Once Forgotten Twice Loved by Bryce Evans Read Free Book Online Page B

lodge?” asked Ash.
    Larken knew the getting to know each other session had started. He already decided to go with it, and hopefully she would learn to like him. “Well, my father built the lodge in 1978, and it has been in my family ever since. Most of the pack works here or in town, so it has been beneficial for my family.” Larken smiled at Ash. He was about to ask her a question when Betty, the waitress, walked up to the table to take their order.
    “Welcome to the Meadowland Lodge, folks. My name is Betty, and I will be your server today. Would anyone like another drink from the bar before you order? Maybe some appetizers to start off with?” Betty smiled down at her Alpha but didn’t address him. All the men ordered another beer. Betty looked down at Ash, who seemed to be casting glances at Larken. “Would you like another one, ma’am, or something else to drink?”
    “Oh, yes, that would be fine, Betty, thank you,” replied Ash.
    Betty smiled at Ash. “No problem, sugar. I will be right back with your drinks.” Before Betty turned around, she stopped herself and asked Larken, “Would y’all like some appetizers before your meal?”
    “Any suggestions, Ash?”
    She looked up, surprised Larken asked her. Ash always had an appetite, so she suggested one. “Well, I think I would like to try the Calamari.”
    Nash laughed. “You still like that stuff?”
    Ash giggled and looked at Nash then Larken. “Yes I still do, but I forgot that you and everyone else likes meat, so I will pass. You suggest something, Nash.”
    “Betty, we want some Calamari for the lady, and I know I want to try the potato skins. Everyone says they put a lot of bacon on them,” Larken said as he looked up at Ash and winked. “What else would you like to try? Jonas, you suggest something.” Larken nudged Jonas, smiling.
    “Okay, well it says here that you have pieces of ham and cheese rolled up called pinwheels. That is what I want to try.” Everybody started laughing as they looked at Jonas. “Well, I haven’t had them, so I’m going to live a little, and since you are paying for it, hell, let’s try everything.” Jonas looked at Larken, smiling back at him, chuckling.
    Ash liked the bantering back and forth between Larken and Jonas. It made the atmosphere more relaxed.
    “You heard the man, Miss Betty. We want a variety of everything.”
    “Sure, Alpha, umm sorry, yes, sir.” Larken winked at Betty, letting her know that her slip was fine. Everyone at the table knew what he was.
    “Ash, what do you do at the police department?” Jonas asked.
    “I’m a detective.”
    “Is there anything you would like to do besides being a detective?” Jonas asked.
    “I love it. I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t be a detective. I don’t know about you, Sheriff, but it brings peace to my life,” Ash answered.
    Larken knew he was in trouble now. She would want to keep on working. Larken guessed he could ask his brother, who was Sheriff, if he could use her as a detective. He knew she would never be the mate who would just go with the flow of whatever he wanted. Larken sighed.
    Nash noticed Larken flinched when Ash said she wanted to continue to be a detective and couldn’t see her life without being one. He needed Larken to see how much Ash loved her job and being involved helping people. That was the reason she didn’t leave with Nash to come live in Colorado. “Ash is great at her job. She has helped lots of families who couldn’t catch a break. She was their voice when they needed someone to help them. She has helped families of abuse find jobs and move out of the terrible neighborhoods they lived in. She is passionate about her job and goes above the call of duty. She is a kind and caring person.”
    Ash looked up at Nash, surprised at what he said. She reached out and touched his arm, squeezing it.
    “Thank you, Nash. That was sweet of you to say.” Ash didn’t want to look at everyone else. She knew they