Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance (10 page)

around him tightly to keep from falling off the side of the

bike. She found that his closeness still brought on that little

tingling feeling that had a way of sending her into thoughtless

acts of passion.

Several moments later, they pulled up to her cabin. Laura

slid off the bike and offered him her hand.

"Thanks for the ride ... Mr. Gray Eagle."

He let his gaze travel from her hand to her face. "I think

we are a little past these kinds of formalities, Laura."

Blushing scarlet, she was angered that he had brought

their indiscretions into the open and put voice to what she

was trying very hard to forget. Laura turned away, intending

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to leave him sitting there, but he was not about to let her go

so easily.

"Where is your Bronco?" he asked, his lips curving into

that sensual smile which reached out to lick at her like

flames.

"It broke down at the fort, not far from where you picked

me up." Laura made every attempt to keep from looking into

his eyes. She knew that's all it would take and she would end

up inviting him in. She could not let him crawl under her skin

... anymore than what he had already.

He arched one dark brow. "And what were you planning on

doing about it?"

"First thing I need to do is get cleaned up, then I guess I'll

call a tow truck and have it taken to a shop."

"If you would like, I can have someone pull it to my place

and fix it there," he offered.

Laura hesitated, "I don't know. I wouldn't want to impose."

"It wouldn't be an imposition," he assured her. "Besides ...

if you take it to a shop it might be a week before they even

get to it."

"I guess you are right." Laura reached into her purse and

pulled out the keys. "I'd really appreciate it," she told Justin

as she was handing him the keys.

When he reached out to take them from her, their skin

made contact and Laura pulled away as if a live wire had

touched her.

She could almost hear his silent laughter. "I'll see if I can

get to it today." Justin seemed to hesitate, as if there was

something else he wanted to say.

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Laura waited patiently.

He gave her a shy smile. "Well ... after the other night I

wouldn't blame you if you said no, but I'll ask anyway." He

paused briefly before continuing. "They are having a picnic

and dance in Sweet Water City. I was just thinking maybe

you would like to go with me."

Laura was a little startled by the invitation. "Where's

Sweet Water City?"

"It's a restored ghost town ... about ten miles from Brantic

City. They have these get-togethers sometimes."

Laura could feel the turmoil rumbling within her. Every

fiber of her being wanted to say yes, but at the same time ...

whenever she was with him she seemed to lose all semblance

of rational thought. But the last thing she wanted to do was

spend the evening alone. This was the weighing factor in her

decision. "Yes ... it sounds like it could be interesting." Laura

smiled.

"I'll come and get you around six then." Justin winked.

"And in the mean time, I'll see what I can do about your very

angry truck."

Laura was taken back. She could distinctly remember

thinking along those lines not so long ago. Was it not enough

that he had seemed to take possession of her body with little

effort?

Did he also have the ability to read her thoughts?

After Justin left, Laura spent an hour soaking in a hot tub

of water, hoping it would help soothe her aching muscles. She

felt as if she had been run over by a truck, a very large one.

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Laura didn't leave the tub until the water had turned tepid.

In her bedroom, she took a moment to examine the damage

in the full-length mirror. A large area on her shoulder was

turning to an unsightly shade of blackish-blue, and both of

her arms had been badly scraped.

All of these injuries could be explained by the fall. Was it

possible that she had just become so paranoid that she had

imagined the rest of it?

Laura shook her head. There was just no way she could

have imagined that monster. It was just too real. Maybe

when she had passed out, the animal believed she was dead

and had lost interest in her.

For lack of anything else to do, Laura spent the rest of the

day cleaning the cabin. It appeared to have been a long time

since it had received a thorough cleaning. It was nearly five

when Laura glanced at the clock. She could hardly believe it

was already so late. Putting the cleaning agents away, she

hurried to take another quick bath before dressing for the

evening.

Searching through her limited wardrobe, Laura could find

little that would be appropriate for the occasion. At last she

chose a dressy white blouse and blue denim skirt. Brushing

her long hair until it shone, she then wove it into a single

thick braid.

Laura decided that she would step outdoors and enjoy the

summer evening while she waited for Justin to arrive. She

took a seat on one of the porch chairs, grateful for the fresh

air. Fresh air was something of which the cabin seemed to

constantly be lacking.

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The aroma of wildflowers filled the evening air and the

sinking sun touched the landscape with a soft, golden light.

Somewhere in the aspen grove she could hear the tap tap of

a woodpecker.

A low rumbling signaled Justin's arrival. It was not long

before he came up the drive. Laura grimaced when she

realized she was going to have to make this trip on the back

of his motorcycle.

"Ready?" He lifted his sunglasses to get a better look at

her. Laura felt herself grow hot beneath his scrutiny.

"I was hoping that you would have my car ready so that

we could have taken it."

"Not quite done with it yet, but it shouldn't be much

longer."

"Oh well." Laura shrugged her shoulders, seating herself

behind him.

Justin followed the road to Brantic City and beyond. The

landscape changed rapidly from pines, to that of sage-

covered rolling hills. When topping one rise, Laura saw what

looked to be a massive gold-mine operation. The building

covering the mine's entrance was huge in comparison to

some she had seen.

Down below the mine, were the first signs of Sweet Water

City. On the sides of the dirt road were several small houses

of rock that had been built right into the sides of the hills.

Many wooden-plank buildings were scattered throughout the

valley that they were about to enter.

Justin brought the bike to a stop in the large parking lot

located next to a general store. The little shop appeared to

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still be in use. Sweet Water's main street was blocked off and

the people were being let in a few at a time.

Within a few moments she and Justin were let through the

gate. They were in no hurry, and took their time strolling

down the town's main street. Amazed at how the atmosphere

had suddenly changed, Laura felt as if she had just been

hurled back through time to the romantic Old West.

Only wagons and horses were allowed beyond the gate.

Laura marveled at how the buildings had been restored to

their original condition of a hundred years before.

There was a two-story hotel that looked as if it could have

been the height of luxury in its time. One of several saloons

sat directly across the street from the hotel. The courthouse

and jail were not far from the saloon, and on a hillside—

overlooking the town—was a quaint old schoolhouse and

church. The school's bell was silent, not having summoned

children for over a century.

They passed the stables and a blacksmith shop before

finally turning down a side street. On one side of the street

was a butcher shop and mercantile. On the other side was a

large grassy park. A platform had been erected as a

temporary stage, and a band was busily setting up

equipment.

Beyond the roped off dance area were picnic tables

scattered throughout the park. The enticing aroma of grilled

meat filled the air.

Laura guessed it came from the covered wagon where a

crowd of people had gathered. Floodlights had been set up to

illuminate the park once the sun had gone down.

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The band began playing a lively western tune. Turning to

Laura, Justin asked, "Would you like to dance?"

"Sure," she agreed, letting him lead her out to the dance

area.

They danced to several songs before stopping to eat. Laura

was ravenous and vigorously ate her meal of barbeque ribs

and salad. By the time she had finished her last bite, Laura

was so stuffed she could hardly move. Again she wondered

about the dramatic increase in appetite since coming here.

Night had fallen, bringing with it a slight chill. Laura

shivered and noticing her discomfort, Justin draped his black

jacket over her shoulders.

"Thank you." She looked up and smiled.

"Would you like to take a walk?" he asked.

"Yes, that sounds good."

Taking her hand, Justin helped her to her feet. He

continued to hold her hand in his as they walked. The path

they took led away from the heart of the town and gradually

became steeper as they walked.

"Where are we going?" Laura felt a flutter of alarm.

He brought a finger up to his lips. "Let go of your concerns

and enjoy the night."

Soon they had topped the hill and spread out before them

was a very old graveyard.

Laura pulled her hand from his grasp. "Why did you bring

me here?"

"Listen," he whispered.

Laura was silent for a moment, but heard nothing unusual.

"I don't hear anything."

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"That's right. The dead don't speak, most of the time," he

added with a sly smile. Laura shook her head. "I don't

understand."

"Our chief did not sign that contract, but he cannot say so

... because he is dead."

"What ... who would do that?" Laura was confused.

"Who would gain the most from his death?" Justin had

moved closer to her.

"Are you implying that Duccini had something to do with

it?"

He arched his brow. "You're a smart lady, you tell me."

"I hate to be the one to inform you, Mr. Gray Eagle,

but...." Her words were cut off when he brought his mouth

down on hers. The earth was spinning and she had to clutch

his shoulders to remain on her feet.

When at last he released her, Laura had completely

forgotten what it was that they had been talking about.

Gazing deeply into her eyes, he brought one hand up to

caress her cheek. It was as if he tried to convey to her a deep

need, that not even he could understand.

Taking her hand in his, they walked back into the town.

They remained silent, as words didn't seem appropriate. In

the space of those few moments, each seemed to come to

understand the desires and fears of the other.

Laura knew her memory of that night would be forever

filled with images of his strange, erotic eyes. Justin's eyes

had told her of many things, his desire, his fears and sorrows,

but beneath all that, she had sensed something else. Dark

secrets that he would keep locked inside at all costs.

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87

Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

Walking to the office had taken much longer than what

Laura had anticipated, and as a result she was very late. Jazz

music drifted from the open windows of the trailer, but when

she came through the door, Jessup was not in the office.

"Jessup, are you around?" Laura called out.

"In here," he yelled from the kitchen. Laura found him at

the sink doing dishes.

"Will you do me a favor and turn down that stereo while I

finish up these breakfast dishes?" he asked her.

Laura turned the volume to the stereo down and when she

returned to the kitchen, Jessup was drying his hands on a

dishtowel.

"How you doing this morning, Laura?"

Her eyes clouded. "Not so well."

"Well sit on down and tell ole Jessup about it and I'll pour

us some coffee."

Laura related what had happened on Saturday. By the

time she had finished, he appeared very distressed.

"It's about time our good sheriff starts doing something