The music stopped. A funny feeling tickled his stomach right before she opened the door.
“Tired of your company already?” She stepped back to allow him to enter.
“Well, he’s not you.”
That earned him a stellar smile and put an extra sparkle in her deep blue eyes.
Lincoln saw the guitar on the couch and sheets of music spread over the coffee table.
“Planning on joining the band at Taylor’s?”
“Keeping up my skills. In college, I majored in music, but don’t mention it to my family. They think I have a business degree.”
“Why would it matter to them?”
“The family business is handcrafted cabinets and furniture. My dad and brothers are carpenters. They expected me to handle the administrative and financial tasks.” The shimmer in her eyes faded. “It never mattered to them what I wanted.”
“What do you want?”
“Neighbors who aren’t so nosy.”
“I guess asking you to play a tune for me is overstepping my welcome.” Lincoln shoved his hands into his hip pockets.
Instead of answering, Angeline moved the guitar off the couch and sat, tucking her bare feet beneath her legs. “Is there something I can help you with, Lincoln?”
Apparently he’d unintentionally exposed a nerve.
“Damien is staying for a few days and since I don’t want to be stuck with him 24/7, I need the spare key.”
“Oh!” Shock then disappointment registered on her face. “Sure. No problem.”
She reached for the large purse lying on its side on the floor. After digging through the contents, she worked a key off a key ring and held it up. “All yours.”
Electricity sparked in his fingertips as he grazed her fingers retrieving the key. “As soon as Damien leaves, it will be yours again.”
“Why?”
“Are you kidding? You bring me food, make me watch movies that put you to sleep, but mostly because I enjoy your company.”
Her smile reappeared.
Lincoln turned to leave.
“Hey, Dogman,” Angeline called after him. “I like being your neighbor, too.”
Walking back to his apartment, Lincoln barely registered the cold because of the warm, fuzzy feeling bubbling in his chest.
* * *
“Have a hot Valentine’s date?” Tessa stowed her purse and jacket in the locker. “You ducked out pretty early last night.”
“No.” Angeline tucked an order pad in her half apron. “Just keeping to tradition.”
“With Tristan?”
“Of course not. He and I were always just friends. Besides, he’s madly in love with Nel and their baby is due any day.”
“So what did you do?”
“Stuffed my face and watched a movie.” Snuggling with Lincoln on the couch. “Pretty boring.”
“Then why are you smiling?”
“No reason.” No, really. She had no reason to be smiling. Her new neighbor might possibly evolve into a friend. But that was the extent of things.
While Brice might want Lincoln to make Walker’s Run his permanent home, Lincoln had not once mentioned retirement. He often seemed preoccupied and checked his service-issued phone frequently. Regardless of his injury, he belonged to the Dogman program and as long as he did, Angeline couldn’t develop feelings for him and be made the fool twice in a lifetime.
“I think Reed wanted to talk to you last night.” Angeline glanced at Tessa, sympathizing with her human friend’s heartache. After all, Angeline had been the one to introduce Tessa to Reed.
“I thought I’d have a lot to say when I saw him again, but I realized I don’t want to be with someone who doesn’t light up when I walk into a room, the way Lincoln does with you.”
“Um, Lincoln isn’t interested in me.”
“You really should get your eyes checked.” Tessa smiled. “It’s so cute the way he watches you. And last night, the way he handled those drunks messing with you...”
“I handled the drunks.”
“He’s so protective.” Tessa didn’t seem to be listening.
“I didn’t need protecting.”
“And he’s so sexy.”
On that matter, Angeline would be hard-pressed to argue.
Incredibly attractive, tall, muscular and, even missing a leg, he had an air of strength and grace that she found irresistible.
“Is he coming in tonight?”
“No. One of his buddies dropped by unexpectedly and they’re off doing guy things.” Actually, Lincoln took Damien to meet Brice and Tristan. Afterward the two Dogmen would likely run the woods, swim in the icy river and race to the top of Walker’s Pointe to see who would leap off first.
Wolfan males, in general, were competitive. Dogmen took the competition to a whole new level.
“Angeline?” Miriam walked into the employee room. “Will you be at Sierra’s party tomorrow?”
“Have I ever missed one of my nieces’ or nephews’ birthdays?”
“What about Lincoln?”
“He told Sierra that he would come, but one of his buddies just arrived and I’m not sure what his plans are now.”
“Could you give him a call? I’d like a final head count so I know how much food to prepare.”
Angeline reached into her locker for her cell and auto-dialed Lincoln’s number.
“Hello, Angel,” he said soft and low before the third ring.
“Hey.” Even Angeline heard the breathiness in her voice. Cringing, she glanced at Tessa, her brow arched and her hand cocked on her hip. “Um, Aunt Miriam needs a final head count for Sierra’s party tomorrow.” Angeline turned her back on Tessa and dropped her voice. “It’s okay if you can’t go.”
“A promise is a promise.”
“What about Damien?”
“I don’t think a little girl’s birthday party is up his alley.”
“But you’re okay with going?”
“I never go back on my word.”
“Okay, then. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Not tonight?”
Despite her initial reservations, she didn’t mind spending time with Lincoln. But Damien put her on edge.
“I’m working until closing and I have some things to finish up.”
“If you change your mind, I’ll be up.”
“I won’t be home until after two.” Her heart skipped a beat. “Are you planning to wait up for me?”
“Being a good neighbor doesn’t stop at five p.m.”
A feeling of warmth wrapped around her like a big, generous hug.
“I guess it doesn’t.” She felt the smile stretching her mouth.
“’Bye, Angel.”
“’Bye.” The breathiness returned, accompanied by a certain giddiness.
“I’ve never seen you googly over a guy,” Tessa said. “There really is something between you and Lincoln, isn’t there?”
“We’re neighbors like Tristan and I used to do.”
“You never got dreamy-eyed over Tristan.”
“I’m not dreamy-eyed. Tristan knew I could take care of myself. I think it’s sweet that Lincoln thinks he’s looking out for me.”
“See...protective.” Tessa unfolded her crossed arms. “This might be a game changer for you.”
“What do you mean?”
“You can kick ass with the best of them.”
“Thanks to my dad and brothers.”
“Yes, but you didn’t seem to mind him stepping in with those two drunks. I heard Lincoln threatened bodily harm before tossing them out, then he went to check on you.”
“He didn’t toss them out. Reed did.”
“You were off the floor for quite a while. When you and Lincoln came back out, you both looked quite rosy.”
>
“Jimmy forced me to take a break and Lincoln made sure that I didn’t sneak back before my time was up.”
“Uh-huh.” Tessa touched Angeline’s arm. “There’s nothing wrong with liking him.”
Oh, but there was. Lincoln’s heart belonged to the Program. As long as it did, Angeline would not risk hers.
Chapter 14
“Lincoln!”
Nothing rivaled the delighted squeal of a little girl on her birthday.
“You came!” The pure joy on Sierra’s face nearly caused Angeline’s heart to burst.
Lincoln picked up the newly turned six-year-old. “A Dogman always keeps his promise.”
In the living room sat Izzie and Connor and Angeline’s dad. Their mouths fell open when Lincoln strolled in like an ordinary man, carrying the birthday girl on his shoulders. Obviously, he wasn’t what they’d been expecting, and she liked that about him.
“I told you he would come,” Sierra announced triumphantly, then promptly stuck her tongue out at her brother, Logan.
Angeline introduced Lincoln to Sierra’s parents, Connor and Izzie.
“Thanks for coming.” Connor nodded at Lincoln in greeting.
“We’re so happy you’re here.” Izzie hugged Lincoln’s neck. “Sierra’s been talking about you coming to her party for days.”
Sierra looked around the room devoid of birthday decorations. “It doesn’t look like a party because Pawpa doesn’t like froufrou.”
“Pawpa would be my father, Patrick.” Angeline casually flicked her hand in his direction.
The two men silently regarded one another for a moment. Angeline’s father pursed his lips the way he always did before a lecture.
“No froufrou, huh?” Lincoln lifted Sierra from his shoulders and gently set her feet on the floor. He leaned down to her eye level. “A close friend once told me that a little froufrou was absolutely necessary in the right circumstances.”
“Sounds like something Angeline would say,” Patrick scoffed.
“Actually, her name was Lila.” Lincoln’s attention remained focused on the little girl. “She died on our last mission.”
“She was a Dogman?” Sierra’s eyes and mouth rounded.
“Yes, and she loved parties. Froufrou and all.”
Despite the harsh look from her father, Angeline couldn’t tone down the ridiculously big smile staked on her face.
“Sierra, why don’t you and Logan play upstairs?” Angeline’s father said. “I’m sure Lincoln would rather talk with the adults.”
“Actually, I wouldn’t.” Lincoln’s smile didn’t quite mask the subtle, not-so-friendly undertone in his voice. “I’m here for Sierra.”
“Let’s have a tea party.” Sierra’s small hand clasped Lincoln’s large one.
“Lead the way, princess.”
Angeline could almost hear her father’s teeth grinding.
Midway up the stairs, Sierra turned. “Coming, Aunt Ange?”
“I need to help your mom, first.”
When Lincoln, Sierra and Logan disappeared upstairs, Angeline faced her family. “So.” She held up a bag. “I brought some decorations.”
“Of course you did.” Angeline’s father frowned.
“This is a fabulous idea, Ange. A surprise party at the party. Sierra doesn’t suspect a thing.” The happiness in Izzie’s eyes matched her radiant grin and it was easy to see which parent Sierra took after the most.
“Good! Lincoln is in on the surprise. He will keep her occupied until I get them.”
“He’s a Dogman, not a babysitter.” Patrick O’Brien’s disapproving look might’ve worked when Angeline was a child, but now she simply ignored it.
“Lincoln is a man who knows how to make a little girl happy on her birthday.” Angeline placed a shiny, pointy hat on her father’s head. “And so do I.”
“Keep your father occupied while Angeline and I get the decorations up.” Izzie gave Connor a sparkly party hat. “I expect both of you to wear them during the party.”
Angeline caught a glimpse of her father’s stunned face before her brother whisked him into the home office.
“We’d better get started.” Angeline pulled the ladder from the laundry room and began hanging streamers in the family room.
Shortly after, Garret and Madelyn arrived with their three kids—Rosalyn, Caleb and Brent—to help. By the time Angeline tied the last balloon, Jimmy and Miriam, along with their daughter, Lucy, and their son, Zach, came in with platters of food.
Angeline followed them to the kitchen and once Zach’s hands were free of the large platter, she pulled him into a corner.
“Is he here?” The golden flecks in Zach’s brown eyes glittered. “Mom said the Dogman was coming.”
“Let’s get a few things straight,” Angeline said. “One, this is Sierra’s party and Lincoln is her guest. You will not talk to him about the Program. Got it?”
Some of the enthusiasm faded from Zach’s expression.
“Two, you’re not going into the Program.”
“Ange, I’m almost twenty-three. I can make my own decision.”
“This isn’t up for debate, Zach.” She rested her hand on his shoulder. “I can’t explain tonight, but there are things I want you to know about being a Dogman that you don’t fully understand.”
“Wouldn’t it be better for me to talk to Lincoln? An actual Dogman?”
“I’ll ask him to meet with you, but first you need to hear what I have to say. Deal?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“No. We’ll do lunch tomorrow.”
“I have classes at the college tomorrow, but I could swing by your place around seven.” His eyes narrowed. “In the morning.”
Ack! A morning person she wasn’t.
But if she could get up early to take her nieces and nephews sledding, Angeline could get up early to talk her younger cousin out of signing his life over to an organization that would rip him away from everyone who loved him. “I’ll need sugar and caffeine.”
“Spot me a twenty and I’ll pick up an assortment of pastries and a couple of large coffees to-go from Morning Glories.”
“Deal.” Angeline squeezed Zach tightly, remembering when he had reached the age when he thought himself too cool for affectionate expression. Thankfully, he’d outgrown the phase and freely returned the hug.
“It’s time to get the birthday girl!” Izzie said when Angeline and Zach walked into the living room.
“On it!” Angeline’s steps quickened on the stairs and she tiptoed to the playroom.
Lincoln, Sierra, Logan and their cousin Brent were sitting in a circle on the floor. The Dogman tossed a card onto the stack in the middle of their circle.
“No, silly.” Sierra giggled. “That’s the wrong one.”
“Are you sure?” He gave her a dubious look. “I think someone is changing the rules.”
“It’s called cheating,” Logan said.
“Nuh-uh!” Sierra’s bottom lip protruded.
“Did you know that on a little girl’s sixth birthday, she gets to make up the rules on all the games she plays?” Lincoln said to the trio.
“No way,” Logan and Brent exclaimed in unison.
“Really?” Sierra squealed.
Lincoln held up two fingers. “Dogman’s honor.”
“He’s a natural.” Miriam’s soft whisper startled Angeline. She had been so focused on the scene in the bedroom, she hadn’t heard her aunt coming up the stairs.
“Yeah, he is.” A bubbly feeling filled Angeline and she wasn’t as resistant to it as she should be to her growing fondness for Lincoln.
“In case you haven’t noticed, he’s good with you, too.”
Oh, she’d noticed.
Miriam squeezed Angeline’s shoulder then slipped away quietl
y.
Sierra tossed down a card and threw her hands in the air. “I won!”
“The game isn’t even over.” Brent pouted.
“The birthday girl always wins on her birthday.” Lincoln gathered the cards.
“Well, everything is going back to normal tomorrow.” Logan huffed.
“Hey, you guys.” Angeline stepped into the room. “Everyone is here and the food is ready.”
Sierra stood and held out her hand. “Come on, Lincoln.”
“Give me a sec.” He straightened his prosthetic leg. Flattening his palms on the floor slightly behind his hips, he drew up his good leg and pushed from a squat to stand. The flawless motion made Angeline wonder how long he’d practiced those moves for it to look so effortless.
She admired his tenacity and persistence. He also had a calm, steady manner that she more than appreciated, especially in the company of her family.
Sierra stopped her brother from getting ahead of her exiting the room. “Birthday girl first.”
“I can’t wait until this day is over.” Logan rolled his eyes.
The birthday girl snuggled up to Lincoln when they reached the stairs. “Why is it dark down there?”
“Maybe the power breaker blew,” Angeline said. “I think they’re coming back on, right now.”
Right on cue, light flooded the house to the chorus of “Happy Birthday!” Balloons and streamers decorated the living room filled with family.
“It’s a party!” Sierra squealed. “For me!”
She darted down the stairs, her brother and cousin following behind.
“Everything looks great,” Lincoln said. “Well done.”
“Kudos to you, too.” Angeline took his hand as they slowly descended the stairs. “We couldn’t have pulled this off if you hadn’t kept Sierra busy. She adores you.”
At the bottom of the landing, Lincoln drew Angeline whisper-close. She loved his scent. Clean, masculine and woodsy, the smell made her feel grounded.
“I wish her aunt could be as easily enchanted.” His understated smile wrapped around Angeline’s heart.
“Maybe I am.” She kissed his warm cheek, and the contact caused her lips to tingle.
Tamed by the She-Wolf Page 12
