by Vella Day
“Sure.”
He didn’t move until her car disappeared from sight. Well, damn.
*
“Why did you turn him down?” Izzy asked.
With the phone cradled between her ear and her neck, Missy poured a glass of wine then propped her feet up on the coffee table. “Eventually, he has to go back home.”
“So? Men have been known to move.”
Perhaps that wasn’t the real reason why she’d decided not to go out with him. “There’s just something that seems off about him.”
“He has amnesia,” Izzy said.
“Zane is remembering a lot.” She chuckled. “In fact, he told me he’s from another realm. I have to say the man has quite an imagination.”
“Another realm? That’s a new one.”
“I know. I did enjoy the tale he wove though.”
“Is he too forward then?” Izzy sounded concerned.
“No, Zane was a real gentleman.”
“Is it his looks?”
Missy didn’t want to consider she could be so prejudiced. “I hope not, though the straggly hair and untrimmed beard just aren’t my thing.” The rest of him looked good. The image of Zane standing in front of her naked with his cock erect surfaced, and heat raced up her face. “Look. I know Rye likes him, but I need some time.”
“Sure. I just want you to be as happy as I am.”
Missy smiled. She loved her sister. “I will be. My time has yet to come.”
“If you change your mind, I’m sure we can arrange for the two of you to bump into each other.”
Missy polished off the rest of her wine. “Let’s just let nature take its course.”
“Understood.”
Somehow she doubted her sister would refrain from interfering.
Chapter Eight
‡
Zane had a very restless night reviewing what had gone wrong with his date. Yes, Missy’s horse had bucked her off, but his little magic girl had popped right up, ready to get back on—or she would have had Grandma not run away.
As for his grand reveal, he thought it had gone well. He had told the truth, but she seemed to think his tale belonged in some science fiction book. Zane had learned that it was impossible to control another person’s thoughts, which meant if she wasn’t going to believe him, she’d never accept what he said as truth. It wasn’t like he could prove to her another realm existed—short of taking her there, which was impossible.
She seemed to enjoy what she thought was his humor. During lunch, Missy had told him a tale of her own, and he’d enjoyed their banter. So why had she turned him down for a date? Who knows? He hadn’t really understood women all that well on Cargonia, so why should this realm be any different? Right now, he had a job to do. Daydreaming would only get him fired.
When he reached the supply closet, he grabbed the mop, bucket, and a few cleaning solutions, ready to start his chores. Just as he walked into the bathroom, Tanner March, the new kid on the block, was coming out from the showers with a towel wrapped around his waist.
“Hiya, Zane. How’s it going?”
Zane smiled. He enjoyed this young man’s enthusiasm. “It’s going well. You? Have you had to put out any fires yet?”
He shook his head. “Not yet. For now, I’m studying to be a paramedic. I prefer the after care than fighting the blaze.”
Zane could respect that. “Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot.”
In the last week, Zane had been thrown off by all the colloquial expressions, especially from the younger guys, but he was slowly learning their meaning. “There’s a girl I like, but I can’t convince her to go out with me.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes.” Zane puffed out his chest at the man’s comment.
“Well, if you’re asking, I’d get a shave and hair cut.”
Zane had worn his hair shorter, but his hair had grown during his hibernation. “You might be right.”
Tanner ran a hand over his shorn hair. “I think women dig the short look nowadays. Long hair kind of went out with the seventies.”
Zane wouldn’t know as he’d slept through that time, but Tanner hadn’t even been born yet. “Can you recommend a barber?”
“I cut my own hair, but my brother goes to Carmen DeLong over on High Point and Oak. He’s really good. And cheap.”
“Thanks. I’ll give him a try.”
As soon as Tanner headed to the locker room to change, Zane returned to work. If Missy hated the new look, it wouldn’t take long to grow it back.
In the middle of mopping the floor, the siren sounded and Zane stopped, enjoying the pounding of feet and the intense hustle to save someone in need. He’d thought about learning to be a fireman, but he enjoyed creating art with his iron too much to change.
*
“Is something wrong?” Teagan asked.
Missy had been standing in front of the register at the Crystal Winds Spa for a good two minutes and had yet to count the cash. “I think I hurt Zane’s feelings when I turned him down for dinner.”
The invitation had been four days ago, and she was still dwelling over it. That wasn’t a good sign.
“It’s an easy dilemma to solve.” Teagan straightened the business cards on the counter.
Her cousin was no help. “What’s that? Go out with him? If I did, I’d be leading him on.”
Teagan placed her hands on the counter and leaned forward. “If you don’t like him then you were right to say no. But if you do like him, then it’s not raising his hopes.”
“I do kind of like him. I mean he’s sweet and funny.”
Teagan stood up straighter and crossed her arms over her chest. “That sounds like a deadly boring combination. Listen, if he doesn’t get your blue sparks shooting, then you shouldn’t go out with him. You need to move on.”
“Yeah, well, actually, a few did escape.”
Teagan’s face lit up. “That’s wonderful. Then what’s the problem?”
“I don’t know. He’s hiding something. I can feel it.”
Her brows pinched. “Have you asked him about it?”
“Yes, and you won’t believe what he told me.” Missy detailed the story of him being from another realm. “He doesn’t seem to want to tell me any details about where he is from. He’s secretive.”
“About what though?”
“I don’t know. He is really good at telling a story. If I didn’t know better, I would’ve almost thought he believed his own tale.”
Teagan chuckled. “Personally, I’d give him a shot. Rye seems to like him, at least according to Izzy.”
So now her own sister was talking behind her back? “I could tell.” An idea popped into her head, and Missy pointed a finger at Teagan. “You can see into the future. How about concentrating on Zane and tell me where he’ll be in a few months.”
Teagan cocked her head to the side. “You know that’s not how it works. My visions are spontaneous. I can’t force them.”
“That was in the past. Ever since you and Kip mated, I thought things had changed.” In actuality, Teagan’s visions had almost halted—at least the bad ones had.
“It changed in the sense that now I can predict good events too, instead of everything being so dark. It’s not like I’m a fortune teller who can predict things at command.”
It had been worth the shot to ask. “Well, if you ever see anything about him or me, let me know.”
“Will do.” Just then Teagan’s cell rang, and she slipped it from her pocket. “It’s Ainsley. Hey there. What’s up?” Teagan turned around and wandered toward the front of the store. “Yes, I remembered. Seven tonight. I’ll be there. Thanks.”
“Is everything okay?” Missy asked when her cousin returned to the counter.
“Yes. When our men are working on a case, the three of us often grab a drink. You should come.”
Missy shook her head. “I’m not the party-hardy type.”
Teagan smiled. “We only have a
drink or two over some girl talk. Come and join us. You need to get out of your shell.”
Okay, that stung. “I get out plenty.”
“I didn’t mean hiking outdoors to pick mushrooms. I mean getting out there and meeting people. Your future mate isn’t going to drop on your doorstep.”
An image of Zane popping out of the cave surfaced, but she pushed it aside. Missy often shunned going out with the girls because she never had anything interesting to say. Maybe it was time to change things up, if only to stop the tongues from wagging. “Fine. I’d love to come.”
Teagan smiled. “That’s great.” She ran her gaze from Missy’s head to her waist. “Just be sure to wear something sexy.”
“I thought this was a girl chat evening.”
“It is. We’re all mated, but you’re not. It won’t hurt to have some interest thrown your way.”
Great. Why was everyone trying to fix her up? They all believed in fated mates, so it wasn’t like they thought some stranger would whisk her away, though she supposed getting more experience wouldn’t hurt when the right man did show up. “I don’t think I own anything sexy.” That really sounded lame.
“Then buy something!”
Diana’s Dress Shop on Pine and Maple always carried some cute things. It might be time to change her look anyway. “Where and when are you meeting?”
“McKinnon’s Pub at seven.”
“Fine. I’ll see you there.”
As much as she wanted to wipe the victorious grin off her cousin’s face, it would be good to enjoy some different scenery. It might even help take her mind off Zane.
Promising herself she’d keep an open mind about the evening, Missy went back to work. When five o’clock rolled around, Teagan insisted that she close. “You need to get ready.”
“Wait a minute. Is there something you aren’t telling me? Did you invite Zane to the bar?”
Teagan’s mouth dropped. “No! I’m not sneaky like your sister. I’ve never met the man.”
“That better be the truth.” Thankfully, it had been Mrs. McKinnon who’d made their picnic lunch and not Mom.
Once she said goodbye to her mom who was working in the back, Missy headed off to Diana’s Dress Shop. If she had any hope of stopping her relatives from meddling, she needed to show she wasn’t the recluse they thought her to be. This couldn’t be a half-hearted attempt either. Missy inhaled, trying to ready herself for being pushed out of her comfort zone.
When the shop owner heard what she needed, she was excited to help. “Greens and turquoise look good with your skin tone and hair color,” Diana said. “I have just the thing.
By the time the shop owner was done, Missy had spent a week’s salary. Even she had to admit it was fun to do something so daring, even if it was only for one night. Once home, she tried on the outfit and was pleased with the result. The low cut emerald green top was a shock for her system, but the short leather boots with the two-inch heels really looked good with the skinny jeans. The wow factor was the amber necklace she’d purchased. Ever since she found the burnt orange stone in the cave, she’d been thinking about that color. Not much of a makeup person, all she did was dab on a light pink lipstick and a bit of blush.
The timer she’d set on her phone rang. It was time to go. After taking one more look in the mirror, Missy headed out. The late spring still smelled sweet as the sun began to set, creating a colorful pallet across the sky.
Missy had targeted arriving five minutes late, but when she entered the bar neither Teagan or Ainsley nor Lexi were there yet. For a minute she thought she had the time or day wrong, but when Ainsley walked in a minute later with Lexi, relief washed through her.
“Missy,” Ainsley said right before hugging her. “I’m so glad Teagan could convince you to come.”
She shrugged. “Sitting home alone can get old.”
Lexi laughed. “Tell me about it. That was my life before I arrived in Silver Lake.”
Ainsley nodded to one of the tables. “Teagan called a minute ago and said she’d be here shortly. By the way, I love your top and necklace.”
Missy fingered the smooth stone. “Thanks.”
She slid into the booth, and Ainsley sat next to her. She too looked good in her pretty white tank top. Lexi took the seat across from her. Thankfully, her top was more revealing than Missy’s, making her feel less self-conscious.
“So Teagan tells me you met someone,” Ainsley said without any preamble.
Her cousin and her big mouth. “Let’s say I ran into someone.” Missy proceeded to regale them with her story of how she and Zane met.
“And this Zane guy doesn’t remember anything?” Lexi asked. “I find that hard to believe.”
“I know!” Missy said. “I can understand not remembering names or places, but not knowing how to open a car door?”
Lexi laughed, but Ainsley didn’t. Before Missy could ask why the sudden serious expression, Teagan arrived.
“Sorry, I’m late.” She sat down and waved at Molly, Rye’s cousin, who rushed over.
“Hey, ladies. What can I get you all?” Molly asked.
“How about a pitcher of Sangria?” Lexi looked around and everyone nodded.
“You got it. I’ll be right back.” Molly trotted off.
“Missy has been telling us about Zane,” Lexi told Teagan.
“He does sound interesting. I can’t wait to meet him,” Teagan chimed in.
Oh, boy. She didn’t need her cousin working on her too. “I’m sure he’ll show up at some event,” Missy said.
Ainsley held up a finger. “Where did he say he was from?”
“Some small town in North Carolina.” Missy should have paid better attention.
“I thought you said that he told you he was from some other realm?” Teagan said.
Missy laughed. “That was make believe.”
Ainsley shook her head. “Another realm? Zane might have been telling you the truth. Tell me exactly what he said.”
Had she not sounded so serious, Missy would have laughed it off. What had he said the name of the realm was? “I think he said it was called Cargonia. To be honest, I was enjoying his story so much that I didn’t pay attention to the details.”
“This realm is like Earth, right?” Ainsley asked.
“Seems to be, but he was just making that up.”
The pitcher arrived, and Molly poured each of them a drink. Missy needed to end this crazy discussion and held up her glass. “To fantasy.”
They all tapped their glasses and drank.
For the next hour they chatted about what they were up to, leaving Zane out of the conversation for which she was glad. “Are you planning on staying at McKinnon and Associates?” Missy asked Lexi, hoping to keep the spotlight off of her.
“Sam and I have had long talks about that. I want to, but he fears something bad will happen to me if I do because of what he does for a living. I keep telling him that I’d rather work in a safe environment all day than teach school where anyone can find me.”
Missy sighed. Her cousin was so protective. “Do you like answering the phone? I mean, aren’t you bored?”
Lexi laughed. “Trust me, every day I find more ways to get involved in the business. I love hearing about their cases, and I often offer suggestions—but only to Sam. I’ve created spreadsheets and databases that cross reference their cases. Already, it has come in handy.”
Missy smiled. “McKinnon and Associates is lucky to have you. I’m thrilled things have worked out so well for you.”
“They sure have. From almost being sold to finding my mate, life can’t be any better.”
Missy turned to Ainsley. “Any more run ins with the men from the hill?” She didn’t want to mention the Changelings by name.
“So far, they’ve been quiet, but I’m sure they’re still on the lookout for their sardonyx.”
“Shh,” Missy said. “What if they hear you?”
Ainsley held up a hand. “I can assure you none
of them are here.”
Missy was slipping. She’d forgotten about Ainsley’s special talent. “Good to know.”
“Missy?” The deep voice startled her, and she twisted in her seat to face the source.
At the end of the table stood two men. One was about six feet with military-short, sandy blond hair. He was the classic military type—broad shoulders and a powerful chest. While he was good looking, he was nothing compared to the man next to him. That man was a giant. Clean-shaven, his brown hair was short on the side while thick and full on top. She couldn’t stop looking at him. His rich brown eyes drew her in.
“Yes?”
“It’s me!”
As soon as he grinned she recognized him. “Zane?” Oh my goddess. The man sure did clean up well.
“It is. I thought it was about time to get rid of the shaggy beard and hair.”
“You look…great!” That was an understatement.
The shorter man held out his hand. “I’m Tanner March, paramedic in training.”
It made sense that Zane would befriend someone he worked with. “Nice to meet you. I haven’t seen you around. Have you been in town long?”
“No. I just moved here.”
No wonder Missy didn’t recognize him. Once she introduced everyone at the table, they all welcomed Zane and Tanner to Silver Lake.
“If you’ll excuse us, ladies, I promised to show Zane a thing or two about playing pool.”
Zane shook his head, leaned over, and winked. “The youngster doesn’t stand a chance.”
Everyone at the table laughed. A second later the two of them disappeared into the poolroom.
Ainsley grabbed Missy’s arm. “That’s the man you turned down for a date? He sure as hell didn’t look odd to me.”
Even Missy was having second thoughts. Maybe she had judged him by his looks and ill-fitting clothes—ones that were hand-me-downs. “I have to say, he’s not looking odd now.”
The women all seemed to agree. “Go talk to him,” Teagan urged.
That wasn’t Missy’s style. “Let him have fun with his friend.” She studied her cousin. “You didn’t call Izzy and tell her where I’d be tonight, did you?”
“No. You told me you weren’t interested, so I let it be, though now that I’ve seen him, I think I should have called her.”