“Who was on the phone?” Patrick asked Ginny.
“It was Luc. He called to let me know I could take my time getting back to work,” she said.
“Oh? There has to be more to it than just that,” he said.
“Yeah, A friend of Meg’s needed a job and they’ve hired her for the moment to catch the phones. Seems Luc got tired real fast of Kevin’s sloppy handwriting,” said Ginny.
“Are you upset?” asked Patrick sitting down next to Ginny at the table.
“No. Luc did it so that we could have more time,” she said. “And when I go back to work, Angie, that’s the woman, will stay on as a receptionist. I’ll have more time to do dispatch, orders, paperwork, and the like,” she said. “He said he knew I was doing too much and that was part of what was making me crabby. That between work, the kids and everything, I needed a break.”
“I agree with that. Plus to be honest, I want to spend some time with you. Just you. No George, no kids, nothing but you,” said Patrick. He took her hand in his.
“We can do that soon, but Luc and Meg’s dinner party is in less than a week. She’d have a fit if I disappeared before that got done,” said Ginny.
“How tied into this event are you?” he asked.
“About as tied as you can get. I’ll need to call her later and we will squeeze in another setting for you,” said Ginny.
“Okay. In the meantime, I need my stuff from Cal’s house and I wouldn’t mind a bit more of a tour around town,” said Patrick.
Ginny nodded and they got ready to head out. While Ginny was dressing, Patrick called Cal and let him know that they were headed his way. He hung up just as Ginny came out of the bedroom.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yes, let’s go before the rest of them figure out we’re leaving,” she said nodding her head towards the back of the house where George and the kids were cleaning.
Patrick smiled and they headed out the door.
*
Once they left, Ginny made a leisurely tour of the city. Then they headed to Cal’s. After picking up his things and making a few arrangements, Ginny directed him to the Mall.
“I have to pick up a few things and see if Andrew has my present ready,” said Ginny.
“Who’s Andrew?” asked Patrick as they parked the car and headed into the Mall.
“He’s our local silversmith. His shop is right over there,” she said pointing to the Silver Lode. They walked in and Ginny looked around. Andrew was nowhere to be seen, so she asked the girl behind the counter if he was in. She nodded and turned towards the back of the shop and called for Andrew.
A moment later, a man appeared. Ginny pulled Patrick forward to introduce the two men.
“Andrew, this is Patrick,” she said.
“Nice to meet you,” Patrick said holding out his hand.
“I’d heard that Ginny had met a gentleman,” said Andrew as he shook Patrick’s hand firmly. “Glad to see she has good taste.”
“Oh Andrew!” Ginny said blushing. “Do you have my order ready?” she asked.
“Not yet. I still need to finish the final polish. Could you pick it up later?” he asked. “Perhaps Patrick could wait while you find a dress for Meg’s party,” Andrew suggested. He gave Patrick a conspiratorial wink.
“But I have a dress,” said Ginny.
“And if it is the one I think it is, you’ve worn it to every family occasion for the last six years,” said Andrew. “If I see that blue suit one more time, I swear I’ll split every seam right there at the dinner table.”
“You wouldn’t!” said Ginny. “I,… I like that suit!”
“Get a new dress woman,” Andrew said with a heavy hint of sub-vocals.
Ginny blinked. “Fine. You two can just sit here and talk, and I’ll be in Kohl’s,” she said and turning on her heel, left the shop.
“Andrew, what was that about?” asked Patrick trying not to laugh.
“That was me handling a situation. George called me about ten minutes ago and said if Ginny showed up here, to force her to buy a new dress. So, I obliged. Plus, it gives us a chance to get acquainted,” said Andrew. He gestured for Patrick to follow him to the back of the shop. “Now before I forget, here is her order. It’s already paid for. I’ve had it done for two days, but it was a good excuse.”
Patrick smiled and set the box at his feet. “Now you get to answer my question. What are you to Ginny that she responds so fast to you?” he asked.
Andrew leaned back and relaxed in his chair. “Once upon a time, long ago, we were lovers.”
“And,” Patrick said trying to find out what happened.
“We meshed well as humans, but as wolves, it was fun. It was playful. It didn’t work. She wanted a mate and babies at that point. I wasn’t ready for that and later I understood why. We just didn’t fit,” Andrew said with a sigh. “I’m the pack’s shaman as well. That was another reason our relationship didn’t work. She didn’t want the responsibility that went with being my mate.”
Patrick shook his head. “Yet from what I can tell, she has all the responsibilities and just not the title now,” he said. “There are days I do not understand women.”
“Oh, I agree. Ginny is the matriarchal wolf in the pack. Luc may be the head, but when it comes to family matters it’s Ginny they turn to. Which leads me to another question,” said Andrew.
“Yes,” said Patrick wondering just how fast the news had traveled.
“Does your wolf recognize Ginny as a mate?” Andrew asked. “Do you intend to make her your mate?”
“Yes, and it is my intention. It’s been a whirlwind romance to say the least and I have to admit I’m still trying to catch my breath,” said Patrick. “I’ve gone from widower to lover to mate with the potential extended family added in less than 48 hours.”