As wolves, she and Roxie had been playing with each other when they heard the sound of two men speaking on their property. Other wolves in the pack were welcome to run here anytime, but the others usually ran in the pack territory. And their brother Landon had property with his mate, Gabrielle, around her veterinary clinic, so they often ran as wolves there rather than at the lodge.

  Kayla didn’t recognize the men’s voices. She and Roxie drew nearer, circling around and keeping low so the men wouldn’t see them, trying to get a whiff of the men’s scents before they alerted the sheriff that they had human trespassers. They could be just wolf guests from somewhere else, and Kayla and Roxie certainly didn’t want to alienate wolf visitors to the area. Unless they were causing trouble.

  The hot summer breeze kept shifting, and they had to keep circling when they normally would avoid humans at all costs. Though Kayla did have the notion of just chasing them off as wolves. That was definitely her wilder wolf side coming to play.

  She listened to the men’s conversation in the meantime, and finally, a black-haired man with a curly beard and reddish sideburns came into view. He was a stocky figure wearing a T-shirt that stretched tautly over muscled arms and chest, jeans tight on bulky thighs, a black cap shadowing his features, mirrored glasses, and hiking boots. It was early morning and there was no need to wear sunglasses at this time. The woods were shaded and dark and the sun still just dawning. The other man was tall, not as muscled, with short blond hair; he looked about the same age as the bulky guy—mid- to late twenties—and was wearing a blue-jean ball cap, a gray T-shirt, jeans, sneakers, and polarized aviator sunglasses.

  “I told you. With your experience, it’s a piece of cake. He’ll pay us good money to do it,” the blond guy said. “His uncle is good for his word.”

  “You’re sure you can trust the others?” The muscled guy sounded dubious.

  “Hell, yeah. We grew up together. We’re all friends. They’re eager to do it and to follow your lead since you’re experienced at this kind of thing. It’s copacetic.”

  “It better be. You know what happened the last time.”

  “Yeah, and you didn’t know those guys. This time it’ll be different.”

  “I’ll talk it over with his nephew first.”

  The blond guy didn’t say anything more, but he looked annoyed, his mouth pursed, as if he expected the bulky guy to go along with the program based on his words. “Yeah, sounds like a good idea,” he finally said, as if he had no choice in the matter.

  Roxie was on the move again, trying to get closer. Kayla wanted to woof at her sister to stay with her. She didn’t want them to move any closer to the men, afraid that if the two of them did, the men might spy them more easily. Sure, she and Roxie hadn’t been able to smell them to see if they were human, but she was all for circling them further. If they were wolves, no problem, unless they were up to mischief. But humans? They could be unpredictable.

  “All right, but it better work out.” The muscled guy turned around and saw Roxie.

  For a moment, everyone froze. Kayla ran at the men to give Roxie time to move, then turned quickly and bolted out of there, hoping her sister was gaining on her and the men were running in the opposite direction and not planning to shoot them if they were armed with guns. She heard movement in the woods behind her and glanced over her shoulder to see Roxie catching up to her, her eyes filled with excitement.

  Relieved it was just her sister and there was no sign of the men, Kayla thought she could use less excitement in her life. When she had to serve as a wedding caterer and deal with a bridezilla like she’d had to a couple of weeks ago, that was enough of a “thrill” for her. She and Roxie both managed the brides, but Roxie could get growly with an unreasonable one, so Kayla often just took care of them to avoid problems.

  Roxie nipped at her in fun. Kayla nipped back at her, glad everything had turned out fine. Though she was going to lecture her when they returned to their home next to the lodge. She was glad their sister-in-law Nicole hadn’t been with them because she was pregnant. She and their brother Blake would run with Roxie and Kayla most mornings, but Nicole had been under the weather with morning sickness of late.

  After Kayla and Roxie reached the house and ran in through the wolf door, squeezing in at the same time—their usual routine—they raced up the stairs to their respective bedrooms to shift and dress for work.

  Once Kayla had shifted, she called out to her sister, “You shouldn’t have gotten so close to the men!”

  “You shouldn’t have tried to grab their attention so I could get away.”

  “What if they’d been armed?” Kayla pulled on her panties.

  “They weren’t. They didn’t have anywhere to hide a gun, holster, nothing.”

  Kayla sighed, glad to learn that. She had really worried about it. She fastened her bra. “All right, but you shouldn’t have gotten so close. I was going to circle around them further to catch the breeze headed in a different direction. So did you smell their scents?”

  “Human. But since they seemed to be there having a private meeting and then saw a couple of wolves, I figure they won’t be hanging around, so no sense in calling Peter to try and locate them and fine them for trespassing.”

  “Okay.” Kayla buttoned up her blouse.

  “Hey, you’ve got to admit that was an interesting aside to our normal morning jaunt through the woods.”

  “Yeah.” Kayla laughed. “It was memorable, all right. But don’t tell our brothers. If we do, they’ll leave their pregnant wives home to run with us to ensure we stay safe. Even if the guys wanted to stay home with them to make sure they were fine, Nicole and Gabrielle would make them go with us.” She finished dressing.

  “Absolutely. Mum’s the word.”

  Kayla wondered how long that would last! Within a pack, and with them working so closely with their brothers at the lodge, she suspected the word would get out one way or another.

  ***

  Eager to take Kayla Wolff for a night out on the town in Green Valley, Colorado, Nate Grayson drove to her and her sister Roxie’s house next to the Timberline Ski Lodge. He and Kayla liked to get out of Silver Town on a date on occasion when they both could manage. His private investigator cases had stacked up and she had been busy with marketing strategies for her family-run ski lodge and restaurant, not to mention handling several catering venues for different celebrations—weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, retirement, you name it—that they often couldn’t get away.

  As soon as she came to the front door of her home, Kayla was all smiles, wearing a red dress and high heels, the fragrance of peaches and cream enveloping her. “Hey, you look lovely,” Nate said, hugging and kissing her, and she hugged and kissed him right back. He enjoyed having her scent on him, claiming him as he was claiming her. Once he’d met her, he’d never been interested in anyone else.

  “You look pretty dapper yourself. I’m glad we could both get away for this.” Kayla looked just as eager to enjoy the night with him.

  He’d dressed up for the occasion too, though a jacket and tie were required for the restaurant. It was a warm June night as he walked her to his car. “Yeah, me too. Even though we know some of the wolves of the Green Valley wolf pack and they know us, there aren’t as many of them living there and they don’t run the whole town. Everyone knows us in Silver Town.”

  She laughed. “Are you afraid to be seen out with me too much?”

  He smiled. “Not me.” He was more concerned that Kayla wanted more anonymity because she tended to be shy about things like this. But he was eager to show she was all his and no other wolf better think she was available.

  When they finally arrived at the Great Gatsby restaurant in Green Valley, it was still light out at seven in the evening. The restaurant was all lit up, and it really set the stage for a nice romantic dinner. Nate parked and walked Kayla inside and they were seated at their reserved table right away. A gold and black theme ran throughout the restaurant: gold chandeliers, black tablecloths, black and gold wallpaper, and gold candles on each of the tables. The women on the waitstaff were wearing gold, flapper-era fringe dresses, and the men were dressed in black-and-white striped double-breasted jackets and trousers.

  “This is so nice. Thanks for taking me here. I’ve never been here, and it’s really a lovely restaurant, great atmosphere. Everything’s so elegant,” Kayla said.

  “It is. I wanted to make this extra special tonight since we haven’t been able to get together lately what with your work and mine. And we’re always having meals at your house or mine, so I wanted to do something different. I haven’t been here either, and I was waiting to take you here. I’m sure glad to be here with you.”

  “Oh, me too with you.”

  One of the waitresses jiggled the gold fringe on her dress at Nate when she came over to take their orders and he smiled, amused. “And what would you like to have for dinner?” she asked Nate first, as if she was coming on to him, but he figured it was part of the Great Gatsby show.

  Kayla and Nate ordered T-bone steaks, mashed potatoes, slivered carrots, and glasses of merlot.

  “Are you celebrating anything special?” the waitress asked.

  Nate said, “Just being in love.”

  “Aww, now that’s special.”

  Kayla blushed. Nate reached over and took her hand and squeezed. They’d been seeing each other since they’d both moved here a year and a half ago, which was a long time for lupus garous to date before they decided on mating. He just felt she hadn’t been ready for it yet. But he sure was. Everything about her made him want to be with her day and night.

  One of the men served them their glasses of wine and made sure to show Kayla extra special attention. She was blushing furiously, and when the wine steward left their table, she smiled at Nate. “You were looking a little growly.”

  “I knew it was just an act, but, uh, yeah, I might have not hidden my growly side enough.” He smiled. He had to admit he had been feeling a little growly despite his best intention of seeing it as it was.

  “That’s okay.” Kayla clinked her wine glass against his. “If that flapper had wiggled her dress fringe at you one more time, she would have heard me growl.”

  Nate laughed. He just couldn’t see Kayla doing that.

  Kayla licked the wine off her lips, and he wanted to groan at the sight. He needed to spend more intimate time with her. He wanted to get on one knee, pull her onto his lap, kiss her, and ask her to mate him. But he was determined to stick to his plan to do it at the cabin he’d reserved for her birthday in eight days. He and his sister and parents were planning a surprise birthday bash at the lodge for the quadruplets the night before, though Kayla was actually born after midnight on the following day. They’d celebrate her birthday the next day too, according to Roxie.

  Then their meals were finally served.

  Kayla cut into her medium-rare steak, took a bite, and practically purred.

  He smiled. “Good, huh?” He took another bite of his. Man, the food was the greatest. He couldn’t have planned this outing any better.

  “Yeah, this is delicious.” She reached over and squeezed his hand. “Thanks for bringing me here for such a special night.”

  “I’m having the best time too.”

  They enjoyed the music playing in the background, drinking their wine, eating their dinners, and pausing to kiss each other—which felt so right.

  “This was truly delightful,” Kayla said, finishing up her dinner.

  “Being with you, it sure has been.” He was so glad they had been able to get away for the evening. He finished eating the last of his steak and paid the bill.

  “Did you want to come home with me tonight?” he asked.

  She sighed.

  He knew that was a no. He sighed. She smiled and they stood up, clasping hands. She kissed him before they left the restaurant, then they headed out.

  “I don’t want to be with anyone else, you know,” she said. “I just have so much on my plate. I’m in charge of a wedding reception coming up and also a fiftieth wedding anniversary party for a couple.”

  “Yeah. I know.” Which was why he wanted to propose to her right after her birthday celebration at the cabin, as long as she’d come with him there. They would have an uninterrupted week of fun. He wanted to mate her and be with her every night, no matter how busy their days were. He wanted to be there with her, for her so she could tell him all about her rough day and he’d help her to chill out, just as he knew she would be there for him during rough times.

  “You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Nate. Truly. Don’t give up on me.”

  “There’s no chance of that, honey.” He kissed her and then hugged her close. “Being with you has been life-changing.”

  “For me too. We’ll be there soon for sure.”

  “We will be.”

  They left the restaurant, ready to head home. He removed his jacket and was putting it in the back seat when he heard gunfire down the street and breaking glass. What the hell?

  He grabbed Kayla and got down between the cars for protection, holding her tight.

  “Gunfire,” she whispered as if whoever was shooting might hear her words and would come for them next if she didn’t speak quietly.

  “Yeah, at a business a couple of blocks down the street.” As a retired Army Ranger, he knew just what gunfire sounded like. And of course with their wolf’s hearing, he could place where it was coming from. “Come on, let’s go. I want to get you out of here.” He didn’t hear anyone headed their way that could be trouble. He got her car door, and she climbed in, and he shut the door. Then he hurried to climb into the car, started the engine, and pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street.

  “I bet you want to check it out, being a private investigator.” Kayla glanced behind her.

  “No. I don’t want to run into someone who’s shooting up a store. And certainly not when I worry about your safety.”

  They were just getting ready to turn onto the highway that would take them back to Silver Town when he saw a black pickup truck racing up behind them like it was going to run right over them. Nate didn’t have anywhere to pull off, and he wasn’t about to tear off at reckless speeds through town to avoid getting rear-ended.

  A car was approaching them from the opposite direction, and that’s when the jerk behind him tried to pass them.

  “What’s wrong with him?” Kayla asked, seeing the truck approaching in the sideview mirror. “He’s passing.”

  “Yeah. I don’t have anywhere to go, and he’s not going to make it before the other car gets here.” Nate slowed way down so the truck could safely pass them.

  The racing truck pulled around them, but he wasn’t going to have enough time to pass them before colliding with the oncoming vehicle. The truck was going, hell or high water. Nate slammed on his brakes. To avoid being rear-ended, he hadn’t done that earlier, but now he was trying to give the pickup time to get around them.

  As if the driver was experiencing road rage, the truck cut Nate off, nearly hitting his front bumper. Nate swerved to avoid getting hit, and his tire struck the curb so hard it exploded. Instinctively, he threw his arm across Kayla to protect her from hitting the dash, even though she was seat belted in and the seat belt caught her.

  “Ohmigod!” she cried out, sounding a little rattled.

  “The tire just blew. No one was shooting at us.” Which had concerned him at first when he heard the tire blow. He turned off the engine and pulled her into a hug. “Are you okay?” He’d worried more than anything about Kayla getting hurt if the truck bashed into them.

  “Yeah, you?” Kayla embraced him hard.

  “Yeah. I’ve got to change the tire. Be back in a minute and we’ll get on our way.”

  “Bastards,” Kayla said, getting out of the car at the same time he did.

  He unbuttoned his shirt, and she smiled appreciatively as he bared his chest. He smiled and flexed his muscles a little. He shouldn’t have, considering the situation they were in, but she chuckled, and it seemed to lighten the mood.

  He opened his trunk and pulled out his spare tire and moved it around to the side of the car. Before he could grab the car’s jack, she brought it out for him.

  “Thanks, but you really didn’t have to do that. I don’t want you to get dirty.” He appreciated her help. He wasn’t so macho that he didn’t want her assistance, but he didn’t want her to get any grease on her pretty dress.

  “That’s okay. I’m being careful and I’m used to changing a tire when I need to.”

  As soon as he removed the lug nuts, she held onto them for him. Once he had changed out the tire, she handed him the lug nuts. “I should have gotten their license plate number for reckless—” she said but abruptly stopped speaking when two police cars tore down the road past them, blue lights flashing, heading in the direction of the initial gunfire and shattered glass.

  They both turned to look at the police cars.

  “Too bad they weren’t after the guys speeding down the road,” Kayla said.

  Which made Nate wonder… “You don’t mind if we go the way the police cars went and see what’s going on, do you?”

  “Always the PI.”

  “Yeah, sorry. I wouldn’t have done it when the gunshots were going off.” He sighed. “This is our special date. I really shouldn’t have mentioned it.” He put the jack back in the car, closed the trunk, and pulled a bottle of hand sanitizer out of his console. He gave it to Kayla first so she could clean her hands. Then he washed his and pulled on his shirt.

  Kayla began buttoning it for him. “No, I really want to know what’s going on too. Ending a date on an investigative errand works for me.”

  “Are you sure?” He was dying to learn what was going on, particularly if the truck that had forced them off the road had been involved in a crime—a hit-and-run or something. He wanted to report it to the police. But he didn’t want it to take away from their date. Still, when they had first met, Kayla was eager to help him solve a situation of theft at her lodge, so he knew she had an interest in investigations.