“Our wolf form is our defensive form. We naturally shift when startled badly enough.”
“So you’re going to scare her?” I looked down at the babe, her mouth puckered so her glistening bottom lip stuck out. Scaring this baby—any baby—just seemed wrong. “I hope you can stay longer than a month.” But I knew that would depend on the mood of the pack members Thomas had sent away.
I walked the baby until Ann finished eating then took my own place. The men from the junk yard came in. Their hair was damp but their clothes were dry and dirty.
“If you want to change, I’ll wash those clothes for you tomorrow,” I said as they all moved to the stove.
“Thank you. We appreciate it. And dinner,” Anton said. He seemed to speak for the group as the rest gave some measure of agreement.
Thomas stepped out of the bathroom, toweling his hair.
“What did you learn in town?”
Though he looked at Gregory, Mary answered.
“There are a few jobs that might work. A plumber is looking for an apprentice. It would require someone to move into town, though.”
Thomas sat beside me as Mary spoke.
“The man has his own business and takes calls any time of night. He has a room in the back of his garage he’d rent out. He’d be willing to deduct from someone’s wages to cover it.”
“I’ll go,” Bine said as he sat at the table.
“We looked at the room,” Mary said. “It has a cot in it and nothing else. No electricity or stove for when the weather gets cold.”
“I’ll manage,” Bine said.
Thomas nodded.
“Anything else?”
“Nothing we thought any one would be interested in. The library needs some part time help as does the grocery store for stacking shelves at night. The store might be too tempting.”
I agreed with Mary. Thomas seemed to as well because he didn’t push either of those options.
“Bine, your wages first need to house you, feed you, and clothe you. Anything you can spare should return to the pack so we may do the same for all the members,” Thomas said. Bine dipped his head in agreement. “And when you need to run, come here.”
With Bine’s contribution and the wages from those working short-term at the yard, we might be able to build up a surplus of supplies. I finished my fish, brought my plate to the sink and opened the supply cabinet. I inventoried everything with a frown. We’d gone through more than half of what Winifred brought with her, and that was without the full pack here. We needed to plan ahead for meals, portions, and supplies needed. Having the lake and the old garden would help supplement us but as the pack grew, we would need more.
“Charlene?” Thomas asked from just behind me, making me jump. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong. I’m only thinking of supplies and lists and what we’ll need over the next few months.” There were only a few handfuls of oats left for breakfast. I wondered if Thomas had more cereal hidden somewhere. “How much did Winifred get for the metal?”
“She was able to buy larger bags of oats, rice, beans, peas, pasta, flour, and sugar. She also has some spices, a tub of lard, yeast, books, more clothes, blankets, oil lamps, and chocolate chips.”
“Chocolate chips?” I asked, glancing away from the supplies.
“She wants to bake the cookies here with you.”
I wondered what bribe the cookies were for. I guessed I’d find out soon enough.
“When is she arriving?” I asked.
“She is just leaving now and doesn’t expect to be here for several hours. She suggests you go to sleep as usual, and she’ll see you in the morning.”
I nodded and moved back to the sink. Thomas brought over some of the warm water from the stove and filled the tin pot in the trough so I could wash the dishes. Then he moved to help dry them. Together, we worked through the dishes everyone brought to us. When we finished, I turned and found the room cleaned and empty.
Thomas’ hands closed over my shoulders and his thumbs gently rubbed the muscles that I hadn’t thought sore a moment ago.
“Did you enjoy today?” he asked, hesitantly.
I glanced back at him. He wasn’t the hesitating type. His gaze searched mine.
“I did. Why are you asking?”
“I don’t want you to be lonely here, Charlene. If you’re feeling that way again, tell me. Please.”
I nodded. His hands dropped to his sides, and after a moment, he went outside.
Winifred had brought eggs. Dozens of eggs. And sausage links. The smell of them as they sizzled in one of the pots made my stomach cramp. I hovered near the stove, using a fork to turn them. A few times, I had to yank my hand back as grease popped and spattered.
“Please,” Thomas said again, watching me wince. “Let me.”
“No, it’s okay.” I didn’t want to surrender the fork. As soon as I found one cooked through, it was going to be mine.
He plucked the fork from my hand. “Mary, pump some cold water for her, please.” He pushed me toward the sink.