“I said you’d been laid up following a small accident on the hiking trail. A minor sprain.”
He greeted that with silence.
“I wanted to stall them off. I didn’t want them coming to my house, Jake.”
“Were they rude to you? Because if they were, I’ll let them know that I don’t appreciate—”
“No, they weren’t rude. I could tell they were a little suspicious of me, but they were polite.”
“Unless they’ve changed, they’re conservatives like my folks were. They probably suspect a relationship and don’t approve of it.”
“I think you’re right. And it was weird, Jake. I’m not used to being judged as not good enough because of something I can’t change.”
“I’m sorry, Rachel. They probably are prejudiced against you for being human.”
“And it’s pretty obvious you and I have been spending quality time together.” She sighed. “I know you didn’t want anyone in the werewolf community to know about us. I hope I haven’t compromised you in some way.”
His warm chuckle soothed her. “You’ve compromised me in every way possible, and I’ve loved it. Don’t worry about them. I can smooth it over.”
“I hope so. Are they members of your WARM group?”
“No. They’re not activists.”
“That’s a relief. I imagined them ratting on you for being involved with a human.”
“I’ll ask them not to. They’re old friends, so I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“Thanks. I feel a whole lot better about this. And the good news is, I have coffee for breakfast.”
“And clothes? I could use some clothes. I’m having a hell of a time keeping this towel on.”
“And that’s a problem?” Her mood improved dramatically as she anticipated the evening they were about to have. The next day could be a real letdown, but until then, she’d enjoy herself.
“You wouldn’t be so cavalier if I ended up steaming something far more critical than the rice.”
“No, I wouldn’t. Take care of yourself. I’ll be there soon.”
“Good. The cabin is empty without you. I— Shit! I smell something burning. Gotta go.” He disconnected.
Rachel started to put her phone back in her purse, but it blinked, indicating a text. It was from Lionel. Heart pounding, she opened it.
Found clothes that look like Mr. Hunter’s. Went by his place. Truck was there. He wasn’t. Thought about it. Suspect foul play. Headed for your cabin.
She started to respond, but that would waste valuable time. She could call Jake, but that wouldn’t really help matters, either. Shoving the phone in her purse, she grabbed the duffel and ran out through the open slider.
She’d rather not imagine a scene between Lionel and a seminaked Jake. But explaining why his clothes were in the bushes would require some creative storytelling. She didn’t know if her presence would help or hinder, but she knew she had to get to the other side of the lake as fast as she could.
Chapter 20
After Jake had steamed the rice, he’d decided to sauté it with some olive oil and spices he’d found in Rachel’s cabinet. After getting that going, he’d unearthed his phone, retrieved the messages from Ann and Bruce, and called Rachel.
He didn’t know how he was going to spin his association with her so Ann and Bruce wouldn’t blab to the entire Hunter pack that Jake, who railed against Weres having sex with humans, was a hypocrite who’d done exactly that.
But he didn’t want Rachel to feel responsible. This lapse was his fault, not hers. He hoped that the Hunters wouldn’t make a big deal out of it. Because they’d known his folks so well, maybe they’d let it go.
But his conversation with Rachel had distracted him from his cooking long enough for the rice to burn and set off the smoke alarm. Grabbing the smoking pan, he put it in the sink, where it hissed angrily and gave off a miserable stench. The smoke alarm continued to screech, so he opened the kitchen window to let out the smoke. So much for his famous cooking skills.
Not five minutes later, someone pounded on the front door. “Anybody in there?”
Jake recognized Lionel’s voice and groaned. The kid meant well, but he was becoming a total pain in the ass.
“Miss M!” More pounding. “Miss M, if you’re in there, your house is on fire!”
Jake stood in the kitchen in his towel debating his next move. By now most of the smoke had cleared and the smoke alarm had stuttered to a stop. Maybe Lionel would just go away.
Or not. The front door opened, and Jake belatedly realized Rachel wouldn’t have thought to lock it behind her. And why would she? He was here and there was no crime in Polecat, anyway.
“Miss M!” Lionel called out again. Then he paused. “Well, guess I’d better check things out,” he muttered, obviously to himself. “Could be serious.”
“Lionel, I’m here.” Left with no choice, Jake stepped out of the kitchen.
Lionel’s eyes got huge and then his face turned red. “Uh, hi there, Mr. Hunter.” He looked everywhere but at Jake. “Thought nobody was home. Miss M’s truck is gone.”
“She’s . . . running errands.” Jake resisted the urge to clasp his hands in front of his groin, but then he might disturb the delicate balance of the towel.
“Oh.” Lionel glanced toward the kitchen. “So what’s burning?”
“I was sautéing some rice. I got distracted.”
“Ah. Must be fixing dinner for you and Miss M.” Lionel nodded and darted a quick glance at Jake.
“Yes. She’s not here right now.”
“I figured. I, um, have your clothes.”
For a moment Jake was disoriented. Rachel was supposed to have his clothes. Why would Lionel have his . . . Oh. Those clothes. He’d forgotten to ask Rachel what she’d done to keep Lionel from noticing them in the first place.
“They were sort of scattered under a bush out on the trail. I was afraid you’d been murdered or something. Although I couldn’t figure out why they’d take your clothes off and shove them under a bush.”
“Well, obviously I’m fine.” Jake scrambled for a reasonable explanation and came up empty.
“Yep. That’s good.” Lionel surveyed the room with great care, as if he’d never seen it before. “I didn’t know you were a nudist, Mr. Hunter.”
“I’m n—” Jake caught himself. Maybe that was as good a cover story as any. Once he left Polecat, it wouldn’t matter whether word got out that Jake Hunter was a nudist.
“It’s okay if you are,” Lionel said. “I think people can be anything they want. It’s just that sometimes families take their kids out on those trails, and I don’t know how it would work out if they came upon a naked man running through the woods. They might call the cops on their cell phone, and then you could get arrested.”
“Thanks for the warning. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“And the bad part is, when you got arrested, you’d be naked.”
Jake coughed to keep from laughing, and the towel trembled dangerously. “That’s true. I would be naked.”
“Not the best way to be when you’re hauled off to jail.”
“I suppose not.”
“Listen, not to change the subject or anything.”
Jake swallowed the laughter that kept bubbling up from his throat. “Oh, please do.”
“I hate to tell you this, but sometime while he was being transported to the sanctuary, your wolf got out of his cage.”
“Uh-oh.”
“Uh-oh is right!” Lionel took a deep breath. “I checked the news, and thank God there’s no story about a wildlife transportation team being mauled by a black wolf, so maybe he just managed to slip out without hurting anyone.”