I pivoted in my seat to give Ashton some privacy while he spoke on the phone. Country rock music played in the background, loud enough to hear, but soft enough to still have a decent conversation. The place wasn’t half bad. Kind of a mix between a bourbon bar in the city but with a small-town vibe. Two patrons sat at the bar, with the rest scattered at the round tables and a handful of booths.
That strange sensation through my middle drew my gaze back to the bar. More accurately, the guy behind it. Dressed in a black T-shirt and jeans, his tall, lean body reached for a bottle of liquor from the highest shelf in a move that stole my breath. With his back to me, I couldn’t see his face, but I didn’t need to. I was too busy checking out all his ink. Dark tattoos covered one arm all the way to his wrist, the ink flexing and coming to life with each movement. The guy had a naturally built body. No bulging veins or crazy, pumped biceps that barely fit beneath his shirt. He had toned muscles strengthened by years of manual labor rather than hours in the gym like most of the guys I knew these days.
Naturally toned physiques had sadly become a thing of the past in the city. This guy was a refreshing change.
As though he sensed me mentally stroking his arms, the guy stilled. His shoulders rose with a deep inhale. His head tilted slightly, and I shifted in my seat, anticipating him turning my way. I bet he was downright gorgeous.
“I’m so sorry,” Ashton said, startling me. He slid out of the booth with his briefcase. “I have to head out.”
I forgot he was even there. “That’s fine.” I gathered my things and joined him to stand.
He shook my hand again. “Promise me you’ll read over the paperwork and call me if you have any questions.”
“I will.”
He turned to leave. “Oh, I almost forgot.” From the briefcase, he fished out a set of keys and handed them to me. “These are yours.”
The second my fingers closed around the keys, Ashton released his grip and left. I stood there for a few more minutes staring at them in my palm. The last time I visited that house I left behind my only regret.
Chapter 2
Noah
“Who’s the newcomer?” Liam nodded to the brunette chatting with Ash.
I shrugged, acting as though I hadn’t noticed, but I couldn’t deny it. My heart stalled the moment she strolled through the door.
I marked the bottle of bourbon off the inventory sheet and placed it back on the top shelf.
“And why is she meeting Ash?”
“Dunno.” I reached for next spirit on the list.
Liam slid a carton of beer on the bench and slapped my shoulder. “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed. I caught you watching her.”
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?”
The little shit smirked. “Nope. Ivy’s in Timber Falls with Kat.”
I inwardly groaned.
Liam opened the carton and stocked the beer fridge. “You should jump in there before someone else beats you to it.”
Here we go…
“It wouldn’t kill you to get out there. You know, date a little.”
“I date.”
He stared at me with a deadpan expression. “Dating the bar doesn’t count.”
Sure, it did.
“All you do is live here and pine over a girl you’ve never even met.”
I grabbed a nearby tumbler and poured a shot of bourbon. One advantage to owning the joint. “I’m not pining.”
Just because I gave my heart to someone fifteen years ago and never moved on, didn’t equate to pining.
Liam narrowed his ice-blue eyes. All three of us had the same eyes. My mother called them “the Cole eyes,” thanks to Dad having a matching set. Not hard to tell we were all related.
“You saw that girl fifteen years ago. What if you never see her again? Will your relationship with the bar be enough for the rest of your life?”
I turned back to the shelf. Those same questions plagued me ever since I first spotted her. That summer she ventured into the forest every afternoon until, one day, she didn’t. If only I’d had the balls to shift into human form and let her see me in person rather than hiding behind my wolf.
Maybe then, I wouldn’t have become so complacent.
Ready for this shitty conversation with Liam to end, I spun and faced my younger brother. “How long did you wait for Ivy?”
Liam sighed. “That’s different and you know it. Ivy and I have known each other since I was twelve. You know, in person, not from afar.”
“It doesn’t matter anyway. She’d never forgive me.” I shot back another mouthful of bourbon to ease the pressure building in my chest. It didn’t help. Nothing ever did.
Liam’s strong hand squeezed my shoulder. “You gotta stop blaming yourself. It wasn’t your fault.”
Not from where I stood.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and remained silent. After an awkward as fuck moment, Liam released his hold.
“That’s the last of the beer. You want me to close?”
Without turning, I shook my head. “Nah. See you tomorrow.”
To avoid constantly staring at the newcomer, I kept busy with inventory, marking items off like a robot. Why did my whole family have an issue with me dating my bar? I had my chance with a mate, and I screwed it up before it even began. Shifters only got one. No point in searching for another.
“Excuse me?”
I spun and nearly landed flat on my ass. The woman who met with Ash hopped up on a barstool. My wolf uncurled and stretched as though waking from a decade-long hibernation. For a split second, light flared through my chest. Was she…? Then reality kicked in and snuffed it out. The universe already gave me my chance and I missed it.
I pushed the emotions aside, flung the dishtowel over my shoulder and got my shit together.
She was pretty. Delicate features, a beautiful smile, deep hazel eyes that were all mysterious in the low light. Her dark brown hair tumbled over the tightly wrapped scarf around her neck. Even though that girl stole my heart fifteen years ago, I could still appreciate a beautiful woman when I saw one.
She placed her purse on the bar top and scanned the shelves behind me. “Okay, bartender, hit me with your best cocktail. No cream.”
This, I could do. The dating shit? Not so much.
For all his flaws, and the list was fucking long, in this case Liam was right. I was more than happy to date my bar until they buried my ass on the Cole ranch. Dating a bar came with only two complications: taxes and suppliers who couldn’t keep their word.
Dating women who weren’t her felt like living a lie.
I flattened both palms on the bench. “You’re not in the big city anymore, darlin’. Folks here think people who drink cocktails also add soda to their bourbon. And…” I screwed up my face to emphasize my point. “What crazy person adds soda to bourbon?”
That made her smile, lighting up her eyes. Weird sensations sped through my veins and my wolf purred like a damn house cat. Now wasn’t the time for it to pounce around. Besides, this woman wouldn’t stay long. No one from the city ever did.
“I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of the locals by having such an outlandish drink choice.”
I held back my smirk. “Wise move.”
“Okay, in that case, I’ll have bourbon please. Straight up.”
I grabbed my favorite and poured her a nip, placing the glass on a napkin in front of her.
She reached for her purse, but I held up my hand. “It’s on the house.”
“Are you sure?”
I nodded. “Think of it as a reward for choosing wisely.”
“Whew. I’m so relieved.”
I almost snorted.
“I’m Mia.” She tipped her glass in greeting.
“Noah.” I grabbed a tray of tumblers from the washer and began drying them. “So, Mia, what brings you to Woodland Falls?”
She tapped the envelope beneath her purse. “I’m just here for a few days to tie up loose ends.”
She sipped the bourbon. “It shouldn’t take long.”
“Not keen on staying?”
Why the hell I asked that, I’d never know. The quicker she left, the better. I had a feeling this woman could coax not just my wolf from hibernation, but me too. If that happened, she’d want something my heart couldn’t give.
“It’s not that, it’s just…I don’t know. It’s strange being here.”
I stacked a few glasses and kept drying. “How so?”
“I haven’t been here for years.” Her lips rolled inward into a flat line. “It doesn’t matter.”
I wanted to ask why, but it wasn’t my business. She mustn’t have stayed long the last time she came to town. Woodland Falls was so small someone couldn’t sneeze without everyone finding out about it. Plus, I’d lived in this town my entire life, if she ever lived here, I’d remember.
She was probably a city hotshot looking to make a few bucks. Times were tough in small towns across Montana, but never tough enough to sell to some city slicker.
Even though I knew I should leave her to it, I wanted her to keep talking. Her voice soothed something in my soul. Just because I didn’t date didn’t mean I wasn’t lonely. No, lonely wasn’t the right word. I was happy on my own. At times though, I wished for a conversation with someone who didn’t know my past.
Or my mistakes.
Mia cleared her throat, moving the tumbler aside to grab the envelope. “I guess I should read this. Ashton almost had a fit when I signed the papers straight away.”
I chuckled. “That sounds like him. He likes rules.”
“I gathered that. But the sooner I get this over with, the sooner I can get back to Seattle.”
Knew it. A city slicker wanting to make a quick buck.
Mia slid paperwork from the envelope and started reading. That was my cue. Most people who sat at the bar wanted to chat for whatever reason. They yearned to offload their guilt over a bourbon, sought reassurance or needed advice. I loved owning Cole’s bar for those exact reasons. The sense of companionship, comradery. The ability for someone to divulge their secrets, so they didn’t eat them alive.
Pity, I couldn’t do the same.
To give her some privacy, I wandered to the main seating area and gathered empty plates and glasses. The kitchen staff did a stellar job keeping the main area serviced, but every now and then I enjoyed the break and it gave me a chance to chat with the locals.
“Are you freaking kidding me?” Mia squawked.
I stilled, torn between finding out what happened, and giving her privacy. In the end, the need to make sure she was okay won.
I rounded the bar. “What’s up?”
She waved the documents in the air. “This. This is what’s up.”
I frowned, waiting for the punch line.
“Ugh!” She shoved the documents back in the envelope and gathered her purse and jacket in a flurry. “Do you know where Ashton’s office is? I need to speak to him right now.”
I grabbed my cell from my ass pocket and checked the time. “He has an office on the main street, but he won’t be there at this time of night. I can call him if you like.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll call him.” She threw her hands in the air. “I can’t believe I was this stupid.” She slid off the stool. “Thanks for the drink.”
Urgency to make her stay slammed into me from nowhere. I couldn’t let her leave. And it had nothing to do with her being the first woman in fifteen years to capture my attention.
Okay, maybe it did.
“Wait.” I tossed the dishtowel on the counter. “It’s pouring outside. Let me drive you.”
“To Ashton?”
“Yeah, he’s my brother. He lives out of town and the roads are unforgiving in weather like this.”
She scanned the bar. “Don’t you need to be here?”
I waved off her concern. “Nah, someone else can close for me.”
Her shoulders dropped with a heavy exhale. “That’d be great. I don’t exactly know my way around.”
“Just give me a second.” I grabbed my cell and dialed Liam. He answered on the first ring.
“Yeah?”
“Something’s come up. I need you to close for me.”
Given Liam’s silence, clearly his brain tried to figure out the reason behind my request. I barely held back a giant eyeroll anticipating how much shit he’d give me.
“Hmm. Does this have anything to do with a certain brunette in the bar tonight?”
“Will you close or not?”
The shithead chuckled. “Yeah, on my way.”
Chapter 3
Mia
Rain still pelted down in wild sheets. I tucked the envelope inside my jacket and raced behind Noah to his truck. Once seated, I clutched the envelope in my hands so tight it crinkled the edge.
How could I be so stupid? Ashton told me to read it first. I just didn’t think there’d be conditions to my inheriting Joan’s estate. Who does that? I thought this chance was too good to be true, that my sucky luck had finally changed. Nope.
Noah’s truck grumbled to life, and he drove out of the parking lot. The wipers swished like crazy, clearing the windshield.
“Are you okay?” he asked once we were out on the main road.
Yes. No. Not really. In less than an hour, I’d arrived in Woodland Falls, signed a will without reading it, and now I sat in a truck with a stranger. Stupid on all counts. Yet, a feeling in my gut told me Noah wasn’t a stranger. Like in the movies when two people knew each other from another lifetime. I didn’t know. But I sensed no danger. And usually I was a pretty decent judge of character.
Though, could I trust my gut right now? I just signed a freaking will without reading it.
“I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding.” I hope. “I appreciate you driving me.”
His gaze swung to me and then back to the road. “No problem. Ash lives on the outskirts of town. It’s hard enough to find during the day, let alone at night with this rain.”
I nodded. Small talk was never my specialty, even more so now.
The poor guy took pity on me and didn’t push for a conversation. Instead, he turned on the music and kept his eyes on the road. Every now and then, I sensed him glance over at me. I clutched that envelope and prayed for a way out of this.
Noah turned off the road and continued down a long drive before stopping in front of a beautiful old farmhouse. Lights lit up the wrap-around porch. Three stories, shutters on the windows, wide timber steps. Even with the horrid weather, the place was straight out of a home magazine. On a sunny day, I bet the house was stunning.
“Clearly being a lawyer pays well,” I blurted. Sometimes, I really should keep my mouth shut.
Noah snorted. “It’s actually an old family home. But you’re right, lawyers charge like savage wolves.”
As Noah killed the engine, the front door opened and Ashton stepped onto the porch, dressed more casually than when I saw him an hour ago.
I tucked the envelope under my jacket again and ran for the house, straight up the steps onto the porch.
Ashton held open the front door. “Come inside where it’s dry.”
I flipped off my muddy shoes and darted inside. By now, there was no hope for my jacket, so I left it outside. Just before the door closed behind me, I swung to Noah holding back on the porch. “Are you coming in?”
“I’m good out here.” He settled into one of the chairs like he owned the place. “Take your time.”
He drove me here and didn’t seem fazed waiting outside on the porch while I dealt with this disaster. I’d never met a guy with such old-fashioned manners and chivalry. Another refreshing change.
Once I closed the door, Ashton offered me a towel, and I dried my face and hands.
I followed Ashton through the grand foyer to an office off to one side. Instead of taking a seat behind the large mahogany desk, Ashton sat in an armchair and gestured to the other. “I take it you read the condition.”
/> I sat on the edge of the seat and slipped the will from the envelope. “Can she really do this?”
“She can and she did.”
A heavy weight sank in my belly. “Surely, there’s a way out of it?”
“I’m afraid not.” He thought for a moment. “From what I know, Joan hoped you’d build a life here in Woodland Falls. This is your opportunity to try it out before you consider selling her estate.”
Build a life here? My mother tainted all my memories of this town when she dumped me here for an entire summer. No matter how hard Joan tried to make it enjoyable, that underlying resentment lingered in everything I did. Regardless of what condition she included in her will, I’d never move here.
The only thing that kept me together the summer I came here was the wolf. The mysterious creature that reappeared in the forest behind Joan’s house every afternoon. That wolf became not just my friend, but my salvation. It wouldn’t surprise me if I created the memory as a coping mechanism for dealing with my shitty childhood.
I exhaled a long, tired breath. “What happens if I don’t adhere to the condition?”
I asked the question even though I suspected the answer. The hard line on Ashton’s mouth confirmed it.
“The estate will be sold, and all monies donated to the local animal rescue, as stipulated.”
I hung my head for a moment to compose myself.
I couldn’t stay here. What would I do for work? I doubt my boss would give me the summer off. He’d probably use it as an excuse to fire me. I had savings, but they were for emergencies. Was this an emergency? Staying at Joan’s house was rent free, so I wouldn’t need to pay that on top of the apartment I shared with an old college friend back in the city.
Maybe it could work. Sure, it wasn’t in my plan, but when had anything in my life gone to plan?
Okay. I could do this. Another eight weeks. After that, I’d sell the house, pay off my debt and finally set myself up.
“All right.” I stood and slid the will back inside the envelope. “Thanks for seeing me again, especially at your home.”
Warlords, Witches and Wolves: A Fantasy Realms Anthology Page 81