Chapter 11

11

K ira was still shocked that Yuma Town was cougar run. She was thrilled because she was sure they would really be able to help them. She called Demetria to tell her where she and Fisher were going.

Demetria said, "Tanner, Brock, Shawn, and Aaron are in two vehicles. We're nearly to the motel. Let Tanner know where we are."

"I'm on it."

Then Kira called Tanner and explained the situation. "If you can just drive around Yuma Town and look for any sign of the men's SUV, that would really help. If you see them, let the rest of us know right away. Reserve a room at the Cougar Country Motel and we'll all take turns watching the room they are staying in."

"We will. Cougars, eh? Well, I'll be damned. But that's great news," Tanner said.

Then Everett and Demetria pulled into the parking lot of the motel, and Kira inclined her head to them. They did the same to her and went inside the lobby to get a room.

Kira drove Fisher to the bakery to meet with Dan and loved how it was decorated for fall—scarecrows and pumpkins, colorful ornamental stalks of corn, and all kinds of desserts that were fall festival themed. She didn't see any sheriff's car so figured he would be there soon. "Let's go in and have a cup of coffee and wait for the sheriff."

They went inside and found an empty table. Patrons sat at three other tables, and they smiled at them as they walked inside. She smelled cougars in the building, and she was sure the cougars realized they were wolves. She breathed in the sweet treats offered for sale and the fragrance of different varieties of coffees brewing—maple, pumpkin spice, peppermint mocha, chocolate, salted caramel, candy cane, all smelling delightful.

"Oh, my, we're so thrilled to have you join us here," an older, platinum blond-haired woman said, smiling as she came out from behind a glass counter filled with baked goods—including pumpkin cream cheese-filled muffins, chocolate chip pumpkin bread, cranberry orange muffins and other goodies—to greet them. She wore light blue eye shadow that enhanced her pretty blue eyes. "I'm Florence Fitzgerald and I own the bakery."

Kira and Fisher introduced themselves as they ordered lattes—hers a peppermint mocha and his, a pumpkin spice latte.

Florence went off to get their drinks.

A younger woman came out of the back and served up some bakery treats and hot drinks to the customers at one of the tables, and glanced at Kira and Fisher. She hurried over with her empty tray and said, "Oh, I'm Ava Kensington, and…you're the wolves I envisioned coming here who are in trouble."

Kira raised a brow.

"I'm psychic. Chet, my husband, works for the CSF and he's going to be helping his fellow agents out with your case. My twin sister, Nina, is also psychic and she had the same premonition this morning. She's married to Stryker Hill."

"Stryker, the deputy sheriff?"

"Yes."

"Oh, that's wonderful." Kira had never met anyone who was truly psychic. She wondered how Ava and Nina's abilities worked.

Then three cars pulled up outside and parked. Six men got out of the cars.

"Unless I'm mistaken, that's the cavalry," Kira said.

None of the men were wearing uniforms, but she still suspected the sheriff and some of his men were coming in the door now.

"Sheriff," Ms. Fitzgerald said, sounding a little surprised as she came out of the back with Kira and Fisher's drinks. "Day off?" But then she glanced at the other men. "Oh…something bad is going down. How can I help?" She glanced at Kira and Fisher. "I'm a retired CIA operative."

Kira's jaw dropped.

Mrs. Fitzgerald smiled at her. She probably often got that response when she told someone what she had worked at.

Then Dan Steinacker introduced himself as the sheriff, and his deputies: Chase Buchanan, Hal Haverton, Stryker Hill, and Ricky Jones. "And Stryker's twin brother, Leyton Hill, is a special agent with the CSF, Cougar Special Forces. From the sounds of it, their organization is similar to your United Shifter Force, though we concentrate on cougar issues. But I like the idea of a joint shifter force."

Kira could see the resemblance between Stryker and Leyton—both dark haired, same high cheekbones and strong noses. "We have jaguars and wolves who serve as special agents, but we're definitely open to other shifter types who are qualified to join us." She explained the situation with the kidnappers and how they had to be taken down dead or alive. "Fisher and I know their scent. So do some of the men with us." She told them about the kidnappers' SUV.

"Hell, I'm sure I sighted the Suburban out by Pinyon Pines Resort," Chase said. "Shannon and my resort is closed for the winter so we don't get a lot of traffic out there at this time of year."

"Okay, Kira is in charge of this operation," Dan said, "since this is her case. What do you want us to do?"

"If you and your men can look for that Suburban, maybe we can catch them. Two of our agents are sitting at the motel in case they show up back there."

"You don't think they're planning to try and kidnap one of our kids, do you?" Hal asked.

"Yeah, that's just what we figure. They're looking for somewhere they've never been, but like us, they probably didn't know the town was populated by cougar shifters. I'm sure they wouldn't dare take one of your children, if they realize you're all shifters. That would be way too risky," Kira said.

"Just call on me if you need my help," Mrs. Fitzgerald said.

"Will do. Alright, let's go," Dan said. "During this operation, we'll remain undercover so we don't spook them."

Mrs. Fitzgerald brought them takeout coffee for their mission, knowing what they all wanted to drink.

And then they left the bakery to begin their search.

Fisher coordinated with Dan about where they were traveling so that they could be part of a grid search.

"Hey, just to let you know, everyone in Yuma Town is on high alert, not just those of us in law enforcement. So if anyone sees that SUV or three wolf shifters who don't belong who are acting suspiciously," Dan said, "they'll report back to me."

"That's great," Fisher said.

Kira wished she lived in a town like this where shifters ran everything. Nothing would get past them then.

"It really helps that we have the assistance of people who live here since we don't know the lay of the land," Fisher said.

"Absolutely." She drove down another street and Fisher kept everyone informed of where they were.

They also told Tanner and Everett and Demetria what they were doing and where they were now.

But no one saw anything. No sign of the Suburban. No sign of anyone behaving in a suspicious manner.

That night, several families in Yuma Town offered to have the teams over for dinner, but they had to stay at the motel in case the kidnappers returned.

Tanner and the others were in two rooms, keeping surveillance.

Demetria and Everett were in their own room.

"Well, I never expected to be sleeping with you in a hotel room while on a mission," Kira said to Fisher. "But it's a welcome prospect."

"For me too."

They took their bags into the room and Fisher shut the door. They ordered food from the bakery—because Mrs. Fitzgerald insisted on it. She even delivered the sandwiches to all their rooms.

Kira thought she was cute because she wanted to be part of this whole operation.

After she left, Fisher took first watch, careful not to be seen. "We'll take turns sleeping. I sure hope that they didn't already take off."

"I know. I was thinking the same thing. If they were scoping out the area, but realized they were in cougar shifter territory, they might have decided staying here might be too risky. I'm going to lie down for a while. Wake me at two and I'll take over." She took a shower and dressed in pajamas and left the bathroom, glad Fisher was staying with her. "How are you feeling? I should have asked that first."

"Where I was shot, I feel a twinge of pain every once in a while, but otherwise I'm fine."

"You let me know if you feel worse."

"I will."

"You better."

He smiled.

Then she climbed under the covers and closed her eyes, but she kept envisioning Fisher injured on the cliff ledge, bleeding. She opened her eyes and watched him at the window while he was peeking out surreptitiously. Even with the lights turned off, if he moved, the wolves could see him if they showed up and were looking for signs of trouble. She liked how dedicated he was to help her in any way that he could to succeed at this mission.

Then she finally drifted off with thoughts of taking down the kidnappers and dating a hot and sexy gray wolf.