Kate's first week at Bear Valley Medical Center had been crazy. Dr Robinson hadn't been exaggerating when he'd said that he needed help and Kate didn't mind being busy at all. In fact, she relished the challenge and enjoyed working with the man who'd taken her under his wing in college. The hours were manageable since there were two of them at the practice and Kate quickly found herself settling into a routine. She arrived before nine, checked her schedule for the day, saw patients until midday, grabbed a quick lunch and then worked until around five or six in the evening, depending on the patient load.
While her days were certainly a flurry of activity, it was the evenings that she found particularly challenging. Used to having people around her, the quiet time spent on her own took some getting used to. It wasn't much fun cooking for one, but she forced herself to keep at it, since she actually enjoyed the chore and because she didn't want to become too dependent on microwave meals. She missed Sara and the friendships she'd left behind but despite the loneliness, she was resolved to try and make the best of things.
Bear Valley itself was generally quiet. Well, compared to LA it was. Filled with blue collar workers who prided themselves on hometown values and simplistic living, it was completely different to the life she'd led growing up close to the city. There was nothing fancy or pretentious about the town or its inhabitants. Like most small communities, everyone seemed to know everyone else's business and her arrival had certainly added to the already overactive grapevine. It amused more than annoyed her, since all of the people she'd come into contact with had been nothing but sweet and welcoming. She realised that she was a bit of a novelty, but like all new things, she was certain that their interest in her would wear off in time.
Another reason she was grateful to be busy was because it kept her mind off Jeremy Danvers. The very married, Jeremy Danvers, she reminded herself scathingly. She hadn't seen or heard from him again and although she kept telling herself it was for the best, that didn't stop her head from turning whenever she saw a silver SUV in her periphery. She just found him…intriguing. In the end it hadn't been necessary for his son to drop her car off. The tow service had arrived an hour later, her tired looking Mini on the back of their flatbed. Thankfully the repairs hadn't turned out to be that expensive and she was expecting her car back before her last patient arrived.
She still had Mrs Danvers clothing to return and reluctant as she was to meet the woman, she knew she couldn't put it off any longer. Resolved, she decided to head over to Stonehaven once her shift ended.
"Hey, Doc?" called Amy, their receptionist. Kate was standing just out of view of the waiting area completing one of her new patient's charts. She glanced up as the young redhead leaned forward conspiratorially. "You've been to the Danver's place, haven't you?"
At the mention of the name, Kate set the chart down on the counter. "Yes," she replied reluctantly, not sure where the line of questioning was going.
"Is it really as creepy as my brother said?" she asked, staring at Kate with rabid curiosity.
Kate wasn't sure how to reply. It had been unusual, yes, but also incredibly beautiful. Somehow she didn't think that description would be sensational enough to satisfy Amy. In any event, Kate wasn't interested in adding to the gossip mill. "Since I don't know what your brother said, I cannot corroborate anything," she replied mildly, turning her attention back to her work.
Not taking the hint, Amy continued, "He said that there are dead animal parts everywhere and that the old man, Jeremy Danvers, is a complete weirdo."
Kate frowned. Granted, she barely knew Jeremy, but "old man" and "weirdo" were definitely not what she'd call him. She opened her mouth and then shut it again, unsure of how to respond. Thankfully, Amy didn't seem to notice her reserve and steamrolled ahead.
"His son, Clay, is a total bad boy. Everyone in town's wary of him. Gorgeous," she gushed, "but kinda dangerous. Did you meet him? And Elena? She's stunning." Amy was like a runaway train, her words coming fast and furious. Lowering her voice as though she was about to impart a secret, she pressed on, "She left Jeremy and Clay about a year ago, but has since returned."
Elena. Was that Jeremy's wife? Kate desperately wanted to ask, but felt guilty about entertaining the girl's chatter. It wasn't right. Jeremy had been kind to her and for that reason alone she felt an irrational sense of loyalty towards him. It didn't matter that she barely knew him or that whatever Amy was saying could very well be true. That was beside the point. He didn't deserve to have her add fuel to the fire of the town's raging rumour mill.
"I've heard that Jeremy has be-"
"Amy Johnson! Are you gossiping again?" Nurse Reynolds scolded disapprovingly, staring at the young girl over the rim of her bifocals. "I suggest you file Doc Robinson's paperwork if you're looking for something useful to do and quit yammering on about business that's no concern of yours."
Amy flushed crimson, properly chastised. "Sorry," she mumbled, reaching for the stack of correspondence on the edge of her desk.
Nattie Reynolds was around sixty, short, plump and the most direct person Kate had ever met. Her no nonsense attitude had been a little daunting in the beginning, but Kate quickly came to see how invaluable she was and how much she cared about their patients. Despite her stern exterior, she actually had a heart of gold.
As Kate walked back towards her office, Nattie fell into step beside her. "Ignore Amy. She talks too much, but she means no harm."
"I figured. Since I arrived here and everyone found out that I'd been up at Stonehaven, that's all they want to talk to me about."
Nattie snorted. "You be firm and tell them to mind their own business, Doc Shaw. If you don't, they're just going keep pestering you."
Easier said than done. Kate glanced at the older woman. "Come to think of it, you're the only one who hasn't asked me about it."
Shrugging, Nattie dropped her pen into the pocket on the front of her navy blue tunic. "It's none of my business," she said simply. "Besides, the Danvers keep to themselves. Some folks think they're strange because they don't like to hang around town and mix with the locals. Personally, I wish more people were like them. They keep their noses clean and out of matters that don't concern them."
They reached Kate's office. "Then you are one of the few who seem to think so." Whether she'd wanted to hear about it or not, nearly all of her patients had told her their own versions of what had happened up at Stonehaven during the spate of murders not too long ago.
Waving a hand dismissively, Nattie replied, "Oh, don't you listen to that nonsense about the wolf killings. The Sheriff cleared them of all suspicion. People just like to speculate because they've got nothing better to do. Like I said, that family might keep to themselves, but they seem like the decent sort."
"I never met the whole family. Only, uh, Jeremy."
Nattie raised an eyebrow and Kate flushed. "Jeremy, you say?"
Kate rolled her eyes.
Eyes twinkling, Nattie smiled. "That's one fine looking man, Doc. If I was single and thirty years younger, I might consider making a nuisance of myself."
Her response was so unexpected that Kate laughed. "You might have a problem considering that he's ma-" rried. The phone on her desk rang, drowning out the rest of her word.
"That's probably Amy. Your four thirty must be here." Nattie patted her hand maternally. "Brace yourself, dear. Mr Kelp is a handful."
Their conversation over, the nurse headed down the hall just as Kate reached for the telephone receiver. "Amy?"
"Doc, you better get home quick. Sheriff Morgan just called. Someone tried to burgle your place."
Kate's heart sank as she slumped against her desk. This was not what she needed. Grabbing her purse from her desk drawer, she peeled off her lab coat and tossed it across her chair. Hurrying past Amy, she gave her instructions for Dr Robinson before dashing out of the MC. She'd deal with her car later.
It had been a cool day, the sun peeking out intermittently, but mainly staying hidden behind the clouds. Thankful that she'd decided to wear flats, she hurried her pace as she crossed over the street and started the two block sprint to her home.
She'd made it about half a block when the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. It felt as though someone was watching her. Without stopping, she looked around. Apart from a delivery van driving by, there was no one else on the street. Berating herself for being paranoid, she kept walking, but still couldn't shake the uneasy feeling.
With less than a block to go, she heard it. That same, familiar growl. Her heart lurched in her chest, fear pooling in the pit of her belly. Glancing over her shoulder she saw him – the same cold slate eyes, the same dark grey fur – as he stood glaring at her.
How is this possible? she wondered incredulously. Coincidence? Swallowing the knot of panic rising in her throat, she started running. Behind her, she could hear the dog's padded feet as it hit the sidewalk in quick pursuit. Her breathing ragged, she sprinted down the road as fast as she could. Not far from her, she could see the cop car parked on the curb outside her house.
"Sheriff!" she screamed. "Sheriff!"
A woman in a brown uniform stepped off the porch and glanced her way, her eyes widening. Hurrying into the street, she was already drawing her weapon and aiming it in Kate's direction. The adrenalin was pumping fast, her chest on fire, her lungs about to explode.
Kate heard a shot. Then another. The sound, so loud in the late afternoon stillness, shook her, making her steps falter. Stumbling, she fell forward…
"All the pieces are boxed and ready except for the one I'm still working on. I should have it shipped within the next week," Jeremy said into the phone.
"I don't mean to put any pressure on you, Jeremy, but that's what you said last week," came the cultured British accent of the curator of one of the art galleries who frequently showcased his work.
Jeremy cursed silently. His reputation as a consummate professional meant everything to him. "Don't worry, Henry, everything is going according to plan. I've never let you down, have I?" he asked, his natural charm coming to the fore.
He could hear the sigh of relief on the other end. "No, no you haven't. I'll expect a call from you upon completion."
"You'll get it."
Jeremy had just come from a run when he'd picked up a call from his agent asking him to get in touch with Henry. The final landscape he'd promised delivery on was late.
Unfortunately, his inability to complete the project was two-fold: Firstly, it was a week since Kate's narrow escape from the mutt and they still didn't have any leads. Elena, their best tracker, had lost his scent a few miles from Stonehaven and been unable to pick it up again. The fact that he might have ventured into town was a source of concern for Jeremy, especially since the last wolf attacks had been pretty gruesome.
Secondly, the maddening regularity with which he found himself thinking about Bear Valley's new doctor was more than a little annoying. Just earlier that day he'd been up in his studio working on the final commission when a particular shade of green had reminded him of her piercing eyes, followed swiftly by thoughts of her lovely smile. After trying for the next hour to dispel the distracting images, he'd given up and gone for a run to clear his head. This disturbing pattern had been a staple all week, severely impacting on his ability to focus on his work.
Jeremy had never been married, never felt the need to commit to any woman in such a formal and binding manner. Similarly, he'd never had any serious relationships. There'd been women, of course. He was a man with a healthy sexual appetite, but like all things, he did not allow it to rule over him or dictate the terms of his life. A few discreet liaisons here and there that never lasted beyond the slaking of the flesh were what he preferred. It kept things simple and uncomplicated. He didn't approve of long term affairs with humans. He understood the need for contact with them; to live some semblance of a normal life. After all, even wolves needed to earn a living, to have friends, to interact socially. But he'd never allowed himself to be fooled into thinking that any relationship between himself and a woman could ever be more than two ships passing in the night. As alpha, the risks were far too great.
Wolves did not get to love. He did not get to love. It was a rule he lived by, a rule he'd tried to instil in all his pack members. Love was an emotion that blinded men to the realities of the world, to the inevitable consequences of allowing feelings and passions to overcome common sense and good judgement. It had certainly led to the ruination of many and while that was a tragedy, the danger of allowing those emotions into the lives of wolves, could lead to devastating consequences. And so Jeremy moved through life withholding himself from any deep and meaningful connection with any human being. He was capable of love of course, his pack members the only ones on the receiving end of that emotion. With them, he expressed his feelings overtly, his manner quite open and affectionate. But never with anyone else. Far too often he'd seen the ramifications of caring too much for humans. It ultimately led to heartbreak and in the worst cases, a massive mess that needed to be cleaned up afterward. He had no time for that, no patience for attempting to find the balance between two extremes. He kept his life simple: he loved and protected his pack, he guarded their secret fiercely and he enforced pack law in order to prevent humans from being hurt as a result of negligence on the part of the werewolf community.
Perhaps in moments of introspection, Jeremy accepted that there had once been the desire to be a father, to have a child, even children, of his own. But then he'd found Clay, then Logan and then Elena. Over the years he'd been more of a father to them than their real parents had ever been and it had filled the void inside of him to the point where he no longer thought about biological offspring. That was never going to happen and he was okay with it. Besides, in the deepest, most private corner of his soul he wondered about the kind of legacy he'd pass on to any children he might father. His own paternal parent, Malcolm had been no role model. He'd been cruel and sadistic; hating his only son from the moment he'd been born. Jeremy would be lying if he didn't admit, if only to himself, that the scars his father had inflicted on him – both physical and emotional – ran far deeper than anyone could ever imagine.
He was happy to leave the responsibility of increasing their pack numbers to the next generation. Already Logan was to have a son and despite his ambiguity around raising the child within the pack, Jeremy knew he'd ultimately do the right thing. Someday Clay and Elena could well have a family of their own, a rare situation where both the mother and the father would be able to raise their sons and daughters together. In time, even Nick might have a son and with Antonio gone, he would probably turn to Jeremy for guidance. So while he knew that he'd never experience the joys of being a biological parent, it didn't really matter at all. He'd been a father many times over.
Walking into the kitchen to make some coffee, the kettle had just boiled when Nick entered.
"We have a problem," he said, without preamble.
Jeremy stopped what he doing and focused on the younger man. "What's going on?"
"I just got a call from one of my…err… lady friends at Bear Valley Medical." Lady friend was code for one of Nick's many female companions. "There was another attempted attack on the same woman you found outside Stonehaven last week."
Jeremy's stomach plummeted to the floor. Placing the kettle back onto the stove, he gave Nick his full attention. "Attempted?"
"Apparently the dog," Nick used his fingers to indicate quotation marks, "chased after her on her way from work. Someone had robbed her place and she was going to check it out. Luckily our trusty Sheriff saw what was happening and fired a few shots at the mutt, scaring him off."
Outside he appeared as calm as ever, but inside, Jeremy was seething. "Was she harmed in any way?"
"Sheriff Morgan?"
"Of course not, Nick. Focus," Jeremy snapped. "The other woman."
Nick frowned at his tone. "I'm not sure. I don't think so."
Jeremy was already heading towards the living room. He needed to head into town. To track the mutt, he told himself. "When did this happen?"
"A couple of hours ago," Nick said, trailing behind him.
About to grab his keys, Jeremy halted when Clay and Elena arrived. "What's going on?" Elena asked, eyeing him thoughtfully.
"Another attempted attack on the same human. This time in town," Nick replied.
"Was anyone hurt?" Clay asked, folding his arms across his chest.
"Apparently not, but I want to check to be sure," Jeremy said.
Elena looked at him, surprised. "Clay and I can do it," she offered.
"No. I want to go myself. Elena, you come with me. I'll need your superior tracking abilities. This is the second attempt on the same…human." He chose the word deliberately, distancing himself from Kate. "We need to find out why this is happening and nip it in the bud."
Clay looked at him. "Elena's right, Jeremy. We should go. You stay and consult the archives. Maybe we've missed something."
"I've already made my decision, Clay," he reiterated, his tone brooking no opposition. He could tell that everyone was confused by his insistence, but he ignored them. He needed to do this himself.
The sound of gravel crunching underfoot alerted them to a new arrival. Everyone walked towards the front door, but stood back as Jeremy moved to open it.
"Sheriff Morgan," he said, slipping easily into the role of well-mannered host.
"Mr Danvers," she said, reaching to shake his hand. "I was wondering if I could ask you a couple of questions?"
"In connection with what?" But he already knew.
"There's been another wolf sighting in town. The new doctor was almost attacked earlier and since she mentioned that there'd been a previous encounter outside Stonehaven, I wanted to ask you about it."
Every moment that they wasted here, was precious time they could be spending tracking the mutt. "Of course. Please, come inside." He showed her in. "Clay, Elena. Why don't you go ahead? I'll meet you in town." It was pointless for all of them to stay while he dealt with their visitor.
They nodded, hurrying to the FJ Cruiser while Nick escorted the Sheriff into the living room.
"How can I help?" Jeremy asked, superficially projecting a level of patience he didn't feel.
"Can you recall what happened last week?"
Jeremy perched on the edge of his desk. "I don't think I can be of much assistance, but I'll tell you what I know." He smiled politely. "I was out for a walk when I heard a woman calling for help. It was close to the front gate, so I went to investigate. I didn't see anything and when I got there, Dr Shaw was a little shaken, but otherwise fine. She claimed to have seen a dog."
Sheriff Morgan looked up from her note taking, her brow slightly elevated. "I think we both know that wasn't a dog, Mr Danvers. Wolves tend to like hanging around your property."
Jeremy shrugged, giving nothing away. "Like I said, I didn't see anything."
"And subsequent to that day?" When Jeremy shook his head, she looked at Nick.
"I just got back from New York."
She nodded, apparently satisfied. "Well, if you see anything, please let me know. According to Dr Shaw, she's convinced it was the same wolf."
"She said that?" Jeremy asked, trying and succeeding to sound only mildly interested.
"Yes, she was sure. I shot at him a few times, but he got away. I don't think I hit him." She closed her notebook and frowned. "That's quite a coincidence though, isn't it? That one wolf would attack the same person in two separate locations?"
Nick flashed Jeremy a look of concern before saying to the Sheriff, "She must be really unlucky."
She stood. "I'll call some experts in the morning and get their take on it." She reached out a hand. "Thank you for your time, Mr Danvers. Mr Sorrentino. If you remember anything else, please give me a call." She smiled at them before departing.
Jeremy closed the door behind her, his mind working a mile a minute.
"This sounds like a targeted attack. What is it about the good doctor that makes this mutt so interested in her?" Nick asked.
Jeremy waved a hand dismissively. "She seemed straightforward, fairly uncomplicated. There was nothing about her that raised any alarm bells."
Nick looked unconvinced. "She's obviously pissed someone off if they've resorted to stalking her."
"We need to find this mutt and put a stop to this before anyone actually gets hurt. It's a danger to all of us."
"Maybe we should-Where are you going?" Nick asked as Jeremy collected his keys and slipped his jacket on over his waistcoat.
"To see if I can help Clay and Elena." He was already out of the door.
"Is that really necessary?" Nick called after him, clearly confused.
More annoyed at himself than at Nick because he knew he was behaving out of the norm, he snapped, "Are you challenging my authority, Nicholas?"
Nick flinched. "Of course not. You just generally tend to leave the whole sniff and pursue thing to us."
Jeremy brushed Nick's attempt at levity aside. "Get in touch with some of your contacts. Check if there have been any similar attacks in neighbouring towns in the last few weeks. I'll be back in a couple of hours. Call me if you have anything."
He didn't wait for Nick's response, the car already in motion.
The drive into town usually took about an hour. Jeremy made it in significantly less time. Without an idea of what he meant to say when he got there, he went straight to Kate's place. Stepping out of the car, he inhaled deeply. There was the lingering scent of the mutt, a couple of hours old. He knew Clay and Elena had been there and then headed into town to canvas the bars in the hopes of picking up the wolf's trail.
Walking up to the front door Jeremy hesitated. He could smell her, that soft, sweet scent that he wished he hated, but didn't. Raising a hand, he knocked.
It didn't take long before the door opened. Kate stood before him, dressed down in jeans and a sweater, her feet bare. She wasn't wearing her spectacles. As his eyes roved over her face, he registered the nasty bump on her forehead and the angry red gash on her cheek. He felt his fury rising again.
"Jeremy," she breathed, surprise evident in her look and tone.
"Dr Shaw."
They stared at one another for a moment before she swallowed, stepping aside to allow him entry. "Just Kate. Please, come inside."
He walked in, his eyes darting curiously around the room. The house was small, but neat and airy. The kitchen, a square open plan area, had hard wooden floors and white cupboards with modern stainless steel appliances. Two bar stools stood in front of the breakfast counter, a laptop and some paperwork strewn across the surface. The living room was cosy, though perhaps a fraction sparse. Two creamy couches rested across from one another with a low wooden table between them. A big bookshelf stood in one corner, crammed with books – mostly medical textbooks and journals from what he could see. On the floor were a few more boxes, opened, but still unpacked.
"Forgive the mess," she apologised. "I wasn't expecting company."
"It's not a problem," he said softly, watching as she fidgeted. She seemed…on edge. "Sheriff Morgan came to see me. She mentioned what happened."
Kate nodded. "Can I get you anything to drink? Some tea? Coffee?"
Jeremy declined so she gestured to the seat beside her as she sat down on one of the couches. "She said she'd check with you to see if you'd seen the wolf again." She smiled, although it looked strained to him. "A wolf. Not a dog. I guess no one thought to tell me they were so prevalent around here."
So she knows about the other murders. "Would knowing have made you decline the position?" He sat down but maintained a respectable distance between them.
"I don't know…probably not."
Despite his resolve to remain detached, he heard himself asking, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she replied, with false cheer. When he continued to regard her dubiously, she amended, "I'm a little shaken, that's all."
Kate looked at him, her eyes filled with ...anxiety? Lingering fear? He couldn't be sure. Always composed in the face of any obstacle, Jeremy felt his self-control slipping as he stared at her bumps and bruises. He vowed that mutt responsible for her pain would pay.
Misinterpreting his scowl, Kate touched her forehead self-consciously. "I'm afraid I look a sight. I took a bit of a tumble."
"You look perfect." The words were out before he could stop them.
Kate's cheeks coloured and Jeremy cursed inwardly. He needed to stay focused. He wasn't there to hold her hand. He needed information. Diverting his attention from her, he looked around. "The Sheriff mentioned that someone broke in?"
Latching onto the change of topic, she replied, "It's bizarre. Whoever it was didn't take anything. It was-" She stopped.
Jeremy leaned forward, his eyes silently prompting her to continue.
She shook her head. "It's stupid, I know, but if it hadn't been for the burglary, I wouldn't have walked home and the wolf might have missed me entirely."
A chill raced down's Jeremy's spine. He'd deliberately set out to trap her. "He didn't get near you though? The wolf?"
"No, no. The gunshots scared him off." She lifted her legs to her chest, wrapping her arms around them as though she was cold.
She looked vulnerable, alone… lonely, he thought. He stomped on the urge to comfort her. "Perhaps you shouldn't have come to Bear Valley," he said, sounding harsher than he meant to.
Kate frowned at his tone, peeking at him over her tops of her bent knees. "I admit, this was not what I imagined would happen when I arrived here, but I won't let a wolf chase me out of town."
"So you're staying?" Jeremy asked, his brow puckered in annoyance.
She quirked an eyebrow. "Of course. You thought I'd leave?"
Yes. A part of him wanted her to go. She was distracting and if he didn't get this inconvenient attraction he felt towards her under control, his pack would start asking uncomfortable questions. "Wolves have scared others away in the past."
Kate's chin rose defiantly, her eyes flashing. "I am not others, and once the wolf is caught, this will all go away."
Damned if he didn't admire her courage. He gentled his tone. "I'm glad you weren't hurt."
A shadow passed across her face. "So am I." Then, she pointed to her forehead and cheek, smiling wryly. "Well, not too badly at least."
They stared at one another, the vulnerability in her eyes creeping past his hardened defences.
His phone rang.
Jeremy checked the caller ID. It was Nick. "Excuse me." Standing, he turned his back to her. "Yes?"
"Jeremy, we may have something. Turns out there's been about three other wolf attacks along the coast in the last month."
"Do you have a name?"
"Waiting on it to come through."
"I'll be back shortly." He disconnected. "I should get going."
Kate unfurled from the sofa to stand in front of him. Her hair was piled into a loose bun, multiple strands falling down to frame her face. He felt the urge to reach out and touch one of those silky threads, to test their texture between his fingers. Thankfully her words stopped him from succumbing to the foolish desire.
"Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate it."
Jeremy nodded, looking around once more. "Is that window being fixed today?" he asked, his head gesturing towards the broken pane in the kitchen.
The doorbell rang.
"That's probably the repairman," she said, staring up at him, her eyes large and luminescent. Just like the last time, he felt a sliver of attraction. He needed to leave. There was something about this woman that affected his ability to behave rationally, to think clearly. They had to catch the mutt before he ended up doing something he was likely to regret.
Striding purposefully towards the exit, Jeremy wrenched the door open with more force than necessary, causing the balding man on the porch to back away when he saw the intense glower on his face.
Behind him, Jeremy heard Kate call, "Wait! Let me give you the clothes!"
He ignored her. Elena wouldn't miss them and he needed to get out of there. Now.
By the time Kate got back to the door, the laundered items in hand, Jeremy was long gone. Confused, she closed the door behind the repairman and sighed. She just couldn't figure him out. One minute he was being nice and the next he was dismissing her.
Instinctively she curled her fingers around the soft fabric in her hands. Looked like she'd have to make a trip to Stonehaven after all.