Page 31 of Bewitched by the Werewolf (The Bewitching Hour #5)

I know small towns can be quirky and move at a different pace than the city but trying to figure out when “dusk” is proves more difficult than it sounds.

When I arrive at the fire station thinking I’ve finally pinpointed dusk, I realize I’m early.

Rarely in my life am I early for something, but I find a bench and take a seat hoping the sun sets fast.

It doesn’t take long for me to notice cars and people on foot, traveling down a gravel road on the opposite side of the fire station. Some are carrying bags or blankets in small groups or couples chatting happily. I wonder if we’re going wherever they’re going.

I sit for at least half an hour before Ryder shows up. He’s not carrying anything. Maybe we aren’t going where the others were headed.

“Hello Red,” Ryder says as soon as he steps in front of me.

I stand from the bench and give him a once over.

He’s changed from his “work” clothes, no more gun holster or badge.

His long sleeve shirt is dark and untucked hugging his thick form.

The unkempt dark hair, that was falling in his face earlier, is now brushed back and tucked behind his ears, framing his stubbled jaw.

He’s not wearing a jacket like he told me to do and I tilt my head at him.

“So, where’s your jacket?” I inquire snarkily.

“What?”

“You told me to wear a jacket because it gets cold,” I tug at the collar of my open leather jacket around me in emphasis. “But you aren’t wearing one.” I gesture to his jacket-less torso. He shrugs and shoves his hands into his pockets.

“I don’t get cold easily.”

“But I do because I’m a small fragile woman?” I tease.

Ryder grins and flashes me his canines, they look longer than before. “There is nothing fragile about you Red. I just run hotter than most. I could have offered to keep you warm myself, but I thought I might get a fist to the gut for it. Though the offer remains, if you get too cold.”

This charming side of Ryder is new. Just yesterday he was ranting at me and being all grumpy. Now he’s flirting and offering to keep me warm. I guess an hour spent playing with my hair and delivering a toe-curling kiss changed his tune. It’s altered mine, that’s for sure.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I tell him, playing into this new flirtier banter. He better not for one minute think this means I’m not going to tease and sass him at every opportunity. “So where are you taking me, Officer?”

He waves his arm in the direction of the gravel road everyone was going down. “This way.”

So, we are going wherever they were going. We walk around the fire station, Ryder falling into step at my side, our elbows brushing every so often. We’re silent as we start down the path, the sound of crunching gravel beneath our feet.

“So where exactly are we going? Not that I don’t appreciate being led into the woods by a practical stranger for a ‘surprise.’ As a matter of fact, it’s one of my favorite things. But just out of curiosity, where is our destination?”

Ryder chuckles and a rare smile cracks his usually flat expression. Off duty Ryder is appearing far more relaxed than on duty Officer Evans.

“You don’t like surprises, do you?”

“What gave it away? My constant questions or the knife in my boot?”

“Although the knife was a top indicator, I would say it was your utter lack of patience and unyielding suspicion.”

I hum and nod, trying not to break character with a girly giggle.

I like Ryder’s sass. He’s funny. Am I going to tell him that?

Not yet. I’m about to deliver the most insistent speech about surprises killing the unwilling recipient but stop short when we round a line of trees and a clearing comes into view.

This is where everyone was heading. There has to be at least half the town in attendance. I don’t recall seeing this many people coming down the path. Where did they all come from?

There are couples snuggling on blankets and kids running around chasing one another, groups of young teens gathered in animated chatter.

It’s what I would expect a town picnic to look like.

There’s even tables set up along one line of trees at the back of the clearing with spreads of treats, drinks, and popcorn.

Popcorn because at the far end of the bustling clearing rests an old-school drive in theater screen, propped up against the tall trees for support.

Perched in some sort of hunting box in a tree opposite of the screen I spot someone readying a projector.

It’s a movie theater. An outdoor, walk-up, free, movie theater?

I’ve literally stopped still, taking in the sight before me, completely and utterly surprised.

In a good way. No murderous killer hiding in the forest waiting for me.

Not that I think Ryder would let anything like that happen to me.

I feel safe around him, and not just because he’s the sheriff.

It’s his overall aura, it’s protective and powerful.

Ryder reaches over and taps a knuckle under my chin. I hadn’t realized I was open mouth gaping at the sight.

“Not what you were expecting?” he asks. I can hear the smile in his voice, but I don’t turn my attention away from the outdoor movie theater to check.

“Not even a little bit,” I admit. If he had asked me to guess, anything I would have come up with wouldn’t even have come close to the truth.

“See? Some surprises are worth waiting for.”

“What is this exactly? Do you do this every night?”

“Movie under the stars night is put on by the library once a week during the warmer months. Once the temperature drops and the rain and snow start, it’s not very much fun.”

“No, I suppose it wouldn’t be,” I agree. “Are we staying for the movie?” Now I do turn to look up at him, strangely hopeful he says yes.

“If you would like to. I have a spot in the back I like to sit in so I can keep an eye on everyone.”

“Always on duty huh?”

He shrugs but doesn’t answer, instead places his hand on the small of my back and leads me farther into the field and crowd of people.

I spot familiar faces, people I’ve befriended in town.

Most of which were solely to seek out information and discover the truth, but I’ve grown to actually like most of them.

They’re all so weirdly nice and friendly.

For so many years everyone always knew me as the creepy werewolf girl and made snide comments both behind my back and to my face.

It’s refreshing to be seen as just Tess and nothing more.

“Are you hungry? Would you like anything to eat or drink?”

Ryder gestures to the tables and I eye them from a distance, not wanting to interfere with those already lined up. It has been a long time since I had a bowl of popcorn.

“Popcorn sounds good.”

We venture to the popcorn table where they have one of those wheeled mobile popcorn machines. It’s painted red and white with stripes and images of popcorn. They have to pour in real kernels and butter and wait for them to pop. No microwave bags here.

Dottie and a young man stand behind the table, filling paper bags with hot buttery popcorn that smells almost as good as Ryder. Melted butter and salt on hot fresh popped corn kernels. It makes my mouth water, and I have to lick my lips to keep from drooling.

“Hi there Tess, Ryder. Would you like some fresh popcorn?” Dottie holds up a freshly topped off bag with matching red and white stripes.

“Absolutely. It smells amazing,” I answer earnestly.

“Secret’s in the butter.” She winks and shooshes me conspiratorially. “Secret family recipe.”

“Ma,” the guy next to her scolds with a smile on his face. “Don’t be giving away my secret recipes to strangers. What’s the point of them being secret then?”

Ma? As in mother? As in Dottie birthed this completely grown ass man that looks way too old to be her son?

“Oh hush. I’m not giving away anything. I’m just promoting the special quality of the product. Nothing wrong with that.”

Dottie’s son shakes his head but laughs at his mother, returning to filling more bags for others.

He’s a handsome guy, taller than his mother but with the same dirty blonde hair color.

I look between him and Dottie utterly confused.

Do they have the fountain of youth around here somewhere?

Maybe I should be hunting for that and not shifters.

Dottie catches me staring at her son and chuckles at my expression of dumbfoundedness. “I’m older than I look honey. This is my son, Jared. He’s the chef at the Diner and the one you have to thank for all the amazing food you’ve been eating.”

“Oh. Well, it’s nice to meet you, Jared. I’m Tess.”

I reach out a hand to shake his, but it’s intercepted by Ryder taking it in his instead. I look up at him with equal parts suspicion and confusion.

“He’s handling the food, can’t touch hands,” he explains flatly. He also doesn’t release my hand.

Okay I guess we’re holding hands now.

“It’s nice to meet you too Tess. I’m glad you’ve been enjoying my cooking at the Diner,” Jared continues without mentioning the weird hand thing that just happened. He doesn’t seem offended by the interception though, still smiling and filling popcorn bags.

“I have. It’s probably the only reason I haven’t starved. I’m a lousy cook.”

“I’m sure you’re not that bad, if you just tried a few simple recipes, I’m sure you’d get the hang of it.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, did I say lousy? I meant lazy. I’m a lazy cook, as in I don’t want to.”

Jared chuckles, his smile far easier and prominent than Officer grabby hands. But also, not as heart tingling.

“Fair enough. Cooking isn’t for everyone, that’s why I’m here,” he offers with his arms held open at his sides, indicating himself. “You’re welcome to eat my cooking at the Diner whenever you like.”

Before I have a chance to thank him, a deep and agitated growl rumbles at my side. When I look to Ryder, I expect to see the beast I chased through the forest, but he’s still just a man at my side gripping my hand firmly in his. Though the death stare he’s giving Jared is new.

Jared’s still smiling and now eying Ryder, not backing down. Does he know what Ryder is? Is he one too? Is this some sort of pissing on their territory behavior? Should I be pulling out my knife?

I almost reach down for it when Dottie interrupts their little staring game.

“Now, now boys there will be none of that tonight. This is a family event, and we will not taint Tess’s first movie under the stars with male posturing. You understand me?” She scolds not only her son but Ryder as well, who promptly relaxes his tense pose and softens his expression towards Dottie.

“Yes Ma’am.” They chime in tandem.

Wow. I need Dottie to tell me her secret. Whenever I tell Ryder to behave his just argues back at me.

“Good. Now, what toppings would you like on your popcorn?” She holds up my bag and waits for me to choose one of the many available toppings spread out on the table between us.

There’s melted cheese, chocolate chips, Reese's pieces, marshmallows, pretzels, sour gummy worms, licorice and all manner of seasonings in shakers. I choose licorice and Reese's pieces; Ryder chooses extra butter. Should have known he would pick something boring like just butter.

Dottie mixes our bags and once they’re in hand Ryder leads me away from the popcorn table and Jared. We stop by the drink coolers and grab two bottles of Coke before continuing on. I toss a salty kernel in my mouth and side eye the man at my side.

“So. You and Jared not friends?” I hedge. Ryder rolls his shoulder and diverts his gaze away from mine.

“Not exactly. He’s a good guy.”

“So then what was with the evil eye back there? He steal your high school sweetheart or something?”

That makes Ryder chuff out a laugh and he finally looks over to me. There’s actual mirth in his silver-grey eyes. They’re bright and almost glowing in the darkening light. Like two spots of liquid silver staring back at me.

“No, nothing like that. Don’t worry about it, Red. I have no issues with Jared.” He reassures me.

I shrug and toss more popcorn and licorice in my mouth. This really is the best freaking popcorn I’ve ever eaten. “Okay, if you say so.”

I don’t ask about Jared again as we approach two folding chairs set off to the side out of the main crown and away from the busy snack tables.