No, Noah didn’t get it, and yes, he had a whole lot to learn. “How do we go about this going out?”
Emmett’s grin grew wider. Of course, Noah liked that grin. But how did Emmett know Noah, a man, would be open to going out with another man? He must have noticed Noah watching him work before.
Noah thought he’d been so careful.
“I could pick you up—”
Never tell humans where you live.Panic squeezed Noah’s insides in a firm grip, taking his breath. “No!” At Emmett’s sad look, Noah amended… “Pau… I mean, Pa don’t like folks coming around.”
Emmett’s smile returned. “Then why don’t you meet me here tonight after the store closes?”
“Isn’t seven a bit late for dinner or a movie?”
“Nah,” Emmett said. “It’ll be perfect.”
Never trust humans,Noah heard in Paul’s voice. An innocent dinner and movie. Safe enough, right? Paul had left, leaving Noah with no one to talk to. As Paul often pointed out, wolves were pack animals, not meant to be solitary.
Butterflies attempting to break free in his stomach, Noah forced a smile, “I’ll meet you here.”
Noah wore his best jeans, cleaned his boots, and put on a shirt he’d saved for a special occasion. Going out with Emmett was the most special thing in Noah’s life right now. He even washed the old truck.
He drove the truck behind the store. Emmett opened the passenger door of his own truck when Noah parked beside him. “C’mon. We’ll leave your truck here. I’ll bring you back later.” Such a sincere smile. Even Paul would have to agree this human meant no harm.
Noah climbed into the truck and fastened the seat belt. “Whar we goin’?” Emmett smelled of soap and some kind of heavy cologne or something. The smell threw off Noah’s keen nose.
“You’ll see.” Emmett closed the door, rounded the truck, and slid behind the steering wheel. He fired up the engine. Instead of driving toward town and restaurants, they drove away. Out of town?
“So,” Emmett said, “haven’t seen your daddy lately. He still around?”
“Yes,” Noah lied. “He’s been feeling badly, so he’s sending me to town.”
Emmett nodded, pulling off the paved road onto dirt.
This didn’t look like the way to a restaurant or movie. Squirmy sensations began in Noah’s belly. “Where are we goin’?” he asked again, trying to keep a touch of panic out of his voice.
Once again, Emmett smiled, a bit less friendly this time. “Down to the lake. I’ve got a surprise for you. You’ll see.”
The sun sank low behind the trees, turning yellow leaves to gold. Maybe Emmet planned a picnic. Beautiful place. Quiet. Secluded. Emmet parked and got out of the truck, saying nothing.
Noah followed Emmet’s lead. “Nice place. I’ve never been out here before.”
Emmet turned toward the woods, shouting, “I told you we’d be here.”
Three men and two women slipped from the shadows of the trees. The men held shotguns. The women carried .38s.
Guns. What? Noah turned to his date. “Emmett? What is this?” His voice rose an octave. He hadn’t smelled anyone else thanks to Emmet’s overpowering cologne and hadn’t paid attention to his surroundings—a mistake Paul said a wolf couldn’t afford to make.
Emmet took an envelope from one man’s hand, gave Noah a sad smile, and got in his truck.
“Emmett! Where are you going?” Noah dashed for the truck.
A man stepped in front of him, shotgun aimed at Noah’s chest. “Stop right there.” Without looking back, Emmett raised dust, heading back the way they’d come.
What the hell? Noah spun in a circle. Who were these people?
They stood, expressions stony, watching him, hostility rising like heat waves from hot asphalt. The one who’d handed Emmett the envelope asked, “Whar’s the rest of your pack, boy?” He dressed like local farmers, in overalls and a ball cap, yet didn’t seem familiar.
“My pack?” Fear clogged Noah’s throat. “What are you talking about?”