McCallan's Blood

by Theodora Lane

  He wanted to ask her to marry him, but he didn’t have a ring and he was positive that while she was breastfeeding wasn’t the best or most romantic time for a proposal. He’d find the ring first, then think of a way to ask her.

  After Ben had tanked up, she showed Jake how to burp him, then she returned him to his crib while Jake dressed.

  “Is there anything you need?” he asked. Barker’s comment about her business being in trouble bothered him, but he knew better than to offer her money.

  *

  Rebecca stared at him for a long time, thinking hard. No, she had a new business connection with the Garden Tea Room. They’d take three cakes each week, more if they sold out, and at thirty dollars a cake, it was enough to offset some of her expenses. She’d just have to have faith her catering business would pick up.

  “No, I’m fine. Now get back to work. I’m sure someone must be missing you.”

  “Well,” he shrugged, “the mill operates itself, really. I just answer the phones and do some paperwork.”

  “Right.” She rolled her eyes and walked him to the door.

  Jake slipped his hand under the robe to cup her soft bottom and pull her to him. Tipping her head back with his other hand, he kissed her.

  “I love you, Jake,” she whispered.

  “I love you.” He took a last look at her, then opened the door and headed to his SUV, trying hard not to skip. Rebecca leaned in the doorway, watching him with a soft smile on her face.

  With a final wave, he drove off. He had work to do, but not at the mill. He was going to Bryan’s and find out if he was hiding Trey.

  * * * *

  In the middle of the next block next to his parked truck, Allen stood under the low canopy of branches of the magnolia tree, hidden in its shadow. The SUV pulled away from the curb. She was home alone, but this was not where he’d planned to kill her or the right time. He must stick to his plan.

  He’d have to wait two more days until Sunday when the mill was closed.

  Backing up, he stepped around the trunk of the tree and walked to his pick-up truck. He got in, cranked it up, and drove away.

  * * * *

  Trey frowned. Jake had certainly taken his time in there. And he’d come out grinning like…like a fool.

  Rebecca stood in the door in what looked like nothing but a pink robe and a smile.

  “Shit. You old dog.” Trey grinned. “You got laid.” He slapped his thigh.

  Then he groaned. If Jake, Mr. Responsibility, had slept with Rebecca, it could mean only one thing. She was Jake’s lifemate.

  And she’d had his kid, not Jake’s.

  The pain struck, doubling him over in the driver’s seat. He groaned and clutched the wheel as he rode the agony until it passed.

  Christ, he had to get it over with before this killed him.

  Chapter 13

  Jake pulled up outside Bryan’s house. It was a plain brick ranch, nothing unusual about it. No cars or trucks were parked under the carport. With no one home, he’d have to work fast to do a quick search.

  He got out and walked to the back of the house. Opening the screen door, Jake twisted the knob and it opened. Seemed Bryan didn’t bother locking up. He stepped inside the kitchen. It was neat and clean. That surprised him. He’d expected to see old food and pizza boxes, a typical bachelor mess.

  Teach him not to make assumptions.

  Leaving the kitchen, he went into the living room. Everything was in order. On the couch, he spotted a folded blanket with a pillow on top of it.

  He inhaled. Trey’s scent was unmistakable, strong, and fresh.

  He’d been sleeping on the couch. Jake walked around the room. There was a duffle bag on the floor. He knelt next to it and searched through the clothes. They didn’t have his name in ink on them like when they’d gone to summer camp, but from the way they smelled, they were Trey’s.

  He’d found Trey, or at least where Trey was hiding out. But where was his brother right now and what the hell was he up to?

  Jake stood and headed back to the kitchen. Best to leave the way he came.

  He halted. Trey would know he’d found him, would scent him, just as Jake had done. He looked around the kitchen, then walked over to a door and opened it. The pantry was half-stocked, mostly cans of chili, spaghetti and cereal. On an upper shelf, he found what he was looking for.

  A can of room deodorizer. He hated the stuff because it really messed with his sense of smell. He hoped that it’d do the same for Trey.

  He sprayed the living room and the kitchen, then put the can back on the shelf and left, wiping off the doorknob with a wet wipe from the box on the kitchen counter.

  Back at his SUV, Jake got in and backed out of the driveway. He pulled out his cell phone and hit Barker’s number.

  “I found where he’s staying,” he said when Barker picked up.

  “Is he there? Did you talk to him?”

  “No, he was gone. He’s staying at Bryan’s like I thought.” Jake let out a sigh. “I’ve got to head back to the mill and put some time in or you’ll be getting a call from Hazel.”

  “Did you talk to Rebecca?”

  “Yeah, we talked.” Jake couldn’t help but grin.

  “Is that all you did?” Barker’s voice dropped to low and suggestive.

  “A wolf doesn’t kiss and tell.”

  “I told you she loves you. You’re a lucky bastard, Jake.”

  “Yes, I am. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Will do, boss. Get some rest. You’ll be no good exhausted.”

  “I will. I think I can sleep now.”

  “Yeah, great sex will do that to a man.”

  Jake laughed and lowered his voice. “Who said anything about sex?”

  “I repeat. You are one lucky bastard.” Barker laughed.

  “Later.” Jake flipped the phone shut and slipped it back on his belt.

  He took the turn off for Highway 35 and headed to the mill.

  * * * *

  Allen pulled into the gas station. He got out, went inside, and paid the cashier fifty bucks. As he was walking back to the truck, he watched the SUV with McCallan’s Specialty Lumber painted on the door drive past, but he didn’t break stride. He was calm, cool, and collected. Man, this was a sweet deal and he did not intend on blowing it.

  Reaching the truck, he took the nozzle off the rack, unscrewed his gas cap, and topped off the tank. When it clicked, he removed the nozzle and leaned over the side of the truck.

  Two red, five-gallon plastic gas containers sat on the back bed. He unscrewed the cap off the first one, stuck the nozzle in, and filled it.

  Oh, yeah, this was going to be like hitting the lottery.

  Money every month for the rest of his fucking life.

  * * * *

  Staying home made Rebecca nuts and Ben cranky. He missed his strolls and let her know about it. Nothing seemed to make him happy and he fussed all afternoon after Jake had left.

  “I can’t live my life like this,” she told Ben as she dressed him. They were going for a walk and to hell with Barker, Jake, and Vicki. How long did they expect her just to sit in her house waiting for God knows what to happen?

  Maybe if she went out, he’d try it again, and they could catch him. Why didn’t they think of that before? She could be the bait.

  Rebecca looked down at Ben. What was she thinking? That would put Ben in danger. Risking her life was one thing, but Ben’s life was off-limits.

  She sank onto the couch and bounced Ben on her knee as she bit her lip trying to decide what to do.

  The phone rang and Rebecca jumped, then blew out a breath and picked it up.

  “Hello?”

  “Rebecca? This is Caroline, Jake’s mother.”

  “Hello, Mrs. McCallan.”

  “Please, call me Carrie.” Jake’s mother’s voice was warm and sunny.

  “All right. What can I do for you?” She gave Ben his plastic keys to play with.

  “I’d love to se
e that baby again. I know things didn’t go well for you and Jake but…” She faded off.

  “Don’t worry about that. Jake and I have worked things out. We’re together.” It felt so good to say and her heart filled with love for him.

  “You are? Oh, I’m so glad. For both you and Jake.” She sounded genuine, but Rebecca doubted Carrie McCallan would know how to sound any other way.

  “Me, too.”

  “Can I visit you and the baby? I’d like to talk to you about some things.”

  “Sure. Actually, I’d love some company. Jake and Barker have me on lockdown and it’s making me nuts. And Ben could stand to see a new face and be doted on.”

  “Great. I’ll swing by in about an hour. Is that okay?”

  “Perfect. Ben and I are dressed, and I’ll fix something for us to munch on.”

  “That would be wonderful, but don’t go out of your way for me.”

  “Not at all. It’s what I do. I’ll see you in a while.”

  “Goodbye, Rebecca.”

  She hung up, carried Ben to the kitchen, and strapped him into his bouncer sitting in the middle of the kitchen table. Once he was safe and secure, she surveyed the pantry and decided on tea sandwiches and gingerbread teacakes.

  As Rebecca worked, she talked to Ben, explaining to him all the steps she took to prepare the food. Ben cooed, gummed his fist and blew bubbles.

  * * * *

  “Jesus Christ!” Trey stared through the windshield as his mother’s Cadillac pulled up to Rebecca’s house. What was going on now? First Jake, now his mom.

  She got out, dressed in a stylish jacket and pants, walked up on the porch, and knocked on the door. Moments later, Rebecca appeared.

  The women hugged as if they were old friends and then stepped inside.

  Great, just fucking great. Now Rebecca was part of the family.

  He was jealous at Rebecca’s ease at fitting in. That had been something he’d never been able to do and he’d been born a McCallan. Forget it. He should just be thankful his mom had taken the kid in.

  Jake would probably marry Rebecca, and Jake’s life, as usual, would be perfect. Once again, the alpha male wins everything, the woman, and the kid. His kid. Pass Go and collect two hundred bucks. Jake would finally have the family he’d wished for to fill up that damn house.

  Trey’s lips thinned as he thought about what his own life would be like. After this, he could never go home.

  Even if he wanted to.

  Which he didn’t.

  Besides, Rebecca would never forgive him for what he’d done to her. And Jake? No fucking way. They would never want him around, a constant reminder of what he’d done to them.

  He didn’t deserve anyone’s forgiveness. He deserved to be punished. To be an outcast. If he lived through this, he’d go it alone for the rest of his life.

  He’d go rogue.

  * * * *

  Carrie sat across from Rebecca at the kitchen table, cooing over Ben in his bouncer. She needed to warn, no, explain to Rebecca how her life would be as a lifemate to a werewolf, but she wanted to ease into the conversation so she waited for the right opportunity.

  “So,” Rebecca said as she slid a plate of tea sandwiches towards Carrie. “What can I expect?”

  “Expect?” Carrie looked up from Ben. “Well, that’s complicated. You’ve seen Jake’s wolf?”

  “Yes, in the woods that day I—”

  “Ran screaming from the house?” Carrie smiled. She wanted Rebecca to feel at ease with her and hoped her soon-to-be-daughter-in-law had a sense of humor. She’d need it, marrying into the McCallans.

  Rebecca paused, a small triangle of cucumber and cream cheese at her lips. Then she laughed and took a bite. After she chewed and swallowed, she said, “Like a high school cheerleader in a cheap horror movie.” Reaching for another triangle, she looked into Carrie’s eyes. “What did you do? The first time?”

  “I screamed.” Carrie laughed. “Like a little girl. Then I fainted.”

  “Did you really?”

  “Really. I’d never seen such a thing in my life. Remember that in my day the only werewolf I’d ever seen was Lon Chaney, Jr. in a furry face. I had no idea he’d be a real wolf.”

  “At least Jake warned me.”

  “What did you think?” Carrie wiggled Ben’s foot and he cooed.

  “At first? That Jake was insane. That no one knew about this delusion and that he was going to kill me right there in the woods. Then, he changed and…I don’t know. I changed, too.” Rebecca stared intently at her.

  Carrie nodded her head. She’d felt the same way all those years ago. Now that she’d gotten Rebecca to open up, it seemed she needed to talk.

  “Jake’s wolf is beautiful, you know. So incredibly beautiful. I’d never been that close to a wolf before, not even in a zoo. His eyes were,” Rebecca shook her head as she searched for the words, “Amber. Golden. Like jewels. And his fur.” She shivered. “So soft and thick. My hands got lost in his fur.” Looking down at her hands, her soft smile lit her face.

  “Michael used to love me to brush him. He’d change and lay his head in my lap and I’d run that brush over him for hours.” Carrie hadn’t thought about that in a long time. That old longing filled her, but this time it didn’t bring tears. “Helped with the shedding.”

  Rebecca laughed, nearly choking on her tea. “Shedding?”

  “The winter coat. It helps if you brush it. Keeps them from rubbing against trees, rocks, the furniture.” Carrie winked at her future daughter-in-law.

  Rebecca reached over and took Carrie’s hand. “I love Jake, Carrie. Man and wolf. I can deal with the housekeeping issues.”

  “I’m glad to hear that. Now let’s get down to business. I’ve heard your catering jobs have dried up.” She shook her head. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of that.”

  “No, Carrie. I don’t want you to do anything. Really.”

  “I have no intention of doing anything other than hiring you to cater all of the remaining meetings of the town’s Business Women’s Association, of which I am president. We meet once a month.”

  “That’s all? Just give me a job catering your meetings?”

  “That’s it.”

  Rebecca grinned. “Of course, once all those women know that I’m going to be your daughter-in-law, they’d be crazy to use anyone but me, is that it?” She rolled her eyes.

  “Well, something like that.” Carrie laughed. “Or you could just close up shop and be a stay-at-home mom to my grandchildren.”

  “Grandchildren?” Rebecca’s eyebrows rose.

  “Lots of them.” Carrie nodded. “Jake’s always wanted lots of kids, didn’t he tell you?”

  “We haven’t really talked about all that yet.” Rebecca looked worried.

  “Don’t worry, you two will work it all out and come to a reasonable decision.” She patted Rebecca’s hand. “I’m sure of it.”

  “Well.” Rebecca gave her a shy smile. “I’ve always wanted a little girl.”

  “Then you’ll just have to keep trying until you get one. But I have to warn you that the McCallans are genetically geared for sons. Only the males are wolves.”

  “But you have a daughter.”

  “Yes. I still don’t know how that happened. She was the first girl born into the McCallan family in three generations. All the other women married in.”

  “That explains it. All those paintings in the library. Jake said they were of McCallan wives, except the one of his sister.”

  “I still remember the look on Michael’s face when the nurse brought him in to see his new baby girl. At first, I worried that he would be disappointed. But he wasn’t. He told me he’d wanted a girl, but since he knew the family predisposition for boys, he didn’t get his hopes up.”

  “He sounds like he was a wonderful man. I know Jake adored him.”

  “We all did. Everyone who met Michael fell under his spell. It was his personality, so strong, so confident. I just knew he could
handle anything.” Carrie sighed. “I thought he’d never die and that we’d grow old together, watching our grandkids scamper around the house and the woods.”

  Rebecca smiled. “Well, with Ben I can guarantee lots of scampering. And laughing, and crying. I have to warn you, he can scream his head off when he’s mad.”

  “I had three, dear, I won’t mind. And besides, that old house was built to hold multiple families. A bomb could go off in one apartment and the others would never hear it.” Carrie laughed. “In fact, one time Jake and Trey set off a cherry bomb in one of the unused bathrooms. They were so disappointed when no one came running. They’d forgotten to leave the doors open and Michael and I didn’t hear a thing.”

  Rebecca grew quiet. “About Trey.”

  Carrie sighed. “He’s Ben’s father, no matter what he’s done. I don’t know how the three of you are going to handle this. Jake threw him out of the pack when he found out what Trey had done to you.” She frowned. “I stood behind that decision.”

  “You did?”

  “Jake is pack leader and his decision is final. And I thought Trey could use some tough love. If I’d seen him after I found out about it, he’d gotten more than that, I assure you. I’m used to dealing with McCallan men and they don’t frighten me.” Carrie straightened.

  “I get the feeling that Jake is torn up about his decision.” Rebecca bit her lip.

  “He is. He loves Trey. When Michael died, Jake tried to take his place, but Trey wouldn’t have it. I’m afraid things happened between them and it got out of hand. I regret that I didn’t stop it.” One of many regrets. Perhaps the biggest regret.

  “Things?”

  “Jake was in college when his dad died. Trey was a wild teenager. Rebellious. Stubborn. His father’s punishments and discipline had been physical and Jake was only doing what he’d seen and had done to him.”

  “Physical?” Rebecca’s brow furrowed.

  This was harder than Carrie thought, but it had to be said, had to get out in the open. Shame and fear wouldn’t hold her in their stranglehold any longer. “You have to understand. Jake did the best he could, but he was just barely out of his teens himself and had no idea how to handle Trey. Neither did Michael for that matter. Jake and Tori were good kids, did what they were told, never got into trouble or hung with the wrong people. Trey seemed to gravitate to all the wrong people, places, and things.” She sighed.