Shifting Positions (16 page)

With Jackie upstairs visiting her mom, Tess was at an even greater loss, though now she could take a fast walk or better yet, a grueling run and not worry about leaving her mom alone.

Decision made, she swiveled on her woolen socks to head up the stairs and change when the house phone rang. Turning too quick, she ended up making a complete circle on the hard floor before she could stop. She clamped a hand over her mouth as a giggle escaped. Then eyeing the stairs warily, she took off at a fast clip toward the kitchen and suddenly came to a dead stop, her momentum sending her gliding over the smooth floor before coming to a halt at the tiled archway. With a grin of delight, she snatched up the cordless handset before her mom could answer on her bedroom extension.

“Hello?”

“Oh, thank God you’re home.” The relief in Dolen’s tone was unmistakable.

“Dolen? What’s wrong?”

“The fucking truck that was supposed to deliver Dean’s meat broke down over an hour outside of town and I had to send Sean out with my truck and round up a couple more volunteers to unload and reload the food and haul ass back to Moon Haven..” Evidently this was a dire judging by the man’s tone, but she was clueless. What was Moon Haven? “I’m sorry?”

Dolen let out a ragged sigh. “Sorry. Sorry. You haven’t been here for awhile so you don’t know. When Dean became alpha, he got the wolf community together to buy a huge chunk of land. They built a community center on it and blocked off at least six acres on the backside, which also contains two large barns.. It’s called the Moon Haven and has been finished for six months. Each full moon most of the wolves head to the compound to ride out the pull of the moon. They pay me to provide dinner and breakfast but also have sides of beef delivered for an evening snack.”

Tess grimaced but otherwise kept quiet.

“The truck bringing the meat blew a radiator hose and can’t make the delivery. It’s the first time I’ve used this particular service and damn well may be the last as the delivery was actually supposed to happen yesterday. Since Sean’s out with my truck, I’m one down to help with dinner. I can’t ask Martin Reynolds to help as I need him to cook at the café, though my weekend waitress, Rachel Hodgins, will go with me to the Haven as long as I get her a replacement.”

With the non-stop explanation, Tess couldn’t be certain whether she was more, or less confused. She sank onto one of the kitchen chairs and prompted. “So you’re calling because…?” He hesitated. “Well, ah, Ruth has helped out before and since she’s unavailable, and umm you know, with you and Caleb, well, I thought that maybe you could help?”

“With waitressing?”

A heavy exhalation cut through the line like a balloon losing air. Obviously this monthly thing was more critical than what she’d assumed, but damned if she had a clue as to what Dolen needed. Either she was just slow today or he was beating around the bush.

“Not here at the café. I’ll need both you and your truck at the compound. It’s nearly three now. We need to load the food, haul ass over to the center and get started preparing the meal for two hundred shifters. The Moon Haven, the name of the compound, is a half-hour north of town, and the delivery truck is broke down over an hour south. I’m hoping Sean will be there by six, but I’ll need help before then to get food on the table by seven.” His sigh was full of resigned acceptance. “You know wolves. They need to rely on a certain structure and orderliness in their lives. Probably to combat all that restless energy.”

Tess nodded even though Dolen couldn’t see her. “Unfortunately, that’s very true, especially for the young ones. Deviations are confusing, and they don’t like confusing. It messes with their senses, which in turn makes their beasts antsy.”
And when had she turned into a know-it-all that volunteered information?

A single grunt was his response.

“Listen, Jackie’s here, but I need to check and make sure she can stay longer. I don’t foresee a problem, especially since her husband’s working tonight.” She glanced at the clock on the stove. “It’ll take me about fifteen minutes to get there. Since you’re already short on time, why don’t you head on over and I’ll get directions from mom? Ah, but what are you going to do about a waitress?”

“Gina said she’d come back in as she only worked a four-hour shift this morning. She can help you load the supplies I won’t be able to get in the car.” A quick thanks later and the phone went dead. Yep. This monthly thing was a big deal.

Mixed between affront and humor, Tess dashed up the stairs to explain the situation to Ruth and Jackie. She slid to a halt just inside her mom’s bedroom - she’d forgotten how much she used to enjoy skating over the smooth wooden flooring in her socks - but when both women turned to her with expected looks in their eye, she knew they knew. “You already know?” Jackie nodded. “Yes. Martin just called to tell me and of course I’ll stay here with your mom.”

Ruth rolled her eyes and huffed. “I don’t need a babysitter.” Her best friend patted the hand that rested on the bedspread. “Please. You’re long since past the diaper stage, though if you don’t rest up and heal properly you just might be back in one and how would that feel, hmmm?”

Tess nearly snorted while Ruth merely shot Jackie a mutinous glare. Then she turned her attention to Tess. “Go on and help Dolen, dear. The silly man is probably frantic and since he has no hair left on his head, he might just start yanking out the ones on his chest.” Brows arching high, Tess gaped at her mom. “How do you know he has hair on his chest?” she squawked. Then she thrust out her hands in a defensive gesture, twisted her head away and squeezed her eyes shut against the imagine now implanted in her mind. “Never mind! I do
not
want to know.”

Her mom sent her a satisfied smirk. Tess gulped and glanced over at Jackie who, for the moment at least, seemed a safer and saner bet. “Thanks. I should be back in two or three hours.” Jackie nodded, her wild hair bouncing around her gently lined face. “I’ll keep our invalid chained up.”

Lips curling into a smile at her mom’s outraged glare, Tess once again skated across the smooth floor, barely avoiding a hallway collision by wrapping her hand on her bedroom door jamb. Still smiling, she shook her head at her own antics, very aware that since she’d been home her sophisticated composure had slowly melted away, until here she was, sliding down the hallway in her socks and grinning like a loon.

“Oh!” She dropped to the edge of the bed in wonder. There was nothing wrong with her.

What she felt was different, strange, yet achingly familiar. She was happy. Odd, considering the events of the last couple of weeks, but there it was.

Instead of looking at the glass as half-empty, Tess could understand that she was on the cusp of a new beginning. She could start a new career. Do something she’d always wanted.

Granted, she might not know exactly what that was, but at least she had the opportunity to figure it out, and that was far more than most people ever had. Her mom was recovering quite nicely from her surgery and subsequent stroke which was a blessing. Then there was her unbelievably hot involvement with a smart, sexy and gorgeous man who wanted to claim her for his own.

The grandfather clock in the living room struck the hour and Tess started as the gongs pulled her from her reverie. She chewed on her bottom lip as she changed and glanced at her reflection in the dresser mirror, taking in the sleek dark blonde hair, naturally streaked by shifter genetics, the smooth and clear complexion - also a gift from wolf DNA - and slightly tilted hazel eyes. Though she couldn’t see her body under the jeans and lightweight sweater, she knew her arms were toned, her tummy flat, butt pert, and legs long and slim. With a critical appraisal, she realized she owed her previous seven-figure income to shifter genes, which put a new spin on re-thinking the inner package.

Millions have seen and paid for the wrapping, but no one really knew what dwelled deep in her soul, including herself, and the insight was way overdue. Though she’d already taken baby steps, most especially in regards to her feelings for Caleb, she was now ready to lengthen her stride.

With a determined nod and a mental pat on the back for encouragement, she hustled down the stairs, put on her coat and dashed out the front door.

Eight minutes later she backed her truck up to the rear entrance of Dolen’s Café and, tucking her keys into her pocket, jogged inside.

“I’m here,” she called out as she entered and nearly tripped over the boxes stacked haphazardly by the kitchen door. She cast a glance over at Martin who was flipping hamburger patties on the grill. “Am I supposed to take these?”

Martin turned his head. “Yes,” he said his bright blue eyes vibrant against the dark bronze skin. Martin was the proud product of a Native American male and Irish female, and he was stunning. He was also the happiest man she’d ever encountered, smart, easy to talk with and the first to come to another’s aid. He had a feline grace and stateliness about him that called to others. People loved him, despite the quick temper that blew up almost as soon as it came upon him. He always said it was better to let the poison out immediately then leave it to fester, and it certainly seemed to work for him. “I’d help you but I’m a little chained to the stove at the moment.”

Tess gave him a lopsided grin, watching as he deftly scooped out French fries, coleslaw and piled them next to hamburgers on three plates. Then she glanced at the order rack. The café was certainly busy for a Saturday afternoon. As if he read her mind, Martin added, “Large group of day trippers stopped by.”

Ah. Day trippers were those who made the trek to town to ski for the day, or half-day in most cases. They hit the slopes first thing in the morning, getting in as much skiing as they could before they headed wearily home. Most times, if they didn’t eat at the small restaurant attached to the ski resort, they’d come to Woodcliff to chow down and wander through the gift shops.

“That’s fine,” she said, picking up an opened box filled with smaller boxes of tea. “It’ll just take me a few minutes to load.”

Martin snickered. “Yeah, if that,” he nodded to the boxes, “was all there was. Gina!” He bellowed loud enough that her ears rang.

“You don’t…”

Gina slammed through the swinging door. “What’s the matter with you? I was on my way back.”

Martin rolled his eyes. “I hit the damn call button two minutes ago. Table five’s food is going to be cold by the time you get your ass moving.”

The waitress huffed, hand on her hips. “You did not. It’s barely been lit thirty seconds.

Besides, if I don’t chat with the customers they don’t leave good tips.” Tess knew the second Gina realized she and Martin weren’t alone. “Oh.” She eyed the box in her arms. “Guess Dolen suckered you into helping?”

“Don’t start, young lady. Get these plates out and then help Tess load.”

“Fine,” Gina grunted. “Like I have nothing else to do.”

Taken aback by the younger woman’s attitude, Tess protested, “No, that’s okay. I can handle it.”

Gina sighed. “No, I’m sorry. I’m just cranky today.” She transferred the plates to a tray.

“Just give me a sec.”

When they were alone again, Martin shot Tess a worried look. “I don’t know what’s going on, but that girl has developed an attitude problem in the last few weeks and it’s starting to piss me off.”

Tess tilted her head, glancing from the door to Martin. “Growing pains?” Martin let out a bark of laughter. “I wish. Don’t know if it’s college related, work related, or male-related, but…”

Gina popped back in, effectively cutting Martin off. “There’s more in the walk-in cooler.

Just prop the door open and we’ll get you loaded in no time.” Tess and Martin sent each other similar arched brow expressions. With a crooked smile, Tess took out the first box.

With two, the truck was filled in no time with numerous boxes containing tea, raw carrots and potatoes, flour, sugar, blueberries, and vanilla ice cream. Luckily, those particular boxes, along with the other cold items, also held bags of ice so nothing would become overly warm on the half-hour drive. No wonder Dolen had been so upset about losing his own refrigerator truck.

Adding ice packs to everything created twice the load.

“I don’t know why you’d go there,” Gina said suddenly. “I wouldn’t step foot in that place.”

Tess reached up and shut the hatch door. “Why would you say that?” When the other woman didn’t answer right away, Tess turned around and caught Gina standing by the open passenger side door. “Most everyone knows Caleb wants to claim you for his mate and it’s obvious you haven’t agreed.” The last was said with a pointed stare at her neck.

Pursing her lips, Tess considered Gina’s ridiculous statement. Because, really, when -
no,
if, definitely if
- Tess accepted Caleb’s claim and he marked her, it wouldn’t be noticeable like a hickey. Well, maybe at first, but with a shifter’s healing abilities, Tess wouldn’t sport a bruise for more than a few hours so Gina eyeballing her throat didn’t make sense. Then again, most non-shifters based their shifter beliefs on supposition rather than fact. At one time humans didn’t even know of shifter existence. And now, maybe too many did.

Tess knew the bite was actually more of a scent marker to warn other shifters away. The visual symbol would disappear quickly but the olfactory sign would last until her dying day, or Caleb’s as the pheromone released by the marker was actually sustained by the male shifter’s touch. Or something to that affect. She really should talk with her sister more about this mating thing.

Gina’s eyes narrowed, assessing her quietly. “Have you?”

Not that it was any of her business, but if Tess wanted information about Dave and Matt, she should probably reciprocate. “I haven’t agreed to anything.” The waitress’ face cleared immediately and she nodded knowingly. “Figured you were probably slumming for a bit. .”

Slumming? With Caleb? Gina seriously needed to get her head on straight. “Hmmm,” Tess murmured, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. “I meant, why would you not step foot in the Haven? Is it dirty or smelly or something?”