“Damn, what a mess,” said Patrick.
“What in the hell is going on?” asked Meg.
“Probably those two paramedics stirring things up,” said Ginny. “I’ll go in the back and see if I can find Sam. Ginny headed through the back yard and paused for a moment to look at Buster’s empty backyard retreat. “Hmmm, may have to do something about that,” she thought.
She opened the door to the kitchen and peeked in. A sleepy looking Sam stood at the stove. Ginny walked over and hugged her.
“Sam, I’m so sorry,” she said.
“Me too,” said Sam. “Where’s the rest of your bunch?” Sam asked.
“Outside waiting to see if I could find you. Let me go get them,” said Ginny.
Sam nodded, wiped the tears from her eyes and went back to making chile. A few moments later, in walked one of the biggest men she’d ever seen followed by Patrick and three other people.
“Sam, this is George Moreau and his girlfriend Angie, and Luc Moreau and his wife Meg,” said Ginny.
Patrick walked over to Sam and wrapped her in his arms. He lifted her up and just hugged her.
“Damn it’s good to see you two, but what a mess,” said Sam. “Now put me down and explain who’s who before the bunch at the front desk get past Dotty.”
“Who’s Dotty?” asked Ginny.
“She’s the little gal I have to do the rough work when things get busy. She don’t talk much, but she works like no other. She’s holding down the front desk. I shut down the B&B except for those already here and you bunch. So right now she’s trying to tell everyone else where they can get rooms,” said Sam.
“Why? Are the two paramedics still saying Buster, um Brian was a werewolf?” asked Patrick.
“Yes, Idjets. Betty Jane don’t believe them, and we got him off to that funeral home right quick, but those two have mouths. My big worry is when they notice that Buster is missing,” said Sam. “Now who are these people to you Ginny?”
Ginny could see that Sam was trying to change the subject. “Luc and George here are brothers and my oh so many times removed cousins. Angie and Meg are new to the family and don’t…” Ginny left the unsaid hang in the air.
Sam nodded. “Nice to meet all of you. Ginny, I gave you your same rooms. Didn’t know how many were coming, but there are two more rooms down that same hall. Keys are in the doors,” she said.
“Okay, Luc and I will get the bags,” said Patrick. “George, I need to talk to you,” he said and gestured for George to follow. The three men left the kitchen.
“Sam, where’s a bathroom?” asked Meg.
Sam really looked at Meg for the first time. “Oh! Honey! Right down this hall,” she said. “When are you due?”
“In about five months. It’s twins, so I’m huge,” she said as Sam showed her where the bathroom was.
“Oh my. Luc’s a lucky dad. Come back to the kitchen when you’re done and I’ll have some iced tea for you,” Sam said.
“Oh, that sounds good,” said Meg.
Sam headed back to the kitchen. Ginny was keeping an eye on the chile and Angie was washing up some dishes.
“Now you two didn’t need to pitch in,” said Sam.
“Oh yes we do,” said Angie. “We’ve been up as long as you, only sitting in the car and moving feels good. Besides, we’ll ‘disappear’ faster if we’re seen to be helping you rather than sitting on our asses.”
Sam laughed. “You’ll do just fine,” she said. Sam got out the iced tea, poured four glasses and sat down for the first time in an hour. “It has been a long day and it’s only noon.”
“I agree,” said Ginny.
Patrick and Luc entered the kitchen with the luggage and kept going. Sam looked around for the other man and didn’t see him. She set more glasses out for tea, and was about to ask Ginny something when the two men came back.
“Sam, I need to talk to you for a minute,” said Patrick.
“Okay, what’s up?” Sam asked.
“Well, we know what’s going on out front, and as soon as they see Buster’s old house outside, they’re going to get curious,” he said.
“Yeah, I was trying to figure out how to cope with that,” she said.
“We’ve already figured out how to do that. What I need from you is to come out to the backyard and don’t be upset,” Patrick said.
“Okay,” said Sam and they walked out the kitchen door. When everyone had joined then, Patrick put his hands on Sam’s shoulders. “Buster!” he called.
After a moment, the dog house shook, and slowly out walked a huge ‘dog’. He was scruffy and slow, but when he came over to Sam, he rubbed up against her hand and sat next to her.
Sam started crying, and Patrick put his arms around her. “Oh…” was all she could say for a moment. Then she bent her head down to ‘Buster’s’ and whispered, “George?”
‘Buster’ thumped his tail. Then he walked over to his bowl and flipped it with his paw.
“Oh! Water!” said Sam and filled the bowl. Everyone, including ‘Buster’ went inside once he’d had his drink.
Sam hugged Patrick. “Damn good thing you warned me. Otherwise there’d a been two funerals,” she said trying to dry up the tears.
“Well, we all noticed the empty dog house and knew that would give them ammunition. Now we can produce ‘Buster’, and in a week, he can either come home with us, or pass on,” said Luc.
“You’re a fast thinker Luc,” said Sam.
“Well, it helps when you run your own company,” he said.
“Yes, and soon you’re going to have your hands full too. Congratulations,” Sam said.
“Thanks. I just hope I survive,” he said.
“Luc, you’ll do just fine,” said Patrick. “What he didn’t tell you is that he’s the head of this crazy family.”
“Oh, an alpha…..” started Sam.
“In fact, the name of our company is Alpha Wolf Technologies,” said Luc as he blushed.
“And he’s a very good boss to work for,” said Angie.
“Oh hon, how are you gonna cope with… um…” Sam tried to ask diplomatically.
“Knowing him, he’ll come up and sleep with me. No problem, Sam,” said Angie.
Sam nodded.
*