WereCat Fever (12 page)

“Yes. When we were babies, our parents were on a hunt. I’d wandered off on my own before some ranch hands stumbled across Bryan, who was obediently playing with his truck where Mom and Dad left us.”

“So you really are biological brothers?” They did look enough alike for her to believe it. Apparently, Bryan hadn’t meant “brother” as a euphemism after all.

“Yes,” Hunter said. “Our pride looked for Bryan for years without a trace. When he wandered back into our territory, we found him too late to help him through his first transition and too late to prevent the Were infection. Once he found out how the shifter gene can be passed during unprotected sex, he tried to find answers and a way to prevent it from happening to you.”

Bryan touched her cheek. “I checked back on you every year. Had Thomas promise to call if anything happened to you.”

“When I get my hands on that man…”

“Don’t blame him. I told him it was for your own good. I hoped maybe you’d somehow escaped. Then this year you started manifesting early symptoms.”

“How did you know?” she asked Bryan.

“Thomas called and Hunter’s been in touch with Doc.”

“Doc wouldn’t say anyth—”

“Not intentionally, and not directly about you, but Hunter claimed he was from the CDC. He asked Doc if he had a case that fit the symptoms and requested a blood sample. Wasn’t hard to guess it was you.”

Lacey’s scowl incorporated both men. “Like I said, I have things to do. I hope you brought formal clothes. The country club is hosting the diamond jubilee party, and I don’t want my dates to be underdressed.”

The day had been eventful, what with so many tourists and reunion visitors in town. The gala tonight, after the parades and dinner, was what they’d all been waiting for; a chance to get everyone together in one location and watch how they interacted.

Bryan was used to hanging with the country club set from his past, but Hunter had to learn if he wanted to work in high end real estate, he’d have to mingle with high end clients. As an attorney, Bryan had the contacts, but whether he liked the idea or not, he and Hunter worked their business together. The country clubs and elite parties Hunter had attended in the past were no more or less exclusive than this one. Both men fit right in with the Cauldwell Country Club set.

Hunter hung back with a drink in his hand and admired the way Lacey mingled and managed a smile for everyone, including the three women with Tory Cauldwell. The brunette seemed especially put out by her. She must be the one who had her mind set on snagging Bryan. She gave Lacey a limp wrist when they greeted. As an afterthought, she added an air kiss on both cheeks, but Hunter suspected it was only because Bryan was standing beside her.

Hunter couldn’t resist asking Lacey to dance, and he enjoyed watching the women’s heads spin on their necks like they were on a swivel. Their attention shot between Tory, Bryan, and himself, drawing instant conclusions. There was no question he and Bryan looked too much alike for anyone to ignore the similarities. Rumors would run rampant, and Hunter couldn’t wait for the reaction from Tory’s old man.

Lacey politely excused herself and took his hand. “I’d love to dance, thank you,” she said. She didn’t introduce him and neither did Bryan. Ignoring the group’s unexpressed questions regarding his identity, Lacey smiled graciously as they turned away.

He pulled her against him and whispered in her ear, “Well, that went over like a fart in church. Everyone smelled it but everyone’s ignoring it.”

She giggled against his chest when he pulled her into his arms and two stepped to the music. “Jeanette is grinding her teeth with curiosity and Carol Anne is spittin’ jealous. Thanks for saving me.”

“From what?”

“Carol Anne always wanted a Cauldwell and had to settle for Tory. Jeanette wanted Bryan. Now she can’t believe there are two of you. You know, two men as hunky as Bryan, and I showed up with both of you.”

“Who’s the other woman with them?”

“That’s my friend, Donna,” she said.

“What’s a friend of yours doing hanging out with them?” Hunter kept his disapproval to himself. It didn’t seem to bother Lacey that her friend was associating with the
so-called
enemy.

“Donna was born into the country club set, but that never kept her from being a friend. She was a couple of grades ahead of me in school and always marched to a different beat than the rest of those snooty girls.” Lacey leaned in and whispered, “We hit it off and grew closer over the last few years. Now she’s mingling, doing some reconnaissance for me.”

Hunter glanced over to where Carol Anne had abandoned Tory and slipped her arm into Bryan’s. She and Jeanette were circling Bryan like vultures that hadn’t seen roadkill in a month.

Lacey put her head down and let out a low, unladylike sound, tensing all over.

“You have to put up with them much?” Hunter asked.

“All my life,” she said. “You get used to it and then you get over it.”

“With all you’ve been through, you have a great attitude, Lacey.”

“Not always, where they’re concerned. I see it this way: they’re still wannabes, and I have my horse riding business, my teaching position, and good friends. When I look at their lives…well, it’s sad. But if they don’t take their hands off Bryan, their lives are going to get even sadder.”

Just before Hunter thought there was going to be a cat fight—literally—Donna, Lacey’s Barbie doll spy, went to Bryan’s rescue. The other women were left standing around with Tory whispering under their breath. As soon as Donna dragged Bryan onto the dance floor, Hunter and Lacey both released a sigh, and then Lacey relaxed in his arms.

“Hunter, let’s get a drink. I know the bartender.”

“Who is this bartender and how well do you know him?” Was that jealousy Hunter was feeling? He’d have to examine this sudden sense of ownership he felt toward Lacey.

“Jack, Keiran’s husband. He works for the sheriff’s department.” Lacey furrowed her brow and gave Hunter a sideways glance as if he’d lost his mind.

Hunter shrugged. Yes, he was losing his mind. He’d never cared about any woman’s past.

“Duh, I’ve known him almost all my life like everyone else in this town. Keiran’s husband works for the caterer sometimes when he can arrange it.”

“Oh, right.” Hunter grunted, feeling stupid and confused. “So Jack is bartending?”

“Play your cards right and I’ll get you a beer. I want to introduce you to him anyway and check in with him. He’s supposed to be keeping his ears open for me. With all the people back in town for the celebration, I figured a few well-placed questions might offer some new information about what happened back…”

“So let me get this straight. You have Donna, the goddess, spying for you. Jack, Keiran’s detective husband, Bryan, and I all gathering information for you. Anyone else we should know about?” Hunter asked.

“Well, yes. Thomas, of course.”

“Right, Thomas. Does Bryan know any of this?”

She shrugged. “I didn’t think to mention it. I suppose he should know we have help.”

“Good idea. Will probably keep us from stepping on each other’s toes. Now how about that beer?”

As they wandered arm in arm to the bar, Hunter observed Donna and Bryan stop and talk to a man in uniform. Bryan told Hunter he’s dropped by the sheriff’s office several weeks before to explain his disappearance. A falling out with old man Cauldwell and discovering he was adopted explained a lot.

When Lacey sighed, Hunter turned to see what was bothering her. She watched Jack as he fixed a few drinks. Nothing appeared strange. “What?”

“Jack will probably be doing a lot more moonlighting once Keiran gets pregnant. Then she won’t be able to keep up with the riding lessons later on.”

“You worried about help? What will you do without her?”

“No, the help isn’t the issue. Keiran’s got a mess of younger sisters. Two or three of them already help out in season. We’re just winding down from the summer influx of tourists. The dude ranches were packed this year. They always need horses and extra guides.”

“Then what’s bothering you?”

“I wish I could find something for Keiran to do when she can’t ride. They’ll need the extra income.”

“Don’t worry,” Hunter said, as they approached the bar. “If I have learned anything about you tonight, it’s that you’ll think of something. Now, is this Jack?”

“Jack Tatum, Hunter Harris,” Lacey said, making the introductions. Jack stared at Hunter then glanced in Bryan’s direction.

“Pleased to meet you. Harris? Don’t recall any Harris kin to the Cauldwells.”

“He’s Bryan’s biological brother. It’s a long story.”

Jack lowered his voice. “Then I guess that’s what has Tory and his father in a fit tonight. Something about most of the land the ranch sits on belonging to Cauldwell’s first wife. Seems the codicil in her will left her land to Bryan, not her husband. Tory’s fuming.”

“But Bryan wasn’t her natural son. Why would she do that?”

“She loved him like he was her own.” Jack stood back. “Hold that thought while I take care of these payin’ customers.” He moved down the bar to serve an older couple. The man left a ten in the tip jar and waved to Lacey. Jack told him he’d name his firstborn after him. “My dad,” he explained.

The younger man’s humor made Hunter laugh. He could see why Lacey trusted him.

“Where was I? Oh, yeah. From all I remember, Missus Cauldwell was a good, loving woman. Even the old man wasn’t so bad back when she was alive. After he took up with Tory’s mom, things went to hell. Now that woman he married was known as the wicked witch of west Texas.”

“So now that Bryan’s back…are you telling us the ranch is his?” Hunter wanted clarification. Bryan had no idea.

“Seems so. At least the land that Emma bequeathed to him.” Jack released a slow smile. “Guess the Cauldwells will lose the parcel out by you, Lacey. Looks like they lost the land with the hills and the oil. Couldn’t happen to a nicer group of scoundrels.”

Hunter wondered, “Who else knows about the old will?”

“I have no idea. It had to be recorded, so there’s a record somewhere. It’s not common knowledge, I can tell you that much. Tory and the old man were whispering and shut up fast when I moved in their direction.”

“You heard them from here?” Lacey asked. “Maybe you misunderstood.”

“No. I heard them just right. I have exceptional hearing.” Jack squirmed and changed the subject. “Hope this helps. Tomorrow I’m going to look into all this, Lacey. Seems secrets like this open all kinds of cans of worms, if you get my drift. Nice meeting you, Hunter.”

“Yeah, you, too, and thanks for the heads up.” Hunter discreetly sniffed the air and swore he caught the faint scent of dog. No, wolf. The bowls of potpourri strewn about the long bar affected Hunter’s sense of smell. Nice cover. He and Bryan weren’t the only dual life-forms present.

“You know, I don’t know how Keiran stands Jack’s new aftershave. It makes me think of sandalwood and wet dog,” Lacey said.

Hunter began to chuckle.

“What’s so funny?”

He wasn’t sure he should share this new information with Lacey yet. Apparently, her sense of smell was developing, but he didn’t think she was ready to hear her girlfriend was married to a wolf shifter. Once he opened his senses, he realized the place was crawling with other life forms. The tables were spread with fragrant fruits, like pineapples, and strong-scented flowers, like gardenias, to interfere with their highly developed olfactory organs. Who or what were hiding their identities?

Lacey stiffened beside him. He followed her gaze to a man arguing with Bryan. Donna glanced back at them and he assumed she needed help. Lacey didn’t move when Hunter asked, “Is that Cauldwell?”

Lacey nodded and inhaled. She straightened her back and said, “Come. Bryan needs support.”

Hunter wondered if he did. Things had changed since Bryan left, but Lacey didn’t know that. She was used to supporting him after his adoptive father beat him down; ever since Bryan defied his father and continued to date her in spite of the family’s objections.

Hunter understood what Bryan saw in her over other women. As he appraised the women in the garden, he realized their looks were merely a forgery of Lacey’s true beauty. He didn’t want to add to her problems. She had enough to deal with standing up to the Cauldwells, and Bryan had enough on his mind with Lacey. Wait until he found out about the family ranch situation and the influx of the other shifters into town.

Some could be susceptible to the Were virus. And if they’d been here all along, Hunter couldn’t help wondering if one of them had been responsible for Lacey’s father’s death. He figured the news could wait a little longer.

“Okay, Lacey, let’s go save our boy from the big bad wolf. Though, truth be told, we’re probably saving the Cauldwells from Bryan.”

This would give him the opportunity to find out what Cauldwell was, if he could get close enough.

Tory walked up to Cauldwell around the same time Hunter pulled aside his brother. Good, Hunter thought, he nailed a two for one special.

“Hey, Bryan. Can I have a word with you?” Hunter asked, maneuvering himself closer to the old man and Tory. But even after he opened up his enhanced olfactory senses, there was no scent of dog.