“A few of us. We’ve been keeping the news on the down low so we don’t scare people.”
“Who’s us?”
“Me, my brother. Daryl. There are a few others, but like I said, we’ve been keeping it on the down low.”
“Which seems like a stupid idea. I mean, if there’s something out there targeting shifters, shouldn’t we be letting the whole town know and forming a posse to go after it?”
“You’d think that would be a good plan.” A wry smile twisted Wes’s lips. “Except the fellow who tried to organize a town meeting went missing.”
“And you let that stop you?”
“No. I stopped when the second guy, my brother, went missing, too.”
“Your brother? Which one?”
“Gary.”
“He was two grades behind us, right?”
“Yeah. He disappeared on his way into town on his motorcycle. Hasn’t been seen since.”
“I’m sorry, dude.” Caleb truly was. No matter his issues with Wes, he wouldn’t wish that kind of loss on anyone.
“Yeah, well, Ma and my sisters took it hardest. I think the worst part is not knowing if he fucked off and said screw the town and its problems. Or if something happened to him.”
“What’s your gut say?”
“That he’s alive and in trouble.”
“If you think his disappearance is related to the shit happening, why not scream it from the rooftops? Why stay quiet?”
“Because I won’t risk my sisters or mother. If the town council is in on the disappearances, then I don’t want to tip my hand. As far as they know, I dropped the whole thing. Only me, your brother, and Daryl really know shit. And a few cousins, but they won’t say shit and report only to me.”
“And lucky me, I got invited to the party.” Caleb couldn’t help but chuckle. “Well, don’t I feel warm and fuzzy. Hoping the town’s dino monster will get me, too?”
“I was hoping you’d get taken by crotch rot, but no such luck. But more seriously, I need your help. Anything that can take out my brother is dangerous to us all. More disturbing is the fact that, whatever is going on, someone is willing to go to extremes to keep it secret.”
Which meant it was up to them to figure it out.
And stop it.
Chapter Fourteen
It was ridiculous to be so excited about seeing Caleb pull into the front yard with her battered car. Chiding herself, though, didn’t stop the giddy thrill that made her pulse speed up as she focused her gaze on him.
Unlike Renny, Luke didn’t worry about appearing too eager to see Caleb. With his little legs pumping, he ran at Caleb, who swept him into his arms and flung him in the air.
Renny squeaked. Luke squealed. Caleb laughed.
“Got ya!” Caleb exclaimed, catching their son with ease. Never mind that Renny might have lost a few years off her life.
Get used to it. Daddies don’t do things the same as mommies.
With Luke secured on his hip, instead of at the mercy of gravity, Caleb approached.
Her pulse fluttered. Excited. Scared.
She couldn’t make up her mind.
Uncertainty still prevailed when it came to how she felt about the ease and speed Luke had taken to his father. The resentment she’d long harbored at Caleb’s apparent abandonment seemed to be having a hard time taking root. Anger, much like fine sand, slipped through her grasp. Its departure left a hole quickly filled by anticipation.
And let’s not forget heat.
Each time Renny ran into Caleb, the more difficult it became to remember the loneliness of life before he returned. He brought color into her world. Other than Luke, what did she have that made her want to smile for the simple joy of it?
He makes me happy.
Enjoying his presence, though, didn’t mean she took to orders very well, and she could see by the frown knitting his brow they were about to have words about it. Good. Because it was time he learned the ground rules. Her rules.
Rule number one, she wasn’t going to bow meekly.
Stopping a few feet from her, Caleb took in her appearance. Slightly grubby, given she’d spent the afternoon weeding the gardens while Luke played.
“Hi.” She went for cheerful. Maybe it would temper his glower.
“Don’t you hi me. What are you doing outside?” he demanded.
“Getting fresh air and exercise.” She bent a knee and did a lunge. She might be a few pounds heavy, but she remained limber.
He didn’t seem impressed. “I told you to stay in the house with Luke.”
Nothing could have stopped her snort. “I’d like to see you entertain an active four-year-old penned in a house with no toys or kids’ movies on a sunny day.”
“You’re his mother. You should have ordered it.”