Page 1 of Wolfish Hunger
1
KANE
Yes, I could make coffee at home, but sometimes I just need to get out of the house.
This is one of those times.
The drive to the downtown area of Old Hemlock Valley always reminds me how much I love this town. I’ve travelled quite a bit, usually for work, and it’s always been to large, frantic cities.
By contrast, there’s something quietly powerful in how even-paced everything is here. People go about their business while still taking time to chat to a neighbor. And the way everyone knows almost everyone here gives the town an air of comfort.
The only thing I’m not wild about are the constant assumptions and rumors about my family. I’m used to it by now as one of Conrad Wolfe’s five sons, but the way everyone knows us…or thinks they know us…ugh. It can get a bit annoying.
I walk into Corina’s, looking forward to their stellar coffee and a quick breakfast I can grab to eat while driving around to check on a couple of our bird stations.
Corina’s is always busy this time of the day, which is good. Steady growth is great for the town. I glance around at thecustomers who are giving me sidelong glances, wondering if they know that my two older brothers have recently found girlfriends and are speculating about the rest of us. Why we haven't found anyone yet.
I don’t think my two youngest brothers, Kai and Kellan, are looking for women at all. Maybe when they're traveling, but it would be difficult to talk a woman into leaving a bustling city for our quiet town.
The couple in front of me has a large order, so I wait patiently while their coffees are made and their pastries bagged.
As I’m standing in line, I hear the door open and someone step up behind me. It’s probably rude, but I don't initially turn around. If it's someone I know, that means small talk, which is fine most of the time, but I'm not in the mood this morning: if it's someone who wants to tell me all about their spouse and their kids and their perfect family life, I’ll just feel lonelier.
No. People expect better behavior froma Wolfe. I remember my manners and turn to flash a smile.
For a good ten seconds, the entire world freezes. She is…not just beautiful. The word beautiful doesn't have nearly enough syllables.Breathtaking-stunning-adorable-lovely.
Closer, but still inadequate.
Her rich caramel eyes regard me curiously as I shake my head. "Sorry, didn't mean to stare," I explain. "It’s just nice to see someone new in town. Please – after you."
I wave her ahead of me in line, but she shakes her head quickly, sending glossy brown waves swirling around her shoulders. She's dressed plainly, in a midnight blue long sleeved t-shirt and worn black jeans. She hardly needs decoration, but I notice small, simple silver hoop earrings, and a matching delicate chain.
She has the body language of someone who is trying to remain unnoticed. Shy? Not a morning person? In any case, disturbing her will only make things worse.
I try to insist, but don't want to hold up the line further when four more people come in.
I wish Angie a good morning, order my coffee, and grab the last three carrot walnut muffins to take to Kai’s house. I have to switch out a backup drive there on my way out to the bird stations, and bringing food generally softens any interruption.
I take my purchases to the side to pour a splash of milk into my coffee and half a sugar into Kai’s. Then I hear the beautiful girl order a black coffee and a carrot walnut muffin.
"Sorry, hon,” Angie says, “We're out. There should be more in an hour. Or you could try the banana nut?"
I glance over. Her eyes are closed and her body has tensed up, as if she's trying to collect herself. "It's fine," she whispers. "Just the coffee." She takes her mug to the far corner, sits, then pulls out a laptop.
Does she only eat that particular flavor of muffin? I don't want to be the one to ruin her day.
Walking over to her table, I use a napkin to remove a muffin from my bag, setting it in front of her. She looks up at me in shock. "Why?—"
"I want you to be well fueled for your work." I nod to her laptop, smiling. "Have a great day."
I want to ask what she's working on. What she's doing in town. How she managed to step out of my dreams and right here into my town. But she appears a bit jumpy. The worst thing I could do is crowd her or annoy her…and, weirdly, it feels like I already have.
At least she has her favorite muffin. That's all I can do for today. I’ll definitely watch for her tomorrow.
Strange… I've never had anyone act like they dislike me on sight before.
At first I thought she was intriguing because she’s gorgeous, and seems the quiet, thoughtful type. Now I think I like her because she doesn’t automatically like me, and more to the point, doesn’t appear to know who I am.
