While the Wolf's Away, page 4
Then they packed up some of Elizabeth’s perishable food and carried it out to Sheri’s car.
Tears filling her eyes, Elizabeth gave Sheri another hug, like she often did in parting or in greeting, but this time, she didn’t want to let her go, knowing this would be the end of their friendship. Though if Sheri forgave her for lying to her, maybe she could be her new Skype partner. Wouldn’t that be a switch? Trading one for another.
But she didn’t want to get her friend in trouble, and she finally released her, tears in both of their eyes, as if Sheri knew what Elizabeth was up to and she felt saddened by the prospect, as saddened as Elizabeth felt at not seeing her friend ever again. Then she belatedly recalled she was going to have dinner with her and the tears were probably for her grandma, not for her. Elizabeth was so torn up about everything and worried about getting out of here without incident, she could barely think straight.
She waved bye, then went inside and grabbed her purse and her list of things to wrap up before she left.
First up, the bank. That much had been true. The amount of paperwork that had to be sorted through was overwhelming. Bentley and another of Kintail’s gofers followed her, but overtly this time, like they wanted to unnerve her. They did a good job of it too.
Fine. She finished up at the bank and then returned home and called David. “Okay, I’ve been thinking about how Amelia and I met. See if Amelia is good with us saying she and I met on a visit to Cameron Falls. We hit it off so much, we ended up taking a hike on Prospector Trail in Fred Henne Territorial Park the next day. She was there with a group to see the northern lights, to take pictures. She’s a photographer from Juneau and wanted to see if the lights could be observed any better in Yellowknife.”
“But you haven’t really left your grandma’s side since she’s been sick,” David said.
“Yeah, I can say we did it before I went to Maine, so before things got bad with her. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been up there hiking by myself, so I don’t think anyone would question it.”
“Okay, let’s run with that story. I’ll tell Amelia. How are things going for you, honey?” David asked.
She loved how he always used terms of endearment with her. “Good. I have a tail, but I’m not trying to lose them or anything. I’m going to a park I used to visit with Grandma. It’ll make me feel better, connected to nature, connected to her. And it will get my mind off worrying if we’re going to get away with this. If I could, I would run as a wolf, but I’ll save it for when I’m home with you.”
“I can’t wait.”
In the past, running as a wolf had always made her feel better, and thankfully Sheri had always come over to watch Grandma while Elizabeth took a breather.
“I’m going to call Sheri and ask if she wants to go to dinner, that I’m meeting Amelia—or ‘Amy.’”
“I’ll let her know. We got this. You know that, right?”
“Yeah. Love you, David.”
“Love you too.”
Sheri answered the phone on the first ring. “Dinner sounds perfect,” she said. “Are you sure you’re up for it though? It’s been a long day.”
“I have to do something. Anything. It’ll be good to be distracted. I think I’ll visit the park now, clear my head. But I’m so happy you’re coming tonight… Thanks. I’m going to go to one of the parks that I used to go to when Grandma could come.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” Sheri sounded hesitant, like she didn’t want to intrude.
“No, thanks. I just want to be there and remember the way it was.” Elizabeth could have offered to take Sheri with her, she supposed. But she was a little afraid she might let something slip. It was going to be difficult enough seeing her at dinner with Amelia and not giving anything away. But she was glad Sheri would be driving her because it appeared Elizabeth was going to have a tail wherever she went for now. Whatever would they do once they lost Elizabeth when she flew south to the States? They would have to find something else to occupy their time.
“Oh, sure. Well, if you change your mind, let me know,” Sheri said.
“I will. Thanks.”
After they worked out the details, Elizabeth drove to Rotary Centennial Waterfront Park. She and her grandma used to come here before she got too sick. They’d sit and talk and look out over Yellowknife Bay, and for a split second, Elizabeth could feel her grandmother next to her, could smell the flowery shampoo she loved, could hear her soft laugh. And then, like a leaf caught in a warm summer breeze, she was gone, leaving behind a soothing sense of comfort.
Not even Bentley, sitting in the parking lot and watching her like a hawk, could shatter the peace that had settled over her. After a couple more minutes, Elizabeth took a walk along the boardwalk to stretch her legs. She hadn’t walked here in so long, and it would be the last time she would ever visit. She wished she could take David to see all the beauty Yellowknife had to offer. She would love to do so many things here with him before she left her home for good.
She returned home and cleaned up some more—she just had to keep doing something—until it was finally time for Sheri to pick her up. The ease she’d felt at the bay had slowly eroded, and Elizabeth’s nerves were on edge. When Sheri’s parents had called to offer their condolences, the sound of the phone had nearly given her a heart attack. And when Sheri rang the doorbell, even though Elizabeth knew she was coming, she nearly jumped out of her skin.
She grabbed her purse—the purse that held the only pieces of her life she could bring with her—and headed for the door, her heart pounding. She needed to breathe deeply and still her wildly beating heart or Sheri would hear it. That was the problem with their wolf hearing. And wolf sense of smell. Sheri could probably smell her anxiousness, but Elizabeth could easily explain that away. Her grandmother had just died, for goodness’ sake. Of course Elizabeth was anxious.
She climbed in the car and put on a smile. “Thanks for picking me up.”
“I’m so glad we’re going out to dinner. You haven’t done this in eons. It’s good for you to get out and do something you enjoy for a change. How was your trip to the park?” Sheri asked.
“Really nice. I had a lovely time there. I miss my grandmother terribly, but it brought back so many happy memories of being there with her. Of course I had a couple of watchdogs following me this time. It’s so annoying. I wish they would just leave me in peace.”
Sheri narrowed her eyes. “Was my jerk of a boyfriend still following you?”
“Yep. The whole time and all the way back home too.”
“Well, not that it makes a whole lot of difference to you probably, but I told him for sure I was breaking up with him. I told him I thought he was despicable for doing that to you after all you’ve been through.”
“Thanks. He’s being a jerk.”
Silence filled the air. Trying to overcome her nervousness, Elizabeth concentrated on her breathing, deep breaths in and out through her nose, silently, without Sheri noticing, if she could help it.
Sheri parked at the café and asked, “Has your friend ever had a bison burger before?”
She needed to keep her answers vague. “I don’t know. Maybe. They might have them in Alaska, too, or she might have eaten them somewhere else.”
“I’m so glad she came when you’re free to see her. Does she know your grandma died?”
“Yeah, when she called to get together, I told her.”
“I don’t remember you ever mentioning her to me before.”
Elizabeth’s heart stuttered. Why hadn’t she thought about that? Of course she would have told Sheri. She told Sheri everything.
Well, nearly everything.
“I saw her before I went with the pack members who were going to Maine. You had just gotten together with Bentley and couldn’t spare time for me so I just took a couple of trips hiking.” She was talking too much, too fast, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. “You know how I am when I just want to go and walk, even if I can’t do it as a wolf.”
Sheri pressed her lips together. “Yeah, I’m sorry I was that way. With Bentley, I mean. You were right to be annoyed and go without me. I guess we weren’t talking as much then, were we? Stupid Bentley,” she mumbled.
“It’s fine, don’t worry about it,” Elizabeth said, the guilt building. Here Sheri was apologizing to her, while Elizabeth lied straight to her face.
“So she’s a gray wolf?” Sheri asked as they walked toward the restaurant.
“Arctic, like us. From Alaska.”
“Sure. Right.”
It almost sounded like she suspected something else was going on. Was she fishing for information? “She’s nice. You’ll like her. And thanks again for coming out with me tonight. It helps me to get my mind off everything that has just happened.”
“Did you want to stay with me at my parents’ place for a while?”
“No, thanks, I’m sure I’ll be okay.”
But as they walked into the Wildcat Café, Elizabeth had no idea if that was true.
Chapter 5
David was dying to go in Amelia’s place to the restaurant to be with Elizabeth. Just to pick her up and run like hell back to the airport. He knew he couldn’t be seen there though. Not if Kintail’s people were still tailing her. But what if Amelia was found out? Could she get hurt—or worse? Could Elizabeth? If either of them were harmed in any way, he’d never forgive himself.
David and Slade watched in silence as Amelia drove off toward the restaurant.
“Amelia’s resourceful,” Slade said, sensing David’s anxiousness. “You know she has been in harrowing situations in the past, and she always manages to get out of them. She’ll know what to do. It’s just instinctive for her.”
Anything could go wrong though. The only good thing was they were eating at a restaurant and Amelia, and Elizabeth, could scream bloody murder if Kintail’s men tried to force them out of the place. The worry would be when they left the building. They’d be vulnerable then.
Slade slapped David on the shoulder. “Come on. Let’s get something to eat. They’ll be just fine. I think the ruse of you having been mated will throw them off completely.”
Then why was Kintail having pack members follow Elizabeth?
David pulled out his phone and looked up restaurants at the airport. “You go. I’d better stay with the plane in case any of Kintail’s men are hanging around there. They won’t know you.”
Slade glanced at his phone. “I like the menu for the Copperhouse. They have takeout, and they have wild boar. It includes white sauce, barbecued pulled boar, mozzarella, bacon, onions, bread, and pickles. That’s what I’m getting since I’ve never had it before. They have the bison too. What do you want me to pick up for you?”
“Yeah, get me the same as you. The wild boar sounds good. Thanks, Slade.” David watched him go, thankful for his packmates’ support. He wasn’t sure how he could have pulled this off without them.
A short while later, he got a text from Amelia: I’m at the restaurant, parking out back so no one can see us leave when we get ready to vamoose.
He texted: Okay. Slade’s grabbing a bite for us to eat, but I’m staying with the plane.
Amelia texted: Good, because if Kintail’s men spot you, this is all for nothing. I’m walking around to the restaurant now.
David: Stay safe.
Amelia: You too.
A few minutes later, Slade arrived carrying two to-go boxes. “Your sister is at the restaurant now,” David told him, digging into his wild boar and wishing he was in the right headspace to really savor it. From the look on Slade’s face as he chewed, it was damn good.
“Good. Hopefully, they’ll make a quick meal of it and be back here before we know it. I’m ready to get in the air. Though I could eat an entire wild boar, it’s so good. One perk of flying to Yellowknife.”
They ate in a thoughtful silence for a bit, then Slade said, “You know, I’ve never met wolves who had to go through such ordeals to get their mates. When I meet my dream wolf, I doubt there will be this much drama.”
For Slade’s sake, David hoped that would be true. But Slade knew if he had trouble, they would all have his back.
David looked down at his dinner and wondered when he’d finished it. He kept glancing at his phone, waiting, waiting for an update. He hoped the story Amelia and Elizabeth had come up with was ringing true with Sheri. He was glad Sheri was there, helping to make it look like they were all friends, if anyone should still be watching. He just hoped they were being careful. One slipup, no matter how small, could ruin the whole thing.
***
Elizabeth was nervous. She had no doubt she was sending off an apprehensive scent, and knowing that just made her nervousness worse. But Sheri seemed nervous too. She was talking nonstop. She never talked that much, especially when Elizabeth wasn’t responding, unless she was anxious about something. Elizabeth hadn’t even heard half of what Sheri was saying because she was fearfully watching out the window for Amelia. Thankfully, Amelia had sent Elizabeth a picture and vice versa. Wouldn’t that have been a disaster? To pretend to know someone and didn’t even know what she looked like?
Then she saw Amelia walking in the door with a breezy smile and a casual glance around the restaurant.
Elizabeth half stood up and waved, and the relief in Amelia’s face as she waved back and headed over likely mirrored Elizabeth’s own relief. They’d gotten this far. They could do this.
Elizabeth introduced them as soon as Amelia joined them at the table.
“So you’re from Juneau,” Sheri said, rising from her seat to shake Amelia’s hand. “Any friend of Elizabeth’s is a friend of mine.”
“Oh, I’m so pleased to meet you.” Amelia gave Sheri a hug, which surprised Elizabeth, and then she gave Elizabeth a hug, which she’d halfway expected since they were supposed to be friends—and hopefully really would be once Elizabeth actually joined Amelia’s pack.
In any event, Sheri seemed pleased Amelia had treated her like a friend from the start. Everyone sat down and Amelia looked over the menu and ordered a bison burger. Elizabeth couldn’t get anything that heavy down—not when she was feeling like a nervous wreck. She ordered butternut squash soup and a salad.
Sheri ordered the same as Elizabeth, and when they got their orders, Elizabeth glanced out the window, looking for any sign of Bentley and his ilk.
And sure enough, she saw not only Bentley, but Sheri’s brother, Hans, get out of a car and head toward the restaurant. Coincidence? Unlikely. But maybe if they came inside to eat, she and Amelia could slip out while they were waiting on their food.
Sheri gave her brother a dirty look and sent an apologetic one to Elizabeth. Elizabeth surreptitiously followed the men as they were seated at a table much farther away from the door. For once, she was thankful a restaurant she was eating in was crowded, since all the tables closer were full.
“So where are you going, exactly?” Sheri asked, picking at her salad.
“Elizabeth wants to take me on a hike on the Prospector Trail in Fred Henne Territorial Park again. It was one of my favorite spots last time. I’m just so sorry my timing is so terrible.” She put her hand on Elizabeth’s and gave it a gentle squeeze. To Elizabeth’s surprise, the comforting touch felt genuine, like they truly had been friends all this time. She blinked away the tears that sprang to her eyes and smiled at Amelia.
“The timing is actually perfect,” Elizabeth said, meaning it in every way. “Just what I need.” Amelia pulled away and took a bite of her burger, and Elizabeth thought she caught a little emotion in her eyes too.
“I would love to go with the two of you,” Sheri said, “if it isn’t an imposition. I haven’t gone hiking with Elizabeth in forever.”
Elizabeth lifted her spoon to her lips, trying to give herself a moment to respond. The soup was lukewarm now and went down uneasily.
“Listen,” Sheri added conspiratorially to Elizabeth and Amelia, her voice a bare whisper, “I don’t see any more of Kintail’s men here. I mean, outside the restaurant. If we hurry up and eat, I can help you get out of here before my brother and ex-boyfriend get their meals. Believe me, they won’t leave without them.” Sheri pulled out money and set it on the table, like it was already a done deal. “Are you ready?”
Amelia and Elizabeth shared a look. Clearly, the jig was up. Elizabeth wasn’t sure what had given her away, but maybe after years of friendship, Sheri just knew her too well. At this point, it was either trust her or try to bluff their way out—and the likelihood of that working seemed slim to none.
“Uh, yeah, sure.” Amelia flashed an alarmed look her way, but there was no going back now. Elizabeth didn’t know what her friend had in mind, but she had to trust Sheri was doing whatever she could to help her out, even if it meant she would get into hot water with Kintail, the pack, and maybe even her own family.
They stood up casually and left the restaurant, careful not to look the men’s way.
Sheri glanced around at the parking lot. “Which car is yours?”
“It’s out back,” Amelia said, and she sounded as jittery as Elizabeth was feeling.
“Uh, okay, then. I’ll give Elizabeth a ride around back. Since I brought her here, it’ll look less suspicious if you leave with me.”
“All right.” Elizabeth climbed into the front passenger seat and Amelia walked off, heading toward the back of the restaurant. They met up in the alley, at a spot where the restaurant had no windows, just a door that led into the kitchen.
“I wish you would have told me,” Sheri said.
“Sheri—” Elizabeth couldn’t deal with this right now.
Sheri’s eyes filled with tears. “We’re sisters. We’re best friends.” Elizabeth got out, and Sheri did too. “I know you’re leaving Yellowknife.” She popped her trunk and, to Elizabeth’s surprise, grabbed two bags, bags Elizabeth didn’t recognize, and motioned to four more she did recognize. They were her bags!
