Page 110 of She Wolf

“Sh-shower please,” she jitters.

“Okay then, wait here one second and I’ll get you some clean clothes.” As I get up from my crouched position there’s a knock at the door.

“It’s me, I have some dry clothes.” Anna’s voice sounds through the door foreseeing what we would already need.

“Perfect. Thank you,” I say as I open the bathroom door a crack and take the sweats and long t-shirt out of Anna’s waiting hand.

“Kate. Everything you need is in the caddie by the side of the shower. Take your time. I’ll get the others to leave and then you can come out when you’re ready.”

She shakes her head and takes a deep breath, closing her eyes for a second and then opening them again. “They, they can stay, Miss.”

“You aren’t my student anymore. You can call me Coralie from here on out. And I’m going to ask them to leave us to it for tonight.”

“Thank you,” she whispers, and then I’m out the door and making my way into the kitchen. The urge to help this girl is strong.

“Is she okay? What happened? Gunn said you were driving the long way from the mall, and she was out in the middle of nowhere by herself,” Casey starts. I quickly crack Jack’s door. He’s sound asleep, the glow from the nightlight allowing me to see just enough.

“Yeah, we’d stopped for dinner. I don’t know what’s happened and we need to get to the bottom of it,” I reply, meeting his stare.

“Why don’t you boys get off? Coralie and I can deal with this. Poor girl looked like a deer in headlights when she saw you Case,” Anna whispers looking up at him.

“I dunno. Are you sure? What if it’s bad, what if she needs help?”

“Then we’ll help. Leave me your car and I’ll make my way home when we’re done.”

Casey makes a weird growl-tutting sound and shakes his head. “Not on your life Pixie. But nice try. You aren’t driving in rain like this. I’ll come back for you tomorrow.”

“Okay, thank you.” She leans up and pecks him on the cheek.

Gunner pulls me aside. “I get why Case and I need to get out of here. I dread to think what might have happened to her but are you sure you are going to be okay?”

“I am, we are. I loved buying Jack’s presents with you. I’ve had just the best time. Can you keep them at your place for a few days? I’ll have to wrap them before they come anywhere near this house.”

“I will.” He kisses me on the nose. “Go dry your hair and call me later. Let me know if there’s anything you need.”

“Thank you. I love you,” I say pulling him in for one last chaste kiss.

“I love you more,” he says as Casey lets Anna go and then pats my head like a dog as he leaves.

My eyes meet Anna’s, her gaze reflected in mine.What the hell is Kate about to tell us?

I quickly change and braid my hair back off my face while I hear Anna working the coffee machine. As I step out of the bedroom, Kate comes out of the bathroom.

“Thank you, umm, Coralie. I needed that.”

I pat the couch cushion next to me. “Come and sit down. Do you want a hot drink? Coffee, Cocoa?”

“Tea?” Anna asks from the kitchen.

“Coffee. Lots of milk, thank you.”

“Done. Are you hungry? When was the last time you ate?” I can’t help but ask.

She averts her eyes. “I, I think it was lunch.”

“Well, honey that was hours ago.”

“I can make you some toast if you like?” Anna offers and Kate nods.

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