Midlife Wolf Captured My Heart (Fated To The Wolf #7)

16. Dakota

16

Dakota

D akota grinned as he drove to Albuquerque. He was listening to the episodes of Serial Killers before Greg Polcyn left the show. “Most people probably think that the only thing I listen to is nature shows. They would be shocked to find out that I have a hefty knowledge of true crime, too.”

Three episodes later and he pulled into the parking lot of the gallery. Lydia greeted him at the door.

“How did you know I was here?”

She pointed to a small box attached to the front of the building. “Security cameras. I have an alert when someone pulls into the parking lot so I know when someone is here.”

“Makes sense.”

Lydia looked at him speculatively. “What do you think about another show in six months?”

“Wouldn’t that be too soon? We wouldn’t want the market to become saturated.”

They spent the next couple of hours talking about the pros and cons of another exhibit so soon after this one. On one hand, he was reluctant to do another one so quickly, but on the other hand, it would give him a reason to come back to Angel’s Creek – besides Sadie.

He showed her the pictures he took on the mountain and Lydia was ecstatic. “People love local stuff. You should focus on that book instead of your wolf book. Not only would the book about New Mexico wildlife sell tons, you wouldn’t be able to keep enough pictures in stock.”

Dakota shook his head. “First, I already have a contract for the other book. Second, I would only want to put out one set of pictures focusing on the different animals. Otherwise, there will be too many of them and photos that sell for a couple thousand now will only fetch five bucks. That wouldn’t help the conservation charities much.”

Lydia reluctantly nodded. “I know and that’s the advice I would give to artists. Make limited editions to boost prices.”

They talked a little longer about whether six months was enough time between exhibits but didn’t come to any conclusions. He signed the forms to have the money earned from the sale of the photos direct deposited into his bank account and then headed back. He would donate all of the money to the World Wildlife Fund. Approximately eighty-five percent of all donations were used to directly help animals.

As he drove, his mind automatically thought of Sadie. She was an incredible woman. If he ever considered settling down, it would be with someone like her. No, not like her – her.

He hadn’t talked to Patrick in a while, so he used his blue tooth to call him.

“Howdy, Dakota. How are things?”

“Good. And for you?”

“Alright. Planning for my next outing. You know I got a contract with one of the wildlife conservation groups to document the changes they’ve made. I have all the before pictures. Now, I get to go back in and take pictures of restored habitats and other improvements that have been made. I won’t be in the documentary they’re producing but my videos and photos will. I guess I don’t have the rugged handsomeness it takes to be a star like you.”

“Yeah, right. You just don’t have the right negotiating skills. How are Emily and the kids?”

“They are good. Emily is a nurse, as you know. She has been moved to the neonatal unit, so she is ecstatic to be able to help save lives from the moment of birth. Eli is starting sixth grade and thinks he is a big man now. Of course, when I go on assignments, I remind him that he is the man of the house, but still has to listen to his mama. Sarah is starting fifth grade and is three grades ahead in reading.”

“How do they feel when you go on assignment?”

Patrick sighed heavily. “I think they have mixed feelings. They are sad that I’m leaving again. However, it’s been a constant in their lives. Emily knew what the deal was when we got married. We Skype or Zoom every chance we get when I’m gone. It’s not the same as being there, but we make it work.” He paused. “Are you thinking about talking to Sadie about something similar?”

“I’ve thought about it. Angel’s Creek could be my home base, and I would just come home in between projects. I would be gone about fifty percent of the time. I’m not sure that’s fair to Sadie.”

“Don’t you think you should let her decide for herself? If you two love each other, then you will be able to work it out. She knew that you were out in the field for long periods of time when she met you and accepted the fact that you wouldn’t be staying in Angel’s Creek. She might be ecstatic to have you fifty percent of the time as opposed to zero percent of the time. If she loves you, she would want you to be happy.”

“I’ll have to think about it. It might be nice to have a home base instead of staying long term in hotels, boarding houses, and hostels.”

“Not to mention a warm woman to go home to. I’m not saying that it’s easy. I miss Emily and the kids when I’m on assignment. I’ve missed important events in their lives. However, I know that if I was forced to stop traveling the world and doing what I do, I would go stir-crazy. I wouldn’t be the man I was when we met. They miss me, too, but understand that this is who I am.”

Dakota thought about that for a minute. “I’ll think about talking to Sadie about it. What will you do when you get too old to go out on assignments? It would be very hard to drag around all the equipment when you’re a ninety-year-old man.”

“Shut your mouth. I’m going to be forty-five forever. The end.”

Laughing, Dakota said, “Sometimes my mind tells me I’m twenty-five. Then my body reminds me that I’m not.”

“Tell me about it. I feel your pain.”

They changed the subject and Dakota told Patrick about his encounter with the men on the mountain. Patrick wasn’t a shifter, but knew Dakota was.

Patrick groaned. “Some people suck. You need to be careful.”

“I will be. We’ve come across dangerous people in the past and managed to get out of sticky situations.”

“We have, but there could always come that time when you can’t. It would be ironic and terrible if you survived all of the dangerous encounters you’ve had around the world only to bite it in your own hometown.”

“Yes, it would,” Dakota agreed. “I’m going to do my best to not let that happen.”

They talked for a little longer and then Patrick had to get off the phone because the kids just got back from their grandparents’ house.

Sadie texted him about an hour after he got home. I’m feeling restless. Do you want to shift and go for a walk?

He hesitated and then replied. Do you think it would be safe? You know I encountered those three men the other day.

His phone buzzed. We’ll survey the area before we shift. We’ll check for cameras, drones, and any signs that there have been people stalking the area. I don’t want to let fear keep me from living my life.

Dakota couldn’t fault her logic so he agreed. Come by when you’re ready.

She knocked on his door at four and they talked about his shifting struggles as she drove to the mountain.

“I talked to John Curry, the previous alpha of our pack, the other day. He told me my paternal grandfather was a mundane human, which I didn’t know. John suggested that the reason I struggle to shift is because I might have inherited some of his recessive genes.”

“That actually makes a lot of sense.”

They got to the mountain and cautiously walked to the area where they normally shifted. After carefully inspecting every tree and scouring the air, as well as the area around them, they determined that it was safe to shift.

Sadie handed one of the large plastic bags she brought with her to Dakota. They quickly undressed and put everything in the bags, then stowed the bags in the large knot in the tree. Dakota focused and after a minute was excited when he managed to completely shift.

“Awesome,” Sadie said telepathically.

“Thank you. I’ll be signing autographs later.”

I wonder if there is something about Sadie that makes it easier for me to shift? Maybe I’m borrowing from her abilities.

They started up the mountain in a different direction than Dakota had gone when he encountered the potential hunters. It was a cool day and the breeze ruffled their fur as they traipsed through the trees. The sun streamed down on them and the birds were singing loudly. A lot of animals were milling about, enjoying the afternoon.

As much as Dakota loved being able to wander over the mountain in his wolf form, his enjoyment was tamped down because he was on constant high alert, looking for possible threats. He didn’t breathe a sigh of relief until they were back in her car, heading to his place.

He grilled some hamburgers, and they watched a movie, snuggling on the couch. Sadie reluctantly left around ten because she had to get a little bit of sleep so she could be on her toes with the kids.

Dakota worked on his Angel’s Creek book instead of his wolf book the next morning. He very much enjoyed exploring the wildlife in his own neck of the woods. He only stopped because his stomach was staging a loud protest. Although he had some lunch meat for sandwiches, Dakota decided he wanted a good steak so he headed to Howlers’. He grabbed one copy of the rest of his books and autographed them for Sean. Stashing them in a bag, he headed out.

He slid into his usual seat at the bar. Sean was busy, so Dakota started reading a book on his phone. Dakota was engrossed in the adventures of the protagonist and didn’t pay attention to the younger man who walked up to him.

“You’re Dakota Higgins.”

Looking up from his phone, he glanced at the man next to him. His face was red and his hands were clenched. “That’s what they tell me.”

“You’re the old man who’s been taking advantage of Sadie.”

Dakota met the other man’s gaze calmly. “We haven’t met, but my guess is that you’re Billy. I’m not taking advantage of anyone.”

Billy ground his teeth together before yelling, “You’re too old for her. What could you guys possibly have in common? You’re just using her while you’re here and will throw her away like yesterday’s garbage when you leave.”

Silence fell over the bar and grill, and people openly stared at the scene playing out.

“Sadie is a grown woman. She is smart and capable of making her own decisions. If she wants to be with you, then more power to her. But from what I’ve seen and heard, she’s made up her mind.”

Dakota was certain that Billy was about to take a swing. He hoped that wasn’t the case, because he didn’t want to humiliate the man in front of everyone – any more than he was already humiliating himself.

“If you really cared about Sadie, you’d respect her choices, even if the choices don’t include letting you back into her life.”

Billy glared at him. “You don’t know anything about us. You don’t know what we had.”

“You’re right, I don’t. However, I do know Sadie now, and I respect her enough to trust her judgment. Maybe it’s time you did the same.”

Dakota watched Billy closely. The man’s chest was heaving, and the vein in his neck was throbbing a million miles an hour. His hands were tightly clenched fists. Without another word, Billy stormed out of Howlers’.

Everyone started talking again, and soon the noise level was back to normal.

Letting out a long breath, Dakota looked at the plate of food being put in front of him.

Sean had a smile on his face. “That was quite a show.”

“Not exactly how I planned to spend my lunch break.”

“I never could figure out what Sadie saw in him. He was a big talker even way back when. They were a few years behind me, but you know how it is in this town – everyone knows everyone and their business.”

“Well, you know what they say: There’s no accounting for taste. Although, I would have to say that her taste has greatly improved – at least recently.”

Sean laughed. “Enjoy your lunch, my friend.”

“Hang on a second. I brought you something.” Dakota handed the bag of books to Sean. “Light bedtime reading.”

“Thanks. This is awesome.”

Dakota quickly finished his lunch, threw some cash on the counter, and left. He’d had his quota of drama for one year.