Hunting Tess by Kathryn Summers (best novels to read in english .TXT) 📗

“If I were you, I would take the easy route and lie down,” Parker advises after putting my duffle bag on the guestroom bed. “Otherwise you’ll be roped into helping one way or another. Because believe you me, you do one little thing and it’s all over. You’ll never have a moment of peace again.”

“Speaking from experience?”

“I was born into this life of peeling potatoes. You have a choice, Addams.”

“I think I’ll take my chances.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Pulling out my charger from a side pocket I plug in my phone.

“So there is a bathroom through that door but it’s shared with the room on the other side, so I would lock the door unless you want me accidently barging in.”

“Duly noted,” I chuckle, before growing somber. “Parker, why did you tell your mom my real name? I mean, I guess I’m not sure what else you could have done, but I am trying to lay low.”

He doesn’t grow annoyed or upset at the suggestion he should have lied to his mom. Instead his face shifts to one of resolve, his gaze unwavering. “You are a part of this pack, Tess. And we protect our own.”

“Why would I be part of your pack?”

He looks at me a moment longer before responding, “Because everyone needs family. You are now part of mine, if you would like.”

I’m pretty sure my face is on fire. Eliza’s last comment about Parker being easy on the eyes drums in my mind so I fiddle with my bag to try and hide my terribly obvious blush.

Finally thinking of a response, I look up to see that he’s already left the room. Well, that could have gone better. Maybe, “hey, thanks for the sentiment, it was really nice”, or “sure, I would like to know your family better”, or “you’re beautiful”. I’m sure any of those would have worked.

“Parker, I need the potatoes here when you’re done. Tess, perfect timing. Could you grab me a large baking dish from that cupboard there? Yup, that’s the one.”

Placing the dish in front of a bowl filled with raw seasoned meat, I take a bar seat at the island where mother and son work.

“So, Tess, you go to CU Boulder?”

“I just graduated, actually.”

“No kidding! Congratulations. Any future plans?”

I look to Parker, not wanting to lie to his mom about the vampires hunting me, but also not sure how much to share. “One day at a time, mom,” Parker laughs. “There’s plenty of time to choose a career.”

“What are you interested in?” Patricia asks, forming meatballs.

“I’m a decent dancer and thought about owning a dance studio after getting my Masters.”

Parker makes a pfft sound with his mouth. “She’s better than good. She’s been chosen for the Performing Arts end of the year showcase since she was a freshman.”

“Is that so? Well maybe you can teach Parker some moves. Goodness knows he did not get any dancing expertise from me.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself mom. I’m sure it’s completely normal to sprain both ankles doing a foxtrot.”

“Only when my partner has two left feet,” she grins, bumping her hip into him.

“I’ll have you know the doctor looked at my feet and said they’re completely normal.”

“That’s because he didn’t ask you to dance.”

I laugh out loud which causes Patricia to laugh as well. A timer beeps and she quickly washes her hands before opening the oven to reveal a large roast.

“Goodness mom, there are four of us. How much do you think we eat?”

She wipes her hands on her apron before checking the meat’s internal temperature with a thermometer. “Your aunt and uncle are coming for dinner,” Patricia says and I don’t imagine Parker’s shoulders hunching near his neck.

When his mom steps out of the room I question him openly. “You don’t get along with your aunt and uncle?”

“I get along great with them and my cousins. It’s the company they bring that’s a different story.”

“Ah. Is this dislike a ‘don’t want to show anyone your wolf’ thing?” A sharp look from him has me burst into a laugh. It takes a moment before my embarrassing giggles subside enough to say, “I’m teasing you. But thank you, that laugh was very much appreciated.”

His eyes look upward as if searching for someone to explain why I am the way I am which puts me in a new fit of giggles.

“But it should only be Gemma and Shelby this time,” Patricia says when she reenters the room with a clear container of wild rice.

“Any friends?”

“One or two,” she says distractedly, heating the stove to the right temperature. Parker sends me a told-you-so look and I wonder just how bad these girls can be.

The front door closes and heavy steps sound down the hallway.

“Did the trial end early?” Patricia asks her husband when he walks into the room.

“We’ll reconvene tomorrow morning.” Whereas Parker got his mother’s hair, everything else comes from his father. “Glad to see you made it, Parker. Things keeping you busy in Boulder?”

“You could say that,” Parker replies, throwing me a crooked smile.

“Any more vampire trouble?”

“Vampires?” Patricia asks, concern creasing her forehead. “What do you mean vampires? When did you run into vampires?”

“Don’t worry, mom, Leo handled them like a pro.”

“Leo! Parker Collins you tell me what’s going on right this instant.”

“And that’s my cue to leave,” Parker’s father kisses Patricia’s temple before heading upstairs presumably to change. The plea Parker sends to his father goes heard but unanswered leaving him to his mother’s wrath.

Guilt bubbles to the surface at Patricia’s worry and Parker’s dilemma. “It’s my fault.” The words burst from my mouth leaving all three of us stunned. “I met Leo during a class my freshman year and knew that he was a shifter. So when I ran into a few. . . acquaintances I knew Leo and his brothers could help me.”

Her eyes flicker from me to Parker and I know this is not the last he will hear about this.

“Your mother hates