“Hopefully by divorce and not some other more drastic means,” Elizabeth said.
That was the thing about marital relationships. The PIs never knew how something as simple as a private investigator’s report could affect an outcome. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not.
An hour later, Cameron and Gavin came into the agency office, both smelling like a donkey.
“Hey, I know what we smell like. It took a few tries, but we managed to wrangle that donkey back home. You’ll have to teach us again about lassoing an animal, though. I finally got it on the third try, but we definitely need more practice.” He turned to Elizabeth. “If David didn’t tell you already, he worked on a ranch in his youth to get away from his old man. And he learned to lasso horses and cows. It came in handy when he had to rope a runaway llama.”
Elizabeth laughed.
“I told you I would handle it,” David said, smiling.
“Yeah, next time,” Cameron said, and he and Gavin headed home to wash and change clothes, their dress pants dusty and dirty and covered with grass stains.
When Gavin and Cameron returned to the office, David asked, “Did you ever find that standard poodle that went missing?”
“Yeah. Someone turned her in for a reward. I did an investigation of the individual who did and found he’d turned in a lot of dogs for reward money. There were all kinds of reports on him in the paper. So I handed the case over to the police,” Cameron said.
“I never would have expected that,” Elizabeth said.
“Good, at least maybe the guy will be held accountable,” David said.
They worked for a few more hours, until they smelled the telltale scent of steaks grilling.
Owen smiled. “Bet the steaks are courtesy of our jaguar billionaire relative. They must have gone out to get them.”
“And I smell hot dogs grilling,” Cameron said. “The favorite food of our little ones.”
“Hey, I’m off to meet up with Amelia,” Gavin said. “See you there.”
“We’re coming too,” Owen and Cameron said, following David and Elizabeth out the door. It was time to celebrate.
Chapter 28
On their way to the barbecue, David got a call from Jimmy’s dad saying he didn’t have any issues with shifting right now, and he and his son wanted to come in and thank him for all he and Elizabeth had done.
“Hey, we’re grilling out with a bunch of friends and family. Why don’t you join us? We’re on a lake, and you can go swimming too. And for a run later with us, if you think you would like to.” There was no better time to introduce them to the pack than when they were all together, including jaguars and wolves from Texas to Oregon to Canada.
“We’d like that. What can we bring?” Mel asked.
“Just yourselves. And have fun.”
“My wife, Jane, is working at the hospital, but I’ll bring my son and daughter, Cass.”
“Good. We’ll be just behind the agency building at the homes on the lake.”
When David ended the call, he filled in Elizabeth about the new additions to the celebration.
“Oh, that’s wonderful.”
They walked up to the barbecue and were immediately pulled into the controlled chaos, Elizabeth visiting with all the people she didn’t know, everyone playing with the dogs and wearing them out, though when little Corey dropped his hot dog, Winston was there in a hurry to scarf it up. She hurried to fix Corey another before he had time to get upset about it.
Jimmy, Mel, and Cass finally arrived at the party, bringing with them the most delicious-looking cake Elizabeth had ever seen—one of Mel’s very own.
Sheri took Cass in hand to get her some food, while David and Elizabeth brought Jimmy and his dad to the office to speak privately.
“I want to thank you,” Jimmy’s dad said, “for saving my life and my marriage. Of course, Jimmy had a big hand in that when he bit and turned me, but it renewed my wife’s interest in me. She knew I would continue to age as a human does, and she knew she couldn’t keep the marriage going because of it. She loved me, always had, and now? We’ve renewed our vows. Only this time, it will be forever.”
“Yeah, I did something right for a change, huh, Dad?” Jimmy said, smiling at him.
“You sure did. We just wanted to thank you, both of you, and I want to pay for your services.” He handed David a check. “I finally started a bakery out of my house, and my son is making deliveries and set up the website for my business. So I’m still working but for myself now and I couldn’t be happier.”
“I’m so glad for that,” David said, Elizabeth agreeing.
“I can’t tell you how glad I was to learn you’re like me. Newly turned. It helps knowing I’m not alone in this. I just had to adjust to the idea.”
David nodded. “You always have a sounding board with us. We know what you’re going through, and we’re always happy to talk to you about it. You’ll be in good hands with your royal-wolf family, but if you ever have issues they can’t relate to, just gives us a call or drop by.”
“Thanks. I sure appreciate that.”
“Why don’t you come and meet everyone else? The big party we’re having includes jaguar shifters also.”
Both Jimmy’s and his dad’s eyes widened.
David led them back to the barbecue and began introducing them, though Jimmy had to go fill a plate with a steak and the works. Cass was already eating and talking with the little kids.
“So you’re the one David and Elizabeth were trying to find,” Gavin said, shaking Mel’s hand. “Good to meet you.”
“Our pack has just been for those of us who were turned and had been friends for a lifetime,” Cameron said, “but it’s been growing. Since you don’t have a pack, you and your family are welcome to join ours.”
“We absolutely want to. My wife is working at the hospital tonight, but she told me to tell all of you she couldn’t be happier with the prospect of joining your pack,” Mel said.
“Can we go swimming at your lake then?” Jimmy asked, plate in hand.
David smiled. “Yeah, you can drop by anytime. And when we have fireworks for the Fourth of July, or other celebrations as a pack, you’re welcome to join us.”
Jimmy looked at his dad and he nodded. “Do we need to pay membership dues or anything?”
“No,” Cameron said. “We just help each other out when we can and enjoy the camaraderie with other wolves.”