Chapter 7
MOLLY
It’s crazy how after so many years of being alone, two new people have come into my life in the span of one week.
One of those people being Lauren, who’s been refreshing.
Despite keeping my upbringing upbeat, my grandparents had a definite desire to keep me sheltered.
Looking back, they were likely trying to limit any opportunities for me to be influenced and follow the same path their daughter did.
I understand it, but I think it wasn’t without consequence.
Having a friendly and cheerful presence of someone my age around the last few days, it’s certainly shown me what I’ve been missing.
As for the second new person… The jury’s still out.
Wolf Owens seems to be a snarly asshole overall, but I don’t hate that he cared enough to bring me Finnegan, as Lauren and I have named him.
Seeing Wolf so motivated by the idiot hunters who designed that inhumane trap peeled back a layer of him for me to see.
“You’re doing good, Finn,” Lauren whispers toward the extra-large crate where he snoozes, hopefully rebuilding his strength to rejoin the wild.
“Wow,” she exclaims as I let us out of the barn.
“I knew this new life would be beautiful, but I had no idea how exciting! I mean you seriously have a wild animal in your barn! That you’ve touched! And helped!”
I grin humbly and turn to lock the door at the same time I hear some heavy-duty truck tires crunch on the gravel up by the house. I glance up and see the tail end of Wolf’s pickup disappear around the front. He must be here to look in on Finn.
“Who’s here?” Lauren leans over, trying to get a look.
“I’m pretty sure it’s Wolf.” I let out a breath as I slide my hands into the back pockets of my jeans. And when I’m met with a curious look, I add, “The game warden.”
Her eyes go wide, and her mouth drops open like an airplane hangar as she audibly gasps. “The good-looking one who wrote you up?”
I close my eyes against the mild mortification. “God, I never should have told you that.”
No doubt she’s about to make a big scene as he comes around the side of the house.
As usual, he’s easy on the eyes in his jeans and ball cap with dark curls peeking out the back.
But I don’t want this information to feed his ego.
He witnessed my mad veterinary skills the other night, and I want to keep the upper hand.
Sure enough, Lauren can hardly keep still as he approaches, strolling slowly and steadily across the grass like he commands all the land in a fifty-mile radius.
“Hi!” She gives him a friendly wave. “I’m Lauren.”
Wolf regards her under the bill of his cap and gives her a nod. “Afternoon.”
He’s such a charmer.
“So you’re the guy who wrote my friend a ticket.” She smirks at him playfully.
“That’s my job,” is all he offers, shrugging and stuffing his hands in his pockets like he’s resigned himself to settle in for small talk he didn’t sign up for.
“Are you sure you weren’t just trying to flirt with her?” Lauren needles, and I drop my head to the side and narrow my eyes.
Why? I ask silently.
“Live a little,” she says to me out loud before looking back at Wolf for a response.
“I’m sure,” he sighs, looking away and it’s like an unexpected fishing knife to my gut.
Ouch.
“Well that’s a shame,” she tuts at him, though he doesn’t even offer her a facial response. He’s not the friendliest guy I’ve ever met, but I don’t recall him being this closed off the other night when it was just him and I.
I don’t have time to ponder that concept however, as Lauren draws in a sharp breath, an air of finality to it.
“Well, I’m going to get going. I’m sure you two have things to discuss.” She gives me a subtle wink and a wave then turns on her heel. Before I can protest that there’s no reason to leave us alone, she’s skipping up the small grassy hill toward the driveway.
I can see the tension leave Wolf’s shoulders as he tilts his chin up, showing me just the shadow of his dark green eyes. “I came to check on the cat.”
“I just did, and Finn is sleeping. He looks better though. The wounds are less inflamed,” I report.
“Excuse me, Finn?” He dips his chin like he didn’t hear me right.
“Well, you can address him formally as Finnegan if you want.” I lift a sarcastic eyebrow at him.
“Tell me you’re not adopting this animal too,” he scoffs, grabbing the bill of his hat and lifting it off his head to display more of his dark and unruly hair. It’s gorgeous, and I don’t bother telling myself to look away.
“No! And give me a break about Velvet. She’s chosen to stick around.”
“You name an animal, you’re more likely to get attached,” he quietly lectures, as he rubs his forehead with the back of his hand before slapping the hat back in place.
“I’m not getting attached. It’s fun to pretend animals have their own identity,” I explain, but clearly this conversation isn’t leading anywhere productive.
This guy is nice to look at but can be a real grouch, so I leave him to it.
“Go ahead and have a look. I’ll lock back up when you leave.
” I turn and make my way for the back porch as Lauren’s car crunches down the gravel road.
I don’t hear a response as I go, so I assume he’s disappeared into the barn.
Inside, I putter around, tidying up the dining room and grabbing a drink, not wanting to get too comfortable until Wolf leaves and I can lock up the barn.
As I flip through the day’s mail, the sound of another car coming up the drive gets my attention.
Did Lauren forget something? I breeze across the living room to the foyer, ready to greet her with a playful smile.
When I whip the front door open, however, there’s a familiar but extremely unwelcome man on my front porch.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I am inwardly enraged when the slimy Damen Riley doesn’t flinch at my tone.
He holds up his hands.“Ms. Butler, I’m sorry. I knew you wouldn’t be happy with this visit, but?—”
“So you just decided to make one anyway?” My voice rises enough that I’m sure Wolf can hear it, and I hope he does. I wouldn’t mind his no-nonsense authoritarian presence about now. “You’ve got some nerve!” I lash out at the relentless land developer.
He has the balls to look unfazed and shoots me a glare of mock admonishment, like he’s trying to calm down a toddler. “I wouldn’t be here if this wasn’t an urgent matter.” He raises his voice. “Some new information has come up that I really think you want to know.”
“Excuse me, this is my home. My property that I know inside and out because I fucking grew up here!” I’m full on yelling now, so agitated at the audacity of this arrogant fuck who doesn’t think boundaries apply to him. “What could you possibly know about this place that I don’t?”
Riley doesn’t answer right away, and a cold brick of ice drops into the pit of my stomach. My pulse quickens as I hurriedly try to understand what he could possibly mean.
“You’re about to lose it,” he declares, his voice loud and heavy, like he’s trying to ensure it lands as he squares his shoulders back. “This land, your house, all of it,” he waves his hand at each thing simply. “You’re about to lose it. Not today, but in the next month, tops.”
“Look,” I cut out a sharp breath between my teeth. “I don’t know what kind of lies you’re trying to pull but-”
“You have to be married.” My breath catches in my throat and I want to tear into him about cutting me off except I’m thrown for too much of a loop by what he said.
“You have to be married by your next birthday,” he continues as if the pompous dipshit can sense my confusion. “Your grandmother’s will says so.”
“What the….” my question fades out as I feel like I’m going to be sick.
My hands start to shake, and I’m repulsed by the inferior position fucking Damen Riley has put me in. I don’t know if I want to pass out or scream, but then a set of large and capable hands circle my waist.
Wolf’s voice is a heavy bark from behind me. “Excuse me, did you just threaten my fiancée?”