Sadie was the one.
Jack knew from the moment he saw her roaming the forest on her own. The confidence in her long easy strides had mesmerized him. Her scent had followed. It was warm and sweet like a pastry shop. Jack hadn’t even stopped to think, he only followed her like the puppy he had become. Tyson—the bastard—had also found his sweet treat. The guy needed to go. After Jenny had died by his hands, the Canidae in the area had either left or went to ground. The thought was, Tyson would hunt down all of them if they stayed or at least stayed active. Jenny had been a strong candidate for his mate. However her love for her brother was stronger. She had tried to convince Tyson to join them. Stupid brat. Tyson was Owen’s tool. Where ever Owen stood, Tyson was only a foot behind. And his faithful pack alpha was a known sympathizer. “Our human side needs to be dominant. In today’s world a wolf would not survive.”
And that’s where their thoughts differed.
Jack was commander of the Canidae in New England. They wanted more equal footing for their wolves. The wolf had come first after all. Today’s shifting community was heavy on the human instincts. It domesticated them. Made them weak. Jenny’s death had been a setback for their cause. Because of it, they had to sit and wait. Let the threat calm down before they acted. Luckily it had only been Jenny who was caught. She hadn’t had time to out anyone else which was damn lucky for him. Tyson had been sniffing too close to him for comfort and steps were already in place to silence him. Killing his sister had made him snap. He wasn’t mentally able to handle anything, so his wolf took over. As far as anyone knew, Tyson hadn’t changed back to human since that night. At this point he probably couldn’t change anymore.
The fact that Tyson fought against Canidae and then became the very thing they believed in…well, the irony was not lost to him.
He took another swig of his beer. He was curious as to why Tyson was interested in Sadie. He hadn’t lied to Owen when he said the wolf’s scent was everywhere. Jack had even smelled it on her. Tyson was getting cozy with his woman and that was just not alright. Tonight he’d convince her to give up her new pet. Then the loose end named Tyson would be finally cut.
Chapter Four
What the hell am I doing?
Sadie sat in her car out front of the bar drumming her thumbs on the steering wheel. After hours of internal debate, she finally decided to meet Jack. But now she was having second thoughts. Fred didn’t like him. She hadn’t known the wolf long but she did trust his judgment, for the most part. From the start, Fred had disliked Jack. Maybe it was just because he could sense that Jack was looking for him as part of his job, but it weighed on her. Animals had a way of knowing people’s souls. They knew a good person from a bad one with just one sniff.
Fred had been upset all day. He moped and when he wasn’t doing that he was glaring at her, forbidding her to go out tonight. When she had gotten in her car he was sitting on the porch with the saddest eyes she had ever seen. Sadie had hesitated but drove away anyway. But now she didn’t know if she had made the right choice.
“This is ridiculous,” she stated. “Only one way to decide.” In the center console she found a quarter and flipped it a few times. When she couldn’t decide what to do, Sadie always turned to her old standby, flipping the coin. “Heads I go in. Tails I go home.” She took a breath and flicked her thumb causing the quarter to tumble and flip through the air like a circus performer. She caught it and slapped it to her forearm. “Heads,” she said after lifting her hand revealing the head of Washington. “Looks like I’m going in.”
The bar was crowded. Beyond crowded. The noise level was high but music could still be heard over the buzz of conversation. A few people looked at her as she stood there. They obvious were wondering who she was and their whispering mouth’s said as much. She ignored the looks and pushed through the people toward the bar. All the tables and chairs had been moved towards the walls to make room for a dance floor and on the other end sat her destination. A dozen or so people were moving and swaying to the country music that was playing from the sound system. Since it was the most direct route, Sadie cut through the dance floor careful not to get in anyone’s way.
A hand slid into hers and she was tugged back into a man’s chest. Without a second’s thought she slammed her foot down on his and began to bring her elbow back. He ducked and she hit air.
“Hey now! Is that anyway to greet your electrician?” Sam spun her around to face him. He wasn’t angry but in some obvious pain.
Trigger. Sam had hit a trigger and it set her off. She didn’t like when almost strangers touched her, liked being caught off guard even less. Still, it was no excuse for almost breaking his nose.
“Crap. Sorry. I…well, I…” Sadie’s face was flush as she tripped over her apology. She almost took him down in the middle of this bar in front of the entire town. That would have been one first impression she would have never gotten back.
“Whoa. None of that.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her close then began to turn her around the floor before anyone took too much notice. Sam wasn’t a big man, he was slim but had some serious muscles hidden under his clothes. His brown hair was in some gravity defying mess that she suspected had more product in it than she used in a year.
“Those are some fast reflexes Missy. Everything alright?”
“I’m sorry,” she blurted out looking around at the people watching them.
Sam frowned and said, “that won’t do,” before pushing her away and pulling her back in a spin. When she faced him again she was smiling. “Much better. Now, who’s the man you meeting here?”
“How do you know I’m meeting a man?”
“It’s the shoes.” They both looked down at her wedges that wrapped like a ballet slipper and tied behind her ankle. “They are casual and flirty and you know they make your ass look good.”
Sadie laughed and began to relax into the song. “Alright, you win. His name is Jack.”
“He wear a uniform?”
“Yes.” And wears it well.
“I’ve meet him a time or two. Need help finding him?”
“Yes, thank you.” Sadie felt steadier with someone she knew standing beside her. Sam led them off the dance floor and down the bar. Together they looked for Jack. However, it was Jack who found them. His hand slid around her waist and pulled her away from Sam. She tensed but didn’t start swinging. However, if he didn’t ease up on his grip she would have a bruise on her hip come morning.
“There you are,” she said attempting a smile. “Sam and I were looking for you.”
“I’ve been here all along.” Jack ignored her and stared down Sam with an expression that matched his bland tone. “Thank you for escorting her to me.”
Sam was not impressed and turned his attention to Sadie. “If you need me I’ll be here. Come find me when you want another dance.” His hands gripped her shoulders and pulled her forward into a hug and out of Jack’s reach. “If he gives you trouble I want you to come get me,” he whispered in her ear and left.
Jack’s eyes were narrowed on her face when she turned around. In this light he looked completely different. No longer flirty with that attractive hint of mischief, instead he was hard and cold. The angles of his face seemed deeper and sharper when he didn’t smile.
“Come. I have seats.” He turned without even checking to see if she followed behind and disappeared into the crowd. Sadie looked behind her to where Sam watched from his table surrounded by friends. She lifted the corner of her mouth in a half smile. If she ran now, she could probably make it to her car before he caught up. However, if she ran now then she wouldn’t be moving forward. It was important to socialize, or at least that’s what her therapist said. Jack had probably seen them dancing and got upset. Which was completely understandable and she would probably have felt the same way. Even if she ended the night early, she should at least clear the air between them first.
She went in the direction he had, squeezing past people and pushing through
the crowd. She spotted Jack sitting on a stool with an empty on beside him. How he had kept the vultures at bay when he had come to find her was a trick she wanted to learn. When he noticed her sliding into the seat, he smiled. She smiled back, glad that the anger seemed to have ebbed away.
“I wasn’t sure if you were coming.”
“Me either,” she admitted.
“I’m glad you did.”
“Umm…”
“Who’s the new girl, Jack?” the bartender interrupted, saving her from responding. The woman was leaning over the counter with her chin in her hand. Even with a full house she didn’t move along when he neglected to answer. The question hung in the air uncomfortably. “Did you forget your manners at home or something?”
There was suspicion in her eyes. Her light easy tone didn’t match the assessing look she had pinned to Jack. Something in the gaze told Sadie that the woman didn’t completely trust Jack, or maybe she just didn’t like him that much. Her eyebrows rose an inch and then she rolled her eyes. They were having a conversation she realized. Only people who know each other well could speak without words and fully understand each other. She could do it with her sister. Jack could do it with the bartender. Either he was a drunk or they had dated in the past, maybe dated a friend of the other’s.
Sadie quickly glanced at him trying to get the other half of the silent conversation. Jack was tense. The ridged line of his jaw clenched as his eyes flared at the woman. He was pissed again. Was this an ex girlfriend? Or, shit, was this his girlfriend?
“Since he has lost his tongue,” the woman reached her hand out, “I’m Lee.”
“Sadie,” she said shaking her hand. “Should I go?” she asked cautiously.
“Why? Is he bothering you?”
“No, I just thought… well, are you two together?”
Lee laughed. And laughed. And laughed. It was borderline excessive when she finally calmed herself. “Hell no. I wouldn’t bed that sack of fleas for all the Reese’s in Hershey.”
Jack had turned his head and looked at her with a glower. “You want to go?”
“No.” She had made a right mess of this. “This is going all wrong. I’m sorry.”
“No worries. Let's get you a drink and start fresh.” Before she could order, Lee was pouring and mixing something in a metal shaker. Sadie lost count of the bottles that were held on end to drain some of their inhibition lowering goodness into the shaker. After a quick shake, Lee poured the drink and slid it forward. “Long island ice teas are great to break the ice.” Oh hell, she hadn’t had one of those since college. After a sip she smacked her lips and complimented Lee on her mixology talents.
“Holler if you need anything else.” At that, the woman was moving on to the next patron.
The silence was awkward between her and Jack. He didn’t look at her and she wasn’t about to look at him. The chill coming from his body gave her a shiver. Both times they had met before he had been kind and funny, but now he was a downright grump. A yellow flag waved in her brain. A warning. He wasn’t sending up red ones…yet. But Sadie was going to be cautious around him from now on. His change in demeanor after Sam and again after Lee left her cold. This man had some jealousy issues.
Which was so not what she signed on for.
Sadie sipped her drink and looked around. If he was going to ignore her, then she was going to ignore him. It would be a waste of a good hair day if she left now. The man beside her caught her looking and smiled. He was sitting with a woman sharing a basket of fries.
“You look lost,” he commented.
“No, just getting my bearings straight.”
Beside him the woman leaned forward and smiled at her. “I’m Pat and this is Terry. What’s your name, Sweetheart?”
“Sadie. I just moved here about a week ago.”
“Oh! Well, welcome to Andora. What brings you here?”
Sadie was prepared for this question, had gotten it a few times already. “Just needed a change. I figured if I was going to do it, might as well do it now.” All smiles, Sadie hoped they wouldn’t dig further. Thankfully, they didn’t. Pat and Terry were a nice couple. Their youngest son had just moved to college and they were enjoying a night out with no children and responsibilities. Pat even invited her to dinner the following Sunday.
“Well now, that’s a first,” Lee said coming down the bar towards her. “Can’t say I’ve ever seen Jack leave a date before it even got off the ground. Tell me your secrets.”
Sadie had caught only half of what she said since she was still listening to Terry talk about his garden. Bit of green thumb that man had. When she was ready, Sadie would be calling him to help landscape her house.
“I’m sorry what was that?” she asked Lee.
She laughed and nodded her head to the new man sitting next to her. Lee was pouring him a beer and quickly introduced him as Vince.
Sadie glanced around the room trying to catch sign of him but there was no Jack. When had he left?
“Don’t fret over it. He had a stick up his ass anyway.” She began to make Sadie another drink. “Believe me, you can do better.”
“You don’t even know me,” Sadie pointed out.
She shook her head. “Doesn’t matter. I’ve known Jack my whole life. He’s nice enough and can flirt the pants off most anything but there is something that…I don’t know. I’m just cautious around him.” The drink was pushed towards her. “Damn, I’m sorry. You have the right to date whoever you want, Honey. Don’t let me mislead you.”
“We weren’t on a date. I’m not…I’m just trying to get settled in. Dating isn’t in my near future. Thanks for the warning though.”
“Anytime.”
“While I have you here. Do you know anywhere that is hiring?”
Lee leaned back against the back counter and crossed her arms. “I might.”
“Vague much?”
“Ever do that restaurant thing?”
“Hostess in high school and waitressed in college.” That wasn’t really what she had meant but in a town like this, her options were limited.
“Good enough. You start tomorrow.”
“What?” That was…unorthodox. “What about an application and interview?”
Lee rolled her eyes. “Ok city girl, hold on.” She walked away and came back a minute later with a man in his mid 50’s who looked like he had more of a keg than a six pack in his stomach.
“Chuck this is Sadie. I just hired her. You’re welcome.”
Chuck looked her over once and said, “You’ll do.”
“Um…”
“She wants and interview and application,” Lee added.
“Can you pour a beer?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Write down what someone wants, tell the cook, and then bring them their food?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know how to count money?”
“Yes.” Was this for real right now?
“Can you tell a man to shove it if he gets handsy?”
She laughed, “Yes.”
“You’re hired. See Lee for instructions.” At that, Chuck walked away.
Lee beamed. “Happy now?”
“Bitch,” Sadie laughed. “Ok fine, what time tomorrow?”
*****
The floor boards were cool under her bare feet. In the living room the air conditioner groaned in the constant hum that usually put her to sleep. Tonight however, she couldn't turn her brain off long enough to even close her eyes. After two hours of tossing around her bed, she admitted defeat. Turning on the lights is a known way to wake up fully, so she kept them off in hopes to trick her sluggish brain as she got up.
The house was still new but by now, her feet knew the way. Down the hallway—watch the side cabinet on the left—make a right and a quick left into the kitchen. The fridge should be directly in front of her. After a few blinks and a few more shuffled steps forward she caught the reflection of the stainless steel.
Sadie was a n
otorious midnight snacker. Sometimes she didn't even know she was doing it until mid bite into a slice of cheese. It was a problem and part of the reason she had never been able to lose weight. Although, that was before the stalker diet was in place, now she was borderline sickly.
The light blinded her as she opened the refrigerator door. More blinking but soon she was able to make out the contents. Sadie settled on a butterscotch pudding cup and closed the door. She grabbed a spoon from the dish drainer beside the sink and headed for the living room.
The moon was just a sliver of a crescent. The night however, was clear enough that the small amount of moonlight filtered in to the room and lightened it just enough for her to see her way around. Curled in her chair she opened the pudding and dipped her spoon in. Tonight she had been ditched at a bar and had gotten a job. She was confused about both, but didn't question the latter.
Jack was so mad the entire time, save for a few moments that he was almost his usual charming self. Had Sam really set him off? They weren't on a date—she had made that abundantly clear—so why the jealous anger? Lee confirmed Sadie's warning flags by telling her own about the man. She didn't like possessive. Never had. After Peter, her stalker, she would avoid that trait at all costs.
Sorry Jack.
Fred should be happy now at least. The overgrown dog hadn't been anywhere when she got home. He was obviously avoiding her. Sometimes he had so much personality she wondered if there wasn't more to him. No animal she had ever met had such expressive eyes. Then again, she never owned a pet before. Not that Fred was her pet. He was a wild animal after all. One who just liked lasagna and his head scratched as much as any man she ever dated.
His absence bothered her. If she was being honest, that was the main reason she couldn't sleep. Sadie had gotten used to his random howls throughout the night as he ran through the forest. Tonight, all she heard was crickets. Buzzing, chirping, I'm-going-to-burn-the-forest-down-if-you-don't-shut-up crickets. Her air conditioner was in the living room and only so loud. It didn't stand a chance against a plague worthy amount of crickets.
Too Far Gone (Adirondack Pack Book 1) Page 4