FMR (10 page)

check-in. The motel owner winked. "You're an early bird. After

such a nerve-racking night, I'd thought you'd sleep in this morning."

"I'm on a deadline. My boss can't wait." She gave a soft sigh then

added, "So where can I find a Wi-Fi connection and a decent cup of

coffee in town?"

"Wi-Fi?" The older man had a far-away look in his eyes, then

blinked. "Oh yeah. That's one of those internet computer hook-ups.

Right, dear?"

"Uh, yes sir. I need one for my laptop." Jac placed a hand on the

pack over her shoulder. "I always check my email in the morning."

"I don't understand all that computer stuff." Mr. Campbell

wrinkled his nose, as if he disapproved of technology, then his face lit

up. "You sound like Ernie, my nephew. He's the brains in our family.

He loves computers and things of that nature. Why, ever since he was

little, he used to take things apart ... electronic gadgets and gizmos.

But, putting them back together was a problem for a while ... until he

got older."

Mr. Campbell's amusing story made Jac grin. "It's handy to have

someone around who knows about computers and electronics," she

acknowledged politely. "Now, where can I find a Wi-Fi connection

and a cup of coffee?"

The gentleman gave her directions to a family diner, Jewel's.

Thankfully, it was in walking distance and, according to Mr.

Campbell, a favorite haunt for Heather Grove's more computer savvy

crowd.

"Thanks so much!" Jac breathed a sigh of relief as she headed out

the door. From what she'd experienced of Heather Grove, so far, it

was a very rural little town.
However,
she mused, strolling past the

shops on Main Street,
it does seem to have a quaint, unique charm.

Although she enjoyed city living, Jac wondered if she could settle

down into the quiet serenity of a small town.
Yes,
she thought with an

amused smirk,
and then I could write my great American novel.
The

wistful thought made her laugh out loud as she rounded the corner. A

big smile spread across her face. The tantalizing scent of coffee was

drawing her like a magnet to the diner up ahead.

* * * *

he used," Ernie Campbell concluded, then angled his head, glaring

over the table top at Ray. "Hey, are you even listening to me?"

"Yeah, sure. I'm following you," Ray returned his gaze from the

busy morning crowd in the diner to the wide-eyed youth. "So, the

computer hacker's located in the area, right?"

"Bingo! I'm ninety-nine point nine percent sure it's a local hack, but

the bastard's outsmarted me. I can't get a trace. Unfortunately, the

slime ball managed to get into the council's system and even snooped

around on the tree, too." Ernie frowned.

"Snooped around on the tree?" Ray repeated, perplexed. "Now,

what do you mean by that, Einstein?"

"He's searched the database with all our family records in it. You

know, our family trees?" Ernie arched an eyebrow. "Our genealogical

records?"

Ray's gut clenched. "That's not good." He shook his head. "Do you

think we need to call an emergency pack meeting?"

"And tell them what? Someone's hacking into the computer records

of Heather Grove and we don't know why? What good's that gonna

do, Ray?"

"Guess you're right. Just keep an eye on it, Ernie." Ray let out an

exasperated sigh, spearing a hand through his hair.

"Mind if I join you two?" a familiar voice sharply drew the guys'

attention away from their deep discussion.

"Shit, Taylor, don't you know not to sneak up on a private

conversation," Ernie cursed, glaring up at the tall man looming over

the table.

"Who's sneaking?" Bruce Taylor flashed them a grin. "Besides,

any wolf within a few feet can hear exactly what y'all are talking

about."

"No wolves in here," Ray glanced around the diner. "Just us and

Mary Lynn, but she's up to her eyeballs in customers. Take a seat."

He nodded, indicating for his friend to join them.

Bruce pulled out a chair and sat down with a heavy sigh. Ray

glanced over, wrinkling his brow with genuine concern. "Were you

busy last night?"

"Yeah, this full moon's going to be a dozy," his friend grumbled.

"It's already getting a few riled up. I answered two calls after I left

you last night. A domestic disturbance call and a fight over at The

Red Lion."

"Sheez! Was anybody hurt?" Ernie interjected.

"Nope, thankfully not. But I have a feeling it's going to be a crazy

next few days." Bruce shook his head. "Speaking of which, what're

you two yammering about?"

Ernie glanced at Ray, who shrugged, sitting back in his chair. "Oh,

nothing to worry about, I don't think. Ernie's got it all under control."

A wide grin spread over the red-headed youth's face. Ray could

sense his comment had stroked the computer geek's ego.

"Yeah, like Ray said, nothing to worry about. I'm on it." Ernie

quickly rose from his seat. "If I learn anymore, Ray, you'll be the first

to know. Well, I gotta run now. I've got things to do."

Ray was deep in thought for a moment as Ernie left the table.

Sipping his coffee, he returned his attention to Bruce, who was giving

a breakfast order to the attentive blonde waitress. With a wide smile

and a wink, she turned, heading toward the kitchen.

"Mary Lynn's trying to catch your attention, bro." Bruce chuckled,

his own gaze appreciating the view of the waitress' rounded backside

before she went behind the counter.

"Looks like she's got your attention, too." Ray smirked.

"You know, she's liked you since high school, Ray. Why haven't

you asked her out?"

Bruce turned to face him. Even though his friend was smiling, his

eyes were serious.

"She's not my type." Ray shifted in his chair. "Maybe you should

ask her out."

"Maybe I should." Bruce straightened his shoulders. "You're so

damn picky."

Ray chuckled, but knew his buddy was right. Women literally

threw themselves at him, whether they were average women or ones

with
sithech
-blood. On some level, they sensed his alpha nature. For

the last few years, however, Ray had put his love life on hold for duty

... duty to his pack.

"I worry about you, man," Bruce shook his head.

"Oh, there's no need to worry about me," Ray playfully slapped his

buddy on the back. "I'm fine. Really."

The soft tinkle of a bell drew his attention to the diner's entrance

and in walked Jac Hamilton. Ray's heart flipped in his chest. He

licked his dry lips. His skin prickled. He glanced over at Bruce, who

was watching him intently from under an arched eyebrow.

"What?" Ray narrowed his gaze.

You know what, you big, bad wolf
, Bruce conveyed with a smirk.

His buddy loved to use their
sithech
-mind link to communicate,

especially when ribbing him, then cleared his throat. "Even though

I'm off-duty, maybe I should go over and check – "

"Oh, no you don't." Ray's voice sounded like a feral growl, even to

him.

"Okay." Bruce held up his hands in mock-surrender. "You do it."

Ray sighed then nodded. He glanced over to the booth where Jac

had taken a seat, her laptop open and her fingers pecking away at the

keys.

She appeared better rested; the color of her aura glowed bright in

the diner's light. Jac slipped on a pair of glasses, and then scanned the

flat screen, totally unaware of his gaze.

Summoning up his nerve, Ray slid back the chair and rose to his

feet.

"Good luck, man."

Ray grunted in response then made his way from the table through

the crowded diner. His senses were acute; his focus was only on Jac

as he stopped in front of the booth. He waited. She didn't look up.

Finally, he cleared his throat.

Like a sleeper awakening from a deep sleep, she glanced up and

blinked. The illusion of her eyes behind the glasses reminded him of

an owl. He half-expected her to say, 'who'. However, much to his

relief, she didn't.

"Oh! Hi Ray! I didn't hear you walk up."

"Good morning, Jac." He grinned. "Mind if I join you?"

Jac was pleasantly stunned to see him again. And so soon, too.

She quickly removed her glasses. "Uh, sure. Please sit down," she

offered, shifting the computer aside to view both the screen and Ray.

Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest as he slid into the

booth. For a tall, well-built man, Ray moved with an easy grace. Jac

recalled the lusty encounter in her dream. She blushed.
Surely, it

wasn't him
, she mused.
We don't even know each other.

"Is something wrong?" He angled his head, giving her a curious

gaze.

And what a gaze it was. His eyes were a deep, rich indigo-hue that

totally mesmerized her. Suddenly, the room felt warm ... very warm.

Jac shifted in her seat, attempting to regain her composure.

"Uh, it's nothing." She managed to give him a reassuring smile.

"You just remind me of someone."

"That's funny," Ray chuckled. "I don't think you've meet my twin

brother."

"You have a twin? How cool!"

"Yeah, he lives here, but travels around a lot." Ritchie has a bad

case of wanderlust." Ray sighed.

"Ah! Ritchie's the adventurous type, huh?"

"You could say that," Ray nodded, then glanced over to her laptop.

"I see you're already busy this morning, huh?"

Jac noticed Ray had smoothly switched subjects, but went with the

flow. "Yeah, it's a part of my morning routine. I always check my

email with my first cup of coffee. Speaking of which, I haven't got

my coffee yet." She frowned, glancing across the diner at her

wayward waitress.

"I'll go remind her." Ray rose from his seat. "I think Mary Lynn's

preoccupied with Bruce at the moment," he added, flashing a wicked

smile.

Before Jac could protest, he swaggered over to where the blonde

was chatting with his buddy. Taking advantage of the free moment,

Jac scanned down the flat computer screen.

Damn! More spam!
She tapped the 'delete' key until an email

caught her attention. The subject read 'Meeting'. It was from her

editor. Clicking open the electronic letter, Jac scanned its contents.

He'd arranged an interview for her with a public relations manager in

the town hall at noon.

Just what's Frank getting me into?
Jac wondered, sinking her teeth

into her bottom lip.
I can just hear it now. 'Excuse me, mister PR

manager; do you have any werewolves running around town? Yeah

right.

"Here you go." A husky drawl drew her attention back to Ray as he

placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of her. The heady aroma

filled her senses as she flipped the screen down on her laptop.

"Thanks." She reached for the plastic tray of sugar and creamer. "I

can sure use a good cup before I head over to the garage and check on

my car."

"Your Volkswagen's in good hands. The mechanic's an ace." Ray

grinned, adding with a wink, "He's also my brother-in-law."

"Oh, really? How convenient." She smiled then sipped her coffee.

Ray's mere presence made her feel better. It radiated a unique sense

of steadfastness and comfort, stirring something inside her. And that

something hadn't been stirred in a long time.

She sat down her coffee cup and eyed him thoughtfully. "So, tell

me, Ray, what do you do for a living?"

"I'm a construction supervisor. We've been working on an addition

to the elementary school, but the weather's been unreasonable lately."

"Ah, so that explains why you're not at work." She nodded toward

the window. Gray, fluffy clouds loomed in the morning sky, blocking

out the sunlight.

"Yep, cold and wet," he agreed, shaking his head. "It's not good for

working outdoors."

Jac glanced down at her watch. "Oh, geez! Where does time go?"

Anxiety clutched in her gut. Without a car, getting around town was

hopeless. Then, genius struck. She smiled over at Ray and cleared

her throat. "Uh, Ray, can I ask you a favor?"

"Yeah, sure." The corners of his mouth turned up into a wide grin.

"Whatcha got in mind?"

Oh, if he only knew!
Jac drew a deep breath, struggling to clear the

erotic images in her head before she spoke.

"I need a lift to the garage. Could I get a ride over, if it's not too