Chapter 18
Clare felt lightheaded and realized she was holding her breath, waiting for Dell’s response. Dammit, was he trying to kill her with anticipation? Her breath slowly eased from her lips as he looked back at her after zeroing in on everyone else.
“I am, but first, I think it is only fair that we take a town vote on the matter as it could possibly affect them down the road,” Dell announced but frowned when Clare shook her head.
“No,” All three women said in unison.
“You might as well post a billboard by the farmhouse announcing what it is,” Clare said, still shaking her head, then realized what she was doing and stopped. “The fewer people who know, the better. Word spreads fast. I’ve been in this town long enough to know how fast. We have strangers here eating at the diner as well as Roxy’s. It would take one person hunting to hear a conversation.”
“She’s right,” Jonah said, then shrugged. “Crumpton’s place isn’t in our territory. So technically, she can do whatever she wants, though I respect that she is leaving it up to you to decide. Isn’t it really anyone’s business what Deb is doing with the place if you ask me?”
Jonah wasn’t correct in his assumption that she was leaving it all up to Dell. If he refused and Deb still offered, she was going to do it anyway. Having the Lee County Wolves backing her for protection was just icing on the cake. She, of course, kept all that to herself as she waited to see what Dell was going to say. Didn’t need to rock the boat until she heard his answer.
“But you can see it from town,” Dell said, then sighed, rubbing his hand down his face. “People are going to be asking questions.”
“Let them ask,” Hunter said with a grunt. “You know how many people ask me about shit that isn’t any of their business. A lot. I just ignore them or make up the most asinine lie. Then they don’t know what the hell is going on and let it go.”
“Deb can say it’s a Bed and Breakfast.” Roslyn volunteered.
“For women and children only?” Marcus frowned shaking his head as if that idea sucked. “And if everything needs to be so silent, how are women going to know where to go?”
“Sounds nice to me,” Tammy whispered, but everyone heard her. “And to answer your question, we have our own Code. They will find Clare. Thankfully, I did. It just may take some time.”
“Sounds good to me also.” Clare laughed with a nod. “But it wouldn’t be right to ask Deb to lie.”
“I think it’s a wonderful idea.” Deb walked in, hearing the last of the conversation. She held Gunner as she moved past Clare to Devon. “And I’ve lied about worse, sad to say, but true. Jamie is at Roxy’s. She said she’ll be done by seven.”
Devon took Gunner, who immediately smacked Devon on the cheek with his little hand and laughed, making the room chuckle, breaking the tense vibe of the conversation.
Clare watched Devon with Gunner; then her gaze swept to Tammy, who glanced her way. Behind the sadness, she saw a glimmer of hope, which gave her the courage to say what she needed to say.
“I want you all to know that I respect you. Always have. You’ve been nothing but fair to me, and I see you all as family.” Clare looked each one of them in the eye before landing on Dell. “Domestic violence doesn’t see race, color, social status, or even gender. I was ignorant to the circumstances that women like Tammy face.”
“A lot of people are, even Shifters who are lucky enough to find a decent pack run by an Alpha who cares for all his members,” Roslyn added when Clare paused.
Clare nodded, then looked directly at Marcus. “It was your mate, Roslyn, who started me on this journey. I meant it when I said I would do everything in my power to help whoever wants my help, whether human or Shifter, but my focus will be, with Tammy’s help, on the Shifter race. I am going to take Deb’s offer and run with it. I would appreciate any help I can get, but if that isn’t impossible, I understand. But I beg you, Dell, not to speak to the town about this. It could put so many in danger.”
“I already agreed, Clare,” Dell replied, this time not glaring but giving her an understanding half grin. “Don’t go rogue on us.”
“Sorry, I get a little...”
“Feisty?” Devon, who had been silent through the whole thing, supplied. “My free time is your time. Whatever you need, just let me know.”
“Because you know Jamie will toss your ass out if you don’t.” Hunter chuckled, finally finished eating all of Garrett’s food.
“No.” Devon became serious as he looked first at Hunter, then Malcolm. “Because she lived that life, and if I can help one female escape that hell, I will. What about you, Malcolm?”
“What about me?” Malcolm asked without any emotion in his voice. His stare was deadpan as he looked at Devon.
Clare glanced up at Malcolm and was surprised at the emotion exposed in his eyes he was trying to hide. She decided to cut in and sway the conversation in a different direction. “Tammy, are you and Ben going to stay here?”
Tammy glanced at Dell, who nodded at her before she answered. “For a little while to help you get started, then I don’t know what the plan will be.”
“I have a question.” Taz pushed off the wall walking toward Brock. “I found footprints along our perimeter. Was that you?”
“No,” Brock answered without hesitation. “I came straight to town, found out who the Alpha was, and went straight to Dell.”
“Have you found any fresh prints?” Dell’s voice was edged with concern.
“No, but it rained last night,” Taz replied just as Leda walked out with Ben. The total obsession Clare saw in his eyes when he looked at Leda made Clare shiver. Damn, if a man looked at her that way she would probably melt into a puddle of goo at their feet. “I’m good, but when it comes to Mother Nature, she wins every time.”
“What are your plans?” Dell asked Brock, and everyone looked toward the tall man, who Clare noticed had kept looking at Deb. It was almost Spring time, so love was in the air, so to speak. Clare chuckled at that thought and then glanced up at Malcolm, who was staring down at her. She swallowed hard before looking quickly away, secretly wishing that was the case in her life.
Malcolm was verycurious about what Brock was going to say. He had issues with strangers. Some of the old Kingsman pack were still roaming around, and he was careful not to get caught off guard if one of them wanted to hunt him down. All this talk about things he knew too well about should scare him away from any thoughts of Clare, but that wasn’t the case. Instead, it made him more protective over her, wanting nothing more than to shield her from any danger coming her way.
“As I told you before.” Brock began to talk, shifting Malcolm’s attention back to what was happening in the room and off Clare, but only for a moment. It was time that he came to terms with his feelings for this woman. Soon. “I have no desire to be Alpha. I’m only here to make sure my sister is safe and will stay safe. I gave up that title a long time ago and walked away, giving it to someone who was well-trusted. I left thinking everything was fine, only to find out months later that another pack leader challenged the Alpha who lost.”
“Why did you walk away from your pack, your position as Alpha?” This question came from Garrett, who Clare found intimidating, always had. There was just something about him that oozed power. She didn’t know if oozed was the word she should use to describe it, but it sure did fit in her mind.
“Why does that matter?” Brock replied, not looking intimidated at Garrett’s probing stare.
“Well, Brock.” Hunter broke in, taking a step forward. “It’s called trust as well as protecting our Alpha.”
“I don’t need your fucking protection,” Dell growled then stared at Brock for a long minute. “He wants to challenge me. I’m easy to find. For right now, I’m going to trust you, but if you cause any harm to anyone in this pack, I will kill you myself.”
Well, that escalated quickly, Clare thought, watching the back and forth between these men as if she was at a tennis match. She even felt Malcolm tense up, waiting for something to happen and ready for it.
“Understood, but there will be no challenge for your position as Alpha,” Brock said, and Clare believed him. He spat the word Alpha as if it burned his tongue. He then looked toward Deb. “I would, however, like to offer my assistance in getting the farmhouse ready. I’ve been working in construction and home restoration. At no cost, of course.”
“Then you’re hired,” Deb said, moving next to Clare. “I’m heading up to the farmhouse around seven if you want to see what needs to be done. I can make a list of what you think you need and order it tonight. My sister and I own the feed store, which supplies everything for the town, including building supplies.”
Brock gave her a nod and then whispered something to Tammy. Clare heard Deb sigh, then leaned close. “He’s very handsome.”
Deb didn’t say anything for a minute but then glanced at her. “Very. You two would make a cute couple,” she said, then smirked and wiggled her eyebrows.
“Nah,” Clare shook her head. “I think he has eyes for somebody else.”
Deb snorted and then turned toward the door. “You coming up to the farmhouse later?” She asked, totally ignoring Clare’s attempt at matchmaking.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” Clare called out, watching her go.
“Guess this is happening.” She said more to herself than anyone else, but Malcolm heard her.
“Looks that way.” He smiled down at her. “You are a good person, Clare. What you do for these women...well, not many would do. I wish Jamie would have had someone like you.”
The haunting that clouded his eyes broke her heart. “She had you, Malcolm.”
“No,” His voice turned hard as his eyes turned angry. “She didn’t.”
Clare frowned as she stared up at him. She hated to see anyone in pain, not just physical but mental. It was as if she felt it herself. It was more so with this man. She felt his pain, and it went deep to his very soul. The urge to grab him into her arms for a hug she knew he needed, she resisted but did look around. The meeting was obviously over as everyone started to head out, passing them. Looking back up at Malcolm, she tiptoed and then whispered. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been upset about the kiss and your reaction. I guess I was just disappointed.” She said honestly, then lowered herself. “Sometimes I just get...”
“Feisty?” Malcolm said, a smile curving his lips.
“Yeah, something like that.” She nodded, then turned and walked away, knowing if she didn’t, she would pull that man into her arms and hug him tight. He looked as if he needed a good hug. If they were alone, she was afraid she would do even more than that and wondered briefly if that would be such a bad thing. She was a grown woman with needs, and Malcolm seemed like a man who could fulfill all those needs. If that kiss he gave her was an indication of what this man was capable of, she knew those needs would be met and then some.