Shifters in the Shadows(6)

“Come sit with us,” Mary Margaret said.

“I can’t believe this view,” Sasha said as she slid into a white plastic chair.

“And the fresh air…” Mary Margaret inhaled deeply. “We don’t get this is New York City. You have to go out to the country to even get a breath these days. Where are you from?”

“Bozeman. It’s not too far from here,” Sasha said.

“I landed there. Nice little city. Not too far off the beaten path, but not a big metropolitan either. Back when my husband Ronnie was alive, we spent a lot of time in that airport. Boy has it changed over the years!”

“You came here a lot?” Sasha asked before spooning scrambled eggs into her mouth.

“We spent our summers in Yellowstone camping in the backcountry,” Mary Margaret said. “Probably what messed my back up, all that sleeping on the ground. We had sleeping bags, but honey, those don’t do a damn thing to keep you from getting as stiff as a board the next morning.”

“I used to camp in Yellowstone a lot, but I haven’t been in a couple of years,” Sasha said.

The sliding glass door to the house opened and Jack walked out. Sasha’s heart kicked. He’d changed into a brown-and-white checkered long-sleeved shirt and jeans. His hair, still damp from a shower, hung in a cowlick over one eye. He pursed his lips and blew at it.

“Damn thing never wants to stay straight.” He flashed a lopsided grin. “Do you guys have room for one more?”

“For a tall drink of water like you? We sure do, sugar,” Lonnie said.

Jack pulled a chair over from the second table and slid it between Sasha and Mary Margaret. He set a plate piled high with bacon, biscuits, and gravy down.

Madison walked out holding a frothy iced coffee drink with whipped cream on top.

“Here you go.” She set the cup in front of Jack. “A blended mocha latte with peppermint and a dash of cinnamon.”

“That looks amazing.” He took a sip. “Tastes great too.”

“That’s a guest favorite, especially in the summer,” Madison said. “I’m heading back in, but if you need anything else, let me know.” After everyone murmured their thanks, she strolled away.

“You drink iced mochas?” Sasha raised a brow as Jack took another sip.

“Never had one before,” he said. “I asked her to surprise me with the house special.”

“You have a little…”

“Oh,” he licked the whipped cream off of his top lip.

The sensual move awakened her bear. The creature turned her attention to Jack. She clawed at Sasha’s chest as if asking permission to shift. Not right now, bear.

The group chatted over breakfast. One by one, everyone peeled off to get started on their projects, leaving Sasha alone with Jack.

“So you work with clay?” he asked.

“It’s my favorite medium,” she said. “There’s something about feeling the wet clay sliding through my fingers that excites my creative spirit.”

“I get that. When I work with fire and metal, something primal takes over. My bear loves it.”

“Mine does too,” she said.

“Grizzly?”

“Yep.”

“Same here,” he said. “So why did you come to the ranch? It sounded like you have a studio in your garage at home.”

“Honestly, I’ve been stuck,” she said. “I can’t seem to find anything inspiring in the clay. I keep working it to death but nothing happens. I was hoping to get that feeling back—I have to get it back.”

“It will come back. It just takes time.”

“I don’t have any more time,” she said. “I have to finish this project for an art patron or I’m going to lose my business.”

“You create art full-time?” he asked.

“Yes. But the last two years have been brutal. The economy is in bad shape and people don’t have as much discretionary income. I’m lucky I’ve been able to stay afloat this long. But I’m getting behind on my payments and if I don’t get this piece done this week, I could lose everything.”

“You’ll get it done.” He leaned over to place his huge hand over hers. As he gazed into her eyes he added, “You just need to reconnect with your inner passion.”

Her bear roared with pleasure. It wanted to roll around in his arms and claim him. Damn creature could be so demanding. But he was just trying to be supportive. And even if he was implying something more, she wasn’t mentally ready to have a casual fling.

“I’m going to head over to the barn.” He withdrew his hand. “Will I see you later?”