“Anything for you. We wanna talk with you. We understand that your mate is your focus right now but need to talk about a few things.”
“Talk.”
“While Linc tracked her scent to find the snake that bit her, he found a car that was also filled with her scent. He had it towed out of the valley. It’s at Larry’s Auto Repair in Drowsy Hollow. He wanted you to know he’s having it fixed for her. There was a damaged windshield and damage to two door handles as well as some bumper and hood damage.”
He stops speaking and I wait to see what else he wants to say. I know there’s more, but I’m unable to fight the urge to narrow my eyes at the notion of Lincoln filling his attention with the scent of my woman.
“Lincoln has above average tracking capabilities. He did it to help.”
How does Riley so easily read my thoughts? I stiffen.
“Rye thinks the way you think, Tyson. We all do,” Joel says and then he folds his arms across his chest and waits for me to reply, I think. I say nothing.
Riley breaks the silence. “I know you’ll be taking her home today, according to Aunt Cat, but also that Cat will be coming out tomorrow to see her unless you’re coming back here…” He lets that hang.
“I won’t be coming back here tomorrow,” I answer. “My woman needs to rest.”
“Then, if it’s acceptable to you, we’d like to come out with her and bring the car. Talk to you. Most of the team. This is Ivy’s phone.” He hands me a device he’s pulled from his pocket. “Linc said it was under the car.”
I look at it. It’s a flat square panel with a red sparkled back.
“It’s dead. I grabbed you a cord in case she didn’t have one. I figure she might have calls she needs to make or return.” Riley reaches into his pocket and passes me a power cord attached to a block-shaped square with electrical prongs protruding from it.
“No to a meeting, but yes to you bringing the car,” I say. “Just you.”
The other two men don’t look bothered.
“It’s a start,” Riley says. “And I appreciate that. See you then. I’d invite you to come with us for a morning run tomorrow, we’re just back from that, but I’m sure that’s not something you’re ready for. So you know, we meet behind the barn at the four corners of the village every morning at five. Whoever wants to come meets us.”
“Good to meet you finally,” the one called Jason says, extending his hand.
I reach out the window and grasp his hand. Something crackles between us. I flinch. He sees it.
I don’t know how he reads it from me but there’s nothing but respect in his eyes and emanating from him.
The one called Joel steps up and reaches to shake my hand. I get the same sensation.
He steps back; Riley steps up, and so I hold my hand out and instead of shaking it, the man embraces me with both arms around me. The window area isn’t big so it’s awkward, but he slaps my back and gruffly says, “Means a lot to me to have you in my life. It really does. See you tomorrow, cousin.”
I slap his back once in reply and he promptly releases me.
They turn and go.
I stare after them for a long moment before I hear my name being called from behind me.
It’s Cat. I turn to look at her.
“She’s awake. Everything looks good and she’s hungry. I’ll make you both some breakfast and then I’ll drive you home.”
“I’ll take her now,” I say.
“Oh.” She looks disappointed. “She’s hungry.”
“You can drive us,” I tell her. “I’ll feed her at home.”
She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Oh. Give me two minutes to get my keys and tell Stanley.”
27
Ivy
Tyson carries me in through the front door of his house. He has my bags, which I’m relieved about; I hadn’t even thought about them in the clinic because I was sort of reeling from everything.
I don’t know how he got them since he didn’t leave my side but suspect someone from the clinic helped.
Cat drove us in her SUV and Tyson carried me into the back seat and held me the same way he did when I was injured even though he didn’t need to.
“I should – ” I tried to scoot off his lap.
His grip around me tightened and his eyes were like green fire, warning me to stay put. On him.
“I can’t put on my seat belt from your lap, Ty.”
“Are you a good driver, Catrina Savage?” Ty called out.
“Only the very best,” she said with a smile in her voice.
He grunted and stayed put. Okay, then.
“Especially with precious cargo,” she tacked on.
I caught a smile in her eyes in the rearview mirror. I smiled at her.