Page 60 of The World She Never Knew Existed

“What about Bernie?”

Bernie could be a hot head and might be inclined to kill a hunter if the hunter was out alone.

“Bernie was here with me last night, helping me on this engine. The client is a tourist who wants to leave town tomorrow and is giving me a large bonus if I can get it done on time,” Daniel said. “I’m guessing that he would be at his job at the mill today. He never misses a day of work.”

Dillon knew that Daniel wouldn’t lie to him.

“Although I’m not sorry that the man is gone, I would like for him to turn up somewhere, just so the Faisons don’t use his disappearance as an excuse to start anything,” Dillon said.

“I’m ready for the war if they do,” Daniel said. “It gets old having to always live under the threat that war is going to break out and that the Faisons are going to slaughter every shifter. I think that it would be good to have a show of force and remind the Faisons that the shifters will destroy them.”

“That is dangerous thinking,” Dillon said. “If war breaks out, then it won’t be just the shifters in Ivy Springs who are in danger. Every shifter in the country will become a target.”

“Which is why I keep fixing cars, going on patrol, and being a good little wolfie boy,” Daniel said sarcastically.

Dillon patted Daniel on the back and went back to his shop.

Ethan had returned, and Dillon told him about the mercenary disappearing and Daniel’s insistence that he had nothing to do with it.

“I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what turns up,” Ethan said.

21

Clara

Clara blushed when she thought about her last sexual encounter with Dillon. He made her feel positively naughty. He also made her feel free to explore and express her sexual desires.

She wondered what the status of their relationship was, but she was almost afraid to ask. Clara was afraid that that would tell him that she was really starting to care about him and he would say, “Whoa, back up the bus. I’m not ready for that.” She didn’t want Dillon to tell her that he saw their relationship as a casual one.

The alternative was almost as frightening. The idea that he saw their relationship as something very serious and moving toward something more permanent sent chills down her spine.

“I like having my own house and my own space to exist in. I like the idea that I’m only responsible to myself and Zeke,” she told herself.

She sat down at the table and ran her fingers through her hair. She had no idea what she wanted. She knew that she had strong feelings for Dillon and was afraid that she was falling in love with him.

“I want him and I’m afraid to want him at the same time,” she said. “I’m so confused.”

There was also the fact that Zeke and Dillon had a very special bond. Clara didn’t want to do anything that would hurt their friendship. Right now, until Zeke started school, Dillon was his only friend.

“It’s not like he’s seeing anyone else. He’s not out partying every night with a different woman,” she muttered.

Taking a deep breath, Clara said, “Stop it, Clara. You’re just spinning your wheels. You don’t know how you feel or what you want. Just take everything one day at a time and see where it goes.”

Zeke interrupted her thoughts.

“What’s for breakfast, Mom? I’m starving,” he declared.

“You are always starving.” Clara laughed. “I was thinking that you could have some oatmeal mush and dry toast for breakfast.”

Zeke stared at her with a deadpan face and asked, “What did I do to make you mad at me?”

Clara laughed and said, “Go get dressed, Silly Goose. Eggs and bacon are coming up.”

As Zeke disappeared into his room, Clara thought,There goes the center of my world.

The day was a typical day with a steady stream of customers. Most of them were regulars, who always stopped by to say hello to Zeke and Reno.

John came in around four to pick up Zeke.

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