Page 43 of The Thief

“You never know where life will take you. What about looking up information on the internet? That might help.”

“Lucian left his laptop with Archer, but he doesn’t want anyone else touching it. Something about malware or viruses. Maybe when he gets back, he’ll help me research. Oh! What do you think about putting labels on the shelves?”

“That sounds like a good idea,” I said, noticing her excitement didn’t match her facial expression. “Is anything wrong? You seem out of sorts.”

Joy sat cross-legged with a book in her lap. After a long pause, she finally spoke. “Tak’s getting impatient with me.”

I sat beside her and lowered my voice so Archer couldn’t overhear. “Why?”

Tapping her fingernails against the book, she replied, “Because my wolf hasn’t met everyone yet. Do you think he’ll throw me out for that?”

“He’s only concerned for your safety. That’s why they introduce new wolves into a pack—to make sure no one gets hurt by accident.”

“I certainly hope he’s patient. It was Salem he chose as a packmate, so I’m worried he might judge him based on my actions.” She worried her lip, her eyes downcast. “This wasn’t an easy transition for me, but now it’s a dream. One I never want to end.”

My shoulders sagged. Truer words were never spoken.

“We just got here,” I said, hoping to ease her fears. “Take all the time you need to adjust. Everyone’s different. Maybe when you build up enough trust, your wolf can meet one person at a time instead of everyone all at once. You’ll be safe with Salem and Tak by your side. It won’t be anything like that first time we gathered in the front yard and Ian’s wolf went berserk. After you meet everyone privately, we can do the group thing.”

She worried her lip. “It feels like everyone’s judging me.”

“I’m not.” I squeezed her hand. “We’re all struggling. Some are just better at hiding it. This has been a life-altering change. We came from different corners of the country to form a pack with complete strangers. Tak and Lakota already knew each other, and so did their mates. Even Lucian is family. They need to give the rest of us time to adjust. That’s all. No one’s talking about you behind your back, if that’s what you’re worried about. And if they were, I’d put a stop to it.”

“You’re right. Salem says I spend too much time in my head.” She stretched her arms and moaned. “There’s so much work it’s overwhelming. Not that I’m complaining, but my last career was a different type of exhaustion. Traveling, performing, rehearsing—it takes a toll. That’s why I learned to knit. Now it’s physical labor, and there are days my body gives out. As much as I’d love to sleep all day and snack in bed, that’s not fair to everyone else. Did you see the backyard? They already have the fence posts up.”

“That’s exactly why I suggested some of us work inside. There’s a lot to do, but it doesn’t all have to be backbreaking. Someone’s got to buy light fixtures, paint, furniture?—”

“Yes! Furniture,” she agreed. “I can’t wait to have a finished living room where we can gather. The mosquitos eat me alive at night, so I don’t like sitting outside for too long. Staying in one spot is like ringing the dinner bell.”

We both laughed.

I struggled to my feet. “We should go to a furniture store and look around while we’re on vacation.”

“Could we? That would be so exciting! I feel cooped up around here. It’s been fun exploring the town, but I miss shopping.” Joy gently removed books from the box and stacked them in a neat pile. “Are you related to that man at the bar?” She stole a quick glance before reading the spine on a book.

I stroked my nape. “No, but we know each other. According to him, anyhow. Do you have enough light in here?”

Because we didn’t have any lamps, the rooms got dark after sunset. The library had shelf lights, so that helped.

“I’m not reading.” Joy blew a swath of hair that had slid over her eye. “Salem’s already gone to bed, but I wanted to be alone for a while.”

“I’m sorry if I disturbed you.”

“Don’t be, honey. I didn’t mean it like that. Sometimes I need to clear my head and think. You know how it is with all the chaos.”

“You’re talking to the wrong girl. I thrive in chaos.” Deciding to give her privacy, I padded to the door. “Holler if you need anything.”

“Will do.”

Joy was the sweetest, but I could tell manual labor had taken its toll. To her credit, she hadn’t complained once. Some people just weren’t cut out for building barns, chopping wood, hauling lumber, and erecting a house in the middle of godforsaken nowhere. In Texas heat, no less. Her pallid complexion concerned me, but I didn’t worry with Salem around. Even though he had the emotional IQ of Spock on Star Trek, Salem took care of us.

Once inside my room, I emptied the contents of my boxes and decorated the room. I didn’t have much, but these pieces to my life offered comfort. They were tangible memories of a former life—a former me. One box contained sentimental stuff from my younger years. Mostly letters, cards, drawings, a handful of photographs, magazines, pot holders my mama made, and I wasn’t sure what else. I set that one in the corner.

With no shelves, I placed a pretty crystal paperweight on the bedside table. The raw stone caught the light from my bedroom lamp, which had blue butterflies forming a lampshade around the bulb.

The wooden box filled with jewelry went on my vanity, and after unwrapping a roll of Bubble Wrap, I said hello to Lucky, my bunny figurine. He used to sit on the windowsill above my kitchen sink, giving me a sweet look whenever I passed by him. I set him on the vanity and returned to the box filled with books, candleholders, coins, a blue-and-white throw, decorative figurines, my nail kit, and other odds and ends. Since I didn’t have a place for everything, I shoved the boxes into a corner and pondered floating wall shelves, dressers, and accent tables.

Then I curled up in bed, switched off the lamp, and stared wide-eyed into the darkness. I must have lain there for an hour, tossing and turning.

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