The Lady in the Mist (The Western Werewolf Legend #1) (20 page)

The old woman snorted.  “I beg your pardon, boy, I’m as real as a Union gold piece.”  Stepping across the threshold, she shoved him aside as she went around to the other side of the table settling in one of the pressed oak chairs.  Pinning him with that beady eye, she continued companionably.  “Don’t believe everything you see and none of what you hear.”  Wagging a finger at him, she smirked in agreement with herself.  “That’s my motto.”

“But how are you here?”  His mind simply couldn’t process the fact she sat at the table as if they were discussing nothing more important than the weather.

Sonja’s face beamed with pleasure as she moved to give Hortence a big hug before offering Ty an answer.  “She pretended to die.”

“Pretended?”  He glared hard at them both.  The silence made Sonja glance toward the window.

“Yes, I wanted to tell you but you never returned.  The court-martial happened.  That’s when I planned on telling you last night, but we a…”  Her color rose when she glanced back at Hortence who sat with her hands folded over her stomach.  I had to go to my sister’s and well, there never seemed to be a good time, that’s all.”  She lifted her hands and shrugged, her plump bottom lip disappearing from sight under her top one.

He continued to scrutinize them both.  “Woman, you’d best be explaining how she can pretend so well.  I watched her die!”  He threw out a hand in emphasis.  “Nobody can pretend to stop breathing.”

Hortence nodded.  “You’re right, of course.  But, a trance is a different matter.”  Her squint drew his attention to her faded, lined face.  “Your relatives know a thing or two about such talents don’t they?”

There was that reference to his Indian heritage again.  Unable to accept the fact that the old witch sat as alive as ever at the rustic kitchen table in the small hovel she called home proved terribly disquieting.  Finally, Ty gave in.  A multitude of strange things had happened of late.  He couldn’t discount the possibility of such an occurrence.  “What now?”  His tone held an exasperated tension.

“I thought we’d bring her with us.”  Sonja glanced up eyeing him hopefully.

For a moment, Ty could say nothing.  How did she actually think they would make it out of the situation, much less with a witch in tow?  He decided to test the theory.  “So, if she comes along, you’ll go with me, is that it?”  Exasperated with her, Ty growled low and threw up his hands before wheeling for the door.  “How do you plan on this happening?” he asked in the frame of the front door.

“Hortence has a disappearing spell that should do the trick.”

“Of course.”  He turned to leave.

“Where are you going?”  Sonja’s question held unease, which Ty couldn’t help but enjoy.

“To see to the buckboard.  If we’re leaving, we’ll need provisions.”

Sonja squealed and rushed forward to throw her arms around him.  “I knew you’d understand.”  The joy in her expression made Ty realize how much he wanted to do whatever the Nymph asked of him.  He caught her spinning her around for good measure.  “Woman, you do test my patience.  How did I know what awaited me when I looked across that field of death and saw you coming through the mist?”

“Fate, Lieutenant.”  Her whiskey brown eyes held his in love and affection.  “You didn’t know it was just fate.”

The End

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Books by Catherine Wolffe

Comanche Haven (The Loflin Legacy: Book 1)

From the moment Celia, the emerald-eyed, Comanche half-breed, gets off the stage in Tyler, Texas, Seth Loflin realizes he is on a collision course with the past.  She was his first love and now the Shooter Creek's ranch boss can't allow her to succumb to the danger that stalks her.  Someone wants to kidnap her and sell her as a slave, but now that she's in his protective arms, he intends to keep her safe.

Celia can't run back to the safety of her former life in South Carolina.  And if she stays at Shooter Creek with Seth, she'll be putting the man she has always loved and his ranch in danger of harboring a Comanche.  But Seth refuses to leave her side, and his vow to protect her gives Celia the hope and courage she needs.  Now she'll fight for her new life with Seth...or die trying.

A Dance in Time (J.T. Leighton, Time Traveler #1)

J.T. Leighton was a good Marine until one extraordinary night in Iraq. Now he’s a good Private Investigator with special skills. He’s on the trail of a woman who’s acquired a priceless necklace. His superiors want her killed, but J.T. wants her. Discovering why will put their lives in jeopardy.

Jessie Colter always wanted to be a dancer. Now, her life’s on hold until she can understand what the strange request left by her deceased parents means. She turns to J.T. Leighton, the only person who believes her, and in doing so, understands more than she’d ever imagined.

The Lady in the Mist (The Western Werewolf Legend #1)

The Civil War took Sonja Brooks' husband and left her alone. Unprotected and scared, she runs headlong into a life changing event when she's attacked by a pack of wolves. Her fate as a werewolf is sealed. When she stumbles upon Ty Loflin, a Rebel solider dying of his wounds, she nurses him back to health. He's the perfect mate, but will he want her once he knows the truth?

In Book 1 of this new series by Award-winning author Catherine Wolffe, the Western Werewolf Legend weaves a new blend of western romance with paranormal elements involving werewolves and vampires.

Learn more at www.catherinewolffe.com.