Page 53 of Flare
Before Ward could respond, Emily returned, purse slung over her shoulder.“All set,” she announced.
Ward dried his hands on a kitchen towel and escorted them to the door. The thought of Emily leaving, even with Maggie, made his bear stir restlessly beneath his skin.
He stood in the doorway, watching them as they walked down the street. He waited until they disappeared around the corner before closing the door.
Back in the kitchen, he finished cleaning up, his movements mechanical as his mind raced with possibilities. What if Andrew showed up at the festival? What if he tried to get to Emily when Ward wasn’t there? The thought made him growl with suppressed rage.
Ward was drying the last plate when his phone chimed with a notification. He checked the screen to find a video meeting invitation from Grandma Elle for 8:30 a.m., marked“URGENT: Family Meeting.”
Ward glanced at the clock. He had just enough time to walk out to his office before the meeting started.
He settled at his desk, set into one corner of his workshop, and started up his laptop. At precisely 8:30, he clicked the meeting link.
The screen filled with familiar faces in their respective video squares—Grandma Elle in her kitchen, Uncle Dane apparently on horseback somewhere on the ranch, his parents sitting together on their living room sofa, his sister Ellie in what looked like Dad’s law office, and several other members of the extended Swanson clan, including Dad’s cousin Tyler, who owned Swanson Construction.
“Good morning, everyone,” Elle began, her voice carrying the authority of the clan matriarch despite the digital medium.“Thank you for joining on such short notice. As you may have heard, we have a serious situation that affects the entire clan. Yesterday afternoon, Andrew Brunborn trespassed onto Swanson territory and broke into Emily Clarke’s cabin.”
Murmurs of concern filled the virtual meeting. Ward’s father, Mark, frowned deeply.“Didn’t you trespass Brunborn a while back, Mom?”
“Yes,” Elle confirmed.“Emily wasn’t there, thankfully. But Andrew deliberately vandalized the cabin and stole Emily’s laptop, which had incriminating files linking him and his family to the poaching activities we’ve been noticing for the past few years.”
“What kind of evidence?” Ellie asked, her lawyer’s mind clearly already analyzing the situation.
“Let’s talk about that later,” Ward cut in, unable to keep silent.“I’m more interested in how we’re going to protect Emily from Andrew.”
All eyes turned to his video square. His mother’s face softened with concern.
“Eddie, is she okay?” she asked.“Where is she now?”
“Maggie came by this morning to pick her up. They’re both working at the festival today.”
Uncle Dane shifted in his saddle, his expression thunderous. The camera on his phone bobbed slightly as his horse moved beneath him.
“Cade and I are in the middle of setting up a bunch of trail cams all around the ranch,” he reported.“Brunborn won’t find it so easy to sneak back here.”
“For those of you who haven’t heard what’s going on,” Grandma Elle said,“Maggie’s friend Emily broke off her engagement and left Andrew Brunborn after discovering he’s a shifter, but not before his bear mate-bonded to her.”
“She left because he was an abusive asshole and he threatened her,” Ward corrected.“Not because he was a shifter.”
His parents exchanged a meaningful glance, and Ward realized he’d revealed more than he intended.
“In any case,” Grandma Elle said in a crisp tone,“Emily wants nothing further to do with him. I’ve offered her sanctuary.”
“Does she know about us?” Dad asked, glancing at Ward.
“Yeah,” Ward answered.“And she’s promised to keep it under wraps.”
“Mark, that’s not the priority right now,” Uncle Dane interrupted.“The priority is her safety. Andrew Brunborn is mated to Emily, and his bear won’t let her go easily.”
“Exactly,” Grandma Elle agreed.“Which is why I’ve called this meeting. Everyone needs to be vigilant. If you spot Andrew anywhere on our territory—or in town—call Dane or me immediately, then contact law enforcement. Donotengage him alone.”
“What do we know about Andrew’s background?” Ellie asked.“Any criminal history?”
“Nothing official,” Grandma Elle replied.“The Brunborns are wealthy, old money from real estate development. They’re based in Spokane.”
“They’re criminals,” Ward said.“And Emily can prove it.”
“Sheriff Jacobsen is working with Idaho Fish and Game to review the evidence Emily gave them,” Grandma Elle said.“Meanwhile, Ellie is researching our options to sue Andrew for the damage he caused while trespassing. And Dane has alreadycoordinated with Sheriff Jacobsen to increase patrols around town during the festival.”
