Painting Wolves

Chapter 5

     I waited nervously as the phone rang. It rang again, and my heart clenched. Finally Donald picked up, and I breathed a sigh of relief. "Donald, this is Anne," I said before he could even say hello. I winced. I never had been good at talking on the phone, and this time was no exception. 

     "Hello Anne," he said. "How was your flight? Did Jared annoy you all the way up to town or did he control his mouth for once?"

     I smiled despite my worry. His pride in his grandson was evident in his voice, despite the gruff tone he took.

     "The drive up went well thanks. I'm afraid we hit a snag with the B 'n B though."

     "A snag," Donald said, "What kind of snag?"

     "Evidently Maria is keeping her brother's dog today Donald," Jared said loudly. I put the phone on speaker, and he lowered his voice to a more normal tone. "She says she isn't sure if he'd be okay around animals, and evidently Anne's cat Molly wouldn't be safe there."

     Donald cursed. "He dropped Coby off with Maria again? That's the third time this month."

     This guy didn't sound like a very good owner. That poor dog...

     Jared's face agreed with Donald, but he didn't say anything about that.

     "I'm not sure exactly where to bring her Grandda. She's got to stay somewhere. I'd offer my place, but you know I don't live alone. It's not likely that my request would be approved before tomorrow evening at the soonest."

     "Now I won't have Anne worrying," Donald said firmly. "She can stay in the apartment over the bookshop. If that's okay with you Anne, you can bunk there. It may not be very clean, but I can clear off the bed at least. It's been used as a storage room for the last few years, but it's still perfectly habitable."

     I wasn't nuts about the idea of trusting a perfect stranger like this, but I really didn't have much of a choice. Molly stirred in her carrier and kneaded the bottom as she curled up. I could feel the prickle of her claws through the thick fabric. I couldn't stay somewhere that wouldn't be safe for Molly, that much was certain. So I would have to take Donald up on his offer. Now, was I supposed to pay him rent or something?

     Jared looked surprised at his grandfather's generosity, but wisely stayed silent. When I didn't respond immediately to Donald's offer, he nudged me with his elbow. "How about it," he asked cheerfully. "You're almost like family already you know. Might as well take advantages of the perks, because we already know all your horrible secrets," he joked.

     Donald huffed. "Don't be stupid. She's not like family- she is family. The Mayviews and the Moores have intermarried for centuries. She's related to us in one way or another, no doubt about that. Now Anne, you're welcome to stay at the apartment for as long as it takes to get Genny's estate settled and to put her to rest. I won't have you feeling rushed. Take your time. It's a hard thing, to put a sibling into the ground. You just rest easy. No need go lookin’ for trouble you don't need. Trouble has a way of finding you all on its own."

     I thought about it for a moment and then realized that I really had little choice in the matter.

     "Thank you Donald," I said. "You've already been a great help to me. And thank you, Jared." I turned to Jared, who was still driving. He flushed slightly.

     "No problem," he said. "It's no trouble at all."

     I looked at the phone again. The call connected sign was still blinking. "Thank you Mr. Mayview." I could practically hear his sigh.