Skin Walkers: Gauge (5 page)

“Oh!”

He heard the relief in her voice.

“Sure.  What time works for you?”

“Can you come to my office around eleven?”
he asked, hoping to catch her before she disappeared for lunch.

“Eleven?  Sure.  See you then.”

He pulled back from the communication and let a smile touch his lips.  He was determined to get his answers, one way or another.

Chapter
7

Gauge had Stoney in his office and it was evident from her scent that she was more than a little perturbed at having been duped.

“You said this was about medical expenses,” she ground through clenched teeth.

“We’ll get to that,” he smirked.  “First, I’ve got some concerns about Ms. Garret.”

“Where is she?”  Stoney eyed the door.  Ella’s vacant desk should have been her first hint that something wasn’t right.

“Early lunch,” Gauge explained as he took a seat behind his desk.  “Now, about my concerns…,”

“What concerns?”  Stoney eyed him mutinously.  “She’s a good woman and a hard worker.  Leave her alone!”

The fierce reaction only heightened Gauge’s suspicion.  “She’s supplied us with some misinformation.  I’d like to find out why
you
think she’d do that.”

Stoney jerked her head to the side, attempting to whisk the short blonde bangs from her darkly outlined eyes.  “What misinformation?”

He ignored the question and fired off with his own.  “Have you given Ms. Garret Intel regarding Skin Walkers?  Does she know what we are?”

Stoney stopped breathing and paled.  “I don’t have to answer your questions Gauge, and she doesn’t either.”  She stood and made for the door.

Gauge rose from his seat just as quickly.  “Stoney, it’s taken me less than a week to see that something is going on here.  What do you think Monroe will do once he catches wind of this?”

The words had Stoney stilling with her fingers on the door knob. 

“I don’t want to hurt her.  Hell, I’ll help her if I can, but I’ve gotta know what I’m up against.”

Stoney turned to eye him.  It was evident she was trying to gauge his sincerity. 

“Scent the room, I’m not deceiving you.  I’m not out to get Ella and I sure as hell don’t want to put her child at risk, but I’ve gotta know what’s happening before I can fix it.  And I need to know before Monroe finds out.”

Stoney released the door handle and turned to face him.  “Do you have a best friend, Gauge?”

“No.”

“Do you have many friends?”

He shrugged, “A few.”

“I don’t
.” Stoney’s eyes hardened.  “And Ella Garret is the closest thing to a sister that I’ve got.  I can tell you that she’s in trouble, but it’s not my place to tell you the why or the how of it.  You’ll need to get that from her if she trusts you enough to divulge it.  The only thing you need to know is that Ella would die to protect that little girl and she’d suffer before ever intentionally harming a Walker.  She’s an exceptional person and an even better friend.  I’ve trusted her with my deepest, darkest secrets, and not once has she made me regret it.”  She stepped closer, “Her story might be a little off, a little hard to swallow, but the truth of it all is that she’s just a mother trying to protect her child, and doing everything in her power to give that kid the best life possible.  She’s sacrificed more than you could ever fathom and the last thing I want is her to be chased off the Estate by some overbearing, micro-managing, nosey-ass accountant.  She’s my sister, Gauge, and if you threaten her, you threaten me.”  Stoney dropped her chin to scowl up at him, “I’ve been here a lot longer than you.  I’ve seen more, I know more.  Do
not
make an enemy of me.”

“I’m sure your
allegiance to Ella is justifiable, which tells me a great deal about Ms. Garret’s character.  I want you to know, and I want you to let Ms. Garret know that I too can be an ally in whatever it is she’s hiding from.”  He held up his hands, “I don’t want to hurt her, Stoney.  I’m offering my assistance here.”

“Why?” Stoney growled, “What’s in it for you?”

He dropped his hands, “Why does anything have to be in it for me?  She’s my employee.  She’s female and she’s a mother.  Isn’t that enough?”

“I understand the male Walker’s predilection for protecting females, but I’ll take care of her.  She’s
my
sister, not your angel.  Leave us alone, Gauge.  Just…” she shook her head, “stay out of it.  If you push too hard or dig too deep, she’ll run.”  Stoney’s expression turned haunted, “She’s been running so long.  I promised her she’d be safe here, that she could rest here.”  Her lip peeled back to reveal elongated incisors and her eyes darkened to a fully matte black as she snarled a warning.  “Do
not
make her run!” 

Then she was gone, leaving Gauge in his office with more questions than answers.
 

***

By the time Ella returned from lunch, Gauge was in full blown remorse over his harsh treatment.  Exiting his office he saw her body tense as he entered the reception area and slowly approached.  “Ms. Garret?”

She didn’t look up from her typing, “What can I do for you, Mr. Alexander?”

Look at me, damn it!
  He willed her silently, but she kept her head down.  “I wanted to apologize for my line of questioning earlier.”

“No need to apologize, sir.”

“I was out of line, and…”

“And it’s not a big deal.”  She looked up with a false smile, “No harm done.”

“I’m glad,” he wasn’t buying her false sweetness.  “Harm wasn’t my intent.  I’d like to make it up to you.”

“No need, sir.”  She was back to staring at her monitor.

“I insist.  Why don’t you let me treat you and Alysa to dinner tonight?”

“You don’t need to do that, sir.”

“Look,” his tone became frustrated, “will you stop typing for two seconds and look at me?”

Ella’s fingers s
tilled and she slowly lifted her head.  Looking at him, he seemed so sincerely that Ella felt a stab of guilt at not granting him the opportunity to apologize.  

“I know I don’t need to make amends, but I’d
like
to.”  His lips cocked in an almost smile, “Give a guy a chance?  Let me take you and Alysa out?”

“We don’t go out in town.” 
She was too terrified of Alysa’s father, Anthony, finding them. 

“So we’ll dine here,” he countered quickly.

Why do I feel like I’m going to regret this? 
“O-okay.”

“Great,” she was rewarded with a beaming smile that stole her breath.  “I’ll set it up and
get you the details.”

***

Periodically, a representative from the state’s Fish Wildlife and Parks department visited the Estate to perform an inspection of the wildlife habitats, barn, and stables to ensure that the wildlife kept on the preserve was being adequately cared for and treated.

Little did the FWP department or any state representative for that matter know that their periodic visits were
planned well in advance.  Brooklyn, the estate’s Events Director, went to great lengths to plan and pose the smooth running wildlife preserve and rehabilitation facility that StoneCrow professed to be.  During each inspection, Walkers were assigned to the pens where they would shift and play the part of the injured and healing animals that were purported to be housed within the refuge. 

Today, the FWP representative would be inspecting the
facility.  Brooklyn had staged the pens well in advance of the representative’s arrival to ensure the highest possible return on the investment of her time.  While the staged pens and Walkers were set up, local media, the Estate’s school children, and those assigned to the daycare would also tour the facility.  The display was a source of constant disagreement between Monroe and Brooklyn, but she’d successfully convinced him that the ruse was a necessary part of keeping the public and the state departments from growing suspicious, as well as being a great learning opportunity for the general public.  By combining the students’ field trip with the FWP inspection, it kept the State from looking too closely.

Walkers too got in on the rare opportunity to take the youngest of the Walker children to the habitats to view the creatures housed within.  The younger children were still too small to understand what they were, but it didn’t mean their parents wouldn’t take advantage of the opportunity to introduce them to the multitude of magnificent creatures that the children would hopefully be able to share form with one day.

Today, Chief of Security, King Mulholland, volunteered to assist the daycare with the daycare’s tour.  Holding the small hands of both his daughter, and Ella’s little Alysa in his much larger grasp, King led them through the barn to a large fenced area on the Estate that was used to display the bear habitat.  Of course when they weren’t staging the events for outside agencies, all habitats remained empty, but today the fenced area was bustling with large, medium, and small black, brown, and grizzly bears that were native to Montana.

The girls clapped in excitement and shrieked as the bears/Walkers put on a display for the children that no actual bear would be caught dead performing. 

All bears confined within the habitat were actually Walkers.  There were no actual animals on the Estate save for the birds and few deer that they couldn’t to keep out. 

While the girls we
ren’t in any danger from the Walkers posing as bears, it was imperative for appearance sake that they strictly adhere to the rules of staying behind the barriers that separated the fenced off bears from the walking areas of the keepers and the public.

The deeper they got into the habitat, the more and more bears that stopped performing and approached the fence.  Each one sniffed incessantly then stood on all fours and stared at King.

King watched the bears with curiosity before stopping before the form of a small black bear that he knew from the white streak that ran through the fur that covered the bear’s forehead and down its back.  “Christ, Aries, what’s everyone staring at?”

The black bear grunted and snorted as it sniffed heavily at the air before it loo
ked from side to side.  Aries Drago spoke to King through the mist.  Aries’ soft brown eyes shifted from Alysa to King then back before she offered explanation in four short words that changed everything.  “She’s not Ella’s child!”

***

In the cheap motel room located on Main Street of Great Falls, a cup of coffee hit the dingy, carpeted floor.  The TV remote was seized and the volume blared to life as it was unmuted.

“This is
Mae Barker, reporting live from the StoneCrow Wild Life Preserve and Rehabilitation Facility.  Today, StoneCrow plays host to the local school as children are afforded the opportunity to interact with the Preserve’s menagerie.”

The
camera zoomed in on the little girl holding out her palm to feed a small antelope doe.  The little girl giggled and the man watching inched closer to the screen. 
It’s her!
 

Alysa’s father, Anthony Johns, had just found his little girl.

Chapter 8

Ella fidgeted nervously outside the door
to Gauge’s suite as she waited for him to answer.  Just before he’d left the office early, he’d handed her a piece of paper with his suite number written on it.  Assuming that they’d be dining at one of StoneCrow’s three eateries, Ella was a little shocked to find that Gauge wanted to entertain her and Alysa in his suite.   

Butterflie
s flitted in her belly and she wanted nothing more than to turn around and leave.

The door opened and all the ai
r left Ella in a whoosh as Gauge greeted them with a beaming smile.  “You made it.  Great!”  His eyes dropped and he took a knee to smile warmly at Alysa.  “Do you remember me?  My name is Gauge.  I’m your mommy’s friend.  We had lunch together at the cafeteria.”

Not used to male interaction, Alysa clutched Ella’s hand and slowly slunk behind
her mother’s legs to peek out at Gauge without saying a word.

“Sorry,” Ella offered
finding her voice.  “It takes her a minute to warm to strangers.”

Gauge stood in one fluid motion and his towering height had Ella taking a step back.  His size was intimidating and his build didn’t help.  Even through his dress shirt, she could see his well-defined muscle.  Thickly corded arms were revealed by sleeves that were rolled to the forearms.  He gripped her elbow with a smile, “Please, come in.”

Shit!  This was sooo not a good idea! 
Alysa clutched at Ella’s slacks and followed quietly as she was led into the suite.  The space was exquisite.  The room was done in muted tans with black accents, giving it a distinctly masculine feel.  The suite was an open floor plan that had them entering into a formal dining area with a dark granite table lined with several chairs on each side.  Sliding doors led out onto a balcony and beyond that was a breathtaking view of the Estate.

“Oooooh,” Alysa dashed out from behind Ella and raced to the windows.  “You’re room’s pretty!”

Gauge chuckled.  “Well, thank you!”  He smiled at Ella before striding to Alysa’s side.

“You can see the world!”  The awe in Alysa’s tone had Ella grinning.

Stooping, Gauge scooped her up and pointed, “See the mountains?”

Ella was surprised that Alysa seemed comfortable being in the man’s arms.  After all, it’d been years since any male had been permitted to touch the child.

“Mommy, can
we
live here?”

Ella blushed and when Gauge turned to smile at her she felt the color singe even brighter.  She mouthed the word ‘sorry’ before crossing and pulling
Alysa from his arms.  “No, we can’t.  This is Gauge’s home.  Not ours.”

“Oooooooh!”

Ella turned to see what had snared the child’s fascination and had no choice but to put Alysa back on her feet as she squirmed to be free.  Alysa raced to the dining table.  “Look!”  She pointed at dome covered plates, “Prizes!”

Gauge laughed as he grabbed Ella’s
elbow and steered her to the table.

Ella fought to ignore the electricity that
shot through her at his mere touch.

S
ettling her in a seat at Ella’s side, Gauge took the lone seat at the head of the table.

“I
did
get surprises.  I hope you’re hungry.”  He reached across and pulled the dome from Alysa’s plate and she clapped excitedly.  The still steaming plate held a succulent looking lamb chop, steamed asparagus with béarnaise, golden macaroni and cheese, and on a small saucer, just above the plate was a slice of vibrant cherry pie.

“Pie!”

Alysa reached for it and Ella was about to stop her when Gauge stood and pulled the plate back from the child’s reach.  “Not yet, pretty girl.  The pie is for desert.”  He sat with a smile.  “Dinner first okay?”

Instead of pouting as Ella expected, Alysa seized her fork and stabbed it into her
mac n’ cheese.  Ella’s hand on hers had Alysa stilling to stare up at her mother expectantly as Ella cleared her throat, “Maybe Mr. Alexander would like to pray before we eat.”

Gauge smiled at her warmly and the action had the butterflies flitting all over in Ella’s belly again.

Seizing her hand without hesitation, Gauge bowed his head and Ella and Alysa followed suit.

“Grandfather, we thank you for the honor of your gifts, and pray you continue to bless us with your protection and guidance.  A’hau.”

“Amen,” Ella whispered and lifted her head as Gauge reached over and lifted the dome that covered the plate in front of her.

“Ooooh,” Alysa’s eyes rounded as she eyed the plate in front of Ella.  “You get to eat too,
momma.”

Gauge’s brows hiked as he watched Ella pale visibly.  She tried to quiet the child, but Gauge cut in, “What do you me
an, pretty girl?  Doesn’t your momma usually eat?”

Alysa popped a bite of macaroni into her mouth and spoke around it, “Nope.”

Realizing the child wouldn’t be more forthcoming, Gauge prodded, “Why not?”

“It’s fine,” Ella broke in taking up her fork, “she’s just…”

“Cause we didn’t has money an’ she said only I needs the food.”

Ga
uge turned steady eyes on Ella; she refused to meet his gaze as she pushed an asparagus spear through the béarnaise on her plate.

“Ella?  Is that true?”

Looking up, she rolled her eyes and feigned nonchalance.  “It didn’t happen often,” she swallowed at the lie remembering that he could scent her deceit.  Dropping her eyes momentarily, she looked back up.  “Times were tough, Gauge.  Things aren’t always easy for a single mother.”

As if that ended the conversation, she dropped her eyes and
bit the tip off a spear.  As she chewed, Gauge studied her and realized that she was too thin.  Most women intentionally starved themselves to look like Ella, but the thought of her being so slight because she had no other choice had Gauge grinding his back teeth together.  Why hadn’t someone taken care of her? 

“What about your family?  You couldn’t rely on them.”

Ella’s eyes shot to Alysa, who was now oblivious to the conversation as she devoured her macaroni and cheese.  Ella’s response was practically a whisper, “It’s just us.  No one else.”

“But you worked didn’t you?  There had to be…”

“Gauge,” Ella leveled her dove-gray eyes on his.  She contemplated a lie but quickly discarded the idea.  “I could lie to you and make up some excuse, but the truth is that I did the best I could.  Please drop it.”  She reached across the table and pulled a warm roll from the basket in the center of the table.  “Why don’t you tell me about your life pre-StoneCrow?  What did you do?”

She buttered her bread and peeked up at him expectantly
hoping he’d take the bait and allow her to force a change of subject. 

Unknown to her, Gauge suddenly
felt guilty for having had such an easy life.  He’d complained and he’d hid, but it was nothing compared to what Ella and Alysa had obviously endured and the bite of shame was hard.  How had he ever complained about his life?

He took a sip of his wine and cleared his throat.  “I joined the Army straight outta high school.  Did my time and then went to college on a VA loan.  Got a degree in accounting.  Now, I’m here.”

Ella smiled, grateful that he’d permitted the change in conversation. 

Th
e warmth in the gesture had Gauge’s hands itching to touch her. 

“Well that’s not all,” she chided.  “Tell me about your family.  Have you got siblings?  Where are your parents?  Have you got any children?’

Gauge noticed that she blushed with the last question.

“My parents are in Ireland.  That’s how I came to find out about the position here; they’re good friends with CEO StoneCrow’s parents.”

“What do they do?”

“Retired.  Both.  My father was military and my mother was a medical receptionist.  Nothing fancy.”

“Hey,” Ella shrugged between bites, “whatever pays the bills.  You’d be surprised to hear half the jobs I’ve had to take just to make ends meet.”

“Like what?” he challenged
, attacking his plate.

Not expecting the question, Ella set her fork down and dabbed at her lips with her napkin.  “Well.  Let’s see.  I’ve been a cocktail waitress, a casino attendant, a house keeper, a waitress, a secretary.”  She smiled, “Once I even paid the bills by swamping out bars at night.  Worst job ever!”

Gauge’s eyes darted to Alysa and he couldn’t hide the anger in his tone.  “What did your husband do while you were out breaking your back?”

Again, he saw her mind working as she stared at him.  Finally she straightened her shoulders and answered.  “I lied to you.  I’m sorry.  I-I don’t have a husband.  I never have.  It’s been just me and Alysa.”

Interesting.
  Twice in one meal she’d gone out of her way to tell him the absolute truth.  “Why lie in the first place?”

She shrugged one slim shoulder before lifting a hand to curl
it around her neck before smoothing her palm down her arm.  “I didn’t want to have to explain myself.  It’s easier just to tell people her father’s deceased.  He’ll never be part of her life.”

“Why so honest with me then?”  When he pinned her with his gaze he was taken aback to see the hint of trust reflected in
her eyes.

“I don’t know,” she bit her lower lip before releasing it. “I don’t feel like you’ve got any malicious intent and frankly I’m tired of running.”

“Running?” his brows hiked and his curiosity piqued when Ella paled.

“
Hiding
,” she amended quickly.  “Did I say running?” her laugh was brittle. “I don’t know why I said that.” 
Christ, he’ll scent the lie!
  “I meant hiding.  Hiding the fact that I’m a single mother,” she rushed on even as she felt her cheeks flame.  “Anyway,” she set her fork down.  “We should go.”  She turned toward her child, “Alysa?”

“Awww, I’m not done,” Alysa pouted.

“Ella!” Gauge stood and grabbed her arm.  “Stay,” he softened his tone and his eyes turned imploring. “Please!  I wasn’t trying to scare you off.  If I…,” he changed his course with a smile. “Stay and I promise no more questions about the past.”  He kept his hand firmly on her arm.

“Please, mom
ma?”

Ella smiled weakly, “Okay.”  She reclaimed her seat and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear without meeting Gauge’s eyes.

“I know it’s going to be difficult for you to do,” his voice was pitched low, “but you can trust me, Ella.”  He turned to smile affectionately at Alysa.  “
Both
of you can.”

“I’m sorry, I’m just…” she shook her head and still refused to look up.  “My past isn’t something I’m proud of and I’m just hoping for a fresh start.”

“Hey,” the deep timber of his voice drew her eyes up.  “That’s something we’re both looking for.”  He saw some of the tension leave her small frame and when she took up her fork he relaxed back in his chair and changed the subject.  “So, Alysa, what do you want for Christmas, pretty girl?”

“I want a bedroom!” she piped up excitedly.

Ella’s fork clattered to her plate and her breath left her in a pain-filled whoosh.  No food, no room for her child, she sounded like a horrendous mother even to herself and she knew all the facts. 
This’ll never work!
  Tears flooded her eyes and she stood quickly with the intentions of snatching up Ella and getting the hell away from Gauge.  She was too slow.

Strong arms wrapped around her and led her out of the room as Gauge tossed over his shoulder to Alysa, “Eat your pie,
pretty girl.  Have mine too if you’d like.”

Alysa squealed with delight, oblivious to Ella’s sudden disappearance.

In the adjoining room, Gauge closed the door but didn’t release Ella as she struggled in his hold.

“Gauge,” there was a quiver in her voice as she attempted to reign in her emotions.  “We’re going.  Please let me go.”

“No.”  He pulled her harder into him so that her slight frame was flush with his.

“Look,” she refused to lift her eyes as she stopped pushing at the wall of his chest.  “I know how bad it sounds,” she swallowed hard, unsure how in the world she
could change his low opinion of her now.  “We moved a lot, but I always worked.  I provided as best I could,” she rushed on, “I did what I could, and…”

He forced her head up and his lips sealed over her own, devouring any other explanation she’d give.

Startled at first, Ella didn’t respond but, slowly at his tongues insistence, she returned his kiss.  Hands that had been pushing at his chest slid over the well-muscled plane to twine, tentatively, around his neck as she clung to him.  She needed his strength, his support, his understanding.