“Nothing else. In other news, that Chester McKinley wants a word with you when you can spare a moment.”
Darien looked up from his eggs. “Who?”
“The assistant mayor of Green Valley, checking out our town so he can go back to his own and recommend changes.”
“What does he need to speak to me about? You know I don’t have time to micromanage every little thing that goes on in Silver Town.”
Jake poured himself another cup of coffee. “He says he runs a first-rate private eye operation and thought you might like to hear his advice.”
“About what. Jake? Quit beating around the bush.”
“About Larissa and Lelandi.”
Darien frowned. “What does he think he knows?”
“He wouldn’t say.” Jake took his seat and speared a slice of bacon. “Said he’d talk to you about it though.”
Tom grabbed three pieces of toast. “Uncle Sheridan said the guy is legit. He checked with the mayor of Green Valley already.”
Darien swore their youngest brother could eat triple what they ate and still not gain an ounce. “I’ve got Uncle Sheridan and both of you checking things out. I’d rather keep it in the family.”
“Never know when another mind or two can help give us a lead,” Jake said.
Darien ignored his brother’s comment. All he needed was for the details of this mess to get out to other gray packs. “Anything else I need to know about?” Darien stabbed a sausage with his fork.
“Fall festival starts today. Are you going to open the ceremony like you did last year?”
Darien gave Jake a dark look.
Jake’s lips curved upward slightly. “Everyone expects you to be there. But it’s your call.”
With everything else that had gone on, he’d forgotten about it, and he wasn’t interested. But running the town brought responsibilities he couldn’t ignore. “What time?”
“Ten o’clock.”
“I’ve barely had time to supervise the factory since the shootings began. And I haven’t had a chance to check in at the mine at all.”
“Everything’s running smoothly,” Tom said. “Both Jake and I have been keeping an eye on things. Everyone’s doing what needs to be done.”
Thank god he had brothers who could be counted on.
His eyes sparkling with humor, Jake cleared his throat. “Do we need to inform everyone who serves guard duty about Lelandi’s nighttime excursions?”
Tom’s brows shot up. “What exactly did I miss last night?”
Darien swore Tom already knew, but wanted him to reveal more of the details. Which he wasn’t about to do. He opened his mouth to speak, but Tom and Jake’s attention switched to the entryway from the living room. Darien turned around and saw Lelandi, his long flannel shirt reaching thigh-high, her legs and feet bare, her hands locked as if in prayer.
His gaze shifted to her hair, the sensuous curls garnering his full attention. He was unable to tear his gaze away from the beauty of her silky tresses. Even more red than her sister’s, less golden, more like the woman’s in his dream. How could he have not realized she was the one? Because of the switched names and that Larissa had lied about the dreams, damn It.
“Ahem.” Jake said, breaking the spell.
She looked sweet, innocent, edible, her ups parting to speak. “I smelled the food and thought if I ate something, I’d feel more energetic.”
Tom hurried to escort her to his side of the table. Jake got her a plate and piled it high with eggs and sausages. Darien stared at her rumpled, shiny hair. No matter how much he didn’t want to show his feelings for the woman, he couldn’t block the emotions. Already he was hard as a rock, and he shifted uncomfortably under the table.
Lelandi sat in the seat Tom pulled out for her, and then he returned with a mug In hand, the coffeepot in the other. “Black?”
“Cream and sugar,” she said, her voice so demure. Darien suspected something was brewing in that pretty head of hers, and he bet he wouldn’t like it.
“I want to go to the fair.”
Not expecting that, Darien sat back hard against his chair. “Absolutely not.”
She furrowed her brow at him. “I feel one-hundred percent better, and I want to get out. I told you I’d be ready to run laps today.”
Tom grinned and saluted her with his coffee cup.
“Not after all that’s happened to you.” Darien said.
“That guy in the copper coat is still running loose,” Jake reminded them. “Mason thought he saw him running near here as a wolf last night.”
Darien frowned. “The answer is no. You’ll stay here and continue to recuperate.”
Sam called out from the foyer. “Everyone decent?”
Even Darien managed a small smile at the comment, although he was trying to maintain his hard line with Lelandi.
Sam stalked into the kitchen and cast Lelandi a broad smile. “You’re looking good.” He handed Darien a stack of mail. “Is Silva around?”
“Upstairs sleeping in my bed,” Jake said. Sam looked a little bothered. Jake added. “We’re playing musical beds. I had last guard duty. She slept in my bed while I was pulling duty.”
“Oh. I need her for the big opening ceremony. Free sodas for the first fifty customers.”
“First bedroom on the right.” Jake said. “We woke her and made her move six times last night. I don’t want to disturb her again, so be my guest.”
Sam hesitated.
Lelandi stood. “I’ll get her.”
“Sam can. Eat and get your strength back.” Darien lifted one of the envelopes off the table and frowned.
Lelandi plopped back down on the chair. “For what? So I can stay here and watch soaps all day? You won’t even let me go to the fair.”
“She could help Silva and me hand out the free sodas.” Sam offered. “We’d watch over her.”
“Sure, that would be fun.” Lelandi cut up her sausage. “I can serve drinks in between Silva and Sam. You wouldn’t have to post a guard for me for a few hours.”
“Where will you be set up?” Darien asked Sam, then lifted the envelope to his nose and breathed in deeply. His heart nearly exploded when he smelled Larissa’s scent on it.
“The tavern. I can make sure only the front door is accessible. Lelandi can stay behind the bar with me.”
Looking for a return address, Darien flipped the envelope over. None. He glanced up at Jake, who was watching Darien with concern. “All right. I want a guard on the place just in case.”
“Mitchell will do it,” Jake said.
Lelandi’s face brightened and Darien hoped to hell he wasn’t putting her in any more danger. But seeing her expression, he figured she’d feel better and heal faster if she got out of confinement for a while. He considered the envelope again, typewritten, so no clue there. But the postmark indicated it had been mailed from Wildhaven.
“Anything wrong. Darien?” Jake asked.
“Tom, get me a map of Colorado.”
“Sure thing.” Torn cast a questioning glance at Jake. missing out on what was going on.
“If you hear screaming and things being tossed about, you’ll know Silva wasn’t happy I woke her.” Sam grinned and then headed out of the kitchen.
“Where’s Peter? He should have come down with you when you joined us.” Darien said to Lelandi, his voice dark.
Lelandi shrugged and waved for Jake to get her some more coffee.
As much as Jake had acted annoyed with her. Darien was surprised to see his lips lift slightly, while he refilled her coffee mug. For being such a petite little thing, she sure had everyone wrapped around her will.
“Poor deputy was bone tired,” Lelandi said.
Jake gave her the coffee and headed for the doorway. “I’ll take care of it.”
Lelandi frowned at him. Don’t be too rough on Peter. You’re overworking him.”