Page 3 of In The Shadow of The Wolf

Molly laughed. “Sorry old habit, hard to shake it.”

“I do the same to my little brothers.” Aaron offered. “Ryan and Jeff hate it, making it more fun, and I will never even try to stop. They are my little brothers, and that’s the way it is.”

“Thanks a lot, Aaron,” Ronan stated sarcastically but with a smile.

“So, what do you think?” Molly looked at Aaron with hope in her eyes as she gestured toward her car.

“Can’t be completely sure until it gets a diagnostic check, but it looks like your engine overheated, and you may have a cracked head.” As he continued to explain, Ronan watched his sister’s eyes get wider and wider.

“That sounds expensive and time-consuming,” Molly said with a pained expression.

“Could hold you a couple of days and not sure of the cost; depends on the extent of repairs.” He looked thoughtfully at Molly as he continued. “I own an auto repair shop in the town just a few miles north of here called Lonepine. I can drive you and your brother to town and call a tow for your car.” He finished and waited patiently for their decision.

Molly chewed her bottom lip and then lifted her head and took a deep breath smelling the air around her. Ronan stuck his hands in his pockets and let his eyes dart from Molly to Aaron and then back to Molly. The decision was hers; he would do whatever she wanted, although their options seemed rather limited.

“Okay, thank you. We would appreciate any assistance you can offer.” Molly said and handed her car keys off to Aaron.

Aaron’s truck was not an extended cab, so all three had to fit on the bench seat. Molly hung back, indicating that she wanted Ronan to sit between her and Aaron, which was fine with Ronan.

He wasn’t completely sure he trusted Aaron, considering how he was watching his sister. He didn’t care for how Aaron’s eyes seemed to eat Molly up. They no more than got started towards town when Aaron began with some probing questions, which neither Molly nor Ronan wanted to answer.

“Where are you two headed?” Aaron asked.

“We’re going to visit relatives in Idaho.” Molly offered so hesitantly that Ronan cringed at the so obvious lie. Aaron glanced their way with one eyebrow cocked.

“What part of Idaho?”

“Northern,” Ronan stated, knowing that Molly had no knowledge of Idaho or geography for that matter. Aaron nodded, but Ronan knew he was not convinced.

“Maybe you should call them and let them know you’re going to be late.”

“They aren’t expecting us until later in the week.” Ronan was running with whatever sounded plausible.

“Where are you from?”

“Pittsburgh . . . Pennsylvania.” Ronan was impressed with how easily the lies were flowing.

“Are your parents in Pittsburgh?” Aaron was relentless.

“Our parents are deceased,” Molly said softly.

That information had Aaron backing off. “I’m sorry.”

“It was a long time ago,” Ronan answered. After that, the conversation stopped, but Ronan noticed Aaron was constantly sneaking appreciative glances at Molly.

Before long, they were entering a small town nestled in the mountains. They drove down the main street with cute shops and beautiful landscaping. Ronan was impressed with the care and upkeep that was given to this little town. Aaron parked in front of a small coffee shop called the ‘Black Bean.’

“Why don’t you and your brother have a cup of coffee and relax while I take a look at your car.” Both Ronan and Molly nodded in agreement. Aaron walked with them into the coffee shop and motioned for the waitress to come over.

“Angie, see that Ronan and Molly here have coffee and some of your apple pie on me.” Molly instantly declined, but Aaron insisted, and finally, both siblings were seated and waited for their coffee. “I’ll be back when I know what’s wrong with your car. You two just relax and enjoy the pie, best in the county.” He winked at Molly, who uncharacteristically blushed, and then he left. They watched silently out the large picture window as Aaron jogged across the street to Beaumont Automotive Repair.

CHAPTER TWO

“Lance, come to town to the Black Bean as fast as you can,” Aaron spoke with an urgency that had Lance giving him his complete attention.

“Why, what’s up?”

“I just gave our mates a ride into town. They had car trouble out on old 28. They’re sitting, at this moment, in the Black Bean having coffee and pie.” Aaron switched his phone to the other ear and looked out his window at the coffee shop across the street. “Their names are Molly and Ronan James. Molly is mine, so I know that Ronan is yours.”

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