Ruthless (Wolf Ranch #6) - Renee Rose Page 0,53

are going to be there,” I admitted when I climbed in, setting the brownies down on the console between us. I didn’t want to stress her out, but not telling her didn’t seem right either.

Her hand went to her hair then tugged down the visor to look at herself in the mirror. “What? Eek! I’m not ready for that!”

I pushed the visor back up. “You look beautiful. They’re really nice and will love you just the way you are.” Like I do. I started the truck and offered her an encouraging smile. “Don’t worry about it. You’re going to have a great time.”

I was fairly confident that was true, but if truth be told, I was as nervous as she was. What if she didn’t like the pack? My family? My friends? My mom was impossible not to like, but from what Natalie had told me of her parents, I wasn’t sure if she was going to be receptive to a healthy dose of mothering. They were my whole life. Always had been.

I drove up the road to Rob’s and parked in the front circle with the other trucks. Levi, a long time ranch hand and now Cooper Valley’s new sheriff, and his mate, Charlie, stood out front with Clint and Becky, ogling Lily.

I parked, went around and opened the door for Natalie. She held the brownies in a tight grip as if it was some kind of shield.

“Hey guys.” I plucked Lily out of Becky’s arms and tossed my little niece into the air. The baby laughed and shrieked at me, her cherubic face the kind that could melt the wickedest heart. “This is Natalie Sheffield—the real Natalie,” I said with a smile.

Natalie stuck out her hand and shook Clint’s. I blew a raspberry in Lily’s neck before handing her back to her mother.

“This is my brother, Clint,” I said, pointing his way. “You’ve already met his mate, Becky.”

“Hi, again,” Natalie said.

“And the sheriff here is Levi. His mate, Charlie, is our local veterinarian.”

They shook hands and shared greetings.

“Her grandfather is probably wandering around here, somewhere, you’ll meet him, too.”

“If you see a dog, he’ll be with my grandpa,” Charlie said.

“So great to meet you,” Clint said. “We’re glad you showed up in Cooper Valley. Didn’t like your place sitting empty every day driving by.”

“Well, thank you for looking in on it,” Natalie said.

Clint tipped his hat. “Least we could do. Old Man Sheffield was a good neighbor to us.”

“Come on, let’s get you a beer.” I steered Natalie into the giant ranch house, down the hall and into the kitchen, where she set the brownies on the long wooden farm table that was already covered with dozens of dishes. No one ever went hungry at a Wolf barbecue.

Marina was pulling a pan of what smelled like cheesy-biscuits from the oven. “Hi, Natalie! Great to see you again,” she chirped, her face flushed from the heat of the oven. Colton leaned against a wall nearby, arms folded across his chest like he was her personal bodyguard. “This is Colton, and I was telling him just how awesome you were the other night.”

Natalie shook hands with Colton.

“Welcome, Natalie. Glad you made it. Based on what Marina said, you need to play for all of us.”

“Oh, I… uh, didn’t bring my violin.”

Colton grinned then flicked a glance at me. “Don’t worry. You’ll be around for lots of get togethers. The drinks are in a cooler out back. Help yourself.”

Natalie offered a relieved smile. “Thanks.”

My parents walked into the kitchen at that moment and froze. Stared then smiled. Not smiled—but beamed. My mom opened her arms wide. “There she is—”

I shook my head quickly, trying to signal to her to tone it down.

“Oops. Too much?” My mom clapped a hand over her mouth and dropped her other arm.

Natalie laughed and hugged her. “Hi. Nice to meet you. And not too much. I’m not used to so many people wanting to meet me.”

Although I knew her words were the truth, I couldn’t miss the awkwardness between them.

“As you probably can guess, this is my mom, Janet, and my dad, Tom.” I went to my mom, kissed her cheek.

“I’ll take a hug, too,” my dad said, engulfing Natalie in a bear hug. “Any woman who puts up with Rand and his wolf needs a hug.”

That broke the ice because Natalie actually giggled. If it was at my expense, I didn’t fucking care.

“Sorry,” I said, tugging her hand to steal her away. “My wolf and