11. Harper
ELEVEN
HARPER
The door to the theater room slammed shut, leaving me standing at the top of the stairs, gaping. Behind that closed door were answers connected to my father.
How could Wyatt be such a…
Plenty of nasty words and insults flew through my mind, but I settled on the one word I knew he hated most of all. Bigfoot.
Right now, Wyatt was living up to that moniker – an emotionless, brainless beast.
“Miss Davis?” The gruff voice of the security guard reminded me that Savannah and Connor were waiting for me. I wondered if they’d overhead any of our conversation.
I turned around to face the looming sasquatch. With my hands on my hips, I stared into dark eyes that conveyed no emotion. “Show them around the house to the back veranda. Please,” I added, refusing to stoop to Wyatt’s level of rudeness, even in my agitated state.
The guard seemed to hesitate.
“Wyatt just said not to let them inside. He didn’t say anything about the backyard.”
“Very well, Miss.” He nodded once and then disappeared.
With narrow eyes, I peered down the curved staircase. A faint echo, almost like a distant cry, drifted upstairs from the theater. Whatever was happening behind that closed door, I’d have to figure out later. I didn’t want to keep Savannah and Connor waiting, especially when I knew their presence wasn’t welcome.
Gloria was busy stirring a large pot on the stove in the kitchen. “Tonight’s dinner. Venison stew,” she grinned. “I promise you’ll love it. It’s my grandmother’s recipe.”
“It smells amazing.” The rich, earthy aroma filled the kitchen. “Is your grandmother still alive?”
Gloria’s brow raised. “Oh heavens, no. But she did live until the ripe old age of 91. In fact, she was still going for daily walks right before she passed.” Her eyes shimmered. “Here’s hoping I have her genes.”
If I had any lingering doubts of whether the small, petite woman was ‘one of them’, they were immediately quashed. It was a breath of fresh air knowing that there was at least one other human in the house, and that the sasquatches didn’t hate all humans. Just me.
“I’m sorry to bother you but—”
She extended her palm. “Don’t apologize. It’s never a bother, Miss Harper. That’s what I’m here for. Now, let’s try that again,” she encouraged.
“My friends are joining me on the back veranda, and I was wondering if we could have something to nibble on?” I glanced toward the pantry. I wasn’t sure what Wyatt kept in the house in terms of food. It could be a pantry full of caviar, or homemade jerky.
“Say no more,” she said, smiling. “How about I prepare a small charcuterie board and some of my famous sweet tea. I know sweet tea is more of a southern thing, but all of Mr. Westwood’s guests seem to enjoy it.”
“That sounds great.”
“Just be sure to bundle up out there, it’s a chilly evening. And if you need help turning on the outdoor heaters, just ask. I’ll be out soon with your snacks.”
“Thank you,” I said, as she returned to her stew.
I slipped into a pair of sheepskin slippers and grabbed a thick wool blanket from the wicker basket to wrap around my shoulders, but the cold autumn breeze still hit like a shockwave as I stepped outside onto the veranda. The sun was setting much earlier these days, and the estate was already shrouded in darkness, except for the glowing lights of the patio.
Shivering, I pulled the blanket tighter around me. In just a few days, it would be Halloween. And after fall, came winter. My dad would be alone – in the cold, in his condition.
I had to do something, with or without Wyatt’s help.
Savannah and Connor waved from their seats at the large table. They must have figured out the heaters – a wall of warmth hit me as I sat down to join them, and I loosened the blanket, fidgeting with it on my lap.
Savannah’s smile faded immediately. “What’s wrong?”
“Savannah,” Connor hissed. “What she means is, hi. Thanks for having us over. And sorry for crashing your girly catch up…” he held his hand to his heart, “but you know how persistent my girlfriend can be.” Connor smiled, flashing a perfectly white grin.
“Your tooth,” I exclaimed. The missing gap had already been filled in. “When did you get it fixed?” It was hard to believe it had only been a day since I’d moved out, and last seen my best friend and her werewolf boyfriend. I felt like I’d lived one hundred lives since then.
“This morning. And now I can’t stop smiling, it seems.”
I laughed. “It looks great. You ‘tooth’-ally rock it.”
Savannah straightened in her seat, and crossed her arms. “Cut the dad jokes. I know when something is wrong. Spill, Davis.”
My feet tapped anxiously on the wooden patio, as I debated how much I could tell Savannah and Connor without putting them in jeopardy, or pissing off Wyatt even further. But I’d promised myself I was done with lying, especially after Savannah had been so open and candid about her relationship with Connor and his now not-so-secret identity.
“You’re right,” I sighed. “A… lot has happened since yesterday. It turns out my dad didn’t abandon us all those years ago, at least not the way I thought he did.”
Savannah’s jaw gaped. “What are you talking about?”
Connor pursed his lips, his confusion evident. “Your dad abandoned you?”
“Shh.” Savannah glared at Connor. “You don’t need Harper’s entire back story right now.” She turned to me. “Keep talking. I’m listening.”
Connor rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, mimicking Savannah’s posture. “We’re both listening.”
“Come on, guys,” I laughed, grateful for the comedic intervention. “My story is not worth breaking up over.”
Savannah’s posture relaxed and she uncrossed her arms. “Sorry,” she apologized to Connor. “It’s been a stressful day at work and I shouldn’t take it out on you. But please,” she turned back to me, “continue. We’re both all ears this time. What do you mean he didn’t abandon you?”
“He showed up here last night.”
Savannah gasped, and I held up my hand, indicating there was more.
How could I put what had happened into words that they would understand? But then I remembered that Connor was a supernatural creature, and the perfect audience for what I had to share.
“Only he wasn’t exactly my dad anymore,” I continued. “I mean, a part of him still was. But he was also like… them,” I whispered.
Savannah leaned forward in her seat, deep ridges etching into her forehead. “What are you saying? Your dad is a sasquatch?”
My eyes darted around the veranda to make sure there were no cameras. Once I was satisfied that we were well and truly alone, I lowered my voice to a whisper and told them everything, starting with my dad’s arrival, and ending with his warning to everyone.
“Wow. Harper,” said Savannah. “I’m so sorry you went through that. I can’t believe it. What do they think happened to him?”
It was the million dollar question. I turned to Connor. The entire time I’d spoken, he’d stayed quiet, conveying no emotion. He leaned forward, resting his chin into his palm. “I’ve heard rumors of humans dabbling with supernatural genes, and you said your dad was a scientist, so it’s not too far of a stretch. But as far as I know, no one has ever succeeded at combining genes like that. Bannon would know more.” He spoke quietly, articulating each word.
Bannon was Connor’s Alpha – what Wyatt was to the Stirling County sasquatches. And while the logical part of my brain knew that Wyatt would be livid at involving the wolves, the emotional part of me wanted, needed answers. I would do whatever it took to help my dad.
“Can you get in touch with Bannon? I’m worried. My dad is out there somewhere, alone, and it’ll be winter soon.”
Connor nodded once, which I took as a yes.
Savannah rose from her seat and embraced me. Her hug felt especially comforting and I leaned into it. But the smell of her perfume was overwhelming and a wave of nausea passed through me. I pulled away, my face grimacing.
She frowned as I clutched my belly. Her hand grazed my shoulder. “Harper. Are you okay?”
“Sorry. I’m fine. The smell of your perfume is just setting me off for some reason.”
She lifted her hand from my shoulder and sniffed her wrist. “It smells good to me.” Her forehead creased and I could see question marks dancing in her eyes.
She looked to Connor, who shrugged. “It smells alright.”
“Alright?” she moaned. “I don’t want to smell alright ,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “I’m testing out this new fragrance for an event I’m responsible for. That’s why my day’s been so crazy. It’ll be my biggest event to date,” she gushed. “Not to take away from what you’ve just told us.”
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I’m happy to hear some good news for a change. Congratulations. What’s the event?”
She returned to her chair and sunk into the cushion, clasping her hands together. “The Carder Corporation is throwing a gala on Halloween to announce some big development with Genocorp. They’re throwing a ton of money at it – I mean, insane money, and I need everything to be perfect. Everything . Including this fragrance.” She turned to me. “Sorry Harper, I know you’re not the biggest fan of the Carders, or Genocorp.”
I waved my hand, trying to keep my facial expression neutral, when inside I was raging. “My dislike of the Carders shouldn’t keep you from an amazing work opportunity. You know me better than that.” I forced a smile and hoped it came across as genuine.
“That’s why you’re my best friend,” she gushed. “Thank you.” She reached across the table to squeeze my hand, and I gave it a light squeeze back.
“Is it a good time for some nibbles?” Gloria’s chipper voice appeared at the screen door.
Connor started to get up, but Gloria stopped him. “Don’t you dare lift a finger, young man. I’ve done this a thousand times.” The three of us watched in awe as Gloria balanced the large charcuterie board in one hand, and the small silver tray with a jug and three glasses in the other. She carefully set both trays on the table in front of us. “Don’t fill up too much, dears. Dinner will be ready within the hour.” She turned to me. “Shall I set two extra places in the dining room for your friends?”
“They’re not staying.” I’d been so distracted by the arrival of Gloria, that I hadn’t noticed Wyatt. He leaned against the brick of the house with crossed arms.
At the tone of Wyatt’s voice, Connor straightened in his seat. His hands gripped the armrests so tightly that the fabric of his sweater clung to his biceps.
Gloria scurried inside, while the rest of us shifted uncomfortably in our seats, the veranda palpable with tension. Beads of sweat pooled at the nape of my neck, even with the cool autumn breeze.
Wyatt was the first to break the silence. “You get that tooth fixed yet, Jack o’ lantern?”
At hearing Wyatt’s nickname for him, Connor seemed to relax. His hands moved from the armrests back to his lap. He grinned, showing off his full set of teeth. “You know it, buddy.”
“Harper.” Wyatt’s tone had softened, but his next words made me squirm in my seat. “We need to talk.”