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“She is.”
“You said you have four siblings. What are they like?”
Zach went through the list starting with his twin sister. “Tawny, who is mated to the two men I told you about, runs the Wildwood Rescue Center in town.”
“Really? That sounds amazing.”
“We can always ask if she can use more help, though she did just hire someone. He's the brother of my cousin's mate, in fact.”
“Then I wouldn’t want to impose.”
“I get it. Next is Dan. He’s twenty-eight and a high school math teacher.”
“Your family has quite diverse interests.”
“True,” Zach said. “Next comes Mason. He is a private investigator. I’m hoping he can dig up some information on this Doug guy that might help us.”
“I'd like that. And the last sibling?”
“Brandon. He runs a car dealership in town.”
“Does he sell used cars?”
“He does, but I’m thinking we can find you a loaner to get you started.”
“That would be great.” Zach was too good to be true. Did he and his family open their arms to all strangers?
The trip out of the forest was a bit disconcerting, only because she wondered if Doug had been able to convince Mindy to tell him where Cassidy was headed. Would he be waiting somewhere in town? Maybe Zach’s private investigator brother could ask around for her.
About twenty minutes later, Zach pulled into a nice neighborhood. With Mike right behind them, it gave her a sense of security. When Zach drove up the drive of a sprawling ranch house, she relaxed. “This is nice.”
“Thanks. To me, it’s just home, sweet home. My folks have lived here since they married many years ago.”
He cut the engine, jumped out, and opened Cassidy’s door. She never waited for anyone to do that, but she had been lost in thought for a moment.
Zach held out his hand and helped her down, not that she needed it. “Ready to meet my folks?”
CHAPTERFIVE
Mike couldn’t wait to see how the interaction between Cassidy and Zach’s parents would play out, though he could guess how it would go down. Mrs. Granger would fawn all over Cassidy, asking all kinds of intimate questions, like when she and Zach would be getting together. Mike had been through that scenario a few times. Only this time, it would hopefully be the last girlfriend his parents would have to meet.
Meeting someone’s parents was never easy, though Cassidy probably wasn’t thinking along those lines. She was there for food, a hot shower, and a good night’s sleep. That’s all.
Now that Mike understood that Cassidy was Zach's and his mate, Mike hoped he didn’t end up rushing her and messing things up. She was skittish enough as it was—not that he blamed her.
What a shame murder wasn’t legal, or he’d drag Zach and a few of their friends down to Thomas Ridge, Wyoming, and teach this Doug guy a lesson. Having such angry thoughts at the moment wouldn’t do anyone any good. He needed to focus on the positives. Hell, maybe he should thank Doug for chasing her away, right into his arms and hopefully into his bed.
On the way to the Granger family home, Mike had called Tawny and explained the situation. He let it slip that Cassidy was their mate. Since her brother had basically offered Cassidy some of Tawny’s clothes, he thought she might like to meet this mystery woman. Needless to say, Zach’s twin was thrilled and excited to help.
He pulled behind Zach in his parents’ driveway. Mike and Zach had been best friends forever, and Mr. and Mrs. G were like his second parents—or rather his mom was like a second mom. Zach's dad could be rather stuffy at times. Then again, he was the town sheriff. Come to think of it though, it wouldn’t do anyone any good to have a sheriff who was a pushover or who visited the bars every night—not that Mr. G could get drunk if he tried. Werewolves had a high tolerance for liquor.
Zach knocked on his truck window.Shit. Mike had been lost in thought. He pushed open the door. “Sorry. I was thinking about something.”
“I totally understand. I’m having a hard time focusing myself. Come on.”
Cassidy was waiting next to Zach’s truck with her backpack. Mike slipped it from her fingers. “I’ll carry it.”
“Thanks.”
