Forbidden Shadows (Lee County Wolves Book 7)

Chapter 15

Malcolm handed Gunner back to Jamie as he listened to Clare. His gaze went to Dell to see how he was reacting to what Clare was saying but as usual he showed no emotion, but he was listening intently.

“Clare is right.” Tammy stepped forward, her hand on Ben’s blonde head. “Once the women’s shelters found out I was a Shifter, I was asked to leave.”

“That’s bullshit,” Jamie mumbled but everyone heard her.

“A woman from the last shelter discretely gave me Clare’s name and number.” Tammy glanced at Clare with a frown. “Fear that Clare would also turn me down, I hid what I was. She was my last resort.”

“Sorry. I know this is probably none of my business.” Deb stepped forward carrying a tray of coffee and biscuits. She sat them on the table then looked at Tammy. “But if you needed help, why did they turn you down? Shifter or not you are a woman who needed help. That’s what they are there for.”

“Because she’s a Shifter in a human world,” Brock spoke up for his sister.

“But that shouldn’t matter.” Deb looked up at Brock with a frown. “She’s a woman.”

“Believe me, it does matter.” Brock’s voice deepened angrily.

Deb looked from Brock to Ben, then back to Tammy. “I’m sorry.”

Tammy just nodded with a small smile. “Thank you. If it weren’t for Ben, I would have been okay. Living on the streets while in hiding is dangerous enough, but when you have a child, everything changes. It’s not just yourself you have to worry about.”

Malcolm stared at Deb for a long minute. He had heard all kinds of stories about Emily’s sister, very unflattering stories. Jamie seemed to get along with her when they worked together, which wasn’t much, but if Jamie liked someone, it usually meant they were good peeps, as Jamie liked to say.

“So exactly what are your plans?” Dell finally spoke, looking directly at Clare.

He watched Clare swallow hard as she hesitated to answer. Clearing her throat, she straightened her shoulders before she spoke. “Before meeting Tammy, what I did to aid women worked, human women. I would help them escape their situation, put them up for a night or two until I found them a more permanent place with people more qualified than me to help them. I’m just a middle...woman...so to speak.”

“You are much more than that,” Tammy said with a frown. “You saved not only my life but my sons’.”

Malcolm glanced to see Brock’s face turn from somber to rage as he listened to his sister. He knew that feeling all too well.

“If Gary would have found us—” Tammy choked on her words, holding back tears.

“Don’t cry, momma.” Ben tugged at his mother’s arm, looking up at her, his own chin trembling. “Uncle Brock won’t let anything happen to us.”

“I know, sweetie.” Tammy gave him a watery smile.

Leda and Taz had walked in, standing near the door. Clearing her throat, Leda walked toward Ben and knelt. “I’m Leda.” She said with a calming smile. “I know someone close to your age who would love to meet you. His name is Sam. I bet if we find him, he can show us where to get some cookies. You like cookies?”

Ben didn’t look convinced at first as he stared at Leda. He glanced back up at his mom before glancing back at Leda. “I like cookies.”

“Me too.” Leda smiled, standing up and holding out her hand. “Let’s find Sam and eat all the cookies in town.”

“Can I, Mom?” Ben’s voice sounded hopeful.

Uncertain, Tammy didn’t answer right away. She looked at Clare, who nodded. “I would trust Leda with my life,” Clare confirmed with a certainty that could be heard in her voice.

“We’ll be at Garrett and Janna’s,” Leda said reassuringly. “You can come get him when you’re finished.”

“Thank you.” Tammy finally nodded and then leaned down toward Ben. “You be good and listen.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded also looking uncertain of the situation and Malcolm wanted to beat the fucker responsible for the kids fear. Ben started to walk with Leda hand in hand but stopped in front of Brock. “Take care of my mom. Don’t let anyone hurt her.”

“You have my promise,” Brock said, keeping the rage that Malcolm knew roared inside him from his voice.

Once Ben left, everyone was silent as if the small display that just played out in front of them changed everything, and in Malcolm’s eyes, it did. He would do everything in his power to help Clare. He hadn’t helped his own sister when she needed him most, but by damn, he could start now and help others who were in the same situation she had been in.

“Tammy, I’m sorry for what you went through,” Clare said, and Malcolm heard the truth in her voice. “I swear I am going to do everything I can to see that things change.”

“That will be harder than it sounds.” Garrett frowned, speaking up. “But I know some people who might be able to help. At least turn us in the right direction.”

“Us?” Clare asked hopefully. “You’ll help me?”

Garrett glanced at Dell before looking back at Clare. “I’ll make some phone calls, but Dell is Alpha, so what he says goes when it involves the pack.”

“What exactly do you need, Clare?” Dell asked, frowning. “Other than us killing all these bastards, I don’t know where we can help.”

Malcolm watched as a huge smile lit Clare’s face and secretly wished she would smile at him like that. Okay, where in the fuck did that thought come from. Holy shit he was acting like a damn boy with a crush. Hell, who was he kidding? He was a man who wanted to make this woman his, not much difference...apparently.

Clare felthope bubble up in her chest and couldn’t help the smile spreading across her face. “I just want your blessing. If I have questions, I would like to be able to ask them. Obviously, I’m not a Shifter, and even though I know a lot, I don’t know everything. I don’t want to make it worse for the women with stupid mistakes I might make and...” Clare paused, biting her lip as she looked around at everyone staring at her. Malcolm gave her an encouraging nod.

“And?” Dell asked, gaining her attention.

“I’ve been looking for a place where women could go, live, and support one another until they can get back on their feet,” Clare said with a sigh. “Right now, all I can offer is a hotel room, and that is only temporary. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, but now learning about Shifter women, I want it to be for them. Any suggestions would be helpful. I have a little bit of money saved up, but so far, I haven’t been successful in finding a suitable place. It’s either too small to house more than one woman with a child or too big for my budget.”

“I may have a solution to your problem?” Deb, who had stayed, said with a smile.

“I don’t think your house is big enough.” Hunter frowned, shaking his head. “And I don’t think that would be safe for you.”

“I’m not talking about my house, Hunter.” Deb sighed, then looked uncomfortable.

Clare knew that Emily had lived above the Feed Mill while Deb stayed in their huge family home. It was one of the things that Clare had despised about Deb. Emily told her a few months ago that Deb had paid her half of the value of the family home which kind of made up for her bitch move for so many years.

“What about the old Crumpton Farm?” Deb finally said, breaking the silence as everyone stared at her.

“That would be perfect,” Clare replied with a disappointed sigh. “But unfortunately, probably way out of my budget. Though that would be the size I would need.”

“Not to mention how much work it would need,” Garrett replied, his brows furrowed in thought. “Even if that was a possibility, we don’t know who bought the old place and if they were even willing to sell. It’s off Shifter land barely, but I did try to find out who bought it since it’s on our border. They had the information sealed, which is why we keep a close eye on the place.”

“I had it sealed because there are too many nosey people in this town,” Deb said, smirking. “I should know I was one of them.”

“Wait a minute.” Hunter pushed off the wall, stepping forward. “You bought the Crumpton place? Why?”

“I don’t know.” Deb shrugged her eyes going to Brock and then shyly looked away. “I always loved the place when I was little. When it went up for sale, I put in an offer, and they accepted. I planned on fixing the place up, maybe putting the family house for sale and moving in there. Or remodel and sell it. Just never got around to doing any of that. I have another property, but it”s near Lexington, and it’s much smaller, and I don’t think that would work for what you want to do.”

“Ah, what do you mean?” Clare asked, confused.

“I’m offering the Crumpton place to you,” Deb replied with a half-smile.

“Oh, Deb. No.” Clare shook her. “I really appreciate the offer, but I could never afford a place like that.”

“I’m not selling it to you.” Deb checked her phone before looking back at Clare. “I’m offering you a lease for as long as you want it. Your terms.”

A knot formed in her throat, and Clare wanted to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. “How much?”

“How much what?” Deb stuck her phone back in her pocket.

“For the lease? And how much do you want down?” Clare actually crossed her fingers that it was a price she could afford.

“The lease is for your protection, Clare,” Deb said as her smile slipped. “I’m not asking for any money.”

“No, I can’t accept that.” Clare shook her head, feeling her hopes dwindle away. “That is too much.”

“I do have one condition.” Deb ignored her refusal. “That I be a part of helping these women.”

“What?” Clare cocked her head not sure she heard her right.

“Listen,” Deb looked around at everyone in the room. Her eyes stayed on Brock a little longer before looking back at her. Clare found that very interesting but pushed that to the back of her mind for now. “I have done everyone in this town dirty at one time or another. I’m not proud of myself, and I’m trying my best to make things right.”

“You don’t have to buy my friendship, Deb,” Clare whispered as she really looked at Deb. Shame, sadness, and loneliness clouded her eyes. “You are my friend.”

“Thank you, but I’m not buying anything,” Deb replied with a sigh. “I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with the property for a while now. This is what I want to do. I want to give back, and helping women, especially in the Shifter community, is a way I can do that. This opportunity is perfect. Jonah and the Foster brothers have always been kind to us when they didn’t need to be. We were human. They allowed us to keep our family business and even helped us out until we were old enough to take it over. I can never repay them for that, but I can help these women.”

Clare glanced at Dell, who was staring at Deb, and then at Garrett, Hunter, and Marcus before looking back at Deb. She knew the tears were coming and didn’t even try to hold them back.

“Deb,” Dell asked with a frown. “Are you sure about this?”

Deb smiled at Clare. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

Not able to help herself, she rushed to Deb, hugging her as tears fell. Was this really happening? Pulling back, she looked at Deb, who also had a few tears. “Thank you.” Clare sniffed choking back another sob. Deb nodded then laughed when Clare pulled her back in for another hug. Who knew that Deb Snodgrass would turn out to be the angel that Clare had been praying for?