CHAPTER 8 #3
But living comfortably with him wasn’t the real issue. Was it safer for her and Monty to have him there? Did she trust his judgment and motives? He was a complicated man, but she had grown to know something about him and she had believed him when he had said he would never use her again.
She stared across the room at Monty and the wolf. “We have a problem, boy.”
Monty lifted his head and looked at her inquiringly. Okay?
“Me or the wolf? We’re both going to be fine. You shouldn’t have gone out looking for her, you know. You’re not in top shape yourself, and there’s no telling what could have happened. She’s no gentle soul.”
Monty put his head back down. Beautiful.
“Yes, she is, and she’s clearly a maiden in distress, but she could take you apart in minutes. You don’t have the killer instinct.”
Hurt.
“Right now, but in a few weeks she’ll be well again. And I don’t want you pulling that trick of putting your head on her throat again. It’s a good way to get mauled and you—”
The wolf opened her eyes and stared directly into Monty’s.
Beautiful.
“Oh, shit.” Sarah’s heart sank as she watched them together. “No, boy. She’s definitely from the wrong side of the tracks. Hell, the wrong side of the universe. Believe me, you have nothing in common.”
Beautiful.
“If you had a domestic squabble, she’d take you apart.”
Beautiful.
“And what kind of kids would you have?”
Beautiful.
They might be at that. Golden retriever and this gorgeous wolf . . . “It would definitely be a one-night stand. The Wildlife Federation has other plans for Maggie.”
Monty delicately licked the fur beneath the wolf’s eyes.
Maggie drew back her lips in a snarl.
Sarah tensed, ready to jump forward to protect him. “Stop.”
Monty didn’t stop.
And Maggie’s snarl slowly disappeared. She closed her eyes, accepting.
“I’ll be damned.” Sarah shook her head. “Maybe it’s mutual after all.” She moved forward and knelt by the wolf. “I have to give her another shot, boy. Try to distract her.”
Maggie opened her eyes and snarled at Sarah when the needle entered, but she didn’t attack. A few moments later she was asleep again.
Once more Monty stretched out beside her.
“You’re not listening,” Sarah said. “It’s strictly Montague and Capulet stuff. Her folks would never accept you.”
Monty sighed, his gaze never leaving the wolf. Beautiful.
Logan was asleep in the chair when she left the porch.
She marched across the room and shook him awake. “You can stay. But you’d better get well fast. I’m going to work your tail off and enjoy every minute of it.”
He yawned. “I’m glad you informed me in such a gentle manner.”
“I don’t feel gentle. I have problems.” She headed for her bedroom. “I have to get Maggie on her feet and out of here quickly and I may need your help with some repercussions.”
“What repercussions?”
“Monty’s ga-ga over her.”
Logan chuckled. “So?”
“It’s not funny. I have to get them apart before they decide to mate. Wolves mate for life, and Monty . . . I won’t have him hurt.”
“Isn’t it unusual for a rescue dog not to be fixed?”
“ATF wanted to do it, and I told them to leave it to me. I meant to . . . but then I didn’t.” She glared at him. “Okay?”
“Maybe for Monty it will be only a fling.”
“That’s crazy. Monty’s the most loving dog I’ve ever known.”
“I can see the problem.”
She scanned his expression. He wasn’t laughing or mocking any longer. He did understand. “Most people would think I’m being weird, but it’s . . . important to me.”
“Then it’s important to me. And I can understand why you wouldn’t want your best friend to make a bad match.” He closed his eyes. “But could I go back to sleep now? If you’re going to work my tail off, I’m going to need all the rest I can get.”
He waited until the bedroom door shut behind her before he reached into his pocket for his phone and called Galen. “I’m at Sarah’s cabin and I’ll be here for a while. Have you heard anything?”
“Not yet. I’m still tracking down Sanchez. How were those last days in Kai Chi?”
“Hell.”
“Is Sarah okay?”
“As good as can be expected. She’s having a few domestic problems. Monty’s in love with a wolf.”
Galen burst out laughing. “That ball of fluff?”
“Believe me, it’s not funny to Sarah. Call Margaret and have her find out everything she can about the Mexican gray wolves that were released in this area.”
“Why don’t you call her yourself?”
“She was pissed at me for coming here, and Taiwan won’t have made her temper any better. I’ve had a rough night and I don’t want to deal with her right now.”
“Say no more. I wouldn’t want to contact her either.”
“Have you secured the cabin?”
“Six of my best men.”
“I haven’t seen anyone.”
“They can see you. They’re camped up in the mountains and they can see trouble coming for miles. I’ll give you Franklin’s number.”
“Tomorrow. I don’t have a pen and I don’t want to move. I’m hurting like the devil. Bye.”
He had to get a few hours’ sleep. It was almost dawn, and he hadn’t the slightest doubt Sarah would soon be up and tending the wolf. As usual, she’d be fighting any softness toward him and would have no compunction about putting into action her threat to “work his tail off.”