Page 38 of Scout’s Honor

Dakota stepped between Bonhi and Dallas theatrically, catching Bonhi’s eye. “Buy us dinner tonight,” she said, “And we'll call it even.

Bonhi laughed. “Yeah, okay, sounds great. Italian?”

“Sure, I love Italian.”

“Okay, I know a great takeout place. We can eat at my place. I’ve got a fire pit out back along with horseshoe pits.”

Dakota stood on tiptoes and ruffled Dallas’ hair, saying, “Sounds like a date!” She went outside and stared up at the sky, hands on hips.

“You’re coming, right?” Bonhi said, looking at Dallas from under her lashes.

Dallas nodded. “Wouldn’t miss it,” he said, but he didn’t smile. Bonhi didn’t realize she was being guarded… or she didn’t want to admit it.

Hours later, dusk had fallen. Bonhi was in her bathroom on the second floor, where a small window looked out over the backyard. She’d finished showering and dressing, and her hair was almost dry. Dallas had taken a quick shower and changed clothes, bringing in a fresh outfit from his car. He and Dakota were in the backyard, and they had a strong fire burning in the pit.

Bonhi watched Dallas out the window in the light of the fire. He was playing horseshoes with his sister and he looked good. He was wearing jeans and a long-sleeve combat shirt with black field boots. His muscles rippled invitingly under his shirt with his every move.

Dakota looked at the sky and said something to Dallas that Bonhi couldn’t make out. Bonhi looked up to see if it was Aven returning. Dakota had said he could shift into a golden eagle, and just… fly away. Bonhi couldn’t believe it. She needed to see it.

She searched the sky and saw a golden eagle coming in fast. The thing was huge! It SKREE’d a few times while flying lazy circles around her yard, then it divebombed into the forest while Dallas and Dakota laughed. Bonhi watched closely, not sure what would happen next.

After a moment, the eagle flew out of the forest, straight into Bonhi’s yard. It landed in the grass and walked under an awning, then it changed, growing at an explosive rate, feathers melting into clothing, talons molding into boots, bird beak and face morphing into Aven, while Dakota whooped and laughed and ran over to meet him.

“Wow,” Bonhi breathed. He was a man who could turn into an eagle, just like Dallas could turn into a jaguar. Her mind was at war, both clamoring to get to know Dallas better and shouting to stay away from him, but she was already falling for him and that scared her. She didn’t need to be swept away into his world where things didn’t make sense. She had so much work to do.

Bonhi steeled herself for the evening ahead. If she could just get him out of here without kissing him, maybe that would be it. She could get back to her life tomorrow and try to forget how good he smelled, and how well he’d protected her. Maybe they could date, and she could… control the pace a little better without him leaving her life completely.

She dressed, putting on jeans, a pretty purple blouse and a lighter purple pashmina for warmth, and boots.

Bonhi went downstairs. She grabbed the bags of takeout off her counter and took them out into her private backyard with six-foot privacy fences and the forest lining the back. The fire and tiki torches gave them light to see by.

The others were nearby, talking. Bonhi raised a hand to Aven, then began to lay the food out on the picnic table.

“Momeyer wasn’t blurry,” Aven told Dallas and Dakota. “But he did twitch a few times, exactly like Hank. No vampires, though.”

Bonhi didn't listen. It was none of her business and her brain was sticking on that word vampires. She didn’t want to believe that for a second… but if there were shifters, which she’d seen with her own eyes, could there be vampires, too? And witches?

No. Definitely not witches.

“Food’s here,” Bonhi called, hoping everyone would stuff their faces, and no one would bring up witches. She directed Dallas what to bring out of the kitchen, and where to find it, then she laid out lasagna, baked ziti, salad, garlic bread, and chicken parmesan. Dallas brought out the plates and silverware, and they sat to eat with Dakota next to Aven and Dallas next to Bonhi at the picnic table. Two nearby bug zappers zapped occasionally while they ate.

In the forest, a fox or coyote called to its mate, which made several animals bark and howl back for a few minutes. Bonhi was silent, and the others were, too, all with an ear cocked to the forest. This was why Bonhi lived out here in the middle of nowhere, because she loved nature, wilderness, and wild animals. The thought made her look at Dallas. He was already looking at her. She flushed and smiled at him. In the forest, owls called and replied to each other, oblivious to the sudden heat filling Bonhi.

“So Bonhi,” Dakota said. “How old are you?”

Bonhi smiled, her face heating at the open appreciation and sexual attraction she found in Dallas’ eyes. She looked away and said, “35.”

Dakota nodded busily. “Mm-hm. Dallas is 37. Want kids?”

“Dakota, stop,” Dallas said dryly.

Bonhi locked her gaze on Dallas, saying, “Yup, two.”

Dallas smiled and nodded like that would be fine with him. Damn. The man was perfect.

“Two, got it,” Dakota said, like she was taking notes. “Have you tried to do magic yet?”

Bonhi’s mood soured a little. “No. Not interested.” She gave Dakota a look that said that was the end of it.