Growl

by Eve Langlais

  It had definitely been a long day. Cherry stood and walked to the open door. The wolves watched every step she took. When she stood by the door, she could have sworn they glanced at each other, but then both of them slowly stood.

  Cherry held the door open. “Time for bed, fellas. You two need to go out.”

  Tails and heads down, the two of them slowly walked out the door.

  The russet one glanced her way as he stepped onto the front porch. She heard him sigh. The other wolf was right behind him. Cherry waited, watching as they faded into the forest.

  She closed and locked the door but left the porch light burning and crawled into the big comfortable bed. The big lonely bed. But she couldn’t get her mind off the wolves. That was just too weird for words. The feeling they were more than they appeared would not leave her.

  She picked up the romance she’d been reading. Dying Room Only—not a sexy title, but the werewolf and vampire heroes in the story were two of her favorites. Actually, the werewolf was her favorite, but she loved the ménage fantasy. Funny, how she loved stories where two sexy men fell in love with the woman. She didn’t even have one.

  She stared at the cover for a moment, at the wolf standing beside a woman with his amber eyes glowing, and thought of her two wolves. Yawning, she set the book aside. It had been a very long day. Dreams were about all the excitement she could handle tonight.

  They did not disappoint. Dreams so graphic, so real, that when she awoke she was actually surprised she didn’t have four legs and a tail. She’d spent the night racing through dark forests and moonlit meadows with the two wolves—wolves her dream self knew as Brad and Cain in their human form.

  It might have been a bizarre night of crazy dreams, but the sense of running beneath a full moon with the granite mountaintops gleaming silvery beneath its light, the steady thunder of wolven feet racing beside her along the hard-packed, shadowed trails, had felt so real.

  They’d even howled, all of them standing on a hilltop, howling at the moon. She’d awakened with tears on her cheeks, overcome by a sense of belonging.

  She’d come awake a number of times throughout the night, sometimes breathing hard, as if she’d truly been part of a small pack of three, the two familiar wolves on either side. The last time before dreamless sleep finally claimed her, Cherry awoke sprawled crosswise on the big bed with pale moonlight slanting across her body.

  It was only a quarter moon. In her dreams, the moon had been full, hanging directly overhead. That slice of moon left her sighing in relief. She hadn’t run as a wolf. No, that had all been the result of an overactive imagination, thank goodness.

  Relieved, yet oddly disappointed, Cherry straightened out on her bed, punched the pillow a couple of times for effect, and finally rolled over and went back to sleep.

  CHAPTER 5

  Monday

  Cherry was actually disappointed when she finally crawled out of bed, dressed, and realized she’d be walking to the lodge without her wolf escort. They’d certainly been busy last night, escorting her through her dreams. There weren’t any wolves at the lodge to greet her, either, but Christa and Steph were on the deck having coffee, the sun was barely peeking over the tops of the pine trees, and it was an absolutely breathtaking morning.

  “Good morning. When did you guys get here?”

  “About five minutes ago.” Christa held up her coffee cup. “Coffee’s inside, and it looks like Trak’s cooking breakfast.”

  “As long as it’s not me. Morning, Steph.” Cherry and Christa both laughed when Steph merely grunted. She was most definitely not a morning person. Cherry opened the door and walked into the lodge. Trak was visible through the pass-through window, standing at the stove in the kitchen with an apron tied around his trim waist, and the dining area was filled with delicious smells. Inside, the lodge was like an old-time café, with a bar for a quick meal or drinks, and the big pass-through window into the kitchen. A couple of small tables were placed by windows at one end, and there was one long table in the middle, where they’d eaten last night.

  There was no sign of the other three women, but Brad smiled from behind the bar. “Good morning, Cherry. Coffee?”

  Cherry nodded and took a seat on one of the barstools. “Yes, please. Good morning.”

  “You’re up early.”

  “Blame the day job. I’m usually in the office by seven.”

  Brad handed Cherry a big mug of coffee, black, just the way she liked it. Then he propped his elbows on the bar with his own steaming cup between his hands. “What do you do in the day job?”

  “Statistics and market analysis, which sounds really high-tech and boring, but it’s not.”

  He laughed. “Yeah, but what do you do?”

  She was used to this part of the question. “Figure out what ads work best for companies and why. I research algorithms and how to optimize ads, create methods for measuring the effectiveness of ads, that sort of thing. Essentially I try to help people use the most effective advertising for a particular product. It’s fun. I love my work.”

  Brad just laughed. “If you say so. How did you end up doing something like that?”

  “I love numbers and majored in statistics, with a minor in computer science.”

  She heard the door open and Christa added, “And she’s actually Dr. Cheraza DuBois.” Christa plopped her butt down on the stool next to Cherry and draped an arm around her shoulders, laughing. “It is so easy to make you blush.”

  “You’re a pain in the ass, Cissy.” And Cherry might be embarrassed by Christa’s praise, but she was damned proud of that PhD, even if it ran men off, if they’d even gotten past her plus-size body. But Brad actually seemed impressed, not put off by it. Now that was interesting.

  “Hey Trak,” he said, calling out to the cook. “You’ve got to come out here.”

  Trak poked his head through the window. “Morning, ladies. What do you want, Brad? The chef’s at work.”

  “Yeah, I know, but do know what this lovely lady does?” And without waiting for an answer, Brad said, “She’s a statistics and computers expert, and there’s a ‘PhD’ after her name. Her focus is marketing.”

  “Really?”

  Trak’s eyebrows went up and he and Brad exchanged a very quick but obviously meaningful glance. Cherry had no idea what the meaning was.

  “I need to get back to work,” Trak said. “But Cherry? I’m impressed. I’m going to want to hear more about your work.”

  “Anytime.” That was interesting, but obviously all he was going to say, at least for now.

  The door opened once again. “Where’d you guys go?” Steph wandered in and took the barstool on the other side of Cherry. “It was lonely out there.”

  Christa glanced at Cherry. “What that means is, she just woke up enough to realize we weren’t sitting with her.”

  “I know.”

  “Poor baby … are they picking on you?”

  Steph’s eyes lit up as Brad took her cup for a refill. “Yes. Do you have any idea what I put up with?”

  He set the freshly filled cup in front of her and sighed. “I can only imagine.”

  “Milk it, Steph. Go for the sympathy.” Cherry nudged Steph’s shoulder, but she really loved the fact that Brad looked directly at her and winked. He’d singled her out while teasing Steph. Silly, that such a small thing made her feel warm inside.

  They were all laughing and picking on Stephanie, who’d had enough caffeine to tease them right back, when the L.A. contingent wandered in looking for coffee, but the three of them took one of the smaller tables, all of them half-asleep and not saying much. Brad carried a tray over with filled cups, cream, and sugar. The women thanked him but kept their conversation low.

  Two men Cherry hadn’t seen before walked in a few minutes later. Christa poked her in the shoulder and whispered, “Are all of the guys who work here drop-dead gorgeous?”

  “It appears so.” These two were big and brawny and absolutely beautiful, but Cherry
was surprised when she didn’t feel that same little flip in her midsection that she’d gotten from both Brad and Cain. Obviously it wasn’t her reaction to sexy men in general—just those two sexy men.

  Steph, however, had finally come awake, tracking the two with her gaze as they stepped up to the bar beside her. “Good morning.” She smiled, and the one closer to her nodded.

  The other man shot her a bright grin. “Don’t mind Ronan. He’s just grumpy because we were out of coffee.”

  Brad set two cups in front of them. “Ladies, the sparkly one is Wils and the grump is Ronan. Behave, gentlemen.”

  Ronan planted his butt on the stool beside Steph, gave her a long look, and dipped his head. “My apologies. I had a late night and then the shmuck with the pretty blue eyes forgot to stock up on coffee.”

  Steph took a swallow of hers. “That’s absolutely unforgivable. The fact that his pretty blue eyes aren’t black is an obvious tribute to your good nature.”

  Ronan nodded seriously. “That’s what I was trying to explain to him.”

  “You weren’t very nice about it.” Wils glanced at Cherry. Easy to see where Ronan’s reference came from. Wils had the most brilliant blue eyes she’d ever seen. “He turned the hot water off when I was in the shower.”

  Cherry almost snorted her coffee. “You didn’t?”

  “I did.” Ronan actually smiled at this point. “He screamed like a little girl.”

  “I’d be careful about insulting the women if I were you, Ronan.” Brad walked around the bar with a couple of large serving trays that he set under the heat lamps in the buffet counter. Trak was right behind him with more trays of food. Both Wils and Ronan went back to the kitchen and carried out baskets of rolls and bowls of fresh fruit.

  Within a couple of minutes, the buffet was loaded and even the three from L.A. managed to find a spot in line. Once the women had served themselves, the four men loaded their plates.

  Brad sat next to Cherry.

  “Where’s Cain this morning?”

  “Checking on mama wolf. He’ll be here any minute.”

  “Mama wolf?” Steph leaned around Christa. “There’s a new litter?”

  “Yep.” Brad slathered butter on a piece of toast. “Cain helped the female last night. She was having a tough delivery and he pulled the first pup.”

  “And then he did chest compressions on the pup and said he gave it ‘mouth-to-snout’ resuscitation.” Cherry couldn’t stop smiling. “Now that’s something I’d like to have seen.”

  Conversation flowed as the food disappeared. Cherry enjoyed her meal and realized she’d actually eaten breakfast without feeling self-conscious about putting food in her mouth. Of course, the amount she ate didn’t come close to what the men put away, but they were so busy talking and planning the day that she hadn’t had a chance to feel as if anyone noticed or cared what was on her plate.

  She’d have to think about that. She was so used to looking for problems, for perceived insults. Was she creating an issue where none existed?

  “So it’s agreed?” Brad glanced about the group.

  Agreed? “On what?” She hadn’t been paying attention.

  “Ronan and Wils are going to lead a hike up to Blackbird Lake,” he said. “It’s only a couple of miles from here, but there’s a bit of a climb, so you’ll need hiking boots, and long pants would be best. We’ll have daypacks ready for you with water and a bag lunch. If you’ve got cameras, take them. You’re sure to see wildlife along the way, possibly a wolf or two.”

  “I’m going.” Cherry didn’t even have to think about it. “What about you guys?”

  Steph shrugged. “That’s why we’re here. To get some exercise and see new country. Christa?”

  “I’m in. What time are you leaving?”

  Wils glanced at Ronan. “Can you ladies be ready in half an hour?”

  “I think I’m going to stay here.” Fred yawned. “I had a really rough week, and that swimming pool looks awfully appealing. Darnell? Suni? What are you guys up to?”

  “I’m with you.” Suni gathered up her plate and utensils.

  “Leave it, Suni. We’ll take care of that.” Brad glanced at Darnell. “What about you, Darnell? Are you up for some hiking?”

  “I am.” She glanced uncertainly at her friends. “Fred? You’re really not going?”

  “I’m sorry, hon. I’m beat. Too much time on my feet last week.”

  Suni shook her head. “Same here. I just want peace and quiet and a long nap.”

  “Darnell, come with us. It’ll be fun.” Cherry stood and stretched. “Trak, that was absolutely delicious. Thank you.” She checked her watch. “Half an hour? I’ll be here.”

  * * *

  It was almost four when they finally returned to the lodge. Darnell broke off from the group first when they paused near her cabin. She claimed she was exhausted, but she couldn’t stop laughing.

  “I have never worked so frickin’ hard in my life, or had that much fun. If that’s what you call a moderate hike, Ronan, I don’t even want to imagine your idea of a tough one. And believe me, if anyone had told me a few days ago that today I’d be skinny-dipping in an ice-cold mountain lake with three white girls and two dudes I’d known all of a couple hours, I would have said, you are shittin’ me! No way!”

  She and Steph did a fancy knuckle-bump that included bumping hips at the same time.

  “She’s right, you know.” Christa waved to Darnell as she turned off toward her cabin. “Today wasn’t like anything I’ve ever done in my life.”

  “Me, either.” Cherry’d gotten naked in front of everyone; she’d stripped out of her dusty clothes on the edge of the crystal-clear lake and gone into that icy water, gasping and screaming with the rest of them. Not only hadn’t she even thought about her weight; she’d also been well aware that both Ronan and Wils were giving her what could only be described as admiring looks.

  Definitely an amazing day, though she’d laughed hysterically when Christa complained about “freezing my ass off.” If only!

  “Certainly not me,” Steph said. “I’ve never been skinny-dipping with anyone. Ever.” Then she poked Wils with her elbow. “I think it was all your fault.”

  Wils laughed and wrapped an arm around her waist. Cherry’d noticed that the two of them had definitely hit it off. “C’mon, darlin’. Your cabin’s just through here.”

  “It is? Mine’s next to Darnell’s?”

  “Yep. And Christa’s on the other side. I’ll see you to your door, poor thing. I mean, since you’re obviously so exhausted and all. Besides, then you can complain about me all you want since I’ll be your only audience.”

  The two of them peeled off to the left and disappeared in the thick forest, though Cherry could hear them talking. Then she heard the sound of them walking up the steps to Steph’s cabin. The door opened and closed. There wasn’t any sound of Wils’s returning footsteps.

  Ronan was watching the trail. A moment later he grinned. “It appears Wils decided to escort Steph inside.” He started walking again.

  “I thought we were more isolated, a lot farther from each other.” Cherry turned to Ronan.

  “You’re really quite close to one another,” he said. “You can thank Brad for the sense of privacy. The design is all his baby. He’s an architect who plans his structures to blend with the landscaping. He’s pretty well-known, actually, but he has a personal interest in this place. Brad wanted guests to be more aware of the forest around them than of the other cabins, so the six cabins form a half circle behind the lodge, but each is hidden from the others, and the lodge.”

  They’d only walked a few more steps before Ronan stopped and pointed to a small trail leading into the woods. “Cherry, I’m going to walk your sister to her cabin. I’ll be right back.”

  Except Cherry had a feeling Ronan would much prefer to linger, and just as strong a sense that Christa hoped he would. “Take your time,” she said. “The trail’s easy to follow and I think I kno
w where I am. Thank you, Ronan. Today couldn’t have been more fun.”

  He really did have a beautiful smile. “You’re welcome,” he said. “You’re sure you’ll be okay on you own?”

  “Not a problem. Now if it was Christa…” She grinned at her sister.

  Christa groaned. “She’s referring to my nonexistent sense of direction. I can get lost in the parking lot at Walmart.”

  Ronan merely shook his head. “Then I’m definitely walking you to your door. Thanks, Cherry.”

  Cherry gave Christa a hug and whispered, “Enjoy yourself.”

  Ronan grabbed Christa’s hand; she waved and followed him down the trail. Cherry took the wider trail that would take her directly to the lodge. Giving Christa time with Ronan was the least she could do for a sister who cared enough to trick her into coming along on this most amazing adventure.

  CHAPTER 6

  Cherry’d only taken a few steps before she saw the back side of the lodge through the trees. She decided to go that way first—just in case Brad or Cain was there. Brad was behind the bar making margaritas for Fred and Suni, but there was no sign of Cain.

  “Hey, Cherry. You’re back!”

  “Hi, Brad. Those margaritas look so good.” She slowly parked her butt on one of the stools at the bar. Her legs were really sore from all the hiking.

  “Trust me, they are,” Suni said. “Did you have fun on the hike?”

  “It was terrific, though my muscles might disagree. You’ll have to ask Darnell about the day’s activities. Ronan and Wils are better than any cruise directors for making things fun.”

  Brad set the drinks on the counter for Suni and Fred. After they each took theirs and left, Brad smiled at Cherry. “Would you like one?”

  Regretfully, Cherry shook her head. “I’d love one, but I need to go and get a shower. I stopped by on the way to my cabin because I wondered if Cain had checked on the pups today, if they were doing okay.”

  “He’s there now. I’m sure we’ll get an update later this evening.”