The quiet from the third floor drove me crazy. I paced Jim’s apartment until Winifred opened her door and told me to go for a run. It helped, but not much. When I returned, I lay on the couch for hours, just listening. I didn’t crash until near dawn.
Jim woke me with an overly enthusiastic pat on the back.
“Guess what day it is?” he asked with his usual humor.
“Sleep in day,” I said, reaching out to shove him away.
“Bro, it’s swimsuit day. How can you want to sleep in?”
The image of Michelle’s suit popped into my head, waking me instantly. I sat up and rubbed a hand over my face.
“What time is it?”
“A little after eight. I heard the boys moving around up there and figured I’d start pancakes.”
The thought of that sweet aroma I now associated with Michelle’s interest set my pulse racing.
“Yeah. Good. I’ll shower then invite them down.”
I lifted myself off the couch, my lingering exhaustion fading at the thought of seeing Michelle. The shower didn’t take long, and by the time I went to the stairs, I heard her and the boys slowly coming down the steps. Were they worried Winifred was still upset with Jim? If I knew it would reassure them, I’d tell them Jim tended to annoy Winifred often. I didn’t think it would help, though.
When they rounded the corner of the second landing, I saw Michelle. Though the boys were wearing their swim trunks and ready for the day, she was not. Still in her pajamas, she shuffled down each step with care. The stiff way she held her head and her pale cheeks had me worrying. Liam held her hand tightly as if guiding her. Her other hand gripped the railing. Aden impatiently trailed behind the pair. When he saw me, he brightened a little.
As soon as Michelle reached the last step, I moved forward and lightly touched her forehead. Werewolves never caught human colds. But I’d been around enough humans to see the signs of sickness. She looked pale, tired, and in pain. However, she didn’t have a fever.
“Tell me what’s wrong,” I said gently.
“Nothing. Just a headache,” she said, holding the railing and Liam’s hand.
Aden moved around them and hopped off the last step.
“I’m hungry,” he said tentatively, looking up at me.
“I bet,” I said, setting a hand lightly on the top of his head. “You skipped your supper. Would you like some pancakes?”
Aden nodded and reached for my hand. The feel of his little fingers wrapped around two of mine calmed some of my worry. Everything was fine. Michelle was with me, and I’d take care of her. I looked up and gave her what I hoped was a reassuring smile as Aden steered us toward Jim’s apartment.
“Would you like some aspirin or something?”
She carefully shook her head and followed us inside. As she and the boys settled onto the stools, I scented her discomfort. She really wasn’t feeling well.
Nudging Jim aside, I started to make cartoon pancakes for the kids, something Uncle Grey had done for us while we’d lived at the Compound.
The final product brought a smile to both boys’ faces but only because it was a sad failure.
“Well, that didn’t work so well,” I said, sliding the plate toward Liam. “Try a bite and let me know if it tastes better than it looks. I’ll start another one for your brother and sister.”
While I started the next pancake, Michelle scooted Aden onto the stool and quietly left the apartment.
Both Liam and I watched her leave. He turned and caught my eye.
“Her head really hurts sometimes.”
“I’ll see if I can help her. Jim, think you can take over?”
“Finally,” Jim said. “Aden, let me show you how to make that pancake the right way. Emmitt didn’t use enough batter.”
Leaving Jim in charge, I followed Michelle out to the porch. She leaned against a column and rubbed her temple. The pain she felt radiated from her. She needed to take something.
Winifred’s phone rang and Michelle flinched. Unable to stand by while she suffered, I moved beside her.
“Liam said your head really hurts. Are you sure I can’t get you something?”
“No, I’m fine.”
She didn’t sound fine. She sounded miserable.
Then the way she held herself changed. She went from stiff misery to swift attention. She turned her head slightly toward Winifred’s window.
Winifred was talking to Sam, another Elder. From the sound of it, Sam was trying to get her to help him with stock investments. I doubted that was the real reason for his call. For as long as I could remember, Sam had always found some excuse to call and speak with Winifred. It was always legitimate pack business, but Sam never spoke to Grey that much. If it weren’t for the fact that they were both Elders and were forbidden from Mating, I would have sworn Sam was sweet on Winifred.
Though their interactions sometimes made me curious, it wasn’t with the same light I now saw in Michelle’s eyes.
I moved down to the step in front of her in an effort to reclaim her attention.
“If not aspirin, maybe Nana has something that could help.”
Michelle shushed me. This time, she turned toward Nana’s window, fully listening.
I inhaled, scenting Michelle’s growing excitement as Winifred rattled off some stock nonsense then said, “Just pick?”
“Pick the first one,” Michelle said rather loudly for someone with a headache. “Ride for a one-point-six increase then drop it.”
She breathed deeply, and I watched in amazement as her color improved. The slight bend in her stance disappeared with that same breath. It was as if I’d just witnessed her headache vanish.
Winifred didn’t miss a beat. As soon as Michelle said her recommendation, Winifred repeated it to Sam.
Michelle caught me studying her and blushed slightly before looking away. It didn’t take a body language expert to interpret that. Whatever had just occurred was a closed subject.
“We were still thinking of going to the lake after breakfast,” I said, as if what just had happened didn’t matter. Because it didn’t. Michelle seemed better, and that was all I cared about at the moment.
“Nana already went for groceries this morning. Will you come to the lake with us?”
She nodded, and I grinned.
“You might want to change.”
She looked down at her pajamas and wrinkled her nose. When she met my gaze again, her blush deepened.
“I’ll just go get ready,” she said.
I watched her dash up the stairs, then went to tell Liam and Aden that their sister was feeling better and had gone to get ready for the lake. Their excitement was palpable, and Jim and I grinned at each other while we ate the remaining pancakes.
As soon as they finished, the boys ran upstairs to help their sister. Without any witnesses, Winifred packed the car in record werewolf time then came in to help me with the dishes. Jim quietly sat at the island, eating the scraps and avoiding work.
“You should take the bike, Emmitt. Might be the only time she touches you,” he said when we were almost done.
“Best behavior, Jim,” Winifred warned.
Jim laughed and went to get his trunks on while I continued drying and putting away dishes and considered what he’d said. Michelle was complex. She didn’t trust us—didn’t trust me—and was running from a man, or several men, who made her very afraid; after what I just witnessed on the porch, she was maybe hiding something else, too. Yeah…complex was an understatement. As her Mate, I needed her to trust that I could protect her. But she didn’t know I was her Mate, and I couldn’t tell her that until she trusted me. Yet, would gaining her trust before exposing my secret possibly risk destroying her new trust in me?
“You’re too deep in thought,” Winifred said. “Go get ready. I’ll finish up here.”
I let her take the cup and towel then leaned against the counter.
“Will telling her chase her away?”
“Who’s to say? Your mom stuck around. Michelle’s only been here two days, Emmitt. And, we got off to a rocky start. Don’t rush this. Trust the pull.”
I nodded slowly, then went to change into my swimsuit.
When Michelle and the boys came down the stairs, we had the car seats in the car, but I was still debating whether to take the bike or the truck. The truck would probably make her more comfortable, but the idea of her on the back of my bike heated my blood.
As soon as Michelle walked out the door, Jim opened his big mouth.
“Emmitt, take the bike. That truck’s too much of a gas hog.”
Michelle glanced at the truck, then the bike, and finally the car. I could see she didn’t understand what Jim was really suggesting.
Winifred threw her two cents in.
“It would be safest if the kids rode in the car. That leaves the front seat open for someone while the other two follow on the motorcycle.”
Michelle’s gaze flew to me, and when her mouth opened in a slight “O,” I knew she understood. I waited while she thought it over.
“Do I need to go change, again?” she finally asked.
I eyed her shorts, t-shirt, and sandals.
“No. You’ll be completely safe.” With me. Always.
She looked doubtful but didn’t say no. After helping the boys into their seats, she came to me. Watching her cross the driveway with purpose in her eyes made my heart skip a beat. God, I wanted this woman. I wanted her in my life, at my side. Forever.
I had to look away and get on the bike first before she caught me watching.
“How do I get on?” she asked when she reached my side.
“Put your left foot here and swing your leg over the seat.”
To my disappointment, she mounted without touching me and settled onto the seat with a soft bounce. She apologized and shifted her weight as Winifred started her car and pulled down the driveway. When Michelle still didn’t touch me, I glanced back.
She had a death grip on the bar behind her.
“Are you sure you can hold on like that?”
She nodded without looking at me. The blush she wore had me inhaling the rich scent of syrup-soaked pancakes. I loved knowing what that smell meant. She was feeling the pull. And based on her averted gaze and grip on the bar, she was trying her best to ignore it.
I hesitated a moment, trying to think of something to say to get her to hold me instead of the stupid bar. Winifred’s words had me closing my mouth. I wouldn’t rush Michelle. I’d give her some time.
I put on my sunglasses and handed a pair back to Michelle. I was confident she wouldn’t need a helmet or other gear. My reflexes were too quick for anything to happen to her even if I somehow managed to dump the bike. But the glasses would help with the wind, which I couldn’t do a thing about.
She kept her center of balance as I pulled down the driveway and followed Winifred onto the main road. My hope that she’d change her mind and hold onto me withered after she tucked her hair into her shirt at the first stop sign.
Frustration had me taking off again a little faster than I should have. Her gasp and laugh, though, let me know it was all right, and I opened up the throttle.
When we caught up with the car, Jim stuck his hand out the window to show me the digital camera. I passed Winifred and let him take a picture. I really wanted to know how Michelle looked behind me.
A few minutes later, I turned onto the graveled lake entrance. The county kept the place nice even though not many people came to use the beach. When we reached the parking lot, I didn’t miss Michelle’s quiet “wow” or the excited exclamations from the boys in Winifred’s car as we parked.
“Did you like it?” I asked, turning to look at Michelle.
Her gaze met mine as she nodded, and I really hoped that meant she’d touch me on the way home.
I kept the bike steady as she got off and listened to Aden ask Jim about the water. Was it like a bathtub? Did they have to use soap? Were there toys they could use?
The questions had me doubting the kid had ever gone swimming before. And, the way Liam stared at the water, I began to suspect they’d never even seen a lake in their lives.
Michelle didn’t seem quite as awed as she walked with them to the water’s edge. Her bothers stomped in to their ankles and just stood there. She tested the water and backed away.
“We need to show them how to have fun,” Jim said.
I wholeheartedly agreed.
“Chicken?” I said.
“Oh yeah,” he said with a devilish grin.
* * * *
Liam and Aden were naturals at the game of chicken. What brothers weren’t good at pushing each other around? Jim watched me closely, waiting for me to look away so he and Aden could push their advantage. I tended to look away a lot. Michelle was on the blanket. Winifred had given her a magazine, but I could tell Michelle wasn’t reading it. She was watching us. But, was she keeping an eye on her brothers or was she looking at me?
The last few times I’d looked up and caught her gaze, she’d blushed. I was fairly certain that meant she was looking at me.
My attention wandered back to the beach and the blanket. She’d kept her shorts and shirt on but I was positive she wore her suit underneath. Maybe I could convince Liam to—
Liam’s weight shifted under Aden’s sudden attack. I braced my feet in the sand, but could feel the boy was going over. So I leaned us to the side and kept his head above the water as he fell.
“We win again!” Aden cried.
Liam scowled at me.
“Sorry, bud. Next three rounds are ours.”
I stayed focused and tied the score. After that, I forced myself to keep my mind on Liam and Aden and show them how to play like cubs. Michelle would come around on her own.
Before the sun started to set, we packed up. Michelle hadn’t strayed too far from the blanket, but the boys had enjoyed a full day at the beach like every kid should.
Once everything was in the trunk, I sat on my bike and waited for Michelle to buckle her brothers in. She seemed to take her time. Jim noticed it, too, because he winked at me and quickly claimed the front seat again.
Michelle mounted the bike the same way, but a sweet pancake smell clung to her as she gripped the back bar. Yep, she was coming around. I grinned the whole way home.
As soon as we parked by the porch, Jim announced a fireworks show and went inside for the goods. Winifred shot a look in his direction, but Michelle and the boys didn’t notice.
“I think I’ll take this stuff in and make us some dinner. You two should go rinse in the shower and change,” Winifred said, looking at the boys.
Michelle led them upstairs, and I helped Winifred unload.
“It was a good day,” she said.
“Yeah. Those boys really enjoyed the lake.”
“They seem to enjoy everything outside. Almost as if they’ve never had the chance before.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” I said, setting the beach bag on her sofa.
“She was watching you,” Winifred said as she set the cooler on the floor and started unloading items into the fridge. “She was trying really hard not to, but she was.”
The seriousness in Winifred’s tone cut off my preemptive grin.
“Her scent would change from curiosity to fear in an instant. My guess is that she’s acknowledging her interest but is afraid of getting involved with you. Maybe it’s not just you. Maybe she’d afraid of getting too close to anyone.” Winifred closed the fridge and turned to me. “It’s good you brought her here. She does need us. We need to figure out what’s haunting her and put her ghosts to rest. Until we do, I don’t know that she’ll ever be ready to trust us.”
“And how will we find out about her past unless she trusts us enough to tell us?”
Winifred gave me a quick grin.
“That’s for you to figure out, boy. Now, go keep an eye on your brother before he shoots a bottle rocket through a window.”
By the time I heard the boys on the stairs, Jim was ready with two sparklers. I lit them, and he held them out just as the cubs burst out the door.
“Is it hot?” Aden asked, leaning to look at Jim’s finger.
“The glowing end is very hot. But if you hold the metal down here, you’ll be fine. And, you can write your name like this.”
The boys took their sparklers and started waving them around. I kept my eyes on the stairs as I got another two ready. Michelle didn’t disappoint me. She walked right toward me and accepted one of the sparklers. But when our hands touched, an odd look passed over her face, and I watched her pupils dilate in a very unnatural way. A second later, she was back to normal. Well, not exactly normal. She looked pale and shocked.
“Michelle?” I said.
“Sorry,” she said. “Daydreaming.”
Her heart skipped a beat with the lie, and her scent soured with worry. I didn’t push for more. Instead, I played along and moved away to help Aden light another sparkler.
Though I helped Jim with the kids, I was very aware of Michelle. When her sparkler sputtered and died, she wandered back to the porch and sat next to Winifred. She remained distant and distracted as the boys went through the sparklers then joined the women on the porch for Jim’s small fireworks show. Only her brothers’ joyful shouts seemed to penetrate Michelle’s deep thoughts.
Watching them, I realized the first step to gaining her trust was giving her a better reason to stay than fear. And, her brothers were the key.
