Читать книгу Captivated By The She-Wolf - Kristal Hollis - Страница 11

Chapter 3

The gray gloom in the early afternoon sky matched Ronni’s mood and she barely felt the nip in the light autumn breeze. Strolling past Wyatt’s Automotive Service, she gave a finger wave to Rafe inside the garage and then crossed the side street to Mabel’s Diner.

After an explosion at Rafe’s business last year had caused damage to the diner, the aging owner, Mabel Whitcomb, had considered retiring instead of reopening. She—like most humans—was unaware of the existence of wolf shifters and was not a member of the Walker’s Run Cooperative. But, because she was a pillar in the community and a friend to many Co-op members, Gavin Walker—the pack’s Alpha—had directed funds from the Co-op’s reserves to finance the diner’s remodeling project.

On the outside, the town landmark still looked the same with its bright yellow walls and white trim. The interior, however, had been given a significant overhaul. Gone was the faded eighties decor, the stained and threadbare commercial carpet, the ripped vinyl booths, the wobbly aluminum tables and a lunch counter with a large, face-like coffee stain the servers had named Fred.

Now the palette matched the cozy feel that Mabel’s always generated. The walls were creamy yellow with white accents, though some rich wood paneling kept customers from feeling like they’d been swallowed by a lemon meringue pie. Instead of carpet, the floor was now wood laminate. The worn and rickety booths, tables and chairs were replaced with solid, sturdy wooden ones. Red-and-white-checkered cloths decorated the tables, and lacy curtains hung over the windows.

The menu was as Southern as ever. Just walking into the diner, one could hear the patrons’ arteries hardening. In an effort to not kill off all the customers with cholesterol-induced heart attacks, a few lighter and healthier menu options had been introduced.

Mabel herself remained the most prominent fixture. Sporting her iconic red beehive hairdo and sky blue eyeshadow, she perched on her stool behind the cash register, ringing up the last customer in the restaurant.

“Put your order in about five minutes ago, hon,” Mabel said. “Should be out any time.”

“Thanks.” Ronni smiled as if she hadn’t received a letter announcing her entire world could come crashing down at any time.

She continued on into the women’s restroom that wasn’t much bigger than a closet. After washing her hands, she splashed cold water on her face. The harried look her eyes had held after Zeke died was back. Fear, mostly, of what an uncertain future held.

She stared at her reflection until the fear cowered beneath her determination. No man, no wolf, would take her son.

This was the twenty-first century. Wolfans had evolved alongside humans. It was about time their laws did, too.

Ronni returned to the dining area, empty except for one other person. A man. Sitting on her stool. Eating her lunch.

A growl rumbled in her throat. Stealing a wolfan’s food could be a deadly mistake.

“Hey!” She marched over to her seat. “What do you think you’re doing?”

The Native American man wearing the green slacks and gray button-down of a Georgia state ranger uniform didn’t startle. He merely finished chewing and slowly turned in her direction.

Straight black hair fell to his shoulders and the shadow of a beard shaded his jaw and mouth. Leisurely, his gaze rose from her midsection to her face. Recognition flared in those whiskey-colored depths, though she’d never met the man.

She had, however, heard talk about Bodie Gryffon, the town’s newest bachelor. Tall, handsome, mysterious.

In a place as small as Maico, the rumor mill never ceased, especially when a single man was involved. There had been speculation as to why he’d declined interest from all the ladies who’d put themselves in his path.

Ronni could tell by the way his eyes dilated and his nostrils flared when assessing her that at least one of the rumors was dead wrong.

He was nice-looking, with high cheekbones balancing a well-proportioned nose that turned down slightly at the tip. And his naturally bronzed skin was simply flawless. Still, Ronni wouldn’t agree that he was as handsome as the gossip mill reported until she saw his chest. Broad and taut with muscles sculpted by hard work, yet warm and comforting when she needed to be held—that’s what made a man desirable in her eyes.

It was difficult to really ascertain much about Bodie’s chest from the way he filled out his shirt because he wore a bulletproof vest beneath it.

“I’m eating lunch.” His broad and toothy smile held no apology for pilfering her food, but it did speed up her heart. “Care to join me?”

“I might’ve considered it, if you weren’t already eating my lunch.” Wahyas took food very seriously.

Her inner wolf didn’t care and urged her to take a seat.

“This is mine. I called in a to-go order.”

Ronni flattened her hand on the counter and leaned close. “Does that look like takeout?” she said, catching a whiff of his clean, masculine scent. Hormones that had been dormant for quite some time took notice. Awareness spread through her body while bewilderment distracted her brain.

Bodie wasn’t wolfan. Wahyas had a special sense that helped them recognize their own kind. But something about him was setting off her intuition.

He stared down at the platter of food and drink. “You ordered a fried fish sandwich minus the tartar sauce, pickled okra, cheesy tater tots and an orange soda, too?”

Ronni nodded.

The double doors to the kitchen swung open and Mabel sauntered out carrying a takeout bag. “Here ya go, hon.” Her gaze slid from Bodie to Ronni.

Eyes wide and apologetic, Bodie hopped off the stool. “My mistake.”

“We can swap.” Smiling, because he was a gentleman after all, Ronni took the seat next to him.

“Actually, I have a meeting and was going to eat on the way.” He tugged his wallet from his back pocket. “I ate a couple of your tater tots, so I’ll give you mine and pay for your lunch.”

“Don’t worry about it. I won’t miss a few tots.”

He handed Mabel his money and shoved his wallet back into his pocket. “By the way, I’m Bodie Gryffon.”

“I know. Small town.” She shrugged. “I’m Ronni Lyles. I own The Stitchery down the street.”

“Lyles?” Bodie studied her. “Do you have a son named Alex?”

Ronni’s hackles rose along her spine. “I do, why?”

“My daughter, Willow, is very shy. Alex and his friends have been very kind to her at school.”

Ronni relaxed. “I would be disappointed to hear otherwise.”

“The Stitchery? Is that a dress shop?”

“Fabric store and sewing supplies, mostly. But I also do custom orders and alterations.”

“Willow needs some things for a school sewing project.” He fished his cell phone from his pocket. “Do you have any of this?”

Ronni read the list: two or more cute pieces of fabric, matching felt, piping, color-matched thread, straight pins, a sturdy needle, fabric glue.

“I do. What is she making?”

“Beats me.” He started to put the phone away and hesitated. “What’s your number?” The golden flecks in his curious eyes glittered.

“Why do you want my number?”

“To text you the list.” On any other man, the smugness in his smile would have immediately turned her off. Somehow on him, it worked. Maybe it was the tease in his eyes which she found more playful than arrogant.

She took the phone from him, ignoring the static charge that nipped them both, and put in her name and number before returning the device to him.

“Great. I’ll ask my mom to bring Willow by your store tomorrow.” Bodie glanced at his watch. “I have to go.”

He picked up the takeout bag and his drink. Going out the door, he flashed a sexy grin. “See ya later.”

“You might be the first woman in town he’s asked for a phone number.” Mabel sidled over to Ronni.

“It’s for business.” Her phone pinged with a text.

Hey, beautiful. You’re a lifesaver and made my day. :)

His daughter’s list followed.

“I don’t think he got your number just for business.” Mabel chuckled. “He can’t take his eyes off you.”

Ronni turned to look out the window and met Bodie’s gaze. She couldn’t explain it, but something about him seemed very familiar.

* * *

The morning might’ve been a bust, but starting the afternoon meeting his she-wolf in person had overshadowed the disappointment.

Ronni Lyles.

Now Bodie had a name to go with the beautiful face that haunted his dreams. And an excuse to see her again. Once Willow picked up her supplies, he planned to stop by Ronni’s store and take her to lunch to thank her. He couldn’t wait to see what developed from there.

Walking inside the rustic-themed lobby of the Walker’s Run Resort, he noticed a huge wolf totem with a large black bird at the top in one of the far corners. The irony wasn’t lost on him, but maybe it was on the wolfans.

Legends often associated wolves and ravens. He wondered if and when the two shifter species had been allies and what had come between them.

A tall, blond man appeared in a hallway near the registration counter. Bodie met him halfway across the lobby.

Smiling, Tristan extended his hand. “Glad you could make it.”

Bodie accepted the cordial handshake, feeling a little awkward suspecting his friend’s wolfan secret yet remaining quiet about his own shifting abilities. But, until he knew more about the Wahyas, caution was paramount.

“I’ve been meaning to catch up with you.” Tristan led Bodie down a carpeted hallway decorated with rich tapestries. “Between getting our security force up and running and Nel coming home, I’ve been short on time.”

Having long hours and an erratic schedule with his own job, Bodie completely understood.

“Speaking of which, I’m not able to stay for the meeting. I need to pick up Nel for a doctor’s appointment.”

“Then why am I here?”

“I want to introduce you to Gavin Walker, the man in charge of the Co-op. He wants to discuss what happened in the wolf sanctuary last night.”

Bodie hoped it wasn’t more of the same stone-walling he’d received from Cooter.

They stopped in front of a large wooden door. Before Tristan’s knuckles rapped against the wood, a strong, masculine voice called out, “Come.”

Bodie’s palms began to sweat. Wolfans must have damn sensitive noses if the one inside the room had smelled them coming.

Tristan pushed open the door and ushered Bodie into the office. “Gavin, this is Sergeant Bodie Gryffon from DNR.”

“Welcome to Walker’s Run.” The older man sitting behind the mammoth mahogany desk slowly rose. Intelligence and wariness shone in his icy blue eyes. His hair and close-cropped beard might be snow-white but he exuded health and vitality and more than a little cunning. He waved at the two captain’s chairs in front of the desk. “Please have a seat.”

Bodie took the one on the right, closest to the open window. He might not be able to outrun a wolf to the door, but he could fly out the window if necessary.

“Sorry to make introductions and run,” Tristan said to Bodie. “But I promise we’ll catch up later.”

“Today is the ultrasound, isn’t it?” Gavin asked.

“Yep.” Tristan grinned. “Boy or girl, doesn’t matter. We just want the baby to be healthy.”

“So do Abby and I.” Gavin gave a slight nod. “Do let us know.”

“Will do.” Tristan ducked out of the office.

Bodie had yet to meet Tristan’s girlfriend, but he wished her all the best. Pregnancy, even in modern times, was risky. So was the post-delivery, which was when Bodie had lost his wife.

“Are you all right, Sergeant Gryffon?”

“Yes, sir,” he said, a bit more solemnly than intended. He hadn’t thought of Layla in a long time. They married out of duty, not love. Because the Tlanuhwa numbers were alarmingly low, marriages were arranged by their Tribunal to ensure the best matches for healthy offspring. Despite the emotional distance between them, Layla had given him a daughter. For that, he would always be grateful.

“I had a number of calls this morning about you,” Gavin said.

“It wasn’t my intent to alarm anyone. I was simply following up on a report regarding a possible poaching incident in or near the Co-op’s wolf sanctuary,” Bodie answered.

“The Co-op has dealt with poachers in the past.”

“So I’ve heard.” Bodie didn’t want that happening again, especially on his watch. “However, I’ve been assigned to this area and it’s my job to deal with these situations.”

“We appreciate your commitment, but whatever happens on Co-op property is not your concern.”

“Actually, it is. I have the same power and privileges as any law enforcement officer. And, in situations regarding game and wildlife, I actually have more authority. Which means your wolf pack is completely within my realm of responsibility.” And it was a responsibility Bodie took seriously.

A subtle tension crept into Gavin’s body. Bodie knew to tread carefully. He did not want to get on the bad side of the man who had the power to help him on a personal level.

“The problem I face is that I work alone and I can’t be everywhere,” Bodie said. “I’ve noticed the Co-op’s security teams patrol well beyond the wolf sanctuary.”

“They do.” Gavin leaned back in his chair. “The Co-op owns a lot of property, which is why we maintain a separate town charter. Our lands, including our wolf sanctuary, lie outside the jurisdiction of the Maico sheriff’s department and emergency services, so we created our own.”

“The Co-op is its own public municipality?”

“Municipality, yes. Public, no. We maintain an exclusive membership.”

“What are the requirements?”

“Most of our members were born into a Co-op family,” Gavin said.

Well, Bodie wouldn’t be joining their ranks that way.

“Others married members or were inducted because of determinable loyalty to the Co-op and our mission.”

Things were looking up again. “And your mission is?”

“To safeguard and provide for our families and community, and to protect our way of life.”

“An admirable mission close to my heart.”

“Then perhaps you are a kindred spirit.” Gavin smiled. “I hear your family came with you to Maico.”

A reactionary sliver of alarm pulsed beneath Bodie’s skin. He didn’t detect any hint of malice or threat coming from Gavin but Bodie was overly cautious where his family was concerned. “Yes, my daughter and my mother.”

“Your wife?”

“She died following childbirth.”

“Now I understand why you paled when Tristan mentioned Nel’s pregnancy.” Something in Gavin’s demeanor softened. “My condolences.”

“It’s been almost sixteen years, but thank you.” Bodie hadn’t realized he’d reacted at all. He needed to school his expressions more carefully. “I would do anything to protect my daughter and I’m sure you would do the same for your family.” Or pack.

Gavin nodded. “I’ll speak with Tristan about coordinating efforts regarding last night’s poaching incident.”

“So there was an incident. I was informed the shots were an innocent kids’ game.” Not that Bodie had believed it.

“Cooter told me what he said to you. He doesn’t like outsiders nosing into Co-op business.” Gavin gave a look that silenced Bodie’s interjection. “However, I believe it can be mutually beneficial if we work together to curtail this threat.”

“I appreciate your cooperation.” A weight didn’t necessarily lift from Bodie’s shoulders but he did feel a small sense of relief. “Were any of your wolves harmed?”

“Thankfully, no. But the hunters did kill a young deer inside the sanctuary,” Gavin said.

A chill passed through Bodie; he knew the Co-op’s sentinels wouldn’t stop until the perpetrators were found and he hoped to avoid another situation that might be blamed on the nonexistent wild boar.

“Reed Sumner, one of our security officers, said three men escaped through a cut portion of the sanctuary’s fencing. The breech is being repaired and we’ve doubled our patrols.”

“Did Sumner get a good look at the men? Or their vehicle?”

Gavin shook his head slowly and Bodie got the feeling that if the men’s identities had been known, they would not be having this conversation. “We do suspect that the vehicle was a truck, based on the tire tracks.”

“At least I know to look for a trio in a truck.” Bodie stood. “Thank you for your time.”

“Tristan has your number?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Excellent.” Gavin stood. “I’ll walk you out.”

“Just out of curiosity,” Bodie began as they headed down the corridor.

Gavin chuckled. “I thought you might have a question or two.”

“How did the select few you mentioned earn membership in the Co-op?”

“Quite frankly, they put themselves in jeopardy to defend and protect one of our own.”

“So basically, they honored your mission by nearly dying for it.”

“Exactly.” Gavin patted Bodie’s shoulder.

“Thanks for the tip.” But it was one too risky to consider. If Bodie decided to pursue membership in the Co-op, a safer and more pleasant way would be to court Ronni and take her as his mate.

He’d married out of duty before and would do so again if necessary. Maybe this time, it would be different. Bodie already knew he was sexually attracted to Ronni. The warmth of her kind touch still lingered in his mind. Too easily, he could recall every luscious curve and line of her naked human form. Fully dressed in jeans and a flowy blouse, she was still beautiful.

For a moment at the diner, when she had leaned close to him, he’d had to force his gaze away from her before he reached to touch the reddish-blonde tendrils that had worked loose from her relaxed braid. And those cobalt blue eyes... He’d seen more than a flicker of interest in their depths.

Even if they didn’t fall in love, she could be a good match. And as long as his family was safe, having Ronni warm his bed wouldn’t be too much of an inconvenience. He almost smiled.