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.
*
Luc and Patrick walked into the lobby of the B&B. Dotty looked exhausted.
“Dotty, take a break, we’ll help out,” said Patrick.
Dotty smiled and ran.
Luc looked around at all the people still milling in the lobby. He cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention. The sub-vocals were subtle, but made everyone snap around.
“I’d like anyone who isn’t already a guest to depart. There has been a death in the family, and we’d like time to grieve in private. There are other hotels in Spoon River that would be glad to have your business. However, this establishment is closed until after the funeral. Do you understand?” said Luc.
“You don’t have any right to kick us out!” yelled one man. “That old man was a werewolf, and we know they’re hiding something. The damn dog disappeared and they have to be one in the same!”
“The dog disappeared?” asked Patrick.
“Yeah! Everyone says you never saw the dog and the man together ’cause they were the same person. So don’t go trying to tell us he wasn’t a werewolf,” said the man.
“So, just because a dog disappeared and an old man died who needed a shave and a haircut, you’re saying that he was some kind of supernatural being?” asked Luc.
“Yes! And the owner of this place knew it! She tried to kick the paramedics out before he shifted on them and then wouldn’t let the sheriff or the coroner see the body. They just whisked it off in the middle of the night to hide the facts! Won’t tell us where they took it either!” the man said loudly.
“And what was that dog’s name?” asked Luc.
“Aw, everyone knows the dog’s name is Buster. Big old smelly looking husky thing,” said another man.
“Sort of like that dog over there?” asked Luc pointing to ‘Buster’ who had decided to watch things from the hall.
“Um, yeah,” said the man looking a little shook by the sight of the dog lounging in the hall.
“Did you ever think that maybe, just maybe the dog was inside? Or, that he was asleep in that fancy dog house of his outside? Or do you always jump to conclusions?” asked Patrick.
“Well, they said it happened and I’ve never known them to make things up like this,” said a woman.
“Ma’am, it was 3am. They got woke up and put out on a call. They nearly scared an old man to death by trying to do vitals on him and pushing his best friend out of the room. They made it up because they screwed up. Brian wasn’t a werewolf, he was just a very old and rather hairy man,” said Luc.