Free Wolf on a Mission: Salvation Pack, Book 6 by N.J. Walters Page A

soon.”
    Billy scuffed the toe of his sneaker into the carpet. “Why can’t they stay?”
    The underlying sadness in her son’s voice brought tears to her eyes. She blinked them back and swallowed several times. It wasn’t easy with the lump in her throat. “This isn’t their home. They’re only on a holiday.” She placed her hands on his thin shoulders and gave them a gentle squeeze. “That doesn’t mean we can’t be friends with them, but friends can’t always stay.”
    “Like your friend Anny,” he added. Her son was way too wise for his tender years.
    “Yeah, like Anny. She had to go away, but that doesn’t mean we don’t still love her.” Anny still remembered Billy’s birthday and every holiday even though she no longer lived there. Sue knew she could pick up the phone and talk to her friend, but it simply wasn’t the same. She’d been through so much the past two years. She’d needed her friend by her side, could have used the moral support. She didn’t begrudge Anny whatever peace and happiness she might have found in her new life. She’d been through a lot as well.
    Sometimes life just wasn’t fair.
    Billy nodded, grabbed her hand and tugged on it. “Can we go now?”
    Sue laughed and tousled his hair. “Sure, buddy. Let’s get what we need from the kitchen.”
    Billy raced to the kitchen with her following close behind. She’d washed and dried the potatoes and then tossed them into the microwave before she’d gone in to change, so they were already cooking. She got out a tray and put the salt and pepper shakers and a roll of aluminum foil on it. “See if we have any lemons.”
    Billy opened the fridge and gave a crow of triumph. “Two.” He carried them over and held them up. She took the two lemons from him, bent down and kissed his nose.
    “That’s great. Now close the refrigerator door.” Billy often forgot to do that, so she had to keep an eye out. With the produce drawer not closed all the way, the door wouldn’t shut.
    While he hurried to do that, she washed the lemons. Billy stood at the back door and watched Sage and Reece while she thinly sliced both lemons. She couldn’t see Elias anywhere in sight and wondered where he’d gone.
    Now that she was away from him, she could admit how handsome he was even wearing a pair of old faded jeans and a plain white T-shirt.
    “Hurry, Mom.”
    She had to smile at Billy’s impatience. Not much had excited her son over the past few months. “I’m coming.” She grabbed the tray. “Get the door for me, will you?”
    Billy opened the door and held it wide while she carried the tray. The door slammed behind her when he released it. Then he bounded down the stairs toward Reece. The wolf stepped between Billy and the barbecue, almost as if he knew it was dangerous to an exuberant young boy. Honestly, she’d never seen a more intelligent animal in her life.
    “I can take that.” Sage had the tray out of her hands before she’d even realized he was there. He set it down on the patio table in the yard.
    “Thanks. Where did your uncle go?” she asked.
    Sage glanced toward the path. “He cleaned the fish and went to get rid of the guts and clean out the cooler.”
    Sue wrinkled her nose. “Sorry I asked.”
    Sage laughed. “I’m sorry if we imposed on you. It was my idea. I just wanted to thank you for the cookies. They were great.”
    She was touched by the gesture. “You’re very welcome. I appreciate the meal of fresh fish.”
    Sage pulled out a large piece of foil and began to put two trout on it. He seasoned them and then added the lemon slices before wrapping them up. He repeated the process until all the fish were in foil packets. It was obvious he’d done this before.
    “Do you camp often?” she asked.
    Sage nodded. “Sure. We used to go with our folks all the time.”
    The use of past tense made her hesitate to pry further.
    He glanced her way and his eyes were sad. “They died.”
    “I’m so sorry.” That had