"I could probably ask my mom," Evie put in, "just to make sure we each have a partner. Safety in numbers, you know. Mom likes to kick it up, from time to time."

Brynne's eyes widened. "No need to bother Mrs. Steele. Count me in."

Evie smiled, and smugness danced along the edges.

"I played right into that one, didn't I?"

"She survived four older brothers," Carlie Beth said. "One boutique owner doesn't stand a chance."

"Are we sharing our plan with the guys ahead of time?" Brynne asked.

"You're kidding, right?" Evie asked. "They'll go ballistic."

Doubt shoved aside Randi's joy at her friends' support. "Ballistic?"

"Don't let a little Steele anger scare you off," Carlie Beth said.

"We didn't part on a good note earlier, and now I worry this will make things worse."

"If it'll make you feel better, I'll bring Jonah in on our scheme," Evie said.

"Let's work out the details first."

"In the short time I've been accepted into the Steele clan," Brynne said, "I've learned one important lesson." She held Randi's gaze. "If you want to maintain a certain level of control and independence while dating a Steele, you need to establish boundaries from the get-go." Her features softened. "Britt and his brothers might not like our plan. They might yell a bit. But those boys will still love us. So, if we believe in our plan, then we execute it and hope for minimal yelling."

"I'm not sure Britt feels for me the same way Reid feels for you. Especially after this morning."

Evie snorted. "He's been moping around my mom's house since he arrived." Her expression turned serious. "Of all my brothers, I'm closest to Britt." She slanted a glance at the other two ladies. "Don't tell Grif or Reid." She turned her attention back to Randi. "I know Britt's moods. I know his dreams, and I know he has never cared for a woman the same way he cares for you."

Hope clutched Randi's chest. "I d-didn't say the words. I was...afraid." Speaking became difficult, air wouldn't come fast enough. "He left angry." She clasped a hand over her eyes, embarrassed. "He left. He left me."

Carlie Beth stood, wrapping an arm around her. Evie cursed her brother.

Randi blinked away traces of moisture from her eyes. Dammit, she would not cry. She couldn't recall the last time she'd indulged in a good, hard cry. Maybe not since realizing she'd lost her mom in all the ways but on paper, over a decade ago.

To cry now, in front of people who loved Britt, was beyond mortifying. She forced herself to smile.

Brynne rubbed her back. "It's the Steele men. They bring out the best-and worst-in us."

Evie joined the three of them at the island. "It might be hard to believe this now, but Britt isn't a runner." She sent Randi a pained younger-sister look. "He's steadfast and present-for everything. To a sister, it's annoying. But I'm sure you'd find it reassuring or hot. He's probably just as confused about his feelings as you are about yours and needed some alone time to sort things out."

Could she be right?

Randi found it hard to believe anyone's mind could be as screwed up as hers. She and Britt had both been under a lot of stress lately, thanks to her mother. She filled her lungs with familiar determination, and focused.

"Okay, ladies. Here's what we're going to do..."

30.

The second Norwood and Ito entered the woods, Randi and Carlie Beth scrambled to follow. After Randi's phone's GPS revealed the winding, gravel drive they'd been traveling down led to a dead end, they'd decided to ditch her Jeep along the roadside and hoof it the rest of the way.

They paused at the edge of the tree line, allowing their eyes to adjust to the shadows. Deep in the woods, Randi could see a set of stationary lights.

"Is that a house back there?" Randi whispered.

"Not sure." Carlie Beth pointed to her left. "There's a footpath."

"Let's go."

"Wait."

"Don't lose your nerve now."

"I don't like this."

"The forest isn't my preferred environment either, but this could be the place they're hiding Calypso."

"I'm not worried about traipsing into the woods. My instincts are clanging together like two empty beer bottles."

"Beer bottles?"

"You know what I mean. Any time I don't follow my instincts I generally wind up in trouble."

"They're getting out of visual range. Make up your mind."

"Okay, but I'm updating Evie and Brynne." Carlie Beth tapped out a short message and nodded.

Randi bent low and ran toward the biggest tree she could find. She caught a glimpse of a camouflaged back. They leapfrogged from one tree to another before coming to rest behind an enormous thick-leaved rhododendron where the woods met the cabin's tattered front yard.

"Doesn't look like much of a rich man's retreat."

Randi took in the faded green shutters hanging askew and the weathered and bowed wraparound porch. "I get the feeling they don't spend a lot of time here."

"You take one side and I'll take the other?"

Randi agreed with the wisdom behind her friend's words, though she didn't like the idea of them splitting up.

"Let's regroup in five minutes around back."

"Got it."

She followed Carlie Beth's furtive movements until her friend disappeared into a vat of darkness. Randi pushed out of her hiding spot and hurried to the opposite side of the cabin. Two windows came into view. Heavy plaid curtains blacked out the first one and the other glowed like a lighthouse beacon.

She headed toward the light.

With her back against the cabin, she gathered her courage before digging her fingertips into the windowsill and rising on tiptoes to peer inside. The brightness momentarily blinded her, leaving her exposed and vulnerable. Her vision cleared, and she found herself looking into a kitchen. Several plates and some silverware sat in a drying rack and an array of empty liquor and beer bottles lined the sink's edge.

But no Norwood or Ito.

Easing away, she made her way around the back of the cabin. Where the front yard looked rundown and unkempt, the backyard appeared immaculate. Nestled in one corner of the flagstone patio sat a jumbo Jacuzzi tub along with several cushioned rocking chairs. The other side sported an outdoor kitchen and stone fireplace. A lush, weed-free lawn spanned out in all directions, with one area terminating at a picturesque red barn.

A hand smoothed down her arm, and Randi caught the shriek in the back of her throat.

"What the hell!" Randi whispered.

Carlie Beth put a finger to her mouth and motioned for her to follow. They skirted the edge of the manicured lawn until they reached the barn.

"What's inside?" Randi asked.

"I don't know. I was waiting for you before I went in."

Carlie Beth eased the door open and got halfway inside before a low, guttural warning growl met her intrusion. Another joined in, and another, creating a chorus of fear. Randi grabbed the back of her friend's denim shirt, yanked her out of the barn, and slammed the door shut. Claws tore at the door and the dogs howled their anger.

"Damn, that was close."

When her friend's knees turned to jelly, Randi wrapped an arm around her waist and forced her to run. "Come on, we're blown."

They made it into the woods and began the long trek to her Jeep when Randi caught another sound. She stopped, tilting her head to listen.

"What's wrong?"

Randi held up a finger, straining to hear.

There.

A mournful howl mixed in with the guard dogs' low, forceful barks.

Calypso.

"She's here."

"Where?"

Randi rotated in place, pinpointing the wolf's location. "Behind the barn."

"You're not thinking of going back?"

"I've got to chance it. I need to make sure." Fear kept her friend immobile. Little wonder. Having someone you care about try to kill you and your daughter could have lasting mental repercussions. "Stay here. If something goes wrong, run for Britt and the others." She dug her car keys out of her pocket. "Take these."

"I'm not hiding in the woods while you go sneaking around."

"I got this, Carlie Beth. Take a breather."

The near miss with the dogs must have shaken up Carlie Beth more than Randi realized, because the tough-as-nails blacksmith stopped arguing and gave her a sharp nod.

"Look, confirm, and get your butt back here."

"Yes, ma'am." Randi took off.

Once she hit the rear of the barn, she slowed her frantic pace. The paradise established at the front of the barn didn't extend to the back. Weeds of all sizes crept their way right up to the barn. Gravel and concrete chunks dotted the area and a rusted tractor would soon become part of the natural landscape.

Jutting out from the center of the building was a tall chain-link dog run. Inside the run paced a large, anxious canid.

Calypso.

The wolf's ears perked up as if she heard the silent call, then the breeding female scurried beneath the lean-to.

Wanting to set the wolf at ease, Randi moved closer, speaking in low tones to the scared animal. "It's okay, girl. We're going to get you out of here."

Calypso didn't take her eyes off Randi or seek her comforting touch. She stood, staring, her tail wedged between her legs.

Randi's attention shifted to the pen door. She didn't see a lock. Could she be so lucky? Could she lift the latch and set Calypso free? Would the wolf find her way home? Or would she roam the mountains lost and alone?

The floodlight outside the pen clicked on, startling Randi and forcing her to squint as she dashed for the woods.

"Leaving so soon, Miss Shepherd?" a bemused masculine voice asked.

Randi stumbled to a halt, searching for the man behind the voice.

With measured, nonthreatening steps, Norwood approached until he stood a dozen feet away.

She scanned the area behind him. No Ito.

"Why are you holding this wolf captive?" A lame stall tactic, but that was the best she could come up with in her fear for Carlie Beth.

"I'm sure you're quite aware of why we're holding the bitch." He readjusted the rifle sling until the weapon rested in his hands. "Though I could be persuaded to release her."

"How?"

"Give me what I want, and I'll give you the wolf."

"Which is?"

"Your property."

"I've already given my word to another buyer."

"Your lover's brother will understand."

Nausea crept into her throat. How could he know about her and Britt?