Finally, the ladies came to sit more comfortably in the great room, and Melinda sighed.
“What do you know?” Logan asked. He knew this wasn’t a social visit. Melinda had something to say. He tugged Amanda closer to him on the couch and set his arm around her shoulders.
“Laurie and I shifted yesterday and went to check out that logging site.”
“The logging site?” Amanda asked. “Why?”
Logan had to agree. Today’s headline was fires. He hadn’t put much thought into the logging site since Sawyer had left hours ago.
Melinda nodded. “Ever since you two mentioned it, it’s been bothering me.”
“Me too,” Laurie added, juggling Miriam from one arm to the other. “And for a good reason. That entire area feels off. It gave me the creeps.”
“What does it mean?” Amanda asked.
Melinda shrugged. “It’s hard to say. I wish I knew. But what I can tell you is that it means something. I can feel it in my bones. There’s great unrest in that area. I called the safety manager that oversees the logging operations in this territory. He’s a Native American. Lives in Sojourn.”
“Not a shifter, though?” Logan asked.
“Nope. Sorry. That would be nice.”
“What’s his name? Do I know him?”
“Jackson Wolf.”
Logan chuckled at that. “Jackson Wolf, who is not a wolf.”
Melinda smiled. “It happens. Common last name. Anyway, he’s going to check it out tomorrow.”
“Do you know everyone?” Amanda joked. Logan had to agree it certainly seemed that way some days.
“Nah, but Jackson comes into my shop sometimes. Nice guy.”
“Does he have other relatives in the area? I’ve heard the last name before. Wouldn’t forget that.” Logan sat forward, trying to figure out where he’d heard that name.
“I think his parents still live in Sojourn or just outside. And he has a sister I’ve met too. Her name’s Jazmine.”
“Jazmine?” Amanda flinched next to Logan.
“Do you know her?” Melinda asked.
Laurie giggled. “She knows her quite well. And so do I. Jazmine is Mary’s partner.”
“Amanda’s sister Mary?” Melinda asked.
“Yep.”
“Small world,” Melinda said.
“I don’t think I’ve ever known her last name,” Amanda added. “And I didn’t know she had a brother. I don’t think she spends much time with her family. She doesn’t talk about them.”
“That’s because her parents don’t approve of her lifestyle,” Laurie said. “Well, that’s not completely accurate. They don’t even know about Mary. I suppose it would be more accurate to say they wouldn’t approve.”
“Oh.” Amanda glanced at Logan. “That’s so sad. I can’t imagine living that way.”
“And yet your sister did until yesterday,” Laurie pointed out.
“Shit. You’re right.”
“It’s not your fault. She chose not to tell you. I think she was afraid you wouldn’t approve either, and she didn’t want to face it.”
“I feel terrible she’s been sneaking around hiding her relationship from me for the last month.”
Logan squeezed her shoulder and hauled her closer. “She made that choice, baby.”
“I guess so.” He didn’t like the tension coming off her in waves. He held his tongue when he considered pointing out that Amanda herself was also embarking in a new relationship that would largely remain private. He didn’t see her reaching for the phone anytime soon to fill her parents in. And keeping their threesome under the radar in public was hardly different from the way Mary and Jazmine lived. Why couldn’t the world be more accepting? Live and let live?
∙•∙
“Hey.” Sawyer opened the line of communication, shocking Amanda when he suddenly spoke into her head. She instinctively knew he included Logan too. “Just wanted to check in.”
“Thank God. You okay?”
“Yep. In fact, this fire didn’t behave as predicted. The wind died down. We almost have it under control. I’ll be back later tonight.”
“Awesome,” Logan said.
“See you then.” Sawyer broke away as fast as he’d jumped into their heads.
“Sawyer okay?” Laurie asked.
Amanda was startled. “How did you know?”
She smiled. “It’s a look. Most of us get it when we’re communicating. Your eyes don’t focus on anything, and you kind of seem to freeze in your spot.”
Made sense.
“He’s fine. Coming back tonight.” Logan extracted his hand from around Amanda’s shoulders and set it on her thigh.