Edge of the Woods by Jules Kelley

Author:Jules Kelley
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-64898-055-8
Publisher: City Owl Press

Chapter Thirteen

Leland spent the morning painstakingly typing out his report on Salem Finchley’s death, his official opinion that the man had, in addition to breaking the rules of the preserve to stay overnight in an unapproved campsite, been stalking and disturbing the animals. It was just bad luck that he’d managed to provoke one of them into attacking him.

At least they had a lead on what the wolf looked like, though. Its coat seemed dark, and it had some kind of metal in its right ear, which should help make it unique from the others. Haley’s belief that it wasn’t one of the ones from the preserve made Leland wonder if it was a rogue wolf looking for a new territory or trying to join the preserve’s pack. It might go a long way toward explaining its aggression, especially if the pack had rejected it.

Not that Leland had a lot of experience with wolves, but it seemed like a plausible enough explanation. Either way, it was what he was putting in his report. Animal attack, case closed. And then he could move on to other things—like hopefully fishing or taking Haley Fern on another date. Maybe even taking Haley Fern fishing.

He was letting himself get lost in the idea when his cell phone started buzzing, and he pushed back from the desk to dig it out of his pocket.

Prudence.

“Are you okay?” he blurted as soon as he answered, and he refused to feel like an idiot when she laughed. It was a legitimate question.

“I’m just calling to tell you happy birthday,” she said. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to call you on the actual day, but Dad was home, and you know how he gets if he thinks I’m talking to you.”

Leland rolled his eyes. Did he ever. “You just about gave me a heart attack, Pru,” he scolded, but there was no real heat in it, and she didn’t even acknowledge it. “Why are you calling now? Aren’t you supposed to be in school?”

“Teacher planning day,” she said airily. Leland knew if it had been him saying it, it would have been a lie. He would have just skipped to pick up an extra shift at work. But Prudence was a better student than he had been. She actually liked school, so she probably wasn’t playing hooky. “But at least it means I’m home alone so I can call you in peace.”

He settled back in his chair, relaxing. Talking to his little sister was a welcome change from hunting and pecking for keys on the electric typewriter. “So catch me up on what’s happening with you,” he invited. “You seeing anyone?”

He’d be lying if he said he didn’t both hope for and fear the day his sister started dating. She was a bit of a late bloomer—understandable, with their situation—but he hoped she found someone who’d be good to her and get her out of that house, and not someone who’d be an ass or leave her in the dust when things got hard.

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