Wild Country (The World of the Others #2)- Anne Bishop Page 0,116

and giving it to his brother before concentrating on filling his own belly.

Barb figured out how to work that model disc player, and they settled down to watch one of the movies about the Wolf Team, which Barb explained were movies produced by the terra indigene and were based on books about the same characters.

A pack of juvenile Wolves who investigated when the terra indigene thought humans were doing something sneaky or were otherwise up to no good, or came to the rescue when someone—or something—needed rescuing.

“Oh, forelock!” Barb clapped one hand over her eyes and then spread her fingers to see part of the screen. “I’ve seen this movie before but I forgot when this part came up.”

Jana sucked in a breath but didn’t look away. Virgil and Kane cocked their heads and watched with focused interest.

This should be required viewing for everyone who wants to live in Bennett, Tobias thought. Maybe humans would be more careful if they knew this is what the Others thought of us. He considered Virgil’s reaction to the story and the characters. It’s certainly the way Bennett’s sheriff views humans. Most humans.

He wondered if Jana knew Virgil called her the wolverine. It sure wasn’t a compliment, but he thought Virgil said the word with a kind of wary respect for another predator.

There were places in the movie when he laughed even though he wasn’t sure the humor was intentional. And there were places where he cringed, thinking about his mother dealing with Morgan and Chase Wolfgard. By the time the credits were rolling, and he noticed how many names ended in “gard,” he’d decided he needed a copy of at least one of the Wolf Team movies as well as the books, which he was sure had never been sold in the Bennett bookstore. Fortunately, John Wolfgard had brought two full sets of the Wolf Team books to sell, along with thrillers by someone named Alan Wolfgard. After telling John he would stop by the bookstore before heading home in the morning, Tobias thanked his hosts and prepared to call it a night.

“You’re going to the hotel?” Virgil asked.

“Yep. They’re almost full up with people waiting to choose a house, but Anya Sanguinati has decided to hold some rooms for overnight guests.”

“I’ll go with you. It is dark. Humans should be going home.”

And the Elders will be moving through the town, watching.

It wasn’t said, but Tobias understood the protection Virgil’s presence offered—and he appreciated it.

“Thanks. I’ll walk Barb and Jana to their house and be back.”

“Oh, you don’t …” Barb glanced at Jana and pressed her lips together.

As they walked outside, Tobias said, “Hold up a minute.” He went to his pickup and retrieved the book he’d tucked into the storage compartment behind his seat. “I picked this up for you.”

Jana took the book and tilted it to read the title in the light spilling out of the house. “A book about training puppies?”

“I thought it would come in handy.”

She laughed. “This explains why John got so flustered when I asked him if there was a book like this in the store. You’d already bought it.”

They started down the sidewalk, Barb a few paces ahead of them.

“Thanks for all your help today, with Kane … and everything.”

“I’m glad I was here to help. Keep working with Mel, and remember to pay attention to what he’s telling you.” He smiled at her. “I got your letter.”

“How could you? I just mailed it this morning, and you haven’t been home yet.”

He laughed. “When I went to the post office to pick up the mail for my ranch, the Skye Ranch, and Prairie Gold, Isobel Sanguinati handed it to me. Special delivery.”

“I have a weakness for stationery.”

Tobias stepped closer. “Then I’ll look forward to receiving more letters.” And damn if his mother hadn’t been right about the anticipation of receiving a letter being its own kind of pleasure.

He kissed her. A soft kiss. A warm kiss that both asked a question and gave an answer.

“Am I the only one feeling this spark?” he whispered.

“No, but …”

He pressed a finger lightly against her lips. “No need to be going into the ‘buts.’ Courting has to be a little different out here. Besides, you’re going to write me letters when I can’t come up to town.”

“Are you going to write to me too?”

“I just might.” He smiled—and heard a Wolfish huff right behind him. “Guess I’d better go.”

He watched Jana go into her house and close the door.