Liam laughed and shook his head. “Not me. But I think Derek might be overestimating himself if he thinks he can handle you, woman.” He grabbed his keys and followed her out. “Am I going to sit in the car, and watch through binoculars?”
She turned to face him, her hands on his chest. “You are going to ask Jacob and Carter for their help. Then you can come and pick me up. I’ll pretend you’ve stood me up. But then you come into wherever I am.” She held her phone in the air as she walked off. “I’ll text you.”
Liam didn’t like her going off alone. But if they were going to pull this off, she was right, they needed help. And there was nothing wrong with having a couple of bears in your corner.
Chapter Fifteen – Beverly
Beverly hurried back to the store, and let herself in through the private door leading to the family’s large apartment. She’d climbed these stairs so many times, and it was hard to believe that she might soon have another home. One with Liam.
“Hi, honey,” her mom called from the living room. “How’s your day been?”
Beverly was in a rush, but she always made time to speak to her parents, her mom in particular, who often spent a lot of time up here alone. Although she worked a few hours each week in the store, it was not her main job. After Beverly had grown independent, her mother had carved out her own career. She ran her own online store, selling jewelry made to order, from a spare room in the apartment.
“Good.” Beverly entered the living room. Her mom was seated on the smart sofa, with a raised tray on her lap. She was adding beads to a necklace. “Busy?”
“As always. There are leftovers in the fridge if you’re hungry.”
Beverly kissed her mom on the cheek and hugged her briefly. “I’ve eaten.”
“Oh, who with? Or did you choose to stay away from the dinner table because of your father?” her mom asked with concern.
“No. Dad and I are OK. He was upset this morning because I was late for work. Aside from that…” She gave her mom a concerned look. “Unless something else has happened?”
“Not that I know of. Your dad told me you were late. Or should I say, he texted me to ask if I knew where you were.” Her mom set her work down and muted the TV. “Which I didn’t.”
“I was walking in the mountains with a friend,” Beverly replied evasively.
“A friend?” her mother mused. “A girlfriend or a boyfriend.”
“Mom.” Beverly blushed. “He might just be a friend.”
“He.” Her mom raised her eyebrows. “Now we’re getting somewhere.”
“There’s nowhere to get.” Telling her mom she’d met a man who swore his undying love to her was not a good move. Her mom and dad would band together and insist she was being duped. Without telling them about shifters, they wouldn’t believe her. Come to think of it, if she told them about shifters, they would likely tell her she was delusional and send her away to a rehab center.
Her mom placed her hand on Beverly’s. “Are you sure? You look different, more alive.” Her mom’s voice was wistful. When was the last time she’d felt alive, Beverly wondered?
“I’ve finally found my place in town.” That was as close to the truth as Beverly was willing to get right now. She had a job to do and intended to do it.
“That’s good to hear. I know you weren’t a fan of moving to Bear Creek. Another town, another store. I think that’s what you said.”
“It was, but I was fresh out of college and didn’t relish the idea of leaving all my friends behind.” Beverly stood up. “But I’ve changed my mind.”
“Good for you.” Her mom unmuted the TV and picked up her work once more as Beverly left the room. “I hope we get to meet this mysterious friend of yours soon.”
“Maybe. Don’t wait up,” Beverly replied, and ducked into her room. Closing the door securely behind her, she leaned on it for a moment, trying to make sense of her life. Since meeting Liam, it had been turned on its head and spun around until she had no idea which way was up.
Her life had changed, and she couldn’t fight it, couldn’t hide from it. As soon as the egg hunters were dealt with, she would inform her parents she had met someone and invite Liam over for dinner. Her stomach erupted into a million gassy bubbles at the thought of her mom and dad meeting Liam. Not that she was ashamed of them, but her parents’ relationship was so dry. They ceased showing each other their feelings years ago. Next to her parents’ relationship, hers and Liam’s seemed like a bright sun next to a dead moon.
Pushing herself away from the door, she went to her closet and pulled open the doors. She needed to change out of her work clothes and into a dress that would make a man like Derek notice her. However, she didn’t want to look sleazy. She might have flirted with every good-looking man in town, but she was not going to give Derek the wrong idea.
A demure soft velvet dress she’d worn to a school dance might be the thing. She took it out of the closet and quickly put it on, thankful it still fit her, although it clung to her hips and breasts a little more snugly than she recalled. Beverly grabbed a cardigan to go with the purple dress and ward off the chilly spring air before putting on her jacket. She didn’t want her mom to question why she’d put on a dress. Beverly’s go-to clothes since moving to Bear Creek were jeans and a shirt.
“I’ll see you later, Mom,” Beverly called through the open living room door.
“OK, have fun with your mystery man,” her mom replied.
“I will.” She skipped down the stairs and left the apartment, avoiding her father. She didn’t want to lose anymore time, since she still had to get to The Catherine Hotel, which was situated in the next town, and find Derek. If he wasn’t at the hotel, she was going to have to track him down.
Beverly looked at her watch. If she were lucky, he would be eating dinner in a restaurant at this time. If he’d ordered room service, she was going to have to come up with a new plan. Running her fingers through her loose hair, she hurried to her car, and got in. Bear Bluff was a ten-minute drive, and the roads at this time of day should be quiet.
Before she started the engine, she sent a text to Liam to let him know she was on her way. Without waiting for a reply, she started the car and drove out of town. A nervous tension filled her. So much could go wrong with this whole plan. She reminded herself it wasn’t as if anyone’s life was at risk, but then she remembered that in a way lives were at risk. Those lives might be small, but they were not inconsequential. Golden eagles were beautiful birds, and they deserved a life of freedom on the mountains, raised by their parents, not hatched in an incubator and raised to know nothing but the confines of a cage.
When she reached Bear Bluff, she drove across town to the Turner Hotel, and pulled into the parking lot behind the building. She knew the owner of the hotel, not well, but well enough to ask him a favor. Or so she hoped. She simply needed him to believe her story.
Taking off her jacket, she left it in the car and hurried toward the hotel. The temperature had dropped, or maybe it was her body cooling down after the heat of Liam’s lovemaking. Her skin flushed pink at the thought of his hands and mouth on her body.
“Beverly?” The voice came from the reception desk as she pushed the door open and entered the lobby.
“Mr. Harrison.” Beverly put on her brightest smile. “How are you?”
“Good. What brings you here? You haven’t come to personally deliver the anchovies I ordered?” Mr. Harrison was a silver fox. But his age did nothing to detract from his rugged good looks.
“No, I haven’t.” Beverly swallowed. Was he actually a silver fox? Her breathing came fast, her breasts heaving. “I was wondering if you could help me?”
“I can try.” Mr. Harrison slid around the counter, coming to stand before her. She looked up at the man who towered above her. His smooth smile spread across his lips. “You look different.”
“Oh, this old thing?” She looked down at her dress and clutched nervously at the skirt.
“I don’
t mean your clothes,” he purred. Maybe he was a cat shifter of some kind. Were they even a thing?
“Oh,” she breathed.
“I see many people come through those doors, and I can always tell those who have been touched by love.” His eyes danced with humor.
“You can?” she squeaked.
He gave her a knowing look. “I can. And you look as if you have been touched by a particular brand of love.”
“How can you tell?” she asked. Her plan was not going to work out if she had lovesick fool written all over her face.
“Because, my dearest Beverly, you are usually the one doing the chasing.” He pulled back, and the spell he’d cast on her broke.
“You got me.”
“No, but someone else did. Which begs the question, why are you here?” His eyes lit up. “Is it one of my guests?”
“No, no.” She put her hand up to stop him. “But I am here about one of your guests. Or two of them actually.” She held up two fingers.
“Ah, the infamous Derek Turner and Olsen Creta.” Mr. Harrison swung back toward the reception desk as a guest approached.
“How did you know?” Beverly asked, once Mr. Harrison had dealt with his guest.
He cocked his head to one side and surveyed her closely. “I observe.”
She frowned. “And what did you observe?”
Mr. Harrison leaned forward, and she moved closer. “That coincidence is rarely just that.”
Beverly looked into his pale blue eyes. “What are you?”
Mr. Harrison smiled and then tapped his nose. “A good hotel owner does not reveal his secrets. In that way, his guests think he is a miracle worker.”
“But you are…” She couldn’t ask him. It sounded stupid.
“I am…intrigued.” He sighed, his façade slipping. “Little surprises me these days, Beverly. But you can try.”
“I’m here to speak to Derek Turner because he is an egg hunter who wants to steal the eggs from the golden eagles on the mountain overlooking Bear Creek.” She took a breath.
“Ah. And you are here to stop him?” He nodded.
“Not exactly. I’m here to tell Derek exactly where to find them.”
“Now I am surprised. Tell me more and I will tell you where to find him.” Mr. Harrison’s eyes danced once more. “And if I like your story, I will even get the other one out of the way for you to make your move.”
“Deal.” Beverly relayed the plan, hoping she wasn’t betraying Liam in the process. Not that she gave away anything about her lover. She liked Mr. Harrison but wasn’t sure if she completely trusted him. Not with information that might put the man she loved in danger. So she left out the part about Liam being an eagle and sitting on the eggs.
“A good plan. Simple. You should catch those thieves red-handed.” He thrust his hand forward and tightened it into a fist as if he were strangling someone.
“You’ll help me?” Beverly asked.
He looked around reception. “Since I am free for now. And because I can’t abide scumbags who come here to take what is not theirs.”
“Scumbags,” Beverly repeated.
“Are you poking fun at me, Beverly?” Mr. Harrison asked.
“Never.” She leaned forward and whispered, “And I will make sure your anchovies are fresh.”
He smiled smoothly. “I always did like you, Beverly.”
“Do you have a mate?” she asked boldly.
“Alas, fate has cursed me. And I have lost all hope.” Mr. Harrison’s expression split her heart in two and took the breath from her body.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
He gave her a lopsided smile. “Don’t be. Just be happy and hold on tight to that man of yours.”
“I will,” Beverly promised, gulping down the knot of emotion in her throat. She couldn’t let Mr. Harrison’s sadness shake her nerve. The eagles were depending on her.
He beckoned to her, and she headed around to join him. “Here is your mark.” Mr. Harrison pointed at a small screen, which displayed images of different parts of the hotel. “Here is Olsen. Or Petra, as he signed in as.”
“They’re in the restaurant together?” she asked.
“For now.” He winked at her. “Be ready.”
“What are you going to do?” Beverly asked.
“What I do best. You go in and order a drink from the bar. I will call Olsen out, that is your chance to go and work your considerable talents on Derek.” Mr. Harrison gave no more explanation before he ushered her into the bar.
Beverly focused on the solid wooden bar as she meandered through the seated diners. She was out of place here. Not least of all because she was alone. However, a quick glance around the room told her no one was taking any notice of her, and so she relaxed.
“White wine, please.” Beverly waited for the bartender to pour her wine, and took the opportunity to survey the room. She couldn’t see the men she was looking for, not until Mr. Harrison came into the restaurant and walked over to a table at the back of the restaurant. It was dimly lit, just right for two men who wanted to keep a low profile.
Or two people who wanted an intimate dinner with no distractions.
Beverly wished she was here with Liam. Or in the small, cozy, romantic restaurant in town she’d so wanted to eat at. Maybe soon. But first, they were going to deal with the egg hunters.
It was time to move. Beverly slid off her chair and sauntered over to the table where Derek was sitting alone. Mr. Harrison had fulfilled his promise and Olsen followed the hotel owner out of the room. Derek was so intent on watching Olsen leave that he did not see Beverly until she placed her purse down on the table.
“Hello again. Derek, isn’t it?” She gave him her most encouraging smile and leaned forward just enough so that her breasts were at eye level. After using this move on so many men, she thought it would be easy, but it was like a betrayal. Liam owned her heart and her body. And her soul.
“It is?” Derek gazed at her breasts, only lifting his eyes to glance at her face briefly, his gaze dropped down to her breasts once more. He cleared his throat. “It is. Have we met?”
“Don’t you remember me?” She brushed her hair behind her shoulder. “Ponytail. Combat pants?”
He looked mildly dazed, as if he were caught in headlights. “I… I…” Then a look of recognition passed over his face. “On the cliff. With that…large man.” He spread his arms out to emphasize the size.
“I was.” She slipped into the seat across from Derek, the one Olsen had vacated. Hopefully, Mr. Harrison would keep him away just long enough for her to deliver her message.
“He’s not here?” Derek asked, leaning forward, and she pushed her ample breasts out as she placed her lower arms on the table and gave him a secret smile.
“He stood me up.” Beverly sighed theatrically. “All dressed up and nowhere to go.” She smoothed her hands down over her dress; his eyes followed.
“I… I…” Derek swallowed. “You could join us?”
“Us?” Beverly frowned and looked around. “I thought you were alone?”
“No, Ols… Petra” He blinked rapidly. “My friend has just stepped out.”
“Oh. Since there was no plate here…” She looked down at the table and smoothed her hand across the pristine white cloth covering it.
“We haven’t ordered yet,” Derek informed her.
“I should go all the same.” Beverly didn’t want to be here with this man who made her skin crawl. She was supposed to wait until Liam arrived, but she planned on making her escape early. All she had to do was tell Derek about the eggs.
“No, stay, I can get rid of Petra and we can spend the evening together.” He smiled warmly, if a little suggestively.
“I would love to. But I have to be up early for my shift. Then I plan to climb up to the mountain again. I love it up there. Although I’ll take a different route. Apparently, the golden eagles have laid their eggs. And I don’t want to disturb them.” She smiled at
him as she got up.
“They’ve laid?” Derek asked, excitement in his voice.
“Yes. Such magnificent birds.” Her senses prickled, and she looked around the room, wondering if Olsen was returning.
“They are. I would truly love to own one.” Derek’s attention had drifted away, he no longer saw her. What a sad little man, wanting to own an animal who should be wild and free.
“Ah, there’s my man.” Her eyes locked with Liam’s. He was here, she’d sensed his presence before she’d seen him. Their connection truly was soul deep. “I’ll see you around, Derek.”
“Hmm? Oh, yes. See you around,” he murmured before going back to studying his menu.
Beverly carried her glass of wine across the room and set it down on the bar, where Liam was waiting for her, his eyes piercing Derek. “I was about to come and rescue you.”
Beverly stroked his chest. “I think I might be the one who rescues you.”
“You mean he’s not into women?” Liam asked, glancing over her shoulder.
She leaned forward and whispered into his ear. “He prefers birds, of the feathered variety. He definitely wants a golden eagle.”
Liam chuckled. “He is a bigger fool than I thought.”
“Shall we get out of here?” Beverly asked.
“Sure.”
She drank her wine and then they left the restaurant. With a brief nod to Mr. Harrison, who was talking to an extremely animated Olsen, she followed Liam outside. The game was on.
Chapter Sixteen – Liam
“You spoke to Jacob?” Beverly asked when they were outside in the cool night air. Liam took off his jacket and put it around her shoulders. She was dressed in a thin purple dress that hugged her body in all the right places and he was loath to cover her up, but he didn’t want her to get cold.
Although if she did, he knew lots of interesting ways to warm her back up.
“I did. I went to see him first. Then he spoke to Carter. We’re going up into the mountains in the early hours of the morning. If you think Derek and Olsen will be there.” If Beverly hadn’t baited the trap, the whole plan would be off.
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