Page 79 of Brazen

I climbed out and grabbed the axle. Maybe he was in with Spirit. I peeked in the stable, but it was silent except for a knicker from a horse.

Circling around the building, I didn’t see anyone.

All was quiet.

A glance up at the main house–the alpha’s house–and I debated going to search for him there.

“May I help you?”

I jumped a foot and spun around.

Wes had snuck up on me. Damned shifters.

“Shit, you need a bell or something.”

He smiled. “Joy has said that once or twice.”

His dark gaze dropped to the trailer part then frowned. “I didn’t know we had anything to fix.”

I opened my mouth, suddenly feeling very foolish. Why didn’t he mention Sam? Why didn’t he ask how I was? Why–

“Oh, um, it’s for Sam’s trailer. He said the axle was broken when I was here last. Needed it fixed to go to the Missoula rodeo later in the month.”

He studied me. “Right. I’m sure he’ll be happy to have it repaired.”

I licked my lips and got up the nerve to ask. “Is he here?”

“No. Haven’t seen him since this morning.”

A wave of disappointment knocked me down, and I wanted to cry. I’d been so motivated to see Sam and tell him how I felt, but now that he wasn’t here, my heart hurt.

“Oh, um, okay, I guess I’ll fix it and let you get back to your work.”

“You know the way?” he asked.

I nodded. “Yeah.”

He cocked his head. “Let me know if you get lost.”

Lost? I was already lost. Lost without Sam.

33

SAM

* * *

I slammed on the brakes and parked in front of the shop. I came in pretty fucking hot and my tires squealed. Ernie looked up from whatever he was working on under the hood of an SUV in the first bay, eyes wide. The sliding door was open and jazz came from a radio.

He came out, wiping his hands with a rag he pulled from the back pocket of his coveralls. “Hey Sam, everything okay?”

Glancing around, I took a deep breath. Clio’s scent was in the air but not overly strong. “Where’s Clio?”

I tipped my chin up and glanced at the apartment windows above, as if I could see through them. As if she stood in one like she had the night I’d picked up my truck. I’d wanted to go to her then just as fiercely as I wanted to now.

“She’s at the ranch.”

My shoulders slumped. My wolf howled in frustration. She wasn’t here.