by Beverly Rae
Still, she paused, searching her mind, but, as always, came up empty. Why couldn’t she remember what her dream men looked like?
Cursing under her breath, she grabbed the incessant phone. “Who the hell is calling me so early in the morning?”
“Mandy Garland! Watch your language.”
In an instant, she transformed into the five-year-old girl who’d broken her mother’s one and only bottle of perfume. “Oh, Mom. Sorry. I, uh, just woke up.”
Her mother let her off the hook. “Are you sleeping well, honey?”
If having sex with four hunky men meant she was sleeping well, then yeah, she was. But she wasn’t about to tell her mother about the dreams. “I’m fine, Mom. Really. You don’t need to check on me every morning.”
Her mother’s need to hear her voice at the start of the day was a standing joke between them. “You know my friends think it’s weird, don’t you? I mean, I’ve been on my own for two years now.”
“Well, it’s just too bad their mothers don’t care about them as much as I care about you. Of course, if you’d rather I stopped…”
Here we go again. The same old routine every morning. She laughed, wanting to let her mother know she didn’t care what her friends thought. Truth was, she liked having her mother call her.
“You know I don’t.” She paused, biting her lip before launching into the conversation her mother always tried to avoid. Lately, however, she’d pushed harder as though realizing the time was now or never. “Look, Mom, I know you don’t want to have anything to do with him, but I really want to do this. My father left us—”
“He left me, not you.”
“Okay, okay. Your husband left you a long time ago. But maybe he’s gotten help since then. Maybe he’s better.”
“He was a drunk and a gambler back then, and he’ll always be a drunk and a gambler. The man will never change. Mark my words.” Her mother’s voice went up in pitch, irritation clouding her usual good humor.
“Maybe, but I still want to get to know him.” She had to form her own opinion of him. “If he’s as terrible as you say he is, then I’ll turn around and come home. But I want this chance, Mom. I want a chance to get to know my father. Won’t you please reconsider and tell me where he is?”
She’d never forced the issue, never once tried to hire an investigator of her own because she valued her mother’s opinion and trusted her judgment. Her mother, however, had surprised her when, after years of refusing to do so, she’d announced that she’d located her runaway husband. She’d even introduced Mandy to the man who’d found him. Yet no amount of begging or cajoling could get her mother or Decker Royce to tell her where to find Glen Garland.
“Fine. I’ll tell you.”
The defeat, the sadness in her mother’s tone was unmistakable, but she couldn’t give up. Stunned, Mandy struggled to believe her ears. “You will? Really?”
“Yes. I will. But you know Decker’s not going to like you traipsing off without him. Why not take him along? If it weren’t for him, we wouldn’t know where your father was.”
She glanced at the photo of Decker and her, arms linked, on their first date. He’d been very kind to both her and her mother, even helping her mother find a better-paying job and paying her mother’s overdue bills. “Because I want to do this myself. Alone. Besides, Decker and I don’t see eye to eye on this.”
“He cares for you, honey, and doesn’t want to see you hurt. I would think you’d appreciate his concern. He’s done more for us than your father ever did.”
Mandy bit back the retort springing to her mouth. She couldn’t deny that her father had made major mistakes, but she still didn’t like hearing her mother bad-mouth him.
“True. But he’s acting more possessive lately and making me uneasy.” She didn’t add that he’d already mentioned a possible future together. If her mother found out, she’d do her best to push her into a wedding. The only problem was she wasn’t sure if her mother liked Decker as a person or because he’d helped them so much.
Instead, she started to ask what had changed her mind, but decided not to press her good luck. Tears welled in her eyes. Her mother had given her everything, raising her most of her life as a single mother. Now she’d given her what she wanted most. “Oh, Mom. Thank you.”
“I’ll text you the address, but you have to promise me one thing.”
Just a simple text and her wish would come true. “Anything. You name it.” She grinned, the excitement in her voice spilling into her tone.
“You have to promise that when you meet him, if you meet him, you’ll give him a swift kick in the ass for me.”
“Mom! I can’t believe you said that.”
“Just promise me.”
Laughing, Mandy clicked open the text her mother had just sent her. “I promise. Thanks, Mom. Oh, and Mom?”
“Yes?”
“I love you always and forever, no matter what.”
“Me, too, honey. Me, too.”
Mandy clicked the call off and stared at the three words that could change her life.
Okay. Now I know where to find him. Lost Hills, Texas, here I come.
Chapter Two
“Yeah, I remember what you told me.” Jimmy winced at the tone in Michael Matheson’s voice booming through his cell phone. The alpha-male of the Night Runner pack was upset that he’d snuck into town without telling anyone where he’d gone. Worse, it wasn’t the first time he’d done it, going against the wishes of the rest of the pack. But he’d had no choice. He sensed she was near and couldn’t stand the idea of waiting another day or even another minute to meet her.
“Then get your ass back to the ranch.”
Jimmy gave the answer that would infuriate Michael even more. “Not happening, bro.”
“Don’t call me bro.” A curse word followed, then a pause before Michael spoke again. “Jimmy, you know how the town feels about us. Especially after the killer werebear. Have you forgotten the beating they gave you?”
He glanced around, noting the stares and frowns of the townspeople. Most of the residents of the small Texas town had heard the stories about the Matheson Ranch and the men and women who lived there. And, unfortunately, some of them believed the stories about werewolves.
“You think I’d forget something like that? Besides, a lot of time has passed since then and things have cooled down.” He mumbled a curse word, realizing the man closest to him could hear the irritation in his tone, if not the words. He walked away, careful to keep his stride easy and natural. No need to stir up trouble with an attitude.
“Look, kid, I know what you’re doing, who you’re waiting for, but why not let it happen on its own time? We’ll hear if someone new, especially a pretty woman, comes into town.”
“I’m not too sure we would. In any case, I don’t want to risk missing her. She’s coming. I can feel it.”
Michael’s silence said more than his words ever could. Every werewolf could sense when his mate was near and Jimmy was no different.
“Fine. But be careful. And be back before nightfall. We’re running tonight.”
Jimmy smothered a grin. “Will do, boss.”
“Don’t call me boss.”
“Okay, bro.”
A growl brought the smothered grin to the surface. Sometimes he couldn’t help but bait Michael.
“Jimmy, I’m warning you.”
“Check you later, dude.” He ended the call on the heels of Michael’s curse and slid the phone into his back pocket. Too many eyes fixed on him made him nervous. Maybe he could keep watch and out of sight beside Sherri’s Hair Salon. From there, he could see the daily bus arrival and most of the traffic going through town.
“Where are you?” He leaned against the wall and hooked his thumbs in his pockets. If only he knew her name. Although the dreams could take the pack to her, they hadn’t revealed her name or location. But she was coming. He could feel it in his bones.
Ten minutes later and Jimmy was sure he’d
died and gone to heaven. The girl exiting the bus was perfect. Her long, black hair shone under the bright Texas sun as she thanked the driver handing her a suitcase, then scanned first one way, then the other down the main street. Although he was several feet away, he could see the freckles speckled across her nose and the turned-up corners of her soft, pouty mouth. She was everything she’d been in the dreams and more.
The blue skirt she wore wrapped around her legs, highlighting the long, strong legs and firm buttocks. The white sleeveless blouse was anything but sensual, yet on her, the simple shirt was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen. The curves of her full, perfect-for-his-hands breasts shot his lust higher, egging him to take her in front of the entire town.
He growled, the sound catching the attention of an older man. Jimmy swallowed a second growl. Without thinking of how he’d greet her, he broke into long strides, getting halfway to her before he had the presence of mind to slow down.
Take it easy, man. You’ll scare her to death if you run up on her.
He forced himself into a casual stroll, his gaze fixed on the beautiful woman he planned to claim as his mate. He shoved his hands in his pockets to keep from grabbing her, throwing her over his shoulder, and sprinting the ten miles to the Matheson Ranch.
“Hi.” Good. Keep your voice light and friendly.
Emerald eyes locked onto him and he thought for a moment that his heart had stopped. Interest sparkled in the green depths along with intelligence and kindness.
“Hi.” She brushed back her hair and honored him with a smile.
“You’re new in town, aren’t you? I saw you get off the bus.” He covered his wince. Damn. Could I sound any creepier? Stalkerish much?
She blinked before narrowing her eyes. “I am. So only new people get off the bus?”
She was playing with him and he liked it. He shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. “Ninety-nine-point-nine percent of the time. You’re also carrying a suitcase, which is a dead giveaway, and we don’t get many visitors. In fact, I’m not sure why the bus company bothers coming through here anymore.” He hurried on and stuck out his hand. “Not that I’m not happy to meet you. I’m Jimmy Lingo. Welcome to Lost Hills.”
She took his hand, her delicate fingers wrapping part of the way around his large hand. The sizzle rippling into him made him check his skin for signs of burning. She did the same then lifted her gaze to his.
It was true what the pack said. Their bodies recognized each other. Better, she felt it, too.
“Thanks. I’m Mandy.” She pulled her hand from his.
“Where you from, Mandy?” Her name fit his mouth, and he ached to say it again.
“Oklahoma City.”
She’d been a few hundred miles away. If only he’d known.
“Maybe you can help me find someone.”
“Sure thing, Mandy.” Down, boy. Keep it loose. “Who’re you looking for?” Please, let her say my name. He swallowed and pushed the silly fantasy out of his mind. She’d just met him, so why would she say his name?
“His name is Glen Garland.”
He’d heard the name before. The man was a drunk and a gambler. His benders in Dallas and other cities always cost him what little money he had and often landed him in the local jail. Why would someone as terrific as her want to talk to a man like him?
“Uh, are you sure? I mean, you’re sure that’s his name?”
She frowned, her lovely features closing in. “Yes, I’m sure. Why do you ask?”
“Well, it’s just that Glen Garland is… I mean, why would anyone like you want to have anything to do with a loser like him?”
Fire flashed in her bright green eyes. Fire that scorched him from the outside in. “That loser is my father. I’m Mandy Garland.”
* * * *
Mandy glared at Jimmy. Damn, why did he have to be a jerk? Yet even now she wanted to run her fingers through the shoulder-length blond hair then along the strong shoulders and over the muscled chest. He had to be about her age, but most guys her age didn’t have his hard body. Unless they spent way too many hours in the gym, and she had no intention of coming in second to a barbell. But he didn’t strike her as the type to be infatuated with the size of his pecs. Besides, his tan spoke of hours in the sun, and his hands were rough from hard labor.
“Crap. I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
His contrite answer soothed her, but only a little. “Maybe you shouldn’t talk badly about someone without knowing who you’re talking to first.”
“You’re right. Let me make it up to you. How about I help you find your father? Would that make up for my big mouth?”
He flashed a smile sexy enough to open any woman’s legs, but she had to keep her mind on finding her father. “Deal. Does he live nearby?”
His sheepish expression only ingratiated him further to her. He’s sexy and sweet. What a lethal combination.
“Uh, I don’t know where he lives. I mean, I don’t know him very well.”
“In a town as small as this one? I’d think everyone would know everyone else.”
He paused, apparently to consider his next words. “Well, yeah, we do. But, uh, we’ve only met in passing.”
“So you don’t know him well enough to pass judgment then.” She had no idea why she wanted to defend her father. After all, he hadn’t done anything to gain her loyalty. Still, maybe the old adage was true about blood being thicker than water.
“You’re right. I’m just going by what others have said.”
None of it any good, she’d bet. “Maybe I should find someone else to help me. I don’t suppose you have taxi service here? I have his address.”
He laughed, a full, throaty sound to wet her between her legs.
Good grief, Mandy. You don’t have time for this. Besides, you have a boyfriend. Think about Decker.
She tried, bringing Decker’s rugged face to mind. Yet she’d never had the same primal reaction to her boyfriend that she had to Jimmy. Did that mean something? Or was she merely tired from riding a bus for hours?
“Lost Hills barely has paved roads, much less a cab. But don’t worry. You’ve got the address so I can lead you there.” He laughed again. “It’s not like we can get lost in a town this size.”
“I’d appreciate it.” She glanced around, noting the few cars on the road. “Where’s your car?”
Again, his laughed warmed her in hidden places. “I don’t have one.”
No car? He can’t mean he doesn’t have a car at all. Who doesn’t own a car in Texas? “You mean you don’t have it with you, right?”
“Riiight.” He averted his gaze, giving her the impression he’d kept the whole truth to himself. “I didn’t bring it into town today.”
“So you don’t live here?” What was with this guy? One moment he was so open and friendly. Then, in the next, he was guarded.
“Naw, I live a few miles out.” He took her suitcase from her, turned, and waited for her to fall into step beside him.
“Then how did you get here?” She smiled, trying to make her questioning seem less like an interrogation. “What’d ya do? Run?”
He slammed to a stop then made an exaggerated face. “Of course not. Who would run on a hot Texas day? I, uh, hitched a ride into town.”
“So you don’t own a car at all? Oh, I’m sorry.” She touched his arm and a tingle zipped into her skin. A tingle as strong and as enticing as the one she’d gotten when she’d shaken his hand. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. You know, like you’re weird or something not to own a car.”
Damn, but I love his laugh. I bet he gets as many girls as he wants with his laugh alone.
“Don’t worry about it. I don’t own a car because I’m putting all my money into school right now. Besides, I like to r—uh, walk.”
“You’re in college? Me, too.” She tried to watch him without staring. But the way he moved, easy yet with an underlying edge of something wild, drew her attention back. He carried her heavy suitcase as tho
ugh it were empty instead of crammed with as many clothes as she could fit into it. The jeans and simple cotton T-shirt he wore fit his body in all the right places, not too tight, but close enough to give her a good idea of the lean form underneath. But it was his soft, hazel eyes that took her breath away every time he looked her way.
Keep it light. And remember. You have a boyfriend.
“What are you studying?” Several people nodded their heads at her, their friendly, open expressions changing to wary ones when their gazes shifted to Jimmy. She watched for a reaction from him, but he didn’t seem to notice.
“I’m doing my work online. We don’t have a college within walking distance.”
“Sure. Online colleges are very big right now.” Did she sound patronizing? “Have you ever thought about going away to college?”
He shook his head. “Nope. I like it here.”
They passed by several small shops, their wares displayed in sparkling clear windows with Welcome signs posted on each door. Women, their hair in curlers, spied out the window of the hair salon, their heads bent, their mouths moving at the same time. She gave them a quick wave, and they startled, then waved in return.
“Don’t they know we can see in just as good as they can see out?”
“What? Who?” He followed the slight tilt of her head. “Oh, them? I don’t think they do. Until you let them know you see them watching you.”
His voice had a hitch in it, at once intriguing and worrying her. “Do you get watched a lot?” Not that she could blame the ladies for keeping him in their view.
“More than I like.”
A comfortable silence fell between them. An easiness she’d never had with Decker. How could a man she’d known for a few minutes make her more relaxed than her boyfriend of several months? With Decker, she’d always attributed the nervousness he gave her as a sign of attraction. Yet the attraction she got from Decker was nothing compared to her attraction to Jimmy. Could she have gotten it wrong?
He quickened his pace, rounding the corner onto the next block. “Garland’s house is the one at the end of the street.”
