“I won’t call unless we have some real breaking news.”
“All right.”
Then Eric called Sarandon. “Hey, I’m all right with clothes, but Waldron and some of his people were wandering around Pepper’s property while I was working at the park last night. I’m sure they’ve been watching her lands to see when I leave. I’m going to stay at her place and get some sleep while she’s at work. I just wanted you to know I might not be coming home tonight.”
Sarandon said, “I hate to hear she’s having more trouble with them, but I’m glad she’s asked you for your assistance. If you need any of us to help you out, let us know. At some point, you may need to come home and tell the men working on your place if you want anything changed. I’ve been talking to them and sent you all the pictures I took yesterday, but I’d feel better if you checked in with them.”
“I did. I looked over the pictures of the damage and okayed all that you had already agreed on. Brett set up a webcam so I can monitor the progress, and either he or CJ will be there supervising things, so we’re good.”
“Why didn’t I think of that? Okay, well, I’m on my way to lead a group on a hike to identify flowers. Congrats on catching that guy, by the way. The whole pack is abuzz about it. Wish I hadn’t been busy climbing the mountain at the time. Call me if you have any trouble.”
“Will do.”
Thinking Pepper might not have had time to shop for groceries since yesterday morning, Eric figured he’d drop by and get a few things. If she didn’t need or want them, he’d take them to Sarandon’s. He thought this was a nice way to pay her back for her kindness to him. He hoped she didn’t mind or feel like he was overstepping his bounds, because he was past ready to court the she-wolf.
Chapter 16
Pepper called Susan to tell her Eric was coming over to stay for the day. She wasn’t sure about the night, although she had every intention of saying he could, if he wanted to. But she didn’t need to tell Susan that. “So Eric will be by for the extra key to my place in a couple of hours. I just wanted to give you a heads-up. He’s worked a double shift at the park, so he’ll most likely be sleeping for a good part of the day. If you see anything troublesome, call me as usual. If I think we need his help, I’ll call him. But I don’t want to disturb him otherwise.”
Pepper began inspecting the Christmas trees on their farm. Thankfully, today was Susan’s day off, so she was home just chilling out. Pepper didn’t want Eric to have to make a special trip to the tree farm to pick up the key from her.
“Sure thing. Do you want me to run by your place and fix him breakfast? Or, actually, I could just fix breakfast for him here.”
“I don’t have anything but waffles. I’m sure he’s sick of them. So I’m sure he’ll appreciate the offer.”
“I’ve got everything he might want for a hearty breakfast. When he comes by for the key, I’ll feed him.”
“Thanks. I’ve got to grocery shop. But I’ll have to do it after work this evening. Call you later.” Pepper was glad Susan was better stocked than she was. She hated running errands. Pack members often said they’d shop for her if she liked, but she hadn’t wanted to impose. They were her pack members, not her hired help.
A couple of hours later, Susan called Pepper. “You are not going to believe this. You have to mate him, Pepper, or I will.”
“What did he do now?” Pepper assumed it was something positive, as excited as Susan sounded.
“He picked up groceries for you! I know I shouldn’t have, but I was curious and I asked to see what he had gotten for you and wow, some of the choicest cuts of steaks, more chocolate mousse pie, everything you’d want for breakfast, and a couple of bottles of wine. He even got you fixings for a lobster bisque he’s going to make. Sounds to me like he’s planning to stay for a while. Which would be a totally good thing, as far as I’m concerned. If he becomes a burden at your place, just send him over to mine. He can bring the groceries too.”
Lobster bisque? No wonder Susan was ready to grab the wolf and mate him.
“Anyway, he declined breakfast and said he’d throw something together at your place.”
Pepper was surprised to hear he had turned down breakfast at Susan’s place. Was he afraid Pepper would view it as Susan making a play for him? If so, he was a lot more intuitive than most guys she knew who, even if they hadn’t wanted anything to do with Susan romantically, would have at least enjoyed a home-cooked breakfast.
“Oh, and he said not to worry. He’d clean up afterward. He asked if you had a Crock-Pot. He said he was going to make his special lobster bisque, but the steaks? Another night maybe? I loaned him my Crock-Pot, in case yours wasn’t easy to find. Please tell me you don’t want him. I’ll let him down gently, and then I’ll do whatever I need to do to claim him.”
Pepper laughed. “Are you sure you could handle him?”
“Seriously? I’d definitely give it a shot. If you don’t want him for a pack leader mate, he’d still be a great addition to the pack—for protection, at the very least—if he were my mate.”
Pepper didn’t believe Eric would be happy as just a follower if he had the opportunity to be a leader. Even if he became a sub-leader, she was afraid that wouldn’t be enough. “He’s a leader at heart.”
“Right. So mate with him so I don’t have to embarrass myself.”
“How would you embarrass yourself?”
“He’s only got eyes for you. And I’d get turned down. You know how it is. A woman is just as hurt by rejection as a man. But I’d feel so much better about it if you caught him. You know we all loved Harold like a brother, but I’ve seen the way Eric is interested in you. And it’s not in the least bit brotherly. With me?” Susan sighed dramatically. “He’s just like Harold was with me. So tell me this business of Eric staying over is becoming a steady habit you don’t want to break.”
“Okay, Susan, part of me says he’s a good bet. That he would be the right one for me and for the pack.”
“Hot—”
“It’s forever you know.”
“Absolutely.”
“Not just for me, but for the whole pack. With Harold, everyone knew him from the time we were children. He was a known quantity. With Eric—”
“Yeah, yeah, so everyone knew Harold would do everything you said he’d do.”
Pepper let out her breath. “Harold didn’t ever want to take charge or suggest anything, even as much as I encouraged him to do so. He just wasn’t a leader. Even when he said he wanted to lead, he didn’t have the personality to make it happen. If I take a new mate, it means change. I won’t control everything with the pack.”
“You don’t think Eric could bring some fresh, new ideas to the pack that would improve things?”
“What if you or others in the pack don’t like his ideas?” What if he turned their whole pack upside down with his different notions?
“We’ll voice our opinion like we always do.”
“What if he doesn’t want to help lead the pack?”
“Fine, then he can just be your hot lover and mate and be part of the pack like the rest of us.”
A hot lover sure had its appeal. And if he could colead without taking over completely, Pepper would sure rethink having a mate. “I’ve got to go, Susan.”
“But you’re seriously considering it, right?”
“I’m…considering it.”
“Hot damn! I thought we would have to call for a pack rallying cry. Talk to you later.”
Pepper smiled as she ended the call with her sub-leader. She’d had mixed feelings about telling anyone, but she felt Susan knew her best, and if anyone understood the pack dynamics and what Pepper really needed in her life, it was Susan.
Pepper felt more and more that this was the right move for her to make. That Eric was right. The situation with their longevity changing had also made her
consider taking a mate. She might not have had children with Harold, but what if it wasn’t her fault? What if she was with a wolf like Eric and able to have children? She’d love it. Love them. Love him for it.
But would he feel the same way as she did about coleading a pack? He had said a pack could be a lot of trouble. Maybe he really didn’t want to lead one. She knew park rangers could have a lot of concerns on their jobs. Maybe he didn’t want the additional burden that leading a pack could mean.
Then again, she thought they could make this work, if they both wanted it enough. Hell, what she wanted more than anything was more of his passion, his kisses, and well…more.
She called him before he had a chance to retire to bed.
“Hey,” he said.
His voice was groggy and sleepy. He sounded charming, like she’d just woken her lover who was in her bed, waiting for her to come home and join him. That made her wish she was. What if she told him she was considering courting him? She couldn’t wait until he was more awake and she was home to see his reaction.
“Oh, Eric, I’m so sorry if I woke you. Susan said you picked up some groceries, and I just wanted to make sure I didn’t duplicate what you got. I thought I’d catch you before you fell asleep. I want to thank you. You really shouldn’t have gone to the trouble when you’ve already done so much for me.”
“No trouble at all. I hope that you don’t mind.”
“I hate grocery shopping. I buy everything I shouldn’t and forget everything I should buy. And yes, I make lists and forget them at home.”
He chuckled. “I normally don’t make lists, so I thought that was the only trouble. Here’s what I picked up for you though.” He emailed the list to her and then said, “I wasn’t sure if you’d like it, but I’m making lobster bisque for us for dinner—before the children’s birthday party and hot dogs. If it doesn’t appeal, I can make something else for us.”
“It sounds wonderful. I’ve never had it, but I do love lobster.” Unable to wait until she got home, she slipped in, “Um, we can court.” And then before he had time to say anything in response, she quickly added, “I’ll be home around six. And, Eric, thanks so much. I’ll pay you for the groceries when I get home.”
“Nothing doing. It’s my treat, as much time as I’ve spent at your place for the past few days.”
“All right. Well, get some sleep and I’ll see you later. You can tell me about all of the excitement you’ve had during your double shift.”
“Be glad to. You can tell me what you found out about Waldron’s visit. Have a good day, Pepper.”
“Sleep tight.” He hadn’t responded to her courting comment. Maybe he didn’t hear her mention it. Maybe he didn’t want to discuss something like that over the phone. She sighed.
She’d never expected to have a bachelor male wolf staying at her place like this. Not that she hadn’t thought about it, but more as a fantasy with no real expectations. She wondered what Pauline would think about Eric and a courtship with Pepper. Hopefully, she wouldn’t be annoyed with Pepper because she might be interested in another mate. But it had been seven years since she lost Harold, and only three for Pauline’s loss.
* * *
Eric settled back against the soft blue sheets and closed his eyes, glad Pepper was okay with him buying groceries and fixing her dinner… Wait! Did she say she wanted to court him? He sat up in bed and stared at the painting of Bear Creek Falls cascading down from the mountains near Telluride. She did say she wanted to court him!
He frowned. Didn’t she?
Chapter 17
It was killing Pepper to not be able to leave work early to help Eric with the meal, or just be there because he was doing something special for her. Not to mention that she wanted to spend more alone time with him if they were going to court. She sure hoped his nonresponse was only because he was so tired that he hadn’t heard her and not that he wasn’t interested.
When she finally arrived home, she was later than she’d hoped.
As soon as she walked in the door, she smelled the lovely scent of tea roses and strode toward the dining room, eager to see what Eric had done. A gold box of Godiva chocolates graced the table, along with at least two dozen velvety red roses in a Waterford crystal vase of blended colors of burgundy and blue. Two champagne glasses were sitting next to each other like a dating couple, and a bottle of champagne was chilling in a crystal ice bucket.
Wow. He was a keeper. If he didn’t know she’d said she was interested in courting him and this was his way of saying he wanted to court her, she was telling him again.
He walked into the dining room wearing her purple apron with the motto in hot pink letters: I keep the best snacks UNDER my apron, catching her full attention. The apron just didn’t have the same connotation when she wore it.
She smiled at him, wanting to see more of his snacks, then saw the scratches on his face and arms and frowned. “You look like…” She paused as he pulled her into his arms. “You were in a wolf fight. Weren’t you?”
“Yeah. At the park, but I don’t know if it was one of Waldron’s wolves. The wolf was definitely involved in the weed growing.” Eric was looking down at her so seriously, she was worried there was more to it, though the way his “snacks” were pressing against her belly, at least his body was interested in something else. “About what you said earlier… If I think you said what I hope you did when I was half-asleep, I want you to know the lobster bisque is just one of the special meals I make.” Then he frowned, still holding her close, pressing his delicious heat and his burgeoning arousal against her. “Did you say what I think you said?”
“That we should court?” She smiled up at him. “Yeah. I think we might be just right for each other. So when do I get to sample some of your…snacks?”
He gave her such a wicked grin, she knew he didn’t want to court her for long before he mated her. Which was usually the way it was with wolves, once they decided to court.
“Thank you for all of this,” she said, motioning with her head, because she had wrapped her arms securely around him. She wanted this closeness, this tenderness between them. She wished that her nephews’ birthday party wasn’t tonight.
She kissed Eric then, not only to thank him for everything, but to seal the deal as far as a courtship went. He kissed her right back, his tongue spearing her mouth and stroking her tongue, and she felt her panties dampen. Man, was she past ready to enjoy even more of him than this.
He pulled his hot mouth free from hers and kissed her forehead. “I hate to break up a great beginning, but I don’t want to make you late to the birthday party.” He started to lead her to her seat, which she thought was so gallant.
“Wait,” she said, pulling out her phone. “I have to get a picture of this.” She took a picture of the table setting and one of Eric wearing her apron.
He laughed. “I hope you’re keeping the picture of me just for yourself.”
“For Susan. She gave me the apron as a gift last Christmas. I want to show her how you put it to really good use.”
Smiling, he shook his head. “I was envisioning what the apron’s message would mean when you wore it.”
She chuckled. “Completely different snacks.”
“That I can’t wait to sample.” He escorted her to her seat, then served the bisque. He poured them each a glass of champagne, removed the apron, and joined her.
They toasted each other, then after she sipped hers, she ate some of the bisque—creamy, a little buttery, with lots of big chunks of lobster and a hint of garlic. It was so good that she asked him for the recipe.
He gave it to her and added, “But I’ll fix it for you anytime.”
“I’m going to have to take you up on that.”
“You should have seen me in the store, fretting over what I’d make for dinner tonight to convince you what a perfect wolf I am.”
&
nbsp; She laughed. But then she turned the conversation back to the situation with the rogue wolf. “So what happened with the wolf fight?” She wanted to hear that Eric had gotten the best of him and the wolf hadn’t gotten away.
“I broke his leg and had him arrested. He won’t shift, so we can’t question him.”
“The new moon’s out in three days.”
“Right. So as long as he’s not a royal, he won’t be able to hold his wolf form. That’s what we’re hoping for.”
She shook her head. “I’m so glad you caught up with one of the wolves. Let me know if he’s from Waldron’s pack. I’ve let my pack know about the situation with the other wolves.” Then she told Eric what she had done today at the Christmas tree farm, because it was one of the pack’s businesses. If she took him for her mate, he’d need to be just as vested in the properties as Harold had been. In fact, Harold had been so busy with them, he used his tiredness as an excuse when they retired at night. She certainly didn’t want that with a new mate. But she did want Eric to see the businesses as important to the pack.
He asked her a million questions about the process of cultivating the trees and replenishing them. She had a million answers to give him. She was glad he was interested in the Christmas tree farm and tree nursery. He seemed impressed with the operation, which she loved. She reminded herself that he loved his national park duties, so that was in line with what she did—as far as protecting and cultivating trees.
She glanced at the clock and sighed. “It’s time to go to the party. Are you sure that you want to go? You could just stay here and chill out, and we could have the rest of the champagne later.” She hurried to clean up the dishes while he rummaged through a sack, then pulled out two balls, one red, built sturdy for wolf cubs, and another blue one for human kids.
She smiled. “You didn’t have to bring them gifts.”
“Always. Kids expect it, and I wouldn’t have wanted to disappoint them.”