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Tawny refrained from groaning at that come-on line.
“I’ve been here two months, but I don’t like to go to bars by myself. I live with my brother, but he’s not into this scene either. Computers are more to Brad’s liking, so we mostly stay home.”
Tawny had no idea that Julia even had a brother. That would be something she’d like to learn more about. “Let’s grab a booth.”
“Sure.”
“Nice meeting you, Julia,” Will said with a big grin. Tawny quickly led her away from her cousin.
Once they were seated, Julia looked over at the bar and motioned toward Will with her head. “Your cousin seems nice.”
“He is.” She was about to say he was too busy to date, but she’d let those two figure things out. “So, tell me about yourself.”
Julia shrugged. “Our story is not all that interesting. Brad and I moved here from Idaho, but you know that from my application. What’s not in there is why we moved. My mother died recently, and Brad was having a hard time dealing with her death. We thought a change in location might help. And so far it has.”
Tawny could sympathize. “I imagine it would be hard to remain in a town where memories are around every corner.”
Melancholy mixed with joy often overwhelmed Tawny when she’d spot an antique in a store window that her Nana had loved or a book by one of her grandmother’s favorite authors. “How about your dad? Is he still there?”
“Yes, but he’s the stoic type. He was never one to show a lot of emotion.”
Tawny couldn’t imagine being in a family that didn’t hug and treat family as if they were special. That being said, her father didn’t show his emotions as much as her mom. As sheriff, he had to put on a stern face.
“Why Wildwood?” Tawny asked.
“Long ago, our family took a ski vacation here, and Brad loved it,” Julia explained.
“I get that. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. The summers are glorious, and the winters are so pretty.” But it was the same in Idaho, so why move five hours away when a town, say, an hour away, would have sufficed? Then again, Wildwood had great ski slopes.
“Do you ski?” Julia asked.
“When I have the time. In the summer, I try to go mountain climbing as much as I can. Being outside is in my blood.”
The server came over and took their drink orders. Being part werewolf, Tawny could handle her alcohol better than most. Regardless, she ordered a light beer, and Julia said she’d have the same.
“Have you heard from your brother?” Julia asked.
“Not from Zach, but I did speak with his best friend who spoke with him day before yesterday. My brother is our forest ranger, and apparently, some hikers were injured in a climb. He needed to help them.”
“That’s a relief. You two are close, I take it?”
It was nice to talk about family for a change instead of work. “Very close. We’re twins. My other three brothers are older, but it’s Zach and I who enjoy nature the most.”
“What are the others like?”
“Let me see. Dan is a high school math teacher. He’s gentle but stern with the kids. If I’d had him as a teacher, I think I might have actually liked math.”
Julia smiled. “I hear you. The sciences were not my thing either. And the last two?”
“Brandon owns the car dealership in town, and Mason is a private investigator.”
Julia’s eyes widened. “Really? So is Brad.”
“What a coincidence. Mason works way too much. Maybe he could use some help.” Tawny was saying that to be nice, but Mason might benefit from expanding his business.
“Do you think you could ask him? I know Brad would really appreciate it.”
“No harm in doing so.” Mason usually worked alone, but who knows? Having a partner might be good for him.
