I raised an eyebrow.“Jackson?”
He raised an eyebrow back. “Yes?”
“Do you know where the mop is?”
His hands dropped to his sides.“Uh no, I don’t.”
“In the laundry room, next to the washer,” I said helpfully.
“So we do have a mop,” he said with a note of wonder in his voice.
I tried to hold in my laughter, but he was cracking me up with his mopping-as-foreplay shtick. “Yes, Jackson. They really do exist.” We both laughed at that. Noticing Mara and Sara looking at us wondering what was so funny, I cleared my throat. “All set, girls?”
Both girls nodded in unison and Mara turned off the television. Then they shrugged on their worn coats for what I hoped was the last time and we headed for the door with a quick wave to Jackson.
Outside, the chilled autumn air hit us all like a sharp slap and our breath made ghosts in the stiff breeze. I shivered inside my coat, even overheated werewolves could get cold if the temperature swing was big enough.
“Mom!” Sara gasped as I shut the front door.
I heard the pounding of feet as they rushed off the porch and into the driveway. Turning around, I spotted two smoke gray wolves in front of Jackson’s truck, their gazes focused on the girls.
Sara wrapped her arms around one and squeezed. Mara reached a hand out to the other one and the wolf nuzzled her palm.
I came down off the porch and joined them. “These your parents, girls?”
Sara nodded eagerly. “This be my momma. Her name’s Mae. Daddy’s name’s Rob.”
The wolves looked at me, unblinking. “Nice to meet you,” I offered. They gave no indication of hearing or understanding me, but I noticed they were more responsive with their daughters. Their mom kissed them with quick flicks of her pink tongue.
I stepped to the side and gave the girls a few minutes to commune with their parents before asking them to get into the truck so I could have a word with the wolves in private. Once the girls were shut inside, I squatted down until I was eye-level. “Your girls need you. You need to come back. They’re hungry and their clothes aren’t right.” While they couldn’t talk, they should be able to understand me, and I wasn’t going to let them go without say what needed to be said.
Mae whined, a desolate sound, and managed to look ashamed. Rob just continued to stare at me, his eyes unmoved. His expression was blank, as if he’d forgotten he started out human. Perhaps he didn’t remember. Maybe he was trapped in his wolf form. Maybe he’d forgotten English, too. I didn’t know.
My eyes narrowed and I tried again. “I did part of my growing up without parents and it’s a hard road. Don’t leave them in the dust.”
The wolves showed no reaction to my words. They just blinked and then turned in unison to melt back into the forest they now called home. They gave no indication they’d understood or even cared about what I said, but at least I’d tried. With a sigh, I climbed into the truck and found the girls had already turned on the radio, blasting some awful hip hop music that struck my ears like anvils. It made me sad that their parents walking away from them was so normal, it didn’t even register on their emotional radar anymore.
I turned down the volume and started the truck. The drive to Hudson would take about forty minutes and I would’ve been deaf in five if I’d left the music blasting.
“Can I get a pink shirt?” asked Sara, bouncing excitedly in her seat. “Pink’s my favorite color.”
“I like purple,” said Mara a little more subdued than her younger sister. She was probably more aware of their circumstances.
I looked at them in the rear view mirror and smiled. “I’d like to get you girls a new wardrobe. The works. Coats. Pajamas. Shoes. Everything. Any color you want.”
A huge smile blossomed on Sara’s face and I noticed for the first time that she was missing her two front teeth. Had the tooth fairy left her anything? Somehow I doubted it. A memory of loneliness hit me. I remembered the days of having no one, and my heart ached for the two sisters. Yes, they had each other, but that wasn’t the same as having a parent. Not even close.
Halfway to Hudson, a thought occurred to me and I pulled out my cell phone and found Kelsey’s call from the night before. Sure we’d gotten off to a rocky start, but last night’s conversation had redeemed her a bit and I wanted to give her a second chance while we were in town. I hit the green call button and waited. She answered on the first ring.
“Chloe?”
I hit the speaker button and kept my eyes on the road. “Hey, Kelsey. You got plans today?”
“Nothing I can’t change. You have something in mind?” There was genuine excitement in her voice. She sounded pleased that I’d called.
Now I was happy I called, too. “A little shopping. I have two girls here who need a makeover. You in?”
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I am the queen of makeovers.”
“Great. You’re at the B&B off route twenty nine, right?”
“Yep. Room ten.”
“I’ll be there in about twenty minutes to pick you up.” After I hung up, I glanced over my shoulder at the girls pleased to see the eager anticipation gleaming in their eyes. “Are you ready for some fun?”
They both nodded somewhat shyly, but their smiles were wide enough to split their faces in half. I smiled too, feeling like I was making up for my awful pancakes among other things that hadn’t gone quite right in their lives.
The day passed by in a whir of retail. We picked up Kelsey on our way to the mall. Dressed in a sleek tan leather coat and her hair in a French twist, she looked very cosmopolitan. She greeted the girls with a knock-knock joke and wrapped around her little finger in no time. She was good with kids, real good. They absolutely loved her. I made a mental note to brush up on some jokes.
From the girls’ awed reaction to Hudson, I had the impression they’d never been outside Huntsville before. Hudson was still a small town by most standards, but, with a population of more than ten thousand, it probably felt like New York City to Mara and Sara. The city’s main road held more cars than we had people in Hunstville and there were even stoplights. Huntsville was a ‘blink and you’ve missed’ it kind of town. Forget streetlights, we didn’t even have stop signs.
The sprawling mall really blew their mind, and they ran from store to store with breathless excitement. Kelsey and I instantly bonded over the mission to get the girls set up with proper clothing. It was the kind of thing we’d wished someone would’ve done for us.
The entire tenor of our relationship changed. The hostility she’d brought with her when we’d first met was gone, replaced with an easy going charm. I found myself liking her more and more.
“How did you manage clothes growing up?” I asked as I went through a stack of shirts looking for Mara’s size.
Kelsey shrugged and riffled through a rack of holiday dresses. With winter coming, all the stores were in hardcore Christmas mode. “Jackson’s momma took me shopping. When I was older, I earned my own money and bought what I wanted.”
I took in her snug designer jeans and loose peasant top. She had such an effortless style. The clothes were simple enough, in design, but the fabrics and patterns held rich details you wouldn’t find anywhere I shopped. I felt gauche compared to her with my dark blue Levis, plain v-neck t-shirt and tennis shoes. “Who taught you to dress?”
She shook her head, a small smile playing over her red lips. “Vogue. I was into fashion big as a teenager. I poured over those magazines like it was homework.” She held up a green velvet Christmas dress for my consideration.
I shook my head. “Too green.”
She frowned and put it back. “I want them to have something nice to wear at Christmas.”
“We don’t dress up much in Huntsville,” I said, eyeing the dresses doubtfully. Not only were they expensive, they were all sleeveless, which made no sense to me. Granted, we weren’t in the high North and our winters were mild, but not sun
dress mild. I could handle the cold, but I was a mature wolf. For little ones, these fancy dresses were an open invitation to hypothermia.
“I know, but it’ll make the girls feel special,” she said. “How about you?”
Confused, I looked at her. “Me what?” Was she asking me about a Christmas dress?
“How did you get clothes when your parents died?”
I grinned as I finally understood her train of thought. “Life insurance policy and their credit cards.” Somehow the banks never realized that dad and mom had died. So long as I paid the bill, no one noticed. When I’d legally become an adult, I’d applied for my own card.
She arched an eyebrow. “Well, at least you had money.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t have anyone like Jackson or his family.”
“It’s a bitch either way, ain’t it?” She laughed, the sound full of bitter humor.
I nodded my agreement as Sara came up to me a bright pink taffeta dress clutched in her hands. “Miss Chloe, can I try this on?”
I checked the price tag and winced, but her beaming expression kept me from saying no. Who paid that kind of money for a fluff of fabric that would only be worn once? At least the damn dress had sleeves. Maybe the price reflected some kind of warped sleeve penalty.
Once it was on, I began to see why folks shelled out so much money. She looked darling and she knew it. I wouldn’t be able to say no to her. It would be like pulling the wings off a butterfly.
Spinning in a circle she said, “I look like a princess. Can I have it Miss Chloe? Please?”
“How can I say no to a princess?” I bowed and then helped her put her clothes back on. Suddenly, price was no object.
After we finished most of our shopping, I took everyone out for lunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant and treated the girls to huge bowls of ice cream. The shy reserve that enveloped them since they’d appeared on my doorstep disappeared. They laughed openly and talked animatedly with us. It really warmed my heart.
Before we left the restaurant the girls excused themselves to use the restroom, leaving Kelsey and I alone.
She added cream to the coffee the waiter had just delivered. “How are things going with the rogue? I’ve been wanting ask you all day, but didn’t want to say anything in front of the girls.”
I blotted my mouth with my napkin. “We think we know who’s behind it.”
She sat up so straight and so fast it startled me. “Oh my God. That’s great. So they’ll have the rogue in custody soon?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Tracking him has been pretty difficult. His scent disappears,” I snapped my fingers, “just like that. But, I think it’s just a matter of time now that we know the people involved.”
She leaned over the table, her eyes locked with mine. “Who do they think it is?”
“I probably shouldn’t say anything,” I hedged.
She waved a hand, dismissing my concerns. “Oh come on, I won’t say anything. I’m all the way out in Hudson anyway and I know nobody in Huntsville except you.”
I debated how much I should reveal, delaying my answer as I fussed over my coffee, adding sugar and cream. Finally I settled on, “Someone in our pack. Someone who doesn’t want me to be with Jackson.” I cleared my throat. “Not everyone is thrilled about our mating.”
Kelsey sat back in her chair, her mouth an ‘o’ of surprise. “Oh my God. That’s horrible. I’m so sorry.” She flushed. “And then I came into town being a total bitch to you about Jackson, just like everyone else. Oh, geez, Chloe. I’m an ass. A total ass.”
“It’s okay. Thanks for the apology, though.” No one else had bothered with one, which put Kelsey ahead of my pack. I smiled at her. “Besides, I think I judged you too harshly.” I grimaced as I remembered all the horribly bitchy things I’d thought about Kelsey before I even really knew her. My wolf, wasn’t quite as conciliatory, though. She huffed at me in my mind’s eye and growled softly. Let it go, I thought at her. Everyone deserves a second chance. My wolf shook her head and stood up, turning until her back was to me, unimpressed.
“I don’t blame you for thinking I was a total bitch.” Kelsey’s voice brought my focus away from my wolf and back to her.
She slapped her forehead. “I mean, it couldn’t have been worse if I’d rubbed your nose into cut glass. I said all the wrong things trying to be funny.”
I raised my coffee cup. “Well, here’s to second chances.”
She clinked her mug against mine. “And new beginnings.”
We exchanged smiles, but lost the chance to talk further as the girls returned from the restroom. From the restaurant, we went shoe shopping and Kelsey dragged us into a toy store where she bought them each dolls. I snagged some coloring books and crayons for them too. We called it a day after that and I dropped Kelsey off at her hotel.
“This was fun. Thanks for your help,” I said as I pulled into the bed-and-breakfast’s parking lot.
“Thanks for inviting me.” She turned back toward the girls. “It was nice to meet you Mara and Sara. You be good mommies to your baby dolls, you hear?”
Sara gave a solemn nod and clutched her doll to her chest. Mara did the same but also said, “Thanks, Miss Kelsey.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.” Turning back to me, Kelsey said, “Hey I was thinking...what are you doing tomorrow?”
My ears perked up, curious. “Nothing, why?”
“I thought maybe we could drive down to Nashville and look at wedding dresses. Jackson called me this morning and told me your plans fell through. I told him I had some connections at La Rose.”
My jaw dropped at the mention of La Rose. It was the most exclusive formal gown boutique in the state. All the pageant girls shopped there, which is how I’d even heard of the place. The news stations always highlighted what Miss Tennessee was wearing to the Miss USA pageant every year.
“I probably can’t afford anything there.” My bank account still held a nice nest egg from my parents’ life insurance, but I’d decided not to spend it on my wedding. Large sums of money were uncommon in Huntsville and Jackson and I might want a different house someday. Instead, I paid for all the wedding stuff out of my own savings. The meager amount I’d managed to squirrel away while working at the bar for almost ten years made me a frugal bride.
Kelsey gave a sly smile. “Jackson gave me his credit card number and said it was on him.”
I looked at her with wide eyes, both pleased and shocked. “Are you serious?”
Her expression became solemn, but mirth danced in her blue eyes. “Dead.”
I almost couldn’t believe this was true. Visions of white bridal gowns began dancing in my head. “Okay, what time?”
“Be here at nine tomorrow morning.” She cast a glance back at the girls. “You ladies can take care of yourselves for the day, right?”
Before they could answer, I said, “Oh, I’ll ask someone to watch them.”
“We can take care of ourselves,” protested Mara.
“I know you can, but I would rather be safe than sorry.” Especially with a rogue alpha on the loose, but, not wanting to scare the girls, I didn’t say that last part.
“Suit yourself, but be here at nine sharp,” Kelsey said.
I gave her a little salute. “Yes ma’m.”
She laughed as she stepped out of the car. She waved as we back out of our parking spot and I rolled down the windows so the girls could shout their goodbyes.
On the way home, Mara and Sara pawed through their bags of clothes, fingering the fabric and animatedly debating which outfit they would wear first. I shared their glee, but for different reasons. The wedding dress I’d always dreamed of was within my reach. Excitement bubbled through me and I realized I was glad Kelsey had come into town. She’d finally shown her true colors and they were those of a new friend.
Chapter Twelve
The next morning, I hummed as I got dressed and put on make-up. Today I would finally make it to Nashville and shop for a we
dding dress.
Jackson snored in bed, dead to the world. He’d been exhausted when he came home, and, not only did we not have sex (a first for us), but I don’t think he really processed my thank you for the wedding dress. The night shift had been hard on him. There’d been no sign of the rogue or Vicki, but no one else from our pack had gone missing either, which I took as a positive sign. Although I was bummed that we hadn’t been able to follow up our mopping conversation from earlier in the day.
I let him sleep while I prepared a quick breakfast of cereal and fruit for the girls. They’d stayed the night again because I didn’t want to send them back to their grandmother just yet. Not until I had time to go up there and check out their living situation. Their Grammy didn’t come looking for them either, which told me my instinct to keep the girls close was a good one.
They watched cartoons quietly while I prepped their breakfasts and made coffee. Same as the day before, they’d woken at the crack of dawn. I wasn’t quite as sleep deprived as the previous morning, but the early hour still required large amounts of caffeine. My body didn’t mind as much as my brain. I could be up and moving, but couldn’t form coherent thoughts. At least, not until the second cup of coffee.
“Good morning, ladies,” I said brightly as I walked into the living room. I’d just filled my mug with a third helping of strong coffee and caffeine jangled through my nervous system like an electric shock. I could feel my brain becoming more alert by the second.
“Morning,” they said in unison not taking their eyes off the television. The cartoon was an old Scooby Doo episode and apparently it was fascinating.
“Breakfast is on the table. Jackson is in bed, but, if you need anything, wake him up, okay?”
They looked at me then, eyes wide with fear at the idea of pulling Jackson out of bed.
“Don’t worry, he won’t bite.” I’d forgotten how intimidating an alpha wolf could be to folks.
“Miss Chloe?” Sara asked. “Can I wear the pink pants with the unicorn t-shirt today?”
“Yes, of course you can. The only things off limits are the fancy dresses Miss Kelsey bought you. Those we’re saving for Christmas, okay?”
The Alpha's Mate (Werewolf Romance) Page 9
