“Understand why you’re the woman of my dreams.” Lakota reached out and captured a tress between his fingers. “Do you think my parents are superficial? Have you seen my wardrobe? You’ve got moxie, and I’d be embarrassed as hell if you went to see them with your tail tucked between your legs. Be yourself. I want them to meet the woman I fell in love with, the woman who stole my heart.”
She slapped his shoulder and stormed off. “Why do you always have to be so romantic? I can’t even argue with you anymore.”
Lakota rocked with laughter and winked at me. “She’s got her mother’s fire in her. Thanks for breakfast, little sis. I’m heading out to the Weston house in about an hour to talk with Reno.”
“Is my brother going to be a private instigator?” I quipped.
“Investigator,” he corrected. “You’re too sassy for your own good.” He gobbled up another piece of bacon, speaking with his mouth full. “I’m still undecided, but since I have plenty of money in reserve, there’s no rush. I’ve worked my tail off these past few years, so it’s nice to have a little vacation.”
“Any more time off and our sofa will have a permanent impression of your backside.”
He snorted. “You want to ride with me? I won’t be gone long.”
“I can’t.”
His brows furrowed. “Why not?”
“I’m heading out to a cast.”
Lakota stood up straight. “As in… a cast of hawks? Do I know them?”
“Well, I don’t think they’re all hawks, so I’m not exactly sure what to call them.”
Not all Shifters lived in the same animal group. Some wildcats lived together, but many were loners by nature. Other races banded together for security, such as birds. I’d recently heard about a cast of hawks living nearby, which had planted the idea of feather jewelry. Sure, I could have bought a bunch of feathers off the internet, but I wouldn’t know anything about their origin. The personal connection between my jewelry and the Shifters was essential since most of my customers were Breed.
“Shifter feathers aren’t easy to come by, not unless they’re voluntarily given up or found,” I informed him. “The lady I spoke with seemed willing to provide a limited supply.”
“So they don’t mind you plucking them bald?”
I poked his arm. “They lose feathers during a shift. My contact has access to different species, everything from pheasants to peacocks. When I offered to pay her money for something that was going into the trash anyway, we struck a bargain. Out of respect, I agreed not to discount her pieces like I do with some of my other merchandise.”
Lakota stared at me, unblinking.
“They’re a respectable group of Shifters,” I said, reassuring him. Lakota could be overprotective to a fault. “They’re all women, in case you’re concerned about a male performing a dance of seduction in front of me.”
His shoulders sagged. “All women? That’s fine then.”
“You’re so silly.”
“No way in hell is my sister gonna be wooed by a flamingo.”
“Aw, but you know how I love skinny legs.”
As I steered around him, he caught my wrist. “Be careful, little sister.”
“Always am.”
Chapter 2
Iparked my green Toyota sedan next to a pickup truck with so many hood ornaments affixed to the exterior that I couldn’t even see the paint. I’d seen all kinds of unusual cars in Austin, so nothing surprised me. When I got out, a gentle breeze lifted a few strands of my hair. I smoothed them back in place before tightening the knot at the bottom of my white button-up shirt.
When Melody and I had dreamed up the idea of Moonglow, I’d never imagined our job would include anything other than working in the store and designing the merchandise. But here I was, scheduling meetings and learning how to negotiate contracts.
The lady I’d spoken to regarding the feathers lived in a quaint house by Shifter standards. It reminded me of a Spanish villa—stucco exterior, clay-tile roof, and archways at the entrance. Wind chimes hanging from a nearby tree sounded like tiny bells playing a nonsensical tune. Tall trees bordered the property, and giant pink crepe myrtles added a splash of color to each corner of the house, front and back. The houses in the neighborhood were spaced generously apart, and most of the homes had paved driveways. I walked around the circular driveway, admiring the fountain in the middle.
When I rang the bell, no one answered.
“Are you Hope?” a woman yelled from above.
