by K L King
Deacon’s eyes went wide. One corner of his mouth quirked slightly. “Your kitchen is safe. The rest is a mess, though. It’ll take a while to get everything cleaned up.”
“We’ll see about that,” Tessa said. She followed May and Deacon to the front door. Iris attached a leash to Riley and followed the others, pausing only to lock the front door with the extra key Tessa had given her.
Iris noticed that Deacon stayed very close to her side as they walked to the car. He kept glancing around as they walked, his eyes scanning the area. When he saw Iris staring at him, he stared back. “I’m just making sure we’re not being watched.”
“Why would someone be watching us?” she asked.
“I’ll explain once we get to the shop,” he said as he held the driver’s side rear door open for her to climb in. He shut the door carefully after Riley hopped in after her. May held the passenger side rear door opened for an unusually taciturn Tessa and then made herself comfortable in the passenger front seat. After Deacon sat down in the driver’s seat, he grabbed the radio and spoke with Finn. He confirmed with his co-worker that someone would be watching both Tessa’s home and Iris’s cottage.
Iris shuddered. This was really weird. Someone was targeting Tessa or her, or both. She rubbed Riley’s head to calm both herself and the dog. As they pulled into the parking lot of the bakery, the extent of the damage became clear. There were two police cruisers in the parking lot, and two uniformed officers were busily taking pictures and notes. As Tessa had relayed to her, the large window at the front of the store had been destroyed. Seeing that there was glass everywhere, Iris asked if Riley could stay in the car. May nodded and rolled the back windows of the police cruiser down for the dog.
May and Tessa walked ahead to talk with Heath who was standing next to the now shattered display case. Iris hung back near the front door, watching the numerous people milling to and fro. “Does this kind of thing happen a lot around here?” she asked Deacon who was standing at her side.
“No. Years ago, this would have been unheard of. Over the last couple of years, there have been a couple of break-ins like this. A few cases of vandalism. Nothing like what you’re probably used to in the city.”
Iris noticed the concern etched onto his ruggedly handsome face. She shivered. “I guess,” she said quietly. “I wonder who did it?”
“We have a good idea, though it doesn’t make much sense,” he said angrily.
“Who?” Iris asked, turning to face him.
Deacon’s eyes widened. He probably expected her to be more frightened. Instead of being scared, though, Iris was angry.
Deacon shook his head. “Hold on, I’m not sure I can say yet. Come with me.”
He led her to where Heath and May were talking with Tessa. Before he could open his mouth, Iris angrily asked Heath, “Who did this?” She was pissed. This place was a second home to her. She was at peace here, and someone had disturbed that feeling. She could sense herself getting hot.
May and Deacon’s jaws dropped simultaneously. Tessa just stared at Heath as if she were patiently waiting for him to answer. A strange feeling buzzed through Iris as Heath glared back at her, but she didn’t budge. “Please, tell us who did this?” Iris asked in a strong, firm voice.
Heath’s brows furrowed as if confused. Instead of answering, he walked over to the shattered front window and, using his gloved hand, picked up a brick with something white attached to it. He handed Iris a pair of gloves with his other hand, waited for her to don them, and then carefully handed her the offending object. Without a word, he walked back to the kitchen to talk with some of his men.
A thick white piece of paper was tied to the brick with fishing line. In black marker, someone had messily written Get rid of the bear bitch or we’ll be back.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Iris asked, glancing at Tessa.
Iris spent the couple of hours helping Tessa provide the police, Deacon to be specific, with an inventory of the damaged property. She alternated between helping Tessa and serving coffee to the officers. It made her feel better to do something, and she was sure everyone was tired since it was nearly two-thirty in the morning. She had just returned from bringing the dirty mugs to the kitchen when she noticed Tessa and Deacon standing near the front door. “Deacon has offered to drive us home,” Tessa said.
“May’s not coming?” Iris asked.
“She left with Heath in his cruiser to head back to the station,” Deacon answered. “I’ll take you guys back in my squad car.”
Tessa climbed into the back seat with Riley and shut the door before Iris could get in. “Why don’t you ride up front? It’ll give me and the pup more room.”
Iris turned to see Deacon already holding the passenger side door open for her. “Thanks,” she said, climbing in. Deacon closed the door and quickly walked to the driver’s side and slid into the seat. He turned the car on and maneuvered out of the parking lot and onto the main road in town.
“Do you usually find out who does things like this—I mean vandals?” Iris asked Deacon.
He glanced to her, nodded, and then turned back to watch the road. “We’ll catch them. The security that we have at Tessa’s property will be in place until we figure out and apprehend whoever did this.”
“Is that really necessary?” Iris asked.
Deacon glanced briefly at her and then back to the road again. He shrugged. “It’s just a precaution, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. I’d—I mean we’d—feel better just keeping an eye on you both until these guys are locked up. It shouldn’t be long.”
“Iris, maybe you should cancel your hiking plans,” Tessa piped up from the back seat.
“What hiking?” Deacon asked.
“Nothing big. I was just going to head up to the Palmer Trail in a couple of days. I’ve been researching places to hike. You know, quiet, relatively easy trails that are safe. I’ll be pretty busy the next couple of days, but I was going to head out there soon.”
“You’ll need a guide. I’ll take you,” Deacon said decisively.
“I don’t think I’ll need a guide. The information I found said the trails were well marked,” Iris countered.
“They’re not that clear. You’ll definitely need a guide. There’re wild animals out there, too. It’s not a good idea to go alone. I’ll take you.”
“Sounds like a plan to me,” Tessa responded from the back seat.
Iris sighed. “OK, OK, I give.”
“Don’t sound so enthusiastic,” Deacon deadpanned.
“No. I mean, I just don’t want to be a bother. I can take care of myself, that’s all.”
“It’s not a problem. I mean it.” He flashed a smile at her.
Iris grinned back at him. “OK, then, thanks.”
Chapter 12
Iris spent the next two mornings trying out new recipes in the small, freshly painted kitchen in her cottage. Tessa had somehow managed to get repairmen in to work on the bakery almost as soon as the police cleared the scene. It was like magic—construction workers and glaziers had worked so quickly that they would be able to open after only two days. An even more advanced alarm system was also being installed in case the bastards decided to come back.
The afternoons were spent exploring the woods with Riley and practicing yoga in her living room. She had initially taken up yoga years ago to help with her anxiety, but to Iris’s surprise, she actually ended up enjoying it. She was just getting ready to jump in the shower when her phone rang.
Tessa’s merry voice came through the phone, “Iris, how about coming out with me and a few of my friends tonight? It’ll be a good time. After the last couple of days, I think we both deserve a little fun.”
Iris sighed. “Uh, I’m not sure. I’ve been working on some recipes all day, and the kitchen is a disaster. I’ll be cleaning this up for a while.”
“That stuff can wait. Besides, it’ll be nice for you to get out of the house for a bit. It’ll just be us and a c
ouple of girls that you already know, Sadie and May. How about it?”
May? This might be an ingenious way to get to know some more about Deacon. “OK, Tess, I’ll come. Where are we going and when?”
“We’re going to the Yacht Club. Dress is casual, but a little less casual than the usual Grey Lake casual. Be ready at seven-thirty. Sadie’s coming to pick us up in her cute little mini.” Tessa hung up after giving Iris the info.
“Shoot, it’s quarter to!” Iris squeaked. She threw a shower cap on, rushed through her shower, and stood in front of her closet with her hands on her hips. A little less casual than the usual Grey Lake casual. What did that even mean? She settled on a pale blue sleeveless dress and brown wedge sandals. “Ladies only tonight, buddy,” she said to a lazing Riley. The dog raised his head briefly and then lowered it back down to sleep. He didn’t seem too concerned.
A knock sounded at the front door of the cottage. “Iris, you ready yet?” May’s voice squeaked through the screen door.
“I’m ready.” Iris tried to keep the nerves from her voice. She was anxious about spending time with the women. They all seemed so put together. She wanted to make a good impression. “See you later!” she said to Riley. She grabbed her purse and followed May to the little blue car.
Once they were on the road, Sadie turned and said, “Nice to see you again, Iris. I’m glad you, Tessa, and Riley are all OK after what happened to the shop.”
“I can’t believe those bastards would do that. They must have lost their damn minds,” May replied.
“Thanks. It’s good to see you both again, too. It just doesn’t make sense. I still don’t know what that message was supposed to mean.”
Tessa chimed in, “Enough of that talk. We’re going out to have fun, not worry about any troublemakers. That will all be taken care of in time. Don’t you worry about it.”
Just about 20 minutes later, the four women were being seated in a booth at the Grey Lake Yacht Club.
“This is nice. I love my ma—husband”—Sadie glanced nervously at Tessa—“but sometimes it’s nice to leave the boys at home and have some girl time.”
“I agree. I grew up with all brothers and then ended up working with all men. I’m being suffocated with testosterone.” May chuckled. “Speaking of testosterone, I understand you and Deke are going on a date tomorrow.”
“No—Yes—No. I mean we are going out, but it’s not a date. I had already planned to go on a hike, and Tessa mentioned it in front of him. He insisted on coming along as my guide.” Iris blushed remembering how persistent Deacon had been about going to keep her safe.
“Well, it sounds to me like he invited himself on a date.” May laughed. “Where are you guys going ‘on your date’?” May emphasized the last phrase with air quotes.
“The trails around Palmer Lake,” Iris replied.
“Oh, that’ll be romantic. There are beautiful views along the way to the lake. Linc took me out there a few times when we were first dating. That was so long ago now, probably fifteen years ago. You’ll really enjoy it,” Sadie said while perusing the drink menu.
“Oh, I didn’t realize that,” Iris said. “Wow, fifteen years… You’ve known each other that long?” Iris asked.
“Yep, we went to school together. I’ve known him since we were little kids. He used to tease me all the time when we were in grade school and junior high. Then in high school, he started threatening any other guy that paid too much attention to me. I finally gave in when he asked me out on a date in tenth grade. We’ve been married a little more than ten years now.”
“That’s what I want,” May said firmly. “Some big guy that follows me around and pesters me until I go out with him. Every eligible man that lives in this town is afraid to ask me out.”
“Why’s that?” Iris asked.
“There are three reasons, and you’re going out ‘on a date’”—she used air quotes for emphasis yet again- “with one of them tomorrow. The tough guys of Grey Lake are scared of pissing off my dad, Heath, and Deke so they give me a wide berth. At this rate, my parents will never get grandbabies from me. I think I’m going to have to move away to find a man.”
“That’s just crazy talk. When the right man comes around, he won’t be scared off by anyone,” Tessa said. “Now, what are we going to order?”
They had a nice time having a couple of rounds of cocktails and dinner. The women were perusing the dessert menu and pondering options when Iris glanced around at the women at the table with her. All three women from red-headed Tessa to blond May to brunette Sadie were extremely pretty, most would say beautiful. Tessa and May were petite all over. Sadie was average height, but trim. All three were toned and appeared strong. Most of the time Iris didn’t mind that she was taller and broader-framed than most other women, but sometimes these feelings of inadequacy creeped into her mind. She put her menu down. “I think I’ll pass. I’m too full,” she said.
“Rubbish, just try something,” Tessa said.
“No, I’m trying to lose some weight. I don’t think dessert would help with that,” Iris answered, avoiding the women’s eyes.
“Are you kidding me? Lose some weight?” May asked. “You’re beautiful. You’re so tall and you’ve got those curves that men love. And my brother is nuts for you. Can’t keep his eyes off you. Get whatever you want, or I’ll order something for you,” May finished fiercely, studying the menu.
“What?” Iris gasped. “What are you talking about? Did Deacon say something to you?”
“Listen to May. She knows her brother,” Tessa said, ignoring her questions.
“You can’t compare yourself to anyone else. Everyone is built differently,” May said firmly.
“You haven’t been out in Grey Lake that much. I see a lot of customers at the restaurant. There are many taller and curvier women in town. You just haven’t seen them because you’re too busy working. Women and men in this town come in all shapes and sizes. You’re beautiful. We can see it, and Deacon obviously can, too. You just have to believe it,” Sadie said.
“I’m not going on a date with Deacon. We’re going on a hike together, that’s it. Anyhow, most of the time I’m fine. There are just certain things that trigger some behaviors, like stress,” Iris said, her face growing hot. This was so embarrassing. Tears sprung to her eyes.
“What do you mean? What kind of behaviors?” Sadie asked.
“When I was in my teens, I had an eating disorder. There was a lot of pressure to appear a certain way in my family, and I didn’t fit in. It was tough because I had to test some of my baking, but other than those tiny bites, I severely limited what I ate. I ended up losing 70 pounds in 3 months. I ate 500 calories a day and ran at least 5 miles each day. My hair started falling out, and I started fainting. Eventually, I ended up in the hospital when I passed out in school.”
“Oh, my God!” May said.
“What did your parents do?” Sadie asked.
Iris teared up. “Nothing. They were thrilled. My dad said I finally belonged in the family. I ended up gaining back thirty-five pounds, but I used a nutritionist. I cut back to running three miles a day, four times a week. I was healthy. I thought I looked OK, just like I do right now. My dad was disappointed, though.”
May frowned. “I’m sorry, but your dad sounds like a horrible excuse for a human.”
“So, like I said, most of the time I’m fine and can keep those thoughts away, but sometimes things like stress bring them out,” Iris said.
“Like the stress of going out with Deacon?” Sadie asked with concern.
Iris’s face burned. “I told you guys we’re not going on a date so there’s no stress there. I meant the stress of the break-in. I still don’t know what that note meant. It was such a weird message.” It wasn’t entirely true. She was tense about going out with Deacon, date or not.
“Don’t you worry about it. We’re taking care of it. Tonight was supposed to be a tranquil evening. No worries. I know you and my brother will have
fun tomorrow on your ‘not-date,’” May said, grabbing Iris’s hand and giving it a squeeze.
Iris wiped her tears away hastily. “OK, OK. I get it. You guys are very persuasive. What should I order?”
Chapter 13
Deacon walked through the back door of his home as naked as the day he was born and went straight to the shower. He was exhausted, but relatively stress-free. He had spent the last several hours in his wolf form, patrolling the woods near the ski resort. He was trying to catch the cougars getting into trouble, but as luck would have it, they decided to behave last night. He had been itching for a fight, but instead had spent most of his time running and chasing smaller prey animals. He hadn’t been scheduled to go out on patrol, but Heath had talked him into taking an earlier shift.
Earlier that afternoon, he had been working at the station, and Heath had picked up on his anxiety. He was having second thoughts about going out with Iris. He very much wanted to take out the beauty, but he was scared he was too much like his father. Very few people, even within their wolf pack, knew the truth about Deacon’s family, about the night that his mother, Julie, had died. Those who did know refused to speak of it out of respect for the Jensen alphas, past and present.
Deacon’s biggest fear, the fear that drove his major decisions, was that he would end up like his father. He couldn’t become like that coward, that murderer. No, he wouldn’t become like him. He had to make sure of it. He owed it to his mother to be better than that.
About two long, lonely years after his kind, gentle mother took her last breath, justice was finally served. At that time, the Jensens took Deacon in and raised him alongside their two kids. In the ensuing years, Deacon had worked hard to be a good member of the Jensen family and a good pack member. He had always studied harder than most kids his age in school. When others would be satisfied with a B+ on a test, he wanted an A. Since the time he was a teenager, he had physically trained long after others had gone home from the gym. He had learned to excel as a hunter in his wolf form as well. Deacon wasn’t sure why, but he could never relax. He always felt like he had to be better than he was—smarter, faster, stronger. He needed to prove his worth to the Jensens and the pack.