Chapter 10 #2
“I had ten of each. I sold twenty-eight to humans and wolves.”
“I’m not surprised. They’re a real conversation piece. I’m glad I got one then. Did Daniel mention the Halloween party at our lodge? We open three banquet rooms for it.”
“Silva did.”
“Men, typical.”
Selena laughed. “We’re excited about coming.”
“We’re thrilled you’ll be there. I’ve got to get back to the lodge. I have to get ready for a wedding ceremony in one of the banquet rooms. We never know how smoothly they’ll go.”
“Good luck with that.”
“Thanks.” Then Roxie left the store with her rug.
Selena said, “Yes!”
Peter laughed.
Selena had forgotten he was sitting in the back of the shop, conducting business. “They have a ton of traffic at the lodge’s gift shop. It could help with sales.”
“I agree.”
Selena needed to buy something from the other ladies’ shops to help promote their wares. Then she received a box containing little hand-carved howling wolves, some in wood and others in marble. Each was unique, and she set them all about the store.
She wasn’t going to send another email notification to all her customers.
She didn’t want to overwhelm them with too many announcements of new stock deliveries.
Besides, this was the Howling Wolf, and they looked great in the shop.
She figured some customers might want tokens to remember their visit to Silver Town.
“Time for closing, Peter.” But as soon as she said it, a group of five women entered the shop.
They made it worthwhile to stay open for an extra half hour, but she hated to make poor Daniel wait for her.
“I’ll let Daniel know we’re running late,” Peter said.
“Thanks.” Selena bagged another two sweaters for one of the ladies.
Another got a black cat T-shirt.
Two of the ladies picked up the last of the braided rugs.
The last one tried on several fall T-shirts, taking forever to decide on one.
Then the ladies left with their purchases, and Selena turned off the main lights, put up the closed sign on the door, and locked the door. Peter and she headed over to the hospital.
“If you need to go to the grocery store or anywhere else, let me know and I’ll make sure you have transportation and protection.”
“Thanks. I’ll have to see what Daniel has on hand for dinner. I’m sure we can make do for tonight.”
“All right.”
When they reached the hospital, Daniel was dressed and ready to go. Someone had washed his bloodied uniform. She wished she had thought about getting him a change of clothes. But he looked so happy to see her that she realized it hadn’t mattered to him. Just leaving the hospital with her had.
He was wearing a sling but walking just fine, like he hadn’t experienced any trauma, and she was glad for that.
“Do you need a wheelchair?” the nurse asked.
“No, thanks, I’m fine,” Daniel said.
Then they all walked out to Peter’s car while Selena read over the discharge papers. “It says you have a non-restrictive diet. What would you like to eat for dinner?”
“We could have something delivered, or I have the fixings for stuffed bell peppers,” Daniel said.
“What appeals to you?”
“The stuffed bell peppers.”
“I’ll make them then.”
When they arrived home, Peter carried her bags into the house. “Trevor will provide protection for tonight.”
They greeted Trevor and thanked Peter. Then Selena and Daniel locked the door.
Selena went into the kitchen. “Okay on the stuffed bell peppers…”
“Hamburger, tomato sauce, spices, onions, a dab of mustard, a dash of soy sauce, green bell peppers, and shredded extra sharp cheese sprinkled on top and in the bottom of the bell peppers,” Daniel said.
“Sounds delightful.”
He was trying to show her where everything was, but she asked, “Aren’t you supposed to be lying down resting?”
He smiled. “Just trying to help.”
She lifted a jar. “Are these the spices?”
“Yeah, when Bertha Hastings, the owner of the B and B, has time, she makes them from the herbs in her garden, and they’re perfect for a variety of dishes.”
“That’s great.” Selena spooned some of the spices out. They smelled delightful. “Mashed potatoes and a salad?”
“Both sound good.”
“If that’s what appeals, that’s what we’ll have. Okay, I have all the ingredients. Lie down, and I’ll have this done in no time.”
She finally finished making dinner and set the meal on the table. “Do they have you on antibiotics?”
“Yeah, they do.”
“Okay, no alcohol.”
“You can have a glass of wine. Don’t worry about me.”
“Oh, I’m good.” She made them glasses of ice water, and they sat down to eat. “Boy, these bell peppers are good. I’ve never put cheese inside them before, just on top, but I really like it. And I love the seasoning.”
“You put it all together just right. It tastes delicious. So you’ve never said anything about your family.”
“I don’t have any left. I was an only child, and my parents died in a bad car accident when I was little. The car seat saved me. I had lived with foster parents but moved out when I was a teen.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Yeah, living with a human family was hard to do when I wanted to run as a wolf from time to time.”
“What made you want to become a forensic anthropologist?”
“Since the time I was a kid, I have loved the study of fossils, including early man. I was fifteen when I was out running as a wolf and came across the skeleton of a murdered man. I wanted so badly to learn who he was. I really wanted to help the police solve crimes. Sometimes we ended up with decades-old skeletons, some of them over 300 years old. I’ve helped solve many modern cases.
Some were cold cases. All were satisfying. ”
“I bet.”
“Just like the cases you have solved, I imagine.”
“They have been. Just like the one we’re involved in right now, once we solve it.”
“I was thinking of giving the file to the brothers.”
“What?” Daniel said.