Chapter Twenty-Three
Constance Tully, with the help of her mate Jacob Pierce and his family, had done a remarkable job in remodeling the space she had purchased for her new salon, in an astoundingly short amount of time. The interior was a study of creams and gold, the countertops marble, the sinks and chairs black, and everywhere you looked you were surrounded by your own reflection cast by a multitude of gilt framed mirrors.
It wouldn’t be a stretch to estimate that the entire town had crammed themselves into the space to celebrate Connie’s accomplishment. Some just funneled in to offer their congratulations and then were once again on their way out, while others stayed to partake of the food, drink, and conversation freely flowing.
Rin was happy for Connie, and pleased to see the female so excited about moving forward with her life. Constance Tully had been the reason Rin had escaped the fur traders, the reason why she was still alive today to find her own happiness.
Mike’s arm tightened around Rin’s waist and he bumped his hip into hers. “What’s up, buttercup? What has you so pensive?”
Rin shot him a tight smile and shook her head. “I was just thinking about how happy I am for Connie, that’s all.”
“That’s all?” Mike’s eyes narrowed as his gaze skimmed over her face. “Are you sure?”
Rin focused on Connie once more who was laughing and chatting with one of the Pierce brothers and a human woman, which she knew from town gossip, was his mate. Absently, her hand reached for the locket that no longer hung around her neck, and tightened into a fist of frustration that she was still doing that before she brought it back down to her side. “Did you know she saved my life?”
Mike didn’t say anything, and Rin couldn’t look at him right then to gauge his reaction with her own emotions so close to the surface. The last thing she wanted to do was break down in tears in front of the entire town. “Connie was already free. She could have easily just run, yet she took on a guard to come back for me. She saved me.”
Rin’s voice cracked on the last and Mike pulled her against his chest. She gave him a squeeze around the waist in appreciation for his support, as well as the time she needed to compose herself. Lifting her head, she looked at Mike and he used a thumb to smooth away the tear that she hadn’t realized had slipped free.
“They were going to use me in a fox hunt. Hunt me, shoot me, and stuff me as a trophy for entertainment.” Rin was no longer close to tears as the words spilled out. With each syllable, finally spoken aloud, she grew angrier and angrier until Mike’s responding growl on her behalf filled her ears and she realized this was neither the time nor the place for this discussion. But it was done, it was out there, and now they both needed to calm down before they were the center of attention.
“Oh, my God! I had heard you two were a couple!” Connie’s squeal of delight, broke through the tension as nothing else could and they were both suddenly pulled into the blonde beauty’s eager embrace. “I’m so happy for both of you.”
“We’re happy for you.” Rin said, her smile genuine. “This place is beautiful.”
Connie grinned, her head moving to take in her surroundings and she let out a sigh. “It is, isn’t it?” She giggled and then leaned forward to whisper, “Flora’s pea green jealous, but she’s also my first appointment when I officially open on Monday.”
Flora, Rin knew, was Connie’s former boss and the owner of Flora’s Hair Design back in town. Malsum Pass couldn’t support two salons, so Connie had had to hunt further afield to make her dreams come true, but she was definitely making an excellent start.
Tim chose that moment to sneak up behind Connie, and pick her up in a bear hug that had the female letting out a little screech, which set her mate to growling, and had Tim tossing back his head with laughter. “Congratulations, Goldilocks!” Tim bellowed and spurred the other guests to lift their glasses and raise their voices as well.
Connie shot the bigger male a warning look that dissolved into a pleased smile as she playfully punched him on the arm. Then with a shake of her head, she excused herself and moved on to chat with her other guests.
Tim, still grinning, introduced Rin to his girlfriend, Jennifer. Surprisingly, the lovely human nurse was only a few inches taller than Rin. The poor woman must have a perpetual crick in her neck trying to converse with Tim, who topped the woman by a good foot or more.
While Rin made small talk with Jennifer, Mike and Tim moved off a few paces and started conversing in hushed tones. Tim excited, Mike nodding at whatever the bigger male was telling him, but there was too much background noise for Rin to pick out exact words. It did however, remind her that she hadn’t had a chance to ask Mike just what kind of odd jobs he does. She had been working under the assumption that he was making house calls doing oil changes, changing out a flat, or basic car maintenance, but maybe his definition of odd jobs was more literal: a job that one might consider strange.
She had intended to ask him the night before, but what with the romantic dance, followed by tacos – the only thing Mike said he was an expert at making – and a Jackie Chan movie marathon, Rin’s state of mind had been leaning more toward giving Mike a thank you he wouldn’t soon forget rather than indulging her paranoia with questions.
She was just about to subtly introduce the subject to Jennifer and see if the nurse knew anything, when Rin’s nose twitched, and she grit her teeth to keep from panicking. Mike had already told her that the few bear shifters in town were good people. There was no reason for her to become agitated, yet when Mike rejoined her and asked her if she was ready to leave, Rin pounced on the opportunity to flee.
They took a moment to say their goodbyes, but once they were enclosed in Mike’s car, Rin finally felt like she could breathe again.
Mike rubbed her thigh and squeezed her knee. “Are you okay?”
He must have scented them as well and thought to save her. Such a sweet male. “With you I’m better than okay.”