***Jessie***
Jessie crouched in the rocks, watching the woman from town unload her car. He hadn’t meant to spy on her, but her arrival at the cabin had trapped him. It had been sitting empty for so long, he’d come to think of it as his own, never expecting anyone to move into it. So, when she’d pulled up, the sheriff behind her, he’d run for the rocks behind the cabin and hid. It was a childish and stupid thing to do, but now he was stuck.
He watched as the sheriff helped her unload her car, her scent washing over him and making it impossible not to let the memory of the last time he’d seen her surface. He’d been hiding in a rocky outcropping then just as he was now, but that day he’d been on the run, fleeing from the people he’d once considered his friends.
To this day, he still remembered the sound of the hounds baying as they followed his scent through the forest. His palms sweaty, his heart pounding, he tried to block the memory, but it wouldn’t go away. He knew from experience that the only way past it was to go through it, so he let the memory take over, let himself go back to that night so long ago.
It was his fourteenth birthday, and his grandfather had planned a huge party, inviting everyone from the valley. On the cusp of manhood, he was looking forward to the party almost as much as he was his first shift into a wolf. As the sun began to set, his grandfather called him to his side and gestured for him to sit down.
“We’ve been planning for this day for a long time; it’s time for you to use the gift you’ve been given. But remember that it’s a special gift, a gift that only a chosen few possess, and it’s our job to guard that gift, to always use it wisely and never for our own gain,” his grandfather said.
Jessie looked around him at all his friends and family and knew that he was lucky, lucky that his mother had brought him back here when she disappeared from his life. He’d never been able to forgive her for abandoning him when he was just a baby, but at least she’d brought him here where he belonged, where people understood him.
Knowing the right words, he said, “I’ll honor the gift of being a shifter all of my life, use my power only for good and never for my own gain.”
His grandfather nodded and smiled at him. “I think you’re as ready as you’ll ever be. I’ll see you on the other side.”
As the last rays of the sun fell behind the mountain, Jessie headed for the woods, a group of young men following not far behind. He knew that they were there to help him through his first shift, he’d chosen them himself, but he was nervous and wished he was alone.
To calm himself, he reminded himself that his family had been shifters for generations, that what he was about to do, they’d all done before him. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was different, that when he shifted, his entire life was going to change.
As it began to grow dark, he continued deep into the forest, feeling the power of the night filling him. He knew his friends weren’t far behind him, so when the power began to make him tremble, he stopped to wait for what was sure to come.
The night had begun cloudy, but as Jessie stood there in a little clearing deep in the woods, the clouds parted revealing a moon so full it took up the entire sky. He gasped at the beauty of what he was seeing, but then the moon began to waver, and a strange feeling swept through him.
For a second, everything went fuzzy and unfocused, but when his vision began to clear, he realized that the forest around him looked different. Not only was it bright as daylight, but he could see much farther than he’d ever been able to, and his sense of smell was so refined that he could smell the food from the party from miles away.
He took a few careful steps, stretched his body, then lifted his head and howled. His friends answered his call from the woods around the clearing, then began to come out of the trees one by one, ready to lead him on his first run as a wolf, but when they saw him, they all stopped and stared.
Waiting for them to come farther forward, he racked his brain trying to remember if he’d forgotten anything. When he lifted his head and howled again, his friends sank down on their haunches as if frightened, then slowly backed away from him.
He watched shocked as his best friend raced away from him through the trees, and that was when the anger hit him. They’d left him out here alone; his most trusted friends had left him alone to fight through his first shift. Confused and hurt, he thought about following them, but other urges propelled him into the forest.
Jessie was only vaguely aware of where he was, no longer felt the rocks cutting into his back. But as the sweet scent of the woman began to fade, the memories slowly faded, and he became aware again. Shifting until the rock was no longer poking his back, he lifted his head and saw that the car was gone.
Breathing a sigh of relief that the memory hadn’t played itself completely out, he got to his feet. His legs were cramped from sitting for so long, but soon he was loping through the forest toward home. He promised himself that he’d stay as far away from both the cabin and the woman until, like all flatlanders, she left.
Chapter 3
***Sophie***
Sophie stood in the doorway of the cabin looking around her, so relieved to see that it was neat and tidy, unlike the school, that she couldn’t help but smile. It was only one room with a small bathroom attached, and although simply furnished, Sophie could imagine spending the winter here snug and cozy.
George followed her into the cabin and pointed to the little kitchen in one corner of the room. “I’m afraid there’s no electricity up here; you do have hot and cold running water and a refrigerator though. I adapted it for natural gas a few summers ago when the Widow Spencer decided to start renting the cabin out to tourists.”
Sophie looked at the wood cookstove, remembering helping her grandmother cook on one just like it that summer she’d spent with her. “I think I’ll be okay,” Sophie said, suddenly excited about living on her own, even if she didn’t have the most modern place to live.
George looked at her skeptically, but said, “There’s a pile of wood on the side of the cabin; some is cut for the woodstove and the rest for the fireplace. It doesn’t get cold up here that often, but when it does, you’re going to want that heat.”
Sophie nodded. “I think I’ll be okay, and I have a few months before it gets too cold.”
“Well, if you need anything, just ask me; I’m here to help. We haven’t had a teacher in the valley for a long time, and I’m hoping because of your grandmother, you’ll be more accepted than a true outsider,” George said.
George’s words reminded Sophie that she wasn’t just up here on an adventure; she’d come here to do a job. “When is school supposed to start? I have a lot of work to do before the first day.”
“I’ll leave that up to you. I’d offer to help you with the school, but I’ve already got a bit too much on my plate. I could ask some of the ladies around here to come and help you,” he offered.
Sophie thought about his offer then shook her head. “I think I can handle it on my own as long as I can borrow a few cleaning supplies. That way it will be a surprise when everyone sees the school on the first day.”
George laughed. “I doubt it will be much of a surprise; in fact, I’m sure everyone in the valley knows you’re here by now. Don’t be shocked if you have a steady stream of visitors at the school; people will be curious about you.”
Sophie hated to be the center of attention but knew that in this case, it might work in her favor. “That will give me a chance to get to know everyone,” she said with far more enthusiasm than she felt.
“Well, then I’ll leave you to your unpacking. Do you want some help unloading your car?”
Sophie shook her head. “No, thanks, I can manage. I didn’t bring that much with me,” she said, walking with him to the door. “I’m just going to look around a little more, and then I’ll get started. Thank you for showing me around.”
“I’m glad to have you here, Sophie; just come by the store for those cleaning supplies whenever you’re
ready,” George said, then headed out the door.
It took her the rest of the afternoon to get moved in, and a couple of hours to make her first dinner, but when she climbed into bed that night, she felt ready to take on the school. She had a lot of work ahead of her, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing; it would help take her mind off what she’d left behind to start her new life.
***Jessie***
Jessie had promised himself that he’d stay away from the new teacher, but he just couldn’t seem to stick to that promise, which was why he was sitting in a tree watching the school by the next afternoon. He’d climbed a tree far enough away that he couldn’t smell her, but that didn’t seem to stop the crazy feelings rushing through him every time he got a glimpse of her through the windows.
It was a little insane and very creepy that he was watching her like a stalker, but ever since he’d seen her the day before, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. He knew who she was, knew that her grandmother had been one of his grandfather’s closest friends when he’d been alive, a woman who’d been one of the few in the valley to accept him for who he was.
But that didn’t mean that her granddaughter would feel the same way, would understand that he wasn’t dangerous, only a little bit different. It was stupid to even be considering what he was, stupid to even imagine anything between the two of them. After all, he was what he was, and even if she was a shifter, she’d never be able to look past that; he was only setting himself up for disappointment.
He was just about to come down from the tree and go home when the doors to the school flew open, and Sophie came out carrying a desk. She only made it a few steps before she had to set it down and start dragging it. It made a terrible screeching sound as she dragged it across the porch, and even from his perch, he could see the strain on her face.
The impulse to slide out of the tree and help her was so strong that he gripped the branches around him tightly to keep himself in place. She pulled two more desks out of the school before she gave up for the day and drove off in her car. He waited to make sure she wasn’t coming back then came down out of the tree, the temptation to follow her strong.
But instead, he went home to his little cabin and tried to block her from his mind. He did his chores, working until it got too late to see, then made himself dinner. After dinner, he got out one of the new books David had brought him and tried to read, but he couldn’t stop thinking about the new teacher.
Feeling a restlessness that he’d never felt before, he left the cabin with no destination in mind but soon found himself in the woods behind the school. He knew that she wouldn’t be there but was still drawn to the dark building where there was still just a hint of her sweet fragrance.
He walked around the building, looking in the windows before trying the door, which he wasn’t surprised to find unlocked. Before he stepped inside, he looked up and down the street, reassured when he saw that the few buildings on the main street were dark.
Once inside, he looked around, his eyes piercing the darkness as if it wasn’t there, then picked up the desk closest to him and carried it outside. He wasn’t sure when he’d decided to do this for the new teacher, but it felt like the right thing to do, so he kept at it. He’d gotten half of the desks out of the school and stacked on the porch when he saw a light go on above the store.
Looking back inside at the desks still left, then back at the light, he knew that the time had come for him to disappear back into the forest. But instead he went back inside and picked up another desk and moved it, knowing that the sheriff would be there in only a few minutes.
He’d just set the last desk down when the sheriff came walking up to the school. “Nice night,” he said.
Jessie turned and looked at him. “Yes, it is. Not too cold yet,” he said in the same casual tone, although his heart was hammering in his chest.
The sheriff stared at him for a long time, then said, “Just wondered what you’re doing out here; don’t normally see you in town.”
Jessie stared back at him, not moving for a long time. “I just thought the new schoolteacher might need a little help,” he finally said.
The sheriff nodded. “Never seen you do anything like that before.”
Jessie shrugged his shoulders. “Guess there’s a first time for everything,” he said, then walked over and closed the door. “I’m all finished; guess I’ll be getting home.”
His heart pounding, he walked away from the sheriff, wondering what he’d started with his appearance in town. He’d lived up on his mountain for fifteen years, and in all that time, he’d never been caught in town. But tonight, he’d let himself get caught, a reckless and uncharacteristic thing for him to do.
“That new teacher isn’t used to the way we do things up here. I’d hate it if she got scared away by something,” the sheriff said, but Jessie could hear the warning in his voice.
He stopped and turned back to face the sheriff. “She has nothing to fear from me. If I were you, I’d be more worried about some of the other people around here.”
The sheriff nodded. “Just wanted to make sure we’re on the same page. I’ll be looking out for her,” he said, his message clear.
“As long as someone is,” Jessie said, then turned and walked off, his heart pounding.
When he knew the sheriff couldn’t see him any longer, he stopped and leaned against a tree. It had been stupid to stay there when he saw the sheriff coming, but he hadn’t been doing anything wrong and wasn’t about to run away like a criminal. Staying out of sight was one thing; running away was another.
But he’d understood the sheriff’s warning, and couldn’t blame him; after all, he was a werewolf—a black one, but a werewolf none the less. He knew how the town felt about him, knew that they feared him and his awful gift, but he’d long ago learned how to control his impulses on those nights when he became one of nature’s greatest predators.
As odd as it sounded, especially to David, he was thankful that he was a black werewolf. Unlike a regular werewolf, he remained himself when he changed, retained his human mind and intellect. It hadn’t helped that terrible night when he’d finally let his anger get the better of him, but since then, he’d learned to control his impulses when he changed.
Of course, he could never explain that to the sheriff or the people of the valley; after what he’d done, they wouldn’t believe him. He’d learned to accept that, and to keep his distance, but he’d also learned that it could be a very lonely life. If it hadn’t been for his cousin David and his brother’s silent presence all these years, he would have been totally alone.
He’d once had dreams about falling in love and having a family, but when those dreams had been shattered, he’d buried them. Now standing in the forest, he wondered why he couldn’t have what everyone else had, why he had to live in seclusion as he did. But he knew the answer; his kind weren’t supposed to live normal lives, weren’t supposed to find love and happiness.
Disgusted with himself, Jessie pushed himself back to his feet and headed for his cabin. He’d thought that he’d long ago learned to live with the limitations of his life, but clearly those dreams hadn’t quite died all those years ago. But those dreams would only bring him heartache if he didn’t push them away right now.
Renewing his promise to himself to stay away from the new teacher, he collapsed into bed, finally exhausted enough to sleep. But his dreams were filled with visions of the new teacher: her bright red hair, the curve of her hips and breasts, and the beautiful green eyes that sparkled when she smiled.
Chapter 4
***Sophie***
Sophie woke with the sun streaming through her window. It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to get out of bed. The task of cleaning the school had turned out to be far more difficult than she’d thought it would be, and she wasn’t looking forward to going back.
Her muscles were sore from all the cleaning she’d done, and it hadn’t made much of a d
ifference, but she wasn’t ready to give up yet. So, she got out of bed and started the cook stove, put on the coffee and got dressed. She was tempted to take a hot shower, one of the only modern conveniences she had, but knew it would delay her far too long.
Instead, she threw her hair up in a sloppy ponytail and put on the same dirty clothes she’d worn the day before. It seemed unlikely that she would run into anyone besides George if the day before were any indication. After almost an entire day in town, she suddenly realized late that afternoon that she hadn’t seen a single person except George.
She’d been struggling with one of the desks and thinking that she was going to need some help when it hit her that there was no one to ask for help, except George. The store was locked up tight, and she was exhausted, so she’d used it as a good excuse to quit for the day.
But as she drove down the mountain that morning, she realized that she still had to get all those desks moved out of the school; it was the only way she’d ever get it clean. If George wasn’t home, she wasn’t sure what she was going to do, but when she pulled up in front of the school, to her shock, the desks were all piled neatly on the porch.
She got out of the car and walked up the steps, looking at the desks and wondering how they got there. But then she realized that George must have done it after she left the day before, and pushed it from her mind, hoping that she’d remember to thank him later.
With the problem of the desks solved, she stood in the center of the room and spun in a circle, then decided what she needed was some sunlight. She had her doubts about the vinegar and water George had handed her when she’d asked for window cleaner, but soon she discovered that it worked better than anything she’d used before.
Third Time a Charm: Wolves of Gypsum Creek Page 2