Hmm, maybe it wasn’t going to be easy to date a wolf in the pack, as closely knit as they were.
“Brett wanted me to start dating others as a social experiment,” she said, being perfectly honest.
“Count me in,” Cantrell said. “When would you like to go out to dinner?”
“But me first,” Robert said.
She laughed. Now they would be perfect to go on dates with because if she was dating both of them, they couldn’t take her too seriously.
“One of you can take me out to lunch tomorrow, and the other for dinner. You decide.”
* * *
Hell and damnation! Brett couldn’t get ahold of Ellie, and all of his brothers had already called to find out what the hell had happened between them. Then Darien called with a warning that Lelandi wanted to discuss this matter with him personally. That meant she intended to use her psychology training on him.
Damn it to hell. No way had he said he wanted Ellie to go dating wolves. Talk about a feeding frenzy!
Each of his brothers had told him to tell her he had made the dumbest mistake in the world—even though he had explained he hadn’t meant her to seriously consider it—and let him know in no uncertain terms if he even thought of dating anyone else himself, they were disowning him. His Silver cousins read him the same riot act.
All Brett had thought was that it was a way to prove to her that she would dream only of him—and no one else—no matter who she went out with. Most of his Silver kin said that was the most harebrained notion they’d ever heard.
Lelandi called next while he was driving to Ellie’s house. He was trying to catch up to Ellie as she headed home from the grocery store since she wouldn’t answer his calls. Brett thought Darien had said Lelandi was in a session with a patient. She must have thought this was a real emergency. It was just a typical bachelor male’s wolf crisis—worry about losing his girl to a bunch of hungry wolves.
“Okay, I know what you were trying to do with Ellie, and I understand. I don’t think this is the way to go about it. I truly believe the two of you are perfect for each other, both from your actions and conversations I’ve overheard at gatherings. Would you like me to have a counseling session with the two of you?”
“No. We’re fine. Really.”
“Okay, but I’ll warn you right now that this could lead to real trouble between the two of you.”
“We’ll be fine,” Brett said, hoping the hell they would be. They ended the call, and he arrived at the sisters’ house to see Ellie’s car parked out back. He had all kinds of plans for tonight, which included exorcising a ghost and being with Ellie. What if Ellie canceled their plans so she could date someone else? He knew she’d get a blitz of calls. That may have even been why she couldn’t answer his call.
He parked beside her car and stalked toward the house, not sure if she’d be there or at the inn. He couldn’t wait until tonight to talk to her. And what was he going to say? He couldn’t tell her she couldn’t see any other wolves in the pack. Not without coming off as an overbearing lout.
As soon as he approached the house, he heard Laurel scolding Ellie and paused at the door.
“You are going to cause so much trouble, Ellie!” Laurel said.
“This was what Brett suggested, so I’m doing it. I’m not going to say it again.”
This was not what he wanted.
He knocked on the door.
Everyone got quiet inside.
Then someone headed for the door. He was practically holding his breath when Meghan opened it, shook her head at him, and held the door open.
“Aren’t you early for dinner?” Ellie asked.
“Can we talk?”
“Tonight. I’ve got stuff to do.” Ellie’s phone rang, and she answered it. “Hi, Radcliff? I’ll have to look at my calendar. I think I’m free for dinner the day after tomorrow.”
Brett opened his mouth to speak, but Laurel grabbed his arm, stepped out, and shut the door behind her so they were alone on the front porch. She released him, scowling up at him. “Fix this! CJ’s mad at Ellie, and he’s mad at me, as if I had anything to do with it!”
“I’m trying, but you see the way she is. She won’t even speak to me.”
“Be the big, bad wolf and make her listen to you. Or else.” Laurel opened the door, walked inside, and slammed it shut.
Hell.
* * *
Ellie pocketed her phone and looked at her sisters: Laurel, who was scowling, and Meghan, who was smiling at her. She was about to say something, but then her phone rang again, and the front doorbell rang simultaneously. With phone in hand, Ellie answered the door and the phone at the same time.
Radcliff’s brother, Kemp, wanted to take her out. Both of them were also on ski patrol. And the delivery man had a Red Hot Rush package for her. She couldn’t remember ordering anything and hoped one of her brand-new suitors wasn’t giving her a gift already. She’d told everyone this was just for fun, nothing serious. She suspected everyone was hoping they had a chance with the single she-wolf since they had a shortage of females in the pack and Meghan was seeing Peter.
She wondered if they all truly believed in ghosts or were just willing to say so to get a date with her.
When she opened the bubble-paper mailer, she found pictures of Brett in the raw. Artistic painted versions. He was beautiful. She turned around to see if either of her sisters was watching her, but Meghan was coming down the stairs, two gowns in hand, and Laurel was in the kitchen.
“Hey, was that something for me?” Meghan asked.
“No.” Ellie quickly stuffed the pictures in the envelope and fought hiding them behind her back.
Meghan held up the two gowns. “Which should I wear tonight?”
“You have a mask that matches that one,” Ellie said, pointing. “Why don’t you wear it?”
“Okay.” Meghan headed back up the stairs.
Ellie followed her, then slipped into her bedroom and tucked the envelope underneath her pillow so she could really look at all the pictures later without either of her sisters catching her at it!
Chapter 10
Later that day, with Phantom of the Opera music playing in the background, Ellie handed out treats to early trick-or-treaters. Her favorite was a darling Little Red Riding Hood and her daddy, the wolf. After the wave of trick-or-treaters left, Ellie saw a dashing masked Zorro arrive at the inn dressed all in black—cape, hat, pants, shirt, and boots. She knew he was Brett. It helped that she could smell him. Well, that and a ton of sage, which she thought was odd. She’d know that sexy, wolfish smile anywhere, mask or no. He could sweep her off her feet any day. And she was glad he didn’t look pissed at her for planning to date other wolves. In fact, she thought he looked eager to prove he was the only one for her. So that was a good thing, really.
She wasn’t sorry about scheduling all the dates she had for the next couple of days. If Brett was right, she would still dream about him. If he wasn’t, then the dream mating just wasn’t happening between them. She was certain the dates would only make their relationship stronger. She’d decided from the get-go that she would only go out with each wolf one time. Unless he happened to sweep her off her feet more than even Brett did. And she didn’t think that would ever happen.
She greeted Zorro wearing her blue ball gown, her favorite, just for him. His gaze immediately shifted to the swell of her breasts. He was such a rogue. He took her hand and kissed it, just like the romantic Zorro would have done, but he moved his mouth to her neck and trailed kisses along the skin, heating her up on the chilly night. She quickly ushered him inside the lobby and shut the door before anyone saw them. She was glad her sisters were still getting ready and CJ hadn’t arrived yet. Though she imagined he’d go to the house first to see Laurel there.
Zorro pulled her into his arms and crushed her against his body, kissing he
r soundly on the mouth.
“My, what a big sword you have, sir,” she said, sweeping her hand over his sheathed sword.
“I’m fully armed,” he said, “with that and more.”
“A pistol?” She looked up at him, surprised.
“And fully loaded.”
She reached down to feel where he had the pistol holstered, not believing he owned one unless he had borrowed one of CJ’s. Brett laughed. “You won’t find it there.”
She pulled her hand away, and her face heated. He was such a tease. “You, sir, are a rogue.”
“And you love me for it. Where is everyone?”
“Oh, still getting ready.”
“I have something for you. Just wait here and I’ll get it.”
He was so enthusiastic that she wondered what he’d brought. She suspected it was a peace offering of some kind. He went to his car and pulled out two huge canvas bags. After she led him into the inn, he set the bags on the check-in counter and started digging things out. “These are candles that are supposed to promote relaxation. I read that some yoga instructors use them in classes. And I had to bring you flowers.”
He handed her the lovely bouquet of white roses, purple mums, sage, and mint. And then he fished out a large box of chocolates.
“From my aunt Charity’s shop!” She was thrilled.
“Yeah, I picked it up yesterday, but until I could get my car towed, I couldn’t give them to you. Hope they’re okay after sitting in a freezing car overnight.”
“They’ll be great. How was your car?”
“It was in good shape, surprisingly. The snow helped to protect the undercarriage when it landed on the rocks. The scrape on the side will need to be repaired, but I’ll have it done later. The auto body shop is swamped right now with repairs after all the minor accidents.” He lifted a huge pot out of a second bag that smelled like beef stew.
“Wow, Brett, this smells delicious. I didn’t expect this.”
“I know you said you were making mummy dogs, but I thought we could have this too.”
“We didn’t make them yet. They cook up so fast that we were waiting for you, CJ, and Peter to arrive. Should we take this to the house and—”
“No, let’s have it here in case someone comes for candy. I’ve got bowls and utensils in here.”
“Okay, let’s take it into the kitchen, and we can sit at the breakfast table.” They moved into the kitchen, where she placed the flowers in the center of the table. Ellie set the pot on the stove and turned it on low. “I’ll let my sisters know the food is on and not to make the mummy dogs.”
“I’ll be right back,” Brett said.
“What are you going to do?” She wondered if he’d gotten more stuff for tonight. She couldn’t believe all he’d done already. Was he trying to prove that he was the perfect boyfriend?
“I’ll set out the candles.”
She smiled. “Okay, I’ll serve some stew for us in the meantime.” She took a taste and chuckled. No wonder he smelled of sage. The stew was still hot.
She quickly called Laurel. “Hey, Brett brought dinner. Don’t bother with the mummy dogs.”
“What are we eating?”
“Beef stew. And it’s delicious. See you in a minute.”
Brett returned in a flash, still wearing his mask, and asked if he could get anything for them. He was already setting out the silverware and napkins.
“You have enough here for my sisters, CJ, Peter, and guests that drop in. This is great.”
“I hope everyone loves it. I thought it tasted good.”
“It does. Sure smells good too.”
He poured glasses of ice water for them. Then they took their seats, and she spooned out some of the stew and ate a bite. “Really delicious.”
Still wearing the mask and looking perfectly mysterious and roguish, he studied her. “You’re not just saying that to be nice, are you?”
“When I fill my bowl with a second helping, I’d say no, I’m not just saying so to be nice.” It was delicious.
He sighed audibly.
She smiled. “See, you can cook.” She realized he must have really worried about it and hoped she had set his mind at ease.
“Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. Since I’m sharing it with you, I’m glad that it turned out okay.” Then he studied her for a moment, and she knew what was coming next. “About the dating business…”
“No worries about that.”
He frowned.
“I’m just going to date each guy once.”
“In the pack.”
“Yep.”
He grunted.
“This is what you suggested.”
“Which was a complete mistake.”
“Hey,” Meghan called out from the back door. “Is that stew I’m smelling? Much better than having hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls.”
“We’re in the breakfast nook having Brett’s delightful beef stew.”
“Brett can cook?” CJ asked, sounding like he was trying to give his brother a hard time.
Everyone laughed.
CJ, Laurel, and Meghan joined them and sat down to eat. Her sisters were wearing low-cut Elizabethan gowns, Laurel’s in pale blue and Meghan’s in rich burgundy. CJ was sporting a sexy Robin Hood costume, which was funny because he was a deputy sheriff. Before long, Peter, the sheriff, showed up as Han Solo, another rogue, and Meghan got him a bowl of stew.
“Oh, this is great.” Peter smiled at the ladies. “So did you all make it?”
“My brother did,” CJ said, sounding proud of him. “Now I know he was lying all those years when he said he couldn’t cook so I’d make the meals.”
“It worked, didn’t it?” Brett said, grinning.
Ellie was glad everyone loved his stew. “Peter, Remer said you took piano lessons from Matilda.”
“Not for very long. My mom made me take them. She said it would give me focus and that maybe I’d even have some real talent. But I hated it. When the other boys were down by the river having fun, I was stuck at home playing the piano. I was so moody and difficult to live with that my mom finally said I could stop taking the lessons. I had no talent for music at all. Remer and a few of Matilda’s other students were really good at it. Mervin was one of the best.”
“Mervin? He never plays the piano. Lots of other instruments though,” Ellie said.
“He couldn’t afford to have a piano back then. And at our celebrations, he always has instruments that are more easily transported.” Peter finished his beer. “Bertha Hastings also took lessons and plays beautifully, but she met John when they were young and mated. So if she’d had any thought of playing professionally, that ended that. Instead, her mate opened the hardware store, and she opened their house as a bed-and-breakfast.”
“And Remer took lessons from Matilda,” Brett said.
“Yeah.” Peter helped himself to more stew. “He and Mary Nicholson were the only two who took lessons from Matilda and ended up playing professionally.”
“Mary Nicholson? I don’t remember her.” CJ served himself more of the stew too.
Peter shook his head. “Don’t doubt it. She was one of Matilda’s first students. She was so proud of Mary. She told all of her students about the child prodigy. Mary was five when she started lessons with Matilda. She was only ten when she started playing for audiences all over. Matilda had always hoped she’d find another genius among her students. I certainly wasn’t one.” Peter chuckled.
“What about Remer?” Brett asked.
“He was really good at it. Enough to make a living. He worked hard to get somewhere with piano. Just like Bertha and Matilda’s other students who stuck with it. Mary had a rare gift. Matilda followed Mary’s career in the papers for years. She shared with us all about Mary’s fame. Your great-aunt was ju
st like her, you know. She had a real gift. She started playing when she was four and never stopped. She was so proud of Mary, but I think it hurt her feelings that the girl never kept in touch with her.”
“Because she’d been her first teacher from a small town?” Ellie asked. “Well, and a wolf from her pack?”
“That was the real kicker. Mary wasn’t a wolf. Her family lived in a nearby town, and her mother drove her here for lessons. They couldn’t afford a piano, so she brought Mary to Silver Town several times a week to practice on Matilda’s piano. Matilda even offered for Mary to come live with her so she could teach her everything she knew—even though she wasn’t a wolf and that could have been a hardship for Matilda and everyone around here. The parents felt their daughter needed a real teacher to hone her talent so they moved to New York City. They thought of Matilda as the only local piano teacher around here.”
“I bet Matilda was upset.” Ellie could imagine how much Brett’s great-aunt had wanted to help the girl find real success.
“She was. She never had such a brilliant pianist to teach. Most of her students were like me, hating to go, hating the lessons, while Matilda loved to play. And she loved teaching. She’d played solo and in concerts all over. She didn’t talk about it much to others. Just to her students. Still, she was a wolf, and she finally gave it all up to come home to her family and find a mate. And teach ungrateful students like me.” Peter smiled.
“Was she disappointed that you quit?” Ellie thought Matilda would have felt like a failure if she couldn’t show every student the joy of playing the piano.
“No, she knew my heart wasn’t in it. That it was my mother’s notion, not mine. Matilda was really good at understanding her students. Really patient with all of us. She wasn’t a taskmaster. She wanted me to have fun while we practiced. One time, I was in a particularly sour mood. Teen hormones, you know.”
Meghan chuckled.
Peter smiled at her. “I really liked this girl who was going out with a bunch of kids to run to the waterfall as wolves. They wouldn’t budge on the time, and my lesson was for that same period. Matilda told me to go, run, be with my friends. She’d cover for me and secretly give me a lesson some other time when it was more convenient. She knew what it was like to be a teen. Her mother had made her take singing lessons, and she hated them. So she understood.”