Page 16 of Midlife Wolf Captured My Heart

It was still light outside when her eyes popped open and Sadie was wide awake. Her headache had abated a little bit, although it wasn’t completely gone. She made some grilled cheese and ham sandwiches for dinner and sat on the couch watching a true crime show.

Her phone buzzed notifying her that a new email had popped up. Sadie’s eyes opened wide and her jaw dropped when she saw it was from Billy.

Hi, Sadie. I’m coming back to Angel’s Creek for my grandfather’s birthday. I’ve thought about you a lot over the years. I would love to have lunch or dinner with you so we can catch up.

“Interesting. I haven’t thought about you at all over the years, unless someone directly brings you up.” She wasn’t going to be rude and tell him that, though.

Hello, Billy. I’m so sorry for your loss. Your grandfather was a great man. Everyone loved him and called him Gramps. My schedule is a little hectic right now. Maybe we can find some time once you’re back in Angel’s Creek.

He replied a minute later.Thank you. I will miss him. I look forward to seeing you again.

Sadie sat back and thought about the sandy blond-haired young man she had liked so much in high school. She got on social media and found some recent pictures. He was very nice looking. Billy’s body had certainly filled out, and he had come into his manhood well. However, his picture didn’t do so much as make her heart patter faster or anything. She felt complete indifference to him.

She really wanted to go to the mountain, shift, and stretch her legs for a while. However, Matthias’ warning echoed loud and clear in her mind. The powers that be didn’t think the hunters had arrived in the Angel’s Creek area yet, but she certainly didn’t want to be their first kill, letting everyone else know that the hunters had arrived. She thought about calling Talia, but she would likely be busy with the baby and Sebastian. Growling, she decided that she would just have to stay put.

Sadie decided to go for a walk around the block. “Maybe I should get a dog to keep me company. It could be trained to staywith me when I shifted, and I would have someone to talk to besides myself.”

Her phone rang just as she got back to the house.

“Hi, Dakota. How is Albuquerque?”

“It was good. I’m driving back home now. We have everything set up the way I wanted it. Lydia had some different ideas, but eventually, I convinced her that my way of displaying the pictures was better.”

“You didn’t bully her, did you?”

Dakota gasped exaggeratingly. “Surely, you don’t think I would badger a poor little woman who runs the gallery, do you.”

“Yes, I do. One thing that I’ve learned about you in the short time I’ve known you is that once you’ve put your mind to something, that is the way it has to be, no matter what.”

“Are you insinuating that I’m stubborn?”

Sadie laughed. “There’s no insinuating about it. I’m saying it outright.”

“Okay, so there might have been a little bit of persuasion, but I was professional the entire time,” Dakota admitted. “I was wondering whether you would like to go to the exhibit opening with me Saturday night.”

Her heart jumped into her throat and excitement rose through her. “I would love to.”

“It’s formal, although I’m just going to wear my black slacks, a white collared button-down shirt, and my black dress boots.”

Sadie giggled. “I think I have some cut-off shorts and a halter top along with some flip-flops I could wear.”

She could hear the laughter in Dakota’s voice. “Sounds sexy. I’ll pick you up on Saturday morning around eight. We can play tourist for a while before the gallery opens.”

“I can’t wait.”

8

Dakota

Sadie must have been watching for him because she rushed out of the house as soon as he pulled into the driveway, carrying an overnight bag, a garment bag, and a large thermos. She looked beautiful in her jeans and Journey T-shirt. Her smile took his breath away.

“Good morning. I brought some coffee to go. I even brought you an extra cup in case you didn’t have one. I also brought some blueberry muffins.” She set the thermos and cups on her seat and stowed her bags in the back seat.

“Bless you. I will never say no to coffee in the morning. I wouldn’t ever turn down a muffin, either.”

She hopped in, leaned over, and kissed his cheek. Sadie poured him a cup of coffee. “Black, right? That’s how all the tough guys take it.”

“I don’t know that I’m a tough guy. I’m more of anarteest. However, I do like black coffee.”

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