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“Do you think she had anything to do with this? Zach did just break up with her.”
“No, I don’t. She hasn’t missed work, so she personally didn’t shoot your brother.”
“Good to know.”
“I’m thinking it’s best for our family to say Zach is still missing. I don’t think we can keep him hidden forever, however,” her dad said. “If we don’t find these people quickly, we may have to declare him dead, and you know that funerals are a big deal in our family. We’d have to do it up to make it believable.”
Yes, and that would cost money. “Dad, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Do you even think Zach will agree to remain in hiding? He’ll want to get back to work as soon as possible.”
“I know. He’ll be the hardest to convince. I’ll see if we can recruit another forest ranger for the time being. That might give him some peace of mind.”
"What about Zach’s best friend, Mike Halperin? He’s a wilderness guide and knows the trails as well as Zach does.”
“Great idea. I’ll give him a call to see if he’s free.”
“Good. Are you going to talk to Zach about staying with Alex and Liam or should I?”
“You might have the most success. He’ll listen to you. If you fail, I’ll send in the big guns,” he said.
“You mean Mom?”
“Absolutely.”
“Sheriff, there’s one more thing,” Alex said. “We can’t be sure, but it’s possible Tawny could be targeted too—as well as other Grangers. We’ve offered our spare bedroom to her. Please talk some sense into her. She shouldn’t be alone.”
Her father pressed his lips together. She knew that look all too well. He didn’t like the idea, but then he nodded. “I’m betting if Zach knows that Tawny will be staying with you two that he’d be more willing to be there also.” He faced her. “I think you should stay with the men. They can handle any attack that comes your way.”
Really? He wanted her to be with both of them? Did he think staying in a spare bedroom would be safe? Or was that her inner woman thinking that? Regardless, she was a logical person. “I would feel safer knowing I had two experts in firearms and fighting—both in human and werewolf form—close by.”
“Good.”
“All right. The three of us will try to talk some sense into Zach,” she said. “He might believe Liam and Alex more than anyone else that there is a threat out there.”
“More than his old man?”
Tawny shrugged. “Yes. You are too emotional.”
Her dad held up a hand. “You’re right. After all, he is my son. Go ahead, but have you thought how you are going to transport him to Alex and Liam’s place? No telling who might be watching.”
He had a point. Then she smiled. “I’ll bring a cage. I run the rescue center after all. No one will question it. I often have cages in my car.”
Her father looked impressed. “I like it. If you can convince Zach to shift and go in a cage, you can convince him to do anything.”
She grinned. “Leave it to me.” The three of them stood. “Dad, would you mind calling Aunt Corrine and let her know we’re on our way?”
“Not at all.”
As soon as they left the office, she thanked Alex and Liam once more. “You don’t have to do this, you know.”
“Are you kidding?” Alex said. “Your uncle is letting us use his barn while we finish our basement set up. It’s the least we can do.”
She waited for them to say they were doing this for her, but they didn’t. Tawny wondered when they’d spring it on her that they believed she was their mate—assuming they were. The issue was that they both seemed to be attracted to her, and Tawny wasn’t sure she was ready to handle two men. On the other hand, she wasn’t sure she could give up either one.
It was possible the changing of the eye color, the sudden stubble growth on the face, and the lengthening of teeth happened to all werewolves who were sexually interested in a woman. All this stuff about fated mates could be wrong. Her friend Ariel didn’t seem to think so, but that was only one data point—okay two, if she counted her mom.
“Just follow me to my uncle’s house. It’s about a twenty minute drive.”
“What about the cage?” Liam asked.
