“I’ll be out in a minute. I’m going to put my clothes away. You know how it is. Before you’re ready for it, you get called to go back into work. I don’t want to be trying to figure out where all my stuff is if I have to dress in a hurry.”
“I don’t blame you. When I have to take trips, I like to unpack first thing too. Feel free to use my closet for your things, and I have a couple of spare drawers you can use.” He started cooking the corn first, and after she finished unpacking, she found a bottle of burgundy and poured them each a glass of wine.
“I would have liked to run as a wolf tonight at Forest Park, if we hadn’t been shot at there before.” She offered him one of the glasses of wine.
He took a sip and put the hamburgers on the grill. “We could drive out to Leidolf’s ranch and run there, or to Josh and his brother Maverick’s reindeer ranch.”
She was watching Adam turn the corn on the cob on the grill and smiled. “Let’s run at Leidolf’s ranch. We’ll still be out at the ranch earlier tonight than if we had to wait until after ten to visit the park.”
“Right.” He was glad she wanted to run as a wolf tonight. He had really enjoyed running with her the other night, despite the shooting incident. But he was afraid she might be a little spooked about it, just like he thought she was about staying in her home alone. He flipped the burgers on the grill.
She took another sip of wine. “I asked Josh about them going with us boating on Sunday, and he said he had to clear it with Brooke first. I was under the impression they had already both said yes.”
“I, um, I’ll check with them. I thought they were going too.”
“I’m going to call my brother and make sure they’re going. I hope everyone isn’t canceling.”
Adam had thought everyone wanted to go so Sierra wouldn’t feel like she was on a date, so he was surprised Josh was waffling about going now. Maybe he hadn’t okayed it with Brooke yet. Adam knew Josh loved to boat.
“Hey, Brad. I’m putting this on speakerphone. I’m just checking with you and Janice. You’re going boating with Adam and me on Sunday, aren’t you?” Sierra asked.
“Yeah, we’ll be there.”
“What about your sister-in-law?”
“Dorinda made some other plans.”
“Okay, we’ll see you Sunday then.”
“See you both then.”
Sierra sighed, sounding relieved.
“Are you afraid of going out with me alone?”
Sierra laughed. “I was afraid everyone would drop out because they thought we should have alone time. But it will be fun having a bunch of our friends and family on the trip.”
“I agree.” Then someone else could captain the boat and Adam could visit some with Sierra. Otherwise, he was the designated driver the whole time. He served up the hamburgers and corn on the cob, and they began adding condiments to their buns the way they liked them.
She slathered mayonnaise on her bun, and he added a light coating on his. They both dabbed a bit of mustard and ketchup on their buns and a couple of pickle slices on top of their burgers.
“Cheese?” he asked, forgetting that others liked cheese on their burgers.
“No, I’m good, thanks.”
They took their plates to the chairs on the patio and sat down to eat.
She smiled and took a bite of her burger. “Hmm, this is really great. I never would have thought I would be having dinner on the grill after work. Except for party functions, of course, I don’t get to have grilled fare very often.”
“It’s been a lot of fun for me too.” And a way to show off he could grill meals, especially since she seemed to enjoy them.
“This is going to be fun boating in the summer.”
He was thrilled she was thinking of continuing to date him.
“Maybe in the fall we could plan to take the boat out,” she said.
“Yeah, anytime we’re off and you want to take the boat out, I’m game.” Now that was what he liked to hear.
“Good.” She took a bite of her corn and smiled. “Hmm, this is so good.” She sighed.
“Man, I sure am glad I still have my boat.” Adam felt he was winning the competition.
She laughed. “Did you tell Leidolf we’re going down there to run as wolves tonight?”
“Uh, no, I’ll do that.” He texted Leidolf to tell him they were coming for a run in about an hour. They didn’t have to give him a heads-up, but they did if they could, just to let him know when anyone was going to the ranch so they would be prepared.
Every once in a while, people would come onto the ranch wanting to photograph it or the surrounding scenery or wildlife. Or hunters wanting to hunt. Once, someone even asked to buy the ranch and all its acreage. No way. Not with all the wolves that called it home. So they had to be watchful that uninvited people didn’t show up there and see the pack members running as wolves.
Leidolf texted back: Sounds like you’re making progress. Good show.
Adam smiled and texted: I’m working on it.
And then he set his phone on the table.
Sierra took another sip of her wine. “So did you tell him we’re dating?”
“That I’m working on it.”
She chuckled. “We’re way beyond working on it.”
Chapter 17
Sierra thought Adam was sexy and fun to be with, and she was glad she was dating him.
At least their wolf run would be safe tonight. She was looking forward to it and having nothing but fun, instead of trying to escape from shooters as fast as they could run.
After they enjoyed their meal, they drove down to Leidolf and Cassie’s ranch. Sierra saw Adam glance at his rearview mirror and side-view mirror on the way there, and she finally asked, “Is anyone following us?”
“Maybe, maybe not. I keep thinking someone is but then they turn off on another road. If someone is tailing us, if they think to follow us onto the ranch, they’ll have a welcome committee.” Adam gave Leidolf a call on Bluetooth. “Hey, it’s Adam. We’re on our way to the ranch. We’ll be there in about fifteen minutes. If anyone’s following us, give them a welcoming that will make them wish they hadn’t entered the private ranch.”
“I’ll be sure to arrange it.”
“Oh, and arrest them, because if they are part of Dover’s gang, we need to take them in.”
Leidolf laughed. “That’s supposed to be your job, Detective. See you in a few minutes with men at the ready.”