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One of the busiest coffee shops in town, Rock Garden, threatened to burst at the seams with customers. This relieved the man to no end. He could blend in easily without rousing suspicion, pleased the women had chosen it over somewhere smaller or less popular. Sitting at the far side of the room behind a trough of plants, he had a clear view, and yet remained a distance from the cash register.
He followed them the entire morning, incredulous at how much shopping they’d done though Jodie had not purchased anything. Ainsley, her companion, ended up laden with shopping bags. He’d begun to think the trip would never come to an end.
He looked up from his newspaper to find the women still ordering. Ainsley appeared to know the staff on a first name basis, so they chatted a while before she and Jodie sat down three tables away. Excellent. Not so near that they would notice him, but close enough that he could hear their conversation. He hated to eavesdrop but he needed to learn where they planned to go next.
The man had taken it upon himself to protect Jodie. Though not the reason he’d been in the woods by her house, she had still become caught up in it all. He didn’t want her to become a casualty as a result, especially with her being innocent of the bigger picture. The level of attraction he felt didn’t make it any easier to guard her. She seemed to have no regard for her personal safety, a terrible thing given the danger surrounding her. Still furious with himself for allowing her to distract him during the fight, it had been unlike him to lose focus as he had done. I was lucky, that injury could have been fatal.
When the two women decided to stop for the day, the man left the café and waited for them to walk to the car. As soon as they were safe inside, he took off at a run. Cutting through back yards, he ran in a direct line toward Jodie’s house. When he reached a neighbor’s place, a couple of doors down, he vaulted over the back fence and disappeared into the forest.
After ensuring he was alone, the man undressed and shifted forms. Once again a leopard, he trotted over to the trees nearest Jodie’s place. Scouting the immediate area and finding no evidence of the pigs or foul play, he sat down to catch his breath. Ten minutes later he heard the back door of the house slam. His ears pricked up, and he moved closer to the boundary.
Jodie stood on the back porch with a mug of coffee. The freshly combed wet hair, comfortable sweat pants and long sleeved t-shirt she wore, suggested she’d taken a shower. His leopard thoughts were much simpler than his human thoughts. The pull he felt to her made it very di
cult to keep his mind on his work.
It made no sense to him. He’d been attracted to women before of course, but nothing like this had ever happened to him. Lusting after a woman in leopard form, really now? Even I know that’s fucked up. Childhood memories surfaced, things his mother had said about when a person encountered their Eros. According to his mother, you felt the bond begin the very first time you met. He wondered if this could be it. Could Jodie be his Eros, his soul mate? Given their chance meeting, it seemed unbelievable. Unable to help himself, he crept even closer to the boundary.
Belatedly the leopard became aware of Jodie looking in his direction. His sudden movement had frightened a flock of birds and they had taken to flight, flapping and squawking. Jodie jumped to her feet and reached behind herself, searching for the doorknob. She found it, but for reasons unknown, refused to retreat. She froze with her coffee in one hand, the other poised ready to open the door.
The leopard let out a soft growl and a couple of chuffing sounds, and Jodie dropped the cup onto the concrete porch. She didn’t notice it shatter or the warm liquid splash over her bare feet, as she ran to him.
Appropriate behavior eluded the leopard, he couldn’t sit still. His human side scolded him, saying that he should there to protect her and nothing else. His leopard side felt overjoyed to have her physically close to him, wanting to rub his scent all over her.
Jodie checked him all over and saw that he’d made a full recovery. She trembled, squeezing her arms around his neck in a tight hug, as a tear splashed down onto one furry ear. He nuzzled her, trying to offer comfort.
“I got so worried about you,” she breathed. “I didn’t know if you were okay. I’m sorry I distracted you and got you hurt.”
The leopard hissed and narrowed his eyes. She had no idea and blamed herself for his failings. He’d trained for this, she hadn’t. He had a vast amount of experience in these situations and he’d never made a mistake, least of all one so basic. When he’d turned his attention away from the threat to gaze at the victim, whom he knew to be safe at that moment; he’d made a rookie mistake.
“Thank you for helping us again.” Jodie said.
She followed him a little further into the trees, just far enough to conceal them from prying eyes, before both made themselves comfortable. Jodie stroked his head and neck, and he leaned sideways, presenting her with his ear. He began to purr as her slender fingers pressed into his fur, scratching his itch. The leopard had not received this kind of attention while in animal form for a long time. It’s so good to be touched, to feel needed on an affectionate level.
Jodie giggled a little. She sat down beside him with one hip against his belly and her legs tucked beneath her. Draping her upper body over him, she buried herself in his thick pale fur. For a moment, he almost forgot everything.
“I’m having a bad day,” she sighed. “So I’m glad you came.”
He gazed at her with longing, having never felt so conflicted. He wanted to hold her, kiss her, and touch her hair. He couldn’t do any of those things in leopard form, and shouldn’t do them because he was supposed to be protecting her.
“I wonder what you really look like.” Jodie mused. “Maybe you’re tall dark and handsome. Maybe you’re a redhead. Maybe you’re sixty five years old and weigh three hundred pounds...” She trailed off, as the leopard began shaking.
She sat up to look at him. He couldn’t stop panting and chuffing, and it became clear she didn’t know what to make of it. Putting his head on the ground, he covered it with his paws. All manners of strange noises erupted from his mouth, unable to help himself. She didn’t seem to be like any woman he’d ever met.
Realizing he’d been laughing, she flushed a deep scarlet. “Okay so you aren’t an overweight retiree,” she gave a sheepish grin.
Lying down facing away, he arched his back until his eyes fell upon her. He loved that she wasn’t afraid of him. When he’d shown other women his true nature, it had been the last time he’d seen them. There had been a couple of times, but he’d learned his lesson. He didn’t know what to do about this woman. She’d not only accepted his leopard, but she had done so without knowing anything about his human life. She’s amazing and I can’t even tell her.
“I like you.” She added, as though reading his thoughts. “I know I don’t know anything about you or who you really are, but you have a good heart. You’ve been kind to me and you’ve saved my life twice.”
Her statement was met with more chuffing as the leopard nudged her again. This time he rubbed against her face, which felt much more intimate than gently bumping her chest or belly. She relaxed against him, her arm draped over his body, fingers buried in his fur as she stroked him. Soft sighs fell from her lips and she moved position again, getting more comfortable. Murmuring a soft chuckle, she yawned and fell asleep.
When she awoke an hour later, the leopard glanced over from where he sat nearby. His tail flicked about from side to side and he had his ears cocked. Jodie’s brother Luke had arrived home with his friend and the kids. Finding the broken coffee cup they’d become concerned.
“Is everything okay?” Jodie whispered.
He gave a soft growl and looked toward the house. Following his gaze, she saw Luke and Zach wandering around the yard. Luke dropped to his hands and knees, sniffing the boundary. Jodie jumped up with a gasp and began brushing twigs and dirt from her clothes.
“Sorry I fell asleep!” She groaned as she gave him a quick hug. She kissed the top of his head and ran towards the boundary.
*** *** ***
“JODIE!” ZACH EXCLAIMED with relief.
“Sorry.” Her instant response cut him off, but she couldn’t help herself. “I didn’t mean to be gone so long. I’m sorry if I worried you.”
“This is not okay.” Luke said in a controlled voice, walking closer as he spoke. “With everything going on, you can’t just disappear without at least leaving a note. When we saw the coffee cup we thought something had happened.”
Luke had almost reached Jodie now and he stopped mid stride. His expression darkened as he sniffed the air. Oh crap he can smell the leopard.
“What have you been doing Jodie?” The quiet anger in his tone scared her far more than the yelling he had subjected her to a few days before. His wild eyes and clenched fists brought to mind a volcano on the brink of eruption.
“I was walking in the woods,” she replied, pulling a couple of leaves from her hair.
Luke shook his head and turned on his heel to walk away. Jodie had disappointed him and she didn’t know how to feel about that. She hadn’t done anything wrong, nor was it any of his business. So why did I lie? Why didn’t I just tell him what really happened? She caught Zach staring at her out of the corner of her eye. From his expression she could see that he had an idea about what had happened. She wondered if Luke knew the leopard had taken their side. Did he realize that the spotted cat had saved Grace and Rose’s lives? Not to mention Jodie’s. Why does everything have to be so bloody complicated?
Jodie woke up Sunday morning and decided to visit her Grandmother. She liked to visit her once a week, but since everything had happened with Luke, she hadn’t been in at all. Feeling guilty Jodie realized it had been almost three weeks since she had been. With John and Penny away too, she would be very lonely.
Irene Fletcher greeted her with a resplendent smile, and didn’t mention the absence for which Jodie felt grateful. They spent the first fifteen minutes talking about how things were going for Irene at the retirement home. She’d become involved in a number of clubs and handcraft programs and very popular with the other residents. When her husband Joel had died, she’d been lost for a long time. They’d married at sixteen and had been together for fifty-two years, and the poor woman barely functioned without him. Moving into Seaview had been the best thing Irene could have done.
“So tell me what’s going on at home,” she prompted.
Jodie had been expecting this.
“Oh you know... the usual.”
“You’re a terrible liar dear,” Irene said with a knowing smile.
“Gran,”
“Hush. I’m old, but I’m not stupid. You are a dutiful reliable young woman, who has never missed a visit since I’ve been here. This is the first time this month you’ve come, it’s not like you. I know something has happened. If I had to make an educated guess, I’d put my money on your brother. He doesn’t visit much, but he does phone often and I haven’t heard from him this month either.”
“Gran, I-”
“Don’t worry; I haven’t said anything to your parents. Now you can choose to talk to me, or you can choose not to, but I assure you that anything you say will stay within these walls. “
Jodie hesitated. She wanted so much to rid herself of the burden, being the only one who knew. She’d told her boss and the leopard what had been happening, yet her own family didn’t know.
Her face must have reflected her thoughts for Irene reached out and clasped her hand. “Whatever it is child, it can’t be that bad. There isn’t anything you could do that would make me stop loving you, the same goes for Luke.”
Jodie looked at her Grandmother. Soft silver curls and green- flecked olive eyes gave her a homely appearance, her creamy complexion not nearly weathered enough for her age. She looked like a sweet old lady, but there were many hidden depths to Irene Fletcher. Jodie knew this from experience.
Therefore, Jodie told her about Luke’s separation from Mara and the alcoholism. She mentioned how Mara had abandoned the girls, who along with Luke were living with her. Hoping to reassure Irene that they were coping, Jodie also added that Zach, Laura, and Ainsley were all helping whenever needed. Irene nodded as if she understood.
“I’m glad you told me the truth dear.” She said. “I thought for sure you were going to come up with some hair brained story.”
“I thought you said I was a terrible liar.” Jodie wrinkled her nose.
“You are. I never implied you wouldn’t try.”
“Oh. So Luke has already told you everything?”
She nodded. “I know about the drinking and he told me that he had been fired. I know a few other things too, though I’ll not break his confidence. I’m glad he had the sense to come to you, but I’m sorry you have to bear this burden.” “I’ll manage.” Jodie said.
“I know you will, you’re a good girl.” Irene gave her a loving smile.
“I’m sorry Gran.” There I go apologizing again, I sound like a stuck record.
“Jodie, Jodie, Jodie.” She sighed. “Come here.”
Jodie moved closer and Irene hugged her. There’s nothing like a grandmotherly hug to make you feel the need to get it together. Just when Jodie had started to get the warm-fuzzies, Irene whispered something in her ear that sent a shiver up her spine. “Be very careful next Friday.” “Next Friday?” Jodie echoed.
“It’s a full moon, lots of crazy things happen.”
“Oh Gran he didn’t tell you about-”
“Hush. Not here, dear. Yes, I know his secret. For heaven’s sakes don’t tell your parents. Your mother would have a nervous breakdown.” Irene chattered as she fingered her silvery curls.
Jodie gaped at her. The fact that she had been thinking the exact same thing about her mother escaped her. She struggled to comprehend the fact that not only did her Grandmother know about the shape shifting, she seemed rather calm about it. Jodie wondered what would possess Luke to tell her in the first place. How could he know she’d be so composed about it?
Irene must have known what crossed Jodie’s mind. “I knew before Luke told me.”
“How could you know before he did?”
“I didn’t know it had happened to Luke, but I knew that it was out there.”
Jodie’s head started to spin. She toyed with the gold signet ring on her right index finger, struggling to understand, wishing that just once something would make sense without complicated explanations. She sat down on the edge of Irene’s bed. “Is there any chance we can talk sometime without having to choose our words so carefully? I have so many questions.”
“I hoped you’d say that.” Irene smiled. “I’m not here under lock and key you know. Why don’t you make the necessary arrangements with the staff? I would love to spend a day with you sometime.”
“Okay.” Jodie said with more enthusiasm. “If it’s okay with Seaview, can I pick you up after work on Tuesday? You could come for dinner.”
“That would be lovely dear.”
As she left, Jodie realized that Irene was an incredibly smart woman. She’d steered the entire conversation to her advantage. Gaining all the information she wanted, she’d spoken volumes without saying the words, and she’d scored herself an evening out. Until Jodie had walked away, she’d been oblivious of the fact.
Monday proved to be long and stressful, and Jodie couldn’t stop worrying about Zach and Luke. Since her car couldn’t be driven, Jodie had walked to work, a long forty-minute hike. She’d stayed late trying to make up for the week off, and ended up walking home in the dark. Jodie had phoned ahead to let the guys know she would be late and Zach volunteered to cook.
All the way, Jodie found herself looking at every shadow and jumping every time a car went by. She wondered why she felt so on edge and couldn’t shake the idea that she’d been followed. Feeling eyes upon her, a crawling sensation fingered its way up the back of her neck but each time she turned around there was nobody there. I think I’ve had too many incidents involving enormous pigs and giant cats. Oh and the bears, heaven forbid I forget the freaking polar bears.
In a bid to avoid the hysterics accumulating beneath the surface, she began to think about the leopard. Wondering if she would ever see the human side of him, Jodie tried to picture what he might be like.
Overwhelmed with curiosity, she hoped he’d keep coming to the woods by her house. She would be heartbroken if he didn’t. Is that healthy? Should I be worried at the relationship I’m forging with an unidentified shifter? What would happen if she did meet him and didn’t like him? Should she risk that?
Jodie checked the mail on the way into the driveway and found a brown envelope with her name on it. No stamp or address, just her name. Her heart fluttered as she opened it.
Jodie,
I’ve enjoyed our encounters and I would like it if we continued to see each other. However, I don’t want to cause trouble with your family. Is it possible for us to meet later in a more private setting? Say 1:00 am? I won’t be able to do this every night, but for tonight, I am yours if you will have me.
Overweight Retiree
Jodie almost laughed aloud when she saw the name he’d signed. She looked all around, trying to see if anyone lurked nearby. Is he still nearby somewhere? Is that why I felt as though someone had been watching me? Clutching the envelope to her chest, Jodie readjusted the satchel on her shoulder and hurried up the driveway.
Mentally planning the evening, Jodie knew she would have to go to bed early. Otherwise, she’d be too tired to cope with work the next day. She would have to climb out her bedroom window because Luke and Zach slept in the living room and when sober, Luke was a light sleeper.
She had expected her early retreat to raise a few questions but her long day seemed to be explanation enough. Jodie set her phone alarm for 12:45 a.m. and switched it to vibrate so as not to wake anyone else.
A mountain of clothes lay discarded on her bed. Jodie had gone through it all ten times trying to decide what to wear. I must be crazy. I’ll be running around in the woods in the middle of the night, when it’s dark, and I’m stressing over my outfit.
Jodie settled on a pair of dark jeans and a violet knit shirt with white raglan sleeves, one of those tops that were loose but still clung to the body in all the right places. Dark or not, there seemed no harm in looking her best. She put a pair of sneakers on the floor at the end of the bed next to the folded clothes and eagerly crawled beneath the covers.