I nodded, understanding fried phones. My last phone had died in a glass of soda, the victim of trying to carry ten things with only two hands. My brain pushed past the vision of a naked Jed fishing his phone out of the toilet with difficulty. In fact, the vision may be with me forever, which wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.
"I know you want an early start, but donuts and coffee would be easier to eat at a table. Think we could spare a few minutes to gobble?" He reached back into the Nova and pulled out a large cup of coffee, lifting it in a salute to me. "I brought my own coffee this morning, only to save time. Your coffee is much more ...stimulating."
Blushing, I turned away to let Reb out and led the way back into the cabin. Once inside, with the bright, electric lights, I could make out what Jed was wearing. A soft brown suede pullover shirt that fell mid-thigh, light buckskin pants that molded nicely to his muscular legs, topped off with soft suede calf boots. I couldn't help but stare as he sat out our breakfast, even pulling a diet soda out of the fridge for me. We were sitting around the table munching donuts when my brain finally kicked back in.
"Did you say you got a message from me?"
He nodded, licking the sugar glaze from his lips before answering. "Roy showed up at my room around nine last night, just after my phone croaked. He said you wanted to get an earlier start, to hit the park before it opened. He didn't say what a stickler you were for promptness. Though in my defense, I am very rarely late." Jed smiled at me. He had a great smile, but I wasn't going to be derailed this time.
"I hate to tell you this, but I don't know anyone named Roy."
His face fell. I'd always heard that expression, but never actually seen it performed. His smile slowly disappeared down his face to end in a puzzled frown. "But, he said...I mean he knew we were meeting at the park this morning and everything."
"Yeah, well, I don't know how he knew about our meeting, but I seem to have my own personal practical joker. I'm guessing Roy was a young man in his late teens, probably riding a motorcycle?"
"I thought you didn't know him."
"Well, I've seen him but didn't get the chance to actually meet him. He caught me off guard and got away from me. That won't happen again."
"If I see him first, I'll hold him for you. I'd like to know what his game is." He looked at me thoughtfully. "But he was right, you were planning on an early start."
Think Taz, think. "Well, I did try to call you." The truth, but not the whole truth.
"Well then Roy, whoever he is, did us a favor after all," he said, polishing off the last donut. I hate to admit it, but I'd had three and matched him donut for donut. Not something a girl could be proud of. Lucky for me I have the metabolism of a wolf.
Not able to think of anything to postpone us, other than faking an appendicitis attack, we headed out. We left our cars across from the park inn and took trail three down to the creekside shelter. In a matter of steps, we were at the infamous boulder with the track in track. Or at least where Jed swore it had been.
Because now the track wasn't there. Instead, there was a nice little round table complete with a fancy white lace tablecloth. On the table were a thermos, a bottle of soda, two nameplates that read "Jed" and "Taz" and a note. We looked at each other. I'm guessing my face held the same dumbfounded expression his did. Then I scrambled to beat Jed to the note.
It didn't really help as he just maneuvered himself to read over my shoulder. I had two choices. I could put the note in my mouth, go furry and run, or I could open the note and share it with Jed, hoping for the best. After all, there were always my bolt holes in case of apocalypse.
The note was short, and yes it was signed by Roy. It said simply: This trail leads nowhere, so take some time to get to know each other. It's a little early for wine, but I hope you enjoy the drinks. Next time schedule a night hunt and it'll be wine and roses. Here are some facts to get you started. Jed: Did you know that Taz is a runner? She loves to run these woods at night. Taz: Did you know Jed is Wolf Clan Cherokee Indian? When you get to know him better, maybe he'll show you his tattoo. Have fun. Roy.
"To hell with the track," I growled, "if he was here setting this up, there should be a scent to follow." Reb and I split up, him to search for scent and me to fake looking for tracks. Yeah, it's hard staying in skin at a time like this.
Jed stood staring at the note which he had picked up from the table. "How did he know about my tattoo? Or my clan?"
"Probably the same way he knew we were going to track this morning," I said over my shoulder. "And that I like to run at night after the park closes." At least Roy hadn't said I liked to run in a fur coat. Thank the Creator for small favors.
After searching for over an hour, we finally gave up. It was as if the table had been beamed down by a Scottish man aboard a spaceship. To top it off, I couldn't Find him because I'd never gotten a sniff of the actual man, just the exhaust fumes from his bike.
As we walked back up the steep trail to the parking lot, we must have passed into a magical area served by a cell phone tower, because my phone rang from inside my pack. It had stopped of course by the time I dug it out to answer. I hit the redial and Dunwood's voice answered.
"Sheriff's department."
"This is Taz. You called? Please tell me you have good news."
"Actually, I do. The Coroner's report is back. Would you believe Jimmy Riley died of natural causes? Seems he had a bad heart and the coyote hunt must have been too much for him. We also found out that Jimmy wasn't alone that night. Two of his friends from school had joined the hunt. Boys being boys, I figure the others played a prank on Jimmy and then freaked when his attack hit. The bites all showed up as post-mortem. I'm going out to talk with the boys this morning. I should know more by this afternoon. The big unanswered question is how Jimmy came to be buried in a little shallow grave."
They say you never know what you've got til it's gone. It works with worry, too. My relief was almost dizzying. Heart attack, natural causes: I'd never known those words could sound so good. Of course, Jimmy's scent had mingled with others as we were tracking him, but after all, it was a state park. A lot of people go this time of year for the foliage. Autumn in southern Indiana always attracted hikers.
I relayed the news to Jed. Dunwood must have heard.
"Is that by chance Crowe with you? I've been trying to reach him, too. Ask him to come by my office later on today for a briefing. I need some advice about how to handle those coyotes, and he's the expert."
"Will do, Sheriff. And Dunwood?" I paused. "Thanks for letting me know. It means a lot."
"I figured I owed you after the Riley incident. There hasn't been any more trouble from that direction has there?"
"Not a peep. I'm sure you got them straightened out. Thanks again."
"Being the parents, they were the first to get the news, so they know the score now. He should behave from here out." Dunwood paused. "You know, maybe after all this gets put to rest, we could go out for dinner sometime. Even the score all the way around?"
"Sounds good, Dunwood. We'll even make it dutch treat as long as we're talking a ten dollar meal."
"You're talking my kind of date there," he laughed. "Cheap. Talk to you soon, Taz. You take care."
I hung up and turned to Jed, my heart so much lighter than moments before. I was startled to see him frowning.
"Is something wrong?" I asked. After all, I'd thought it was great news.
He stood straighter and shook his head. "I just didn't realize you and the Sheriff were dating."
I laughed. "Dating? Dunwood and I are, well, I guess you'd call us business associates. Me and Reb help out his department on occasion." I thought for a minute. "You could say we're friends, but that's as far as you could stretch it."
His frown faded. "So you aren't seeing anyone?" Did he sound hopeful? Had he been jealous? Where had all these people been all my lonely, boring life? And why did they all show up at the same time?
"I didn't say that. I'm kind of
seeing someone. We aren't exclusive or anything, but we get together whenever we can."
"The fellow that canceled on you yesterday?"
I shrugged. "It happens when you have a long distance friendship. Things get delayed." I didn't mention the whole FBI part, not wanting to brag. After all, Jed was a special agent working for the government, too. Maybe I'm a secret agent man magnet. How many other girls could claim that?
"Maybe you should try someone closer to home."
"Like Dunwood?" Call me silly, but Dunwood was the closest.
"Not Dunwood." He stepped closer. Jed didn't use after shave. He didn't need it. He smelled of leather and peppermint, woods and grass, with just the smallest trace of bacon thrown in. In a word, he smelled delicious. Edible. In a good way.
Then his lips met mine and I was beyond thought. There on the trail, surrounded by the changing of seasons and evidence of the coming wintery death of foliage, my heart started to beat a different rhythm. Amidst all the fading glory of the summer, I was starting to come alive.
Chapter 10
To be honest, I'm not sure how I made it home. I would think I may have flown, but my Jeep was in the driveway, so I must have driven. If Jed had not been such a perfect gentleman, I'd have answered the whole howling question once and for all. I mean, I've been tempted before with Mason. But deep inside, a part of me is certain that Jed wouldn't mind a little howling.
Or maybe a lot. I mean I really like ice cream, and right now that's the only comparison I have to sex. That and chocolate. Being a wolf puts a damper on my chocolate intake. It really isn't a good thing to wolf out with too much chocolate in your system.
Since the coyotes had been cleared of doing anything wrong other than simply existing and, well, being coyotes and thusly chicken thieves, Jed was going to check out of the hotel and head back to Greenwood. He promised to call me next week and set up a true date for next weekend. An honest to Creator date.
A sense of unreality set in. Maybe this was all a dream and I was about to wake up. Alone again.
I had friends as I grew up, of course. School friends that always swore to stay in touch, but then after graduation never did. Even then, no one really close. It is hard to get close to someone when you may know them inside and out, but you can never let them truly know you. A one-way friendship just never works in the long run.
Now, counting Rebel, I had three true friends. Friends that I could be myself, my whole self, with and not worry about either waking up in an insane asylum or strapped to a table in a laboratory somewhere. Okay, so maybe Lily wasn't a friend quite yet. But I was working on it. And I had Jed. Well, maybe 'had' was too strong a word. But the possibility was there.
I wondered if one could master meditation in a week. I've heard it helps to center one. Maybe yoga, too. Discipline, that's what I needed to learn. And it couldn't hurt to lose an inch or so around the middle, so exercise was probably in order, too.
I straightened up my tiny living space, which consisted of sweeping the dog fur off the wood floor and out the front door and running a rag over the wooden surfaces to pick up dust. Then I cleaned the toilet, scrubbed down the shower stall and sinks, cleaned out the refrigerator, and lugged the trash down my long drive to the road for tomorrow's pickup.
Still, I had energy to burn and it was only noon, so I gathered up my dirty laundry and bed clothes for a trip to the Laundromat. While the clothes were washing, I dashed next door to the grocery and picked up the ingredients for my mother's famous mini-meatloaves. I liked to make a big batch and then freeze them for quick dinners.
When my laundry was dry, I headed back home, basking in the calming scent of clean linen. One of the best scents, ever. The scent of fresh, raw hamburger was an added bonus.
While the meatloaves were in the oven, I remade my bed and put my clothes away, then checked the clock. Three. Far too early for a run in wolf form, and my inner wolf was really wanting out. It had been awhile since I furred. Tonight, Reb and I would have a nice run. The oven dinged, and I packaged up the meatloaves and put them in the freezer.
As I surveyed the house, looking for anything undone to do, I remembered that I hadn't passed the Sheriff's glad tidings to Rose and Lilith. Rather than call, I decided to drive up and see them. I called the local Pizza shop and ordered a large vegetarian special. On pizza, I can do it. Surely I'm saving calories by cutting off the sausage and Canadian bacon. That would make this practically diet food.
The pizza was still warm when I parked outside their house. Still in my unaccustomedly happy state, I carried the pizza to the door, delivery style, and knocked, calling out "Pizza delivery."
Lilith opened the door. "But we didn't...oh, it's you." She sniffed the box. "Does that pizza follow house rules?"
I opened the box with a flourish, displaying it like a prize on a game show. "Not a morsel of meat on it. One large vegetarian special with cheese filled crust."
She stepped back to let me through, yelling over her shoulder, "Gran the crazy wolf lady is here and she brought pizza."
Turning back to me she said, "Good thing we aren't Vegans, huh?"
"You mean there's more than one kind of vegetarian? I mean you just don't eat meat right?"
"Some vegetarians are more hardcore than that. Technically, we are Ovo-lacto-vegetarians, so we can eat eggs and cheese and enjoy and drink milk without guilt."
"So Vegans are your militant order?"
I actually got a smile. From Lilith. "You could say that. To them any animal product is taboo. Like taking the milk from a cow is somehow abusing its rights or something. Believe me, we used to have a cow, and when she was full of milk, she practically begged us to take it."
I looked down at my cheese laden disk of Italian goodness. How easy it is to forget where our food comes from.
"Did I hear Lily educating you on the facts about our diet?" Rose asked as she walked in the room.
"Someone has to educate the carnivores," Lilith replied.
"Actually, dear, she's an omnivore."
"That's just what they call carnivores that eat a side of veggies. I mean even a T-Rex probably ate a blade of grass from time to time."
"You know, I've been compared to a lot of things in my lifetime, but that's the first time I've been compared to a dinosaur." I stopped to think for a moment as I put the pizza box on the table. "Yup, definitely a first."
"I'm glad you dropped by, Taz. Maybe we can fit in a lesson on your psychic abilities while you're here."
"That'd be great," I said around a big bite of pizza. I closed my eyes and chewed slowly. I always forget just how good pizza is. "I mean, we have time to concentrate on that now. I heard from Sheriff Dunwood. Would you believe Jimmy Riley died of a heart attack? They're still investigating the burying part, but murder is definitely out."
"Well, that's good news. I'll write an article for the local paper and make sure they run it. With any luck, this news will reach the Luparii before they mount their investigation."
"That's what I thought, too. Life can get back to normal." I winked at Lilith. "At least until Friday, right? I remember what a bummer it was not being able to have a sweet sixteen party." I smiled, remembering my dad explaining that changing in front of a bunch of teenagers would probably not be a good idea. "But the four of us are going to celebrate, right?"
"Right," said Rose smiling. "I'll make Lily's favorite dessert, banana split cake. And I'm arranging the basement for a safe were zone for her."
"Is your basement large enough?" I asked, hopefully with an air of innocence. That was what I was going for.
"Oh yes, we have a full basement. Lots and lots of room."
I sighed. "You know I'm really glad I got to meet you guys, and I'm even more grateful for your friendship and offer of lessons for my ability. But I still don't understand what you need me for. I mean I can't exactly help Lily here prepare for her first shift if I don't know what she's changing into."
"Only people with a death wish call me
Lily. My name is Lilith."
"But Rose..." my voice trailed off as I looked at her, confused.
"She's Gran. She could call me Boo and I wouldn't take offense. To anyone but Gran, I'm Lilith." All this was delivered in a dry monotone that brooked no arguments.
I really hoped she wasn't a bear. "I'm sorry, Lilith. Remember I'm new and it will take me some time to learn all the rules." I smiled. "I've got two down so far. No meat in the house unless it's walking and only call you Lily if I feel suicidal. Got 'em."
Lilith took a moment to consider if my use of the name Lily was cause for a fight but must have decided it wasn't. "Just saying," she said.
When the last lonely piece of pizza had been packed into a container to go home to Reb, Lil...ith excused herself to go to her room and read. Rose and I retired into the living room for my first lesson in Benandanti mind control.
We each took a comfy chair facing each other across the fireplace. "Relax, Taz, this isn't going to hurt, you know."
I closed my eyes for a minute and forced my tensed muscles to relax. Which is harder to do when they are really, really tense. Meditation was looking better and better. Surely they would have some books on it at the library. When I was as relaxed as I was going to get, I opened my eyes to signal I was ready.
"Okay, dear. You already use your gift to Find people, right?"
I nodded.
"Well, you'll be able to do more than just Find the Benandanti. Our minds have the capability to be receptors as well as broadcasters." She settled back in her chair, with her hands resting palms up on her knees. "Try this, Taz." She brought her thumbs and index fingers together, and I mimicked her pose.
I'd expected to feel silly. Oddly enough, it felt relaxing. I closed my eyes and starting breathing deeply, feeling the last of my tension drain away.
"That's very good, Taz," Rose said softly. She waited through a couple more breaths, then said, "Now Find me."
I opened my eyes and looked at her.
Rose smiled dryly and shook her head. "With your mind, not your eyes."
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