The Forgettable Miss French (Shadowvale Book 3)

by Kristen Painter

  There was no way that wasn’t causing some of her feelings. How could it not? But then, how would she know otherwise when she’d been in a ten-year drought? It was a lot to think about, but she wasn’t going to think about it too much tonight.

  Tonight was for being normal. Being out on a date—was this a date? It sure felt like one—and being happy and not having to reintroduce herself every time someone turned around.

  She almost wasn’t sure she remembered what that felt like.

  As they walked in, the lights flickered.

  “That was weird,” she said.

  “Not really,” he answered with a perturbed look on his face.

  “What do you mean?”

  He just shrugged. “I’ll tell you later. Let’s find a table.”

  The pub was fairly crowded and a little raucous thanks to the sports on the various televisions, but she’d wanted to come here because of the testosterone, not in spite of it. Now she wasn’t sure that had been such a good idea.

  But the pub did have great food, and she’d never had an issue coming here before. Besides, she was with Easy now. Shadowvale’s citizens were a decent bunch. No one would bother her with him at her side.

  Shifters generally had a code about that sort of thing, and other supernaturals rarely got in the way of shifters.

  They found a booth on the opposite side of the bar and settled in. It was a little quieter over here. More people eating than drinking and cheering. He put his keys and wallet on the table near the wall, so she added her small handbag to the mix.

  A server came by pretty quickly, dropping off menus and two glasses of water. “I’m Lyra. I’ll give you a minute to glance at the menu. We’ve got shepherd’s pie and haddock and chips on special tonight for our entrees and a special appetizer of honey ghost pepper hot wings. Not for the faint of heart.” She grinned. “I’ll let you ponder and be back in a jiff.”

  As she left, Easy picked up his menu. “I’m definitely getting those hot wings. But I don’t know about the entrees. Both specials sound good.”

  “They are.” Ginny folded her hands over her menu. “I’m getting the haddock and chips. And I’m happy to watch you eat the wings.”

  He put his menu down. “Then I’m getting the shepherd’s pie. I’m a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy, so I’d probably be good with either one.”

  “I’ve yet to meet a werewolf who didn’t like a good steak now and then.”

  He nodded. “Yeah, I grilled some last night.”

  “I know. The smell woke me up.” She pretended to be interested in the menu again so she didn’t have to look him in the eyes. Not while the image of him skinny-dipping filled her head. She smiled, unable to stop herself.

  “I guess that was kind of late to be grilling, but I’d had a long day. What’s funny?”

  She pursed her lips in an effort to kill the grin, but the memory of him was stuck. “Nothing.”

  He narrowed his eyes, clearly amused. “Liar.”

  “The smell woke me up. And I, uh…wanted to see where it was coming from.” She pressed her lips together while she waited to see if he’d figure it out.

  “Oh. Oh.” A slow smile turned up the corners of his mouth. “And did you? See where it was coming from?”

  “I did.” She drew a line through the condensation on her water glass. “But I didn’t linger. Once I realized you were, you know, not properly attired, I went right back to bed.”

  He snorted. “It’s my pool. I think I get to decide what’s proper attire and what’s not.”

  “True. The pool owner makes the rules.” Her cheeks were heating up again, but since he didn’t seem too bothered by it, she wasn’t going to be either.

  He leaned in. “That reminds me. You can come over and swim whenever you want. Especially since you already have a towel at my house.”

  With a little snort, she cocked her head to one side. “Is this the part where you tell me my tiny pink bikini is the only thing you’ll recognize as proper attire?”

  “No, but that’s a great idea.”

  She laughed. “I do love to swim. And I should get my towel. But I don’t want to bother you. Not with all the writing you need to get done. Besides, I can go to the lake anytime. That’s where I used to swim before the McKinleys moved. Sometimes the community pool, but that tends to be the same crowd, and having them think I’m a new person every time I go gets old.”

  “Next door is a lot more convenient.”

  “True, it is.”

  “How about I text you when the pool’s open?”

  She nodded. “That would be great. And if you happen to be in it, too, then even better.”

  He smiled. “You know I’m going to need your number for that to work.”

  “Oh, right. You should have it anyway. In case of emergency or whatever.”

  They got their phones out, swapped numbers, then Ginny scooted toward the edge of the seat. “I’m going to run to the ladies’ room. If she comes back, would you order the fish and chips for me?”

  “Sure thing.”

  “Thanks.” She headed through the pub and into the bathroom. A big corkboard inside the door was covered with flyers announcing all kinds of events. A Howl and Prowl singles meet-up, a Full Moon Party, Wing Night, a live acoustic duo on Fridays.

  She smiled. They were all things she and Easy could do. Once his book was turned in, of course. She was still reluctant to make too many plans or look too far into the future, but it was hard not to when she’d suddenly been given this chance to rejoin society.

  He wouldn’t mind going out now and then, would he? He seemed like a pretty sociable guy.

  She laughed to herself as a new thought came to her. She might prefer staying in with him, too.

  Chapter Eleven

  The server came back two minutes after Ginny had left, so Easy ordered, then sat back and took the place in.

  He liked the vibe here. He could see it becoming a hangout. When he had time to hang out again.

  At some point, he was going to have to look up the alpha of the local pack and let the man know about his issue. Easy loathed the very idea of having to expose himself like that to the alpha, but being a lone male wolf in a town that had an existing pack could be considered a threat.

  That was the last thing Easy needed. He figured Ginny wasn’t a member of the pack either, but she was female, so the same rules and constraints didn’t apply to her.

  Which meant she’d been running alone for the last ten years, too. Or maybe with her aunt. Even so, two wasn’t much of a pack.

  Well, no more. They could run together. A pack of three, as it were. So long as Ginny and her aunt didn’t mind running with whatever he turned into, which he didn’t think they would.

  And surely the alpha would understand they weren’t out to challenge him by starting a new pack or anything like that. There just wasn’t another way unless the alpha explained their special circumstances to his pack, which Easy doubted he would. But then, he was assuming Ginny would give him permission to tell the alpha about her curse, too. If she did, that should be enough to get them a special exemption.

  But what difference would an exemption make for Ginny? If they couldn’t remember her, nothing would help.

  He sighed, starting to understand the weight of what she’d been living with for so long.

  Ginny returned to the table. “Did the server come?”

  “Yes. I ordered. Did you want anything else to drink?”

  “No, water’s fine. Thanks.”

  Easy rested his elbows on the table. “Do you know who the alpha is in town?”

  “I do.” Her gaze shifted to the bar area. “Rico Martinez. Nice guy. That’s him in the black T-shirt with the long black hair with a silver streak. He’s had that streak since he was born. It’s a birthmark. His mother always told him it meant he was destined to be alpha. But then, don’t all wolf mothers tell their sons stuff like that?”

  “Pretty sure they do.” Easy st
opped looking at the man to stare at her. “How on earth do you know all that?”

  “I’m a great listener. It’s about all I can do most times. And I don’t forget much. I’m only forgettable to other people, not as a character trait.”

  He grinned. “You’d make a great writer. Being observant can really help.” He shifted toward her in a conspiratorial manner. “So…who else is in here that I should know about?”

  She looked around. “Okay, the two other guys that Rico’s talking to? The one that’s built like an armored car is Oluf Erikson. He’s a genuine Viking berserker. He’s a time refugee. He got caught in a time slip and hasn’t been back to his own year since he landed here. Not sure he ever will get home. So far, on every occasion he’s slipped into another year, he’s always ended up back in Shadowvale.”

  “Wow.”

  “Exactly.” She tipped her head at the trio. “The other guy, that’s Deacon Evermore. Town peacekeeper and raven shifter. He and Emeranth Greer are an item. She’s the barista at Black Horse Bakery, where that chocolate cake I brought you came from. Em is Amelia Marchand’s niece, and Amelia is the witch who created this town.”

  Ginny looked at him again. “Big magic. Big.”

  He made a point to remember that name. “You really do know these people.”

  “I have nothing but time.” She sipped her water. “Those three guys all play rugby, but on different teams. Well, Oluf and Deacon are on the same team, but Rico’s team is strictly werewolves from the pack. Oh, and the guy joining them is Shepherd Evermore. Shep is Deacon’s older brother and also the fire chief.”

  She glanced toward the door. “I’d expect the third and youngest brother, Bishop, to show up any second. He runs a tree-trimming service in town.”

  “Good to know.” Easy let his gaze wander. “Who’s the older woman with the navy blue helmet hair and orange jeans?”

  Ginny laughed. “I don’t even need to see her to answer that one. Has to be Della Kittridge. Her twin sister, Stella, owns Stella’s Bargain Bin here in town. Hands down my favorite place to clothing shop. It’s a secondhand store, and it is loaded with gems. Great prices, too. Della works part time there.”

  He shook his head. “You’re amazing. You’re like a walking Wikipedia of who’s who in Shadowvale.”

  She grinned. “I’m glad you think so. It’s not information I’ve ever had a use for before. Or anyone to share it with.”

  Lyra returned with their food. She faltered at first when she looked at Ginny. Easy assumed it was because the server didn’t remember her. To Lyra’s credit, she covered up her confusion with a smile and set their food down.

  The dish of shepherd’s pie was enormous, and the plate of haddock and chips was spilling over. The wings, also plentiful, were in a paper-lined basket, and the ghost pepper was so strong, it was already prickling his senses.

  “Now that’s a serving.” He picked up his fork, ready to dig in.

  Lyra nodded. “Most of our clientele have big appetites and high metabolisms, so we try to cater to their needs. Also, save room for dessert. We have blackberry crumble with homemade honey vanilla ice cream, a chocolate bourbon pecan pie that’s made grown men cry, and our traditional sticky toffee pudding served with custard.”

  “I’m in.” Easy looked at Ginny. “What about you?”

  “Heck, yes.” She laughed.

  He nodded at Lyra. “Thank you. We’ll definitely be getting one of those.”

  “Great! I’ll let you two eat and swing back around later. Just wave if you need anything.”

  She headed off to her next table.

  Ginny’s expression bore an edge of weariness. “You saw that, right? How she looked at me?”

  He nodded. “She didn’t know who you were. That’s what it’s always like, huh?”

  “Yep.” She picked up her fork. “But let’s not dwell on that, okay? I’d much rather enjoy this evening and this food.”

  “You got it. I think this is my new favorite place to eat.” Easy stuck his fork into the cheesy mashed-potato-topped casserole and lifted out a big bite dripping brown gravy.

  Ginny was sprinkling vinegar over her fish and fries. “You haven’t actually tasted the food yet.”

  “No, but I can smell how good it is.”

  “All I can smell is how hot those wings are.” She broke off a piece of the giant battered filet covering her plate and held it out to him. “Try this. It’s the best fish and chips I’ve ever had.”

  He took the piece and bit into it, crunching through the coating. “Outstanding,” he mumbled around the mouthful. He swallowed and pushed his plate toward her. “Have a bite.”

  “I’ve had it. I know how good it is. And you look hungry.”

  “You want a wing?” He took one from the basket.

  She shook her head, brows raised like he was crazy. “Those are all you.”

  He popped it into his mouth and stripped the meat off it, setting his mouth ablaze with the intense pepper heat. “Wow. Hot,” he wheezed. “But good.”

  She laughed. “Yep, all you.”

  They ate and chatted, and she continued to point people out to him, telling him the little tidbits she knew. By the end of the meal, he felt like he knew half the people in town.

  When Lyra came to clear their plates, which they had polished off, they decided on a sticky toffee pudding and the blackberry crumble.

  Easy’s mood was about as good as it had been in a long time. He’d even been able to momentarily ignore the burden of his deadline. “I’m having the best time. With the move and my book and my other issue, it’s been a while since I’ve done anything really fun. I needed this distraction.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.” Her smile was infectious. “This has easily been the best evening out I’ve had in the last ten years.”

  He laughed and lifted his water glass. “Here’s to more of those.”

  She clinked her glass against his. “Absolutely.”

  He took a sip, then set the glass down. “Be right back. I need to wash my hands before I forget and get ghost pepper in my eyes. Don’t eat all the sweets without me.”

  She put her hand to her heart. “I would never.”

  “Don’t talk to any strange men while I’m gone either.”

  “They’re all strange men in this town.” Then she lifted one shoulder and said teasingly, “But we’ll see.”

  He laughed as he got up and made his way to the bathroom. He went straight to the sink, turning the faucet on before getting some soap. He was falling for this woman. And that scared him a little.

  He had to remind himself that his plans didn’t include a relationship, not while he was incapable of shifting properly. And as much as Ginny might say it didn’t matter, things changed when people got serious.

  That’s where this seemed like it might be headed. Somewhere serious. Somewhere permanent. It might be the earliest stages of anything close to a relationship, but wolves had a way of knowing when they’d met the right person. And Ginny felt very right. At any other time, he would have been happy about that. Thrilled, really.

  Another guy came in, giving Easy the standard what’s up nod.

  Easy nodded back as he finished lathering. What was up was too complicated to even imagine.

  What if she wanted kids? He’d love to have kids, but not with how screwed up his shifting was. No way did he want to pass that on.

  He rinsed the suds off his hands, lingering under the hot water. It was way too soon to have that discussion, and yet, if he didn’t bring it up, he was going to feel like he wasn’t being completely up front with her. She had to understand that wasn’t something he could do right now.

  The guy who’d come in left.

  Easy grabbed some paper towels, lifting his head to stare at himself as he dried his hands.

  The reflection of something in the mirror caught his eye, holding his gaze even as he wanted for all the world to turn away.

  A flyer on a bulletin board beh
ind him advertising a Full Moon Party. With an enormous picture of a full moon front and center.

  “Not now,” he whispered. “Not here.”

  But already, the rush of the change coursed through him. His pulse quickened, and the ache started in his bones.

  He couldn’t do this here. He was too exposed. But he had no choice. As his body began its transformation, he slipped into one of the stalls and locked the door.

  * * *

  The lights flickered again like when they’d first come in. Weird, Ginny thought. Shadowvale wasn’t known to have electrical problems.

  She stared at the desserts that had just arrived via a food runner. Not eating them was getting harder with each passing second. Ginny looked at her watch. Easy had been gone for quite a while. Longer than she’d realized, actually.

  He’d been gone long enough that she was now worried.

  She couldn’t call him. His phone was on the table.

  With a sigh, she scanned the pub again to make sure she hadn’t overlooked him talking to someone. Maybe she should get up and walk around. There were parts of the pub she couldn’t see from the booth.

  She waited another ten seconds or so, then decided she had to do something. She waved the server down.

  Lyra came over with a quizzical look on her face. “Can I help you?”

  “Yes. Could we get some boxes for these desserts? We have to leave sooner than we expected. And bring the check, too. I’ll take care of it.”

  Lyra looked at her, then the table, then back at Ginny again. “There were people sitting here.”

  Ginny bit back a smart retort. She was used to this, but also so over it. Now was not the time to alienate this woman, however. “Yes, and I was one of those people, along with a dark-haired man. He had the shepherd’s pie, and I had the haddock and chips.”

  “Right.” Lyra nodded, but Ginny knew all the girl remembered was Easy and the order. “Okay, I’ll grab some boxes and the check.”

  Ginny didn’t want to wait for her, but leaving might make the poor girl think her guests had dined and dashed.

  Thankfully, she returned quickly with the boxes and a bag. Her curious expression told Ginny she’d been forgotten again.