“How about we send Jim to the store to buy some picnic food? Then, we can go to the lake tomorrow like he suggested. It’s a public lake but remote enough that not many people go there.”
Michelle stared at the porch floor for a moment then nodded. Winifred handed Jim one of the bills.
“I’ll be right back,” he said with a mischievous laugh.
Michelle glanced at me, and I focused on cutting the lawn.
Winifred’s warning tone as she said Jim’s name had me looking up just as he swung a leg over my motorcycle and inserted the key. I let go of the mower, killing the engine just as the bike’s engine roared to life.
“Damn it, Jim. Get your own bike.”
Jim laughed loudly and revved the bike to drown out my words. With a salute to Michelle, he took off.
“Nana,” I said in frustration. “You couldn’t stop him?”
Just then, Jim revved the engine again out by the road and squealed a tire on the blacktop. The sound faded rapidly.
Nana glanced at Michelle with a small smile.
“Jim was lonely without Emmitt.”
I heard her quiet words as I went back to the mower.
“Missed me or missed my bike?” I said under my breath, knowing Winifred would hear.
“I can tell,” Michelle said absently.
I rubbed my hand through my hair in frustration.
“Did Emmitt miss Jim, though?”
“Not even a little,” I said.
Winifred laughed. “Let’s get you that towel, Michelle.”
* * * *
After I finished the backyard, I moved to the front. Jim still hadn’t returned when I heard Michelle and the boys come outside. It was probably good he was taking his time. I’d cooled off some. He was just trying to stir up trouble and redirect attention like he usually did when there were problems.
The motorcycle roared into the yard not long after that thought.
“I’ve got some cool stuff for tomorrow,” I heard him say loudly.
I stopped the mower, curious about what Jim had found and considered cool. Rounding the corner of the house, I saw Winifred and the boys look down into a plastic bag Liam held.
“James Grayson Cole,” Winifred said. There was a definite warning growl in her words. “That wasn’t your money.”
I saw the immediate effect her tone and words had on the kids and Michelle. Withdrawal. Fear.
“I got what we needed, Nana.” Jim met her eyes steadily, silently challenging Winifred.
The big idiot was going to get his butt handed to him in front of the kids. What was he thinking? I stepped forward, drawing Michelle’s attention. She looked relieved to see me, and I heard her heart skip a beat.
I winked at her, trying to break the tension, and she blushed. What a sight. I almost forgot what I was doing.
When I neared, I glanced at the contents of the bag and saw what had caused all the trouble. Fireworks and sparklers.
“Let’s save this conversation for another time,” I said softly, setting a hand on Winnifred’s shoulder.
The kids look ready to pass out. You’re destroying your grandma image.
Though Winifred nodded, her eyes promised Jim she wouldn’t forget what he’d done. We were raised to pinch pennies and give back to the pack to help everyone. We didn’t waste money on fireworks.
Still, I smiled at Liam.
“Do you think we should light some of these tonight?”
Liam’s eyes darted to Michelle, then between Jim and Nana.
“I think we should go inside,” Michelle said, holding her hands out to the boys. Liam dropped his bag, and Aden immediately did the same. They went to Michelle and quietly walked inside with her.
“New rule,” I said softly. “Never show anger around them.” I turned to Winifred. “I can still taste their fear.”
“You’re right,” she said with a sigh. “I’m sorry.”
“Jim, stop making it so easy to get mad at you.” I walked away without waiting for his smart response. After I finished mowing, I found the third floor door firmly closed and everything quiet.
“Have they been down for dinner?” I asked Jim, walking into the apartment.
“No. They’re barely moving up there.”
I went to the fridge and grabbed a beer, considering what I should do. Twisting off the top, I heard Winifred open her door. She joined us in the kitchen and grabbed a beer for herself.
“I don’t think we should push them right now. If they get hungry enough, they know we’ll feed them. I think they just need to feel safe for a while.” She took a drink, her gaze pinning Jim. “Jim, you need to be on your best behavior tomorrow.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I didn’t believe him and from the look Winifred gave, neither did she.
Chapter 5
The quiet from the third floor drove me crazy. I paced Jim’s apartment until Winifred opened her door and told me to go for a run. It helped, but not much. When I returned, I lay on the couch for hours, just listening. I didn’t crash until near dawn.
Jim woke me with an overly enthusiastic pat on the back.
“Guess what day it is?” he asked with his usual humor.
“Sleep in day,” I said, reaching out to shove him away.
“Bro, it’s swimsuit day. How can you want to sleep in?”
The image of Michelle’s suit popped into my head, waking me instantly. I sat up and rubbed a hand over my face.
“What time is it?”
“A little after eight. I heard the boys moving around up there and figured I’d start pancakes.”
The thought of that sweet aroma I now associated with Michelle’s interest set my pulse racing.
“Yeah. Good. I’ll shower then invite them down.”
I lifted myself off the couch, my lingering exhaustion fading at the thought of seeing Michelle. The shower didn’t take long, and by the time I went to the stairs, I heard her and the boys slowly coming down the steps. Were they worried Winifred was still upset with Jim? If I knew it would reassure them, I’d tell them Jim tended to annoy Winifred often. I didn’t think it would help, though.
When they rounded the corner of the second landing, I saw Michelle. Though the boys were wearing their swim trunks and ready for the day, she was not. Still in her pajamas, she shuffled down each step with care. The stiff way she held her head and her pale cheeks had me worrying. Liam held her hand tightly as if guiding her. Her other hand gripped the railing. Aden impatiently trailed behind the pair. When he saw me, he brightened a little.
As soon as Michelle reached the last step, I moved forward and lightly touched her forehead. Werewolves never caught human colds. But I’d been around enough humans to see the signs of sickness. She looked pale, tired, and in pain. However, she didn’t have a fever.
“Tell me what’s wrong,” I said gently.
“Nothing. Just a headache,” she said, holding the railing and Liam’s hand.
Aden moved around them and hopped off the last step.
“I’m hungry,” he said tentatively, looking up at me.
“I bet,” I said, setting a hand lightly on the top of his head. “You skipped your supper. Would you like some pancakes?”
Aden nodded and reached for my hand. The feel of his little fingers wrapped around two of mine calmed some of my worry. Everything was fine. Michelle was with me, and I’d take care of her. I looked up and gave her what I hoped was a reassuring smile as Aden steered us toward Jim’s apartment.