Leap of the Lion (The Wild Hunt Legacy #4)(44)

Nothing in the world had ever felt as…wonderful…as sitting between the two of them.

Hearing voices outside, Darcy walked into the dining room…and then silently retreated. Zeb, Shay, and Bree had lit a fire in the new fire pit and were cuddling on the stone bench, obviously enjoying a quiet twilight together.

Bree had once said that while the outside cabins were usually occupied, the inner lodge rooms were rented out as a last choice. What with her, Owen, and Gawain living in the lodge, the innkeepers hadn’t had any time alone. She should give them that.

But now what? Darcy frowned. Owen, if on his own, would retreat to his room and read. Gawain, however, would probably wander into town and find someone to talk with.

The tavern wasn’t very far.

A few minutes later, having taken the tiny footpath from the lodge, she pulled open the heavy tavern door and stepped inside. Midweek, the place was only two-thirds full.

Breathing in the fragrance of roasted peanuts, popcorn, and beer, she listened to the babble of conversations and clink of glassware. Thumping noises came from the pool tables in an alcove to the right.

She wiped her clammy hands on her jeans and told her nerves to settle down. Who would have thought her first night out—all by herself—would be so daunting?

Move the feet, tinker. She shouldn’t stand frozen in the doorway as if planning to flee.

Stupid feet didn’t move.

A feeling of being lost swept over her. In prìosan, her world had been bound in time and space. She’d had her place, fixing things and helping people. Here, she was the one needing help.

In prìosan, she’d known everyone and everything. She glanced around the barroom, not recognizing anyone.

And each day here was different, as if she’d walked into an entirely different world. One where she wasn’t in control of anything.

But she’d manage—she would—because that was what she did.

“Hey, Darcy!” In a cozy chair by the huge fireplace, Vicki, Calum’s pregnant mate, waved her hand and tried to rise.

In relief and delight, Darcy motioned for her to stay seated and crossed the room.

The stubborn female was still trying to stand up.

“I’m here. Stop trying to get out of that chair.” Darcy stopped in front of her.

“Have I mentioned that I fucking hate being pregnant?” Vicki’s voice was a low growl.

“No…really?” asked a blonde, brown-eyed female sitting on the couch to the right. Amusement danced in her eyes. “Who would have thought?”

Vicki’s growl deepened and then, with a yielding laugh, she collapsed back into the chair, hands on her belly. “I give up. When I need to stand, I expect you all to yank me out of this bottomless pit of a chair.”

“Not a problem.” The third female in the conversational area was big-boned, tall, and lushly curved. Her tawny coloring was that of the last golden days of summer. A guitar rested on the couch next to her. She turned her attention to Darcy. “Hi, I’m Emma.”

“Sorry,” Vicki said. “I had to bitch before making introductions. Darcy, meet our bard and bear, Emma. Her mate Ben is a cahir and patrols with Owen. Ryder, her other mate, has an adorable cub.”

Emma’s smile was beautiful and kind. “Welcome to Cold Creek, Darcy.”

A bard. Wow. “I’ve never met a bard before. It’s nice to meet you.”

The other female lifted her drink. “Welcome, Darcy.”

Vicki nodded to the short, brown-eyed blonde. “That wolf there is Bonnie, who is the sheriff’s dispatcher, and she has two cublings full of more mischief than a den of foxes, and…oh, she’s sister to Owen and Gawain.”

Darcy had to laugh. “You have a talent for introductions.”

“My boss taught me to be succinct and informative.” Vicki patted the chair beside her. “Join us, so the cats will outnumber the others.”

“Hey!” Bonnie said indignantly. “Wolves are supposed to have the majority. It’s a rule.”

“Rules were made to be broken.” Vicki smirked. “What are you drinking, Darcy?”

“Um.” At the lodge, she’d sampled the various beers. “I’m not exactly familiar with alcohol, although I’ve discovered I don’t like beer.”

“What…didn’t the Scythe assholes share their alcohol with their prisoners? Rude bastards.” Vicki grinned. “No worries, we’ll find something you can enjoy.” She twisted to look at the back of the room.

Darcy followed her gaze and saw Calum behind the bar…watching. He nodded at Darcy before lifting an eyebrow at Vicki.

His mate’s circling gesture encompassed the drinks on the coffee table, then she pointed to Bonnie’s drink and held up two fingers.

As Calum tilted his head in acknowledgment, the warmth in his smile could have kept a female nice and cozy all through a long, long winter.

Darcy sighed. He still scared her, but she had to envy Vicki just a bit.

“So, Darcy.” Emma leaned forward. “Bree told me you fixed all the appliances at the lodge—and her washing machine doesn’t make a thump-thump-thump sound anymore.”

“Well, yes.” Darcy bit her lip. “I wish I could do more to help.”

“Oh, girl, she’s enjoying having another female around.” Bonnie shook her head. “Her best friend-roomie died before she got here, and she gets lonely for females. I wish we could get together more often, but I have the cubs. Emma teaches cublings during the day. And Vicki is a bit…ah…less mobile than she used to be.”