Huntsman - Morgan Brice Page 0,25
taking in the blue water, tree-lined shores, and the rocky outcroppings that jutted into the lapping waves. Then he turned and saw the large white Victorian hotel on the other side of the road.
“That’s why I wanted to bring you down here,” Jeffries said, grinning. “To see our two biggest treasures—the lake, and the Fox Hollow Hotel.”
“It’s beautiful.” Part of what drew Liam to books and libraries was his love of history, and the old hotel intrigued him.
“It’s even prettier on the inside,” Jeffries said with pride. “The locals usually go to the bar, and in the summer, the deck has drinks and entertainment. But the inside is all rustic Victorian, and so it’s the place to go for weddings, parties, and special celebrations. Food’s good too.”
The more Liam saw of his new town, the more he felt at peace with his panicked and impetuous decision to relocate. And if hunting is forbidden, that’s got to make it at least a little difficult for the Huntsman to track me here. I hope.
“There’s more,” Jeffries said with a shrug as if he had admitted to an embarrassment of riches. “Down that way is the Seneca Theater—another Victorian gem—for both movies and live performances. And scattered around, we’ve got a surprising number of good places to eat because up here, we move on our stomachs.” He underscored his words by patting his belly.
“I’m going to have a good time exploring,” Liam said, feeling excited about the possibilities. A flicker of hope stirred, no longer smothered by fear. Maybe he would be safe here, and with luck, be among friends.
Safer with a wolf for a mate, his fox reminded him.
“I should go pick up my car,” Liam said, glancing at a new message on his phone and then eyeing Russ’s auto shop. “Can I meet up with you at the library?”
Jeffries nodded. “Sure. I’ll pick up the lattes and meet you there.”
Liam felt slightly horrified to realize he was giddy over retrieving his car from the garage. His fox preened, flicking his very handsome, full tail, nearly prancing—posturing to attract a mate.
Quit that, Liam admonished.
I just want to be ready for our yummy wolf.
He isn’t “our” wolf.
Fated mate, darling. He most definitely is ours—and decidedly delicious.
Liam pushed his fox back and headed to the garage, where Russ quickly came out to speak with him. When Russ mentioned having parts flown in to speed up the work, and throwing in a free tune-up, Liam had to admit his fox might be right about Russ being equally smitten. And when Russ invited him for coffee tomorrow, Liam couldn’t deny that his heart skipped a beat, even though his mind still protested too much, too fast, too dangerous.
Just catching a whiff of Russ’s scent—heightened by sweat and a touch of grease—chubbed Liam up like a horny teenager. He could easily lose himself in those green eyes, and from the way Russ’s pupils looked blown wider than usual, he sensed that the other man felt the same magnetism.
He’d always laughed about the idea of “sexual tension” in books and movies, but whatever was between the two of them was real and thick enough to cut with a knife.
His thoughts were still whirling when he drove away, parking in a spot near the bungalow. Jeffries was waiting for him at the library reception desk, where Maddi had desk duty.
“Everything okay with the car?” Jeffries asked.
Liam nodded. “Done early, with a tune-up thrown in.” He chose to ignore Jeffries’s raised eyebrow. “Ready to go to the Institute?”
Maddi assured them she and Linda would lock up, and Liam wished them a quiet Sunday, with a promise to see them for brainstorming on Monday.
The walk to the Fox Institute took them past the schools and recreation area, as well as several professional buildings. Nestled against the backdrop of tall pines sat another large Victorian structure, easily the same size as the hotel.
“That’s the original school and dormitory the refugees from Lily Dale built,” Jeffries said with pride. “They brought whatever wealth they could carry with them, and had this completed within a year.”
He pointed to newer buildings nearby. “Over time, the art center got its own building, and the dormitories too. The senior center and community college aren’t directly related to the Institute, but there’s a long history of providing programs and resources.”
“So the community and the Institute get along?”
Jeffries nodded. “Most of the time. We need each other, and we’re safer together.”
“Is everyone here a psychic?” Liam asked as they