Out of the Shadows (3 page)

Devon’s hazel eyes met hers and
heat crept across her face, having been caught staring. Embarrassed, she bit her
lip and looked away.

“Rick is Dev’s uncle, and we will
be staying for the foreseeable future,” Vincent chimed in. “Can I get five of
the chocolate cupcakes and two of the double chocolate chip cookies, do you
guys want anything?” He asked turning to look at his companions.

Lark did a double take on his firm
muscled body, all that was for him? She knew that they ate a lot, but didn’t
realize their sweet tooth was so profound. Especially since every werewolf
she’d ever met was more than physically fit.

“I’ll take an orange muffin
please,” Emily said quietly, a small, shy smile on her face.

“I’ll have one too,” Marcus added,
wrapping his arm around the brunette and placing a kiss to her temple.

Lark took out their order and
placed it in a box. She chanced a glimpse toward Devon. He remained poised
quietly in the same spot. With a sigh, she went to the register and rung them
out. She really needed to stop staring at him. The man stood next to the door
like he was ready to flee for his life. If that didn’t scream not interested
then what did?

“So, I hear we get the honor of
your company for dinner tomorrow night, I’m looking forward to it.” Vincent
drew her attention back to him.

“Sarah and I come over every
Sunday,” Lark smiled.

Emily took a step forward. “Your
sister is really sweet. I met her the other night.”

“Thanks.” Everyone loved Sarah. She
was personable and friendly, without being over the top.

“Not quite as sweet as you,”
Vincent smirked, his hand brushed against hers as he handed her the money.

Definitely flirting.
Heat crept
across her face as she stared down at the register embarrassed. Why did the
wrong brother have to be interested in her? Why did Devon seem so anti social? Was
it her, or something else?

“Are we ready?” Devon grumbled,
rolling his eyes. He pushed off the window, his hand on the door.

“Well, see you tomorrow, Lark, it
was lovely meeting you,” Vincent said taking the box of goods from her.

Lark sighed as the door clicked
shut. She slumped against the counter. What was his deal? He seemed so
standoffish while the rest of them had been pleasant and friendly. Perhaps she
would find out tomorrow.

Lark fluffed her hair out; long
blonde waves cascaded over her shoulders. She wore a simple blue floral dress
and sandals. Not that she was trying to impress anyone. Devon might be hot, but
he’d ignored her at the bakery. Vincent had been the one flirting and she
wasn’t interested.

“You ready?” Sarah knocked on her open bedroom door.

“Yeah.” Lark smiled, grabbing her purse off the purple
comforter on her bed and followed Sarah out of the room.

Sarah’s long blonde hair was woven into a loose braid, her
yellow sundress flowing around her as they descended the wood stairs to the
front room.

“Preston and I are going to see a
movie after dinner,” Sarah said.

“You know you have school tomorrow, right?”

Sarah was a straight A student and
had her head on straight. The high-school year would be over in a few weeks and
graduation was right around the corner. Still, as her guardian, Lark needed to
be semi-responsible. Their parents hadn’t been strict. There was no reason to
be; both girls were well-behaved and good students.

Sarah rolled her eyes and smiled. “Yes, I’ll be home by
eleven.”

Lark flicked off the lights, except for the overhead light
in the hall, before pulling the large oak door shut and locking it. “You and
Preston seem to be getting close.”

“He told me he loved me,” she grinned, her azure eyes
lighting up.

Lark smiled remembering the warm fuzzy feeling of first
love. She led the way down the brick walkway to her vehicle. “You two make a
cute couple.”

“So what about you, Lark? When are you going to start dating
again? I can’t remember the last time you mentioned a guy? Let alone went on a
date.”

They both climbed into the green
SUV. Lark started the car and backed out of the driveway, heading toward the
Harris’ ranch.

“Well, with the bakery and everything there isn’t much time.”
It was the truth as much as an excuse.

Sarah twisted in the tan leather seat to look at her. “I
heard Grant will be back over the summer. His mom stopped by the shop last
night when you were making a delivery. Made sure I knew to tell you that. He’ll
be home sometime this week.”

“Grant and I are over. Even if he’s back for the summer
he’ll be going back to New York in the fall to finish his PhD.”

It had been a simple break up, both
of them going in two different directions. The death of her parents had changed
her drastically. While Grant had wanted her to move to New York with him, she
couldn’t do that to Sarah. They’d just lost their parents and uprooting her
from their only home would have been disastrous.

Sarah sighed, “I’m glad Preston and I are both going to
Angelo State College. I know high school romances aren’t supposed to work out, but
I think we have a real shot. You know I am capable of closing up the shop? You
should get out and have some fun every once in a while.”

“I know Sarah, but you have school and homework. Maybe over
the summer you can close. Besides I’m hiring a few new people. Assuming their
interviews go well.” Lark cringed, realizing she sounded like an old biddy. It
was a hazard of being the sole caretaker to a teenager.

Still, she hoped the interviews
went well. It would be nice to have some extra hands to help. A social life
would be even nicer. It had been a really long time since she’d been on a date.

“I know you think you have to take care of me, Lark, but I
am eighteen now. I can help, you should let me. You’re too young to be working
yourself like this.”

“Wow, you just grew up thirty years in a matter of seconds.”

Of course, Sarah had a point. While
The Cookie Jar was part of what she wanted from life, there were other things. Romance,
love, and children to name a few. That wouldn’t happen if everything was work,
work, work.

“I’m serious, Lark. You’ve done so much for me the past few
years and I appreciate it so much, but you have your life to live too. Please
don’t forget that,” Sarah said as their gazes met.

“I won’t.”

***

Devon made his way downstairs having showered and changed
after a brisk run in the woods. His stomach gurgled as Emily’s homemade
spaghetti sauce invaded his nostrils.

Emily had volunteered to make dinner, quickly filling the
empty chef position at the ranch.

Rick’s voice boomed, greeting Lark
as Gene’s said a quiet hello. Lark’s melodic voice rung in his ears, speaking a
soft hi. Devon paused on the steps out of sight. His attraction to Lark baffled
him; there was no explaining it. The need to claim her, to know her, strengthened
each time he saw her. This was a new experience, having never felt an allure
like this before.

Lark seemed nice and was beautiful,
but he did not do relationships. People always found a way to betray or hurt
you. Or worse, they became a weakness.

Devon inhaled, and steeled himself, as he walked into the
front room.

“Ah, Dev, I’m sure you remember Lark,” Rick said upon him
entering the room.

“It's nice to see you again.” He nodded.

The dress she wore clung to her
perfect body. Her unique scent of cinnamon-vanilla wafted in the air. She
looked exquisite with her hair down. Long blonde waves framed her round face. Sapphire
eyes shined brightly, the hue of the dress bringing out their color.

“You probably don’t recognize him all cleaned up. This is
the boy who had the dirt bike accident years ago.” Rick nudged Lark a smile on
his face as he brought her to stand next to Devon. “I’m certain you remember
that.”

Devon watched as her blue eyes flicked to him widening. The
event not something likely forgotten. What did she think seeing him again? Had
that moment affected her as much as him? Her calm lilting voice still echoed in
his head at times. Perhaps that explained the attraction. She was the light in
one of his unpleasant memories.

Her blue eyes roamed over him and he saw the recognition on
her face the moment their eyes connected. “Oh, I thought you looked familiar.”

Rick clapped Devon on the back. “Devon always was one to
find trouble. Still does, but he’s a good kid. He and Gene had many good summers
here together.”

“That we did,” Gene smiled, from his spot on the brown
leather couch. Gene was a year younger than Devon, and they had found lots of
trouble to get into as youths.

“You’re in for a special treat tonight. Emily is making
dinner,” Rick said happily. “I don’t think Luigi’s is going to know what to do
without our big order.”

“Does she need any help with dinner?” Lark asked, hanging
her purse on the old-fashioned wood coat rack in the corner.

“I’m sure she wouldn’t mind, let’s go see.” Rick motioned
for her to follow him.

Devon watched as the two left the room. His eyes didn’t miss
the way her dress swayed or how it revealed her long smooth creamy legs.
Stop
thinking about her like that!

Gene followed his gaze. “She’s a pretty girl, but she’s
become like a sister to me, so hands off, Dev. My dad kind of adopted them
after their parents died a few years ago. It was like losing another brother
for him.”

“Didn’t cross my mind,” he lied. The thought of Lark
writhing beneath him had definitely crossed his mind on more than one occasion.
He’d dreamt about her nightly after the accident for months. Now, she would
probably become a reoccurring star in his dreams again.

“Right. It’s been a few years, but I know how you operate. Wine
and dine them for a few weeks until you get bored. Then cut the poor
unsuspecting lady loose. Unless you’re going to tell me you’re looking to
settle down.”

“I’m not looking for anything serious.” At least that was
the truth. “With everything going on I don’t even have time to wine and dine. My
main priority is Emily.”

***

“I don’t think this kitchen has been properly used in
years,” Lark explained watching Emily. “Rick’s late wife Beatrice was an
amazing cook. I know the guys make boxed and frozen dinners, and we order in
from Luigi’s on Sundays, but this kitchen was made for so much more. I don’t
think I’ve seen a real meal prepared in-” she paused, biting her lip, trying to
recall. “-I can’t even remember the last time.”

It was a shame too. The kitchen was
beautiful with ornate marble counters. A rack of expensive pots and pans hung
from the ceiling. Add in the huge center island with a large industrial grade
gas range top, it was any chef’s dream.

Emily smiled and looked around the room as she worked the
noodles in her hands. “It really is remarkable. Even the one at home wasn’t
this fancy. It is a shame not to use it.”

“You like to cook?” Lark observed. It was obvious she knew
how to, but did she enjoy it? Her passion had always been cooking. It’d be nice
to share it with someone else.

Emily glanced up at her, surprised by her question. “I never
really thought about it. I know it was engrained into me, but I’ve always
enjoyed it. Things are very different here than they were at home.”

“How so?” She asked curiously. Different how? Were they
talking about werewolves, general perspectives, or both?

“Well, uh, my father sees things a lot differently than Rick
does. I’m thankful for his hospitality. It’s been a nice reprieve for me. My
dad didn’t exactly approve of Marcus and I, among other things.”

“Marcus seems like a good guy,” Lark shrugged. Marcus hadn’t
given off any bad vibes. Granted he hadn’t said much in the few minutes he’d
been in the bakery. He seemed nice and loving toward Emily, isn’t that what
parents wanted?

Emily’s eyes beamed with unshed tears. “He is, my dad knows
that too, he has other plans for me though, which is why we left. I probably
shouldn’t be telling you all this.” Emily frowned and returned to the noodles.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry,” Lark flushed, biting her lip.
It hadn’t been her intention to be nosy, but admittedly, she was intrigued by
what Emily had said.

“It’s okay, I offered it. I’m not used to having another
female my age to talk to. It’s kind of nice.” Emily stopped working the
noodles, and turned to Lark to give her a smile.

“Me neither, I spend so much time at the bakery alone, which
I love, but my social life is kind of nonexistent.”

“Those orange muffins are amazing,” Emily gushed.

“Thanks, it was my grandma’s recipe. She was the one who
taught me how to bake.”

“My mom taught me how to cook. She’s always in the kitchen
making something, she’s the one thing I miss about home,” Emily said, a forlorn
look on her face.

“I’m sure she’ll visit or you can go visit her.”

Emily shifted uncomfortably. “No, she won’t. Things aren’t
so great. We left without my father’s blessing. I’m glad we did, but…” she
trailed off.

“We don’t have to talk about it.” Even though Lark was
really interested, she didn’t want to make Emily uncomfortable. It was
refreshing to talk to someone close to her age. Most her high school friends
had gone off to college, or given up on her when she stopped going out every
weekend.

Emily was quiet for a long moment, seemingly having an
internal battle. It was clear she wanted to talk, but didn’t know if she should
or not. Lark waited with bated breath. Would she continue without being
prodded?

“You know what we are?” Emily hesitantly broke the silence.

Lark nodded and noticed Emily visibly relax at that
revelation. A sigh escaped Emily’s lips as she leaned against the counter, chin
resting on her hand.

“Each pack operates differently, but we are all innately the
same when it comes to structure. There is always an alpha male and his mate or
wife is the alpha female, but the male is the more dominant of the two. My
father, Emmett is the alpha. What the alpha says is law,” Emily stated,
returning to her dinner preparations. “Since we left without his permission, we
broke the law.”

Lark leaned forward on the counter intrigued. She’d always
been fascinated by them, but too timid to ask questions.

“Recently, my father has been doing things that go against
our morals, which is why the four of us left. Over the last few years, he has
broken ties with packs we have always been friendly with. Not to mention,
Marcus and I have loved each other for as long as I can remember, and he has
made it known that he doesn’t wish for us to be together.”

“Like soul mates?” Lark wondered if soul mates really
existed.

“Sort of, yes. Certain men and women are drawn to each other
more than others. There are different levels of a connection. Any man and woman
can be together and have offspring, essentially being mates. Sometimes there is
a deeper connection. With Marcus there are times when we are together that I
can feel his emotions. Or when we are separated I can sense when something is
wrong. We are literally joined mind, body, and soul.” Emily smiled a serene
look on her face. Her eyes focused somewhere in the distance.

That sounds so romantic.
Lark hoped she could find
love like that some day.