by Cecilia Lane
The door swung open again and she searched for Gray’s familiar face. Meghan’s eyes went wide the moment she recognized the woman lingering in the door. Someone made noise behind her, but she didn’t move. Her mother’s glare roamed over the patrons.
Like usual, not a hair was out of place on her mother’s head. The perfectly styled and curled coif barely moved as she whipped around and no doubt murmured a demand for patience from the crowd she blocked.
Meghan ducked her head just as Mimsy squinted in her direction. It was a silly, instinctive action, like a toddler hiding behind their hands and thinking they’d turned invisible. It was equally as effective.
The air dropped to near freezing and the shadows darkened. The wailing of a thousand souls echoed with each step Mimsy took through the bar.
“Meghan. I never expected to see you in a place like this,” Mimsy said with all the disapproval in the world.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to talk sense into you before you throw away your life and opportunities.”
And they were off. Her mother didn’t believe she had a future in anything. She pushed for Bentley because Bentley could care for her. Never mind that Meghan got into college on her own, applied for the journalism program on her own, or negotiated the start of her own career. Mimsy pushed her into acting while she was still in diapers and took credit for landing the role on Family Promises. She couldn’t accept that Meghan did anything for herself.
“Bentley isn’t my life, Mother, and my opportunities are my own.”
“You’re getting to an age where people expect things of you, Meghan. It’s easier for men. They can lead a long, bachelor life. But you’ll be deemed unnatural if you don’t have a family behind you. I don’t see what is wrong with Bentley. He has his looks, a full head of hair. He’s a successful businessman with contacts in the industry. He could get you acting again. He can care for you and any children you have.”
Meghan ground her teeth together and ignored her mother’s eyes narrowing at the noise. It was unprofessional to show any sign of anger. She didn’t want to act. She didn’t want to marry Bentley. She wanted to report the news and make her own choices. “Yes, he’s handsome and charming and rich. That’s all surface. He’s rude and uncaring underneath. He’s happiest making others miserable.”
“He’s a powerful man, Meghan. You can’t expect him to cater to your every whim or be happy all the time. His business demands his attention and sometimes plans are disrupted.”
“Do you know what he’s been doing for the pro-human crowd with his influence? He’s hurting innocent people.” He’d never discussed his work with her and she’d never been interested enough to ask. What a perfect little trophy wife he groomed her to be. No more. Her eyes were wide open about her ex. There was no reconciliation in their future.
“They aren’t people, Meghan. They’re aliens. The government should have the good sense to deport them all back to where they came from. Barring that, they should be contained elsewhere.”
Meghan choked on her disgust. Judging by the few dark looks, Mimsy’s words were crystal clear to some bar patrons. Her mother was going to get them kicked out of the enclave.
She switched tactics because trying to focus on hurting others simply wasn’t working and she wanted to head off any more pro-human attacks. “I’m not in love with him, Mother.”
“Love? Love doesn’t fit into the equation, Meghan. You will fall in and out of love countless times. Some days you will hate him with every part of yourself. You’ll be enchanted with his every move at other times.” Mimsy tsked dismissively. “Sometimes I forget how young you are, baby.”
“I am not a child. I’m almost twenty-five.” A shadow passed over Mimsy’s face, but Meghan barreled on. “And none of that sounds appealing. I don’t want to hate my partner.”
“Oh, this is just like you, throwing away a perfectly good opportunity for an idea that will never pan out. It’ll be like your college all over again. Instead of auditioning for other shows after Family Promises was canceled, you just had to spit in the faces of all the directors and producers I lined up for you to meet. This is why you need a man like Bentley. He’ll be there when you fail. That’s what true partnership is about.”
Meghan just shook her head in anger and defeat. She doubted there was anything she could say to convince her mother she made the right choice. It’d been the same all her life. Unless the idea was Mimsy’s, it was a poor one. When she grew old enough to have a say, all her dreams were worthless. Mimsy wanted to be the mother of a famous actress and Meghan didn’t want to play along.
She desperately sought an escape. She could slip from the bar and make her way to the firehouse. Maybe Gray would understand if they needed to change locations. Her mother’s fingers dug into her arm and the whispered demands to return to Bentley didn’t end. She wanted to melt into the floor from sheer embarrassment.
Then the world stopped moving. Gray stepped through the door and she immediately sat straighter. His hair was slightly damp and brushed back. A dark shirt clung to his chest. Just looking at him set her pulse racing.
He stopped to scan the crowd and almost immediately zeroed in on her. A big smile spread across his face and he sauntered over.
“Hey, Hollywood,” he greeted. He draped an arm over her shoulder and drew her close.
His body language spoke volumes. The action itself was calculated possessiveness. He made his claim on her known and reinforced his support.
And even while she interpreted, Meghan also let herself feel. Whether it was an act or not, her body responded. Warmth whipped through her from his fingertips rubbing her arm. He continued to stroke her skin as he pushed under the hem of her sleeve. It was more than friendly. It soothed her. She resisted the urge to turn into his arms and press her face against his chest.
Meghan thought Mimsy’s mouth couldn’t purse any tighter, but she’d been wrong. She wondered briefly if it was possible for a black hole to form in the middle of someone’s face.
“You going to introduce us?” Gray asked.
“This is my mother, Mimsy. Mother, this is Gray. He’s a firefighter,” she bragged. Bentley could keep his ambitions. Gray was a thousand times more attractive and charming.
Gray reached between them and held out his hand to shake. Mimsy eyed it like it was a poisonous creature seeking put fangs into her skin.
“I know who you are. I saw the video of you attacking my daughter.” Mimsy switched her attention back to Meghan. “You will part ways with this… creature and make your apologies to Bentley. Then you’ll be on the next flight home with me and we’ll forget this entire week. Your fiancé is worried sick about you.”
“Yes, Meghan,” Gray struggled to keep the laugh out of his voice. “Go marry your car. What will you name the kids? Toyota and Beetle?”
“Be realistic,” Meghan snapped. “We’d obviously go with something classy, like Aston and Mercedes.”
The laugh bubbled out of Gray and he held up a hand for a high five. “Well, I can see the appeal. My mistake. Have a nice life.”
As quickly as he appeared, Gray defused her tension. Meghan giggled and slapped his hand. “Thanks. I appreciate your understanding.”
He leaned down, almost pressing his lips to her ear. His breath tickled and sent a shiver down her spine. “You want to get out of here?”
Relief flooded her veins. She nodded and hopped off the bar stool. Gray made room for her, then slung his arm back over her shoulders. They were steps away when Mimsy hissed her name.
“Meghan.” A note of desperation entered her voice.
Meghan sighed and considered just walking out. The same politeness that wouldn’t allow her to refuse an autograph got the best of her and she turned.
Her mother looked haunted. Her gold bangle bracelets rattled together and she clutched her necklace. “You’re making a mistake.”
Meghan shrugged one shoulder. “It’s mine to make.”
She didn’t give Mimsy a chance to object any further. She didn’t want to hear how she was a failure or that her value rested on the man she married. She wanted her mother’s acceptance and knew she wouldn’t receive it.
Outside, she broke away from Gray and crinkled her nose in a pained expression. “I’m sorry. That was a disaster. I should probably just find a hole to bury myself in.”
“It’s fine. So you have an overbearing mother and a possessive ex. We’re just getting all the bullshit out at the start. I like it. It’ll make for a good story.”
“Her name isn’t even Mimsy. I found the paperwork one day. She changed it from Laura after I started making money. I guess it sounded fancier.” Meghan slapped her hands over her mouth. She hadn’t told anyone that story. Then Gray laughed and she couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. “So if we’re laying our cards on the table, what’s your hidden damage?”
Gray stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Me? I’ve got an out-of-control bear and I sleep shift, plus the SEA probably wants to put me down. There’s also this annoying habit of rescuing ladies in distress.” One side of his mouth hitched up and he winged an elbow toward her. “I’m starving. Have you eaten at Hogshead yet? Best barbecue in town.”
Chuckling, Meghan slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. “Leah sent me there just the other day. Was the big, scary one in there her boss?”
“Gideon? He’s a pushover. Don’t let him hear you say that, though. He’s like, some king to the dragons that won’t take up his throne. Very sensitive stuff.”
Meghan pulled him to a stop. “Dragons?”
“Dragons,” Gray answered. He exaggerated tugging her forward. “I’ll tell you all their scaly secrets if you still have dinner with me.”
It was the easiest answer in the world. “Deal.”
Chapter 14
Meghan crossed her arms and shuffled away from the open engine bay of the firehouse to avoid splatter. Fat raindrops fell with renewed gusto on the sidewalk. It’d rained all day. She could almost smell the heat in the air mixing with dirt and evergreens. Even the rain was better in Bearden.
She waited for Gray to finish his shift. Her nights belonged to him, and her days were spent somewhere in the enclave, usually at a place he recommended. She’d gone horseback riding with a group of tourists and hiked a trail that led to a waterfall.
Every new sight unlocked a little more of the town. She was falling in love with the place and the people. Everyone seemed to know each other, and even those that didn’t had a wave and a greeting. The place dripped with small-town charm.
Her nights were the real treat. They’d gone so well that one passed into the other, and she extended the rental on her cabin by another week. No matter where they ate or drank, they usually ended up walking and talking. And laughing. There was never a dull moment with Gray.
And in the quiet moments, when her sides hurt from laughing so hard, his arms went around her waist and she melted into him. She nibbled on her lower lip and spun around to find him watching her with glowing gold eyes. His slow smile simmered her blood and a blush spread across her cheeks.
There were plenty of kisses, yes, but that was as far as it went. She was grateful he didn’t push for more. Not in so many words, anyway. The soft growls that vibrated in his chest and the hard length that pressed against her were big, neon signs that he wanted her. In those moments where every part of her craved him, it would be easy to say yes. But those were the moments where he disengaged. It was almost as if he knew she needed more time.
She had no regrets over leaving Bentley. Far from it. But up until a week ago, he’d been her fiancé and she wasn’t in the habit of jumping from one bed to another. Just the word fiancé implied a heavy commitment. Meghan sighed. She let them go too far for too long. She wanted to use her time in Bearden to figure herself out. She needed the cleanse her palate of all things Bentley Moore and discover who Meghan Wilcox could be. She didn’t think she could do that if she fell for the first man that crossed her sight.
But Graham Jennings made it extremely hard to keep that thought in her mind when his lips set her on fire. He seemed so sure of his lot in life. She wanted to be worthy of that confidence.
The last bit of sun cleared the sky. She knew, not from anything peeking through grey storm clouds, but the door leading to the tunnels underneath the town opened and the vampire fire crew filed in.
Vampire firefighters. In a town with both supernaturals, the idea made sense. She thought she’d never get used to it in practicality.
She nearly bounced on her toes. As soon as the changeover completed, she’d have Gray all to herself.
Then the phone hanging on the wall rang and all eyes turned to glare at it.
A silent conversation happened between Callum and Jeremiah, the captain on the vampire fire crew. Callum shrugged and picked up the phone.
The words ‘flash flood’ and ‘ranch’ reached her ears. They were code words for something thrilling, as excitement spread across the faces of Gray’s clan.
“Someone will be out as soon as possible, Ethan,” Callum said and hung up the phone. He addressed the rest of the firefighters. “Who wants to take a trip out to the ranches and pull some calves from the mud?”
“Chief,” Gray started, “we’re down a man with Nolan taking Becca to the doctor. But I think we have a replacement.”
Callum twitched an eyebrow at Gray, then turned to consider her. He eyed her up and down and Meghan felt more judged than any casting director had made her feel. “What do you say? Think you can wrangle some calves?”
“Uhh,” was her eloquent response. She had zero idea what would be required of her or if she’d be capable. The last thing she wanted was to get in someone’s way.
Her confused panic must have been clear to everyone. Gray jumped in with an explanation. “It’s easy. We hand them up and you keep them inside the truck bed. Nothing to it.”
Gray’s enthusiasm won her over. She was trying new experiences. If that meant getting up close and personal with a baby cow in the middle of a rainstorm, she wouldn’t refuse. Trying not to make a face, she nodded.
“What do you say, Jeremiah?” Callum asked the night captain. “Two out of three?”
She turned to Gray with a question in her cocked head. He just jerked his chin toward the leaders. They pumped their fists in the air and splayed their hands down in the universal gesture for paper.
Meghan laughed. Two grown men, leaders of the firehouse, played rock-paper-scissors for a chance to rescue calves.
The vampires crossed their arms and looked on in silence, but the Strathorn clan was rowdy. They groaned at the first draw. One of them whispered Callum’s name, then the rest were chanting as well.
Callum’s rock beat Jeremiah’s scissors.
The bears cheered and began chanting again. Gray nudged her from behind and she picked up the chant, too.
Scissors cut paper, and the bears won the right to the rescue.
By the time the Strathorn convoy arrived, they found big trucks forming a temporary corral with a rush of thick, muddy debris on one side and agitated cows on the other. A handful of men on horseback cut a charge and herded the cows back so the Strathorn clan could drive up and fill in the holes.
“Thanks, Callum,” one man called. “The new bull keeps charging us. He won’t move further than this with the cows worried about the calves.”
“We’re here to help as long as we get to tear up your trail after.”
“It’s all yours as soon as we get the herd back to the barn.”
The exchange made no sense to Meghan, but the others were already unloading and preparing to work. Meghan fisted her hands on her hips. The rain had died down on the drive over, but it did nothing to slow the flood. Pathetic moos made her frown. She could see two muddy calves struggling to get free from the soft ground. Make that three. Just a little beyond the first two, a third that looked more in danger and barel
y lifted its head from the ground.
Gray swung her up and into the back of his pickup. “You got the easy job. We’ll hand them up to you and you settle them down.”
“That’s the easy job?”
He fisted a hand in her hair and pulled her down for a quick kiss. “You think you can rope a calf?”
“No.” Her heart ached as another panicked cry filled the air. She chewed on her lower lip and frowned in their direction. “Are they going to be okay?”
“That’s what we’re here for. We’ll drive them back up while Ethan’s clan herds the rest and they’ll get looked over before being released.” He smacked another quick kiss on her lips and jogged to join the others.
From her vantage point, the problem didn’t seem to be one of strength. The Strathorns numbered six, and there were at least that many ranchers. It was a battle of keeping the herd under control and freeing the calves without injury.
The first rope went around the nearest calf’s neck and its upset moos enraged the bull. Those on horseback struggled to keep the big creature from charging into the trucks that separated him and his cows from the babies.
The ranchers and the Strathorns worked quickly. The first rope was followed by one brave man who sank into the mud a little further on each step. The others heaved on the rope with his guidance and slowly the calf was pulled free. The little one was passed off to waiting hands, who then took the scrambling baby to Meghan.
Mud streaked across her legs by the time the second calf was handed over to her. The first had tried to escape twice before giving in to its horrible day and collapsing in a corner. The second calf found its feet and nudged her with more force than she expected and she tumbled backward.
“Steady there, Hollywood,” Gray teased. He and Sawyer eased the third wiggling mass of head and legs over the side of the bed. “You all right?”