“That boy.” Claire tsked. “So shy. I have no idea where he gets it. Certainly not me or his father.”

“Obviously,” Kathy piped up. “Didn’t we see you running through the woods last night?”

Her friend blushed. “Joe had a wild hair.”

“Your mate had a wild something,” Lonnie said. “Could hear him howling from our back porch.”

They laughed.

“Well….” Claire shrugged. “When you’ve got it. You’ve got it.”

Another round of laughter ensued.

When Paul stopped beside them, Fern ordered. “A beer a burger for each of us. We need brain fuel.”

He gave a curt nod. Coming up.

After he stepped away from them, Fern leaned in. “I have the man for Jason. I think he’ll piss kittens when he meets the guy, but they’ll be good for each other.”

“Oh?” Her best friend’s brow rose. “Do tell.”

“Hombre.” She’d only caught a glimpse of him a couple of times, working on a bike at the rundown shop near the edge of Hill City. Hombre had come to them after Gabby got herself in a good pickle. That boy would do anything to protect her, especially after she was kidnapped along with Fawn and Tinks. The man had a loyal streak a mile wide, and she had a feeling he’d fit right in. Though Gabby’s extended family lived off pack lands, they were gossiped about on a daily basis. Who wouldn’t talk about them? All were huge, burly men, covered in tattoos, and had surly dispositions to boot. Then there was Alicia. The beautician had worked wonders on Fern’s hair a time or two, of which Henry approved.

“The big biker from Hill City?” Kathy sat forward, her hands clasped together.

“Yes. Why not?”

“He might chew Jason up and spit him out.” Skepticism filled her words as she sat back in her chair.

“Well, that wouldn’t be so bad, would it?” She arched a brow. “He’s protective to a fault. Loyal. He’s got the qualities we’d look for in any of our matches.”

When Paul returned with their meals, she paused the conversation so they could eat. She had no doubt Jason and Hombre would make a great pair. They just needed a chance…the right circumstances to bring them together.

The bar door opened, a shaft of light glaring inside. Fern dragged her attention from her food to find Graham Truesdale striding toward them. She frowned.
The last she’d heard, his little mate had passed away. “Poor thing.” She pitched her voice low to keep from drawing his attention. “Having his mate die so young.”

Kathy nodded. “Such a tragedy.”

He fist-bumped Paul when the man handed over a large paper bag. Paul had been on lunch duty for a couple of weeks now, getting Gabby and Fawn something to eat since both women were getting further along in their pregnancies. Seemed like every day, that boy was going from Los Lobos Café to Dottie’s, the diner, or The Den, grabbing something for either woman. She remembered being pregnant. Her cravings had been off the chart. The rawer and spicier, the better. She must have driven Henry crazy with the concoctions she hankered for.
Bag in hand, he walked toward the door. He’ll have to go on the list, too.

Claire shook her head and tsked. “I still can’t believe how much devesta—”

“She’s not dead.” Gee’s deep voice resounded from behind the bar.

“What?” Setting her burger down, she angled toward him. Everyone knew what happened. Had seen the aftermath of it. “What are you saying?”

The bear shifter continued wiping down the bar top. “I said, she’s not dead.”

Lonnie pushed away from the table. “Where is she? If I find out you’ve known all along, I’ll—”

“Ask your nephew.” He gestured at Kathy with his rag. “He knows all about it.”

Kathy narrowed her eyes. “Oh, he does, does he?”