Page 22 of Protected By the Wolf

Taking my hand, he led me to the front door, and the smell intensified. We sat in the back of the restaurant in a booth that overlooked the forest. I never thought I’d say this, but I loved how surrounded by nature we were. I remembered Yosemite National Park had a similar vibe. Maybe it was the snow? It always softened the look of places for me.

Looking around the restaurant, I realized it was made up of mostly families with kids. I loved it so much that I could feel emotions cropping up that I didn’t know what to do with. A tear started forming at the corners of my eyes, and I suddenly wanted to stay here forever.

“Millie, you okay?” Bruno asked.

At the sound of Millie’s name, I sobered up fast. I was still getting to know Bruno, but my heart was saying he was the one. That meant I’d have to tell him I was not Millie. Should I break the news now? That would reveal the big secret I was holding. It would also tell me if he would run off. He probably would. Who would want to date someone who had been lying the whole time they had been together, especially about their identity? But I couldn’t lose him! It had only been four days, but I was falling for him. Hard.

“Millie?” he asked again.

I forced a smile. “I’m good. Honestly. This place is just so lovely. I’ve traveled a lot, but not to a small town like this. It feels like home.”

At this, he seemed to brighten and was about to say something, but our waitress came by. My entire focus switched to her and the incredulous look she was giving me and Bruno. Her head kept swiveling between the two of us, and I noticed Bruno was not looking too happy either. She looked like she wanted to punch me and then throw me out of the restaurant.

“Hi, Suzy,” Bruno said, his voice dropping to an almost menacing growl.

“Bruno. Who’s she?” Suzy said.

“This is Millie, and we’d like to order our meal now.”

“What is she doing here?” Suzy asked, ignoring Bruno’s request and staring at me with a hostile look on her face.

“Having lunch with me. Do you have a problem with that?” Bruno said.

“I don’t, but I know someone who would,” she said.

He sighed. “Suzy, we’d like to have the breakfast special please.” The please came out strained, and Bruno reached over to take hold of my hand. With his other, he handed the menus to Suzy, making his point.

“Fine.” She didn’t even write it down before turning to leave.

“Who’s she?” I asked.

“No one you need concern yourself with.”

“But who is she?” I insisted.

“Her name’s Suzy. She’s had a crush on my brother since middle school. She’s crazy; I really don’t know why she’s allowed to work here.”

“How is she crazy, besides the look she was giving me?”

“Jacob wouldn’t give her the time of day in high school, so she decided she’d meet him at our house to walk with him to school every day.” He held up his hand to stop me from commenting. “We all know each other because it’s a small town, so her being there wasn’t totally crazy, but she came every day for two weeks, even after Jacob told her to leave him alone. She started buying presents for him and leaving treats for him on our porch. It just got weirder and weirder.”

“Is it still going on?”

“After the two weeks, Jacob told Dad about it, and Dad put an end to it. He told Suzy she was banned from coming near our home. She did not go away quietly. She yelled back at him that she and Jacob were meant for each other. That she was his soul mate. She said she had seen this in a dream and knew for a fact that she was the one who would make his dreams come true.”

“Okay, that’s bonkers.”

“Like I said, she’s crazy.”

“Why is she still here?”

“Her parents pleaded with Dad to let her stay in the town so they could watch over her. Her uncle owns Rosey’s Café. She’s worked here since high school.”

“Well, let’s not let her ruin our time together,” I said, lacing my fingers through Bruno’s.

“Yeah—”

“Here’s your waters,” Suzy said, plonking down two cups of water, which sloshed onto the table. She gave me another icy stare and stomped off.

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