Katie smiled a little stupidly. “Yes…I believe you are right….” She floated behind Gretchen to the change area, admiring the dress as she went.
“Now you.” The saleswoman puckered her mouth a little, as she looked Willow up and down. “You want to play up those curves of yours.” The hangers clicked on the rack as she searched, clearly with something in mind. She turned back to Willow with a flourish. “This is going to drive the men out of their minds!”
Willow reached out to finger the stretchy fabric; it was a tangerine-colored bandage dress with a plunging neckline and a hem hitting well above the knee. “You don’t think this will make my…you know…my butt look big?”
The saleswoman tilted her head a little. “I’m certain this is going to accent your derriere in a most positive way.”
Unconvinced, Willow took the hanger. “I’ll try it on, but maybe you should look for something a little more modest in a size ten.”
“Meow!” Katie said, when Willow emerged from the changing booth a few moments later.
“Meow yourself! You two look amazing!” Willow thought that the dresses the saleswoman had picked looked perfect on her two friends.
The trio took turns examining their dresses from every angle in the three-way mirror.
Gretchen turned to the saleswoman quietly watching the group. “You’re a genius, you know that, right?” The saleswoman pressed her lips together in just a hint of a smile.
Fiddling with the price tag attached underneath one arm, Willow sighed. “I’m afraid to look. Is it going to mean a month with no groceries?”
The saleswoman tapped one manicured finger along her face. “Ladies, there are times when it’s appropriate to use credit…responsibly, of course. May I open up La Belle Femme Boutique accounts for you?”
Exiting the shop with their bagged dresses at exactly 7:35, the group looked up and down the street. Katie shrugged. “We’re ahead of schedule and in the big city, what should we do?”
“Big city might be stretching it a little,” Willow remarked. “Boston is a big city…Concord, New Hampshire, not so much. I am, as usual, starving again, though.”
“There’s supposed to be a great new restaurant a couple of blocks over,” Gretchen said. “With great cocktails, too. I read about it online.”
“I can’t drink because I’m driving,” Katie said with a wistful sigh, “but you two can. At least it will be fun to check out someone else’s menu.”
The restaurant was quite busy and the hostess suggested they wait in the bar until a table freed up. Finding an open cocktail table, they sat down on the plush seats and ordered, then checked out their surroundings.
Gretchen stuck out her tongue a little after taking note of a group of frumpy looking middle-aged men on the other side of the bar. “Bearded, balding, and Birkenstocked—classic New England. Is it so hard to have a little style?”
Willow looked surprised. “I thought you were engaged?”
Raising her eyebrows, the fox smiled slyly. “Just because you’re window shopping doesn’t mean you are planning to buy.”
“Whoa! Hot guy alert— ten o’clock.” Katie nudged Willow in the ribs.
“Smoking hot!” Willow agreed, after she discreetly turned her head to look.
The man entering the bar area was wearing an expensive gray suit with a crisp white linen shirt, but no tie. He was very tall, and despite having a somewhat prominent nose, very handsome. He turned to a companion, making his way through the crowd, and Willow swallowed when she recognized the other man. It was none other than Dr. Christovao Amara, Chief of Trauma at Mountain View Hospital.
“Oh crap!” Willow hissed in a whisper.
“What, did you make eye contact with Mr. Hottie?” Katie asked, but before Willow could answer, Gretchen had stuck up her arm and waved at the doctor.
“Oh look, he’s with Chris! Here’s your chance to meet the beefcake! Maybe he’s a doctor, too!”
Katie grabbed Gretchen’s arm, quickly pulling it down. “Um, Willow had an…awkward encounter with Chris.”
“But I thought he was coming to her first shift?” Gretchen said, confused.
“I—I,” Willow stammered.
“She tried to turn him into a venison chew toy,” Katie finished.
“Crap!” Gretchen spun away from Chris and his friend, trying to act like she hadn’t just waved them over.
“Okay, Emily Post, here’s your chance to counsel me on my first sticky shifter social situation!” Willow’s voice was panicky.
At that moment, the cocktail waitress arrived with their drinks. Gretchen took a gulp of her mojito. “Act natural!”
“Act natural?” Willow sucked nervously at the straw in her gin and tonic. “What kind of advice is ‘act natural’?”
By this time, Chris and his friend had made their way over.
“Good evening, ladies.” Chris’ smile was magnetic, and Willow felt her heart skip a beat. “May I introduce you to a…prince of a guy?” Willow caught on; his friend was a royal. “This is Dr. Nicholas Hampton. He happens to be a fantastic orthopedic surgeon, and I’m trying to persuade him to move from Maine to the Kingdom. He’s on his way over for the festivities tomorrow. ”
“Ladies.” Nicholas flashed a set of perfect teeth as he nodded. “If you’re any indication of the residents in the Kingdom, I’ll pack my bags tomorrow,” he added flirtatiously.
Chris continued the introductions, “This is my colleague Gretchen Forrest, a stellar nurse-midwife and council member who, alas, broke many hearts when she got engaged this spring, and Katie Leclerk, the lovely proprietress of an excellent café and another one of our council members, and…” he unconsciously licked his lips, “Dr. Willow Ryersen. I believe I mentioned our new veterinarian to you earlier.”
Given that they were in the presence of royalty, Gretchen scrambled to ensure etiquette was being observed. “Would you gentlemen care to join us?”
“That’s very kind of you.” Nicholas pulled a chair up. “So what brings you ladies to Concord this evening? Just looking for a change of venue?”
“Oh you know, girls night out,” Katie tried to sound nonchalant.
Chris slid onto the banquette next to Willow. “I hope we aren’t intruding.”
“Oh not at all! It’s a pleasure….” Gretchen’s voice tightened as Willow kicked her under the table, “to meet someone from Maine.”
Katie tried not to roll her eyes. Gretchen’s nerves were making her a little ditzy. Katie kicked the fox under the table.
“Stop it, you two!” Gretchen grumbled under her breath.
“What was that?” Nicholas asked. “It’s so noisy in here I didn’t quite catch what you said. How about another round of drinks?” He signaled the waitress.
“Excellent idea,” Chris agreed. “This is a group that needs to be tamed.” His hand found Willow’s thigh under the table. “Despite their sweet appearance,” he said with a little laugh, “they could easily turn into man-eaters at any moment.”
Willow realized that now Chris was clueing his friend into the fact that they had joined a table of carnivores.
Nicholas locked eyes with Katie. “I don’t scare easily.”
At that moment, Willow could see that Nicholas was a moose. His shifter side was leaking through, so she knew he was attracted to Katie’s wolf. What was it that Katie said, that the moose didn’t take crap from anyone? And apparently neither did the sexy buck groping her leg. She reached under the table and removed Chris’s hand, placing it on his own leg. He smiled; it was game on.
Gretchen tried to make polite conversation. “So, Nicholas, are you by chance related to either the bride or groom?”
“The groom is my cousin, and the wedding was a great chance to check out Mountain View Hospital, too. Chris has been trying for ages to recruit me. I grew up in Maine, and I guess I’m ready for something new.” His eyes grew liquid as he looked at Katie, and now Willow could see Katie’s wolf, too. The attraction was c
learly mutual, and Willow hoped for Katie’s sake that Nicholas wasn’t simply after a weekend fling. Her friend deserved someone who truly appreciated and adored her.
Willow felt Chris’s hand once again sneaking up her simple summer skirt. He trailed an index finger up her inner thigh, then traced little circles over the silky crotch of her panties, simultaneously enticing and arousing her. Gently, his hand invited her legs to part, giving him access to her most sensitive parts as his finger slid under the flimsy fabric, softly coaxing her to gasp. Quickly she took a drink and he did the same, looking at her with burning eyes over the rim of his glass, his stag at full attention. Willow squirmed, trying to push his hand away without calling attention to what was going on. A little breathless, she stood up. “If you will excuse me for a moment, I need to powder my nose.”
It was all Willow could do to not run at full speed to the ladies’ room. Once there, she was thankful that there wasn’t a line and locked herself in the tiny room, trying to regain her composure. Her tingling body had definitely been enjoying Chris’ attentions, but her mind reeled with conflicting feelings. The image in her mind was Mace in the clinic exam room that morning, his cat eyes full of longing. He wanted her so much, and she couldn’t understand why he had chosen her. Since he couldn’t find a mate, why not some other cat as a life companion? He was a king, handsome and rich; he could have any cat in New England, but he wanted her, enough to humble himself to her and admit it.
Maybe she would be better off with a non-feline shifter. Opposites can attract. Maybe the cat thing was too intense, and a relationship with either Guy or Mace was doomed to collapse under the weight of all that expectation. Maybe a badass buck would keep things honest—keep her from forgetting that love was a struggle.
Bending over the sink, Willow splashed water on her face, trying to get a grip on the emotions roiling inside her. She needed to tell Chris what she had told Mace and implied to Guy—she couldn’t become involved with anyone until after she made it through the full moon, until after she was at least sure who wasn’t her maker, even if she didn’t learn who was. Grabbing a handful of paper towels, she straightened up as she dried her face and looked in the mirror. Unfamiliar eyes stared back at her, deep brown pools belonging to some kind of cat.
After her return from the restroom, Chris didn’t push his luck with Willow, instead settling into his role as charismatic shifter leader and doctor. The three women shared ordinary conversation over appetizers and another drink with the two men, then Chris and Nicholas excused themselves to go talk business, with promises to see the ladies at the wedding the next evening.
As they stood to leave, Nicholas whispered something in Katie’s ear that made her face color in a captivating way. Chris leaned in and gave Willow a peck on the cheek, telling her—a little blandly—that he was glad to see her feeling better, and then he surreptitiously tweaked her nipple and winked at her. Her hands balled up into tight fists as she seethed, unsure whether she wanted to grab him by the nuts—and not in the fun way—or cover his handsome face with little kisses.
After the men departed, the trio launched into an analysis of what had just transpired, pestering Katie for details on what she thought about Nicholas.
Katie tried to play it cool. “Well, he’s not bad, I mean, for a swamp-walker.”
“Don’t be coy, he’s hot by any standard, and a royal to boot,” Gretchen commented. “Tall, dark and handsome is always a winner.”
Trying not to think about her own misery, Willow jumped in, “What did he whisper to you? Inquiring minds want to know.”
Katie blushed again.
“That good?” Gretchen chuckled. “You need to spill it, right now.”
Willow piled on, “What, did he tell you he likes to do it ‘doggy style’?”
Instead of playfully joining the verbal combat, Katie’s face softened. “He told me…that he thought I was the most beautiful shifter he’s ever seen, and that nothing revved his engine like a smart and beautiful woman.”
Backing down, Willow asked softly, “Did anything set off your bullshit-ometer?”
“That’s the thing, I think he was completely sincere.” A dreamy smile crept across Katie’s face. “Do you think opposites can attract?”
A pang of uncertainty raced through Willow. “Yeah, maybe. You know, Katie, maybe it’s even better.”
***
“Up or down?” Katie asked.
“Down, definitely down.” Willow took the hairbrush out of Katie’s hand. “You look spectacular. Stop fussing.”
Katie turned to her friend, nervousness written all over her face. “I mean, he’s a prince and…”
“And you’re higher up the food chain,” Willow said archly.
“You’re from Ohio, you’ve never seen a mad moose,” Katie retorted. “Believe me, they can kick some serious ass.”
“Well, I know one moose that’s going to be mad about you, not at you,” Willow smiled.
Katie sighed. “I know I’m acting like I’m in junior high. It’s just that Nicholas is the first man who has managed to make me feel…anything since things with Guy fell apart.” Katie’s eyes grew sad. “Unlike you, it’s been a long time since I’ve gotten laid.” Shaking it off, she added, “And now here’s my chance!”
“That’s the spirit…only make sure your horniness doesn’t take you anywhere you’re not ready to go.” Willow swirled on some nude lipstick as she looked in the mirror of Katie’s dresser. “I’m really not the best example to be citing right now.”
“Well, I have a feeling Chris is going to be the first guy to ask you to dance.”
“Maybe.” Willow’s stomach flopped, and not from excitement. “If Mace shows up, I may have to beat a hasty exit. I don’t want to be the subject of a cat fight.” Turning, she asked, “So what kinds of derogatory terms do other shifters use for carnivores?”
“Why would you ask that?” Katie looked up as she buckled one high-heeled sandal.
“So I understand if I’m being insulted, or if…anyone else is.”
“Well, if you must know, sometimes badly behaved cats are called ‘yowlers’ or ‘fur balls.’ Aggressive wolves are called pit bulls—which is a shame, as pits are actually nice dogs—and any unpleasant carnivore might be referred to as a ‘bloodsucker.’”
“I see.” Willow puffed out a breath. “The more you know…”
“Come on. Don’t think about that stuff. No one is going to be insulting you. Everyone will love you, I’m sure of it.” Katie took Willow’s hands in hers. “Let’s go knock’em dead.”
“As long as you are speaking figuratively. Gretchen says eating the wedding party is considered bad form.” She forced a smile.
The farm where the wedding was being held was nearly a thirty-minute drive deep into the rolling hills of the Kingdom. A newly mowed pasture had been turned into an impromptu parking lot, and Willow was shocked to see the number of cars.
“There must be five or six hundred people here.”
“Sounds about right.” Katie maneuvered into a spot. “Watch out for cow patties when you step out.”
A huge old barn had been transformed into a wedding chapel with rows of white chairs and garlands of pine boughs. Sprays of wildflowers accented a podium at the front. Some people had already found seats, but others milled about greeting the out-of-towners or catching up with old friends. More than a few heads turned, though, as Willow and Katie made their entrance.
“I’m suddenly feeling really self-conscious,” Willow whispered. “Maybe I shouldn’t have come. Strictly speaking, I’m not really a shifter…yet.”
“Nonsense, everyone knows. They’re staring because you—and your ass—look fantastic in that dress.”
“If you say so.” Willow looked around for familiar faces, suddenly relieved to see Gretchen and her fiancé. She tugged at Katie, who was subtly scanning the barn for signs of Nicholas. “Let’s go sit down. I don’t do well with people checking out my butt.”
“What’s that?” she asked Gretchen, wondering if she should run.
“A moose bugling. It’s the signal that the ceremony is about to start.” She patted Willow’s knee. “Relax.”
The moose call rang out again, and everyone in the barn found seats and settled. After it sounded for a third time, the strains of the traditional wedding march began. The groom entered from a side door with his best man, who happened to be his cousin Nicholas, and the officiate, who—as head of the shifter council—happened to be Chris. They turned to face the back of the barn, and everyone stood as the bride entered on the arm of her father, followed by a maid of honor. Willow sighed in relief that it was, by all appearance, turning into a totally normal wedding.
Chris, to his credit, kept his attention to the matter at hand, impressing Willow with some beautiful remarks about love, fidelity, and remembering to have fun, before the couple recited their vows. Nicholas, on the other hand, kept sneaking glances at Katie, who spent the better part of the ceremony flushed from the attention. Finally the bride and groom kissed, the barn emptied out, and the party got underway on the lawn.
“You have to go through the receiving line,” Gretchen counseled.
What Willow wanted to do was head to the bar for a stiff drink, but she knew her friend was right. “Yes, of course.”
“Don’t be nervous. Gretchen will go first and introduce you, and I’ll follow behind,” Katie added.
Willow nodded. “Let’s do it.”
The two moose families, one royal and one not, were both quite gracious and friendly. Willow started to loosen up a little, and then suddenly she was at the end of the receiving line, standing in front of Chris, and holding his hand.
Willow Run: Boxed Set (Books 1-6) Page 12
