Forrest stared at the computer screen. He wasn’t sure if it was the lingering effects of the nightmare or the fact Audrey and Seth weren’t safe in his den, but for some reason his bear was agitated. It paced back and forth in Forrest’s head, making it difficult for the man to focus on the numbers he was trying to enter into the spreadsheet.

“Forrest?” Ivy knocked on the open door. She frowned as she looked at him but didn’t say anything.

He looked up from the computer screen. “What is it?” He was careful to keep his voice friendly sounding even though he didn’t feel that way.

“Did you or one of the guys order any parts from Jefferson’s Classic Parts?” asked Ivy.

Forrest shook his head. “Not that I know of. In fact, I’ve never heard of the place.”

She frowned. “I’ve got a man on line two from Jefferson’s Classic Parts out of Little Rock, Arkansas, who says he has your parts ready for you to pick up as agreed upon.”

“Put the call through. I’ll talk to him and find out what’s going on.” Forrest frowned. He knew they had all the parts for the projects they were currently restoring, and once a couple of the projects were finished, then he would start the order process for the new projects that would be rotated into the shop.

“Okay,” said Ivy. She left as quickly as she appeared.

A few seconds later, Forrest’s telephone rang.

“I really don’t like being put on hold. I have a business to run,” said a man as soon as Forrest picked up the telephone. “I need Forrest Durant to pick up his parts order today. He’s already late. I’ve wasted two hours this morning when I could have been working on something more important.”

“I’m sorry, but we didn’t order anything from…”

“Forrest Durant ordered these parts and said he would be here at eight this morning to pick them up,” argued the man on the telephone.

“I know for a fact that we did not order anything from Jefferson’s Classic Parts because first, I’m Forrest Durant, and second, I’ve never heard of your company before today.”

Suddenly there was a loud click and the telephone line went dead.

Forrest stared at the telephone for a couple of seconds before he replaced it onto the receiver.

Ivy appeared at the door. “Any luck?”

Forrest shook his head. “It was strange. As soon as he found out he was talking to me, he hung up the phone.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.” She frowned.

Forrest leaned back and put his hands behind his head. “No, it doesn’t especially when he claimed I had ordered them and then didn’t want to talk to me.”

Ivy shook her head. “Weird. By the way, Sheriff Anderson is here. He wants to talk to you.”

“The day just keeps getting better.” He looked up at the ceiling. “Send him in.”

“Okay.” Ivy again disappeared.

Forrest looked at the computer screen and sighed. He saved what little he had done and closed the file.

“Good morning,” said Sheriff Anderson as he walked into the office.

“Morning.” Forrest stood up and held out his hand. “What can I do for you?”

“Congratulations on your mating.”

Forrest raised an eyebrow. “How did you know?”

“Ben told me, and then you have Skylar doing some renovations to your home. Plus, Courtney and Ivy want to have a small get-together to celebrate your mating.”

Forrest looked surprised.

Todd Anderson chuckled. “I don’t know why your so surprised. You may not realize it, but you and your brothers are part of this community and a part of our family whether you want to be or not.” His eyes took on a somber look. “I know what happened to your family,” he said in a lower voice.

Forrest was stunned by both pieces of information. “I don’t know what to say.”

Todd shrugged his shoulders. “Nothing to say. It is what it is, but there’s another reason I’m here.” Suddenly his tone changed. “There’s a stranger in town who has been asking a lot of questions about Audrey and Seth. Several of the business owners have called and reported the man, but he disappears as quickly as he shows up. I’m not sure what’s going on but I thought you should know so you can protect your family. I’ve heard an increasing number of rumors about hunters from some of the other shifter communities over the years. I’m hoping its nothing, but I would rather err on the side of caution.”

Forest’s bear pushed closer to the surface. It wanted to hunt down and destroy the threat to its family.

“Are you okay?”

Forrest fought for control and managed to shove his bear back. “My bear is determined to hunt down and kill the threat to its family and to be honest, I’m in agreement with him.” His bear stopped growling and listened to what Forrest told the sheriff.

“I’ve got my deputies on alert. Warn your brothers.” Todd turned to leave. “I thought the demons we’ve fought were bad enough, but I think this new threat may be worse.”

Forrest nodded. “I don’t think they’re going to stop with just bears. I have a feeling it’s going to be all shifters that are endangered before this is over.” He thought about Audrey’s suspicions about the car wreck that killed her sister and brother-in-law. “Can you do me a favor?”

The sheriff nodded his head. “What do you need?”

Audrey’s sister and brother-in-law were killed in a car wreck just outside of Austin. Audrey has always believed it wasn’t an accident as stated on the police report,” said Forrest.

“She thinks they were murdered? Any reasons why?”

“Audrey’s brother-in-law was a coyote shifter.”

“What about Seth?” asked the sheriff.

“He shifted for the first time last week. That’s how Audrey and I met.”

The sheriff nodded. “I’ll look into it. You keep them safe.” He pointed a finger at Forrest. “I don’t want to see any black bears roaming my streets, and terrorizing the citizens.”

Forrest nodded but didn’t say anything.

“I’ll keep you informed, and I’ll see what I can find out about the car wreck. Text me what you know so I have something to start with.”

Forrest watched the man leave. He thought about what the sheriff had told him. There was no way this was all just coincidence. “Ivy!” He yelled as he all but ran out of his office.

“What?” Her eyes widened when she saw the worried look on Forrest’s face.

“Do I have any appointments this afternoon that can be changed?”

Ivy picked up the schedule she printed out every day. “We had to move two deliveries until this afternoon because neither of the owners could come by this morning. We have three new client consultations also scheduled. Honestly, from eleven until about two is packed so you and the others can get out of here a little early today so y’all can move Audrey’s stuff.” She looked up from the paper.

Forest ran his hand through his hair. “Exactly when is the next appointment?”

Ivy glanced at the paper in her hand. “In about twenty minutes, and we’re doing working lunches today. Sandwiches are in the refrigerator.”

He nodded. “I’m getting the guys. We’re having an emergency meeting.” He didn’t wait for her to answer. Forrest headed into the garage looking for his brothers and Ben.

Ivy watched him leave. “I guess the meeting with the sheriff wasn’t a good one,” she said to herself as the telephone rang.

 

*****

 

Forrest rolled his shoulders. Every client showed up early and a couple of appointments ran longer due to lots of questions from the clients. He didn’t even get a chance to grab a sandwich. Now his bear wasn’t only grumpy about not being able to check on their mate; it was irritable because it was hungry.

As he shook hands with the last client, Forrest’s cell phone rang. He pulled it off his belt clip. Relief flooded through him when he saw that it was Audrey, but then worry set in. “Audrey, is everything okay?” He tried making his voice sound light and cheerful. All of the things he wasn’t feeling.

“I miss you,” was the first words Audrey said.

“I miss you too. Is everything okay?” He was relieved and anxious at the same time.

“The good news is that everything is almost packed. I did box up my computer. I’m doing a couple of loads of laundry. Once it’s dry, I’ll fold and box it too.

“And the bad news?”

“Is there any way you can pick up Seth from school today? I really hate asking because I know you’re busy, but my car won’t start.”

“What’s wrong with it?” asked Forrest.

“I’m not sure. I think it might be the battery. The car won’t make any noise when I try to start it,” said Audrey.

“Don’t worry. I’ll pick up Seth from school. When we get to your house, I’ll take a look at the car.” Forrest glanced at the clock. If he left now, he would make it to Seth’s school just in time for the last bell. His brothers would have to meet him at Audrey’s which shouldn’t be a problem.

“Thank you. I’m sorry I had to bother you at work,” said Audrey.

“It’s not a bother. Do me one big favor. Stay inside the house until I get there. Make sure the doors and windows are locked.”

“Is something wrong?” Worry filled Audrey’s voice.

“Honestly, I’m not sure. Just stay inside and lock the door.”

“I’m already inside and the door is locked.”

“Good.” Forrest felt some relief but he knew it wouldn’t completely go away until he had Audrey in his arms.

“I will see you when you get here. I love you,” said Audrey.

“Love you too.” Forrest ended the phone call and put the phone back in the clip on his belt. The sooner he left the sooner he could get to Audrey. Forrest went to find his brothers to let them know there was a slight change in the plans.