Bayou Wolf

“It belongs to Hank and Sashy Potts. Rumor is that they’re hoping to sell it to developers interested in building a strip mall and a storage warehouse on the outskirts of the bayou. They’re making it more attractive to them by clearing the land. And in the process, the couple are making a huge profit selling the timber.”

“This is Hank’s doing,” she said darkly. “Always was one to sell out for a quick buck.”

“You’re right about that. Sashy’s a decent sort of person, though.” Tombi raked a hand through his long black hair. “We might make more headway putting pressure on them than harassing the timber crew. Whether we like it or not, they’re just doing their job.”

She sipped her coffee and gazed at the gashed landscape. “No reason we can’t attack it from both ends.”

“Can’t be out here every day protesting,” Chulah said. “We all have jobs, including you.”

“There’s always the weekends,” she muttered.

Several vehicles pulled onto the side of the road, including a faded red Chevy truck. Payton and the other workers had arrived.

She watched as he jumped out of his truck and sauntered over their way, along with Matt, the crew supervisor. Her stomach gave an eager, betraying little lurch. If she’d hoped seeing Payton again in the broad light of day would make her come to her senses, she was dead wrong. If anything, the dawn’s light shining on his ash-blond hair and the hard flint of gunmetal-gray eyes made her toes curl. None of last night’s good humor or desire showed in his face today. In fact, he didn’t look at all pleased to see her. Had she really kissed this foreboding man last night? Felt his desire pressing against her abdomen?

Matt spoke first. “What are you all doing here?”

“Protesting the desecration of our land,” she said quickly. “I told you I’d be back with more people.”

“You got a permit for this demonstration?” Matt scowled, ignoring her as he stared at Tombi.

Two natural-born leaders seemed to recognize each other on some primitive level. Must be some testosterone signals in the air.

“Don’t need one,” Tombi said levelly. “This strip of land we’re standing on is public property. We’re not on your work site.”

“Make sure it stays that way,” Matt said with a growl. “We don’t take kindly to intruders on our property.” He pinned her with a direct stare.

Tallulah’s gaze flew to Payton. So he’d told Matt she’d been at the farmhouse last night.

She drew her shoulders back and regarded Matt with a level stare. “If that’s a threat, you don’t scare me.”

“What’s all this about?” Tombi asked, puzzled.

“Payton caught her skulking behind one of our vehicles at the house last night. If there’s any damage to our vehicles or property, we know where to look.”

“It’s not your house, it belongs to Jeb Johnson,” she said hotly. “And I’d never destroy—”

Tombi cut her off. “None of us are going to hurt your stuff. That’s not our way.”

Matt huffed. “See that you don’t.” He aimed another glare at Tallulah, then stalked away.

“Well, that’s a fun start to the morning,” she drawled, staring accusingly at Payton.

“He has a right to know what’s going on.”

“I’d like someone to clue me into what’s happening,” Tombi insisted.

Payton raised a brow. “And you are...?”

“Tombi Silver, Tallulah’s brother.”

Payton extended a hand. “Nice to meet you. Tallulah spoke of you last night.”

Her twin shot her a quizzical look as he shook hands with Payton.

“We met yesterday when she stood in front of my skidder while I was doing my job,” Payton continued. His manner was calm and friendly. Damn him. “Then we ran in to each other again last night when I found her hiding behind one of our vehicles at the house.”

Her cheeks flamed. He was painting her in the worst possible light.

“Is that true?” Tombi asked her. His face grew rigid, which meant he was getting riled.

“Yes, but—”

“It won’t happen again,” Tombi said to Payton.

“You can’t speak for me,” she sputtered. Her brother might be the leader of the shadow hunters, but he had no right to act so bossy.

Payton nodded. “Thanks. Much appreciated. We’ll just put this unpleasantness behind us.”

He faced her, his mouth upturned in one corner. She couldn’t tell if he was smirking or was genuinely amused at her expense. He held out his hand and she glanced down at it like it was a snake. She was conscious of all the protestors watching the little drama. If she refused to shake Payton’s hand, everyone would accuse her of being surly and unreasonable. And that meant the protests to the land destruction might cease.

Reluctantly, she placed her hand in his and then quickly tried to pull back.

Payton maintained a tight grip. “I’m still interested in that date we talked about, if your social calendar happens to be free.”

Someone in the crowd snickered.

Tallulah seethed. He made it sound like they were already an item. Well, she had kissed him, but she hadn’t agreed to a date.

Payton let go of her hand and smiled genially at Tombi. “Maybe we could all get together for dinner sometime and talk.”

“I’d like that,” Tombi agreed at once. “Matter of fact, if you’re free tonight, my wife and I would love to have you over to our place for supper. About seven?”

“Great, thanks.” Payton gave her a triumphant wave. “Pick you up about quarter ’til the hour. I remember the way.”

Tallulah rounded on her brother. “I can’t believe you just did that.”

“I think it’s time we all took our leave,” Chulah said. “I’ve worked on Hank’s motorcycle a time or two and know him fairly well. I’ll see if I can talk to him about the land. Find out for sure what’s going on.”

“We’ll just stay a bit longer,” one of the protestors said. “Make a general nuisance of ourselves and see if we can stop their cutting for the rest of the day.”

“Why did you invite him to dinner?” she continued. “I don’t want to see him.”

Tombi raised a brow. “You sure about that? I saw the way you looked at him when he walked over to you.”

A telling warmth flooded her cheeks. “Yeah, well, that doesn’t have anything to do with the issue. The fact is, he’s destroying our land and—”

Tombi raised a hand. “Did you or did you not go over to their farmhouse without permission?”