Jake smiled, switching on his turn signal. “That’s where we’re headed. Welcome to the West Side Inn.”
Chapter 3
Harper gazedup at the turrets, a spark of anticipation fluttering in her chest - the first hint of real joy she'd experienced since that terrible incident in the national park. "And that's where we're going? I'd love to have a room in one of those turrets, it would be absolutely perfect."
Katerina gave her a thumbs up. “I stayed in a turret, before I moved in with Troy. Long story, I’ll fill you in later. The view is stunning. I used to love sitting in a beam of sunlight and sketching.”
Jake pulled around the drive to a small parking lot behind the inn. “We’ll get you checked in, and then I have to get back to work. Katerina and Becca will take care of you, though.”
Feeling her cheeks heat with embarrassment, Harper struggled to reply. “I-I don’t need anyone to take care of me. I’ll be fine, really. And at least no one is going to be looking for a fox-lady here in New York, they’re all too busy combing Northern California for me.”
"That's true," Katerina said, as Jake pulled into a parking space. Her golden eyes sparkled with warmth. "Come on, Harper, let's go get you checked in, and Jake can bring your luggage."
"Oh, thanks," Jake scoffed, but he laughed, getting out and going to the back of the truck. Harper hesitated for a moment before sliding out of the passenger seat, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sweater as she braced herself to go inside and face meeting more new people. Her heart raced a little faster at the prospect of so many strangers, even if they were supposedly safe and welcoming. She smoothed her sweater down one more time, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves.
Trailing behind Katerina, Harper walked down an extended corridor that stretched toward the inn's entrance. The passage widened into an entrance hall across from the main doors. Behind the desk stood the proprietor - a statuesque older Black man with silver-peppered black hair cut short against his scalp and dark eyes that seemed to hold infinite depths. He stood, extending his hand in greeting, and she reached out to clasp it in a handshake.
His rich baritone washed over her like warm honey. "I'm Angus Johnston, my wife and I run the bed and breakfast. We're privileged to welcome you, Harper. What you did was truly brave."
The compliment made her cheeks flame, and she lowered her gaze to the floor. "Looking back, it seems reckless more than anything."
"Nonsense," he said, his voice brusque yet gentle. "You flung yourself into battle with an apex predator to save a tourist, despite the danger - a rare quality these days." His dark eyes held such warmth and approval, Harper had to resist the urge to squirm under his steady gaze.
Through the entryway, Jake appeared hauling her luggage, and chimed in. "You've made us so proud, Harper. Incredibly proud! None of the other stuff counts. The revelation about shifters was inevitable anyway. And here's something to think about, if you haven't already. Sure, people saw you transform-but it happened while you were heroically protecting others, throwing yourself at an aggressive grizzly. We couldn't have asked for a better way for shifters to introduce ourselves to humans. This will help a lot of them accept us."
"From a public relations standpoint, this is pretty much ideal for us," Katerina agreed with a satisfied expression. "Sure, it's rough being in your shoes right now, but keep in mind that no cameras caught your features, and your human form was visible for such a short moment before the shift that there's zero chance anyone could recognize you. You don't have anything to worry about," she emphasized, squeezing Harper's shoulder while fixing her amber eyes on them with sincere conviction. "You're safe here."
Harper couldn’t help feeling gratified, but before she could respond, the thud of boots echoed on the porch. The front door flew open, and a young woman burst into the lobby. Although she was dressed in jeans, a cotton shirt, and boots, she had an exotic look, with thick blue-black hair, long and wild, her eyes a stormy dark blue-grey.
“I’m late! I didn’t mean to be, but the class ran late, and then Morgana decided she didn’t want her hooves picked, and, well, I won, but it took awhile.” That bright gaze fell on Harper, and the woman smiled. “You must be Harper. I’m so glad to meet you. I’m Becca.”
"It's nice to meet you, too, and congratulations on your engagement." Harper noticed how Becca's eyes sparkled with happiness, despite her obvious exhaustion from the day's activities.
Becca blushed prettily, rosy color spreading across her golden skin, and her gaze flew to Jake, a soft smile curving her lips, before looking back at Harper. "Thank you."
Angus cleared his throat. "Harper, do you have a preference for rooms? We've got rooms facing north, south, west, and allhave balconies. There are turret rooms on the third floor." His deep voice resonated with the warmth of a gracious host.
"Have you got a turret room available?" she asked hesitantly. Harper couldn't help imagining how nice it would be to curl up in a cozy circular space with a good book, watching the world through those curved windows. The thought of being up high in one of those Victorian towers appealed to both her human and fox natures.
“We surely do,” Angus responded, his fingers tapping on the keyboard before him. The printer spat out a piece of paper, which he laid on the counter. “If we can get your signature on this, and then swipe your card there, and you’re all set.”
She signed and swiped. Angus took the sheet, and passed her a key. An honest-to-gosh old-fashioned key, that looked like it was brass with a curlique on the end.
“You’ll be in the west turret, take a right at the top of the stairs, and that’s yours. Breakfast is from six-thirty until nine in the morning,” he told her. “There are hot and cold beverages as well as snacks, available around the clock in the lounge,” and he pointed through an open doorway opposite the desk. “Your WiFi password is in the room beside the phone, and there’s a coin-operated laundry in the basement.”
“Thank you,” she told him, as Jake started up the stairs with her suitcases.
“Do you want us to come up?” Katerina asked. “Or are you tired?”
Harper was conscious of absolute exhaustion, weariness weighing on her like a heavy blanket. Besides the strain of the last weeks, selling her car, packing up her belongings to be shipped here, and then the long plane flight across the country, she was about at the end of her rope. The ends of her nerves felt frayed, and right now, the prospect of solitude sounded like the most wonderful thing in the world.
"I'm a little tired," she admitted aloud, grateful to Katerina for giving her the out. Her eyelids felt heavy, and her body sagged with fatigue, making the simple act of remaining upright feel like an impossible task. The idea of retreating to a peaceful chamber, wrapped in plush covers and blissful privacy, called to her.
Katerina nodded. "You're coming to Troy and me for dinner, I'll pick you up around six." She grinned, her golden eyes sparkling with mischief. "Whether you want to or not. That'll give you a few hours for a good nap."
"That sounds perfect." Harper meant it, too. The prospect of a long nap, followed by dinner with the friendly shifter sounded like exactly what she needed.
She was startled by Becca pulling her into a close hug, the other woman's warmth and acceptance washing over her. Harper stiffened for a moment before relaxing into the embrace, surprised by how natural it seemed.
