Page 99 of A Wolf After My Own Heart
Over, then. Before it even got started. No follow-up dates at the movie palace. No nothing anywhere.
Bright side, though? Oz’s new attitude would, at the least, save time. They could skip the relationship part and go right to the awkwardly avoiding each other part.
Hoo-fucking-ray.
Chapter 39
“I was meanin’ to ask you lot last time…who’s driving the decommissioned ambulance?”
“It’s not a—oh. Sorry, Berne. Force of habit. Yes, itisa decommissioned ambulance and thank you for asking. It’s me, by the way. I’m the one driving it. Not right this second, though.”
“But why?” Oz burst out, like he’d been dying to ask the question.
“Because it’s big enough to be a portable hospital and the mileage isn’t horrible. All I had to do was remove the forward emergency lights and strip off the EMS logos. Piece of cake.” And when all she got back were bemused looks, she added, “Why are the people who grow fur and run around on all fours during the full moon staring at me likeI’mthe weirdo?”
This prompted snickers as Garsea cleared her throat. “Contrary to legend, phase-shifters are rare. Most of us can shift whenever the urge hits.”
“Oh. Good to know. The urge isn’t hitting now, is it? In the middle of my living room?”
“We’ll try t’give you ample warning, lass.”
“Mr. Berne!” From the kitchen. “Something to drink?”
“Nae, I’m fine.”
“Come see me if you change your mind!”
Before Berne could reply, there was a minor ruckus outside, and then the kids burst through the front door.
“There’s my possum,” Berne boomed. Sally came right over and he scooped her up; she looked like a doll in his arms. “Glad t’see you’re staying in one place, darling.”
“For now,” she replied pertly, and though she was probably kidding, Lila shuddered at the thought of the kid going on walkabout again.
“Hi, I’m Dev Devoss. This is my sister, C—” Except Caro had taken the opportunity to slip upstairs. “Was my sister, Caro. She’s not cool with strangers.” Devoss had planted himself in front of Berne, like a stop sign in front of Mount Everest. “Do you really have your own island?”
“I do, lad.”
“How big?”
“Big enough. About thirty thousand square feet. There’s room for my house and garage and a studio, and that’s it.”
“Sounds horribly cramped,” Garsea said with a straight face.
“Her studio’s an old grain silo,” Devoss said, jerking his thumb at Garsea. “And her house is beautiful,bella,bonita. And big!”
“Grande,” Lila added helpfully. “Gros.”
“So she has room for guests. And it’s out in the country, with woods all around.” Devoss waved spindly arms to indicate acres of space. “Lots of room to run.”
“Did you get your Realtor’s license while I was asleep?” Lila asked, honestly curious.
“Dev.” From Annette, and the warning was unmistakable.
“All I’m saying is that Sally’s covered, Mr. Berne.”
“Dev.”
“C’mon, Net, you gotta know why he’s here.”
