White Wolf 2: The Call of a Soul (27 page)

“What’s wrong?” She twisted to see him, and her brows winged, the slight arching somehow mysteriously arousing. “Mike, you can’t be thinking of
that
now.”

“You’re coming into heat. I can’t help it.”

She shoved him. “Tell your magnificent cock to take a hike. Business first.”

Happiness washed over him. Magnificent cock. How could he not adore every inch of her?

He adjusted his aching stones as she opened the door. Locked it behind her as she hurried into the examination room.

“I should’ve known when Doc G. asked to see the forms. I should’ve checked them again. Jim’s a trainer, not a breeder, and though he and his father didn’t get along, he came home to do his duty and pay off his father’s debts. Though Jim signed over the ranch to Willowby, that didn’t pay off the balance of the loan Old Man Balden owed. When Whisper caught, Jim signed over the insurance on her and the foal to Willowby.” Melanie took three files out of the cabinet and set them on the desk.

“I don’t get it.” Mike refrained, but only just so, from lifting Melanie’s skirt and baring her sweet rump as she bent over the file folders.

Melanie glanced over her shoulder and rolled her eyes. “Are you going to be thinking with your other head from now on?”

“Until you catch,” he growled. “Like Whisper. I want to mount you from behind.”

“Mike.” Her tone brooked no argument and no more mention of heat or sex.

“How’re we going to prove Doc G. tampered with that?” Mike pointed at the document she’d laid on the table.

“Drake can tell if a document’s been changed and reprinted. That’s how we discovered Waquini wasn’t Shuman’s only son. He had twins, and his wife died giving birth. Shuman sent Waquini to a tribe whose healer claimed to be able to kill the spirit of the black wolf after Gramps told Shuman of his vision. The twin left behind, the one who died in the mill fire, Shuman raised as Waquini. He wanted to prove my grandfather wrong.”

Mike cupped a hand over her mouth. “Someone’s approaching the clinic. I can hear a vehicle.”

Melanie’s eyes widened. She shook his hand off, folded the form, and stuck it in her purse. Hastily, her fingers shaking, she replaced the files. “Take us back to the Caboose.”

He obeyed instantly. They made it back to the old beech tree in the Caboose’s back parking lot in mere minutes. Sliding her down his body, Mike held her mound to his rigid erection and then used every ounce of control to set her away from him.

“Stop that. When the news flashed across the screen in the casino, I couldn’t believe it. I’d felt nothing.” She stared up at him. “So many souls lost. But not today.”

Mike shook his head. “I scented burned horse flesh.”

“No souls called to me today. I’m positive. Whisper and her foal are still alive. Not a single horse died.”

“I’m telling you, Melanie, I smelled singed horse flesh.”

“Not a single horse died, Mike. I would’ve known.”

“You didn’t hear Eddie’s death or his brother’s.” He kept his tone gentle.

“That’s true.” She frowned, and then shook her head. “Whisper would’ve called to me. I just know it.”

A horrible notion occurred to him. “They don’t do what they do with mass-produced chicken with horses, do they?”

“What’re you talking about?”

“Chicken feed is often made with chicken parts.” He regretted saying the words when she greened.

“I doubt it. Not with a valuable horse like Whisper. And I’m telling you for the last time. Whisper didn’t die today.” She narrowed her eyes and stabbed a finger into his chest.

“Okay, she’s alive. Do you know where she is?”

Chapter Fifteen

“No. I wish I did.” Melanie met Mike’s gaze. “But Whisper hasn’t called to me. And she hasn’t had the foal as yet.”

“Why did you want to come back to the Caboose, babe?” Mike cupped her shoulders.

“Because Doc G. can’t suspect that I know. I have to act normal. And my normal reaction would be to come to check on Whisper. Which means I have to go to the clinic and wait for him.” Melanie shivered. “I can’t believe I never suspected.”

“We have a problem then, because I don’t want you anywhere near the bastard. Not unless I’m around.” Mike shook his head. “Are you sure? I never picked up on anything with Season.”

“No one else knows about me for sure. Brinda suspects, and we’ve danced around the subject, but Doc G. and I’ve actually talked about it. I can’t fathom the murderer being either Brinda or Virgil. Can you?”

“No. But Doc G. doesn’t ring right with me either. Still it’s logical. Did he plan to steal Whisper? Fake the deaths?”

“I hadn’t thought about that, but it makes sense. Whatever—Doc G. can’t for a minute suspect that we’re onto him.” Melanie had to convince Mike. “Drake agrees with me.”

“You don’t have to worry about Doc G. coming to the clinic.”

“Why?”

Mike recounted what he and Gray had seen and heard.

“It doesn’t make any sense. I would’ve known if five horses had died tonight.” She met his stare.

“What we need to do is sit down and pool our knowledge.” Mike caught Melanie’s hands and kissed her fingertips. “That includes my mother.”

A wave of nausea lodged thick and viscous in Melanie’s throat. She had so dreaded finally facing Mike’s mom. “I know. Everything has to come out. All the secrets.”

“We’re mates, Melanie. Nothing can tear us apart.”

That wasn’t what scared her voiceless and had her knees buckling. Melanie knew she couldn’t choose between her family and Mike. Could he? Would he have to?

“Ready?” He cupped her jaw.

She nodded.

He linked their hands and shortened his stride to match hers as they slowly strolled back to the Caboose. “It seems too pat. Too easy. Did Doc G. know you knew the insurance money was signed over to Willowby?”

Melanie screeched to a halt. “Of course. I do all the filing—”

“You could prove the document’s been tampered with. That the beneficiary was changed to Jim Balden. That’s why I sensed you’re in danger. He has to get rid of you too.” Mike snorted. “I screwed this up royally. Let’s find the others and get out of here.”

“Where are we going?” Melanie knew the answer before Mike voiced it.

“My mother’s house.”

They discovered that Gray had not stayed at the Caboose with Susie, Drake, and Kitchi. When Mike asked about his whereabouts, Drake shrugged.

“Call him and tell him to meet us at Mom’s house,” Mike ordered and then bundled the women into his pickup in a blink. He ordered his brother to follow them and drove back to the east side of Chabegawn. Melanie’s stomach dipped and spun like she was on one of those teacup carnival rides, and she couldn’t shake her gaze from the hypnotic white lines in the middle of the road.

“It’ll be okay. Breathe, babe.” Mike spoke softly. He touched her shoulder. “Lean on me.”

Drake passed them in his SUV and gave Melanie a thumbs-up. She returned the gesture, but her insides roiled. The pickup slowed and then stopped.

They’d arrived at his mother’s house. She watched Mike pull the hand brake and licked her lips. Here went nothing.

“Well, well.” Mike grinned. “Look at that. Virgil’s kissing Mom. On the front porch, no less.”

What?
Melanie glanced out the front window to see Drake slamming out of his vehicle. “I don’t think your brother’s pleased.”

Mama tsk-tsked. “It’s the alpha in him. Before we go in—whatever happens next, know that I couldn’t be happier about you and Melanie.”

“That means more than I can ever say.” Mike met Mama’s gaze.

Tears welled in Melanie’s eyes, but she blinked them back.

Susie broke the tension. “Can we get this show on the road? Murder, Whisper, remember?”

Mike led them up the flower-lined path that led to the porch. Drake and Virgil were off to one side, deep in conversation.

Night-blooming jasmine perfumed the air. The sun had begun its descent to the west.

Melanie stumbled up the stairs and kept her focus on their joined hands.

Susie escorted Mama onto the porch.

“Evening, Son. What a nice surprise.” Lucinda Dorland, dressed in elegant camel-colored pants and a powdery pink shirt, swept a glance at Mama and Susie and nodded. “Welcome, Mrs. White.”

“Mom. I want you to meet—”

“I know them both, Mike. Mrs. White, please forgive me for not coming to see you sooner.” Lucinda took Mama’s hands in hers. “I’m afraid one of my biggest flaws is delaying the inevitable. I’m a terrible procrastinator.”

“There’s been much tragedy between us. I hope we can set aside our differences for the sake of your son and my daughter.”

Emotions slammed her one after the other and swelled the tears Melanie couldn’t stop. Mama’s quiet dignity made her chest ache.

“Oh, heck in a bucket. Once Melanie’s waterworks start, anything sets her off.” Susie fished a tissue out of her jacket pocket. “I hope you have an ample supply inside somewhere. I’m Susie. It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Dorland. ”

When on the Lord’s earth had Susie become so aggressive? Melanie shot her a quelling glance.

Susie rolled her eyes. “Someone’s got to break the ice.”

“Virgil tells me that he thinks of you as the daughter he never had, Melanie. Please, all of you, call me Lucinda. We’re going to be family. And from the look on Mike’s face, sooner rather than later.”

“Yep. You got that one right, Mom.” Mike kissed his mother’s cheek. “We’ve got a lot to talk about.”

“I have some of the answers you want, Son. But not all. Why don’t we go inside, and I’ll put on a big pot of coffee.”

Virgil moved to stand next to Lucinda. “I’ll make the coffee. Trust me, what Lucy calls coffee is not drinkable. Come on, honey. I think I’m going to have to quadruple the order from the diner.”

“Honey?” Drake inserted himself between his mother and Virgil. “Honey? Aren’t you moving a little fast there, old man?”

“Drake. Don’t be rude. I expect better manners from you.” Lucinda shook her head. “Really, I don’t know where you get that tone from.”

“Lucy? Did he call you Lucy? No one calls you Lucy.” Drake rounded on his mother.

“Actually Virgil has been calling me Lucy for some time now.” Lucinda fluffed her chin-length bob into place. “I quite like it.”

“Some time?” Drake barked.

“Virgil’s been visiting me for the last nine months. If it weren’t for him, I’m not sure I’d be here.” Lucinda patted Drake’s arm.

“Not true, Lucy, and you know it. Your mother’s a strong woman.”

“Why did you pretend not to know each other?” Mike didn’t seem perturbed or surprised.

“She wanted to reconcile with you two first. I told her tonight that I’m too old, too ornery, and too much in love with her to sneak around like a teenager.” Virgil eyed Mike. “I’m sure you can understand the sentiment.”

“I do.” Mike hugged Melanie close to him and kissed her forehead. “That coffee sounds perfect right now, Virgil.”

“It does,” Mama agreed. “What can I do to help?”

Everyone ended up in Lucy’s kitchen, which seemed designed for a big family gathering. High chairs, akin to bar stools, surrounded the island in the middle of the kitchen. Everyone pitched in to assemble the necessary accoutrements—mugs, sweeteners, spoons, milk, and nondairy creamer—on the center of the island’s speckled countertop.

As they worked, the conversation turned to the inconsequential. Melanie, the Caboose, the new mayor, the coming winter. Drake remained sullen through it all and glared at Virgil when he took the seat next to Lucinda at the kitchen table.

The doorbell rang while Lucinda poured the coffee.

Drake lurched to his feet. “That’ll be Gray. I’ll let him in.”

A couple of minute later, Melanie glanced up at the sound of footsteps. Sure enough it was Gray. “Where have you been?”

“Bit of a long story. That coffee smells great.”

“Have a seat and I’ll pour you a cup. Nice to meet you, Gray.”

“Same here, Mrs. Dorland.” Gray turned a chair around and sat down. “Whisper and the other horses are stashed at a farm in Hurit County.”

“What? Gray?” Melanie spilled her coffee she stood up so fast. “How’d you find that out?”

Lucinda mopped up the spill with a paper napkin and then poured Gray’s coffee.

Gray dragged his hands through his hair. “I got to thinking about the two missing hands when you two went to the clinic. So I went back to the ranch and scouted the area. I picked up the tracks of seven horses and two riders. I followed them to the farm.”

“I don’t get it,” Lucy said. “The news reports said there were five missing horses presumed dead.”

“Sorry. What I meant was I found tracks of five riderless horses and two other mounts with riders.”

Lucy shook her head. “I still don’t understand.”

“The
valuable
horses didn’t burn in the fires. Two riders took them to safety.” Drake exchanged a glance with Mike. “It’s a setup.”

“Gray was right. Follow the money.” Mike scraped a thumb over his evening stubble.

Surprise, dismay, and confusion had Melanie’s throat dry and cracked and her feet and hands chilled. Had she missed every clue? “Jim? He set the fire? And I blamed Doc G.?”

Mike reached for Melanie and pulled her onto his lap. “Right now we really don’t know who’s done what. Seems it might be that Jim set up Doc G., or maybe it’s Doc G. who set up Jim?”

She welcomed his warmth but couldn’t stop frowning and staring at her brother.

“Doc G.? Jim?” Gray raised a brow. “It’s not Doc G. who’s behind the moving of the horses—it’s Pincer. Those two missing hands were met at the farm by a bunch of the sheriff’s men.”

“Sheriff Pincer? He’s not the villain in this piece. I’d swear that on the Bible.” Susie clenched her fists. “I know you can’t stand the man, Melanie, but it can’t be him.”

“Pincer was quick to point the finger at you, Gray.” Mama couldn’t quite keep the indignation out of her voice.

“Too right,” Melanie muttered.

“The real question here is why would
Pincer
move the horses?” Drake sipped his coffee.

“He must’ve known there was going to be a fire. But how? Did
Pincer
set the fire?” For once Mike’s features weren’t stoic; his forehead creased with puzzlement.