Howl For It
Page 6

Darla had heard about it long before her sisters had become involved with Smith males. While Smithville, North Carolina, was the place of comfort and relaxation for all shifters, a sanctuary where they could be themselves while hunting deer and elk and freshwater seals, Smithtown was for Smith Pack members and their kin only. Even other Packs didnt venture into Smithtown without express permission unless they were looking for a fight.
So with that particular history in her head, Darla was expecting a backwoods town filled with inbred redneck wolves. But, to her surprise, it was . . . charming. The smaller houses were nicely spaced with pretty little lawns and gardens, while the bigger homes were on lovely stretches of land. There were lots of trees and hills and deer and elk roaming around free. The town they cut through had quaint storefronts, a fancy restaurant, a more casual diner, and a movie theater showing Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry and The Golden Voyage of Sinbad.
It seemed like a quiet, pleasant town and she was happy to see someplace new. She loved finding new places to visit.
Eventually, they pulled onto a dirt road. They traveled for another five minutes until they reached a small house with a wraparound porch.
Is this your fathers house? she asked.
No. He turned the car off and got out.
Not real chatty, are ya? she muttered, watching the big wolf walk around the front of the car and come to her side. He opened the door and slipped his arms under her legs and behind her back.
I can walk, she told him.
If he heard her, she couldnt tell. He didnt respond at all. Not even a grunt. He simply lifted her out of the car, easily carrying her toward the house.
As it was in most Smith towns, whether outsiders were allowed or not, his front door wasnt locked and he walked right into his home.
And the inside of Eggie Smiths house was . . . sparse. Yes. Sparse was the word. Not bad or anything, but not exactly homey either. In the living room there was a folding card table, three folding chairs, two barrels she assumed were used for chairs, and a pretty big TV right against the wall. A color one at that with a remote sitting right on top of the set.
Yet for a man who probably hadnt been home for a very long time, it wasnt a bad place. Someone was keeping it dust free and airing it out every once in a while. Still, the way the wolf stood in the middle of it, glaring at the entire room, she had the feeling he was seeing it for the first time from an outsiders perspective.
Not wanting him to feel bad, Darla said, You can just put me down in that chair there. She pointed at one of the folding chairs around the folding table, but he snarled a little and held her a bit tighter.
Feeling awkward because she felt quite comfortable tucked in his arms, Darla asked, Have you been fixing up the place? I seeall the tools.
Building, he replied.
Oh, youve been building onto it?
That, too.
Darla blinked, glanced around without turning her head. Wait ... you built this place.
He grunted.
By yourself?
Mostly.
Fascinated, Darla turned her finger in a circle. Turn, turn.
Huh?
I want to see. Show me.
He stared at her a moment with that deadly frown before he slowly turned in a circle.
Impressed with what she saw, Darla grinned. This is beautiful, Egbert Ray. Did you design it yourself?
No. Cousin of mine gave me the plans. I put it together. When my brothers were sober and not arguing with your sisters, they helped.
Always amazed by people who could build things with their hands, Darla looked into that scowling face. Its beautiful.
Really?
Oh, yeah. Now its true that I can make you an clair that would have you weeping tears of joy, but other than that, I cant build a darn thing.
Well . . . thank you kindly. He took another look around. Aint got no furniture, though.
You have chairs and a table.
Okay. Aint got no real furniture.
Im not spun glass, Egbert Ray. My posterior can sit anywhere it has a need to.
He grunted . . . again, and walked into the hallway. She caught a glimpse of his kitchen and it wasnt too bad from what she could see. Had all the basics anyway. Then he was taking her up a sturdy set of stairs to the second floor. He took her into the first bedroom and she guessed this was where he slept when he was home. The bed was big and also sturdy. A human king or a bear twin. Based on the thickness of the legs of the frame, shed guess it was a bear twin.
With great care, he placed her on the bed with her back against the headboard. He stepped back, looked her over.
Now sleep . . . or something.
Darla bit the inside of her mouth to prevent a laugh from coming out. Poor thing. He was just used to dealing with other Marines, wasnt he?
After she got control of herself, Darla said, The stitches.
What about them?
I think they need to come out.
His frown became decidedly worse and she got the feeling maybe she was annoying him.
He motioned her forward and she leaned down a bit. His fingers moved her hair aside and she felt the tips slide across her wound. She trembled a little from the feel of his fingers against her skin, but he immediately pulled his hand back and stepped away.