“Okay, come on, Maya, Ruby, and Pearl.Line up over here,” I say, calling the wolves down from the platforms.
They come and join their brothers and sisters over next to me, and I smile.I move to the bridge and tap my riding crop against the wooden beams.
“Ash, you’re up first,” I call and the young wolf jogs my way and up across the bridge.“Good boy,” I praise him, tossing him a piece of meat.“Storm!Come on.”
We continue on like that for the next hour and I’m setting them free to run back to the pack when I hear the crunch of tires on gravel coming from by the house.I turn and frown as I see a black car pull up next to mine and park.
Then Fisher steps out, and I roll my eyes.I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to deal with him anymore, but I should have known that he wouldn’t give up that easily.
I glare at him as he turns and looks my way, and for a moment, he looks shocked and then relieved at the sight of me.
He heads my way, and I roll my shoulders back as I go to face off with him.
“So, you work at the wolf sanctuary,” he says, clearly on edge.
“No.I own it.”
“And you don’t want to sell to me,” he says, and I snort.
“No.I believe that I told your assistant that several times already.I guess I have to tell you in person, though.No, I will not sell this place to you.”
By the time I’m done speaking, I’m practically vibrating with anger.
“Vera, just hear me out,” he pleads, and I shake my head.
“No.You need to leave.Now.”
“It doesn’t have to be like this.Let me explain,” he says, and I grit my teeth.
Part of me wants to hear him out.It’s the part of me that is still attracted to him though and I do my best to squash it.
“Leave.Now.”
He gives me a longing look, and I do my best to keep glaring at him.I watch as he finally nods and turns to head back to his car.I watch him until he climbs back into his car and drives off.
As soon as he’s gone, I almost regret making him leave.No, I guess that’s not quite right.I wish that he wasn’t here to buy this place.I wish that things could be different between us.
I do my best to ignore my thoughts and feelings for Fisher as I gather the next group of wolves and head back to the training ring.The routine of training doesn’t help, though and soon my thoughts drift back to him.
I need to find a new escape.
As if on cue, my phone dings with a text message, and I let the group of wolves go before I look at the message.
Cameron:Come join the girls at the bar tonight.
Vera: What time?
Cameron: Eight
Vera: Sounds good
It’s alreadyclose to five so I decide to finish up a few things and then head up to the house.I make myself a sandwich and practically inhale it before I head up to my room to take a shower.
I still live in my childhood room.I know that at some point, I should probably clear out my parents’ things and move into the master bedroom, but I just can’t do it.Not yet, anyway.Losing them is still too fresh.
I take my time showering and picking out an outfit for tonight.I know that it will only take me ten minutes to get to the bar in town, so I wait until it’s quarter to eight to leave.
When I park out front, I see Cameron, Lilou, and Kerry heading for the door.I hurry to catch up with them.
