Lone Wolf (Wilde Brothers Ranch #6)- Scarlett Grove Page 0,4

finished his lunch, he set the novel aside, feeling satisfied on both accounts.

Sally gave him his check, and he left her a generous tip. Then Dylan walked out of the café, looked down at his book, and frowned. He always hated finishing a novel. It left an empty space in his life. He liked to jump into a new one as soon as possible. He didn't have another book ready, though. He could always download something new onto his e-reader.

Fate Rock Books was across the street. He looked at his watch and decided he could spare a few minutes to go shopping for himself. He crossed the crosswalk and slipped into the bookstore. The tiny shop had been running continuously for almost seventy-five years. Barbara Madison, who must have been ninety years old, sat behind the register. She greeted him affectionately when he walked in the door, the doorbell tinkling softly to announce his arrival.

“Hello, Mrs. Madison. You're looking lovely today.”

“Thank you, Dylan Wilde. Always such a charmer. I have a new delivery that I think you'd like. I had my granddaughter put them up on the display table.”

She pointed a pale, gnarled finger toward the front display, which showed a new hardback release by his favorite thriller author. Dylan's eyes widened as he walked toward the book and picked up a copy. He read the back cover. It was about a CIA agent involved in an espionage conspiracy. His heart leapt with excitement.

He was heading back to the register when a friend he hadn't seen in ages slipped through the front door. Mrs. Madison greeted Zander Shaw, and the two men met each other by the display table.

“Dylan Wilde,” Zander said, giving Dylan an affectionate pat on the shoulder. Zander was one of the few other alpha males in Fate Rock who enjoyed reading as much as Dylan did.

Dylan, a loner and one of the younger Wilde brothers, chuckled at the idea that he was an alpha male. But he supposed, compared to a lot of men, the ladies might see him that way.

“I see you have the new Dan Patterson novel,” Zander said.

“It looks like a good one. I know that you prefer the literary stuff.”

“And poetry. But to be honest, I always love a good thriller.”

“I have your order, Zander.” Mrs. Madison put a slim volume on the table.

Zander grabbed the Dan Patterson novel and checked out. Both men took their books and walked out onto the sidewalk. The town was preparing for the autumn harvest festival. Pumpkins, ghosts, and witches were popping up in store windows all around town.

“How are things at the Wilde ranch? I see your products advertised in every gourmet establishment around town. And your sister-in-law and brother opened that boutique down the street. I told Emma I’d pick up her order.”

“I’ll walk with you,” Dylan said.

“Have you had any luck finding your mate yet?” Zander asked.

“Not yet. I honestly don't know if I have any time for a mate right now. The warehouse gets busier every day. And I don't feel like I can keep up. With Shane in Denver and Gunner opening the fashion boutique with Cassidy, I just don't have the extra hands or brains. I've been thinking about asking Austin to hire someone. But we’ve never considered bringing on anyone other than a Wilde or an intern.”

“Well, if you ever need any help with background checks, just let me know,” Zander said. “I know a guy.”

They walked into the boutique. Cassidy and Gunner were busy putting up displays and hanging garments. The shop was much more upscale and impressive than Dylan had ever expected his little brother Gunner to accomplish. But Cassidy, Gunner’s mate, had a degree from the Fashion Institute in New York. And her mom had cosigned on the loan to open the boutique. They worked out of Cassidy’s workshop on the McCoy ranch.

Cassidy and Gunner’s relationship had come after a peace agreement in a longtime feud between the Wildes and McCoys. Gunner had always been such a rebel. Who knew that he had been an artist all along? Dylan couldn't help but feel a little bit envious of his brother. He’d found his mate and his calling in life. Meanwhile, Dylan was drowning in packing slips and emails, and he was still without his fated one.

“Dylan, Zander, it's good to see you,” Cassidy said. “Zander, I have Emma’s order. We've completed all of the tailoring. Now if she tries it on and needs any additional alterations,