Skin Walkers: Monroe Read Online Free Page A

WhiteEagles.”
    “Alright, be safe .  Oh, by the way, how’s Peyton?”
    “Getting better,” Eden sighed.  “Her fever broke over the weekend and n ow she’s just tired and cranky.  Poor baby.”
    The smile was back in Robert’s voice, “ I’m glad she’s feeling better.  I hate it when little ones fall ill.”  He paused a moment.  “It was real good of you to take those kids in.  I know it’s a lot for a single woman to handle, but in case nobody’s told you in a while you’re doing a damn good job.”
    Eden smiled, “Thanks Rob.  I needed that.”
    “Anytime.  Okay, be safe.”
    Then the line cracked and went dead.   Be safe .  It was how Robert ended nearly all their conversations.  He knew her well and knew that she took more risks than the average Wildlife Department warden.  Often volunteering for dangerous retrieval missions and predator stalks, Eden had earned a reputation in the agency for being the go-to-gal when there was a job that no other warden would take.
    “Great, now I get to explain myself to Richard.”  She huffed out a sigh then slammed her foot on the brake as a flash of streaked fur caught her attention.  She sat with her eyes focused on the area where she’d seen the movement.  The fine hairs on the nape of her neck rose in warning telling her that she was being watched.
    Reaching a gloved hand down, she put the car in park before rolling down her window and killing the ignition.  Brisk westerly winds blew in and stung her cheeks as she watched and waited. 
    After several moments, she started the truck and rolled up the window.  She knew she hadn’t imagined the movement, but she frequently crept up on animals and sent them racing for cover.  But stripes…  What in the world would have a coat like that?
    She slowly poked her way to the WhiteEagle ranch, keeping her eyes more on the forest than on the actual road.  Gemsbok, panthers, and now striped creatures.  A frown crinkled her brow.  What in the hell is going on?

Chapter 4
    Eden pulled her truck to halt just outside the closed gate of the WhiteEagle ranch.  She hadn’t even unlatched the gate before two black and white collies bounded toward her barking first a warning then their excitement. 
    “ Ruby, Ruger!” Eden bent to greet each dog in turn while the dogs licked her cheeks excitedly.
    “Edie !” George WhiteEagle strode down the drive toward her in a gait that had been crooked by too many years on horseback.  His slightly bowed legs added emphasis to the faded old cowboy hat and denim jacket that screamed ‘true cowboy’.
    Eden stood and quickly closed the distance to him, not wanting the old-timer to have to walk further than necessary.  As she approached she yanked the glove off her hand before extending it, “George.”
    His weathered hand was warm as it clamped around her small fingers. 
    “See you got my message.  Let’s go in, Dorothy’s got coffee on.”
    Eden followed the old cowboy to the ranch house.  Inside, the home was as warm as Dorothy’s smile as she hugged her greeting to Eden.
    “So good to see you my girl.  Sit, I’ll pour you a coffee.”
    Eden took a seat at the small table, knowing better than to waste her time refusing anything Dorothy would offer. She’d learned quickly that to Dorothy WhiteEagle, ‘no thank you’ wouldn’t be tolerated.  Eden smiled at the endearment ‘my girl’.  It was something the old Cree woman had called her since the first time they’d met.
    The WhiteEagle’s house was simple, much like her own, but Eden couldn’t seem to replicate the warmth that permeated from its confines.  It wasn’t the wood burning stove in the corner, or the fresh bread baking in the oven that made the home so warm either.  It had taken Eden several years to realize that the welcoming feel was the result of familial affection that the WhiteEagles lavished on each other, the dogs, and any guest that was fortunate enough to enter the home.