The Keeping(90)

“You okay, little lady?” The bear was back, leaning against the bar and staring down at her from his incredible height.

“Sure, I’ve never been better.” Mel tried to put on a happy face and lifted her glass to take another sip, only to find it empty. She set it down and pouted. Darn, it was all gone, just when she was starting to actually like the stuff.

“No problem. Have another.” The bartender placed another beer in front of her and Mel smiled up at him. What a nice man, even if he did look like a bear! She told him so and he laughed. It was a booming sound that filled the whole room, causing several patrons to turn and look their way. “Thank you. So, if I’m a nice man, care to tell me all your troubles? I’m a good listener.”

Mel considered the idea while eyeing him up and down. He was big and hairy, but in a friendly, overgrown teddy bear kind of a way. “Well, you see—”

“Mel!” A friendly voice spoke behind her and an arm encircled her shoulders. Mel looked up wondering who was behind her and saw Bryan grinning down at her.

“Hey, Bryan!” She peered around him, spotted Daniel as well, and waggled her fingers at him.

Bryan slid into a seat beside her. “What are you doing here all by yourself?”

Mel felt her mouth droop. She didn’t want to bad-mouth his friend, so just shrugged.

“That’s what I want to know.” Armand added. “She’s been sitting here for over an hour, all alone and drowning her sorrows.”

“An hour? You mean you didn’t read Ryne’s message?” Bryan stared at her quizzically.

“Message?”

“Yeah. I left it at the Gazette for you when I went to pick up a copy of the paper. Beth said you weren’t in yet, so I...” His voice trailed off and he got a funny look on his face. “Oh man, I’m in deep trouble now.”

“Why? What’s wrong?” Mel, Daniel, and Armand spoke simultaneously as they watched Bryan dig frantically in his pocket, finally pulling out a crumpled bit of paper.

He handed the paper to Mel, then folded his arms on the bar and buried his head in them. “I am so dead.”

Mel opened the note and blinked at it. The scrawl that passed for writing was hard to read given the dim lighting and the wrinkled state of the paper. Nor was the legibility improved by the way her eyes kept going in and out of focus, as the effects of the beer she’d drank took further hold.

Armand plucked the note from her hand and read it out loud. “Melody, I have to go out of town. Meet me at six.”

“Oh, well that explains it.” Mel glanced at the clock on the wall and frowned. It was a typical round-faced time piece except for the fact that all the numbers were a five rather than the accepted one to twelve. Underneath there was a caption declaring “this bar opens at five.’ Huh. She supposed that was funny. Right now, however, it was just annoying, because it really was five, or at least she thought so. Scrunching her face, she studied the clock carefully; the big hand was at the...

Obviously noticing her confusion, Daniel reached over and patted her shoulder. “Yes, it really is five o’clock, so Ryne won’t be here for another hour.”

“Well, that’s just great. I’ve sat here for a whole hour for no reason and now I have to wait an hour more.” Mel growled in frustration and lightly smacked Bryan on the back of the head.

“Hey, that’s not nice.” He lifted his head and glared at her.

“Neither was forgetting to tell me.” She propped her chin on her hand.

“We’ll make it up to you, won’t we, Daniel?” Bryan sat up straighter and glanced at his friend.

“Sure, but just remember when Ryne shows up, none of this was my fault.” Daniel threw up his hands, indicating an abdication of responsibility.

Bryan scowled. “Glad I have your support.”

“Any time.” Daniel grinned and then guided Mel off the bar stool. “Come on, Mel. Let’s go wear off some of that beer and play some pool. Armand, can we have some food?”





Chapter 24





Ryne hummed under his breath as he approachedThe Broken Antler. Damn, but it had been a good day. New pack members, what more could he want? They seemed like a nice family and were staying in Timmins for a while until temporary housing could be found in Stump River. Marco’s mate was Olivia and the baby was Angelo. The sister, Tessa, seemed quite nervous, but Ryne supposed given the fact that the last Alpha had been trying to force a union  , it was understandable.

At first, Marco had wanted to come back with Ryne, but there weren’t enough rooms prepared at the house just yet. Also, in order to keep people from wondering too much about the new arrivals, Ryne had decided that they should appear to not really know each other at first and then gradually develop a friendship.