Page 4 of Hunted

Colton has his cell phone in his hand and as I watch him read a message, a slow smile stretches across his face. “Penny said the grocery store manager wants her cakes in stores across the country. They completely sold out.”

He couldn’t look any prouder if he’d tried.

“That’s amazing news, but can she make that many cakes?” I ask.

They share a small two-bedroom house. Even if Penny wanted to bake that many cakes, I have no clue where she would store them.

Colton shrugs and starts typing his response. “Doubt it, but I think Pen will do everything humanly possible to try.”

“Including roping you into help?” I eye the dark-haired shifter with piercing blue eyes who, a long time ago, was a fellow Raleigh Pack member. He barely smiled when he first arrived. Now it’s rare for him not to smile. At least when Penny is around.

“I’m not sure how much help I’d be, but if she wants the help, she has it,” he says, still busy with his text message.

I leave him to finish replying to Penny as I focus on Bennett.

This has become our usual meet up.

I drive down into town with Aerin, and while she and Penny catch up and do some shopping in Penny’s happy place, I help out Bennett if he needs it. Not that he often does. He’s the mechanic here. Not me.

I scan the auto repair shop. It’s an open space with a small office and bathroom tucked in the back. There are more tools on a worktable and on a trolley he has beside him than I have names for, since I wouldn’t know the first thing about fixing a car. And I have no desire to learn. This is Bennett’s domain.

He doesn’t have as many cars which need work this morning, which must be why his blue overalls aren’t as heavily stained as they usually are.

It smells of oil and metal and fumes. My wolf never appreciates us spending more than a few minutes here. I never know how Bennett can stand to be in here for hours, but this isn’t just a job to him, it’s a passion, and he loves it.

But hanging out with Bennett isn’t the only reason I come into town with Aerin.

Winter Lake is safe. Nothing bad will happen to her in the middle of the day in this sleepy town, but I like to stay close so I can be with her if she needs me.

“I’ve been thinking about moving.” I cross over to join Bennett, standing beside the khaki-green Subaru that Bennett occasionally mutters a curse as he works on the engine.

“I’m not sure Aerin would appreciate a move before the baby comes,” he says, still focusing on his task.

He’s right. Aerin is in the nesting phase. We finished decorating the nursery a while ago, but she’s been taking the time to add color and texture to the rest of the house. I lived alone for years, so the place probably needs it. And I like seeing the small touches she’s made to the house. With every change she makes, it feels more of a home and less of a house.

“It would be after.”

“Pass the wrench,” he says, head still buried in the engine of the Subaru.

I hand it over. “What do you think?”

“Move where?” he asks.

I look out of the metal shutters, opened wide to let fresh air chase out the smell of engine grease and fumes.

My gaze snags on a navy car crawling past the diner. The registration is from out of town, and I wonder whether this new tourist is on his way to the Winter Lake Hotel, or has rentedone of four cabins available for short stays in the forest. Most of the tourists who come here are older, since this retirement town isn’t exactly full of fancy restaurants and clubs to draw young people here. But it’s quiet, and the cabins offer a retreat from city life.

When the car disappears from view, I refocus on Bennett. “Not sure. Our family is growing, and we need more space.”

He snorts. “Please tell me you’re not already planning the next kid before the first is here?”

I don’t respond.

He lifts his head, revealing an oil stained cheek.

“What?” I prompt.

“I’m waiting for your answer.”

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