close to them. Animals, I mean. I think they understand me better than humans sometimes.”
Chloe nodded in agreement as she rose to leave. “Well, I’m going home. I need rest and so do you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Bella thanked Chloe for all her hard work she had done that day and watched Chloe lock the door as she left. Bella trudged upstairs and did a repeat of the night before. Except for one thing. She was looking forward to tomorrow.
Chapter 3
Ryker readily agreed to meet with Archer and the meeting was set for the following evening. They would meet in town at a public sports bar that was popular with the locals. They could find a table to themselves and talk. Archer knew That Ryker had to be aware of all that was taking place. He hoped they would be on the same page. He knew Ryker quite well. Living as long as they had it was impossible not to know each other. They had never been friends, but each held a mutual respect for the other and each were staunch proponents for peace, taking care of their own problem members when the occasion arose.
Archer drove into town in the morning, early, to open the doors to his hardware store. It was his business that allowed him to be a normal member of society in town. The fact that he didn’t age had never been an issue. People in the town had to notice but most had been born and raised here by generations that had lived here for a long time. The people had to know something was different but they never spoke of it.
Archer always opened the store and worked the first hour before his employees came in. He had two. One was a young member of his pack that had married right out of high school and already had a small family to support. The other was a human that had been with him for almost ten years. He was a quiet family man and Archer respected him for his knowledge of the store and his proficiency. Since the store opened at eight o’clock, Archer made some coffee and sat behind the counter with a cup as he read the paper. He looked up as the bells on the door jingled at a customer’s arrival. He stood behind the counter and reached over and greeted old Doctor Bernard with a firm handshake.
“Today’s the day, Archer. I’m finally leaving this town and heading south to be with my daughter.”
Archer shook his head in the affirmative, “I will miss you. You have done so much for us and this whole town. I can’t tell you how much we have all appreciated you all these years.
Doctor Bernard didn’t speak for a minute. When he did, he wrinkled his brow and seemed to search for the correct words. “Archer, I’ve lived here my whole life you know. I’ve seen people come and go. I’ve seen people grow up and leave or get married and stay. And I’ve seen a lot of things I never could explain. To me we were all one town, one people, didn’t matter if others were “different” in some way. There are a lot of us around here that feel that way. We aren’t blind.” Doctor Bernard chuckled. “I guess what I’m trying to say is that there’s a new veterinarian in town. It will be up to everyone to help her accept things like I did. I think she’s going to be perfect and work out just fine. I just wanted to tell you so you would know. She seems quite open-minded and she and Chloe have hit it off like old friends.” Doctor Bernard fumbled around looking for where he had placed his keys. “Anyway, I just wanted to say goodbye and thanks for all the renovation help all these years. You’ve been a good friend. I’ll miss you and this town”
Archer listened with a slight sadness. He was glad the Doctor was going to be with his family but he would sure miss him. “I thank you for those words, Dr. Bernard. I think it’s this town, me included, that will miss you most. I’m happy for you though. I’m sure the new Doctor and I will get along just fine, especially if he was hand picked by you.”
Doctor Bernard chuckled again.” I don’t think you could look at the new Doctor and confuse her as a man. She’s quite a looker, though I’m too old, “and he laughed again.
For a minute Archer was shaken. A female Doctor. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing. But she was probably married so had a husband to protect her.
“Would her husband need a job? I know that Jimmy is hiring at the city hall for a maintenance man.”
“Nope. No husband. Just her, right out of veterinarian school. But she’s going to be just fine. Anyway, I need to hit the road, Archer. It’s going to be a several day’s drive as it is.”
Archer looked at the old man and decided he needed to give him a warning somehow since he was headed right into the same area the rogues were. “Doctor Bernard, you need to listen to me. Be very careful down there. There’s a new threat I can’t really tell you about but it’s just arrived in the southern states. Here, take these,” Archer laid a shotgun and a bag of silver filled shells on the counter,” and if there’s any trouble, protect your own and hightail it back here.”
Doctor Bernard looked at Archer strangely and then took the gun and shells without hesitation. Now he seemed to be in a hurry to get to his family. He nodded his head in thanks and walked out the front door, bells clanging behind him.
Archer sat back down on his stool and took a long drink of the lukewarm coffee. Walking to the microwave, he nuked it to warm it up and then sat back down to wait patiently for his employees.
Then he was going to meet the new veterinarian.
Chapter 4
Bella and Chloe were enjoying a large slowdown from the day before. They had a few customers coming in but it was basically a slow day. The two women were sitting in the reception area enjoying a nice cup of coffee and conversation. Chloe was telling Bella all about the town and people in it. Bella learned that the clinic and living quarters had all recently been renovated by a man named Archer Stuart. He apparently owned the local hardware store and had a construction crew that did building projects and such. It seemed that Chloe had known him a long time. She learned that Chloe lived beyond the town in a small community of homes and that she was single. It was hard to believe as she was a beautiful woman. Bella guessed her to be somewhere in her mid-forty’s with dark auburn hair and forest green eyes. She was slender and seemed healthy and full of energy. But Bella didn’t question her about it. She was glad to have Chloe here as help and to show her where things were that she still didn’t know about. Chloe was also a friendly and welcoming face to all the customers, greeting each one and their companion as if they were special to her. Bella was glad Chloe was her friend.
“I’m going to the Rollercoaster tonight for dinner and a drink with a few friends and would love for you to join us,” Chloe was saying when Bella b
rought herself out of her thoughts.
Bella was quick to answer, “If you’re sure your friends wouldn’t mind I would love to. I need to get out and get to know the town and more of the people. What time?”
“Seven is when we are meeting. Is that too late for you?”
“No, that’s fine.”
Chloe went on, “The Rollercoaster is a block down on your right on the corner. You can’t miss is.”
Bella was already looking forward to it when she heard the door chime, letting them know a customer had entered. Both she and Chloe rose at the same time.
Chloe immediately greeted the man with her natural friendliness and then ask him, “Did you come to check out the new Doctor?”
Bella’s cheeks turned pink as she stared at the man in front of her.
Chloe introduced them, “Archer, this is Bella. Bella this man is an old and good friend of mine, Archer.”
Bella was still staring. The man was made up of pure raw sex appeal. Eyes almost as golden brown as a field of wheat in the sunlight, slim waist and broad shoulders topped long legs that pushed against his pants showing their muscles. His hair fell to his shoulders in waves of deep mahogany. And when he held out his hand to shake hers, Bella noticed there were no rings on them.
Archer took Bella’s hand in his and felt a jolt like a lightning bolt. He looked into eyes the blue of the sky on a sunny day. Hair of gold pulled back in a tie showed a face that could only be called amazing. He could tell her hair would fall to her waist when loose and he felt the itch to reach around and pull the tie out to see. She was tall, but still a good six inches shorter than he was and she had the curves of a goddess.
Bella’s cheeks burned more as she realized they had neither one spoken and his hand still held hers. She broke his gaze as Chloe let out a snicker.
“It’s nice to meet you Mr.? I’m sorry; I didn’t catch your last name.
“Archer will do and it is indeed nice to meet you, Doc. I actually came to make sure that the renovations were all good with the new Doctor and make sure everything was functioning well in the living quarters. There were several wiring issues we had to fix.”
Bella had regained control of her senses. “Everything is wonderful. The clinic is perfect and I love that it is animal friendly and not just economical. The upstairs is wonderful. It already feels like home. The only thing I would like to buy is some wood for the fireplace. I noticed there was a wood bin out back but it was empty.”
“I’ll take care of that for you, Bella and I’m glad you are pleased.”
“You don’t have to do that, Archer.”
Archer didn’t bother to reply. He simply took her hand in his again and placed his other one on top of hers. “I want to. Consider it a welcome gift. And if you need anything else, tell Chloe and I will take care of it for you.”
“Thank you,” Bella wasn’t going to argue with a man she knew had made up his mind. “And if you have any need of my professional services they will be on the house.”
Archer smiled and his whole face changed. He looked almost carefree. Bella smiled back and Archer’s heart did a small little jump. With a quick goodbye he was out the door before Bella could say another word.
“Wow! What was that?’ Bella turned to Chloe.
Chloe smiled in amusement. The sparks between the two couldn’t have been brighter. It was odd. Archer had had many women all the years Chloe had known him, Lycan and human. But he had never committed to any of them. The sparks that she had just witnessed made her think things might get very interesting around here. “That, my dear friend, was Archer. He is a very dear, old friend, never married; no children and I have never seen him so ready to run away as I did just now. “She let out a laugh that showed her amusement.
Bella blushed again. “Thanks for all the information but I’m not looking for a man. Although if I was, Archer would definitely be first on my list,” and she and Chloe laughed like two best friends with a secret.
They stopped laughing when the door chimed again and each one tried to hide their amusement, not quite succeeding. Going their separate ways, they each finished out the work day looking forward to an evening out with friends.
Archer was still thinking about the Doc. He couldn’t explain the odd sensation that had occurred between them. His wolf senses had never smelled anything as sweet as Bella’s unique human scent. He could almost feel the blood coursing through her veins when he took her hand. He couldn’t explain it. It had never, in all his hundreds of years, happened to him around a female. And right now with all that is happening he didn’t need anything different to distract him. He would just have to try to stay out of her way. In a small town like Brent that was going to be hard. But he was sure going to try.
Chapter 5
When Archer walked into Rollercoasters he could see several Vampires scattered around the room. Obviously Ryker was already here. That was fine; he also noticed Roman and a few of his pack at a table against one of the walls. He scanned the room and found Ryker in a far corner booth. There were many humans also scattered at different tables enjoying their evening. Archer strode purposefully toward the corner and slid into the booth opposite Ryker. Ryker nodded in welcome and Archer nodded back. A waitress came and took their order and then they were alone in a crowd.
Ryker spoke first. “I suppose you’re here about the rumors of the rogues that have reached our ears.”
Archer nodded. “Yes, I am. I felt that we needed to meet. I am discretely searching my pack for anyone that would be susceptible to recruitment by the rogues. I was hoping you were doing the same.”
Ryker leaned forward and placed his arms on the table, “I am. And I don’t know what information you have but I know they are on our shores now. I am worried most for our young.”
“I have heard that also. I, too, am worried about the young. I hope I am wrong but don’t believe I am, they will reach here. I have a good friend in Mississippi that told me they are not just a loosely run gang. He told me they are well organized and seem to have plans and agendas. No one can seem to attach them to a beginning group or the one or ones that began this which bothers me. I have a feeling this is all much deeper than we know and that there are many powerful leaders from both of our sides that are behind this. There is no telling how far this will go. It needs to be stopped.” Archer looked at Ryker for his reaction.
Ryker listened intently to Archer and agreed with him. “I believe you are right. So we are meeting to agree to come together if need be. I have talked with my council and they are in agreement. We have known and lived alongside you and your pack and the humans here for as long as any of us can remember. We want peace and so will fight for it. With you or against you whichever side you choose.”
Archer wasn’t offended by Ryker’s implication. He knew the Vampire meant what he said and was glad. “Then I am glad we had this meeting. My council and I want peace also and will fight with all those that want the same thing. So we are in agreement then?”
“We are.” Ryker said.
“Then let us begin by eating together to show all those watching us that we can establish trust. And we can also toss about some ideas. Do you agree?” Archer challenged Ryker.
It was right then that the waitress arrived with their order. When she left, Ryker spread his napkin on his lap and picked up his fork and knife. The tension in the room was palatable. Then he began to cut his rare steak and eat. Archer joined him as the two men talked and shared information. When dinner was over, each man left the table with new respect and a faint sense of liking for the other.
Ryker left the restaurant and Archer joined his friends at their table in the corner. He ordered a beer and soon he was relaxing and enjoying himself. In the back of his mind he didn’t know how long these good days would last. So he was determined to make the most of this one.
Then Chloe walked in with Sasha, Ariana, a couple of human women Archer knew worked with Sasha and right behind them all was Bella. Archer
was breathless for a minute. She was dressed in a small dark turquois dress that hugged her in all the right places. She wasn’t thin but well-rounded and Archer couldn’t take his eyes off her. He managed to say “Huh” when all the guys at the table realized where he was looking and hadn’t heard a word they said. The guys all laughed and Archer just smiled broadly.
Jeremy, a member of the pack, said, “Hmmmm, that must be the new animal doctor. She’s definitely a looker. Think I’ll mosey over and introduce myself.”
Jeremy started to rise and Archer gripped his forearm, making him drop back into his chair. “I don’t think so,” Archer said with a growl, “She’s off limits.”
The guys all laughed again and ribbed Archer about his protectiveness. Soon the party started winding down and everyone was gone but Roman and Archer. They could hear the girls laughing and enjoying themselves from a couple of tables away. Archer glanced in their direction and met Bella’s gaze full on. They held for a moment before Bella turned her head back to whatever Chloe was saying. No matter, Archer had more important things to think about at the moment. He was meeting with his council tomorrow night. He needed to think and keep his mind on the problem at hand. He and Roman stood at the same time and walked together to the door. Each going their separate ways, Archer tried to think of Ryker and all he knew but his mind kept wandering to a blonde woman in a blue dress. Archer swore under his breath and finally decided he needed to just forget about it all for a bit. After arriving home, he sat before the fireplace and looked deep into the flames. He needed a run, something to clear his mind.
Out the back door he went. Before he made it to the tree line he was fully wolf. He was as black as night with eyes the color of gold. He ran full out, leaping fallen limbs and dodging trees. He let out a huge howl as he started up one of the mountains at the back of his property. He wasn’t even breathing hard half-way up. His feet barely touched the ground and he climbed until he reached the peak. Once there, he stood overlooking the property below him, the lights from his home in the far distance. He could also see the town to his left and further on the faintest lights of the homes of the Vampires. He let out a howl that rang through the mountains and valleys. He loved this place. He hated to think its peace was threatened. He heard a shuffle behind him and smelled Roman and Chloe before they appeared. They joined him on the overlook. Roman, dark brown and blue eyed, he was young and heavily muscled. Chloe was Auburn colored with deep green eyes. They sat quietly gazing down at their homes. Then Archer turned and took off, the other two right on his heels.
