Kiss of the Silver Wolf Read Online Free Page A

told her? He'd have to handle her with care. He didn't want to spook her.
    He emptied the glass in one long gulp and licked his lips. “I see you're wearing her bracelet."
    "Yes.” Charlene ran her fingers across the engraved letters. “It makes me feel connected to my mother. I haven't taken it off since Rebekkah gave it to me."
    He heaved a sigh of relief. “I'm glad it gives you a measure of comfort.” She would need it more in the days to come. “Did you read the letter I gave you?"
    "Yes.” Her brow furrowed, and her gray blue eyes deepened a shade. “But it made no sense."
    He spoke in a low voice, trying to choose his words with care. “I didn't want to ask you at the funeral—your pain was so fresh.” He paused. “Did you see your parents before they were cremated?” The look of horror that flashed across Charlene's face told Jethro she had. “We need to talk about what you saw."
    She jumped up, knocked the kitchen chair into the white counter, and slid her back along the wall. She stared at him, wide-eyed, her breaths shallow and ragged. Fear poured off of her in waves.
    She was going to pass out. “Charlene, please, take some deep breaths.” He stood and took a step toward her. “I can help you."
    She put her palm out. “No. Don't come any closer.” She took a deep shuddering breath. “I'm just—upset. The accident photos were worse than I ever imagined. I thought I could handle it. But, it was—it was—” She turned her back to him and fresh waves of fear mixed with grief radiated from her.
    Her palpable pain seared through him. If only she would let him help her.
    His beautiful, stubborn granddaughter whirled around and spoke in a hoarse whisper. “What do you want from me?"
    "Your brother, Joey, he has a problem seen among certain types of individuals—"
    She cut him off mid-sentence. “He has a disease. A medical condition.” Charlene passed a hand over her red-rimmed eyes, and scrubbed her face. “A rare genetic disorder called Gorlin-Chaudry-Moss Syndrome. Passed on through the mother. Joey has it worse than most others. My father died before he could find a cure."
    Jethro sighed. Her rational mind would struggle with the reality of their nature. No way he'd convince her tonight. There were no medical tests that would conclude: Werewolf.
    She sank back down into the kitchen chair and tapped the textbook. “I think there's a connection between neurochemistry and Joey's condition. If I can find a way to repair the altered brain chemistry, I could reverse some of his extreme spasms and neurological tics.” She gave him a teary smile. For a split second she looked so much like Joanna, he thought his heart would break. “At least that's what I plan to do my dissertation on."
    He cleared his throat, half afraid he'd start crying, too. “Blood will tell, Charlene. We've seen a lot of this in Eden. Among our pa—people.” Jethro bit his tongue. He'd almost said pack. He put his wrinkled hand on top of hers. “Come home. We understand better than anyone else. Let us help you. We're family."
    "I know you mean well.” Charlene pulled her hand away and looked him straight in the eye. “I can do this on my own. Joey is happy here. I appreciate your offer. But I have no interest in running an apple farm."
    He pulled a stack of photos out of his coat pocket and spread them across her papers and books. “Take a look at what you're missing.” Trees covered in light pink blossoms filled one photo, a gray and white-trimmed farmhouse appeared in another, and in one whimsical shot, a huge red pig stared up at the camera.
    Charlene smiled. “The pig's pretty cute. He looks like he's smiling."
    "Name's Trotter. Jessie loved that porker. Said he was a human in a pig's body."
    "A pet pig?” She lifted the photo for a closer look. “I've read they're smart. Never thought of one as a pet."
    "She left you the farm and the pig.” Jethro stood, weariness creeping into his old bones. “We'll take