I laugh. “We haven’t even spent one shift together and you’re already bagging on me?”
His lips twitch, but he turns away before I can see if he actually smiles or not.
“Unbelievable,” I fake grumble. “You’re supposed to have my back. I get picked on enough by the other knuckleheads at the station. You and me, we’re supposed to be a team.”
He shakes his head but a faint smile touches his mouth. “I guess you’re the kind of guy who likes to joke around a lot.”
“Something wrong with that?”
“No, I’m just not used to it.” He tugs his wallet out. “My old partner was always in a bad mood.” His jaw tightens as he swipes his card to pay for his large latte.
“Life’s too short for that.” I move to one of the tall tables near the window at the front of the shop.
Once Jude has paid for his drink, he joins me. He looks uncomfortable as he perches in the tall chair. I smile as I study him. He avoids making eye contact with me, but I don’t think it’s because he’s shy. He’s closed off. I suspect he’s been a unit of one for a long time and has forgotten how to interact with others as anything other than a cop.
I clear my throat. “So, tell me a little bit about yourself, Jude. Do you have any brothers or sisters back in Florida?”
He grimaces. “No. I’m an only child.”
“Aww, that’s too bad.”
He glances up. “Is it?”
I lift one shoulder. “I’m sure your parents would have wanted a bigger family.” Most wolves like to have at least three kids.
He huffs quietly. “You don’t know my parents.”
His answer isn’t exactly what I expected. “Are they sad you left Florida?”
“No.”
I widen my eyes at that. His experience is so different from how my close-knit family operates, it’s hard to wrap my head around. “Seriously? They didn’t care that you left?”
“They died a long time ago.”
“Oh, damn,” I say softly. “I’m sorry.” He just shrugs which seems rather cold.
He clears his throat. “But even if they had been alive when I left, they wouldn’t have cared.” His blue eyes meet mine with an almost challenging look. “I gather from the horrified expression on your face your family is different?”
My laugh is raspy. “Hell, yes. My mom would die if me or my older brother left the mountain. Her kids are her life. Dad’s the same way. Jack, that’s my brother, and I never once thought about leaving Golden Peak. This is home.”
“Not all families are the same.”
“No, I know.” I do know that, but family is very important to me. It’s always shocking to me when other’s don’t feel the same. Especially wolves. The pack and family is everything. At least, that’s how it is here in Golden Peak.
The awkward conversation dies a natural and welcome death when Marie brings our drinks and food over to our table. I busy myself with my sandwich and Jude takes a sip of his latte. He nods as if he approves. We sit in silence for a while but then Jude straightens and meets my gaze.
“So, who runs things around here?” he asks.
I set my half-eaten breakfast sandwich down. “Well, of course we have Mayor Jones. She works closely with the town council and the chief to keep things running smoothly.”
Jude’s eyes flicker. “No, I mean who really runs things. Not politically but…”
I catch on to what he’s actually asking. “Oh.” I glance around and lower my voice. “The main pack around here is the Golden Peak Wolves. Caleb Rourke runs things. He’s a good guy. Keeps things stable.”
“Okay.” He shifts in his seat. “And you belong to that group?” I hesitate and he adds, “I’m not trying to be nosy. I’m just trying to make sure I don’t step on anybody’s toes. It helps if I understand things.”
“I get it.” It’s good that he’s asking. He’s not doing it in a challenging way. He’s just trying to orient himself. Figure out where he stands. That’s okay. In fact, that’s good. “The Golden Peak are my people, yeah.”
