Page 34 of Big Bad Wolf

Rafe backed away and cleared his throat. “I can’t leave. It’s not safe.”

Ruby didn’t have time to argue with her wolfy protector before Gert and Lena were coming in the back door.

“Are you alright?” She went to Lena’s side, ignoring a scowling Rafe at her back.

“I’m fine. Really.” Lena waved her concerns away with a hand. Ruby scanned her for damage. She was wearing one of her favorite light-pink sweatsuits and her dark hair was pulled away from her face in a low bun. The gold studs she always wore in her ears glinted in the early morning sun and her fingernails were perfectly manicured. She’d taken to doing them herself at home to avoid any embarrassing moments, and she’d gotten pretty damn good at it. She avoided so many places now, but she’d gone out to grab donuts for breakfast to give Ruby and Rafe some privacy, and look at what had happened.

The hand she tried to wave Ruby’s concerns away with was trembling and her face was ashen. Ruby never should have let her out of the house alone.

“Thanks, Gert. For bringing her home.”

The older woman took her hand in hers. “I’ve told you a million times, whatever you girls need, I’m here.”

Ruby swallowed the emotions burning in her throat. Gert had told her that before, especially since Aunt Millie’s death, but somehow she’d never quite believed it. Never let herself believe it, but now here Gert was showing up for her, helping her when she needed it.

“Thanks.”

Gert squeezed her hands before letting go to give Lena a hug.

“Now you get some rest,” she said, cupping Lena’s face in her hands. Lena nodded the best she could while being held. “And maybe something to eat. Must have been your blood sugar.” She kissed Lena on the forehead and then turned back to Ruby. “You call me if you need anything. Understand?”

Ruby nodded, feeling like she was being both scolded and comforted at the same time. It made her miss her aunt even more.

“I understand. Thanks, again.”

Ruby nearly had Gert back out the door when Gert’s gaze finally caught sight of the man lurking in their kitchen. Her eyebrows rose in question.

“That’s Rafe,” Ruby said as though that explained everything.

Gert frowned. “I’ve heard about him.”

“He’s … uh … a friend.”

“Mmhmm…” Gert glared at Rafe and he glared back. Ruby nearly laughed at the woman’s fierceness. “Anything at all,” Gert repeated. “Call me,” she said, not taking her eyes off of Rafe.

“Got it,” Ruby said.

Gert gave Rafe one more scowl before heading out.

“Who was that?” Rafe growled.

Ruby put her hand on her hip. “Gert. She owns the diner. Have you not been in yet?”

“I have. Never met her though.”

“Well, she looked like she wanted to kick your ass. Any idea why?”

“No,” he rumbled.

Lena raised her eyebrows, her gaze jumping back and forth between them. “I’m going to let you two talk…” she said with one more meaningful glance at Ruby. “But you’re not off the hook,” she whispered as she walked by. “I want to know what’s going on.”

“I told you, he’s a friend. He … uh … got into a bit of a fight at the bar last night. So, I let him crash here.” There. That was a perfectly reasonable explanation. Ruby was about to congratulate herself on a lie well done when Lena asked,

“And why did he wake up naked? What happened to his clothes?”

Ruby coughed. “He … uh … lost them in a particularly ruthless game of strip poker. Now off you go.”

Lena looked at her like she didn’t believe a damn word she said, but mercifully she left without asking any more questions.