Lone Wolf by Tracy Krauss Page A

rejected him. In hindsight he saw it was for the best. He wasn’t ready for a relationship at the time and she ended up marrying a local farmer. It had been awkward at times, since he and Con McKinley, the man in question, were also good friends.
    Thankfully, he’d had his work to keep him occupied. He’d been a hired liaison between indigenous groups and communities all over the western provinces. Each project was different, but this one had special meaning for Thomas. His ancestors had lived in this area, displaced after the land was sectioned off for agricultural purposes. But he had heard the stories. His great-grandfather was a well known medicine man and the archaeological site that had spurred the creation of the cultural center was of both historical and personal importance. He’d put his heart and soul into this project and now all his hard work was coming to fruition. Too bad it would also force a change in his personal life. At least Ryder would have finished school by the time they had to move.
    â€œCome on, kids,” he called down the narrow hallway that led to the bedrooms. “It’s a long drive into the city and we can’t be late.” Actually, he almost wished he could. Except for the fact that his tooth ached incessantly, he’d avoid the trip altogether. He’d made dental appointments for all three of them. No use wasting a trip to the city. He hadn’t been to a dentist himself in a very long time. He hated dentists. But he had to set a good example for his kids. What people wouldn’t do for their children.
    ****
    Thomas parked his SUV in the lot behind the square three-story building. Regina wasn’t big, as cities went, but it was bigger than Marshdale. At least in Regina you could go out for a pizza late at night if you wanted to. Or get gas, or a tire fixed, or buy a birthday card after hours…These mundane activities weren’t always an option in Marshdale. And there was certainly no way to see the dentist without making it a family outing. It meant a full day off from school and work, something the kids were happy about. But him? Not so much.
    â€œOkay, everybody out.” Thomas turned around to smile at Whisper in the back seat. She was beginning to resemble her mother more and more as she grew. Of course, Whisper had the same dark hair and complexion as both he and his late wife, but there was gentleness around the eyes, Rhea’s slim face, and her ready smile. Both his children resembled her, actually. Even five years later, he missed her terribly.
    Whisper unbuckled her seatbelt. “I hate the dentist.” It was more a statement than a complaint.
    â€œHow do you know that?” Ryder asked. “I bet you don’t even remember the last time you saw a real dentist.”
    â€œI just know. My friend Bethany says they put needles in your mouth and it hurts.”
    â€œI’m sure there’s nothing to worry about.” Thomas undid his own belt. “You’ve been to the dental hygienist at school and she said your teeth were perfect.”
    â€œI hope so,” Whisper said in a worried tone.
    â€œMaybe you’ll get a sucker or something,” Thomas suggested.
    Seventeen-year-old Ryder rolled his eyes. “At the dentist? That seems like a contradiction, don’t you think?”
    â€œOkay, a sticker then,” Thomas conceded with a laugh.
    They all bailed out of the SUV. Thomas locked the doors with a click of his key toggle and they headed around the side of the building to the front entrance. A spacious foyer with tiled floors led to a bank of elevators on one wall and a wide set of stairs on the other. There was a large black billboard behind glass near the front entrance that listed all the offices in the building. Thomas headed straight for it.
    â€œHmm…let’s see. Dr. Ducharme.” He scanned the names.
    â€œHere it is.” Ryder reached over his father’s shoulder