“I can help,” I offer. “I don’t have Mom’s gift of discernment, but I can take orders and help Cassia with the customers.”
My dad looks at me and shakes his head. “But you have the bakery’s grand opening to prepare for. I can’t ask you to sacrifice that.”
“I think we can manage both.” Teddy has been standing off to the side, obviously not wanting to intrude, but now he steps forward. “I can help Sophie and Cassia during the morning rush, and the rest of the time I’ll focus on the bakery.”
“And I can give Teddy a hand at the bakery when I’m off work; the remodeling will go more quickly with the two of us,” says Jake.
Dad sniffs a few times before giving us a grateful nod, and then his thick, brown beard cracks into a wide grin. “Thank you… all of you.” Then he reaches his hand toward Teddy, and I realize I’ve not introduced them. “Dad, this is Teddy Barker; Teddy, this is Nash Brownlee.”
They shake hands, and Dad gives Teddy one of his, “I’m her father, and I’m watching you” looks. I stifle a sigh; why are the men in my family so ridiculously overprotective?
“Phoebe will be happy to know the Sit for a Spell Café is staying open,” says Granny. “And it’s a good thing too; someone has to keep an eye on those gargoyles.” Everyone groans except for Teddy, who quirks a brow.
“Just you wait,” chortles Jake, who claps Teddy on the shoulder. “They’re nasty little terrors.”
We all chuckle, even Teddy, but I get the sense something is bothering him that has nothing to do with my mom, the bakery, or the gargoyles. After I’m allowed to peek through the two-way glass inside the isolation unit and blow my mom a kiss, Teddy drives me home.
As I’m about to exit the car, he clears his throat; I know this means he has something to say. I wait, my hand resting on the car door. “What is it, Teddy?”
He hesitates and then says in a rush, “If you need help… of a more personal nature… you know I’m here for you, anytime. Just ask.” Teddy doesn’t look at me but continues staring out the windshield.
I’m not sure what he’s talking about or why he’s suddenly avoiding eye contact. “Um… thanks?”
After Teddy drives away, I open my front door and scoop up Zosia, who gives me a lot ofmeepsandwumps. I settle into the green chair, Zosia in my lap, and drop my handbag on the floor by my feet. My phone tumbles out, and despite my weariness, I decide to thumb through my text messages; I haven’t checked them since this morning.
My posture goes rigid, and Zosia whines, sensing my distress.
Now I know why Teddy’s brow was so furrowed earlier when he handed me my phone, and why he offered his help just now; he must have seen these messages.
Rafe’s first text arrived earlier today, around the time he spotted me and Teddy leaving the beach. “I stopped by to say hi, but then I saw you with another werewolf. Who is he?”
How did Rafe know I’d be on the beach, unless he’d been watching the bakery and followed me when I left with Teddy? Goosebumps prickle my flesh, and I shiver at the thought.
His second text arrived an hour later. “If he’s your new employee, I’ll gladly teach him a lesson he’ll never forget.” Sweet moonglow… now he’s threatening Teddy? The memory of Teddy holding me sours, and I clutch the phone more tightly; would Rafe really go so far as to hurt him?
Rafe’s final text arrived shortly before Dad called to tell me about my mom. “You shouldn’t be holding his hand, Sophie. That’s not right.”
I sit there for a long time, running my hands through Zosia’s warm fur, trying to convince myself not to freak out.
It’s not working; eventually I stumble into bed and fall asleep, only to dream of Rafe smirking cruelly as he beats up Teddy.
As I wake up feeling more exhausted than when Iturned in, I decide that I need to push Teddy away in order to keep him safe from Rafe’s fists. It’s time to reassert our employer-employee relationship.
No more hugs or handholding or anything else until I’m sure the obsessive werewolf has moved on.
Chapter 21
Gargoyle Encounter
TEDDY
Monday to Tuesday, July 2-3
Cruising slowly with my windows rolled down, I circle twice around the block, sniffing the air for any scent of strange werewolf. Satisfied whoever sent Sophie those text messages isn’t hanging around at this late hour, I head to my one-room flat above Rob Wolferman’s garage, wishing I’d never moved out of Sophie’s cottage; if I’d stayed, I could keep her safe at night.
Well… at least until the full moon, when Jake and Rob think I’ll turn into some raving mad werewolf. That idea fills me with such dread I shudder as I park the Caddy and trudge wearily up the steps.
My apartment suits my needs for now; I have a kitchenette on one wall, a table with two chairs under the window, and a sofa, couple of lamps, and flat panel TV on the opposite side of the cozy space. Best of all, Rob ischarging me half the going rate, in exchange for mowing his lawn and clipping his hedges.
