The Wolf Wore Plaid

by Terry Spear

  Heather smiled at a lady from Wales who came up to the counter to get a sweet dumpling to go. She chose a clootie dumpling filled with sultanas and currants, bread crumbs, sugar, spice, milk, and golden syrup. All these ingredients had been mixed into dough, which was boiled in a cloth in water, then dried in the oven. Heather boxed the dumpling for the woman and set it on the counter, then took the money for it and thanked the woman before she left.

  The shop had started to get party requests for medieval meals, and it looked like they would need to expand their staff and building to accommodate the orders. Not only that, but Heather’s shop was contracted to help cater the main meals during the film shoots. The MacQuarrie staff were contracted to prepare whatever she didn’t make for the main meals. She was thrilled and hoped the shop continued to be a success.

  “We’ve heard so much about your shop that we had to come and check it out,” Robert said, leaning against her counter.

  She didn’t believe him for an instant. Her phone was sitting on the ledge below the high counter and out of his sight, so she started to text Ian to see if he could send some backup, other than her three brothers—Oran, Jamie, and Callum, who would just as likely kill the men and ask questions afterward—if she needed the help.

  The doorbell jingled again, and she looked up to see who it was, afraid it would be more of the Kilpatricks’ kin. Instead, Enrick MacQuarrie pulled the door closed behind him, and a bit of relief washed over her. Now he was a welcome sight. Not for his supposed interest in dating her. That was so far-fetched, she couldn’t believe Lana would even think it. But Heather knew he would be all protective when it came to her or any other she-wolf of the MacNeill pack.

  She didn’t send the text message to Ian, figuring Enrick would deal with the Kilpatricks if they gave her any trouble.

  Not that she was totally reassured. Anything could go wrong, and she sure didn’t want Enrick hurt either.

  He looked so much like one of the men wearing a New York T-shirt while they waited for their steak pies that he could have been his double. Ever since Guy McNab had made it big as a film star in America, Enrick had been mistaken for him whenever he ventured out of the area.

  Enrick was the middle triplet brother of Grant and Lachlan MacQuarrie, tawny-haired and good-natured—except if he was defending the pack members or his friends, then watch out. He had a warrior’s heart, yet Heather had seen a real soft side to him too—playing tug-of-war with the Irish wolfhound pups, chasing the kids around the inner bailey in a game of tag, growling as if he were a wolf in his fur coat and making the kids squeal in delight. She’d seen him playing with his brothers as wolves and he was totally aggressive then, not wanting either of his brothers to win the battle between them. And in a snowball fight, he was the fastest snowball maker and thrower she’d ever seen. If they played on teams, she wanted him on hers.

  So he did let his hair down, so to speak, with the kids and with his brothers and others. With her? He clearly thought she was trouble.

  At least he was a wolf with a pack friendly to her own, and she smiled brightly at him, glad he was here in case she needed him.

  There was no smile for her, his look instead dark and imposing as he glanced from her to the Kilpatrick brothers, still trying to figure out what they wanted to buy. She hoped Enrick wouldn’t start a fight. They had so many customers, and she didn’t want to see a brawl break out in front of them. It surely wouldn’t help business.

  Robert pointed to the sign on the wall listing the kind of pies they sold. “We’ll take a couple of the steak and kidney pies to go.”

  Okay, so they weren’t causing trouble. Yet. They hadn’t noticed Enrick’s arrival, and she hoped he wouldn’t cause things to get ugly when the other men were behaving…for the moment. Enrick was observing them with a do-anything-I-don’t-like-and-you’ll-die look.

  Robert leaned against the oak countertop. “We hear there’s supposed to be a movie filmed at one of the castles nearby.”

  As her heartbeat quickened, Heather’s gaze darted to Enrick’s, and he raised his brows at her. Man, she was about to give the secret away in that one little glance at him. She knew he would question her next, once the men left. He could probably hear her heart suddenly beating way too fast.

  “We had a movie filmed at our castle a few years back, but that’s it.” Heather placed their order with RUSH stamped on it. She’d never used the stamp before, but this was certainly one of those times it came in handy.

  “Not that film. A new one. More of a…fantasy,” Patrick said, “featuring wolves, even.”

  “At the MacNeills’ castle? No,” she said, shaking her head. She wasn’t lying. Ian MacNeill swore they would never have another film shot at their castle. At the time they’d been in dire straits financially, and the only way to keep the castle solvent was to do the film. Wolf packs had to keep their identity secret. Having tons of nonwolves traipsing through Argent Castle and the grounds could be problematic. Her pack had had to send a couple of newly turned wolves to stay with the MacQuarries, just so the human cast and crew wouldn’t have the surprise of seeing the newbies shift during the full moon.

  Several female members of her wolf pack would really love a chance to playact in another film though. Heather was waiting on a call from Colleen MacQuarrie, confirming how many would get a chance to be in the new film being shot at the MacQuarries’ Farraige Castle. Heather sure was excited to take part too. Maybe she’d even get to see Enrick fighting in good form on the battlefield.

  A few minutes later, one of the other MacNeill women brought out two steak and kidney pies in a box. Heather thanked her and began ringing up the sale, wanting to get the brothers out of there quickly without making it appear she was trying to rush them out of the shop. Her alpha leaders had talked with Enrick’s pack leaders about having the movie filmed at Farraige Castle because the MacQuarries would need the MacNeills to send reinforcements for the battle scenes and others shot around the keep. But it was all hush-hush so she didn’t know if Enrick was aware of that yet. And Robert and Patrick could very well have served as a couple of the extras who got into a fight with her people during the earlier film and were looking to stir up trouble again.

  “I think you know,” Robert said, glancing over his shoulder at Enrick, finally noticing she had a wolf warrior watching over things, standing off to the side, arms folded across his chest. She just hoped they wouldn’t fight!

  Stiffening a little, Robert sneered at Enrick who didn’t move a muscle, just stared him and his brother down in a wolf-to-wolf confrontation like he was ready for the fight, come and get it. They didn’t need whiskey to make them cantankerous. All they needed was their clan pride and, in this case, their wolf-pack pride too. The battle between the clans had been going on forever. Stealing cattle, horses, brides, land; fighting for more power since the beginning. The quest for more land and power was always an ongoing condition.

  As soon as she finished up at the shop, Heather was in fact meeting with the MacQuarrie leaders and Grant’s two brothers, Enrick and Lachlan, so she wouldn’t have to keep the news secret about the film too much longer, and she was glad about that.

  Robert paid for the pies. “We know the film is being set in Scotland at one of the castles. You better not have lied to us,” Robert said, while Patrick grabbed the box with a jerk. And then the two stalked out the door.

  At least they hadn’t fought with Enrick, and they did buy something. Miracles did happen sometimes.

  “Hi, Enrick, did you need something?” she asked, relieved beyond words that the men had left without causing any real issues.

  “Are you okay?” Enrick asked, looking genuinely concerned.

  Chapter 2

  Enrick had seen everything that had gone on, so Heather knew he didn’t believe the Kilpatrick brothers had done anything to her. She figured he was more worried about how she felt concerning Timothy
, the man she was to mate, and dealing face-to-face with his killer today. Yet Enrick couldn’t seem to just come out and say so.

  Though she had loved Timothy’s wild manner and decisiveness, he couldn’t or wouldn’t control that darker wolf side of him that was always ready to battle the enemy wolf clans, no matter who else the fight might hurt or if it was even called for. The pack leaders had met after the killing and determined Timothy had been at fault, but that didn’t lessen the hurt Heather had felt at losing him. It did make her angry with him for starting the physical fight and getting himself killed though.

  She tried to tell herself it was better she hadn’t mated a wolf who was so reckless that he might have left her to raise a couple of kids on her own at some point later in their lives. She appreciated Enrick asking how she was feeling. He might be as growly as all the other wolves combined, but he knew when to fight and when to leave it for another day. He never drank too much, so he always had a clear head, unlike Timothy. She’d loved him, sure, but he’d had his faults. Enrick did too. Everyone did. So it wasn’t like she would ever end up with Mr. Perfect Wolf, nor did she want that.

  No one had shown any interest in courting her after Timothy died. It had happened two years ago, and she felt as though she was being judged for his actions, that selecting him for her mate said the same about her. She’d considered leaving Scotland and going somewhere else, hating to live with the stigma of what he’d done, though everyone said she was not to blame.

  But she couldn’t leave her friends and family behind. Argent Castle was her home—always had been and always would be. She felt connected to it, to her family, and she would never leave. Without it, she would be less than whole.

  Patrick had said something derogatory about what he’d do with Heather if she was his mate, and that had set Timothy off. So yes, Patrick had started the fight with words, but he had defended himself with a sgian dubh knife because otherwise Timothy would have beaten him to death. Two of the MacQuarrie men had tried to pull Timothy off Patrick, but when Timothy was like that, he was like an old Norse berserker on steroids. After the beating Timothy had given him, Patrick had a crooked nose. Instead of setting it, he left it, thinking it showed his prowess to the lassies. Jerk.

  Heather wished none of it had ever happened. Words were just words. Ending someone’s life, miserable as it was, was something else.

  “I’m fine.” She shrugged. “They didn’t do anything or say anything hurtful.”

  “I was just…making sure.” Enrick frowned. “So, a movie is being filmed at your castle again? I thought Ian would never agree to that.” Enrick studied her expression, breathing in her scent. It wasn’t that he was trying to catch her in a lie; it was just a natural condition of being a part-time wolf.

  Heather was sure she was giving him a ton of mixed messages—concern, anxiousness, relief—and he wouldn’t know it wasn’t just because of the Kilpatricks having been there. “Uh, I’m sure Ian wouldn’t agree to that after the last time. So what did you come in for?”

  Enrick looked at the sign featuring the variety of savory meat pies and bridies—Scottish hot pockets smothered in brown sauce—as well as soups, burgers, and baguettes.

  “I’ll get the Scotch pie. You know how my pack leader is. Colleen has wanted to try it—beans and chips, smothered in brown sauce. She has been talking about the pies ever since she heard about them, and no one has made them at the castle since she has been there. Since I happened to be in the area…”

  Right. He just happened to be in the area, checking up on Heather for her brothers since she might suspect someone from her own clan of doing the same thing.

  “Good choice. It’s fresh out of the oven.” She sent the order back with a note it was for Enrick MacQuarrie, and a couple of minutes later, one of the MacNeill ladies brought it out boxed up for him, all smiles. All the ladies were interested in the two unmated MacQuarrie brothers, so Heather wasn’t surprised, even though she hadn’t put a RUSH stamp on the order.

  Enrick smiled at the lady and she smiled back, blushing furiously, then headed back into the kitchen.

  “I’m surprised to see you in here,” Heather said.

  “I was surprised to see the Kilpatricks in here.”

  “So you came in to protect me.”

  “If I hadn’t, Colleen would have had my head.”

  “Thank you.”

  Enrick paid for the pie but hesitated to leave. “Are you sure a sequel to the film isn’t being made at Argent Castle? After the film came out, the reviewers said the scenery and costuming and battle scenes were better than anything they’d ever seen. I always suspected another movie would be filmed there, maybe not a sequel but another Highland period piece. Or at least they’d try to convince Ian to use his castle for another film.”

  “They had great reviews for good reason. The ‘costumes’ were ours and perfectly authentic. Anyway, no, Ian’s not allowing another movie to be filmed at the castle. Why? If he did, would you want to fight in it?” The MacQuarrie brothers had been having trouble with another clan during the last filming and hadn’t been able to take off to join the MacNeills. The guys were all about fighting. The MacQuarries hadn’t had a good battle in a while—even if it was just film-making magic—and she knew the need to fight was in their blood.

  Enrick gave her a smirk.

  “I thought so. You know that if it’s in the works, the ones in charge wouldn’t want anyone to leak the details until they’re ready to share it with the rest of the pack.”

  “Then Ian is allowing another one. Great.” Enrick smiled, then frowned. “So how come these guys had some idea it was happening when no one else does?”

  She sighed. “I didn’t say it was happening, but if it were, would you sign up to be an extra?”

  “If the film is at the MacNeills’ castle? Sure. See you around. And thanks for the pie.”

  See you around? To check on her? Make sure she was behaving herself? He was more interested in being in the next movie. “You’re welcome.” Except for buying a pie for his pack leader, he was not welcome here just to do what her brothers bid. She sighed as Enrick left the pie shop.

  Lana immediately came over and punched her lightly on the shoulder. “You didn’t ask him out on a date or tell him anything that would indicate you wanted to go out with him.”

  “He wasn’t here for that.”

  “Aye, he was here to protect you. And he asked how you were feeling. It helps to have wolf hearing. Coming here has to mean he wants to have something more to do with you. But since he’s a man, he’s cautious and is afraid of rejection. Oh, and what’s this business about a movie being filmed at Argent Castle?”

  Heather shook her head. “There isn’t going to be a movie shot there. Ian wouldn’t hear of it. Trust me.”

  Enrick wouldn’t be happy with her when he learned she had known all along the film was set at his castle, not hers, and she hadn’t told him. And she even had a role in the film. She glanced at the New York men eating their pies. The star of the film could be sitting here right this minute, but Enrick hadn’t even seen him. She was glad he hadn’t, or the man could have given it all away.

  * * *

  Enrick had been fuming when he saw the Kilpatricks had parked their red truck at the MacNeills’ pie shop. He’d suspected they were up to no good. He hadn’t planned to be anywhere near the shop today, yet he’d driven in that direction, not even realizing where he was going until he was there. Subconsciously, he’d wanted to see Heather for himself and learn if she was ready to start dating again. Like her brothers, he was concerned that she would date the wrong wolf. He didn’t want to be insensitive about her feelings though.

  Her dark hair and eyes had always captivated him. Even now. She’d always caught his attention. But she was not the she-wolf for him, he told himself. He envisioned someone who was a lot less…spontaneous. More predicta
ble. Less out of control.

  When he saw the Kilpatricks’ vehicle there, the notion of approaching her about a date had flown out the window. Protecting Heather after what Patrick had put her through was all he could think about. Enrick still didn’t know what to think of Heather. She had put on a brave face in front of the Kilpatricks, but he’d smelled the tension she’d been feeling too. He wanted to throw the two men out of the shop bodily, but he didn’t want to react to them the way Timothy had and get himself in the same predicament.

  Since Timothy had been a wolf of the MacQuarrie clan, that had also kept Enrick from approaching her. He didn’t want her or anyone else thinking badly of him for not giving her the proper time to grieve, while her brothers were insistent she could just start dating a rogue wolf at any moment.

  Enrick had been so busy helping Grant run the estate that he hadn’t had time to find a female to court. What with the trouble Grant’s mate, Colleen, had from the Kilpatricks and their cousins, and being second-in-command, Enrick had had his hands full. Yet he had seen Heather was making a mistake with Timothy and tried to stop her from courting the wolf. Though from what her brothers had said, if they told her not to do something, she was sure to do it.

  Enrick let out his breath. Now she was free and could be hurt all over again, if he and the others didn’t watch out for her.

  He was much more levelheaded than Timothy and couldn’t see mating a woman like Heather. Enrick had been way too much like that until his father had set him straight. Sure, dating her for fun could be enjoyable, but becoming a permanent mate? No. He suspected she liked being with someone who could be more free-spirited, show her a good time, and fight for a cause, no matter if it was uncalled for or not. He was not that kind of wolf.

  Enrick called his older triplet brother, Grant, on the way back to Farraige Castle.

  “Hey, did you hear Ian is having another film shot at his castle? We missed out on fighting in the battle scenes the last time, but if we can manage to get free, maybe the three of us can go over there and fight against the MacNeills.” Enrick was always up for a fun-hearted clash with Ian and his brothers. And he hoped during breaks from the shoots he would be able to see Heather and help make sure she didn’t run off with some American actors like she’d tried to do the last time.