Page 4 of Jacob

“So, blankets?”

“That’s what she said.You have any idea?”

“Kids?I mean, they’re blankets.Why would anyone steal them?”

“Maybe Mrs.Thompson just forgets where she puts them.”

“Maybe.She’s getting up there in age, although I’ve never known her to have memory problems.It’s possible, though.Do you want me to look into it?”

“I’m sure Mrs.Thompson would appreciate it more than having me do it.She doesn’t seem to like me very much.”

Taylor grinned.“Honestly, she doesn’t like many people.You’re also new in town, so she’s going to be wary.I wouldn’t worry too much if I were you.”

“I’m not worrying.”If Mrs.Thompson didn’t like him, she probably wouldn’t bother him with any more blanket hunts.Tony understood that this was his job, but still.Blankets?

Taylor was a talker.Tony didn’t mind.He didn’t know anyone else in town, and he hadn’t had the opportunity to meet people yet.He liked Taylor, and he liked the way he talked about the people he cared about.

Taylor was a pride member.He was also a tiger shifter, but that wasn’t what fascinated Tony.He’d known plenty of shifters, but all of them had been lone shifters.He’d never really dealt with bigger groups of shifters, but the pride was right there in town.Eventually, he’d have to meet the alpha.He was nervous but also excited.He’d only heard good things about the Green Hill pride alpha.

“So Drake is moving in with us,” Taylor was saying.

Tony had already heard that name.“Drake?”

“He’s one of my best friends.”

“How many best friends do you have?”

“Probably too many for most people, but we make it work.There’s Dennis, Jacob, me, Drake, and Eddie.Eddie’s human, and he lives in town.”

“I take it that Drake isn’t human?”

“No, Eddie’s the only one in our group.Drake’s an aardwolf shifter.”Tony must have looked confused because Taylor snickered and added, “Think of it as a tiny hyena.”

“And you’re a tiger shifter.”

“Yep.So are Dennis and Jacob.”

“That sounds like a strange group of friends to have.”

Taylor shrugged.“Not really.Dennis, Jacob, and I grew up together, obviously.Eddie grew up in town, and we’ve been friends for years.Drake’s only been in Green Hill for a few years, but he’s a great guy, and it’s easy to love him.”

“You have a lot of people in your life.”

Taylor beamed.“I do.The pride is great, especially now that Gal got rid of some of the nastiest members.There are still a few, but Gal’s a great alpha, and he won’t let them start trouble.”

That was something Tony could admit he was jealous of.He didn’t have anyone.His parents had been older when they had him, and they’d passed away a few years ago.He’d made friends when he was in the military, but some of them had passed away, while others had scattered around the country.He didn’t have anyone he was close to, which was one of the reasons he’d taken this job.He didn’t have anyone to leave behind when he moved to Green Hill.

He hoped that this move would be an opportunity for him to have more.He liked his job, blankets notwithstanding, but he was forty.He wanted a family, or at the very least, a tight group of friends like Taylor had.He didn’t want to be alone anymore.He didn’t mind it, but he yearned for more.

He hoped that Green Hill would give him that.He’d moved just a few weeks ago, and there was plenty of time for him to find his way around town and make friends.Maybe Taylor would be one of those friends.Tony liked him, and not only because he was good at his job.

“What about you?”Taylor asked.“I’ve never heard you mention anyone.Do you have friends?”

“Don’t you think that’s a rude question to ask your boss?”

Taylor grinned and took a sip of coffee.“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but I’ll find out anyway.”

“Are you threatening to spy on me?”

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