Chapter Six #2
Trina held her hand up. “When I told you that you’re safe here, I meant it. You’re not the only shifter we’ve rescued. I don’t know what brought you to Granger Falls, but we have a great pack here. There’s a bear clan here too. If you need a place to lay low for a bit, we can help you.”
“Thank you.” I didn’t plan to take her up on the offer, but I deeply appreciated it. “You didn’t ask if I caused the trouble.”
“Did you?”
That was a loaded question. I’d tangled a web of lies of omission, but last time I checked, that wasn’t punishable by abduction and possibly so much worse. “No.”
“Didn’t think so.” She gave me another one of those calming smiles.
I didn’t know anything about this shelter, but I could guess that she was very good at her job.
“I’m sure you’re starving. Once you’re dressed, we’d love it if you joined us for cupcakes.
We had an adoption this morning, and we celebrate all of them by getting cupcakes from Sawtooth Sweets.
If you stick around for a while, you’ll be just as obsessed with the place as we are.
Would you like me to set aside the lavender honey one for you? ”
My stomach growled, and as much as I wanted to say no, because as soon as I had these sweats on I planned on crawling out of the bathroom window… “I’d love that.”
She nodded. “See you in a minute.”
Standing on rubbery legs, I pulled the sweats over me. They were soft, fit just right, and were the hug I had no idea I needed.
I took a minute to come up with a new plan. I could stay for a cupcake. Maybe I could get a little information about the area. Figure out my next step. I’d come here because I wanted to connect with Sawtooth Security but I had no idea if they were based here.
Or if I was ready to face the reality that I needed help. That I was in serious fucking trouble and I had no idea how to keep living both lives.
I smoothed over my hair, wishing Trina had brought me a brush but this was an animal shelter, not a five-star hotel. Cautiously, I opened the door.
Forever Home was rustic with floors that looked like wood and décor that looked like home. There were oversized couches and chairs, art on the walls, and dogs playing in the middle of it all.
Two other women sat at the table. One was bottle feeding a dog wrapped in a blanket, and the other had a laptop in front of her. As promised, a white bakery box sat in the middle of the table. They both looked up at me with curiosity.
“This is Kiera and Buster. He just had surgery, and we’re making sure he gets all the nutrients he needs so he’s strong, healthy, and ready to find his new family.
And this is Jasmine—she works here too.” Trina swept her hand toward me.
“And this is the she-bear who came to visit us the other night.”
Kiera and Jasmine nodded and we exchanged polite hellos, but it was still so awkward to join them at the table. Trina reached for the bakery box, put the sweet treat on a plate, and placed it in front of me.
The cupcake had lavender frosting and a candied violet on top. “It’s too pretty to eat.”
“You won’t say that after you take a bite. It’s not just a cupcake, it’s an experience. Sorry not sorry,” Kiera laughed, and rocked Buster in her arms. “There’s some leftover pizza in the fridge too. I think there’s still some cheesesteak and some bacon pickle left.”
I took a bite of the cupcake. Sweet moon, this was heavenly. Not too sweet and the flavors of the honey and the lavender sang. “This is so good,” I said. “I love that you take food so seriously.”
“Things move different here,” Jasmine said. “Everyone takes pride in this little town, and it shows.”
“I love that,” I said, but I was still on edge. The ladies had been nothing but kind and welcoming, and I envied their ability to be so trustworthy
“Where are you from?” Kiera asked, but an adorable puppy saved the day by putting his front paws on my thigh.
Those eyes. So innocent and full of love.
“Hi there,” I said as I let him sniff my fingers. Then I ran my fingers over his head. “You feel like velvet.”
“Ralph, are you flirting again?” Kiera laughed.
“Ralph’s one of our ambassador dogs. We bring him to schools when we teach the local kids about the shelter, and he loves going to the nursing home because they treat you like a rock star, don’t you, buddy?” Trina smiled at him. “I’m not surprised he came over to you. He knows when he’s needed.”
Emotion pricked my eyes, and I took another bite of my cupcake. No, I wouldn’t cry just because a dog knew I needed a little love.
Woof.
“Ralph’s an excellent cuddler, if you’re okay with that,” Trina added.
I nodded, and she lifted him into my lap. He was warm and soft as he settled against my stomach. I envied his ability to relax, but if I sat with him for a while, something told me he could teach me a thing or two.
But that couldn’t happen. I needed to come up with a reason why I had to leave now but there was no way these ladies would just let me go. They’d want to help me. That’s what they did.
So I could enjoy my puppy snuggles and cupcakes a little while longer. Maybe even try some of that bacon pickle pizza…
One of the other dogs started barking, his focus on the door. The other dogs in the room joined in the chorus.
“Who’s here?” Trina asked and went to the door.
Two hulking figures walked in. Definitely bears. Huge, muscular and dressed in all black. Ralph picked his head up and growled as I tensed.
Jasmine gasped playfully. “Ralphie, that was rude. You know Barrett and Bellamy.”
The men nodded but didn’t say anything.
There was a knock on the door, and another bear walked in…just as tall and even more gorgeous than the rest of them. Our gazes locked and his lips parted.
Now it was my turn to gasp as I came face to face with Brad.