“It’s different, but yes. I like it.” I couldn’t believe Mom’s beautiful long hair was gone. I knew she might lose her hair once she started her chemo treatments, but I hadn’t expected her to cut it off. “Why are you waking me up so early?”
“I heard you walked home last night. Is that true?”
I pushed the blanket aside and sat up. “Yes. The Elders lifted the curfew.”
“Things are different here. It’s not like our neighborhood in Dallas.” She let out a deep sigh, her arms falling to her side. “There are things you don’t know about Woodlake. The wolves here are different. They’re not like regular wolves. That’s why we never—”
“I know about the Norwood wolves, Mom. The locals warned me to stay away. And I’m not going into the woods, so you don’t need to worry about me.”
“You’re my daughter. I’m always going to worry.” She glanced at Drina, who was still asleep in her bed. “Promise me you’ll stay with Drina and Victor. No more walking home alone, and if you see a wolf, promise you’ll run.”
“I promise.” I scooted to the edge of the bed and shoved my feet into the brown fluffy-dog slippers my parents had bought me two years ago. “How’d it go at the doctor’s office?”
She sat next to me, the mattress sinking under her. “He’s running a few more tests as a precaution. I have to stay in Dover. Will you be okay for a few days?”
“A few days?” My voice cracked. More tests? That couldn’t be good. How could Mom leave so soon? We’d only moved to Woodlake three days ago. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine.” She patted my hand. “I know you miss school and you’re not used to all these rules. Things will be better in a few months, I promise. Please listen to Henry and stay out of trouble.”
I nodded. “When do you leave?”
“Wednesday morning. But we’ll talk every day, and I’ll be back for Drina’s wedding.” She wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “I heard you met Ethan last night. Was he nice?”
“Yes. But his girlfriend doesn’t like me.”
“Girlfriend?” She stood, looking surprised.
“Her name’s Nadya. She’s not too thrilled with me being only half-Romani.” I glanced at Drina as she rolled over in her bed. She was probably listening to our conversation.
“Perhaps she’s jealous you’re the new girl, and all the boys are paying attention to you.”
“Yeah,” I mumbled. Mom couldn’t be further from the truth. None of the boys had paid me any attention, except to ask me about my job. They wanted to know if I’d seen any wolves.
“Why don’t we have breakfast before you leave for work? You can tell Henry and me about the nice boys you met last night.”
I groaned as Mom left the bedroom. She had to be joking. Talk to Uncle Henry about boys? What happened to the no boys rule?
* * *
Several hours later, I understood why Wendy had complained about Jenny Torres, the other waitress. Jenny spent the entire afternoon flirting with the customers and refusing to answer the phone for takeout orders. She only worked when Bill and the rest of the Town Council members showed up for an early dinner.
“Did you turn the dishwasher on?” I asked Jenny.
“I’m not sure.” She was texting someone on her cell phone screen and didn’t look up. “Can you check? I’m doing something important.”
I rolled my eyes and entered the kitchen. Jenny’s idea of doing something important was texting everyone in her contact list. She’d been glued to her cell phone all day. And, of course, the dishwasher wasn’t on, which didn’t surprise me.
After adding soap to the dispenser and turning on the dishwasher, I walked back to the main dining area and reviewed today’s receipts.
“You forgot to turn the dishwasher on,” I mumbled as Jenny put her cell phone away.
“Sorry.” She pulled the ponytail out of her blonde hair and smiled, showing perfect white teeth. “I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you going?” I closed the cash register, annoyed Jenny thought she could leave. The café didn’t close for another hour. “We’re supposed to prep for tomorrow. You can’t leave and—”
“I won’t be gone long. You can prep without me.” She rushed out of the café and into the arms of a man. They talked and disappeared from view as they crossed the street.
At least there were no customers, but Jenny walking out like that wasn’t cool. Not when we needed to refill the condiment containers and wrap napkins around silverware.
I sighed and glanced out the bay window. No sign of anyone from Norwood Isle. When the Town Council members were eating dinner tonight, Bill had said something about talking to Kaleb. I’d hoped that meant the Norwood staff might stop by the café, but no such luck.
Thirty minutes later, I knelt on the floor behind the front counter. I was pushing the bin of silverware onto the shelf when the café’s door swung open. Of course, Jenny had returned just when I’d finished all the prep work.
“I don’t care what you say. You’re not leaving me again.” I stood up, ready to hear her excuses.
“I’m not?” Kaleb grinned when our eyes met. He wore blue jeans and a black t-shirt with the Norwood Isle logo. He looked even cuter than I remembered. “Now, why would I leave someone as pretty as you?”
“I thought you were someone else,” I mumbled. I stared at his biceps and my cheeks heated.
He sat in one of the front barstools. “Is Bill around?”
“He’s gone.” I placed a cup of water on the counter, hoping he’d stay for a while and keep me company. “Are you hungry? We have fresh apple pie.”
“I already ate.” He drank the water, keeping his eye on me as I stacked clean cups against the soda machine. “How do you like Woodlake?”
“It’s not bad for a small town. The locals are friendly and the tourists tip well, but I miss the hot days in Texas.”
“It’ll warm up in a few weeks,” he said. “What are you doing after work?”
I bit my bottom lip, wondering if Kaleb planned to ask me out. It was definitely against the rule of no boys, even if I wanted a date with him and his irresistible muscles. Somehow, I doubted Uncle Henry would approve of Kaleb. “I have to go home.”
“Too bad. There’s a party at the lake. I don’t usually go, but if you—”
“Maybe next time.” I refilled his cup with more water and casually changed the subject. “How long have you worked on Norwood Isle?”
“Too long.”
I smiled, wondering if that meant five years or ten years. Kaleb looked like a guy in his mid-twenties. He must really love the wolves to stay at a job for that long. “Wendy says you’re the boss? That must be nice.”
“Being in charge isn’t always easy.” He shrugged. “What brought you to Woodlake?”
“My mom needed a change of scenery.”
“She picked Woodlake? There must be a reason. No one just moves here.”
“It’s a long story.” I glanced at the clock on the wall, wishing the hands would move quicker. As much as I enjoyed Kaleb’s company, his questions made me uncomfortable, and I didn’t want to lie.
Maybe telling him the truth wouldn’t be a bad thing. Wendy and the cook didn’t care that Mom was a Romani. Even some of the locals had found out and didn’t care.
“How about that private tour? I’ll show you the wolves, and you can tell me this long story.”
“I’ll have to ask.” No way would Uncle Henry allow me to go on a private tour with Kaleb, but he might say yes to a group tour if I went with Wendy and her friends. Kaleb could join us. It was a win-win situation. “Have you gotten close to them?”
“Close to who?”
“The wolves on Norwood Isle?”
He grinned. “I’ve touched them.”
“Don’t they bite?” I laughed. No one was crazy enough to get close to a Norwood wolf. Even the locals warned the tourists to keep their distance.
“Only if they�
�re hungry,” he replied. “Why don’t you come next weekend? I’ll introduce you to a few of the wolves. You could snap some photos.”
“I thought Norwood Isle didn’t open for another two weeks?”
“I’m the boss, remember?”
“Of course.” I wiped the counter with a rag and remembered that awful bridesmaid dress in my closet. Drina’s wedding was next weekend. “I can’t. I already have plans.”
“Is this your way of turning me down?” He tilted his head. “You think I invite all the girls on private tours? Commitment issues? Isn’t that what you told Wendy?”
My heart raced, realizing Kaleb had repeated the exact words I’d said to Wendy. Why would she tell him what I said? Maybe her intentions were good, but she should’ve warned me.
“Why me?” I asked. “I heard you don’t ask the local girls.”
“You’re different from them.”
“You can’t possibly know that. We only met two days ago.” I folded my arms. If he knew the truth about Mom being a Romani, he’d change his mind about that private tour.
“I have good instincts about people. One of my many talents.” Kaleb stood. “I better go. You have customers coming.”
I glanced out the window as he walked toward the café’s front door. “I can’t see anyone.”
“Talk to your mom and we’ll set up that private tour. It can be a day trip if you’re shy about camping alone with me.”
The door swung open and Jenny threw herself against Kaleb, wrapping both arms around his neck. She kissed him beside his mouth, much too close to his lips.
I bit the inside of my cheek, angry and jealous. Where did she come from? I hadn’t seen her in front of the café. Did she have to throw herself into Kaleb’s arms? What about that man she was with earlier?
“How are you, sweetie?” Jenny batted her eyes, keeping her body pressed against Kaleb. “I’ve been hoping you’d stop by.”
“I’ve been busy.” He pulled Jenny’s arms off his neck. “I heard you were moving back to Dover.”
“I’ve been thinking about it,” she replied. “Do you have plans tonight? I heard there’s a small party by the lake. Maybe we could go together?”
He shook his head. “I can’t. I have to be up early for training.”
I crossed my arms and shifted my weight to one side. Kaleb hadn’t said anything about training when he told me about the party. Was he blowing Jenny off because she was a local girl? None of the guys who came to the café ever blew her off. Not with her perfect looks and perfect boobs.
“That’s too bad.” She pulled a pen from her pocket and wrote on his arm. “Call me. I’d love a private tour of Norwood Isle.”
“Sure,” Kaleb replied as he left the café.
My heart sank as I thought of him calling Jenny and giving her a private tour. Then she’d probably want to tell me all the sordid details. Details I didn’t want to hear.
“What did he want?” She pressed her face against the café’s glass door, watching Kaleb cross the street.
“He was looking for Bill.”
“I can’t believe he showed up and I wasn’t here.” She pushed a strand of hair away from her face. “Did he ask about me?”
“He didn’t really say much.” I grabbed Kaleb’s empty cup.
“He’s so hot.” She walked to the front counter and sat on a barstool. “Do you think he’ll call me?”
I nodded, but deep down, I wanted to chase after Kaleb and scrub her number off his arm.
Chapter 6
Victor and Drina’s wedding was nothing like I’d expected. Hot-pink bows and white lilies decorated the church’s pews. Drina looked stunning when she walked down the aisle. She wore an elegant white wedding dress that flared at the knees, with cascading layers of tulle and a bodice covered with tiny pink beads. It was nothing like those puffy, over-the-top dresses, or those weddings you see in that reality TV show. Just a small church ceremony with family members and close friends. No fuss. No drama. No fights between family members.
Being in Drina’s wedding party wasn’t that bad either, except for the tight, low-cut hot-pink bridesmaid dress. At least the dress’s hemline fell to the knees, but walking in the matching hot-pink stilettos was a challenge. In fact, I stumbled walking down the aisle and bumped into Nadya. She glared at me. I responded by sticking out my tongue. After all, this was her fault. She’s the one who picked the bridesmaid dresses and matching stilettos.
Unlike the small wedding, over two hundred people showed up at the reception. By the time the wedding party arrived at Woodlake’s banquet hall, a long line had already formed at the main entrance. According to Aunt Norma, wedding receptions were a big deal to the Romanies, and everyone attended unless they were sick or in jail. Luckily, the wedding party and family members didn’t have to wait in line.
We all headed for the back door, except for Uncle Henry. He hurried to the outdoor patio and greeted a tall stranger who wore a black suit. Within seconds, Bill and the Elders joined their discussion.
“Who’s the tall man with Uncle Henry?” I pointed toward the tall stranger who briefly glanced my way.
“Get inside.” Aunt Norma pushed me through the back door, ignoring my question.
We walked through the kitchen and into the banquet hall, where the wedding festivities continued. Victor and Drina made their way to the main doors and greeted the guests as they arrived. The other bridesmaids mingled or sat at the wedding party table while I headed toward the punch bowl.
Someone tapped my shoulder. “Are you Henry’s niece?”
I turned and smiled at a dark-haired woman who wore a blue sequined dress, a diamond necklace, and diamond earrings. I’d seen her at the church ceremony talking to Aunt Norma while the photographer took photos of the wedding party. “Yes. My name’s Sienna.”
“I’m Ethan’s mom, Kezia Istrati.” Mrs. Istrati shook my hand as she glanced at my knee-high black boots. “You changed shoes?”
“I’m not used to wearing high heels.” I felt uneasy. After leaving the church, I’d slipped into a pair of comfortable boots and left the hot-pink stilettos in the limo. Drina didn’t mind, but the look on Mrs. Istrati’s face said she felt otherwise. How could she be mad over shoes when my boobs were popping out of this bridesmaid dress?
“Henry says you’re working at the café.” She pulled me away from the punch bowl as a line formed. “I’m not sure if I like that.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond to Mrs. Istrati’s comment. What did it matter what she thought about me working at the café? Ethan and his family were from Ohio, which meant they belonged to a different Romani community. “The Elders didn’t give me a choice.”
“I heard, but don’t you worry about that. It’s only for a little while,” she said. “I heard your mom couldn’t make it to the wedding. Is she okay? I was hoping to see her.”
Since Mom’s tests were taking longer than expected, she couldn’t attend the wedding. She’d called Drina last night, congratulating her, and promising to make it up.
“She’s stuck in Dover,” I replied. “Did you know her when she was younger?”
“We were best friends. I’m surprised she didn’t tell you.”
Best friends with Ethan’s mom? Why didn’t Mom say anything? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, since she’d kept her entire past hidden. “I’m sure she mentioned it. Perhaps I just forgot.”
“Well, it was a long time ago. She probably doesn’t remember teaching me how to drive. I was much too scared to learn, but not Nells. She was the brave one. Then one day, she left without saying goodbye. I didn’t even know she was leaving. But that’s all in the past. Things are different now. Norma tells me you’re fitting in really well.”
Before I could respond, three girls interrupted our conversation and complimented Mrs. Istrati on her dress. They asked questions about her drive from Ohio, and about how long she and Ethan were planning on staying in town.
I excused myself and
found my seat next to the other bridesmaids, who ignored me. They continued gossiping about the people who were at the wedding reception and what they wore. Soon, their discussion changed to Ethan’s whereabouts. He and two other groomsmen had disappeared after the professional wedding photos.
“I can’t believe he left me,” Nadya whined. “He’d better not be with her.”
My ears perked up. Ethan was with another girl? No wonder Nadya kept an eye on Ethan every chance she got. She didn’t trust him.
“He wouldn’t do that to you,” one of the bridesmaids said. “Sienna, you spoke to Ethan’s mom. Did she mention where Ethan is?”
“No,” I replied. “She asked about my mom.”
Nadya crossed her arms. “Where the hell is he?”
An hour later, Ethan and two other guys strolled into the banquet hall. The other two still wore their formal tuxedos, but Ethan had already ditched his jacket. He grinned, waved to Victor, and loosened the hot-pink bowtie around his neck.
Several girls enticed Ethan onto the dance floor as he unbuttoned the top buttons on his shirt and rolled up the long sleeves. He tried to pull away, but ended up dancing alongside several girls … including Nadya who quickly made her way to him. She pushed a few aside, so she stood in front of Ethan.
“Your mom made this for you.” Aunt Norma handed me a black sweater.
I stood and pulled the sweater over the bridesmaid dress, grateful Mom loved to knit. No more boobs popping out. “How is she?”
Even though Mom had promised we’d talk every day, we never did. When she called, I was either sleeping or working at the café. For some reason, she never called my cell phone and Uncle Henry wouldn’t give me Mom’s new cell phone number. He said she needed rest, and anything I might say could cause her more stress.
“She’s doing really well.” Aunt Norma glanced toward the dance floor. “I see Ethan’s having fun. Why aren’t you out there with the other girls?”
“I’ll dance with him later.” Ever since I’d met Ethan last week, Aunt Norma kept telling me how great he was. How he came from a good family with money. How I’d be lucky to have someone like him. But Ethan’s flashy clothes and good looks didn’t impress me.
Romani Blood (Shifter Blood: Romani Curse Book 1) Page 4