Page 41 of Beneath the Blue Moon

***Casey***

“Oh… Hey,” I greet the sheriff.

Crap. I look like hell and here he is in front of me looking

like a million bucks. His brows knit in worry and he takes my hand.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“Yeah, it’s just… It’s been a crazy day.”

“Come here.”

He pulls me into his arms, and I try to draw from his

strength. God knows I need some right now. I finally got Daddy down to bed and I’m

physically and emotionally drained. I wrap my arms around his waist and breathe

in his scent. How can it be calming and arousing at the same time?

“I’m sorry I didn’t call. I… I can’t make it tonight.”

“It’s fine. Do you want to talk about it?”

Every part of my brain is screaming “yes,” but I step back

and shake my head.

“I just need some alone time.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?”

“I’m sure.”

He nods reluctantly. “Call me if you need anything. Anything.”

“I will. Thanks.”

He kisses my forehead and turns away. I watch him leave,

then walk down the hall to check on Daddy for the thousandth time. After, I

make my way to the kitchen, grabbing my favorite picture of Mom. Taking my

trusty bottle of wine with me, I sit on the back porch steps. I don’t even need

a glass; I drink straight from the bottle.

My life is such a mess. Well, not exactly a mess… just on

hold. It’s been on hold for the last two years. First Daddy got sick, and then

Mom. I’m all they had. We only had each other. Then Mom left us. That’s when

Daddy got worse. Now, I finally find someone who makes it all seem better, and

I want to do nothing but run for the hills. As tears roll down my cheeks, I lay

my head on the support beam.

“Why? Why’d you leave us, Mom? I need you so much right now.”

I stare down at the picture in my hands. She was so

beautiful and happy, waving at the camera from a towel on the beach. That was

the year we went to the Bahamas. My six-year-old self is off to the side,

working on a crappy-looking sand castle. I miss those days.

A rustling sound coming from the trees catches my attention,

and I turn toward it, tears temporarily forgotten.

“Is someone there?”

I scan the area, but no one surfaces. Must be my mind

playing tricks on me. I take another sip of wine, and that’s when I see him—my

wolf. He’s back. He walks tentatively in my direction with his head hung low; despite

that, he looks so majestic. I sit as still as I can and watch his approach.

When he gets to the bottom of the steps, he drops down, sphinx-like, and

whimpers. I must be crazy, but here goes nothing.

“Come here, handsome.”

His ears perk up, and he gazes at me, tongue hanging out of

his mouth. He moves two steps up, his hind legs remaining on the ground. Still,

he’s so big I have to look up to see his face. I slowly reach out to touch him,

and he licks my hand.

“I knew it. I knew you wouldn’t hurt me.”

I run my hand through his fur, which is softer than I

thought it would be. He whines, leaning into the caress.

“I’ll have to give you a name, won’t I?”

His huge tail wags behind him and he moves next to me, lying

on his side. I scratch his belly and his leg twitches in delight.

“I think I’ll call you… Sheriff. What do you think?”

He thumps his tail excitedly on the porch, so I assume he

likes it.

“Well, Sheriff it is, then.”

I continue to stroke him, and we sit in quiet companionship.