Emmitt's Treasure: Judgement of the Six Companion Series, book 2 (13 page)

“What do you want to know?”

“Anything.  Everything.”  She shrugged, and I wished I understood why she was so anxious.  Was she worried my family wouldn’t like her?  They’d love her once they knew about her.

“My dad’s side is from Canada.  My mom, from the states.  They met when she was pretty young.  The way my dad tells it, it was love at first sight.  My mom just rolls her eyes.”  I grinned and moved to start scraping an untouched side of the house.  She trailed behind me, listening as she swept up what I took off.

“My dad’s brother lives in Canada with them at the Compound, which is a collection of old buildings that make up the community I grew up in.  It has been struggling for decades to support itself while keeping away from the corrupt influences of the outside world,” I said.  It still made me want to laugh that so many of our kind still avoided contact with humans, as if humanity’s insatiable need for more would somehow extinguish the werewolf need for simplicity.

“Corrupt?”

“Some believed that humans would lead the world to devastation through their wars, pollution, and overpopulation.  They thought by withdrawing from it, they could save themselves.

“The day my mom showed up, about thirty years ago, changed the direction they’d been headed.  She made them see they were hurting themselves by hiding from the truth.  They’d created their own distrust by not learning about the changes they were scorning, and they had made it harder for future generations to rejoin the world.  That’s part of the reason they sent me back here to live with Nana Wini.”

I slowed down when I reached the corner to let Michelle catch up so we wouldn’t be on separate sides of the house.  When she finished the last neat pile, I started the new wall.

“The more of us who leave to learn about the world, the better it is for others when we go back and share what we learned.  The money we earn doesn’t hurt, either.  Part of the reason I know what I’m doing here is because I grew up helping with this kind of work back home.

“My mom started making improvements as soon as there was money, and she hasn’t stopped.  People actually have beds to sleep in now.”

I cringed at the way that sounded.  For us, sleeping on the ground or floor wasn’t a problem.  We shifted to our fur and got comfortable.  In fact, many of my Dad’s generation had refused beds for a long time, thinking it would make them soft and weak.  Mom eventually won them over.

“So the remodeling inside, the painting outside, you learned all this from your mom?”

I nodded.  “Can I ask you a question now?”

Reluctantly, she agreed.

“Will you tell me about your stepfather?”

She sighed and turned her head to look out over the trees.  I wasn’t sure she was going to answer at first.

“It was just me and my mom until after my thirteenth birthday.  She met Richard through a friend of a friend.”

“Richard?”  If Richard was the stepfather, then who was Blake?

“He was nice.  He treated my mom well, and I think he really loved her.  Then, things changed.”

She stopped talking and got a far-off look in her eyes.  I kept working, hoping she’d continue.

“How did they change?” I asked, after I’d slowly moved several feet away from her.

She shook herself and started sweeping.

“My mom died just after Aden was born.  Richard shut us away from the world for four years.”

I stopped what I was doing and looked at her.  Her own stepfather had locked them up?  No child should endure that from someone meant to protect.

“Richard?  Then, who’s Blake?”

She paled and set the broom aside.

“I have to check on the boys,” she said as she reached for her door.

I didn’t see her again for the rest of the day.

When Jim got home, he was quick to note the absence of Michelle and the boys.

“What did you do?” he asked, throwing a beer in my direction.

Winifred came from nowhere and snatched the beer from the air just before it reached my hand.

“You were saying?” she said as she grinned and cracked the bottle open.  Winifred might be old, but she still knew how to play, and to her, we were still pups who needed some fun...sometimes.  When we didn’t need to be kept in line.

“I’m not sure.  She was helping me on the third floor.  We were talking.  She was actually asking questions about Mom and the Compound.  She seemed interested in who we were.  Then, I asked about her stepdad.  She talked for a bit.  She seemed to like him.  When she said his name was Richard, I asked who Blake was.  That’s when she left, saying she needed to check on the boys.”

Jim and Winifred were silently thoughtful.

“Whoever Blake is, he’s the one she’s running from,” I said.

After the way Michelle had taken off and another restless night with my thoughts, I was looking forward to a new day.  I shouldn’t have.  Michelle never appeared.  I tried to be patient while I scraped the paint from the exterior of the second and first floors, but, by three, I couldn’t stand it anymore.  Had I done something wrong?

Setting my brush down, I walked through the new apartment and knocked on her door.  I could hear the sounds of her steps as she backed away.  There were no signs of panic or fear in her pulse or scent.    Why was she avoiding me?

I went back outside and picked up my brush to do the trim around her kitchen windows, my not-so-discreet idea to catch her attention.  Only, the apartment was empty.

It was only after I moved to the second floor that I heard her move down the steps to fetch her brothers.  They were back upstairs within minutes, once again sequestered away, where they ate dinner quietly by themselves.

Impatient, I almost went up to knock again.  But what would I say?  She needed to talk to me?  I didn’t think making demands would help my case or earn me some of her time and attention, which was all I really wanted.

Instead of racing upstairs and making a fool out of myself, I went for another run and considered what to do next to draw her back out.  She seemed to like books.  Maybe I could ask if she’d like to go to the library while Winifred worked with Liam and Aden.  Having a plan, I turned myself around and went back to lay on Jim’s couch.

I caught a few hours of sleep then showered and was in the hall outside her door at first light.  It took a while before I heard anyone move around.  They were real quiet about it, which wasn’t usual.

As soon as Michelle opened the door, the boys bolted out and down the stairs.  She caught sight of me and froze.  Her wide-eyed shock and scent of panic confused me.  It was like we were back where we’d started.  Why, though?

Before I could say anything, she slammed the door shut, saying something about needing to shower.

I cocked my head and listened to her rapid steps, the slam of the bathroom door, and water running.  I idly scratched my neck, frustrated and unsure.

Slowly, I walked to the apartment across the hall and stared at the walls as if they had the answer to what was going on with Michelle.  Women needed owner’s manuals.  Preferably with step-by-step instructions written in a language I could actually understand.

She’d been fine with me on the porch yesterday until I asked about Blake.  If she didn’t want to talk about him, all she needed to do was say so.  I would respect her wishes.  Avoiding me was just an unnecessary punishment.

While I was standing in the apartment, I heard a noise on the porch.  Quietly, I went to investigate and found Michelle outside, getting ready to read.

“Michelle?”

She jumped and turned to stare at me.

“I need to go into town for more paint soon.  I was wondering if you wanted to come with me and help pick out the color.”

She didn’t say anything, just kept staring.  I tucked my hands into my pockets and waited.

“I’ll pass.  I’m more comfortable here,” she said softly.

“Okay.”  Disappointment didn’t cover what I felt.

I turned and walked back inside.  She didn’t want to spend time with me.  She’d made that clear.  But I wouldn’t quit.  If I talked to her a little here and there, she’d come around.  So, I gave her an hour in the sun then decided she needed something to drink.  When I stepped out onto the porch, she was on her knees, looking like she was just getting ready to run inside.  I pretended not to notice.

“Thirsty?” I asked, holding out a sweating glass of water.

“No.  I have to pee.”  She stood quickly and was gone again.

A few moments later, I heard her race down the steps and Winifred’s voice as she greeted Michelle.

She could run, but I wasn’t going anywhere.

Taking a deep breath, I went back to work.  I’d make this place a home she wouldn’t want to leave, and I’d treat her with respect and patience for as long as it took.

When lunch approached, I went into her apartment and fixed everyone sandwiches.  If she didn’t want to spend time with me, fine.  But I’d still show her I was here to take care of her.

The boys raced up the stairs and reached the apartment first.

“Emmitt!” Liam said excitedly.  “Are you cooking lunch today?”

The boy made me smile despite hearing his sister dragging her feet in the hallway.

“Yep.  I thought maybe I’d eat with you guys.”

When she stepped in, I made sure not to look at her.

“How about we carry these sandwiches downstairs and eat on the grass?” I handed each boy a sandwich, took one for myself, and left with the boys.

It seemed to do the trick.  She came downstairs and ate in the shade of the porch.  She didn’t talk to us, but she didn’t run either...until I stood to go inside.

She’ll come around, Emmitt.  Give her time.

I knew Winifred was right, but knowing didn’t make the wait any easier.

*    *    *    *

The next day, it rained in the early morning.  The rising heat and humidity made painting the exterior impossible, so while the kids ran through the sprinkler, I went outside to do some yard work.

Michelle was already on her blanket on the lower porch.  Not wanting her to run, I kept walking to the garage.  The weed eater leaned in the corner.  From the looks of the yard, Jim didn’t use it often.  Thinking of the kids, I grabbed it and walked out.

“Liam, save some water for me,” I said as I walked past the boys.  He tried splashing me, and I grinned.  He was a different boy from just a few weeks ago.

At the tree line, I gave the starter a pull and got to work.  By the time I managed half of the back side of the yard, sweat was trickling down my spine.  I pulled off my shirt and tucked it into the waistband of my shorts, letting the lazy breeze dry my skin.  It didn’t help much.

When I finished the back section, I killed the motor and moved to start the long side.

“Emmitt, I think the water’s almost gone,” Aden shouted with a giggle.

I glanced at them, seriously thinking about running with them for just a few minutes, when I caught sight of Michelle.  She was sitting on the porch, staring at me with the cutest blush.  When she saw me looking, she lifted her book to hide her face.

Confusing.

When I finished, Winifred already had lunch made.  We all ate together on the porch, Michelle keeping her distance from me.  The boys talked about what they wanted to do when Jim came home.  More sprinkler time and possibly some races.

As soon as they were back in the water, I borrowed Winifred’s keys and went to town.  Michelle said blue was her favorite color, and I needed a gallon for her bedroom.

While I was in town, I spent some time looking at furniture and ordered a few pieces to pick up at a later date.  I hoped she’d like everything and feel at home when I was done.  By the time I had what I needed, the sun hung low in the sky.

When I got back, Winifred sat on the porch with the kids.  Both were eating a cookie, but Aden didn’t look happy about it.

“What’s up, little man?” I said, ruffling his hair.

“Jim’s not home.”

I glanced at Winifred.

Any concern?

Yes.  Quite a bit.  Michelle is missing, too.  When I asked Jim, he said she’s with him but won’t say where.

I struggled for control.  Jim was my brother.  I trusted him with my life.  There had to be an explanation for why he’d taken Michelle off on his own.

“I’m sure he’ll be home soon.”  I sat next to the boys.  “Got any big plans for tomorrow?”

They talked through some ideas until Aden was smiling again.

I think I should go look for them.

I agree.  I’ll keep the little ones company.

“Would you two like to watch a movie with me?” she asked Liam and Aden.

While they went inside to watch a movie, I quickly cleaned up and changed.  Outside, I went to the garage and pulled out my bike.  At least Jim had the sense to take the truck.

It wasn’t hard to find them.  The black marks out of the driveway told the direction.  From there, I followed the faded scent of the truck’s exhaust to the bar Michelle had visited once before.

I was going to kill Jim.

Cars crowded the parking lot and music blasted inside.  My ears hurt, and I was still fifty feet away.  Rolling my shoulders, I pocketed the bike key and went inside.

Jim wasn’t hard to spot.  It worried me, though, that the stool next to him was vacant and there was no sign of Michelle.

“Where is she?” I asked when I stood behind him.

“Finally!”  He turned to me.  “You took forever.  She’s avoiding you because being with you makes her want to share her secrets.  Secrets she thinks will give you control over her.  But, she’s promised to stop running away from you.” He grinned at me.  “You’re welcome.”

I just stared at him for a moment.  Of course he’d noticed she was avoiding me.  And in typical Jim fashion, he’d taken it upon himself to “fix” the problem.  It would have been easier to stay mad at him if he didn’t always deliver a solution, like the key to Michelle’s avoidance.  I sighed, completely understanding how he could annoy Winifred so well.

“Where is she, Jim?”

“Bathroom,” he said, nodding toward the door.

I turned and looked across the crowded room.  People had gathered in the space between the pool table and bar to dance to country rock.  However, they didn’t block my view of the bathroom door as it opened.

Michelle moved into the main room and stood on her toes, looking my way.  Our eyes met.  She blinked slowly, a slight frown pulling at her dark brows.  Before I could motion to her, someone stepped in the way, blocking her view.

Not far from her, a man caught sight of her and smiled.  I felt the sharp edge of my teeth.  Using a strong hand and empty, politely worded excuses, I pushed my way through the crowd, keeping an eye on Michelle.  She made very little progress as she tried to move around the perimeter of the room.  I saw the moment she changed directions to try to cut through the dancers.  So did the man who’d been watching her.

Not happening.  I moved to cut him off.  When he saw me shake my head, he held his hands up good-naturedly and went another direction.  I turned and came up behind Michelle.  Fear and worry were completely absent.  Actually, there wasn’t any emotion coloring her natural scent.  Man, she smelled so good like that.

I caught her around the waist to stop her progress since talking would be useless.  She looked toward Jim before turning to face me.

Even with all the noise, I heard her heart skip a beat when she saw me.  This time, she didn’t look away or try to run.  Instead, her scent changed slightly.  It grew sweeter, more welcoming.  Unable to resist, I leaned in and inhaled near her hair.

“Hi,” she whispered.

Encouraged, I wrapped my arms around her and turned her to the rhythm of the music.

“You had me worried,” I said softly.

“My driving’s not that bad,” she said, pulling back slightly.

Driving?  That explained the black marks.

I smiled and shook my head. “When you stopped talking to me, I thought you wanted to leave.  Then, you did.  With Jim.”

“Oh.”

She looked up at me, her baby blues apologetic.  Then, she reached up and curled her fingers in my shirt.  Her eyes lost all apology.  Instead, they were begging.

I couldn’t refuse her anything, but did she really know what she was asking?  How much had she had to drink?  Pulling her close, I lowered my head, slowly closing the distance.  Her pulse leapt, and her natural sweetness intensified, as if trying to cover up the smell of beer.  Her lashes fluttered closed, and she lifted her lips to me.  I wanted to groan.

“Please stop,” I begged.

Her eyes opened.  “What?”

Her exhale brushed my lips.  Mere inches separated us.  She saw it, too.  She pressed against me and started going up on her toes.

Moving quickly, I nudged her head to the side and buried my face in the curve of her neck.  My lips skimmed her skin as I inhaled deeply.  This time, I did groan.

“Driving me crazy,” I said, answering her question.

She wrapped her arms around my shoulders, and I held tight.

“I don’t understand,” she said.

“If you’ll let me, I’ll explain in the morning.  When you’re more lucid.”  Please still want to talk to me tomorrow, I thought.

The song ended, and I reluctantly let her go to lead her back to Jim.  She wobbled on her feet a bit, but it gave me a chance to hold her hand to keep her steady.

“You found her,” Jim said with a grin.  “Good.”

He handed me the truck keys and held out his hand.  I gave over the bike key.

“Not a scratch.”

He continued to grin.

“You two have fun.”  He sat back on his stool and began to speak to the woman on his right.