didn’t realize we were following him while he concentrated so hard on us.
“There was a forest fire. That’s how Jaxon met his mate—she’s a firefighter. While she was working, McKinney managed to capture Jaxon. The one thing we learned from that experience is he isn’t fond of fire. We later heard from a pack of shifters in Canada who believe they destroyed their local vampire problem by burning him.
“That information isn’t confirmed. Speculation. Meanwhile, it seems McKinney has been honing his talents. The bloodsucker reappeared on the scene recently and he’s toying with us.” Micah took a deep breath.
“How?” George wandered back over from the window.
“Last night he released all the horses while we were in bed. We realize now he was demonstrating his new ability—to mask his own scent from us. He’s never before approached that close without our awareness.”
“Well, you hit the nail on the head,” Enrique began. “Fire is the answer. My family came to the US from southern Mexico. I know for a fact my relatives still living in that area have eradicated their problem with flames.”
Micah leaned forward, significantly less stiff than he’d been for the last several minutes. “God, that’s good news. At least we know how to get rid of the fucker.”
“Do you expect him to strike soon?” Enrique didn’t wait for an answer. He turned toward George and spoke to the older man. “I think I better stay here and help. You go back and keep things running. I’ll help Kaitlyn, her mate and his family get rid of the vermin.”
George furrowed his brow. “We only have a few days.”
“Until what?” Kaitlyn asked.
“The official reading of the will. You have to be present and decide if you’re willing to carry out Margaret’s wishes.”
Kaitlyn closed her eyes. A few days? That’s not enough time .
She just got here. She had ten thousand things on her plate. The last thing she could even ponder was the wish of a crazy old woman after her death. “Can we stall him?” Her brain started churning ideas. A light bulb went off. “Let’s tell him I’m getting married. Here. Next week or something. Anything to buy some time so I can think.” The idea flew out of her mouth.
She turned toward Micah. “Sorry. That was crass. I didn’t even consult you. We just met yesterday. And…” Her thought trailed off as she stared at his broad smile.
“Perfect idea.” He kissed her on the lips. “That should work, don’t you think?” He turned toward their guests. “If the lawyer won’t buy the story from you , have them call us.”
George hesitated and then nodded. “You can’t very well come to California on short notice when you have a wedding to plan.” He turned to Enrique and then back to Kaitlyn. “I better call home and soothe frayed nerves. Everyone is worried you won’t return and they’ll lose their jobs.”
Kaitlyn swallowed. The enormity of the situation bore down on her. She couldn’t go back. Her life was here now. And yet, how could she leave all those people high and dry? They were like family to her, every one of them.
“Let’s give this a few days. Try not to stress over it. One thing at a time.” Micah stroked her back again and then pulled her into his side. His words were gentle, but his movements were stiff. She knew he was concerned.
Chapter Ten
After the four of them had hashed out the situation with her California farm, the rest of the Durhams returned to the house, and they all gathered around to get details from Enrique. Micah felt like Enrique was conducting a class—How to Kill a Vampire: 101.
It would have been comical, except there was nothing funny about it. And he still felt a bit uneasy about Enrique’s presence. Did the man have some long-time crush on Kaitlyn? The thought continued to bug the hell out of Micah.
And Kaitlyn wasn’t too pleased with him either. But was she being naïve where Enrique was concerned? Or were they truly
“There was a forest fire. That’s how Jaxon met his mate—she’s a firefighter. While she was working, McKinney managed to capture Jaxon. The one thing we learned from that experience is he isn’t fond of fire. We later heard from a pack of shifters in Canada who believe they destroyed their local vampire problem by burning him.
“That information isn’t confirmed. Speculation. Meanwhile, it seems McKinney has been honing his talents. The bloodsucker reappeared on the scene recently and he’s toying with us.” Micah took a deep breath.
“How?” George wandered back over from the window.
“Last night he released all the horses while we were in bed. We realize now he was demonstrating his new ability—to mask his own scent from us. He’s never before approached that close without our awareness.”
“Well, you hit the nail on the head,” Enrique began. “Fire is the answer. My family came to the US from southern Mexico. I know for a fact my relatives still living in that area have eradicated their problem with flames.”
Micah leaned forward, significantly less stiff than he’d been for the last several minutes. “God, that’s good news. At least we know how to get rid of the fucker.”
“Do you expect him to strike soon?” Enrique didn’t wait for an answer. He turned toward George and spoke to the older man. “I think I better stay here and help. You go back and keep things running. I’ll help Kaitlyn, her mate and his family get rid of the vermin.”
George furrowed his brow. “We only have a few days.”
“Until what?” Kaitlyn asked.
“The official reading of the will. You have to be present and decide if you’re willing to carry out Margaret’s wishes.”
Kaitlyn closed her eyes. A few days? That’s not enough time .
She just got here. She had ten thousand things on her plate. The last thing she could even ponder was the wish of a crazy old woman after her death. “Can we stall him?” Her brain started churning ideas. A light bulb went off. “Let’s tell him I’m getting married. Here. Next week or something. Anything to buy some time so I can think.” The idea flew out of her mouth.
She turned toward Micah. “Sorry. That was crass. I didn’t even consult you. We just met yesterday. And…” Her thought trailed off as she stared at his broad smile.
“Perfect idea.” He kissed her on the lips. “That should work, don’t you think?” He turned toward their guests. “If the lawyer won’t buy the story from you , have them call us.”
George hesitated and then nodded. “You can’t very well come to California on short notice when you have a wedding to plan.” He turned to Enrique and then back to Kaitlyn. “I better call home and soothe frayed nerves. Everyone is worried you won’t return and they’ll lose their jobs.”
Kaitlyn swallowed. The enormity of the situation bore down on her. She couldn’t go back. Her life was here now. And yet, how could she leave all those people high and dry? They were like family to her, every one of them.
“Let’s give this a few days. Try not to stress over it. One thing at a time.” Micah stroked her back again and then pulled her into his side. His words were gentle, but his movements were stiff. She knew he was concerned.
Chapter Ten
After the four of them had hashed out the situation with her California farm, the rest of the Durhams returned to the house, and they all gathered around to get details from Enrique. Micah felt like Enrique was conducting a class—How to Kill a Vampire: 101.
It would have been comical, except there was nothing funny about it. And he still felt a bit uneasy about Enrique’s presence. Did the man have some long-time crush on Kaitlyn? The thought continued to bug the hell out of Micah.
And Kaitlyn wasn’t too pleased with him either. But was she being naïve where Enrique was concerned? Or were they truly