First Bite - Shifter Romance Box Set: Anthology of First in Serials and Series

by Vaughn, V.

  "True." I sigh because now we won't get to our destination until after dark. Plastic cards slip through my fingers as I search for the right one. "Got it."

  Sierra's nails click on her phone as she types in the number I read to her. She wanders off as she talks, and I'm left to stare out at the Connecticut landscape. It's kind of ugly in an industrial way, and I imagine living just outside of New York City isn't very pleasant. When she's done talking Sierra returns and says, "Some guy named Taylor will be here in about fifteen minutes."

  "Great. Let's take our stuff out to get to the spare."

  The sun has heated up the car, and the salty fried odor of road food wafts towards us as we throw our bags out of the trunk and onto the asphalt beside the car. The tightly woven carpeted trapdoor is rough in my hands when I pull it up to reveal my spare. It’s an oddly small-looking thing, and rubber is pulled away from the rim. "Crap on a cracker, it's flat."

  "Well, that sucks. Guess we're buying you a new tire." Sierra sits on the bumper next to me and leans against my body. "Hey, this could be so much worse. What if we were on the side of the road?" She places her hand over her tattoo. "They're watching out for us. I can feel it."

  "Really?" I squint at her in frustration and stand. "Because I'm not feeling a thing. If these guys really want us to come to them, then why aren’t they sending out their bat signal? Huh?"

  I kick a tire on my car, and pain shoots through my toe. “Ouch!” Through my blurry vision I see something dark move by the side of the diner. I’m tempted to go see what it is, but with the way today is going, I’d probably get mugged.

  Sierra gives me time to cool down. "Okay, no, I’m not getting any sign either. But there's no use in getting upset over things we can't change. Let's just roll with it." She grins. "Roll with it, ha!"

  I smirk. "Cute." I'm glad Sierra is with me to defuse my anger. She takes things in stride, and I do need to learn to roll with it. I watch her leaning over the side-view mirror to apply lipstick. When she smacks her lips I chuckle because Taylor has no idea what’s about to hit him.

  10

  Chapter 10

  Carly

  The tow truck clanks its way into the parking lot fifteen minutes later. The lumbering body that gets out of the truck is no guy, though. While tall and large, Taylor is most definitely female. Wild auburn hair is tucked into a filthy-looking baseball cap, and I expect to see grease on her face. Instead, a pair of the prettiest green eyes I've ever encountered appear to laugh at me.

  "Taylor?" My questioning voice makes her break into a big grin.

  "I get that a lot. It never gets old."

  Taylor is dressed in loose jeans and a blue cotton work shirt with her name embroidered on the front. Sierra makes a show of looking her up and down and says, "Well, aren't you just a surprise waiting to happen."

  Laughter bursts from the girl, and one can't help but smile in response. "Can't say I've gotten that one before. So you ladies got yourself a flat tire?"

  I answer, "Yup, and a flat spare too." I'm grateful for the useless extra tire because I would be embarrassed to admit to this woman I couldn't change a flat.

  Taylor says, "Well, all-righty, looks like we need to hook you up and take you in to the shop. The front's gonna be tight, but I think we can all fit." She gets back in the truck to move it into position. She makes short work of hooking up my car, and before we know it, we're squashed into the cab making small talk as we ride to the garage.

  The open windows let in a breeze that blows hair around my face, and I smell the pungent odor of mulch in the air. Sierra asks, "So how did you end up driving a tow truck?"

  “My dad worked in this business, and since it was only the two of us, I spent most of my life under cars. It's all I ever wanted to do, and when he died of a heart attack a couple years ago, I decided to open that business he was always talking about. I got myself a silent partner and did it." Her face falls for a moment, and I wonder if it has to do with missing her dad. I sure miss mine.

  Sierra cocks her head at me and points to my wrist. She turns back to Taylor. "I'm sorry to hear that. Both Carly and I lost parents too."

  Catching her drift, I lift my arm to hold the handle above the window of my door, making sure my tattoo is visible if Taylor looks over. Is being a single woman without family one of the requirements for our strange club?

  "Did you now?" Taylor purses her lips but says nothing.

  Sierra is not one to let a conversation drop. "Yeah, but we're headed to Maine to start new lives with some hunky mountain men." She's grinning, and Taylor's face lights up.

  Slowing to almost a crawl, Taylor maneuvers the tow truck into the parking lot of an auto repair shop. The white-and-red-painted building is clean looking despite the state of Taylor's hat. I'm impressed and gather she's a savvy business woman as well as a good mechanic. "Any idea how long this is going to take?"

  Taylor puts the truck into park and turns to speak to me. With my hand still holding the handle I watch to see if she notices my tattoo. I'm rewarded with a slight widening of her emerald eyes as she says, "It shouldn't take too long. We'll go pick out your new tires and get you back on the road before dinner."

  I drop my hand in my lap, and Taylor nods at it. "Nice tattoo. Can I ask where you found the design?"

  Sierra's face breaks into a grin as she elbows me. "I knew she’d see it."

  I ignore her and answer Taylor. "I designed it. I'm a tattoo artist. It came to me in a dream."

  Taylor leans back and crosses her arms. "I've been dreaming about it too. Huh." She sits up again and gets out of the truck, but somehow I don't think we're done with this discussion.

  "Randy! Come get this car into the bay for me." Taylor turns to us. "Follow me." She leads us into an immaculate showroom. Oil, lights, and various car supplies are set neatly on shelves, and tires are in racks lining one wall. The faint aroma of new tires is in the air, but the scent of coffee overpowers it.

  After an in-depth discussion of treads and winter roads I settle on four new tires that should keep me driving the Subaru safely for a few more years. When Taylor is done she says, "I'm going to go get the guys started. Can I get you ladies some coffee or tea while you wait? I even have hot chocolate."

  Sierra's eyes light up. "I would love hot chocolate."

  I say, "Coffee for me, please."

  We wander over to red vinyl chairs and sink into seats that are cushioned and comfortable. Sierra speaks in a low voice. "I knew it. I think a certain kind of woman is being called. She's capable, free of family ties, and--" She throws her shoulders back in a theatrical way. "Of a large stature."

  "Could be. Maybe she'll have some clues for us. Because I guess I'm going to tattoo another paw print today."

  Taylor's boots thumping on the vinyl floor capture my attention as she walks toward us with two steaming mugs. "Here you go, ladies. Is there anything else I can get you?"

  Sierra says, "No, but why don't you have a seat and ask us your questions."

  Taylor snorts, "Well, you don't hold back much, do you?"

  I say, "You have no idea. But go ahead, we know you have them, and so do we."

  "Okay." A chair scrapes across the floor as she arranges it so she can face us. She sits with a sigh. She trains her eyes on me. "Are you the one that's going to tattoo me?"

  "I can."

  "Thanks, we'll trade services."

  "Oh, no, four tires and a tow do not equal a tattoo."

  Taylor shakes her head. "Yes, they do. I have a feeling you're going to be giving me much more than a tattoo."

  Before I can reply, Sierra holds her hand up to stop me while she looks at Taylor. "Tell us about your dreams."

  Taylor's fair skin flushes red. "Well, there's the sign and this guy--"

  Sierra cuts her off and leans forward in a whisper. "Is it a sex dream?" Taylor nods, and Sierra continues, "And does it get a little--furry?"

  Taylor squints her eyes shut and says in a small voice, "Yes."r />
  I pat her hand and find it surprisingly warm. "It's okay, we have the same dream. If it makes you feel any better, I don't think we're turning into freaks."

  Taylor takes a deep breath. "Oh, good, because it's just too weird. The whole thing is." She sighs. “I had a guy that I thought was my future, and within a week of the dreams it was over for me. I couldn’t get rid of him fast enough.”

  I think about my sudden revulsion for Ray. "It kind of happened overnight for me too."

  I look around the shop, and the pride she takes in running a good business shows in every meticulous detail. "Here's the thing. After I give you the tattoo, you're going to be called to move to Maine. The pull is really strong, and you'll need to leave all this. Are you sure that's what you want to do?"

  Taylor nods somberly. "I'm already feeling it. A business broker is coming to meet with me tomorrow morning. And last night I had a dream about you two. I didn't realize who the women in the dream were until I saw your tattoo." She smoothes out the fabric on her thighs.

  Sierra says, "It's fate. We got that flat so you could meet us. I think you need to have the tattoo in order to go." Her foot is bouncing like crazy, and I'm dying to grab it to make it stop. But it’s not the foot that’s bothering me. I think whatever I saw by the diner was responsible for the flat tire and wanted us to meet the redhead across from me.

  Taylor asks, "So do you guys know much about tree farms?"

  The thud of her foot hits the floor as Sierra moves to perch herself on the edge of her chair and lean closer to Taylor. "What? No, why?"

  The smell of cut pine comes to me, and pieces of my dreams fall into place.

  Taylor says, "Because that's where we need to go. We're supposed to move to a tree farm."

  Sierra asks, "What's a tree farm?"

  "Where they grow trees for harvesting wood, saplings for landscaping, and even Christmas trees."

  A vision of elves and presents flash before my eyes. But they’re quickly replaced by a bear with glistening white teeth and blood. My palms get clammy as I recall the pain in my dream of being shredded to pieces. Good God, are we walking into a fairy tale? Or a horror story?

  11

  Chapter 11

  Carly

  After my car was done we headed to Taylor's condo, and she got her tattoo. She put us up for the night, and we left with her promise to call when she was ready to join us.

  Driving over the bridge from New Hampshire to Maine, I take in the Atlantic Ocean. Houses dot the shoreline, and a working harbor is in the distance. I open the window a crack to smell the acrid odor of mud flats. Seagulls cry out as if to warn us to stay away.

  Sierra says, "What's our plan, Carly? Do we just go to each one until something feels right?"

  I shrug. "I guess so.”

  As the area surrounding the interstate becomes wooded, I notice patches of white in the shadows. I point out the window as my lips turn up in a smile. "Sierra, that's snow."

  "It is. Spring comes much later here." But even though she tries to sound unfazed, she sits a little taller.

  I steal a glance at her, and movement catches my eye. The rumble strip under my tires makes me swerve back onto the road.

  Sierra glances at me but says nothing. A tingling sensation tweaks at my tattoo, and I'm filled with the knowledge I just saw a bear and it was there for us. My pulse quickens in anticipation of what’s ahead. A sense of purpose floods my being.

  "Sierra."

  "Yeah?" She's looking out her window.

  "Did you just feel that?" I check my mirrors, but traffic is light, and I don't see anything beyond a scattering of cars.

  "The strange sensation that we're being watched?" She is scanning our surroundings.

  "Yup, but I think it's more than that. I think we're being escorted." The need to put up my defenses niggles at me. In California I learned to pay attention to that feeling with customers, and I focus on staying alert.

  She turns back forward and jiggles her leg. "Let's stop at the next rest area and get changed into something more fitting for meeting the men of our dreams." She snorts at her bad humor. But I agree, because if I'm really going to meet my mountain man, I want every advantage I've got.

  * * *

  Dressed in a blue halter dress, a magenta cardigan borrowed from Sierra, and just enough make-up to play up my blue eyes, I feel beautiful when we turn off the interstate at the Bangor exit. Sierra is driving, and I have a map pulled up on my phone for the first tree farm. Because of the name, we decided to try Bear Mountain Tree Farm first.

  Just under a mile from the highway I have a strong feeling there will be a retail store for us to wander around and look for a sign. I say, "Up ahead on the right."

  The blinker ticks like a time bomb, and I swallow down my nervousness. A black flash is in my peripheral vision, and I'm positive we have a guide. Sierra says, "I saw him again. Oh God, Carly. I think this is it."

  We pull into an empty parking lot. "I know, I'm so nervous." I clench my cold fists and summon up my courage.

  "Breathe, Carly."

  I inhale deeply. "Ready?"

  She nods, and my cute shoes clatter on the asphalt as I get out of the car. Icy wind whips my sweater, and I pull it tight around me. Okay, so maybe the outfit was a bit much considering we're in nowhere Maine.

  One glance at Sierra makes me feel better though. She's in heels and a flouncy dress that's threatening to fly up over her head. We'll definitely be noticed.

  A natural wood-shingled building awaits us. Two clear glass doors are under a sign painted forest green with gold lettering that reads Bear Mountain Tree Farm. The faint scent of smoke is in the air, and I hope there's a woodstove inside.

  The metal of the door handle feels bitter cold in my hand as I pull open the door, but the moment it's open, heat blasts toward us. A quick scan reveals nobody is in sight, and I suspect the sales clerk is in an office that lies behind the partially closed door behind the counter.

  I turn toward Sierra and widen my eyes at her, hoping she'll take the lead. She shrugs, and I realize I'm supposed to be the brave one. Great.

  I call out. "Hello?"

  Someone kicks open the door of the office. "Welcome!" A tall woman with dark blond curls bouncing around her shoulders holds out a tray. "I sensed—I mean I knew you were coming and went in the back to bring out the maple candy." She sets it down on the counter. "Try one."

  One never knows when candy could present itself again, so I pop a leaf-shaped sweet in my mouth. Maple flavor explodes on my tongue, and I moan. "Oh my."

  She giggles as Sierra reaches over for one too.

  She knew we were coming. "You expected us?"

  Her body is fidgety, and she nods her head. "I'm Annie. We've been hearing so much about you, and I can't wait to show you around."

  Okay, this is freaky. "How do you know so much about me?" I turn to Sierra's motionless body. Really, girl? For once you're still? I add, "Us?"

  "Oh." She points to my wrist. "The sign. Your ma--" She stops and shakes her head. "I should let Brady explain." She looks us over and purses her lips. "You look beautiful…”

  Her face breaks into a grin. "Oh, hell. Let's go four-wheeling. You ladies up for an adventure?"

  Sierra lets me know she's alive. "We love adventure. What do you have in mind?"

  "I'm supposed to give you a tour of the farm, but hiking in the mud won't work well with your outfits." I notice she's in jeans and work boots. Annie continues. "I was about to suggest you change, but this will be more fun. You have no idea how happy I am to see girly-girls."

  Her joy is infectious, and even though I'm creeped out by the fact she knows things about us when we know nothing about her, I find I'm excited about our tour.

  Annie asks, "Do you have warm coats? Because I have something in the back you could wear."

  Sierra says, "I'm sure we do somewhere. Should I go dig them out?"

  "Oh, no. Don't go to all that trouble. Let me get you some
thing." She disappears into the office again.

  I turn to Sierra as my hands get clammy from panic. "Adventure?"

  Sierra squeals. "I know! See? I knew this would be awesome."

  I try to be as excited, but my cautious nature is holding me back.

  Annie returns with two puffy-looking jackets. She hands the pink one to Sierra. "You can wear mine." She turns to me with a sly smile and gives me a navy-blue one. "And you can wear Brady's. He won't mind."

  I slip my arms into smooth nylon. The jacket is surprisingly light. A musky scent invades my senses, and my body reacts before I realize I recognize the odor from my dreams. Every nerve ending hums, and I take a deep breath to get more. Good God! It's as if my dream guy is wrapping his arms around me. Wow.

  Annie is watching me, and her smile feels intrusive, as if she can read my mind. She asks, "Comfortable?" But the way she's looking at me, I think she's really asking if I'm feeling more than just warmth.

  "Yes, thanks. I'm going to have to get a coat like this. It feels like I'm wrapped in a pillow.” I pet it as if it’s a stuffed animal, and the thought of a teddy bear puts a smile on my face.

  Keys jingle as Annie locks the front door and sets the time on a little clock sign that tells people when she'll return. "We'll go out the back." She leads us through the office. A shiny dark wood desk is covered with messy piles of paperwork that make me want to organize them. We don't have time to look around before she takes us outside.

  A dirt road is behind the building, and it leads into the woodlands. Parked to the left is a red Hummer, and I look at Sierra. She raises her eyebrows back at me in appreciation.

  She says, "Nice ride."

  Annie opens the passenger door behind the driver and looks at Sierra. "Climb in."

  It’s clear I'm supposed to ride in the front, so I walk to the other side. She wasn’t joking when she said “climb in” because I have to step onto a running board to get inside. Compared to my Subaru, this car is huge, and for once I fit nicely. I settle into the big seat.