Ethan (Blackbeary Creek 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

really sure?”
    “Really, really,” she said.
    “That big house will get awful lonely without you.”
    “All the more reason to start looking for a mate,” she laughed.
    “Funny,” he said, deadpan. “I don’t want you to go.”
    He wrapped his arms around her, and hugged her tight.
    “I know,” she said, hugging him back, “but, it’s time.”
    He kissed the top of her head, nodded, and released his hold.
    “Did you send Ethan a way on purpose?”
    “Maybe,” he grunted, looking out into the forest.
    Definitely!
    She was both relieved and disappointed.
    “Tell him I said goodbye.”
    “Maybe,” he grunted again, but she knew he would.
    “I have to go now,” she said. “I love you.”
    “Love you, too,” he said, clearing his throat. “Don’t be a stranger, and remember: this will always be your home. You can come back anytime, whether it’s for a week, or forever.”
    “I know.”
    “Okay,” he said. “Then go.”
    “I love you all,” she said to the group. “Take good care of yourselves.”
    They didn’t reply, but they all waved goodbye as she got into her car, started it up, circled the pavement in front of the big house, and drove down the tree-lined driveway.
    She watched the four men—her family—in her rearview mirror until they were blurry dots, and she could no longer tell who was who.
    Her only regret was not saying goodbye to Ethan when she saw him in the sub shop the day before. He’d told her and Graham he’d be gone until later this evening, but she’d kept her move a secret. He’d call it lying, but she called it sparing them both an awkward goodbye.
    When she reached the main road, she turned right, and headed toward the center of town. She drove down Main Street, past Delilah’s , the sub shop, and her brothers club, but she didn’t let one tear fall until she made it to the first rest stop on the interstate.
    She pulled off the highway, parked as far away from curious strangers as possible, locked the doors, and let the tears fall freely. For the first time in her life, she was leaving home and not coming back on the weekends like she did during her four years of college.
    She didn’t regret her decision, but the trip was final…and scary.
    She’d just left her brother, her best friend, the man she loved, and two other men she trusted with her life. They were her clan, and even if she couldn’t shift, they always would be.
    Even though she loved them all, she didn’t want to go back, and the realization slowed the tears. She took a deep breath, wiped her eyes with a tissue, and restarted the SUV. 
    A few minutes later, she allowed herself to laugh at the tiny freak-out, and excitement filled her as she maneuvered the vehicle back onto the highway. She turned on the radio, and her favorite song blared through the speakers, so she took it as a good sign.
    She turned the volume up, and sang at the top of her lungs.

Chapter Four
     
    Ethan turned down the long tree-lined driveway, and even though he wanted to race down the paved road, something told him to approach the scene with caution.
    The day before, he’d followed Tristian’s orders, made the eight-hour drive to Hancock, and spent the night in a less than stellar hotel. Nothing had seemed odd about the situation, until he’d showed up for his meeting with the distributor at eight o’clock in the morning.
    Ethan’s arrival had been a complete surprise, and despite what the man had allegedly said on the phone to Tristian the day before, the brewer had no concerns about doing business with a club so far away.
    Ethan played his hand well, careful to not give the club, or Tristian, a bad reputation. He’d downplayed the reason for his trip, and then asked a lot of questions while touring the facility. An hour later, he prepared to make the long drive back home with a signed contract beneficial to both parties nestled in his briefcase.
    Though the man had denied his reservations about doing business with