The lesson learned from his relatives who’d tried bonding with a human only to have their mate turn on them out of fear was something he and his brothers were never allowed to forget growing up, along with his duty to family and pack as the oldest. If it were just him, she would be worth the gamble of both rejection and exposure, but he couldn’t bring himself to risk his brothers or cousins. Ignoring his mother’s calls and match-making efforts was easy; protecting those he loved was much harder.
Yes, any claim Aislyn, or anyone else made of the McCulloughs being wolf shifters would be met with disbelief and ridicule without proof, which was what had happened in the past. But rumors like that had a way of drawing out the crazies and the last thing they needed was for the paranormal obsessed to sneak onto their land to check out the possibility for themselves.
His parents, aunt and uncle were insulated from those consequences up at their cabins in the mountains, where they had retired to following his dad’s broken hip. His sister and cousin, Joel were city dwellers, far enough away to stay unaffected by dubious gossip. Aislyn still wanted him, maybe even still loved him. His need for her continued to burn inside him with the same gripping intensity, and she had possessed his heart from their first encounter. But protecting his family pack had to come first. The most he could do was help her out of whatever jam she was in; the least, protect her fragile heart.
“You’re still here. I thought you’d already left for work.”
Gavin turned to face Aislyn, the surprise and pleasure in her tone and reflected on her face tugging at his heartstrings, the same as when their gazes had caught and held as she’d witnessed his return from a run last night. Forcing a smile, he hoped to alleviate her curiosity about his nightly excursions into the woods.
Before he could say anything, she jumped in and asked, “What do you do in the woods at night for so long?”
Holding out her coffee, he stuck to the truth as much as possible. “I find the forests soothing at night, the sounds of nocturnal animals flitting about so different from lowing cattle, the cooler air pleasant after a day working in the heat. I imagine the owls complaining to the fox about the pesky human invading their sanctuary,” he said with a wry grin. “Sometimes I sit on a log down by the creek and listen to the rushing water.”
She took the mug, disappointment and doubt darkening her eyes. “I guess we’re both reluctant to trust each other. Where will you be working today?”
So, she wasn’t duped by his eloquent explanation. That well-made point did not sit well with him. “I’m not. I forgot to tell you about our monthly picnic, but we’re gathering with the hands down at the lake this afternoon for a break from work. Do you want to keep me company while I drive into Brooksville to pick up food?”
Aislyn’s face lit up, a look he preferred over the pinched stress when she had first arrived or the worry over feeling him out before deciding whether she could trust him with her dilemma. “Yes, thank you. Will Lily be okay until we get back?”
“I’ve already asked Jim Bob to feed her this morning. For a city girl, you’ve taken to the ranch fast.” Which made it even more difficult to keep from picturing her staying here.
“It’s not like Boise is a teeming metropolis,” she returned dryly, finishing her coffee. “It is a different lifestyle, but I like the space and the animals, and that there’s always something to do.”
“The work is never-ending but satisfying. Winter can get long.” And lonely. Gavin wondered if she would find the longer, colder months as appealing and then cursed himself for the thought. “Let’s go. By the time we get back and up to the lake, everyone will be ready to relax and eat.”
****
Aislyn held her breath as Gavin hoisted her onto the passenger seat of his truck. She allowed her hands to linger on his broad shoulders for a moment as she searched his rugged features for a clue as to his thoughts. She used to be able to read his moods with some degree of accuracy, but not since reuniting with him. It hurt that he felt the need to shield her from his emotions, but understood why. She, at least, had the four hour drive to adjust to seeing him again, and figured he was still grappling with her sudden appearance, coupled with the agitation she couldn’t hide from him.
Which made her appreciate his invitation to town that much more. “Thanks,” she whispered, running her tongue over her suddenly dry lips.
His eyes darkened to moss green and his hands clenched into fists as he let go of her waist and stepped back. Those telltale signs of his struggle to hold back chased away the chill his eloquent explanation of his nightly jaunts caused. With a curt nod, he shut the door and she enjoyed watching his long-legged stride around the front to the driver’s side, his face shielded by his Stetson except for the rigid set to his jawline.
“Brooksville is about thirty miles from here. It only boasts one restaurant, Wildgrill BBQ, and one hamburger joint. During the warmer months, we have a standing monthly order of brisket, pork, chicken and potato salad, but I have to run into the grocery first to stock up on paper products,” Gavin told
