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  “I will,” she promised. “That’s why I stopped by. I wanted to tell you about this morning.”

  Her dad smiled. “That’s my girl.” He headed over and stole a muffin from Bobby and picked up one of the cups of coffee.

  Sara had learned long ago that being the daughter of the town sheriff came with certain responsibilities. Others looked at her to follow the rules and her dad always worried about his job affecting her.

  She’d never had any issues.

  “So you want to tell me about this new man that has been coming into your shop?” he asked as he returned to her side.

  Well, damn, there really were no secrets in a small community.

  “I don’t—” she hedged.

  “Sara Marie,” he warned.

  She blew her bangs out of her face. “There may be someone who has caught my attention,” she revealed.

  “A shifter?” He didn’t seem angry or disapproving.

  She nodded.

  He pressed his lips together then shrugged. “Okay, but that is even more of a reason for you to be careful.”

  Sara relaxed. Her dad was her everything, her biggest supporter, and she didn’t know what she would do if he didn’t approve of her getting involved with Clint. Because after the night before, there was no doubt that she was already involved. She wanted to know him better. To learn all of his secrets. It wasn’t just the attraction, although that was scorching hot. She just found herself comfortable with him.

  The front door opened and she glanced over. She had to blink to make sure her eyes were not playing tricks on her. But no, Clint walked in with Kurt close behind. As soon as Clint saw her, he smiled brightly before he glanced around, then his gaze settled back on her, showing worry.

  She glanced over at her dad and saw him watching her and Clint. Well if he hadn’t known who the mystery man was before, he certainly did now if the smirk he wore was any sign.

  “Sheriff Webb,” Kurt greeted and offered his hand.

  Clint looked surprised as he glanced over at them.

  Kurt’s grin told Sara that he’d known that Clint had not been aware the sheriff was her father.

  “Good to see you, Kurt,” her dad replied. “You must be Clint. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  Clint nodded and they shook hands also. Clint peered over at her and she understood that her father was probably making sure his handshake was firm. It would be funny if she didn’t know that Clint could probably crush his hand if he wanted to. Rumor was that one of the perks of being a shifter was their added strength.

  “I was hoping you’d have a few minutes for us,” Kurt said to her father.

  Her dad looked over at her. “I’ll see you later in the week for dinner?”

  Every week she had dinner with him. If he was on call, they met at the diner, and if he was off he always cooked for her, preferring to grill whenever he had the chance.

  “Yes, Dad,” she said and rose to her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

  She passed by Clint and paused.

  “You doing okay?” he asked quietly.

  She nodded. “Yes, just dropped by to bring some coffee and food.”

  “Clint!” Kurt called. “I’m going to go talk to the sheriff. Why don’t you keep an eye out for any guests?”

  “Yeah, okay,” Clint agreed and motioned to the door. “Walk you out?”

  Sara was aware that they were being watched as they exited the sheriff’s office. Once outside, Clint took a deep breath but stayed close by her side.

  “I had no idea your dad was the sheriff,” he confessed.

  Sara stiffened. “Is that a problem?”

  She’d had men not want to date her in the past because her father was Sheriff. Yes, he might be a little overprotective, but he was a great guy.

  “No,” Clint told her before leaning into her.

  She had to tilt her head back to look him in the eye, but his height along with his strength was a turn on.

  “It eases my mind a little, though. I’ve been worried that you’ll get caught in the middle of what’s going on because of me. But I feel better knowing the sheriff’s department will watch out for you too.”

  “Hmm,” she murmured. “And what is exactly going on?” she questioned.

  Clint’s gazed moved over her shoulder. “We’re being followed. It’s not safe to discuss it here.”

  She nodded. “Okay.”

  “Maybe I can stop by later to see you and we could talk about it then?” he asked.

  Sara fought not to grin. “I don’t know. I was kinda hoping that I would have a visitor later, but he’s pure white and on all fours,” she teased.

  Clint chuckled. “Oh yeah? I’d like to see that.”

  “Maybe you will,” she replied and stepped back. She needed to leave before she grabbed Clint and gave anyone watching a show.

  Clint stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans and rocked back on his heels. “Okay then.”

  Sara turned and she knew that Clint continued to watch her as she made her way to her car. She resisted the urge to look over shoulder at him. She would see him later. And hopefully finally get a taste of what she’d been dying to sample.

  Chapter Five

  There was no sign of Perry Costa or his men as Clint and Kurt made the rounds about town. They went into the hardware store, post office, grocery store and finally were sitting at a booth in the back of the diner.

  Kurt had filled him in on his conversation with the sheriff earlier so he knew all of the deputies were keeping an eye out for strangers also. The presence of the deputies may have contributed to the disappearance of their stalkers.

  “The sheriff found out they are staying at the hotel, left about noon but didn’t check out. They’ll be back,” Kurt told him after hanging up with the sheriff.

  The waitress came up to the booth with a smile. “You boys know what you want?”

  “Coffee and the special, please,” Clint requested.

  “Same,” Kurt added.

  She nodded and, snapping her gum, headed back toward the counter. “Coming up.”

  Clint and Kurt shared a grin. The waitress was older and she wasn’t afraid of them. They had become regulars since they’d arrived in town. The easy acceptance they’d received from the people was one of the reasons Clint was so determined to protect everyone.

  The waitress stopped back by with piping cups of coffee and set them on the table. Kurt picked his up, thanked her and took a drink.

  “Not as good as your girl’s shop, but at least it’s warm,” he noted.

  Clint rolled his eyes at Kurt’s obvious mention of Sara and the topic he wanted to talk about.

  “So…” Kurt pressed when Clint didn’t say anything.

  Clint leaned forward, bracing his arms on the table. “So?”

  Kurt groaned. “Come on, man! What’s going on between you and Sara?”

  Clint knew that Kurt was trying to push him. It’s was Kurt’s way to show that he supported Clint’s interest in Sara. But since Clint hadn’t really decided what to do, he didn’t know what to say to Kurt.

  A quick look at Kurt’s face and he knew his friend wasn’t going to let him out of talking this time. He took a drink out of his mug, buying him some time.

  Finally he met Kurt’s gaze and confessed his deepest concern. “She’s human.”

  Kurt nodded, paused then narrowed his eyes. “I never thought you’d be the type to ignore an attraction because the other person is human. I mean”—he rubbed his hands over his face—“that’s not right, man!”

  Clint stared at his friend in shock, surprised at the outrage. Then it hit him and he started to laugh.

  Kurt frowned at him.

  The waitress came over and placed two plates of meat loaf, mashed potatoes, green beans and rolls in front of them. Both men thanked her with enthusiasm as the great looking food made their mouths water. Clint waited until she’d left again before clearing his throat.

  “Jeez,
Kurt.” He shook his head. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

  Sure there were some shifters that refused to get involved with humans or other shifter species. Clint didn’t agree with that way of thinking. He knew Kurt didn’t either.

  “What do you mean then?” Kurt questioned sourly.

  “I just mean that she’s human. She barely found out that shifters exist and now all of a sudden she could be in danger because of me. It would just take one person catching on that I have feeling for her and she’ll be at risk. What if she gets hurt?”

  Kurt picked up his fork and pulled his plate closer. “What if she is targeted because her dad is the sheriff? What if you leave tomorrow and they go after her to draw you back? Maybe they’ll just think she’s good looking and decide they want her to join their fucked-up group.”

  Clint growled. “You’re not helping.”

  Kurt took a bite before pointing his fork at Clint. “But that’s my point. You don’t know what is going to happen. You can’t guess what will happen in the future. If you want her, you need to make a move before it’s too late.”

  The statement was made by a man who had learned the hard way that sometimes it was too late. Kurt had once come close to mating. He’d also just watched his first love meet and commit with another man. Clint knew Kurt wouldn’t appreciate his sympathy, so Clint just nodded.

  “It’s easier said than done,” he bitched.

  Kurt chuckled. “Oh, I know, man. But I’ve seen the way you look at her.”

  “And just how is that?” Clint pressed.

  “The same way she looks back at you,” Kurt replied.

  Clint sighed. “I know.”

  They went silent as they enjoyed the nice meal, both lost in their own thoughts.

  Clint had already decided that he needed to discuss his situation with Sara. She had a part in what was going on in town. If she wanted to back away, he would have to allow it. He wouldn’t like it, but he wanted Sara to know everything before she got involved with him.

  “I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by her,” Kurt broke the silence a little while later.

  Clint glanced up at him.

  “Her dad speaks highly of her and her ability to take care of herself,” Kurt offered.

  Clint dropped his fork and pushed his plate away, stuffed. “And when were you going to tell me that her father was the sheriff?” Clint asked his friend.

  “Oh, you didn’t know that?” Kurt tried to play innocent and failed by grinning widely.

  “I’ll get you back,” he threatened.

  He didn’t think his friend was too worried since he just winked and laughed.

  * * * *

  Sara made a cup of hot chocolate and hummed while sipping the sweet, comforting brew. A cold front had moved in, finally turning the fall weather toward winter.

  With colder weather settling around her, she was in her element. Business would be good, and she really loved the holidays.

  Would this be the year that she would have a special someone to share the season with? She sure hoped so. No matter what happened with the shifters and the strangers that had suddenly showed in town, she was determined to get to know Clint better.

  Thoughts of Clint made her look out into the yard. She hoped he would still be able to stop by. He’d said he wanted to and she had teased him about his wolf form.

  She wanted him to know that she accepted both his human and wolf side. She might have been ignorant about the shifter world before, but she had no doubt that Clint, Kurt and the other shifters in the area were good, decent people.

  Movement and a flash of white caught her eye and she smiled behind her mug.

  The big white wolf walked into the backyard before pausing and looking toward her through the glass, and her heart soared. She set her cup down on the counter before rushing to unlock the patio door.

  She pulled the door open, and, dressed in only jeans and a sweater, felt the chill of the night hit her immediately. She shivered but the sight of Clint’s tender gaze warmed her.

  She stepped out onto the wood deck as the wolf crept forward. God, he was just so magnificent!

  She knelt right at the edge of the deck where the wood met grass and waited until the wolf came closer. Intelligent brown eyes gazed back at her as she held out a hand.

  His fur was just as soft as before and she wasted no time in burying her hands and rubbing him. He made what sounded like a cross between a whimper and a moan.

  It was a sound that she wouldn’t mind hearing again and again.

  Still in wolf form, Clint stood back up onto four paws and nodded toward the house.

  “Would you like to take this somewhere cozier?” she asked.

  Sara didn’t expect to get an answer so she just turned to lead the way inside. She felt movement behind her and glanced over her shoulder to see Clint in human form. He had moved so a tall plant half hid his body. Damn, she had missed it.

  But holy cow! The sight of him? She could only see from his waist up but damn! He was just as muscular as he looked in clothes but so much more. His flat stomach, small waist and flawless tanned skin… She just about swallowed her tongue.

  Clint must have seen something in her face because he chuckled. “I didn’t know how you would feel about wolf hair in your house. I shed a lot.”

  She started to laugh until she had to wipe her eyes. Clint just grinned back at her.

  “Oh my God! You really are a wolf shifter,” she managed once she got control of herself.

  He frowned. “I thought you knew that.”

  She waved a hand. “Well, yeah, but…” She shrugged. How could she explain that knowing and seeing were two different things? “I guess I just hadn’t thought about you…” She waved her hand at him.

  Clint took a step back. “Maybe I should leave.”

  All her amusement died. Oh no! No, she really didn’t want that! “I really want you to stay,” she confessed.

  He nodded. “Okay,” he said quietly. “Hang on.”

  She watched his fine, naked ass—Jeez, he was naked!—as he jogged back behind her gate. He was only gone a few minutes, but when he came back he was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. His feet remained bare, though. She did her best to hide her disappointment that he wore clothes.

  He smiled as he joined her back on the deck. She held out her hand and Clint intertwined their fingers and followed her inside.

  Sara locked the kitchen door behind them and looked up into Clint’s eyes. They sparkled back at her. And her excitement rose.

  Almost too suddenly, her desire for him hit her hard.

  She wanted him, especially after seeing him naked, but now her passion almost swamped her.

  To have him inside her house… She desperately wanted him. She cleared her throat trying to get a handle on herself.

  They were only a few feet away from one another. She stepped forward. He did the same.

  She lifted her hand to put it on his chest.

  Clint placed both of his hands on her face and leaned close. “I’ve wanted to do this since the first day I saw you,” he confessed.

  She waited breathlessly as he bent his head. The first brush of his lips against hers was soft. She pressed closer offering more.

  Clint accepted her gift. He sealed his mouth more firmly onto hers, and the kiss deepened. He nibbled on her bottom lip until she opened for him. He started to make love to her mouth. That was the only way to describe kissing Clint. His tongue massaged hers. His lips moved softly. If this was what was in store for the rest of the night? Oh, God! She might not survive it.

  She had to grab hold of Clint’s shoulders as he swept her up in passion and need. She was clinging to him when he pulled back slightly.

  “Just as good as I had imagined,” he told her.

  Sara nodded. “Better,” she corrected before lifting up and retaking his mouth.

  This time she gave as good as she got, wrapped her arms securely around him and moved their bodie
s closer still.

  She swallowed his moan, humming back at him. Perfect. Absolutely perfect.

  This time when the kiss ended, they were both panting.

  Sara smiled up at him. “That was so worth waiting for.”

  He laughed and nodded. “Yeah, it was.”

  “Would you like to sit in the living room?” she asked, hoping to move them to a more comfortable location. She would have been just as happy to go straight to the bedroom, but she didn’t want to push him. If it had taken him this long to just kiss her, she didn’t want to assume too much.

  “Yes, I’d love to,” Clint said.

  “Would you like a drink?”

  “Water?” he requested.

  She picked up her hot chocolate from earlier and a bottle of water from the fridge before leading the way into the cozy living room.

  It was one of her favorite areas. The furniture was old but comfortable, consisting of a large tan leather couch and two matching chairs. The fireplace across from the couch wasn’t lit at the moment, but she still liked to sit facing it.

  They sat close together and Sara placed her mug on the corner of the coffee table before turning her body toward him.

  “Can I…?” She paused, not sure if Clint would appreciate her questioning him.

  Clint took a long pull of his water before setting it beside Sara’s drink. “What?”

  “Can I ask some questions about you?” she asked softly.

  Clint seemed to think about it before nodding. “I’ll tell you anything that I can.”

  Sara took a deep breath. Well, here goes nothing. “Do you live here now? Or are you just visiting?”

  Clint relaxed back against the couch and smiled. “I have been offered a job here. Well, actually both Kurt and I have been. I am seriously thinking of accepting.”

  Excitement ran down her spine and Sara leaned forward. “Yeah?”

  He leaned closer too. “Yes.”

  They kissed and Sara was just about to move onto his lap when he pulled back.

  “My turn,” he told her.

  Sara nodded. “Okay, shoot.”

  “Have you lived here your whole life?” he asked.