Something nudged his shoulder and he looked up to see Bryan gesturing towards their visitor. Her eyes were showing some movement behind her closed lids, indicating that she was coming around. While he was relieved that she didn’t seem to show any signs of permanent damage from her experience, he started to ponder what he’d do with her, once she woke up.
If luck was on his side, she'd apologize for trespassing and leave. Worst case scenario, she’d start screaming ‘sue’ and threatening to call the police about the dangerous animals he kept. The thought of dangerous animals had him clenching his fists. He stood and moved to the kitchen next door, indicating that the other two should come with him. Standing in the doorway, so he could still see the couch, he began to rip a strip off the other two men.
“That had to be the most stupidly, idiotic idea you two have had in ages. Trying to scare her off? Why didn’t you just say it was private property?”
“We didn’t mean any harm.” Daniel began.
“I’m sure you didn’t, but look what happened anyway. This isn’t like back home, you know. We don’t have people in the right places to help brush things like this under the carpet. It’s just us three against the rest of the community, and we have to blend in, not draw attention...” Ryne listened to himself talk and wondered when he’d suddenly become the heavy. Hell, he sounded like his foster-father used to after he and Kane had pulled some stunt or another. The thought brought him up short and he exhaled gustily. After a moment of silence he rubbed his neck awkwardly and glanced at the other two. They were waiting quietly, eyes downcast. “Just...just...don’t do it again, okay?”
“We won’t.” They looked up at him sheepishly and Ryne relented.
He gave a dry chuckle and punched Bryan lightly in the arm. “I thought you were supposed to be the smart one.” He mocked.
Bryan shrugged. “Yeah. But she was kind of cute. I was sort of thinking that once she was near the gate, I’d show up and ‘save’ her from Daniel. She might have been...grateful, you know?” He winked and Daniel laughed.
Ryne did too, but inwardly he felt his hackles rise. Something about Bryan’s statement bothered him, though he didn’t know exactly what. “Why don’t you two go see if you can make something for us to eat? I’m starving.” They nodded and headed towards the fridge. “Oh, and brew up a large pot of coffee. I’m still feeling a bit hung over from last night.”
With the other two busy, Ryne headed back into the living-room and sat in his recliner facing the sofa. The initial coolness of the leather felt good given his less than prime state of being. Not for the first time, did he wonder why he kept accepting all the drinks sent his way. He knew the locals were somewhat in awe of his capacity for alcohol—he could hold way more than the average human—and he suspected there might be some bets going around about who would be the first to drink him under the table. It would never happen, but still, he should be more careful. Drawing undue attention to the ways in which he was physiologically different from his neighbours was not a good idea.
He leaned his head back and switched his attention to his present concern; the girl lying unconscious on his sofa. Through half-closed eyes, he watched and waited while speculation ran through his mind. Why had she been on his land? She wasn’t a local. Stump River residents would never go walking in boots like hers. Maybe somebody’s relative, visiting for the weekend and out for a stroll? Possibly. After all, who else would have a reason to be roaming around Stump River?
Chapter 6
Mel opened her eyes and blinked, momentarily confused. Where was she? Her dumpy, little apartment in Chicago? No, that was last week. This week she was in Canada, looking for that photographer. She’d driven to Stump River and rented a cabin and then... Oh damn! She sat up quickly and immediately regretted it, clutching her head as it throbbed in protest.
“I wouldn’t move that fast if I were you.” A deep, sexy voice spoke to her right and she turned her head to see who owned it.
“Ow!” Her head protested again and she grasped it in her hands, propping her elbows on her knees. It seemed too much of an effort to hold her head up unsupported. The recent events, which had resulted in her present pain, came rushing back to her, sending a jolt of fear through her system. A quick inventory revealed that her head appeared to be the only area of damage and her body slumped in relief.
“See? I told you not to do that.” The voice laughed dryly and she was immediately annoyed that this person, whoever he was, found her pain amusing. Squinting, she stared across the room trying to get a good look at the fellow. Unfortunately, the angle of the bright light entering through the window cast him in a shadow and she only could see his outline.