“Not many people use this trail.” At least he looked chagrined. “I’m sorry.”
“I know,” I said, still bent over. “That’s why I like it.”
I looked around. The parking lot was just visible. I’d made it to the part of the trail that was more heavily populated without even realizing it. “Did you come from the same direction I did?” I asked.
He nodded. “Yeah, I like to walk in the woods, off the trail. I was heading back this way.” He indicated the parking lot.
My car was the only one in sight. I started that way to see if maybe I was just at a bad angle to see his car. We stepped off the trail onto the asphalt. “Where’s your car?” I asked, shooting Maddox a bit of side-eye. “Did you walk from the park?” The trail continued on, way down the mountain, and ended up in the city park behind Main Street.
He nodded. “Yeah, I enjoy a long walk.”
I raised my eyebrows and moved slowly toward my car. “That’s more than a long walk. Depending on how far you went up that trail, you might’ve walked over ten miles.”
Maddox shrugged. “It helps me clear my head. Plus, it’s good exercise.” He shifted from foot to foot. His body seemed antsy. Was he nervous? This encounter was weird at best. Super-freaky was a better description. “Listen,” he said. His shoulders tensed as he shoved his hands in his pockets.
“Yeah?” I couldn’t help the suspicious tone in my voice.
“I’m really sorry I crashed your date the other night,” he said. His gaze kept wandering around, but he landed on me. “Really.”
“Why’d you do it?” I’d been terribly curious. It hadn’t made any sense whatsoever.
He sucked in a deep breath but kept my gaze. “I’d heard around the station that the guy you were on a date with had a history of being a tool and forcing himself on women. Nothing ever proved or stuck, but he’s known around town.”
My jaw dropped. “I don’t get out much or get around to hear those sorts of rumors.” His behavior at the ice cream shop suddenly didn’t seem so insane. “I don’t know what to say,” I whispered.
He smiled. “You don’t have to say anything. I should’ve explained this the other night, but the whole thing had me so angry and in my feelings, I didn’t know what to say.”
He was right. He should’ve told me then, but I was glad he’d told me at all. “Thank you.” I held out my hand to shake his. “I agree, you could’ve gone about it better, but I appreciate you looking out for me, more than I can describe.”
As a single mom, I had to be so careful. And I’d had no idea about Harry. I could’ve found myself in a situation that I never would’ve truly recovered from. “Why can’t you get anything on him?”
Maddox shrugged. “I’m not sure. I haven’t gotten many more details. All I know is he’s someone we watch.” He scuffed his toe against the small rocks on the pavement. “Anyway, it was no big deal. It’s my job.”
“No, that wasn’t,” I said. “You could’ve just asked to speak with me privately, but instead you protected me fully and made it clear to Harry that he should leave me alone.” Some people would’ve considered that an overreach, but hell, I’d learned long ago that it really did take a village. I accepted help anywhere I could get it. If Harry would leave me alone because he was scared of Maddox, more’s the better. That was one less thing I had to deal with.
My phone beeped in my pocket, reminding me I was back in service range again. I pulled it out and glanced to see a picture from my mom of Tiffany on the swing set. She had the sweetest smile. Mom sent me pictures all the time so that even when I was working and away from Tiffany, I didn’t miss anything. I checked the time while I had my phone out. It had been long enough, and thanks to Maddox scaring the life out of me, I was over my rotten mood about Kyle’s dad.
“Well, I thank you.” I put my phone back in my pocket and smiled up at Maddox. “I’ll let you continue on your walk. It’s time for me to go get Tiffany.”
He nodded. “Sure. Have a nice evening.” I turned to leave, but his eyes were like weights on my back.
The Kingstons, man. I thought about them as I moved toward my car. They were an odd bunch. Everything anyone said about them was good. I’d never heard anything bad, outside of Jury and Maddox being playboys.
What family had nothing wrong with them at all, whatsoever? It wasn’t normal. Everyone had something bad in their past.
Oh, well. They weren’t my problem.
4
Maddox
My family had no idea that I flew in the woods surrounding the trail. Mostly because no one ever came there, and it was far enough away from home that no one could pick up on my thoughts when I shifted. I made sure to still go fly with them from time to time. They mostly just thought I didn’t shift as often as they did.
Between hanging out here alone and going out with them, I probably spent more time in my dragon’s skin than they did in theirs. It wasn’t a competition, though.
She’s scared of us.
Artemis was crazy. She seemed trusting and thankful.
She’s scared.
I trusted his senses. If he said she was scared, there was a reason. After the disastrous way I’d handled her date, now showing up out of the blue on the trail? She probably thought I was a stalker.
It had been a complete coincidence though. I’d been in the middle of a shift and had barely gotten out of the way in time. I stayed well clear of the trails, normally, but I’d been flying through the trees, weaving in and out when I
