by Anne Kane
The trees started to thin out as they approached town and Nikki shifted in his grip, straightening up to glance at the buildings up ahead.
He immediately missed her warmth but resisted the urge to draw her back against him.
“That’s Taylor’s Junction.” She ran her fingers through her long silky black hair. “I must look a mess. I can just imagine what people are going to think, us riding double with me looking like I just got tossed in a barn.” She snorted. “I bet ruining my reputation isn’t what Trina had in mind when she sent you.”
Wolfe splayed his hand on her abdomen, enjoying the feel of her firm flesh under her shirt. He’d never met a woman who intrigued him as much as this one. Her sister hadn’t come right out and told him why she thought someone would be looking for Nikki. She’d put him off with vague remarks that shied around the truth. None of the people in their circle of mutual friends were what you would call normal, so it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out any one of them could be targets.
“Where exactly are we going?” Nikki’s voice jarred him out of his reverie.
“I suppose my place is out of the question?” He let his hand wander back up her torso.
She slapped it back down again. Harder.
“You suppose right.” She turned her head to look up at him. “You live here? I’m sure I’d remember if I’d seen you before.”
He shrugged. “I’ll take that as a compliment. I don’t live right in town. I have a cabin on the far side with a pasture and a lean-to where I can leave Fred when I’m gone. You sure you don’t want to come and see it?” He leaned forward, risking her ire by molding himself tight against her warm body. “You’re depriving yourself of a truly amazing experience.”
Nikki snorted. “Thanks, but no. I think I’ll survive.”
He shifted his weight backward as he slowed Fred to a walk. “Since you plan to fight your attraction to my obvious charms, we can go to The Cliffs. Fred enjoys munching on their yard while I chow down.”
Nikki snorted. “The Cliffs is good, and your charms aren’t all that obvious.”
“Ah, methinks the lady doth protest too much.” Humor laced his voice. “I’d prove you wrong, but I’m a gentleman.”
“Yeah, right. A gentleman would have walked while I rode the horse.” Nikki waved to Mrs. Jones, standing in her garden and not bothering to hide her interest in the two on the horse. “Good day, Mrs. Jones.”
The elderly lady smiled and waved back. “Hello, Nikki. Nice to have you back in town. I hope you can stay for a while, this time. The sun shines brighter when you’re here.” She turned to Wolfe, and her smile got just a tiny bit brighter. “Hello, Wolfe. I have those fresh herbs you were asking about.”
“Thanks. I’m taking Nikki for lunch, so I’ll pick them up later.” He nodded in a friendly manner.
“No problem. You two have a nice meal.”
“You know Mrs. Jones?” Nikki tilted her head at an awkward angle to look up at him while Fred ambled on down the road.
“Yup.” He struggled not to show his amusement at the confused look on her face.
“If you have a cabin here and know the locals, how come I’ve never seen you around before?”
“You don’t spend all your time here either,” he pointed out. “This is the first time you’ve been home this year.”
He felt her tense, her mental shields slamming down and realized he’d scared her. Shit. He had to be careful or she’d bolt like a rabbit. He didn’t intend to let her slip away before he got to know her better. A lot better. She intrigued him and that made her very special. It had been a long time since a woman had aroused his interest.
“Relax. I know you haven’t been here in over a year because your sister mentioned it.” He stopped the gelding in front of the coffeehouse and, keeping a firm grip on the reins, swung to the ground. “I haven’t been stalking you.”
Nikki frowned down at him, her expression suspicious.
Wolfe tore his gaze away from the enchanting furrow of her brow and fudged the truth. “When you suddenly tense up like a deer caught in the headlights at midnight, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out you’re scared.” He held out a hand. “Let’s go get some coffee and you can call your sister to check me out. I’ll even let you use my cell phone. The reception here is usually good.”
Nikki ignored his proffered hand and slid off the horse in one fluid movement. She turned, and he found himself staring down into her enchanting green eyes.
He inhaled deeply, her scent imprinting itself on his psyche. What was it about this woman that slipped through all his defenses?
He resisted the urge to wrap his arms around her and taste those full lips. Barely. According to his grandfather’s foretelling, he had a destiny to fulfill, and it didn’t include seducing green-eyed witches who managed to light up his world with a smile. Unless, of course, she was part of that destiny. He felt an acute need to know more about this woman.
Fishing his cell out of his pocket, he held it out. “You’ll need this to call Trina.”
She took the phone and sidestepped around him. Running up the stairs to the wide veranda surrounding the coffeehouse, she threw him a wary look over her shoulder before she disappeared into the dim interior.
Scared. Smart woman. She knew a predator when she saw one.
Wolfe loosened the saddle and slipped the bridle off the gelding, turning him loose in the grassy paddock. Fred nickered happily. Turning his back on Wolfe, he trotted over to graze in the shade of a wide maple. Wolfe hung the bridle on the fence post before turning to follow Nikki into the coffee shop.
Chapter Three
Wolfe bounded up the steps two at a time, hoping Nikki’d had time to call her sister and satisfy herself that he was legit. To hell with his grandfather’s foretelling, this woman was definitely special. He planned to use the threat of those men at the cabin to convince her to let him stay at her side. He felt an incredibly urgent need to be close to her, and that would be a whole lot easier if she trusted him.
It took a few minutes for his eyes to adjust to the dim interior. Nikki sat at a table in the far corner, his cell phone held to her ear. From the worried look on her face, he surmised she’d gotten in touch with her sister and the news wasn’t good.
He motioned the waitress to bring him a coffee, then crossed to the table and slid into the seat opposite her. She held a hand up, motioning him to be silent. He nodded and stretched his long legs out under the table, taking the opportunity to study her.
Long dark hair framed an expressive, heart-shaped face. Her fair skin betrayed her Celtic heritage, and a light sprinkling of freckles covered her nose. Emerald-green eyes, surrounded by long dark lashes, stared vacantly at the wall behind him.
“Are you sure?” She frowned. “Did you see who it was?”
Wolfe straightened and raised his eyebrow in silent query. No point in politely pretending he was deaf.
Nikki ignored him and frowned at the table. After a few seconds, her gaze snapped back to his face.
“Yes, he’s with me now.”
A pause.
“I don’t think that’s necessary.”
Another pause. Longer this time. “Are you sure? I’ll think about it.”
Hearing one side of a conversation had definite drawbacks.
The waitress placed a mug on the table and filled it from the carafe in her hand, giving him a friendly smile before retreating to the counter.
“Okay, I’ll keep in touch. Say hi to Jack for me. Love you, too.” Nikki terminated the call and held the phone out to Wolfe. “Thank you.”
Wolfe took the phone and slipped it into his pocket. “You’re welcome. So how are Trina and Jack?”
“Fine.” Nikki eyed him warily. That cute little wrinkle had returned to settle between her brows.
“And?” Wolfe really hoped she didn’t plan to make him work this hard for every bit of information.
Nikki sighed and dropped her gaze to the
table. She picked up a paper napkin and toyed with it, folding the edges neatly in a mock fan. “And she confirmed she asked you to come and warn me.”
Wolfe waited for her to elaborate.
Nikki continued to fold the napkin in precise patterns.
Wolfe reached over and covered her hands with one big one. “Did she tell you what the danger was?”
He swore he felt a physical jolt pass through their joined hands. Nikki’s gaze flew up to meet his. “It wasn’t clear.”
Wolfe waited patiently.
She ignored him and stared at the wall behind him, her brow wrinkled. Shadows clouded her green eyes and she chewed her lower lip with small white teeth.
“How well do you know my sister? She has visions. They started shortly after our mother left, and sometimes they come true. In this particular vision, there were creatures all around me. She couldn’t tell exactly what they were, but I had no way to escape. They were hurting me, taking turns attacking me. They wanted something from me. She’s not sure what. Then a huge silver wolf jumped into the picture. It stood between me and the creatures.”
Her gaze snapped back to his, her eyes questioning. “She thinks the wolf represents you. Protecting me. That’s why she sent you.”
Wolfe held her gaze with his while he digested what she’d said. Trina hadn’t told him about the vision, but he knew about her talent from his conversations with Jack. Her visions, no matter how obscure, were always true, so the danger to Nikki was real. The men at her home proved that; they’d had the hard-edged look of professional soldiers.
The creatures Trina had seen in the vision could be anything, from men to wizards to demonic creatures. The problem with visions was that they were rarely clear. The fact she’d seen a wolf leap in to protect Nikki intrigued him though. He’d heard a version of this vision all his life.
His grandfather had also suffered from flashes of precognition. After a particularly intense vision when Wolfe was a toddler, he’d been adamant that Wolfe had a part to play in the great circle of the universe. His destiny, according to the vision, lay in changing the fate of the world by saving a mythical being from the monstrous foes attacking it.
Wolfe studied Nikki with renewed interest. He’d always assumed his grandfather’s vision was an enigma, the mythical beast an analogy for something else. Visions were often hard to interpret. Now he wasn’t so sure.
He’d bet his last dollar that Nikki wasn’t an ordinary female. He hadn’t wanted to scare her by testing, but he was sure she was telepathic. Myths and stories his grandfather had told him as a child flashed through his head. Still, while he had no objection to playing knight in shining armor, he didn’t see how saving one woman, no matter how hot, could affect the world at large.
“Did she say anything else?” Wolfe watched as Nikki concentrated on methodically shredding the paper napkin into tiny pieces.
“Nothing important.” She studied the tattered remains of the napkin.
Annoyance flashed through him. He did not intend to go back to Trina and Jack and tell them he’d failed to look after her. Taking her chin in one hand, he forced her head up. “Your life could be at stake. I promised Jack and Trina I’d protect you and I take my promises seriously. To do that, I need to know everything. Now what else did she tell you?”
Nikki met his gaze, her eyes darkening, and she scowled. “She said you were really hot and I should try to seduce you while I had the chance.” She jerked her head out of his hand and glared at him. “I doubt that’s going to help you protect me.”
Wolfe stared at her for one critical second then burst out laughing. He couldn’t help it. He realized Nikki was still glaring at him and he wasn’t getting any brownie points for his mirth.
“The little minx did set us up.” He grinned and held up his hand in a conciliatory gesture. “She’s been talking you up for months, how sweet and cute you are. How compatible she thinks we are. I’m not saying the threat isn’t real, but she used it to throw us together. She could just as easily have sent Jack to whisk you home to Scotland.”
“Well.” Her glare didn’t let up any. “I realize you’re probably used to a more sophisticated class of woman friend, but I don’t think it’s that funny.”
“Oh, come on,” Wolfe coaxed. “I’m not laughing at you. It’s just she had me so focused on the danger to you, it never occurred to me I was being set up. Your sister is one hell of a matchmaker.”
The start of a smile tugged at the corner of Nikki’s mouth. He found himself holding his breath, waiting for it to blossom. “You’ve got to admit she’s good. Mix a little matchmaking with a vision of mortal danger. What’s a guy going to do?”
Wolfe felt a warm glow fill him as he watched the laughter spread to her eyes. If he wasn’t careful, she could throw his whole comfortable way of life into jeopardy. Something about her attracted him as no other woman ever had. Somehow, he couldn’t bring himself to worry about that.
“Hey, Nikki! You ready for the jam tonight?”
Nikki jumped at the sound of the voice, and Wolfe swiveled his head to locate the speaker. A tall brunette with a cook’s apron fastened around her waist stood framed in the doorway to the little kitchen.
“That’s Jessie.” Nikki lifted her hand to wave at the other girl. “She’s written several pieces of her own music and plans to burn a demo disc to send to a couple of agents in New York. She’s really good. She deserves a break.” She raised her voice. “Sure am, Jessie. Just got to run home and pick up my guitar.”
Wolfe kicked her under the table and she turned to glare at him. “Ouch. What was that for?”
He frowned. “You can’t seriously be thinking of performing in public when you have no idea if those guys are still around. You might as well put a ‘come and get me’ sign over your head.”
“It’s a private jam. I’m not stupid. The only people who’ll be there are ones I’ve known for years.” Nose tilted in the air, she arched her brow as if daring him to object.
He shook his head at her naïveté. “You’ll need to go back to the house to fetch your guitar. What if your guests haven’t left yet? Do you really want that vision to come true?”
The laughter went out of her eyes, and he gave himself a mental kick in the ass. Great. Did he really want to be the guy who took all the joy out of her life?
Oh, shit. I hadn’t thought of that. She tapped her fingers on the table in an agitated rhythm, and he wondered if she realized she’d slipped into a more intimate form of communication.
He relented, responded to the fear he felt radiating from her before he thought it through. It’s okay. I’ll give you a lift. We’ll go check out your place, make sure it’s secure before you go in. Chances are those guys have left. They wouldn’t hang around and chance being caught. If they’re still there, I’ll just call the police and have them evicted. I can pose as the concerned neighbor. They don’t even need to know you’re in the area.
The look of shock on her face made him wince, and he switched to verbal communication. “I’m just about done here. You?”
Nikki gulped down the last mouthful of her coffee and stood, her expression a mixture of lingering shock and confusion. “I’m ready.” And we are going discuss this as soon as we are alone. What the hell are you? She took two steps toward the door and paused, her hand going to rub her nicely shaped butt. “We don’t have to ride Fred all the way back, do we?”
“No.” Wolfe resisted the urge to grin as he stood and pulled his wallet out to pay for the coffee. Despite her threat of a discussion, he had a good feeling about this. “I have a Jeep at my place. We’ll leave Fred there and take the Jeep.”
“You drive a Jeep? Good answer. Not that I don’t think Fred is a lovely horse, but I’ve had enough of the Wild West for today.” Chin high in the air, she swept out the door, leaving him to trail behind her.
* * * * *
“So you’re telepathic.” Nikki leaned on the side of the Jeep, her arms crossed on her chest.
She didn’t plan to let him off easy on this one. How was she supposed to trust him if he kept things like that from her? He’d plowed through her mental shields as if they weren’t even there. Nobody, not even her sister, had ever managed to do that. “When did you plan to share that little gem with me?”
Wolfe held up one hand in a conciliatory gesture. “Not so fast. You didn’t mention it either, and Trina didn’t warn me. I’m not in the habit of broadcasting my abilities to the world, that’s a sure way to be labeled a crackpot. I was focused on getting you out of danger, and having you think I was unstable wouldn’t have helped.”
“Uh huh. Nice answer, but not enough to get you off the hook. So the next question is, what the hell are you?” She arched her brows.
For a moment he didn’t answer, those startling blue eyes staring at her with an unreadable expression. “What do you know about Jack?”
Great. He answered questions with questions. It took a moment for the implication to sink in. “Oh crap! You’re a Druid?”
It made such perfect sense, why she hadn’t seen it before? His ability to pass through the forest without making a sound; the songbirds ignoring his presence, as if he were part of their world. Even his profession: forestry consultant. “So you’re telepathic.” That was a given. “What else? Exactly how like Jack are you?”
She meant to ask if he was a Protector, and they both knew it.
Wolfe shrugged. “A lot like Jack. Which is why he and your sister trusted me to come to your aid.”
Score one point for him. Of course Jack would send another Druid to aid his sister-in-law. Nikki rolled her eyes, not sure how she felt about this latest development. “Well, I guess you can’t help what you are.”
“No. I am what I am.” He raised his brows. “So we’re good?”
“As long as you remember to stay out of my thoughts.” She opened the door and clambered into the Jeep. “We’re wasting daylight. Since Jack and Trina sent you to help me, you might as well make yourself useful. Let’s go get my music stuff.”