The redheaded paramedic leans against the island, tapping his fingertips against the edge. “So, just moved here, eh?”
I shoot him a faux-befuddled glance. “No, why do you ask?”
He stands up straighter, confusion waring in his features. “I mean… Well, I thought…”
“Mom,” Avery groans.
“I’m just messing with you,” I say, swiping my hand through the air. “It’s been a long day and I deflect through inappropriate and ill-timed humor.”
He chuckles under his breath. “Oh, well, good one.”
I raise my eyebrows and snicker—more at myself than him. “We just moved in yesterday, but our stuff hasn’t arrived yet.”
“We thought the guys who attacked us were the movers. So…” Asher says, frowning. “Can we not talk about this? It’s kind of a touchy subject at the moment.”
Red sucks air through his teeth and cringes. “Oooh, harsh. Sorry, man. That musta sucked.”
“You could say that,” I mutter under my breath.
“They got the bad guys, though. Right?” he asks, turning to look down the hallway.
The front door opens and relief warms my center. As nice as the redhead paramedic is, trusting anyone new right now is pretty much not gonna happen. The only one who’s proven himself is Stone, even if I still don’t understand how all of this happened. I’m equal parts grateful and irritated that it was him who saved the day.
I suck in a breath as he enters the room. There’s something about the way he moves that sets me on fire in a way I have no business being lit. Half of me craves the feelings he evokes. But the scared, sane half thinks I’m as nuts as I feel and I need to carry on with my spinster future without trying to dive headlong into some sort of romantic crush.
Stone makes his way over, stopping when he’s directly in front of me. “Ella, I wish I could stay longer, but I really need to be going,” he says, his eyebrows tugged in tight.
A wave of disappointment washes over me and I fight back the sudden dread the prospect of being left alone unleashes. As much as I don’t need a man in my life, God knows I don’t… I also wasn’t expecting to be attacked in my own home. It sure felt good knowing Stone was here. Both during and after the attack. I don’t think I would have been able to turn the tables on my own and that feeling of helplessness is terrifying. We could all be dead right now if it wasn’t for him.
But, yeah, I get it.
It’s not like we’re a couple, so of course, the guy’s gotta get on with his life.
“Oh, right,” I mutter. Despite the myriad of things I’d like to say, it’s the only thing that escapes my lips.
As if reading my disappointment, something that would have been unheard of with the ex, he steps forward and places his hands on my upper arms. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back to check on you all. I just have some things I need to attend to. But Seth has agreed to stay here until I get back.” Stone turns to the dark-skinned paramedic and places a hand on his shoulder. “Seth is a friend. And you shouldn’t be alone right now.”
Hopefully, Silas won’t try again so soon.
“Who’s Silas?” I ask before I can stop myself. I blink quickly, stepping out of Stone’s hold. “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I said that.”
Stone’s face goes ashen and the whites of his eyes have taken up more space. He tilts his head slightly to the side and shoots a glance at the paramedic. “Uh, I’ll be back as soon as I can. Try not to get into any more trouble.”
I stick out my chin. “No promises.”
A slight smirk plays at the edges of his lips and he nods. Then, without another word, he walks out of the kitchen, making his way to the front door before vanishing before my eyes.
I let out a deep sigh. When I turn back to the room, everyone is staring at me.
“What?” I shrug.
“Could you pine a little less obvious? It’s grossing me out,” Avery says, making a face.
“I wasn’t. I was—” I glance at the two paramedics, who have suddenly found the floor very fascinating to look at. “Anyway…”
“I should be going, too,” Red says, barely meeting my gaze. “I need to get the ambulance back.”
I glance over at Seth. “Are you sure you can stay? I mean, I don’t want to keep you from something important. Shouldn’t you be saving more lives?” I point toward Red.
Seth shakes his head. “My shift ended a half-hour ago. You were my last stop of the day anyway. It’s no big deal. Gordon can handle the rest.”
Red, aka Gordon, nods, but for a split second, the expression he has says he’s confused.
I place my hands on my hips and bust out my Mom voice. “Gentleman, if you’re lying to me, so help me…”
Seth winces slightly.
I narrow my gaze and wait.
Shit, shit…
After a few seconds, he squirms under my scrutiny. “Look, I promised Stone I’d stay. It’s no big deal.”
I shake my head. “No way. I will not be the reason you get fired.” I plant my hands on Seth’s shoulders and spin him toward the door.
“Really, it’s not a problem,” Seth protests.
“Mom, if he wants to stay, shouldn’t we—” Avery snaps her mouth shut when she sees my expression.
“Look, I appreciate your support, and trust me, it means a lot that you’re willing to stay. But I just can’t justify it. The cops are going to increase patrols. I’m sure we’ll be fine.” Even as I say it, my insides coil. I don’t want to be left alone, and the fact that Stone vouches for him does make me feel better. But I refuse to accept help when it could put this guy’s job in jeopardy.
She’ll make a good Alpha.
“What did you say?” I ask, lowering my eyebrows. Alpha?
Seth’s eyes widen. “I didn’t say anything.”
I clench my jaw. I know what I heard, but I just don’t understand what it means. “Fine, whatever. It was nice to meet you both. I appreciate your help, but I got it from here.” In what should have been a cool movement, I step out in front of the two of them but misjudge the doorframe. My left shoulder slams into it and I grope at my upper arm. “Mother trucker.”
Reflexes haven’t kicked in yet.
I spin around. “What?”
Everyone behind me shakes their head.
I run my fingertips over my right eyebrow. What in the actual?
Inhaling sharply, I spin around and march toward the front door. When I get there, I yank it open and wait for the EMTs to follow.
As Seth reaches me, he stops and says, “It’s no trouble. Stone seemed really—”
I smile, but I know it doesn’t reach my eyes. “Thank you both.” I flit my gaze to Gordon and back to Seth.
Thankfully, he gets the hint and bows his head before walking out.
When they’ve both exited the house, I close the door and flip the deadbolt into place. Closing my eyes, I lean my back against the door, letting my head fall back to the wood.
What a day…and it’s only early afternoon.
Asher walks up. His eyes carry the same weariness I feel. Without saying a word, he reaches out, wrapping his gangly arms around me. Before I know it, Avery is in the mix, doing the same. I tug them in close as tears stream down my cheeks.
If I had lost them…
I clutch them both closer. “I’m so sorry, guys.”
“It’s not your fault,” Asher says softly.
“Yeah, except I moved you here. I let the homicidal guys into the house…” I start.
“How were you to know they weren’t the movers? I mean, that was pretty darn coincidental,” Avery says. “How did they know we’re waiting for our stuff?”
I shake my head, still holding them both in tight. “I have no idea.”
“That guy who saved us—” Asher starts.
“Stone,” I say.
“He knows more than he’s letting on,” Ash continues.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
He steps out, his jaw hardening. “He asked who sent them—like he knew they were working for someone else.”
“He did, didn’t he…” I say, thinking.
“Yeah, and the guy said ‘Silas something.’ Then you said his name back in the kitchen. What’s going on?” Avery asks. Her brown eyes plead with me to make sense of all the insanity.
“I honestly have no idea…” I whisper.
“Mom, ever since we got here…it’s like something’s off with you. Do you think you got tetanus from that guy in the ravine?” Asher asks, his expression darkening.
While anything is possible, I don’t feel like that’s it. If anything, I feel better than ever.
“No, I don’t think so, honey. I think I’m just jumpy after everything that’s happened. We just need things to get back to normal.”
Suddenly, my phone rings, making all three of us jump.
I clutch at my heart but reach for my phone. From what I can make through the cracks, I think the number is for the moving company. Inhaling sharply through my nose, I answer. “Hello?”
“Ms. Breene?” a woman’s voice on the other end responds.
“Yes.”
“This is Ms. Green from Tabula Rasa Movers,” she announces. “I just wanted to call to inform you that the movers are on their way to you. They ran into some car trouble when they entered Oregon, but they should be there within the next half hour.”
My heart leaps into my throat. “Great. We won’t be at the house, though. Tell them there’s a key under the front doormat.”
“Will do. So sorry for the trouble.”
“Thanks for the update,” I say, then hang up the phone. I turn to both of the kids. “Get your things. We’re leaving the house for a bit.”
They both stare at me with questioning gazes.
“The movers are almost here,” I say.
“On it,” Asher says, not sticking around a moment longer.
“Wait for me,” Avery calls out, chasing after him.
After everything that’s gone on, the last thing I’m going to do is be here when those movers arrive. We were never meant to be here, as it was. They can handle bringing things in without us now.
I make my way from the front entry to the kitchen, trying to remember where I put the keys to the Highlander. I find them on the counter in the kitchen, next to my purse. Collecting both, I make my way back to the entry.
The sooner we’re outta here, the better.
“Stone, we have a problem. She’s kicked us out,” Seth says.
I glance around, startled. His voice sounds like he’s standing right beside me, but he’s gotta still be outside. And if that’s the case, there’s a whole house between us.
Crazier yet, I hear Stone’s side of the conversation. “Dammit. Okay, stay nearby and keep an eye on her that way. I’ve just summoned the pack. I should be able to start the invocation soon.”
“Got it,” Seth says. “Hurry. She’s gonna need answers soon.”
“I know.”
The conversation ends and silence fills the emptiness left behind.
I walk over to the decorative window to the right of the front door. Sure enough, Seth is standing in the middle of my yard. He doesn’t get into the ambulance with Gordon, either. He continues past it and hits the sidewalk before he vanishes beyond our fence.
Gordon starts up the ambulance and backs out of my driveway all alone.
Exhaling the breath I was holding, I stare absently at the end of the driveway.
There’s no way I should have been able to hear that conversation. Thanks to years of loud concerts, my hearing isn’t what it used to be. So, how the hell did I make out every word?
More importantly, what the hell is going on?
No, scratch that.
What the fuck is happening to me?