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SNEAK PEEK OF BOOK TWO
1. Bitten
“She had scarcely spoken it before the cat sprang on her, seized her, and swallowed her down. You see, that is the way of the world.” ~ Cat and Mouse in Partnership - Grimm’s Household Tales
ABEL
“How many does that make, five? We have five new weres in a matter of two weeks?” I asked Oakley.
“Six Abel, it makes six. I sent Bryon down to Dallas to interview a few members of their pack to find out if they knew anything.” Oakley said in his Oklahoma drawl. “I talked to Dolly via Skype earlier and she said if you need her to come back, she will.”
I crossed the room and plopped down on the brown leather sofa. “No. I’ve got this. She’s been through too much over the last six months. She’s only been gone for a week; I’m not going to have her come back so soon.” I don’t know if I was trying to convince him or me, but I had no choice but to figure this all out. I’m the Great Wolf and damn if I’m going to run for help every five minutes. “I heard from Pru earlier today, actually at two this morning. She arrived in Paris and is going to spend the next ten days with her mom and then go back on the hunt.” I’d been wondering if she had called Oakley and told him what her plans are, but I’ve tried to stay out of it.
“Yeah, she called me after she got off the phone with you. I’m good. Seriously,” Oakley said as he leaned over and put on his cowboy boots.
He wasn’t fooling me; I knew it was killing him with her gone. Hell, it’d been a month since she stopped at the farm to visit and get supplies. “So, we have six new werewolves that have been bitten. You do realize that we still have two of them locked in the tornado shelter?”
“Dungeon, they are in the dungeon,” he said as he pulled his keys out of his pocket. “I’m gonna take a ride over to pick up some supplies for the horses. Wanna go with me?”
I debated it for a nanosecond. “Sure. Eventually I’ll be able to pick up stuff for the horses and know what I’m talking about.” It was a little embarrassing that I’m supposed to take over a farm and wasn’t sure what the horses ate.
“Keep telling yourself that.” Oakley laughed and patted me on the shoulder.
“Oh shut up. You suck.” I pretended to flick his hand off of me.
I threw on my leather jacket but didn’t zip it up. It was noon and the Oklahoma sun was beaming brightly as it bounced off the lingering snow from the weekend. I had wanted to go with my parents on a cruise to the Bahamas but Oakley reminded me in his not-so-subtle way that I was too busy. If I were honest with myself, I’d admit my parents seemed a bit giddy about going alone. I kept hearing my mom say things like the honeymoon she never had. Yeah, that visual made me want to poke my own eyes out.
Shortly after learning about my wolf status, I asked my dad to quit his job so he could be better protected. He didn’t argue; apparently he turned in his two week notice the next day. These days he spent most of his time hanging out with the I.T. guys and learning everything he could about our set up. Mom cut back her hours at the Indian Reservation but she couldn’t give up her patients. After some research and verification through the council, we found out that the Reservation was protected with Indian charms that were practically impossible to penetrate. Their two week trip would be good for them and it would be great for me to know they’re out of the line of fire.
2. Big Bob’s
“Many hours went by whilst she was seeing everything, and in her delight she did not observe that the ship was sailing away.” Faithful John ~ Grimm’s Household Tales
“Dude, do you have heat in this thing?” I asked as I zipped up my jacket and blew on my fingers to warm them up.
“You have got to be the coldest blooded werewolf I have ever known. It isn’t going to blow hot air until it warms up a little.” Oakley said as he shifted the huge truck into drive. “Hey, grab my sunglasses out of the glove compartment, the snow is blinding me.” He turned on the stereo making me listen to his 1980’s music. He’d recently taken up listening to Madonna and Prince; thanks to my mom.
The two mile jaunt down the country roads was so much prettier in the spring and summer. The trees were naked and void of life for a few more weeks, and then they would start to bud again. I noticed a wild hog darting between trees, peeking around the trees like he was playing a game of hide and seek.
Big Bob’s Feed and Stuff looked like a giant red barn. At first glance you may mistake the façade as wooden with its white trim and giant barn doors, but it was another product of technology. Once you pulled up into the giant parking lot you could tell that there were average doors that were the entrance and exit. Oakley had told me the place was once a real barn but burned down about three years ago. The insurance money gave them enough to build a state-of-the-art facility that only looked like a barn.
I pushed the door open and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped my senses. It seems that farmers had as much a coffee addiction as the coffee addicts that go to Starbucks. Big Bob (his real name was George, I never knew the story about Bob) had a fancy coffee shop set up in one corner. It had an old fashioned soda fountain look to it. There were a few booths and barstools for the counter seating for people to sit and sip coffee while talking about their crops.
Oakley sent me over to grab us a couple of coffees, heavy on the cream. Imogene, the waitress was dressed in an old fashioned waitress uniform, pink with a white apron tied around her non-existent waist.
“Abel, what can I get you love?” Imogene said to me and licked her painted on red lips.
Imogene had a way that always made my cougar-dar flip on. “I need two large snicker doodle coffees, heavy on the cream.” I replied and gave her a friendly but not flirty smile.
“Oh, you must have that tall dark and handsome Oakley with you. You tell him if he leaves before telling his future sugar mama Imogene hello, I’m gonna flatten his tires.” Imogene said and cackled to herself for a minute. “I’m just kiddin’ sugar. Not about him comin’ over and sayin’ hello but I won’t flatten his tires. Just him,” she said and winked at me.
I turned around to take mental pictures of the store. Always the wolf. I noticed a girl talking to Bob, so I zeroed in on her to listen in on their conversation.
“I’m looking for the Phelan farm.” The girl was saying to Bob.
“You got some business with them?” Bob asked suspiciously.
“Yes sir. I need the easiest way to walk there. I don’t have a car,” she said as she stood on her right foot with her left leg bent and foot off the ground.
Bob looked up at me and caught my eye. He nodded his head up at me and I nodded up back at him. “Well, you’re in luck. One of them Phelan boys is over in the coffee shop. His name is Abel; he should be able to help you.” Bob said and pointed over to me. I raised my hand half heartedly, giving a small wave back.
Be nice I tell myself. The girl thanked him and started walking over my way. Her khaki flared pants had grass stains on the knee and her t-shirt was entirely too big. Dried clumps of red clay were falling off her holey worn out shoes leaving a trail from the counter to me.
“Uh, hi are you someone from the Phelan farm?” She lifted her head to look at me. Her hazel eyes looked sad, like she lost her best friend. I knew that look; it was common around the farm with the absence of the General and Pru.
“I am. I’m Abel.” I put my hand out to shake but she looked at it like I had some disease. “Okay, I guess you’re not much into the germ thing. It’s cool,” I said pulling my hand back.
“I’m sorry.” She thrust her hand out and we shook hands. “I’m needing to go to the farm.”
I smiled at her; I couldn’t help myself, she seemed so lost. “My friend and I are going out there in a few minutes.” I turned my head to say to Imogene. “Imogene, can you pretty please with sugar on top make me another coffee? You know you love me.?
?? I flashed her my cheesy grin.
“For you sweetie, I’d do anything. Don’t tell Big Bob I’m sweet on you,” she said as she grabbed another Styrofoam cup to pour the coffee in.
“Abel, I don’t have any money to pay for that.” The girl said to me.
“Oh no, don’t worry about it. It’s my treat. Sorry, I didn’t catch your name.” I put a ten on the counter. “Imogene I don’t need any change. Thank you, I’ll see you in a couple of days.” I turned to face the girl. “Sorry. So what gives?”
She looked up at me sheepishly and said. “Actually, I was hoping you’d be able to tell me my name.” She reached in her pocket pulling out a piece of paper. “I woke up in a field with these clothes on and this note.” She handed me the worn out piece of paper.
You’ll find your answers at the Phelan farm in Choctaw Oklahoma.
Her eyes brimmed with tears causing my heart to skip a beat in sympathy for her. “Are you telling me you don’t know your name?” She nodded her head yes. I grabbed some sugar for Oakley and guided her to follow me. “Do you have amnesia or something?”
“I guess. I really don’t know. It’s been four days. Whoever left me in the field, set up a tent and left me some canned soup.” She coughed a little. “Excuse me. I’m getting a cold or something. I’ve been hot and cold and started coughing a lot yesterday.”
We walked over to Oakley, he gave me a quizzical look. “New friend?” Oakley grinned at me.
“No. Well, yes actually. Look at this note.” I handed him the note.
“Interesting. What’s your name?” Oakley asked her and eyed her up and down.
“She doesn’t know who she is. If you’re finished in here, can we go? We’ll talk in the truck. We’re taking her with us.” We headed to the doors. “It’s not far. We’ll get you cleaned up and have some lunch.” Once the doors closed I could smell it on her. I smelled an open wound. She smelled of werewolf. Oakley and I had gotten better at communication with our thoughts. My problem is I couldn’t help but make facial expressions as I thought my talk instead of talking out loud. Oakley told me I was a terrible mime.
“Don’t start making your weird faces at me, just listen. She smells like she has been bitten. I’ve heard of were’s that are bitten and all of the sudden have amnesia. One interesting thing is she had to have been bitten at least five days ago and she hasn’t healed. She hasn’t shifted yet but her case will probably be extreme. She is one of those that could turn and never turn back because she has forgotten who she is. We need to get her some help. Will you send Chrissy a text and have her come out. She has done pretty well at healing the wounded animals we’ve found; maybe she can help this girl.” Oakley thought to me.
“I really appreciate the ride. Do you think your parents can help me?” She asked.
“Hmmm, how to answer that? Mrs. Phelan is out of the country and my parents have left for a cruise. Interestingly enough, I’m the one in charge. Don’t let my baby face fool you,” I said with a smile.
“We’re almost there and we’ll be able to look into this a little further,” Oakley said.
She leaned back in her seat, more relaxed than I would have been in her situation. I could only imagine what it would be like to all of the sudden be alone in the world and not know who I was. It was obvious she had more faith in us then I did. I sent Chrissy a text and sat lost in thought until we pulled into the long driveway.
“You’re kidding me!” She exclaimed. “This is your house?”
She had the same reaction I did the first time I saw the enormous house just over a year ago. “Its home,” I said.
“I’d never imagine a farmer living in a place like this,” she said as she climbed out of the truck and walked with us to the doors. Alistar gave us a quick bark, acknowledging our new friend.
“So you’ve been to farms before?” Oakley asked suspiciously.
“I forgot who I am; I didn’t forget what everything is. I have a general knowledge of what things are, what they do, what is expected, but I have no damned idea who I am,” she said in frustration.
Oakley held up his hands as if he were surrendering to her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make any accusations. I believe you. Really, I do.”
“I’m okay, I am tired, dirty and I’m really hungry. Do you have some peanut butter and jelly? I could really use a sandwich.”
I started walking to the kitchen, meeting up with our new chef Estelle. “Did I hear someone ask for peanut butter and jelly? I have some fried chicken and potato salad made up if you’d rather have something to put meat on your bones. You’re too skinny.” Estelle said with a hint of her Columbian accent. She took over after their chef for the last ten years quit after the General died.
“That would be amazing!” Mystery girl said.
“I’ll eat with you,” I said. Oakley raised his hand, letting us know he’d be joining us. I leaned over to whisper in her ear that we needed to give her a name, until we figure out who she was.
“I like the name Samantha, how about Sam?” She said as she took a seat at the glass breakfast table. “This kitchen is really pretty, that vase of red roses looks amazing on the black granite. I love, love, love the marble island. It is gorgeous.”
“Mrs. Phelan has great taste. We call her Dolly; she’ll be back in a couple of months. We Skype with her all of the time though, so maybe you’ll get a chance to meet her. You’re welcome to stay with us while we figure things out about you. We have several guest rooms; you can pick whichever you want. They all look the same to me but the girls keep telling me I’m blind. Speaking of girls, my girlfriend Chrissy is on her way out here.” I grabbed a couple pieces of chicken and spooned out some potato salad onto my plate. “Don’t be shy around here or you’ll never get anything to eat,” I said, before taking a bite of chicken.
After lunch we showed Sam the way to the guest rooms. She picked a room with brown walls and an enormous pine canopy bed. I’d always been a fan of that room because of its huge marble fireplace.
“You’re about the same size as Shaynie; I’ll grab some jeans and a sweater for you out of her room. Maybe you and Chrissy can go to the mall and pick up some clothes if you’d like.” I stood at the doorway as she walked in the room. “There should be shampoo and stuff in the cabinets in the bathroom. Estelle put a toothbrush and some toothpaste on the counter for you. Relax, everything will be okay.” I tried to reassure her in the very awkward situation.
She walked towards me stopping at the doorway. “Abel, thank you. I’ll be done soon.”
3. Wolf
“The wolf said, “You know, my dear, it isn’t safe for a little girl to walk through these woods alone.”
~ Little Red Cap - Grimm’s Household Tales