Page 40 of Father of the Wolf

His grey eyes crinkled. “I am hardly a defenseless pup.”

“I certainly hope not.” She stepped back, putting a little air between them. “I expect you to watch over Granny while you recover. I should be home around five tonight.” She stopped in front of a set of double doors. “Granny has her own apartment through here. She is very independent, but I’m sure she would like to at least meet you.” She knocked on the door and pushed it open.

“Granny?” She called out. “Are you up yet?” She motioned for Athair to wait outside the apartment while she entered. She had only gone a few steps when Granny came from the hallway carrying one of the cats.

“Good morning, Hope. Are you running late today?”

Her little terrier trotted in behind her and gave a yip toward the door before moving in that direction.

“Morning, Granny. I am running late but wanted to introduce you to someone before I leave.” Hope stepped back and opened the door wide, frowning when the cat hissed and jumped from Granny’s arms. It dashed off to another room. Taylor had the opposite reaction, running up and sniffing at Athair’s bare feet.

He crouched down to the dog, holding out a hand and then stroking it gently. After only a moment, he straightened and moved to her side.

“Athair, this is my grandmother, Ella. Granny, this is a friend of mine, Athair. He will be staying with us for a few days.”

He held out his hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Ella.” When she placed her hand in his, he surprised both women by bending to gently kiss it in a most gallant, old-world way.

“Oh my. Sir, you may call me Granny if you like. Hope, you must marry him immediately.”

He sure knew how to charm a woman. His antics had Granny fluffing her curling gray hair with a devilish twinkle in her eye. Athair smiled at Hope, then Granny. “But how could I marry both of you? You have stolen my heart, young Miss Ella.”

“Young indeed.” Young Miss Ella chuckled. “I just celebrated my eighty-seventh birthday.”

Hope held back her own laughter at Athair’s outlandish comments. “You are one of the few who would see her as young!” Then out loud she said, “Since you two are getting on so famously, I should get to work.”

“I’ll walk back with you.” Athair said.

“Once you’ve seen her off, come back for a visit.” Granny gave Athair’s arm a pat while she smiled up at him.

“I’ll do just that.”

They had just turned the corner into the kitchen when Steve shot into the room from the other direction. “Hope, your wolf is gone!”

Hope looked at Athair. What should we tell him?

Athair arched a brow. Hope didn’t seem to want to tell Steve the truth, which relieved him. Now they would just have to explain the absence of the wolf.

“Relax Steve,” Athair said. “We took him to a sanctuary last night.”

“Last night?”

“Yeah.” Hope took over the lie, “Athair came by last night, and we drove the wolf to a vet clinic over to the east with more experience and access to a refuge. The drive took us most of the night, which is why we slept in.”

“Oh.” Steve seemed to believe their story, but he wouldn’t let it rest. “So, where’s his car or truck?” He pointed a thumb at Athair. “And shoes?”

Hope had no answer, so she grabbed Steve by the arm and dragged him toward the door.

“See you tonight, Athair!” she called over her shoulder, giving Steve no time to continue his interrogation. She gathered her jacket and purse and pushed Steve outside.

Athair’s soft chuckle was a balm to her nerves. “You are very good at managing him.”

“Thanks, but it will be a long, long day.”

“Hurry back, or I may run off with Ella.”

“I will hurry. Have Granny call me if you need anything. She has my number. I need to concentrate on Steve and find some way to distract him. He’s ranting at me. Now that I think about it, he has some very valid points about you.”

“Just remember. If you want, I can still bite him.”

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