Bear Claw

by Crissy Smith

  The women laughed.

  “Lost in thought?” Betty asked.

  “I’m trying to make a mental list of what I need to prepare everyone’s arrival,” Brandy explained. “Are you heading out?”

  “Actually,” Cam spoke up, “I was going to hang around. I’d like to stay and check out the meeting.”

  “That’s great,” Brandy said with enthusiasm. She was surprised that the younger woman wanted to join. Cam was the newest employee at the library and only worked part time, as she also attended classes at the university. She hadn’t been very social so far but Brandy really liked the girl. “Betty?”

  “No, I’m heading home. Phil will want dinner soon.”

  Brandy wasn’t surprised the older woman wasn’t staying. Anytime shifters were brought up, Betty never said anything against them but she also didn’t seem supportive.

  “Well, great. Tell Phil I said hi.”

  “I will, honey.” Betty slowly headed toward the front door.

  “Can you help me pull out some chairs?” Brandy asked Cam. “I expect a pretty good crowd.”

  “Sure.”

  With Cam’s aid, Brandy went to work dragging extra seats from the utility closet and lining them all along the walls, making rows.

  * * * *

  “I want to thank everyone for coming. This turnout is more than I expected. We need all of you. Contact your friends and family. Talk to your co-workers. It’s going to take everything we have to make sure this proposed legislation does not pass.” Chris paused and looked around.

  Brandy wondered what he was searching for.

  “Right now we are passing out a copy of the legal document that has been submitted. Read this carefully. Pay close attention to the wording.”

  Brandy glanced at the pages someone had handed her.

  “Attached is a list of supporters. You’ll see they have power and money behind them.”

  Flipping to the next paper, Brandy gaped in awe. As Chris continued to talk, she read the names of supporters for shifter registration. She wasn’t surprised to see her family’s name now that she knew about William’s involvement. It certainly didn’t make the sick feeling in her stomach feel any better.

  They had a battle ahead of them.

  “We’ve been fighting for rights groups all through history. Judging someone because of their skin color, race or sexual orientation has gone on for thousands of years. Now there are people out there who want to do the same to shifters.”

  She had to give her cousin credit. He made a very good argument. Peering out at the gathering, she watched the faces of people as they listened. Her gaze found Jamie’s in the crowd.

  His eyes weren’t on Chris but on her. She smiled and was pleased when he returned the gesture. The anxiety she’d been feeling for the last twenty-four hours seemed to lift a little.

  It didn’t matter what her parents thought. Joining the fight to protect the shifters was the right thing to do.

  “We’re organizing a benefit to gain supporters and attention. We ask anyone who is able to donate their time to help. Make calls, sell tickets, walk the streets handing out flyers. Anything you can do will help. I’m going to let Drew Bridges take over now and give us some more insight. Drew is an attorney and a shifter. He can answer any questions you have about the legal issues we might come across and insight into the shifter point of view.”

  As Chris stepped down, Brandy gave her attention back to the front of the room. She hadn’t known Drew was a shifter. She wondered if she would ever figure out how to tell.

  But it didn’t matter now, did it? The entire point of this meeting was to give the shifters the same rights as everyone else.

  “Good turnout,” Chris whispered as he joined her.

  Brandy moved closer so their shoulders brushed. “I’m proud of you.”

  “Really?” Chris peeked up at her through his bangs. “I don’t think you’ve ever said that to me.”

  “If I haven’t then I should have. You were right when you said we’ve been fighting for rights one way or the other. Women couldn’t vote at one time. This change has to start somewhere. I don’t know if people will ever learn to stop judging one another for being different. I’m proud of you.”

  “I am proud of you too,” Chris said quietly.

  “Me?” Brandy scoffed. “I haven’t done anything. I hide behind my books and writing. I’m not active in causes like you are.”

  “No, but you always give everyone a fair chance. You care about what’s inside someone. I don’t know where you get that from, because God knows it wasn’t inherited. You don’t judge. And I love you because of that.”

  Warmth filled Brandy. The sick feeling completely left her. As close as she was to her cousin, he’d never said anything like this to her, either. “Thank you,” she said, choking up a little. She bumped him.

  “Besides,” he said, throwing an arm around Brandy’s shoulder, “think of all the good things you’d miss out on by being close-minded and bigoted like our family.”

  “Like getting arrested for freeing lab test animals. Oh, no. How about chaining myself to a tree to save the park from being removed and paved over for a new shopping mall.”

  “Yes, all good things, but I meant more of whom you would have missed meeting.”

  Brandy knew where this was going. “Chris…”

  “He’s very good-looking. Has a solid, important job. Helps people. You could do a lot worse.”

  “I don’t know what is going on with us. Until recently, he’s been standoffish for months.”

  “Well, he did have a pretty big secret. It can’t be easy telling someone you can turn into an animal. Hey, that reminds me, do you know what he is yet?”

  “No.” Brandy blushed and dropped her head after those closest to her glanced her way. She pinched Chris’ side. “Stop it.”

  He shook with silent laughter.

  “I hate you,” she grumbled.

  “No, you don’t. You love me,” Christ argued. “And you are dying to know.”

  He was right. It was killing her not knowing. The most notable shifters were the wolves and cats. Somehow, she knew those animals weren’t Jamie.

  “Well, tonight’s your chance,” Chris told her.

  “What do you mean?”

  “He can’t keep his eyes off you.”

  Brandy chanced a quick look in Jamie’s direction and saw that Chris was right. While Jamie wasn’t staring at them, he was skimming his gaze over the crowd to land back on her.

  “Brandy’s going to get laid,” Chris teased, barely above a whisper.

  “If you embarrass me, I’ll kill you,” she threatened.

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” He squeezed her. “Drew’s wrapping up.”

  Damn, she’d missed everything that had been said. From the nods and applause, she took it that Drew had done well. She had to pay attention. Which was a lot easier said than done with Jamie on the other side of the room.

  Jamie couldn’t keep his gaze off Brandy. She’d started off leaning against a wall until her cousin had joined her. He couldn’t hear what was being said, even with his superior hearing, but Brandy had blushed several times.

  She also kept sneaking peeks at him. He clapped along with everyone else as the gray fox shifter finished. He hadn’t heard much of what the man had said.

  Chris returned to the front of the room and opened the meeting to questions. Jamie crossed his arms over his chest and relaxed as the room buzzed with excitement.

  There were several good inquiries and Chris handled them well. He was organized and passionate. As the gathering started to come to an end, Jaime pushed off the wall and started strolling closer to Brandy.

  Thanking everyone for stopping by and encouraging them to sign up as volunteers, Chris concluded things. Brandy nodded at a few people closest to her then walked slowly in his direction.

  They met, and it seemed perfectly natural for Jamie to position himself as a barrier between her and
the rest of the room.

  “Good meeting,” he told her sincerely. True, he’d been too entranced with her to pay attention, but the conversation around him proved that his words were true.

  “Yes, it was. I’m glad the turnout was so good.”

  “We really appreciate all the work Chris is doing.”

  “I’m glad he’s gotten involved. If anyone can take this proposed legislation on, he can.”

  Jamie agreed. “And you. Thank you for the use of the building and your support.”

  Her wide, beautiful smile dazzled him. “You’re welcome.”

  “Maybe I can repay your kindness.”

  She opened her mouth, closed it then said, “Really?”

  “Can I buy you a cup of coffee? There’s a café on the corner that will still be open.”

  “I love their lattes,” she replied softly.

  Hope sparked within Jamie. This was going well so far.

  “So can you sneak out?”

  Glancing around, she bit her lower lip. “Let me see what I can work out.”

  “I’ll wait by the front door.”

  As she hurried away, Jamie turned to watch. He admired her movements around the crowd as she headed toward a younger woman he’d seen a few times in the library.

  “Plans?”

  Jamie actually jumped then laughed and spun around. “Damn, man, put a bell on,” he told Cody.

  “Aubrey tells me the same thing. We were going to invite you to go out to dinner with us but I believe I just heard you making other plans.”

  “I’m only taking her out for coffee so get that look off your face.”

  “Uh-huh.” Cody slapped him on the back. “I’ll tell Aubrey you’ll take a rain check. I don’t think she’ll be too upset after she finds out why you won’t be joining us. Although I do think she’ll want details.”

  Jamie had no doubt Aubrey would get a hold of him early the next morning. She was the one person he could always talk to about his crush on the sexy librarian.

  “I’m ready,” Brandy said as she returned. “Cam is going to lock up for me.”

  “Great,” he responded, pleased. He placed his hand on the small of her back to guide her, although, if he were honest with himself, he wanted to touch her as much as he could. “Let’s walk over. It’s a really nice night. Finally a break from the scorching temps.”

  “Sounds good.”

  While Brandy waved as they passed a few people, she never stopped or moved away from his touch. Pulling open the glass exit doors, he took a deep breath of the cool night air.

  He hadn’t noticed how crowded the small space in the library had been until he was free of it. The sun had set just when he’d arrived but the neighborhood was nicely lit.

  Since the area had gotten more and more rundown over the years, the locals had taken it into their own hands to keep their streets properly lit. The kids could still ride their bikes, and couples who wanted to enjoy the day or evening could stroll down the sidewalk.

  The café was only a few shops down and he could already see the bright coffee cup sign.

  “This was one of the first places I stopped after I moved over here. The waitress, Angela, was the one who actually recommended that I visit the library.”

  “I love Angela. Her kids never miss one of our special days. Eight-year-old Kevin always helps me pick the featured children’s books every month. He says that he has to read them first to make sure they’re good.”

  Jamie chuckled along with her. “That’s great.”

  “They are such good boys,” Brandy told him wistfully.

  He glanced over at her face. Did Brandy want children? Jamie already knew he did, but not too soon. Knowing he was ready to find his match, he was still committed to his career.

  A first date was probably too early to bring up the topic of her bearing his kids anyway.

  “What made you pick this side of the city?” she asked.

  It was a good question. The answer, however, was complicated. “Honestly? I felt like this was where I was supposed to be.”

  “Really?”

  A little embarrassed, Jamie stuck his hands in his pockets. “Yeah, well, I’d looked at several places but when I came across the apartment here I instantly knew as soon as I walked in.”

  They’d reached the café and he noticed that the patio seating was almost empty. “Inside or out?”

  “I’m good with here, if you are.”

  “Great.” He had been hoping she would say that.

  As Brandy walked toward one of the small tables located in the corner, Jamie spotted Angela through the window and waved.

  The sweet server returned the gesture. Brandy had chosen the chair next to the railing, allowing Jamie the seat with his back to the wall where he could keep an eye out. He didn’t know if she’d done it on purpose but he was extremely grateful.

  Like most cops, he preferred a spot where he could watch for any danger. The fact that Brandy had sensed this about him had started their coffee date off in the right direction.

  And this was a date as far as he was concerned.

  “Anna saw us,” he told Brandy, sitting down. “She should be right out.”

  “Cool. So finish telling me about picking your apartment.”

  “I’m sure you don’t really want to hear about that,” he hedged.

  She leaned forward and smiled. “Actually, I do. After you’re done, I will tell you how I came to work at the county library.”

  Jamie wasn’t sure why she put the two stories together but decided he really didn’t have anything to lose. “Okay, so after I viewed the apartment, I told the landlord I’d call him back. I don’t think he expected to hear from me. From what the neighbors told me, he’d shown it several times that month and no one wanted it. They were beginning to think it was haunted.”

  She giggled softly and the sound traveled through his body, warming him from the inside. His cock started to lengthen and he had to adjust his position in the chair.

  “Instead of hurrying to my next appointment, as I’d done all day, I decided to check out the neighborhood.”

  Brandy smiled, already nodding as though she knew what he was going to say next.

  “What I saw was what I’d always thought a real neighborhood should look like. The kids were playing and several parents were sitting or standing around watching. There was basketball, bike riding and hopscotch. It was neat. And as I took all of this in, everyone I passed said hello. I was amazed. I lived in a gated condo residence in Phoenix and can honestly say I didn’t know any of my neighbor’s names.”

  “And now?”

  “If I’m working late, I know someone is keeping an eye on my truck or motorcycle. On the weekends, one of the ladies will drop by some kind of baked goods. The kids all look up to me—the biker dude with tattoos. But they don’t see that. They call me sir and are respectful.”

  Right as he finished his story, Angela came out.

  “I’m so sorry.” She rushed over with two mugs full of coffee. “At least I could deliver both your drinks since neither of you ever orders anything different. If you didn’t bring me so much business, I might be worried about the fact you both have the same coffee addiction.”

  They laughed at Angela’s observation.

  “Now tell me what my two favorite customers are doing together? Date?”

  Brandy had picked up her coffee to blow on it. She jerked her hand, slopping some over the edge. “Jeez.”

  “Oh, honey,” Angela chided. “A woman can hope.” She handed Brandy some napkins.

  Jamie couldn’t help but notice Brandy’s deep blush.

  “Hoping?” he inquired, picking up his cup.

  “Well, I have two smart and kind customers who are the same age and single. If the two of you ever came in at the same time I would have done everything I could have to make sure you met.”

  “Angela!”

  Jamie chuckled at Brandy’s exclamation.

  “G
uess it turns out we figured it out on our own,” he said and winked at Angela.

  The older woman beamed back.

  Brandy set the napkins to the side, peering at him. “Uh, yeah. Guess we didn’t need any help.”

  Her bright eyes urged him to lean forward.

  Clearing her throat, Angela started backing away. “Just coffee?”

  Without taking his gaze from Brandy’s, Jamie nodded. “Yes. Thanks, Angela.”

  She made a quick but discreet exit.

  “So addiction, huh?” Brandy asked, blinking and breaking eye contact.

  “I may drink a cup or two or ten a day,” he confessed.

  “Should I ask about any other vices you may have? I think I can live with the caffeine.”

  “I hope so since I know I can’t do without my daily java,” he said. “But other than beautiful, sexy, sweet librarians, I can’t say I have any other dependencies at this time.”

  Brandy’s mouth opened slightly as her heartbeat sped up enough for him to pick up the change easily. Jamie itched to reach out and touch her. Seeing her hand shaking, he wondered if she had the same need.

  She cleared her throat, the spell once again breaking between them.

  “It’s funny. I never saw you anywhere other than the library,” Brandy told him, quickly changing the subject.

  Jamie let her move to a safer topic. The way the heat burned in her gaze was enough to let him know he wasn’t alone in his desire. “Yeah, although I have to blame that on my job. I work some weird hours. Plus, you don’t actually live around here, do you?”

  “No, I live in Park Palace Estates.”

  “Wow.” He was impressed. “Nice neighborhood.”

  “Yeah, well, I guess you can say I had some help.”

  Curious, Jamie waved for her to continue.

  “So you know Chris is my cousin.”

  “Yes.”

  “And our family is…”

  Jamie couldn’t believe he’d never put it together. “The Brooks. Of course.” He’d known her last name but he would have never have associated Brandy with the wealthy relatives from a high-society status. Her kin owned several large business and the others had high-profile jobs.

  “Yeah, so I have family money. I got an inheritance from my great-grandma on my mom’s side.”