by Jane Jamison
She hadn’t seen them in their tiger forms yet and could only imagine their pure white fur offset with the obsidian stripes. They would be magnificent, powerful creatures only their human bodies could equal. “This is my business. Let it alone.”
Harriet grabbed her. Instead of jerking her arm away, Danna allowed her sister to lead her out of the stall.
“I’m not finished feeding yet.”
Harriet took her by both arms and gave her a shake. “Listen up, sis. Don’t blow this. They’re your mates. They’re your future.”
“What do you care? You’ve never given a crap about me.”
Harriet let her go and stared at her. “You’re wrong. I love you. I always have.”
“You could’ve fooled me.” Tears blurred her vision. Too many emotions were close to the surface. She loved the men. She loved her sister. But she didn’t know which way to go or how to choose.
Harriet’s expression dropped. “I know I’ve been a real bitch. It wasn’t fair and it wasn’t right, but I blamed you for our mother leaving.”
Danna couldn’t bring herself to speak. If she did, she was afraid she’d give into the need to cry. Or vent. Or both.
“I don’t know why our mother left us, but I don’t care any longer. All I care about now is seeing you happy. Please reconsider your decision to leave. It’s selfish, I know, but that’s who I am. A selfish bitch.”
Danna wanted to tell her sister she was wrong, but the thing was, she wasn’t. Harriet had been a bitch for as long as she could remember, tormenting her and tearing her up inside. “Why? Why did you want me to believe I was the reason our mother left?”
Harriet drew in a ragged breath. “Our parents were having problems before you came along. I was just a kid, but I was angry and needed someone to take the blame. My family was falling apart and there you were, cute and little. Anyone in their right mind would’ve loved you, but by then Dad was drinking heavily and taking it out on Mom.”
“She left because of him.”
The nod Harriet gave was barely noticeable. “Yes. Nothing they did was your fault.”
Danna turned away, her throat clogging up. “It doesn’t matter now. I have my life and you have yours. Law school is what I want and I’m going.”
“I’ll miss you more than I can say if you leave. But more to the point, I don’t want you to throw away your chance to find love.”
She’d found love, all right. She just didn’t know what to do with it.
As though she’d read her mind, Harriet added, “No, that’s wrong. You’ve already found your love and I don’t want you to lose it. Damn it, Danna. A career as a lawyer, even one who helps shifters, won’t mean much if you don’t have someone to share it with. You need them to complete your life just like they need you. Please, think about what you’re doing. If not for yourself then for them.”
Why did this have to be so hard? Only a short while ago, she’d been confident in her future, sure of what she wanted. Now she couldn’t keep things straight. “This is my decision, Harriet. You’re going to live with your mates on their ranch next week. After that, my home will be at school.”
“My home is your home.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, right. I’m sure Edward and Ralton would jump all over having me around.”
Harriet smiled and wiped away a tear. “I’ve already talked it over with them and they agree. You’re welcome as part of our family.”
She couldn’t believe her ears. After all the years of Harriet putting her down, of Harriet blaming her for their mother’s absence, her sister was finally opening her arms to her.
“I don’t know what to say.” If she stayed, would she have the sister relationship she’d always dreamed of?
“Say you’ll at least talk to them again. Say you’ll forgive me for being a lousy sister. I promise I’ll do better from now on. Whether we’re with our mates or not, we’re all we have left.”
Harriet pulled her to her, wrapping her arms around her and hugging her tightly. Danna clutched at her, for the first time feeling as though she really had a sister. “You’re choking me.”
Harriet leaned back and laughed. “So will you talk to them?”
“Fine. The next time they call, I’ll talk. I just don’t know what I’ll say.” She leaned back although Harriet still held on to her.
“Tell them what’s in your heart. For once in your life, don’t let your head take over.”
“I’ll try.” She meant what she said, but would she be able to go through with it?
* * * *
Danna didn’t want to open the door. Not with Georgia Gill and Sheriff Logan standing on the porch. They were there for only one reason.
The awful day had arrived. Today they’d hand her the paperwork sealing the fate of her ranch. Today was the day she’d lose her home.
“Danna? It’s Georgia Gill.”
Georgia’s insistent knock rattled through her palms pressed against the door and shuddered along her arms. Why did the damn woman have to take so much pleasure in delivering bad news?
She could hear them talking, but couldn’t make out the words. But she didn’t need to hear them to know what they were discussing. Not answering wasn’t going to help. She gritted her teeth and opened the door.
Georgia greeted her as though she’d arrived for a party. The sheriff, however, didn’t smile and looked incredibly uncomfortable.
“Hey, there, Danna. You know Sheriff Logan, don’t you?”
It was a stupid question. Everyone in the small towns of Twisted and Crosston knew each other, at least in passing. “Good morning, Ben.”
“Hi, Danna.” He lifted the papers in his hand. “I wish we were getting together on better circumstances.”
“Yeah. Me, too.” Maybe if she made light of the situation… Maybe if Ben could pull some strings… “You could always pretend you lost the paperwork.”
“Sorry.” The compassion extinguished the glint in his eyes.
Georgia shot the sheriff an exasperated look. “Good. Then you know why we’re here. It’ll make the whole process go a lot easier.”
For you. Not for me.
Danna stepped outside, determined not to let Georgia put a foot inside her home. At least, her home for the next few days. Or was it more like hours?
“If the bank could give me another month or two, I’m sure I can come up with the money. At least, part of it.”
She hated begging, but she’d do anything to save her home. Logically, it made sense to let the ranch go, move on to law school, and never look back. But the ranch was her home. This was the place where she and her family had lived. Granted, they hadn’t always been on the best of terms, but it was still home.
She wanted to practice law in Twisted and the surrounding towns, hoping to help shifters navigate the legal issues that often contradicted the shifters’ own governing laws. To do so, she’d have to live somewhere nearby. Without the ranch, she had very few options for housing.
“You know I can’t do that.” Georgia plastered on a fake sad face.
Bullshit. Won’t. Not can’t.
If only she could slap the happy tone right out of the bitch’s mouth. Instead, she tried Ben again. “Isn’t there anything legally I can do?”
She was grasping at straws. They all knew it. If Ben could’ve helped, he would’ve already done so.
“Danna, if you’d let others pitch in…” He rocked from one foot to the other.
“No.” She wouldn’t take charity. Not even from her friends and neighbors. What was she supposed to do? Spend the rest of her life paying off everyone in the town?
Georgia was getting impatient. “Sheriff, do your job.”
He let out a sigh then pulled himself to his full height and held out the papers. “I’m sorry, Danna. I really am.”
“I know, Ben. It’s okay. I don’t blame you.”
“You can’t blame anyone but yourselves.” Georgia motioned for her to get with it and take
the sheets transferring ownership of the ranch to the bank. The other papers would list the terms of their eviction from their home.
“Shut up, Georgia. Just shut the hell up.” Ben was human, but the sound of his voice mimicked a tiger’s growl.
Georgia opened her mouth, ready to make a retort, but then clammed up.
Danna hated to see her hand shake when she reached for the paper. Emotions warred inside her. Anger, fear, humiliation. A few she couldn’t define.
“Okay, then, it’s done.” Georgia’s smile had returned. “Stick to the plan and the deadlines and we’ll all get along just fine.”
The emotions flowed out of Danna leaving her numb. The only thing she could do at that point was duck her head and nod.
A low growl floated in the air. At first, she thought it was Ben again, but the growl and another following that one sounded all too real. She brought her head up to find two white tigers standing in the front yard.
“Shit.” Ben glanced from the tigers, to her then back. “What’s going on? Who are these guys?” Having been born and raised in the area, Ben knew about the weretigers, as well as the other shifters around Twisted. He could even tell who they were in their animal bodies. But the Nordstrom men were new to the area.
“They’re Cam and Phil Nordstrom.” She wasn’t sure, but if it was anyone else she would’ve recognized them. Her heart picked up speed as though they’d suddenly brought her back to life.
They’re amazing.
Their beautiful white fur contrasted perfectly with their black stripes. Amber gazes jumped from one person to the next. Vicious fangs peeked out from between massive jaws. Huge paws dug long, hooked claws into the ground.
She was used to seeing other weretigers in their cat bodies and knew the usual size of them. Cam and Phil were larger, their powerful muscles bulging from their necks to their hind quarters. She picked up the electricity of the primal bond between them. Although not sexual in nature as it was when they were human, it still drew her to them. Her palm itched to stroke their fur. If she could have, she would’ve laid her head against them and luxuriated in the power bundled inside them.
But what were they doing? Didn’t they know the pride frowned on weretigers shifting during the day?
“The Nordstrom men?” Until she’d mentioned their names, Georgia had scowled at the cats. Now that she knew who they were, she slapped on a happy smile and took on the role of an attractive, personable woman. A woman who wouldn’t turn them down if they wanted to shift back and fuck her. “Hey, guys. We weren’t expecting you, but it’s always good to see you.”
Georgia started toward them. Their growls brought her to a standstill. “What’s the matter?”
“Seriously? What’s the matter? You’re evicting their mate.” Maybe it was hypocritical of her to claim to be their mate now, but Danna didn’t care.
Georgia didn’t move any closer, but she didn’t take her attention off them, either. “Guys, I know it’s a very sad day, but you’ve got to remember. I’m only doing my job.” Her fake concern furrowed her brow. “You two really should shift back before someone sees you.”
One of the tigers padded closer, his tail wafting back and forth, his ears laid low. At first, Georgia lifted her hand as though to pet him, but at the low rumble of his growl, she clambered up the porch steps. She gripped Danna’s arm, holding on to her for safety.
“Two can play at this game, you know.” Georgia snarled. It was an empty threat and they all knew it. As a black panther, she’d gain power and agility in her animal form, but she’d be no match for two male tigers.
“Hey, everyone, let’s keep things peaceful,” added Ben. He put himself between the tigers and Georgia. His hand floated over his holstered pistol.
“Back off, guys. This is none of your concern.” Georgia’s weak voice betrayed her bravado.
Cam and Phil padded closer. Their heads were low and their eyes blazed with anger.
“Georgia, I suggest we leave. We did what we came to do.” Ben glanced at Danna. “Again, I’m real sorry. For your dad and for today.”
“I know, Ben. I don’t hold you to blame for anything.”
Ben held out his hand for Georgia to take. “Stay with me,” he ordered.
“Will do, sheriff.” The banker’s voice wavered.
Ben took the strap off his revolver, but didn’t take it out of the holster. “I don’t want any trouble, guys. Just let us past and nothing bad will happen.”
Phil or Cam—she wasn’t sure which one was which—growled and dug his heels in. The other tiger pushed against his shoulder. They exchanged a growl, but the second tiger was insistent on moving out of the Ben’s way.
Ben held on to Georgia’s arm and led the way down the steps. The tigers split apart, giving them a path to the sheriff’s car. Once there, Ben turned Georgia loose and gave her a little push toward the passenger side.
They had their car doors open when Georgia called out. “I’m glad you’re leaving, Danna. Good riddance to both you and your slutty sister.”
The tigers whirled toward her. Ben slid behind the wheel with Georgia rushing to slam her car door closed a second before one of the tigers hurled his body toward the car. His baseball sized paws banged against the window as he let out a terrifying growl. He stayed that way, snarling at Georgia, until Ben began backing the car down the drive.
Danna found herself grinning ear to ear. “Seeing Georgia frightened is almost worth losing the ranch.” Almost. And then the reality of her situation hit her. It had actually happened. She’d lost the ranch. She’d lost her home.
Oh, God. What am I going to do?
The shift blurred her vision of the first tiger and grabbed her attention. Danna blinked a couple of times. Bones broke and limbs twisted. The body changed, growing smaller in some places, bigger in others. By the time the tiger stood on its hind legs, Cam’s body was already forming its shape.
Phil began his own transformation, going through the same process as his brother. Before long, both men stood in front of her, glorious in their nakedness.
She drank them in, enjoying their amazing bodies. They were strong, powerful beings both as men and as animals. Any woman in her right mind would want them.
Was she in her right mind? Sometimes she wondered.
“You didn’t need to go all tiger and run them off.” She had to tell them the rest. “But I really enjoyed it.”
“Will the sheriff come back with deputies?” asked Cam. Not that he seemed worried.
“No. Ben’s a good guy. He had a lousy job to do, is all.”
They came toward her, but if she allowed them to get too close, she’d never let them go. She held up her hands, stopping them. “Don’t get any closer.”
Having them so near in all their naked glory would make talking to them difficult enough. If they touched her, she wouldn’t be able to form a complete sentence. “Look, guys, I appreciate you coming to my rescue, but there’s nothing you can do. It is what it is. The bank owns the ranch now and I have to get out. Harriet’s okay since she’s going to live with her men and maybe that’s where I’ll go. I don’t know yet.”
“You need to be with us.”
Cam’s words made her feel wonderful and awful all in one quick swoosh of emotion. “I need time to think. Time to figure out if I can really go to law school or if I have to face facts and let it go.” With her father’s death and the foreclosure, she’d had little time to figure out how to pay for her education.
She wiped away a tear. “Damn it. I should’ve sold the herd before now, but I—” She shrugged, trying to act nonchalant when she was anything but. “I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.”
“Don’t worry about it.” The amber in Phil’s eyes was gone, but the intensity remained. “We’re going to buy the ranch and we’ll add in an extra amount for the herd.”
“I guess knowing it’s you two getting the place makes it a little easier to handle.”
“It will.” Cam
ran a hand through his thick hair. “If you’ll just give us a little time, you’ll realize how much it’ll be all right.”
“I don’t have time. I have to pack and find a place to live. And school starts soon.” She was making excuses, but what else could she do? Hell, she’d yet to be accepted into a law school. Until she received the final rejection letter, however, she’d hold out hope.
“Damn it, Danna, we’re going to buy the ranch,” added Phil as though saying so made it any clearer.
“Yes, I know.”
“What he’s trying to say is that we’re planning on buying the ranch and putting it in your name.”
“What? Why would you do that?”
“Because you’re our mate,” answered Cam. “We’re not going to let you be homeless.” His mouth crooked to the side. “Or have you live with your sister and her two worthless men.”
She couldn’t get her mind to grasp what he’d said. “So you’re going to spend all your hard-earned money and just sign the ranch over to me?”
Phil started to come toward her, but Cam stopped him. Phil shook his brother’s hand off his arm.
“We love you, baby. Don’t you get it? Whether you want to be with us doesn’t change how we feel. We’re yours for life whether we’re together or apart.”
“It’s too much. I can’t let you do it. Besides, I can’t keep the ranch going while I’m in law school.”
“Have you been accepted yet?” asked Phil.
She hated to admit it, but she had no choice except to tell him the truth. “No, but I’m sure I will be very soon.”
“Then we’ll figure it out, hon.” Cam backed up. “Until then, don’t do anything. Don’t pack or sell the herd or anything. For now, we’d better hot foot it to the bank. We don’t want anyone buying the ranch out from under us.”
“He’s right.” Phil backed up, too, even as he let the transformation sweep over him. “I wouldn’t put it past that Georgia cat to make a fast sell to get back at us. I don’t think we’re her favorite men right now.”
In less than a minute, they’d changed. The magnificent white tigers swished their tails, their amber gazes locked on her. She couldn’t help it. A wash of happiness filled her. Maybe, just maybe, her two mates were the answer to her problems. Yet as much as she believed they’d do anything to try and help her, believing they’d succeed wasn’t as easy.
