Chapter 4

Vera

I can't believethat I went out with the enemy. I can't believe I flirted with and had feelings for the person trying to buy the wolf sanctuary from me.

I got a call from one of Fisher Collins's assistants a few times. They were trying to set up a time for him to come view the property. I told them it wasn't for sale and hung up each time, but they were pretty insistent. I guess I should have known they would send someone out to talk to me in person eventually, but I can't believe it was him.

I barely slept last night. I just kept replaying that date and meeting him over and over again in my head. I should have gotten his name before I agreed to go out with him.

"Come on then," I call to the wolves as I start to head over to the training area.

I have a group of eight wolves with me right now. I usually do a few of these playful training sessions each day with groups of no more than eight wolves at once. It's great mental stimulation for them, and it helps build a rapport between me and the pack.

We head into the training circle, and a few of the wolves jump up on the platforms built there or run up onto the bridge. I grab a riding crop and move to stand in the center.

"Okay, come on, Maya, Ruby, and Pearl. Line up over here," I say, calling the wolves down from the platforms.

They come and join their brothers and sisters over next to me, and I smile. I move to the bridge and tap my riding crop against the wooden beams.

"Ash, you're up first," I call and the young wolf jogs my way and up across the bridge. "Good boy," I praise him, tossing him a piece of meat. "Storm! Come on."

We continue on like that for the next hour and I'm setting them free to run back to the pack when I hear the crunch of tires on gravel coming from by the house. I turn and frown as I see a black car pull up next to mine and park.

Then Fisher steps out, and I roll my eyes. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to deal with him anymore, but I should have known that he wouldn't give up that easily.

I glare at him as he turns and looks my way, and for a moment, he looks shocked and then relieved at the sight of me.

He heads my way, and I roll my shoulders back as I go to face off with him.

"So, you work at the wolf sanctuary," he says, clearly on edge.

"No. I own it."

"And you don't want to sell to me," he says, and I snort.

"No. I believe that I told your assistant that several times already. I guess I have to tell you in person, though. No, I will not sell this place to you."

By the time I'm done speaking, I'm practically vibrating with anger.

"Vera, just hear me out," he pleads, and I shake my head.

"No. You need to leave. Now."

"It doesn't have to be like this. Let me explain," he says, and I grit my teeth.

Part of me wants to hear him out. It's the part of me that is still attracted to him though and I do my best to squash it.

"Leave. Now."

He gives me a longing look, and I do my best to keep glaring at him. I watch as he finally nods and turns to head back to his car. I watch him until he climbs back into his car and drives off.

As soon as he's gone, I almost regret making him leave. No, I guess that's not quite right. I wish that he wasn't here to buy this place. I wish that things could be different between us.

I do my best to ignore my thoughts and feelings for Fisher as I gather the next group of wolves and head back to the training ring. The routine of training doesn't help, though and soon my thoughts drift back to him.

I need to find a new escape.

As if on cue, my phone dings with a text message, and I let the group of wolves go before I look at the message.

Cameron: Come join the girls at the bar tonight.

Vera: What time?

Cameron: Eight

Vera: Sounds good

It's alreadyclose to five so I decide to finish up a few things and then head up to the house. I make myself a sandwich and practically inhale it before I head up to my room to take a shower.

I still live in my childhood room. I know that at some point, I should probably clear out my parents' things and move into the master bedroom, but I just can't do it. Not yet, anyway. Losing them is still too fresh.

I take my time showering and picking out an outfit for tonight. I know that it will only take me ten minutes to get to the bar in town, so I wait until it's quarter to eight to leave.

When I park out front, I see Cameron, Lilou, and Kerry heading for the door. I hurry to catch up with them.

"Hey! I'm so glad you could join us!" Cameron says when she spots me.

"Yeah, thanks for the invite."

"Welcome to single girls' night," Kerry tells me, and I smile.

She's right. Everyone here is single, but the three of them all have men who are obsessed with them. Cameron has her boss, Ford; Kerry has her best friend, Lena's older brother, Charlie; and Lilou has Milo, a new firefighter who just moved to town. I'm the only one here with no dating prospects.

"Happy to be here," I tell them as we all sit down at a high-top table.

"I'll grab us drinks," Lilou offers, and I stand.

"I'll help you. What's everyone having?"

We get their drink orders, and then I follow Lilou through the crowded bar to order our drinks.

"How is the coffee shop?" I ask her, practically yelling to be heard over all the noise.

"It's been good. It's been busier," she says. "How are the wolves?"

"Great! They're so sweet."

"It's so cool that you get to work with them every day."

"Yeah, I love it."

Our drinks are set in front of us, and I pass some money across the bar and pick up two of them. I follow Lilou back to the table and take a seat.

"Next round is on me," Cameron says, and I raise my glass, clinking it with hers.

The drink tastes strong, and I know that I'm going to need to take it easy with them tonight if I don't want to be hungover tomorrow.

"So, who was that man the other day at the market?" Cameron asks me, and I wince.

"It's some hotel guy. He wants to buy the sanctuary."

"You're not selling it, are you?" Kerry asks, and I shake my head.

"No, not if I can help it."

"Is everything okay?" Cameron asks, and I take a big gulp of my mojito.

"Things are pretty tight," I admit to them. "Between the funerals and everything, it's just been hard."

"Shit, I'm sorry, Vera," Kerry says, reaching across the table and squeezing my hand.

"Thanks. Hopefully I can figure something out soon."

"I could help with that," comes a deep voice behind me and I tense.

I know before I turn around that it's Fisher.

"Go away."

"I thought you ladies might want another round," he says, ignoring me.

He sets four new drinks on the table, and I grab mine and toss it back. I think that I'm going to need some liquid courage if I need to face him again tonight.

"You must be the hotel guy," Kerry says, and he nods.

"Yep."

"What are you doing in Wolf Valley?" Lilou asks and she sounds genuinely curious.

"I want to open a new resort here. I think that it's the perfect location."

"Wolf Valley?" She asks in shock, and I snort.

I sway in my chair when I turn to see his reaction and I realize that the alcohol is already catching up with me. I guess I should have had more to eat today besides a sandwich and a bowl of cereal.

"Ladies," a group of guys says as they come over to our table with some shots.

One gets slid in front of me, but Fisher reaches out and slides it away before I can take it. I turn and glare at him and he just smiles down at me.

"If you want something to drink, I'll be the one getting it for you. Can't be too careful."

"They seem more harmless than you," I snark back, and he narrows his eyes.

"If you want me to be nice, I can be that."

"No, you can't."

"Just give me a chance."

I turn back around and reach for the shot glass, but Fisher takes it out of my hand.

"I'll buy you a drink. You want a shot or another mojito?"

"Mojito," I grumble, and he nods.

"Be right back."

He leaves, and I rest one elbow on the table and look at my friends. The guys are still here, trying to flirt, but I know they won't get anywhere.

I spot Milo and a few other firefighters come in, and I grin. They must have just gotten off their shift. I can tell the moment he spots Lilou and the blond-haired guy inching closer to her. He turns and says something to his friends before he beelines it for our table.

"Incoming," I warn her, and she turns to me.

"What?"

"What are you doing here?" Milo asks, crowding Lilou on the other side.

He glares at the guy who was flirting with her, and I grin as I watch them.

"Um, I'm having a drink with some friends. Why?"

"You shouldn't be here," he says, and she frowns.

"Why not? I'm old enough."

"It's no place for you."

"Excuse me?"

I snort. I want to help the guy out, but I'm afraid to try with the way Lilou glares at me.

"Go away," she tells him, and he shakes his head.

He crosses his arms and goes back to glaring at Lilou's admirer.

"She's talking to you," Milo tells the guy, and I start laughing.

"No, I wasn't!" Lilou says in exasperation.

"You're interested in this prick?"

"Oh my God," she groans, burying her face in her hands.

Cameron is giggling as she watches the show, and I widen my eyes at her when I see Ford headed her way.

"Uh oh," I say, and she frowns.

"Cameron. Don't you have the morning shift tomorrow?" Ford asks her as he joins our table.

He takes a different approach from Milo and just shoulders his way past the guy to get closer to Cameron. I grin, watching the new couple.

"Yeah, but it's not even nine o'clock at night. I'll leave before midnight," she says, trying to brush him off.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Yeah, boss. I'll be fine."

"I'll stay and make sure of that."

"That's not necessary," she replies.

It's fascinating, like watching a tennis match.

"Here you go, love," Fisher says as he sets another mojito in front of me.

Kerry is looking back and forth between Lilou and Cameron, and I smile as I take a sip of my drink.

"Kerry, does Charlie know that you're here?" Ford asks, and she straightens.

"No, why?"

Ford doesn't answer; just pulls out his phone and sends off a text. I have a feeling that I know who and what he's texting. It won't be long until Charlie shows up.

"You're trying to annoy all of us until we leave, aren't you?" Cameron asks in a resigned tone.

By now, the guys who came over with the shots have all given up and wandered off. Milo is still glaring at him over in the corner every now and then, but the rest of the time, his attention is focused on Lilou.

"Maybe," Ford admits, and Cameron rolls her eyes.

"You can't stop us from going out every night," she points out, and he leans in closer.

"Wanna bet?"

She glares at him, straightening in her seat.

"We could go to a bar or club in another town."

He frowns, and I suck on my straw, finishing off my drink. I'm having a hard time remembering why I was trying to take it slow. The drinks are delicious.

A new song comes on, and I sway in my seat to the beat.

"Want to dance?" Fisher asks me, and I shake my head.

"I can't. You're the enemy," I slur.

"No, I'm not. I'll never be your enemy."

"You want to take my home."

"I won't," he says.

"I want to believe you so bad," I whisper, and it isn't until he leans in closer that I realize that I said it out loud.

"Then give me another chance. Let me prove it to you."

I sway, getting lost in the beat and his eyes. I'm not sure when I started to move closer to him, or maybe he was the one to close the distance between us, but soon, our mouths are a breath apart.

The barstool tips forward and I fall into him. He catches me easily, and I giggle, my eyes falling closed. When I blink them open, his mouth is right there, and it looks so tempting.

I close the distance between us, then I'm kissing him. There's a warning bell going off in the back of my head, but it gets lost in the music and alcohol, and I ignore it.

Fisher pulls back, his hands gripping my waist, and I pout up at him.

"Fuck, you have no idea what you do to me. I want you so badly, but not like this. Not when you're drunk," Fisher whispers to me.

"Come on. I'll take you home," Milo says to Lilou, and Ford nods.

"I'll drive you," he says to Cameron.

"I'm fine," she insists.

Kerry groans, and I look over to see Charlie walking towards us.

"I guess single girls' night is over," I say, and everyone nods, looking varying degrees of annoyance.

"We'll try again another night. In another bar," Cameron says, giving Ford a hard look.

"Sounds like fun," he says, and I laugh as she glares at him.

"Do you need a ride, Vera?" Ford asks, and Fisher's grip on me tightens.

"I've got her."

Ford nods, and then Fisher is taking my hand and leading me outside. I let him, my head swimming so much that I decide to let him take the lead.

He opens the passenger side door of his car and I let him help me inside. When he slips behind the wheel, I turn my head and study him.

"I wish that you were someone else," I admit, the liquor loosening my tongue.

"Me too sometimes. I'm not here to hurt you, though, Vera. I would never do that."

"You want to buy the sanctuary. My family's work. My home."

"I have a different plan. I just need you to listen to me, preferably when you're not drunk."

"Hmm," I hum, turning and staring out the window.

My eyes fall closed as we stop at a stop light, and I must doze off then because the next time I wake up, he's carrying me upstairs and into his motel room. When he tucks me into bed, I smile, letting sleep claim me once again.