SEAL Wolf In Too Deep(20)

“No. I planned to when I was behind him, but I didn’t get close enough.”

“Okay, so we’ll have everyone watching for a black sedan and be on the alert for a male lupus garou stranger. And a red Camaro, if Franny’s ex-lover has found her and is stalking her. I’m glad to hear that there’s nothing serious going on between you and Debbie. Rose and Catherine were worried about you.”

“Rowdy is asking her out. I’m not dating her, Paul. I know the rules. We just shared some pizza and beer. Next week, we’re planning to do the same thing, the three of us, unless Rowdy starts dating her. Then it’s strictly just work and she’s all his.”

“Okay, glad to hear it. I know it’s tough, and if you’re not interested in any of the females in the pack, that makes it tougher. But getting involved with a human is too dangerous.”

“Yeah, don’t I know it.” Allan finished his beer. “Well, I’m calling it a night. Debbie and I have an early dive tomorrow on that Van Lake investigation we’re looking into.”

“Any leads?”

“Only that it looks like a murder set up to look like an accident.”

“Okay, Allan. I’m working a case tomorrow…”

Allan couldn’t conceal his look of surprise.

“From home. Hell, I can’t dive. I can walk, but not on this damn ice without risking breaking my leg again or tearing up ligaments or something. I’ll be home.”

Allan took a relieved breath. “You’ll be as good as new soon.” They healed in half the time it took humans, so Paul must have injured himself worse than they had first thought.

“Right. I’ll be busy, but if you learn anything, let me know.”

Allan said good night and headed home. He kept watching for signs of car lights following him. It was late, the snow was still falling, and traffic was light on the lake road he took to get back to his mountain cabin. When he arrived, he headed inside, shucking his winter coat and gloves and tossing them on the sofa. He stripped off his clothes in the bedroom, then took a shower. But in the middle of the hot, steamy shower, he heard his phone ring.

Now what? He turned off the water and jerked a towel off the bar, drying himself as he went to get his phone.

The caller ID said it was Debbie. At once, he worried something was wrong. “Debbie, are you all right?”

“Rowdy called me for a date. Did you put him up to it?” She sounded pissed.





Chapter 6


Debbie felt better after showering and falling asleep on the sofa for a couple of hours. Note to self: no more drinking when out with the guys. She couldn’t imagine how her dad could drink so much and then pass out. She’d barely finished a beer.

When Rowdy had called, she couldn’t believe it. No way did she want to go out with him on a date. The problem was Allan. She had to admit he did something to her deep inside. Had her wanting to impress him on the job and as a woman. With Rowdy, she didn’t care. But with Allan, she did.

So when Rowdy called to ask her on a date and told her he had cleared it with Allan, she was ticked off. Rowdy didn’t need to get permission from Allan. Just from her.

She didn’t think there was a way to let a guy down gently either. Even though Rowdy acted as though he was fine with the rejection, she knew he wasn’t. No one liked to be turned down in the romance department. He probably thought she was hung up on Allan, who wasn’t hung up on her. She knew Allan wasn’t married or seeing anyone. She’d seen some women show interest in him when they had coffee at the local diner one morning before work. But he hadn’t shown any interest back. He just was polite and offered a casual good morning, nothing more.

“He asked me if he could ask you out. I said sure. What else was I to say? No, you can’t ask her? Sorry, Debbie, but you invited him to have pizza with us. I guess he thought you were more interested in him.” Allan almost sounded a little smug about it.

She pursed her lips. “Great.”

“Just tell him no.”

“I did. I think I hurt his ego.”

“He’ll get over it. How are you feeling?”

This was the Allan she knew. He was always so considerate. Rowdy hadn’t asked at all. But Allan? She really liked that about him. “Better. I showered and napped. I guess that’s it for drinking for me.”

He chuckled. “You’re not used to it.”

“Sorry I was kind of a party pooper.”

“No problem. We’ve got to get up tomorrow early to dive anyway.”

“Yeah. I had fun. I’m not sure what’s going to happen with pizza night next week, but Rowdy might not join us now.” She wanted to ask Allan if that would be a problem. She purposely had asked Rowdy to eat with them because of the way Allan’s family had acted about Allan “dating” her. But she hadn’t expected Rowdy to ask her out on a date.

“Well, it’s his loss. If he’s man enough, he’ll join us. Or if he’s interested enough, he’ll keep trying.”

She sighed. “I don’t want him to keep asking me for a date. Well, since we have such an early day tomorrow, I need to say good night.”

“Same here. I’ll see you in the morning.”

They ended the call and she was glad Allan hadn’t suggested to Rowdy that he date her, but she was still annoyed Rowdy would seek Allan’s permission.