He’d said it easily and without infliction, as if he’d make an observation and stated a fact, not that he found me attractive. I’d noticed that about him when I’d bumped into him at the hospital as well. That meant, if he didn’t already know about my gift, he may not understand. Part of me deflated a little. Should I try explaining it? If I smelled different to his kind, it might still relate to my gifts. Explaining further might be worth the risk. Besides, he could hardly run around telling people that I had special abilities when he’d just turned into a wolf in front of me.
I took a step closer and said earnestly, “No, it’s more than that…” I paused trying to gather my thoughts for the best explanation. “A boy in school, extremely shy, picked on by jocks to the point of physical cruelty, nudged past those same jocks to wait by my locker to ask me on a date. A man shopping with two kids stopped me in the grocery store to ask if I’d consider dating an older man once I turned eighteen. The eighteen bit he threw in after my foster mom gasped in shock.” I inched closer, becoming more animated as I spoke, trying to make him understand. “When I turned him down, he went back by his kids, red faced and whispered to them that he’d just been asking for grandpa who wanted to date again. I knew that wasn’t true.
“Those are just examples of what happens to me every day.”
Sam studied me for a moment with a serious expression. “What’s your name, dear?”
I knew he’d read my name tag at the hospital the day we’d first met, but introduced myself again anyway. “Oh, um, Gabrielle Winters, officially.”
“Well, Gabby, I don’t know why men act the way they do around you, but I’d like to help you figure it out. Few people would believe what I’ve shown you tonight, and I ask that you not try talking anyone into believing. I revealed myself to you because you’re special and worth the risk.”
He stood and slowly approached me. With the pond reflecting dimly behind him and the warm breeze ruffling our hair, I knew that memories of this night would stay with me for a long time.
When only a few steps separated us, he said, “There is so much about werewolves that you don’t know. The first is that I’m not the only one.”
My heart sank. I didn’t like the sound of that.
He stuffed his hands into his pockets and rocked back on the heels of his brown-laced shoes. “I’d like to meet your foster parents and I’d like to get to know you better, to be there for you if you ever need anything.”
Even though I didn’t like knowing more existed, it made sense. Was there ever one of anything? “You said that I smelled good to your kind. Does that mean I’m going to be run down by other werewolves?” The prospect scared me, but I managed to keep any tremor from my voice.
“It’s unlikely, but precisely why I would like to be involved in your life.”
He waited quietly while I thought it over, watching him closely. I liked that he maintained eye contact. A refreshing change when the majority of conversations with men occurred while they tried to discover, visually, what about me attracted them.
He offered me an opportunity. With his help, maybe I could find out the reason behind my abilities. And given his condition, I felt certain he’d be able to keep my secret if I decided to tell him about the lights. Could I trust him? Not blindly, but I could start small.
“I’m willing to get to know you better, but I’m not ready for you to meet my foster parents.” And I wasn’t sure if I ever would be. I wanted to protect Tim and Barb Newton from what could be a monster. They were the first set I had that I actually liked.
He nodded in agreement.
If I wasn’t willing to bring him home, then just where would we get to know each other better? Dark nights in the park were out, and I had more brains than to suggest his place. He still scared me. Did I think he was going to hurt me? No... he had plenty of time to try to hurt me tonight and hadn’t, but I barely knew the man so anything was possible. Safety in numbers. Somewhere public. He already knew I volunteered at the hospital thanks to our run in.
“Let’s meet Wednesday nights at the hospital café. Around six?”
“That sounds good. I look forward to seeing you next week and am truly sorry for scaring you tonight.” He held out his hand for a handshake.
I looked at him closely and, not shaking his hand, decided to go for blunt. “You’re not going to turn creepy uncle on me, are you, Sam?” I honestly didn’t know if I feared that more than a mauling, and didn’t expect him to admit it if he did have that planned. I just wanted to see his reaction to the question.
He barked out a laugh, dropping his hand back to his side. When he saw I remained serious, he sobered and said, “I suppose that’s a fair question, given what you’ve just told me. With me, you’re safe.”
At my steady gaze, he further clarified. “Honey, I’m older than I look. Heck, I’m probably old enough to be your great grandfather.” He looked at me for a moment. I mean really looked at me, studying my face as if he could read all my secrets there. With a sigh, he ran his hand through his hair saying, “When I look at you, I see a young girl I want to help. I see a grandchild I could have had if only I’d met my one and only. And I see hope.”
Fair enough. I’d wait until next week to pass any further judgments.
“Alright, then. I’ve got to get home. See you next week.”