According to Legend (6 page)

David had said that the restaurant was a quaint, out-of-the-way place, but when we entered the parking lot, it was apparent that quite a few other people knew about it as well.

The place looked like a log cabin, rustic and rough with a front porch that seemed to be carved out of trees. We went in and David gave the hostess his name. The interior was charming with its circular bar in the center of the room, and booths all around it. Stairs on either side of the bar went up to a second story. The area above the bar was open so that the diners upstairs could look down. The nose of a small airplane was suspended above the bar and local artifacts hung on the walls. A model train chugged along and tooted every so often. It was a fun place and the crowd at the bar wasn’t at all rowdy.

We got a table right away.
Did I see David slip the hostess a twenty-dollar bill?
She led us toward a small alcove in the back, which was obscured from view by a variety of potted plants. She said our server would be right over. No sooner had she left than the waiter appeared.

“Hello, my name is Ian, and I’ll be your server this afternoon,” he said, handing us menus.

Although the menu was huge with dozens of delicious entrees, we ordered burgers. The place was starting to get crowded and music kicked in from somewhere.

“Guess we hit it just at the right time,” David said with a smile.

That smile. What is it about David’s smile that draws me in?

“This place is so different. I like it,” I said.

“Wait till you taste the food. It’s so good.”

“Really? Well, I’m a pretty good cook so I’m kind of critical.”

“Oh yeah?” he said. “Well, once you get moved back into your place again, I think you’ll just have to prove it.” Again, he presented me with that dazzling smile.

Ohhhhhh yeeeeaaaaah
.
He’s HOT
.

“So, how long have you known my Aunt Agnes?” David asked.

The catcher softly vibrated against my bare skin. “Well, she’s worked at the museum since I was a child.”

“Yes, but she doesn’t usually make a habit of inviting museum patrons to dinner, so I assumed . . .”

“Oh, yes, well”—
think-think-think
—“She’s been helping me recently with some research I’m doing for a work project.” That should keep his curiosity at bay. An alarm was sounding in my mind.
Say nothing. Keep quiet!
The catcher continued to vibrate over my heart. As much as I was really starting to like David, I couldn’t bring myself to confide in him. I had learned from recent experience to pay attention to the catcher. I changed the subject.

“Have you always wanted to be a dog trainer or breeder?” I asked.
I should be safe as long as I can keep him talking about himself.

“No, actually, I wanted to be a veterinarian. My mom encouraged me because I always loved animals and sort of have a way with them. Aunt Agnes wanted me to go to a local college and stay close to home, but for the first time ever, my mother went against Aunt Agnes’s wishes and paid for me to go to a good school. I went to the University of New Hampshire. They have a great vet program there. I was making a lot of friends and had good grades.”

“What happened?”

“Two years into the program, my mom suddenly became ill so I came home to take care of her.” He got quiet for a minute. “She died a few months later and I guess my dream to be a vet died with her. It wasn’t in my heart to return to school.”

“I’m sorry. What about your father?”

“He died in an accident when I was three so I really don’t remember him at all. My mom raised me on her own after that. Well, her and Aunt Agnes.”

“She never remarried?”

“No. She said Dad was the love of her life and that I was enough to keep her busy.”

I smiled. “You miss her a lot, don’t you?”

“Yeah. It’s been tough on me.” He paused and then said, “You know, the whole kennel thing was her idea. Near the end when she realized that I wouldn’t return to college, she encouraged me to start the kennel.”

The waiter showed up with our burgers, made sure we had everything we needed, and then slipped away.

David told me more about his life and I felt drawn closer to him, but I still couldn’t tell him about the catcher.

“Do the police have any leads on who tried to break into your house?” he asked.

“No. I guess the rain storm washed away any footprints and the guy never actually got in.”

“Lucky thing. Well, you won’t ever have to worry about anything like that again. I mean, between the alarm system and Half-Breed.”

The catcher vibrated again and butterflies danced in my stomach. So, again, I changed the subject.

“When did you discover this place?” I motioned the restaurant with a tilt of my head.

“Ahh, a friend of mine bartends here.”

“I see,” I said. It hadn’t escaped my attention that
all
the bartenders were female. I was beginning to wonder if the handsome David Conner was a player or if he was just a nice guy who hadn’t found the right girl yet. I suspected he was a little bit of both, but I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. For now.

“What are you researching? For work, I mean, with Aunt Agnes?” he asked.

The catcher shuddered. The hair on my neck rose.
Think, think, think.
I struggled to appear calm.

“Oh, it’s nothing much. I’m in advertising and I’m working on an ad angle to try to bring in more revenue for a local client. So tell me, what does a handsome, single guy like you do for fun? I mean, other than playing catch in the park with dogs?” I laughed and leaned in toward him. I figured a little flirting might keep him from asking me personal questions. Questions I wasn’t sure I wanted him to have the answers to.

He laughed, too. “You think my job is easy?” His eyes twinkled with mischief.

“No, I—”

“I think you should come spend the entire day with me. Then you would see that it’s no walk in the park,” he said in a playful tone.

“I didn’t mean to insult you.”

“No, no, you didn’t insult me, but I’m serious. I would love to have you spend the entire day with me.” He smiled.

Man, that smile could melt a girl’s heart!

“I’ll have to let you know about that one, David. I’m working from home and also have the alarm getting installed, so, can I take a rain check?”

“Sure,” he said. “When will they do the alarm installation?”

“Day after tomorrow.”

“Will you move back home then?”

“Yes, I have to try to get my life back to normal.” I suppressed a laugh at the thought of my life ever returning to normal again. These days, my life was as far from normal as the moon was from the sun. The instant that thought came into my head so too did the words of the fortuneteller, Weekatay, ‘There are two men coming into your life, one dark, and one light. One is the moon and the other is the sun. They both love you but one more deeply than the other. You will have a choice to make.’ I studied David’s light hair and blue eyes and remembered the dark hair and eyes of Moheeladeck.
Could it be?

“So what’s the future hold for a pretty woman such as you? Ever given any serious thought to getting married?” he asked.

This threw me. What could I say? I didn’t really know the answer to that myself. “No. I guess I haven’t found ‘Mr. Right’ yet. What about you?”

“No, not really and probably for the same reason. Just haven’t met ‘the one’ yet.”

I was really starting to like David but this conversation was making my palms sweat.

“This has been really nice, but I should be getting home,” I said.

David paid the bill and we went back to his truck.

“I can’t tell you the last time I had such a nice day,” he said.

“Me, too! Thank you for spending so much time with me and Half-Breed. I appreciate all you have done for me, David.”

“I’d really like to see you again, Pam,” he said shyly, “and not just when you come by to get food for that crazy wolf.”

He got in and put on a CD so that music filled the silence on our ride back to the kennel. I was thankful not to have to keep up a conversation because I was too wrapped up in my thoughts. About halfway back, he reached over and took my hand, and held it for the remainder of the ride. A worm of guilt curled in my stomach, like I was cheating somehow, but I didn’t pull my hand away.

Here I am, living alone in reality. I meet a really nice, attractive guy, a real flesh—and-blood man, who seems genuinely interested and I’m feeling guilty about being with him because of a dream? Yet, when I’m in the dream,
when I’m with Moheeladeck
,
I have to admit I’m happier than I have ever been in my life.

I’m going insane
, I thought as we arrived at the kennel. Instantly, Half-Breed’s thoughts assaulted me.
Going insane! What has happened? Are you all right?

I’m fine
.

You’ve been gone a long time. I was worried. He didn’t try anything did he? That lousy, that dirty-

No, Half-Breed. He’s been a perfect gentleman.
I closed my eyes in total exasperation with the wolf.

At that moment David leaned over and kissed me. That was when we heard a deep, fierce growl from inside the kennel. I pulled away just as Half-Breed crashed through the plate-glass window, like a bullet heading for the truck.

“What the heck!” David shouted.

“Half-Breed!” I screamed.

Get your filthy paws off of her! I’ll rip your face off!
The wolf jumped up onto the hood of David’s truck in a single leap, baring his teeth and growling at him.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into that animal! I never saw him act like this before. Don’t get out. It’s not safe, he could be dangerous,” David warned.

It’s you who’s not safe! Not safe from me! You have no idea what I’m going to do to you, Horn Dog!

My hands shook as I started to panic. “I think maybe he’s just a little over protective of me,” I said as I placed my hand on the door handle.

“No, Pam. Stay in the truck.” David said, grabbing my arm to stop me from getting out.

“I really don’t think Half-Breed would hurt me. He’s just protective.”

“No, it’s more than that,” David replied as the huge wolf snarled at us through the windshield. “I don’t think he’s stable, and I can’t allow you to take him.”

My mind was racing as I tried to calm Half-Breed.
Take it easy, Half-Breed. You better take a chill pill.

Take a chill . . . What?

Just stop,
I said.
I command you to stop.

Yes, Princess. I must, if that is your command.
With that, the growling ceased.

“See, Half-Breed is calm now,” I said.

“I don’t know what got into him.”

Half-Breed jumped off the hood of David’s truck, his head hanging in shame as he went to lie down near my car.

“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” I said. I knew I had nothing to fear, but how could I explain that to David?

“Well, I can’t be sure. I have many other dogs in the kennel and you can have your pick. Take any one you want. This wolf is just not—”

“No! I want Half-Breed!”

“I don’t know,” David said, shaking his head. “I’m going to kennel him up tonight and think it over. I’ll decide tomorrow. It would be irresponsible of me to just turn him over to you after this. He could kill you. He is, after all, part wolf and that makes him part wild.”

I realized that no amount of coaxing was going to change David’s mind and resigned myself to the fact that Half-Breed wasn’t coming with me tonight.

David got out of the truck and as he did he turned back to me. “You stay in here until I get Half-Breed inside.”

“David, there really is no danger.”

“No, Pam, he’s far too volatile and you could be hurt.”

Of course, I knew better, but did as David asked.

I won’t attack him further but only because my Alpha has forbid it.

I wondered if Moheeladeck knew the whole story or just the wolf’s side.

Yes, and he has commanded me to stand down
, Half-Breed replied, although the wolf still sounded pretty upset.

David made his way through the broken glass and opened up the kennel door. Half-Breed, resigned to his fate, rose and silently went inside.

I got out of the truck and made my way toward my car.
Half-Breed, what do you have to say for yourself?

I’m not sorry! My only regret is not ripping him limb from limb!

You better cool off, Half-Breed. I’m a big girl and can take care of myself
.

If Moheeladeck thought that were true, he would not have sent me.

Half-Breed, you better learn here and now that in this realm of time you go with the flow. You can’t just attack at will.

I was provoked!

Conflicting emotions ripped through me as I locked the door of my hotel room. I liked David and was extremely attracted to him. But then there was Moheeladeck. I had to sort this out. I undressed, then slipped the catcher from around my neck and placed it on the night table. I needed some space, some time to think. Every muscle in my body ached and my eyes were heavy. I didn’t want to “dream” tonight. I wanted to be alone.

I climbed into the big bed, yanked the covers up, and turned my back on the catcher. Eventually, I fell into a dreamless sleep.

I couldn’t have been asleep long when the vibrating of a cell phone broke into my slumber. I inched the covers up over my head and tried to ignore it, but the sound wouldn’t stop.

Go to voicemail already!
The sound persisted and unable to stand it any longer, I opened my eyes. A golden glow came from the catcher, which was madly vibrating on the table.

“Since when does Moheeladeck have cell service?” I mumbled. I picked up the catcher and was instantly transported back to the tribal village, back to his side.

His dark eyes were brooding and angry. “Why did you not come to me tonight?” he demanded.

“I needed some time to myself,” I said. “I wanted to be alone. I need to sort out everything that’s happening . . . to find my place.”

“Your place is here by my side, as my Princess.” He sounded angry as his voice trailed off.

I was overcome with emotion, but a spark of anger flared my temper.
How dare he?

“You better cut me some slack, Mister! Up until three days ago I had no idea you even existed! Now all of a sudden, I have a husband, albeit a dream one, who expects me to stop living in the real world! I have an overprotective wolf who constantly intrudes into my thoughts. I have been followed and my house broken into and you expect me to live like a nun, forsake all men in my real world and then to come willing and lovingly into your arms each night and act as if I should thank my lucky stars about all this?” I ranted, unable to stop myself.

“You find him attractive. You are drawn to him,” he whispered. He turned his back to me as if merely looking at me was even too painful for him.

“David?”

He didn’t answer but his entire body stiffened. I realized that this fearless warrior was hurt by the simple, mindless actions of one small woman. One tiny, meaningless kiss had brought this powerful man to his knees.
Could he be . . . jealous?
A deep warmth spread through my chest. The anger fled and guilt rushed in to take its place. I closed the distance between us and placed my hand gently upon his back.

“I’m sorry, husband.” I still had a hard time getting my mind around that word. “It was thoughtless of me. Please, let us not fight.”

He turned to face me. Taking my raised hand into his, he brought it to his lips, kissing my fingertips. His warm lips sent a tingle up my arm. Yet, I saw the pain in his eyes. “You are the very essence of my life, Takshawee,” he whispered.

I didn’t expect him to understand my turmoil. How could he understand when he didn’t even know me, Pam Hastings? He only knew me as his princess bride, the woman who was destined to be his, by his side through all of time. How could I make him see what was happening inside of me? How could I help him to understand that I needed some time to adjust to all of this?

“I cannot bear the thought of him laughing with you, smiling into your eyes, sharing his time with you,” he said, his voice trailing off as if the thought were too painful for him to continue. “Touching you.”

“Moheeladeck, I still live in that world. You are going to have to be patient and let me be the person that I am in that world.”

“Just be mindful of who you really are, my love,” he said. “Let us not speak of this again. Come, there is something I wish to show you.”

“Oh, one last thing.”

“Anything you wish.”

“Tell that wolf to back off!”

He smiled, but somehow I knew that Half-Breed was going to be a permanent fixture in my life—dream and reality.

We strolled hand-in-hand away from the village. It was the middle of the night, but the full moon cast enough light to see the path. After a while the trail turned downward, becoming a bit steep and the trees thickened. The sound of rushing water filled the night and the mist from a nearby waterfall covered my face.

“Where are we going?” I whispered.
Why was I whispering? There was no one in sight and it was the middle of the night.

“I wish to bring you to a special place, a secret place.”

“What is it?”

“I am taking you to a cave, a mystical place. We must guard its location with our lives. That is why I take you there in the dark of night. I believe in your world this place is called The Cave of Secrets.”