Mallory's Bears(32)

“Don’t you get it?” Rick tunneled his fingers through his hair, resisting the need to tear a chunk out. “If that argument sends her away, then it wasn’t meant to be. Maybe we’ve got our wires crossed or something. Maybe it’s fate’s way of telling us that she’s wrong for us. She’ll stay if she’s really feeling the connection.”

Gunner stared at him like he’d grown a third eye. “Or maybe it’s just an asshole’s damn pride fucking up the rest of our lives. Come on, man. She needs to know that you give a damn.”

“Let it go, Gunner.”

Gunner gritted his teeth, then let out a low growl. His eyes flashed amber and his fangs snuck over his lower lip. “Bullshit. So you’re testing her? If she doesn’t do what you think she should, then that’s it? Fuck that.”

“I’m ready.”

Her voice floated over to Rick. The sound had a lilting quality to it, yet was tinged with a tremor that only his werebear hearing could’ve picked up on. She stood at the entrance to the living room, her suitcase in her hand. Although he wanted to hold out his arms and have her hurry into them, he kept them at his side.

“Rick?” Gunner, his body shaking as he shoved his beast back down, darted his gaze from him to her and back, urging him to go to her.

“You’re leaving?” It was a stupid question, but it was the only thing he could think to say.

“That’s the plan.” Her tremulous smile came and went.

Did she want to stay? Had what he thought they’d share been real? He almost gave in, ready to do whatever he had to do to keep her there. The words asking her, hell, begging her to stay, were on the tip of his tongue. Instead, he said, “Want to grab some breakfast before we go?”

Gunner snarled, then put his back to her. Rage burned in his eyes as he glowered at him. It wouldn’t have surprised Rick if his brother hauled off and belted him one.

“No thanks. I don’t want to miss the bus.”

“Yeah. You’re right.” He was trapped, caught between his stubbornness and his hope that the force of the connection would keep her there. “Let’s get going.”



* * * *



Her mother once told her that she was more stubborn than a preacher with a sinner in one hand and an invitation from God in the other. The preacher, torn between meeting God and saving the sinner would hang on to both, too stubborn to let go of either one. Mallory couldn’t help but think she was in the same predicament as the preacher. Either she gave up her principles or she gave up the men she loved. Like the preacher, she was too stubborn to choose which one to turn loose.

No. That’s not the way this is. All Rick has to do is ask me to stay. If he did, then I’d do whatever I could to find a compromise.

She took a glimpse at Rick as he pulled the pickup into the parking space in front of the Earline’s Eatery. None of them had spoken a word since they’d gotten into the truck and driven to Shatland.

I have to say something. If I don’t, it’s over.

Shatland was a small town with one central street, with side streets heading west and east, all running outward from Main Street. The shops were quaint, with flower pots and lots of homey charm. The people, however, were, for lack of a better word, different.

Although she knew Rick and Gunner came into Shatland every so often for supplies, the looks they garnered from people walking along the sidewalk had her wishing she could tell them to turn the truck around. Some of those people stopped and stared with eyes that were cold and hard. Others, those who reminded her of the men, regarded her with more interest than hostility.

“Um, guys, why is everyone staring at us? Er, at me?”

Gunner, who’d remained quiet, too, turned away from the window and took her hand. The current that had seemed lost during the ride came rushing back, bringing tears of relief mixed with sorrow.

“Don’t let them get to you. Shatland’s a friendly town.” He inclined his head, indicating two men dressed in dark clothes and standing in the shadows. “There are a few folks who aren’t all that sociable, but you rarely see them out during the day.”

“Why? Do they work the graveyard shift?”

He blinked, then gave her a soft smile. “You could say that. And the other folks just need a little time warming up to strangers. That’ll change once they understand that you’re with us.”

“But they can already see that I’m with you.” She forced a smile as a young man and woman paused along their way, then slowly lifted their hands to the men.

“Not just physically with us, but really with us.”