Her mouth gaped open. The thing was, Hunter was right. But whose house was it anyway? Shouldn't she have a say?
For the first time since the two men had met, Rourke seemed to change his attitude about Hunter. He gave him a serious nod. She could tell he was damned thrilled to get Lord Hunter's invitation for the slumber party.
She hung up Rourke's coat on a wooden peg near the back door. "You know, guys, it would be nice to ask the hostess her opinion. The electricity's still not on and--"
"I'll fix the food," Hunter said, and before she could object further, he added, "Rourke won't mind cleaning the dishes afterwards." He gave Rourke a conspirator's wink.
"Not at all," Rourke said, jumping in, ensuring he got a bed for the night.
"I might not have enough food to eat for the three of us, especially since we have to cook so primitively."
"I saw a tenderloin roast in the freezer. Looked to be big enough for the three of us."
She scowled at Hunter. "What if I was saving that for--"
"I'll buy you another. A couple more."
Hell, he didn't even have the clothes on his back. How was he going to replenish her fridge?
"I'll buy you another, too," Rourke said, cheerfully.
She groaned inwardly. She wasn't winning this battle. But she realized Hunter wasn't worried about Rourke's welfare, so much as he was about hers. Her irritation melted some.
"So," Rourke said, taking a seat on the couch, "I'm an only child, Tessa has a brother. What about you, Hunter? Have any siblings?"
Hunter cast Tessa a look, and then started working on building up the dwindling fire. "A sister."
Ohmigod, he remembered who he was? Maybe he did have enough money to buy her another roast. But did he have a girlfriend or wife?
"I've never seen you around town before. Where did the two of you hook up?"
"The beach," both Hunter and Tessa said at the same time.
Rourke laughed. "Figures, being he's a Navy SEAL. Ex-Navy SEAL, rather."
"That's what I thought," Tessa said, under her breath. Having Rourke stay the evening when it was barely afternoon was going to make for an incredibly long day and night. "I suppose I have to feed everyone lunch also."
"How about tuna fish sandwiches?" Hunter suggested.
Jeez, when did he take an inventory of her food?
"Then you can make a list of all the men who have been in the house over the last few months."
"You mean Michael's friends," she said, spearing Hunter a dark look.
"Any male, Tessa, who has been in the house for the last few months. Deliverymen, repairmen, anyone."
"Old boyfriends," she said, sarcastically as she proceeded to the kitchen.
"Yeah, all of those, too."
"None of them should have had a key to the place." She yanked two cans of tuna fish out of the cabinet.
The doorbell rang and her heart hitched. Rourke announced, "Sheriff's here."
Tessa accidentally dropped the can opener on the kitchen floor and swore under her breath. She'd hoped the bad weather would keep him at bay a while longer.
She hurried into the living room, but Hunter was already nose to nose with the sheriff at the front door.
Chapter 5
HUNTER GLOWERED EVERY BIT AS FEROCIOUSLY AT THE sheriff as he did back, but he couldn't quit thinking about Tessa and her interview with that jackass reporter. How could Rourke have printed her threat? What an imbecile.
Rourke was pretty rattled--he'd used her interview and now someone had broken into her house. Too late for regrets. The damage was done.
"I'm Sheriff Wellington," the man said, who looked like an older version of Ashton, same blond hair, only his was graying at the temples, and the same blue eyes. "You're the one who destroyed my son's rifle?"
"Ashton must have been mistaken, Sheriff. After he shot me, he was so shaken that he might have killed me, he dropped the rifle over the cliff side. It's probably still there, if anyone wants to chance climbing down to get it." Although Hunter had thrown it far enough, the rifle butt cracked on the rocks, and then the weapon flipped into the briny sea.
The sheriff glanced at Tessa with murder in his eyes. Hunter steeled his back, fighting the urge to show the sheriff how much he didn't like his posturing. But then the sheriff caught sight of Rourke. His gaze quickly shifted to the truck parked out front. Recognition dawning? Yep, reporter here looking for another story.
"He didn't shoot you." The sheriff's voice was so harsh, he sounded like a lupus garou trying to persuade another of his mistake.
Hunter couldn't help but admire that aspect of him. Definitely alpha material. Hunter reached for his sweatshirt sleeve and intended to yank it up, but the sheriff raised his hand and stopped him.
"All right, let's say it happened like you said. What were you doing wandering around in the dark?"
Like that was a crime? He wanted to tell the sheriff it was none of his business and would have if he'd been on his own property. But since he didn't know where his own property was located, he acquiesced.
"Gathering firewood." Hunter motioned to the fireplace. "That's our only source of heat for the moment. Hadn't planned on letting us freeze to death. And I didn't expect to get shot in Tessa's backyard." He raised a brow.
"Ashton said you charged him."
Hunter smiled inwardly. Yeah, he had. Like a wolf with a mission. Hunter lifted a shoulder. "He shot at me twice. I got closer so he could see I wasn't game."
Tessa raised her ski cap off the coffee table and poked her finger in the hole. Seeing the way she did it, made him think of things he shouldn't be thinking.
"I'd say Hunter could press charges against Ashton for attempted murder," Tessa said, her expression indignant. "If he'd managed to hit Hunter in the head, it would have been murder. With the lines down and my Escort unable to navigate in the icy conditions, we would never have been able to get help for him."
The sheriff's eyes bulged. He rubbed his chin and looked like he'd finally been put in his place. "Who the hell are you?"
"Hunter Grey, Tessa's boyfriend. Tell Ashton to hunt somewhere else from now on."
The sheriff narrowed his eyes and looked like he could shoot Hunter himself for telling him what to do, especially concerning his son. "If you're Tessa's boyfriend, why weren't you at the trial, giving her moral support?"
"He's been away," Tessa said. "Just got in late yesterday afternoon."
He glanced back at Rourke, then warned Hunter, "Watch yourself. The community's had enough bad publicity over Michael's criminal activities. Don't let me hear that you're causing any more trouble."
Hunter wanted to retort that as long as he didn't keep Ashton's company, he would be fine, but he kept his mouth shut.
"Hunter's a celebrity," Rourke proudly exclaimed, his chest puffed up twice its size.
All eyes turned toward him.
He raised his brows and smiled like he had the greatest news of the century. "He's an ex-Navy SEAL. You probably noticed the great shape he's in."
The sheriff's narrowed eyes grew rounder.
Rourke nodded. "Yep, a real celebrity in our sleepy little community."
Her expression still fierce, Tessa motioned to the sheriff. "Tell him about the intruder."
Hunter hadn't planned to mention the gray. He would take care of the lupus garou. But he didn't have much choice now. "The guy broke into Tessa's place twice and knocked out Michael's window the one time."
"You're not suggesting--"
Hunter shook his head. "No, Sheriff. A man broke in, but it wasn't Ashton."
Tessa folded her arms. "The guy stole my gun."
"File a report at the office when you have time." The sheriff gave Hunter a warning look. "Heed what I say, Mr. Grey. Watch your step. I keep a safe district."