Free Silence of the Wolf by Terry Spear Page B

Tom.
    â€œSo maybe you can do that again.”
    â€œI don’t know what he wants.”
    â€œDon’t second-guess it. Just make the most of his visit. You never know. He might be ready to settle down and want to join our pack, if he doesn’t cause trouble.”
    Peter looked back at Elizabeth. “What about her?” Now he sounded really interested.
    â€œKind of a mystery.” But Tom’s mystery. Not any other bachelor male’s in the pack. “Got to get back to her. Are you all right now?”
    â€œYeah, thanks.”
    Tom glanced at the other men. They dipped their heads a little in silent acknowledgment that they could step in now and help out. Two rose from the table and walked over to join Peter.
    The banker said, “Do you mind if we join you?”
    â€œI’d like that. Thanks, Mason.”
    Reassured Peter would be okay, Tom returned to his own table.
    â€œOkay, so you want the usual and… Elizabeth?” Silva said. She brought out a pad and pen. She didn’t need to use them, but it was part of her presentation.
    â€œRoast beef sandwich sound good?” Tom asked Elizabeth, surprised she hadn’t already placed an order. Then again, she’d been watching him, studying him. He hoped she liked what she saw.
    â€œSure,” Elizabeth said.
    â€œAnd to drink?” he asked.
    Elizabeth gave a little snort. “Make it milk.”
    Silva glanced at her wrist. “Break?”
    â€œSprain. But I figure that milk helps to keep the bones strong if I fall down mountains in the future.”
    Silva smiled at her. “I’m Silva, by the way. I’m the proud owner of the Victorian Tea Shop.”
    Sam scowled as he watched them, then turned to dry more glasses.
    â€œI take it Sam’s not happy about this,” Tom said. Silva had waitressed at the tavern forever, even though with their longevity, she was only twenty-eight in human years.
    â€œNope,” Silva said. “It’s time I had a place of my own. I’ll waitress over there and I’ll be the owner. Which means I can decorate it to my heart’s content. If you hang around long enough,” she said to Elizabeth, “you can come to the grand opening.”
    â€œThanks. Maybe I can come back some other time.”
    Silva glanced at Tom as if he was supposed to keep Elizabeth here a while longer, if nothing else, to ensure that Elizabeth came to her grand opening.
    Elizabeth cleared her throat uncomfortably and asked Silva, “Do you ski?”
    Silva laughed and said, “I’ve only been up to the ski resort one time. I went to the ski lodge and had a hot toddy.” She shrugged. “If wolves were meant to ski, they wouldn’t have nonslip paw pads.” She paused before she left to place their orders. “You’re staying overnight, at least, aren’t you?”
    â€œYeah. I am.”
    Silva gave her a big smile. “You’ve got to meet Darien’s mate, Lelandi. She’d love to visit with you.”
    â€œI think we’ll see her tonight.”
    Silva glanced at Tom. “Good. Sounds real good. I’ll get your food.” She headed for the bar.
    Sam shoved a tray on the counter, two sandwiches already on the plates, along with a beer and one glass of milk.
    â€œWhy thank you, Sam. That was quick.”
    He grunted at her.
    Silva whipped around and brought the tray to Tom and Elizabeth’s table. “He’s mad at me,” she whispered to them, “because I’m leaving him to work my own place and he has to find a new waitress. I’ve got new horizons.”
    â€œSometimes we have to spread our wings,” Elizabeth agreed. “Sometimes it’s time to take a chance and make some big changes in our lives.”
    â€œYou sound like you speak from experience,” Tom said.
    Elizabeth looked uncomfortable, then shook her head. “Silva sounds like she’s in a place where she