by Jane Jamison
“Stop it, Dan. We have to keep things cool for a while. You know that.”
“Knowing and doing are two different things.”
“Not right now they’re not.” She wasn’t sure where she’d found the strength to resist, but she’d managed so far. Locking her bedroom door at night helped.
He licked his lips, careful to make sure only she saw him do so. “I miss tasting you.”
She steadied herself. If Riley weren’t there, she’d jump on top of the kitchen counter and spread wide for him to get a real good taste of her. But she had to think in practical terms.
“Dan, we’ve never talked about this, but once Riley gets on board with our being mates, assuming she ever does, then what happens next? Do we stay in Forever? Or do we move away? Do you want to go back to California?”
He didn’t hesitate. “We’ve always liked the idea of living in a small town and think it would be a good place for Riley. Plus, I get the impression that you’d rather stay here. Am I right?”
“If given the choice, then yes, I would. And there’s the matter of my diner.”
“I don’t think Matthew and I would be much good helping out there, but we could buy a small ranch. We used to own one outside Bakersfield, but we gave it up and moved into my sister’s house in town so Riley wouldn’t have to give up her home.”
That had to be part of it. Riley was afraid of losing her uncles as well as her childhood home. “Then maybe we should move back there so Riley can still have her home.”
“I don’t think so. She didn’t seem that happy there, either, for the past year or so. I think a new place would do her good.”
“Hey, what are you two talking about?” The regret Matthew felt shone on his face as he realized that he’d drawn attention to them. He twisted back around to face the television, but it was too late.
Riley’s eyebrows dropped low when she shifted around to see them. “What’s going on?”
Dan’s demeanor switched from horny man to adoring uncle in a flash. “We’ve decided to go on a picnic. How about it, Riley? We can get a few horses then head down to that pond and pig out.”
Milly half-expected Riley to grow sullen and pout. To her surprise, she didn’t.
“Sure. It sounds like fun. Can we have fried chicken?”
Dan scooted off the stool and strolled over to her. “Consider it ordered, kiddo.”
“Cool.” Riley jumped up from the couch and zipped around to Dan. She flung her arms around his waist and hugged him, and rested her chin on his shoulder. Her gaze fixed on Milly as the brilliant smile she’d given her uncle morphed into a sneer.
I knew it. She’s playing them and lording it over me.
She smiled back and somehow managed to keep the irritation she felt from creeping into the gesture.
* * * *
Jackson was more than happy to loan them the horses. They’d driven over to the main Carr ranch then left their van there and saddled up. Gertie had met them at the ranch with a huge picnic basket as well as sodas and a bottle of wine. Milly had felt like a schoolgirl at Gertie’s conspiratorial wink. The entire town was doing their best to tell Milly how happy they were and to welcome the Hudson men and their niece.
Dan and Matthew were excellent riders, and Riley could hold her own. Milly was the one having a hard time keeping up as they galloped their mounts over the ranch toward a group of trees that surrounded the little pond and stream that fed into it. They dismounted, with Dan untying the basket from his horse while Matthew spread out the blanket.
Milly looked around her and thought how romantic the place would be if she’d come there without Riley in tow. Once again, she felt a wave of guilt. She had to stop thinking of the girl in less than favorable terms no matter how difficult Riley made that.
She fell to her knees and began pulling the food out of the basket. “Riley, are you hungry yet?”
Riley’s hard glare caught her off guard. But it was no surprise when the glare changed to a smile as soon as her uncles turned her way.
If you’re going to pretend to like me, then let’s see you really put on a show for your uncles.
Milly waved her over. “Come and give me a hand, okay?”
She guessed that helping her was the last thing Riley wanted to do, but she was caught without a way out. Her smile faded then brightened again. “Sure.”
Riley dropped to her knees beside her and pulled out food then set it out. The men took the horses to a nearby tree and were busy looping their reins over the limbs.
“I love your uncles.”
Riley froze for a second then reached for the napkins. “Then I guess it’s going to hurt like hell when we leave.”
Milly could sense the animosity radiating off the young girl. “I don’t understand why we can’t get along. I’m not your enemy. Just because I’m their mate—”
The vehemence behind Riley’s glower rippled over her. “Their intended mate. But that doesn’t mean they’re going to stay with you. And they won’t. Not if I can help it.”
“But why not? Why do you hate me so much? If you’d give me half a chance, we could be friends.”
“I don’t need a friend. And I don’t want you around them.” She leaned closer, lowering her voice even more. “Fuck off, bitch.”
She’d had all she could stand. Taking Riley by the arm, Milly squeezed just hard enough to make sure Riley knew she meant business, but not enough to hurt her. “Okay, that’s it. I’ve tried to get along with you, but when you keep calling me a bitch, then we’ve got problems.”
“Let go of me.”
“Listen, Riley, I love them and I’m going to do everything I can to keep them in my life. You’re just going to have to accept that, and I hope, in time, we can learn to get along.”
Riley jerked her arm away. “Screw you.”
“Look, kid, I know you’ve had a rough go of it, but it’s time to get your head around this. I know you’ve been sneaking out at night.”
Alarm replaced the hostility on Riley’s face, but not for long. “Oh, so that’s it? You’re going to tell my uncles if I don’t start acting like we’re good?”
“Hey, you two, is anything wrong?”
Riley’s fake smile was back on her face. “Nope. Just helping out.” She stood, shot Milly a fuck-you face that was meant only for her, and then hurried toward the pond and out of sight
Matthew helped Milly to her feet. “What was all that about?” He chuckled, trying to inject his usual humor into the mix. “I’m guessing she’s not asking you for advice about boys.”
“Hardly. I’m afraid it’s more of the usual.”
“Riley’s doing a good job at trying to play us, but I’m not buying it. I caught the way she scowled at you. It’s too bad. Dan had started getting his hopes up.”
“I’m sorry this is so tough on both of you.”
“Like it’s not even harder on you?” He nibbled at her neck, giving her a wild rush of fresh lust.
Since Riley had gone down the slight slope to the pond, Milly dared to put her arms around him. “Yeah, but I’m hanging in there. Still, you two should prepare yourself for a showdown. I don’t think she’s ever going to come around on her own.”
“By showdown, I hope you don’t mean dueling pistols at dusk.”
She laughed. “Not a chance. I’m horrible with guns.”
Dan slid behind her, sandwiching her between them. “Hey, what’s going on? I thought we were playing it cool. Not that I’m complaining, mind you.” His hands cupped her ass.
She wanted nothing more than to lie down and make full use of the blanket. Picnic be damned.
“We think you’d better get ready, bro. All this friendliness Riley’s showing Milly is a bunch of bull.” Matthew rubbed his thumbs over her nipples.
She closed her eyes and let the delicious sensations of their touches spark a burn between her legs. The sun was warm on her shoulders, but it was no match for the warmth they gave her.
“
Aw, shit. I was hopeful for about a minute.”
Milly hated like hell to do it, but if they didn’t stop touching her, she wouldn’t care if Riley found them or not. She eased out from between them. “She’s not going to accept me by us backing off. I think we may have to confront her dead-on.”
“And if that doesn’t work?”
The pain in Matthew’s face mimicked the ache in her heart. “Then I guess you’ve already made your choice. You’ll have to leave even though it’ll break my heart. I won’t take you away from her. I can’t do that.”
Dan took off his cowboy hat and dragged a hand through his hair. “If we have to choose, then we’ll leave. But you have to promise that you’ll wait for us. Once she’s grown and on her own, we’ll come back.”
Matthew was quick to agree. “Yeah. That’s three years from now. It’ll be hard as hell, but we can wait if we have to. And maybe visit you, one at a time, whenever we can make an excuse to get away.”
“Let’s not give up just yet. Give it more time. Please, Milly. For us?”
She touched her palm to Dan’s cheek. “For you two? Anything.”
“Maybe you could take her shopping or something? You know, do some girl things and bond that way?”
“Sure. I guess I can give it a shot.” Milly rubbed her fingers together. “But you’re paying, right?”
“Sure thing.”
“Yeah. Of course.”
She laughed when they answered at the same time. “Okay, then. I’ll go down to the pond and ask her to go shopping with me tomorrow. I’m going to say you suggested it. Maybe then she’ll actually do it if only to make it look like she’s being nice to me.”
She hurried toward the pond, determined to give a relationship with Riley another try. Riley was working her way back and forth across the narrow stream by using the stones in the water as her steps.
“Hey.”
Riley took one quick look to make sure her uncles weren’t around then ducked her head, ignoring Milly.
Milly shoved down the irritation that threatened to push a curse out of her mouth. Instead, she took a deep breath and moved closer. “I was talking to your uncles, and they gave me an idea. Since I need some new clothes”—thanks to you—“and I know a teenage girl can always use more clothes, they suggested that we make a girls’ day out of tomorrow and spend some of their money. What do you say? Want to go shopping? We could stay in Forever or go into Shatland. It’s a little larger town, but—”
She stopped, cutting off her words about how many vampires resided in Shatland. Considering Riley was friendly with Kurt Shillings, the girl might just try to see him. She had to wonder if she’d been sneaking out to meet him, but again, she had no proof. If they went to Shatland and Riley slipped away, she’d have to explain to Dan and Matthew why she hadn’t kept a closer eye on their niece.
“But what?”
“Nothing. So what do you say? Do you think we could bury the hatchet”—preferably not in my back—“for one day in the name of retail therapy? We could even get our nails done, if you like.”
She could see Riley thinking it through. The temptation of getting new clothes was one few teens could pass up.
“Okay. Yeah. As long as I get to buy some new music for my iPod, too. Deal?”
“We don’t have a store for that.”
“Seriously? You don’t know anything, do you? You buy tunes online. So if you’re willing to buy me some, then okay. I’ll go shopping with you.”
“Fine. It’s a deal.”
Riley stopped on the large rock in the middle of the stream. Water rushed around her, nipping at her shoes. “This doesn’t change anything. I’m still not going to let them stay.”
We’ll see about that.
“That’s their decision to make. Until then, let’s try to get along, okay?”
“I can’t do that.” A sly gleam came to her eyes. “Not after what you did.”
She knew she was in trouble, but she had to ask anyway. “What did I supposedly do?”
“You pushed me into the water.”
Shit!
Milly darted for Riley, but the girl was too fast. Riley laughed then jumped into the water. Sitting down, she splashed herself, getting her hair and her clothes soaked.
“Why did you do that?” Was the kid insane?
“You’ll see.” She splashed more water on herself. “Uncle Dan! Uncle Matthew!”
Milly couldn’t move, couldn’t even speak. The nerve of the girl was just too much. “What the hell, Riley?”
Riley surged past her, heading up the slope toward the picnic area. She’d made it to the top just as Dan and Matthew came up. Whirling around, she pointed at Milly. Tears streamed down her face.
“She pushed me into the water!” She pointed an accusatory finger at Milly.
“I did no such thing.” She gaped at the girl then looked to the men. “You’ve got to believe me. I never even touched her. Although I feel like touching her right now. Right across her butt. That girl needs a good spanking.”
Riley fell against Dan. “See? She hates me. Please take me home. I want to go home.”
“I’ll get Riley back to the ranch. You two can follow.” With that, Dan took Riley away, leaving Matthew to shoot her a questioning look.
“Okay, threatening to spank her didn’t help.”
“Nothing is helping.” She wanted to cry but wouldn’t give Riley the satisfaction. “I’m sorry, Matthew, but she’s lying. I did not push her into the water.”
Matthew blew out a breath. “I believe you, but I guess the picnic’s off. I’ll get things packed up. Then we’ll head back to Jackson’s.”
She wanted to tell him something, anything to make him understand, but couldn’t find the words. Instead, she stayed by the edge of the pond and watched him leave.
I’m going to lose them.
She swallowed hard and fought to keep the anger from joining her pain. It took her several minutes before she could bring herself to start up the slope. Hanging her head, she put one foot in front of the other.
She hadn’t gone far when something to the left, just past the end of a large bush, caught her eye. Easing over to the bush, she tried to tell herself it wasn’t what she thought it was. But, the closer she got, the harder it was to deny what she saw.
The remains of the calf were unmistakable. Flies hovered over the blood-blackened fur and bones. The head, its dead eyes staring back at her, made her stomach come to her throat.
The calf didn’t die of natural causes. Of that she was positive. Although a few werewolves might kill a calf or two while turned, they’d only kill their own stock. They’d eat most of the meat, but they’d never leave the head afterward. They would’ve disposed of it.
They’ve done another ritual.
* * * *
Dan and Riley had gone on ahead of them, leaving Matthew and Milly to bring the picnic items back to the Carr ranch. They arrived a few minutes later to find Jackson and his brother Jacob rubbing down Dan’s and Riley’s horses. The van was gone.
“I heard you guys ran into some trouble.” Miss Clara came out of the house, surprising Milly. The older lady rarely left town.
“Hi, Miss Clara. We did.”
“Uh-huh. I heard. That young girl was still wailing when they came back to the barn.” Miss Clara arched one gray eyebrow at Milly. “She said you pushed her into the water.”
“I did no such thing.” It was bad enough that Riley lied to her uncles, but to have her lie to her friends was more than she would tolerate.
Jackson and Jacob remained silent, obviously not wanting to get involved in the dispute. Instead, they took the two other horses and led them into the barn.
Miss Clara patted her arm. “Oh, honey, I know. That girl’s got a burr up her butt about you.”
Relief swamped Milly. “Thank you. I’m glad someone believes me.”
“I told you that I believe you.” Matthew set the picnic basket and blanket on the ground
beside him. “I just don’t know what to do about it.”
Miss Clara left no doubt about what she’d do. “You need to tan that young one’s hide. Now I understand she’s had a rough time of it, what with losing her parents and all, but that’s been a few years, am I right?”
“Yes, ma’am, but—”
“No buts about it, young man. The girl needs to learn to respect her elders. Why, if she’d accused me of pushing her in, I would’ve dunked her for good measure. If you’re going to pay the time, you might as well do the crime.”
“Ma’am, I don’t mean to be disrespectful—”
“Oh, but you are, aren’t you? By letting that young one get away with treating your future mate the way she’s doing, then you’re being disrespectful to Milly and to yourself, too.” Miss Clara poked a finger against his chest. “Mind my words. If you don’t straighten her out, it’s just going to get worse. And seeing she’s a young werewolf, worse can be hell on earth.”
Milly had always loved Miss Clara, but she loved her even more now. And she was right. It was time to put Riley in her place.
“She’s right, Matthew. I’m through playing nice guy on this.”
Matthew looked like he’d gotten kicked in the balls. He stammered, starting to say something, but couldn’t. He gave up as Jacob and Jackson came back out of the barn.
“Never mind about that right now.” Miss Clara motioned to Jackson. “Tell them.”
Jackson planted his feet apart, ran his fingers through his hair, and then settled his cowboy hat on his head again. “Miss Clara came to talk to me since she’s one of the few who can remember when this last happened.”
“When what last happened?” Matthew took Milly’s hand, warming her heart and giving her hope.
“Young vampires doing ritual killings.”
“Oh, shit.”
“Language, young one,” chastised Miss Clara. But she was quick to touch her arm as a way to forgive Milly for the outburst.
“I think I just saw another one.” Her mouth dried up. She hadn’t mentioned it to Matthew yet. “Down by the pond.”