Hunter s Moon - By Lori Handeland Page 0,38

conveniently intercepted."

"That's why this time I'm going to the book."

"Pardon me?"

"There's a copy in Madison. I'm leaving now."

"Now?" Jessie sounded forlorn. I stifled a smirk.

"I should be able to see it first thing in the morning. If there's anything useful I'll bring the book back or make a copy." His gaze softened. "I'll be home by tomorrow afternoon, Jess."

"Fine. Whatever. I've got plenty to do here."

"Uh-huh."

Cadotte wasn't buying it. He crossed the room and scooped her into his arms. Jessie was a big girl, but he was an even bigger man. He held her as if she were a child. Her usually stern face went all dopey with love. I turned away. But I could still hear every word.

"I'll be back before you even miss me."

"Too late."

Smoochy sounds followed. I tapped my foot, stared at the ceiling, considered leaving the room.

"Take this."

I spun around. Jessie was holding out her service revolver. Will stared at it with obvious distaste. "I don't like guns."

"I don't like dead boyfriends. I'm silly that way."

"I don't want a gun."

"Last time, Will, they needed you for the ceremony."

"You, too."

"But I can take care of myself."

"And I can't?"

She sighed. "For me? Please?"

He took the gun, holding it between two fingers, as if the thing might go off at any moment. Jessie glanced at me and together we rolled our eyes.

"He's going to shoot off his toe," I commented.

"Oh well, he's got nine more. Just don't shoot off something I'll need later. Especially something you've got only one of."

I blushed. I might be a big, bad werewolf hunter, but bawdy sexual innuendos flustered me.

"I think I embarrassed the duchess."

"Leave her be, Jess."

They were both staring at me. Jessie's gaze was contemplative. She saw more than I wanted her to.

Will's was sympathetic. I didn't like his any better.

"I'll leave you two alone to say good-bye." I practically ran outside.

The half-moon slid toward the horizon. Soon the sun would come up and I could sleep. Here I was a werewolf hunter living like a vampire. That might even be funny, if I did much laughing anymore.

I took a minute to observe the clear navy blue sky. Living in Topeka for most of my life, I hadn't known how brightly stars could shine away from the glare of city lights.

A flash at the corner of my vision drew my gaze, and I watched a star flare, then drop. City dwellers rarely caught a glimpse of a falling star. Every time I saw one, I was amazed and humbled. There was so much out there we didn't understand.

"I wish I..." My words trailed off into the chill of the autumn night. What did I wish?

That I could catch the Weendigo - kill a killer at any cost?

Or that I could have back the life I'd lost?

Did I want death or to start anew?

I had no idea anymore, and that scared me. Until I'd come to Crow Valley I'd only wanted to kill them, not caring if I died, too.

But suddenly there were people I liked all around me, not friends exactly but no longer strangers, either.

There was sexual attraction, something I hadn't experienced in years. Lust had made me want to live. At least until I tasted it again.

That wasn't good.

The not caring had made me damn near invincible. I took chances no one else dared to. The monsters sensed I'd die before I let them live, which gave me an edge.

Suddenly the edge was lost. What if in the middle of a death battle I started remembering Damien and his kiss? Longing for it, for him? I'd sneered at Jessie because of her attachment to Will. Was I any better?

I couldn't afford to be distracted. So what was I going to do about it?

I had a pretty good idea.

The door opened and Jessie, then Will, stepped out. Her uniform was untucked, her shirt buttoned wrong. His pants were unzipped; his glasses had fingerprints all over them. Talk about a quickie.

I wanted one.

"Take care of her, OK?" Will asked.

Jessie snorted. "Right."

Will ignored her, focusing instead on me. "Please?"

"Of course."

Then he was gone.

Jessie made an impatient sound. "Let's get one thing straight, Duchess. I can take care of myself. I don't need you or anyone else to help me."

"Me, either. But we can humor Edward. And the boyfriend."

She scowled at my term for Will and I almost laughed. It was so easy to yank her chain.

"Come on. You can call Mandenauer this time."

I'd forgotten that we'd been about to call him when Will