3. Abigale

I hateI have to do this, knowing how much she needs sleep, but I need my mom's help because I have no idea what the hell is coming our way. Especially since I have no idea who is coming to our small ranch in the middle of the night. Yeah, I know Paisley, she's been a godsend in many ways. After I got off the phone with the guy named Grey, I put a call out to Paisley and she confirmed that she had indeed shared my number and then she asked if I needed her help. That's what I love about her, she never backs down. Even though her man's family are Montana legacy ranchers, she always seems to put the animals first, even wild ones. I told her I'd call her if I needed help once her people showed up.

I gently knock on Mom's door and hear her soft "Come in."

"Mom, I might need your help. Emergency on the way. Wolves, so not sure what we are getting. Sorry to bother you but don't want to greet strangers alone, as you know, never sure what's actually going to show up. Especially since we've had some asswipes pull quick ones on us recently."

"Honey, I'm here because I needed to start over with the kids. You gave me that chance and I'll never forget that. So, come on, let's get down to the wolf enclosure and see what these folks are bringing to us. You, my dear, can handle just about anything. Don't start doubting yourself. Give me a minute or two to get dressed. Why don't you make some coffee, probably going to need it. It's chilly out there and if the good Samaritans have been out in the weather they will probably appreciate something warm. Grab some of my cookies too. Oh, go in the gun safe and pull out two guns too. Can never be too careful. I'll be right down."

I softly close the door, then check on my younger siblings, before going to the kitchen and starting the coffee. I hear Mom coming down so I grab a container and start filling it with cookies as she opens the cabinet, pulling out a huge thermos. We work so well together; it warms my heart that she's here. I know it's hard for her, because my two siblings are really struggling. Doesn't help they are both preteens in a new state, new school, and with no friends. They also found out their father was part of the group that was busted back in their hometown. He's now serving time for multiple counts. I hope, with time, they will be able to adjust here in Timber-Ghost, Montana.

My head jerks, as Mom's does, when headlights flash into the windows. Quickly, she grabs the one gun off the table as I reach for the other, putting it in the back of my jeans. I know why my mom insists I keep the gun on me when someone asks for help. The last time I wasn't prepared and fell into the trap of disgruntled ranchers. I try not to think about that night, but sometimes it sneaks past my walls. I thank God Mom was here and saved me from what was about to happen.

Mom is the first out the back door, letting me set the alarm and then lock the door. I refuse to let anything happen to my half brother and sister. This time if some assholes are pranking me, I'll use the gun and not think twice. Or I at least I'd try.

"Hi, I'm Grey is one of you Abigale?"

"Who sent you here?"

That's Mom, never backing down. That's what I love and admire about her.

"Um, my boss Ollie's woman, Paisley. She's the vet at the Blue Sky Sanctuary. If you need to reach out to her, we can wait 'til you're both comfortable. We appreciate you helping us with these wolves."

I walk out toward that deep timbred voice. The motion lights have the entire back of the house lit up so when I pass my mom, I stop short. Well, damn. There are three people standing in front of one truck, though both are left running. The man called Grey is tall, broad, with dark brown hair, full groomed beard, in worn jeans and boots. From this distance can't see his eyes, but he has an aura around him of leadership. The other man is about the same size as Grey. It is the woman between them that has the nerves along my spine start twitching. Long black hair, small, but doesn't seem to have any fear in her, holding her own between the two males.

"Thanks, I've already spoken to Paisley. Can you tell me what you have and any background? Let's move the trucks to the large building over there. Do you mind sticking around and maybe giving us a hand?"

Grey looks to the others, who nod, then he glances back at us.

"Sure, we'd be happy to lend a hand. There's a male and female wolf, both badly tortured. We also have five wolf pups, though one isn't doing too well. Paisley recommended you specifically because of your expertise. Phantom, Spirit, can you move the trucks? I'll walk with Abigale and I'm sorry didn't catch your name, ma'am?"

I grin while looking at my mom. She's blushing as she puts her hand out.

"Hi, Grey. Trudy, pleased to meet ya, I'm Abigale's mom. Why don't we get those animals unloaded so Abigale can assess their injuries?"

The three of us walk toward where the trucks are backed up to the side door. As we approach, I can hear the softest of cries from within. Wolf pups. I unlock the door and hit the alarm before turning on the center lights. Don't want to throw all of the lights up and disturb the entire building of animals. When I turn the man called Phantom is carrying in a smaller wolf, most likely the female. Directly behind him is Grey with the huge male in his arms. Finally, Spirit and Mom are bringing in the newborn pups. I point to the room off to the left and everyone makes their way through the door.

Immediately, I'm all business. I have each adult wolf put on their own metal table as I reach for gloves. Then I grab a pup, give it a quick look, then put it in a basket with a heating pad and blankets and repeat with each of the pups. When I'm done with the five little ones, I move like my ass is on fire as I know they struggled to keep her alive, and I don't want to be the one to drop the ball on the mother wolf. When I get a look my heart drops because even with a quick glance, I can tell she's in really serious shape. I block everything out of my mind and get busy. I look at Mom, asking her to set my phone to video as I get busy.

My back is cramping up but I continue stitching the female wolf. I had no choice, had to perform a spay because whatever was done to her, the wolf suffered internal injuries that I could not repair. Mom is taking time to clean up the male wolf, who I've not heard growl or anything. He is lying on his side, eyes on me or maybe on the female wolf, I don't know. Unlike others, I am a firm believer that animals are similar to us in many ways. Especially wolves, who mate for life. If that holds true the male wolf's eyes are on the female wolf, though he might not even be the alpha but a lower wolf protecting the alpha female of his pack.

It feels like I've been working on both the female and male wolves for hours when I finish with closing the surgical site. I stretch my back and look to the two men who have assisted throughout the whole time.

"Please, can you take both adult wolves and place them in the room to the left with the door open?"

"Doc, sure you want them put together?"

That question comes from not Grey but the other man, I believe Grey called him Phantom.

"Phantom, I believe they are either mates or from the same pack, and if anything is going to pull the female through, it will be the male wolf. While you two do that, Spirit, if you will help me check on the pups and help them nurse from the bottle. Mom is in no shape to nurse them, and I don't have another nursing mother at the moment. Thank God they got a bit of their mother's colostrum. I can only pray they got the antibodies from her also."

Spirit doesn't say a word but follows me to the corner where Mom put the pups under a heat light after she removed the heating pad. When I glance in, they are all cuddled together, sleeping without a care in the world. If only that would carry over throughout their lives but unless I keep them here, I doubt their lives will be carefree. Ranchers and farmers aren't making it any easier for them.

"What is it you need from me, Doc?"

The woman's voice is soft and musical, but her eyes are dead. No emotion whatsoever, which has a shiver go up my back, stiffening my shoulders. She must see my reaction as she steps back from me while her eyes linger on the basket. Damn, usually I'm not so judgey, but maybe it's the long day or seeing what humans are capable of.

"Spirit, right? Sorry for being a bit off, but this kind of shit messes with my head. That woman over there, my mom, always told us to not judge a book by its cover and I just did. If you don't mind giving me a hand, I'm going to try and mix up some milk replacer for those pups. If you want to grab a towel and put it under warm water, then go to the pups and rub the warm towel over their butts to stimulate them to go potty, I'd appreciate it. Momma usually licks and cleans them, which causes a trigger for them to go potty. Since she isn't able to do that, we'll have to fill in for her."

I'm surprised at Spirit's face as she seems beyond shocked, but if I'm not wrong there is some intrigue and interest in those dead eyes of hers. She follows me to the sink, grabbing a towel. She asks me if the temperature of the towel is good, then without another word, she heads back to the pups in the basket under the heat lamp. Thank God Mom thought of that as my mind was consumed with the adults.

As I continue to mix up something I hope those little ones will consume, my mind wanders—as my eyes do—as both Grey and Phantom come back into the room. Both are handsome in their own way but, damn, Grey makes my mouth water while my body tingles in some secret places and throbs in others. I hear a giggle and look around to see my mom watching me as I was hungrily gaping at Grey. I feel the blush coming up my neck to my face, just as the man in question lifts his head, eyes going to me then my mom and back to me.

When I force my eyes to stay locked on his, I see first a cautious interest followed by an angry look flash in his eyes, before he literally turns and stomps out of the room. I know that trouble has just walked into my life. Only problem is, I'm not sure after that look if it's worth putting any effort into it because, for some reason, Grey isn't my biggest fan. Who knows why, I surely don't. For Christ's sake, I just met and helped him out, and his way to say thank you is to shoot daggers at me then turn and leave like a total jerk. Go figure, just my damn luck. Finally have some interest in a man and his answer is to stomp away.