The White Wolf of Wishing Moon Bay - Harmony Raines Page 0,2
the cost of the car repairs might just empty her bank account.
The clear air hit her first. A breeze, swept down from the mountains, caressed her skin and she shivered at the threat of snow carried down from the highest peaks. If she got stranded here, she might not be able to cover the cost of the hotel and the car repairs. Yet, as Milo threaded his hand into hers, she had no choice but to get the car fixed, she could only hope it was a quick fix, a cheap fix, and then they could be on their way.
“I can hear someone whistling,” Milo whispered as they neared the entrance to the garage workshop.
“Me, too.” Penny gripped his hand tightly. This scene had all the makings of a horror movie. An unarmed woman and child lured into a backwater town and never seen or heard from again. “Hello!”
She stopped walking and stood in the pool of light spilling out from the garage. Not that there was anyone else around to see them. A quick glance over her shoulder confirmed there was no one else in sight.
“Hello.” A cheery face accompanied the cheery voice.
Yep, way too friendly. Or maybe they were just desperate for business. How many car repairs could there be in a small town like Wishing Moon Bay?
“Our car broke down.” Milo grinned at the guy who approached them as if they were the luckiest people alive. He had the sunniest nature and a way of setting people at ease. Despite his age, Milo was great with people, young or old.
“I heard.” The guy looked past Penny and cast a critical eye over her ten-year-old Ford. “We can take a look at it if you want?”
“Now?” she asked hopefully. If it was just a loose connection or a nut that needed tightening, she might be on her way within the hour and still get to Helena’s tonight.
“In the morning.” The guy smiled brightly. “We were just about to close.”
“Oh.” She looked over her shoulder at the town with the moon hanging low over the mountains that seemed to cradle Wishing Moon Bay. “Is there a hotel?”
“A hotel?” The guy nodded. “Sure...” He did not sound sure.
“Is it far?” Milo asked.
“No, not too far. Just follow the street and you’ll find it. It’s called Wishing Moon Hotel.” He nodded and stuck out his hand, which was washed clean of all dirt and grime. “I’m Frank, by the way.”
“Penny.” She put her hand in his and shook it.
“I’m Milo.” He offered his hand to Frank.
“Good to meet you, Milo.” Frank smiled widely.
“We should go and get an overnight bag from the car and then I’ll drop the keys back to you.” Penny turned around and hurried back to the car. “What do you need?”
“I already have Mr. Wolfy.” Milo patted the head of his favorite cuddly toy. “PJs, a toothbrush...” He watched as Penny quickly sorted through their luggage. She soon had two backpacks with everything they needed for a night in a hotel. With a sigh, she checked that everything was secure before she closed the trunk and headed back to the garage.
“Thank you so much. Can you look at it first thing in the morning? We’re supposed to be staying with my sister. She’s expecting us tonight.” She gave an apologetic smile. Soon she’d have to make a phone call to Helena.
“Sure, I’ll take a look at it first thing in the morning,” Frank assured her before she gave him the keys.
“So the hotel is straight along the street?” Penny didn’t want to be wandering around at night, in a strange town, trying to locate a place to sleep
“Straight down the street.” Frank sliced his hand through the air and nodded. “Tell Logan that Frank sent you.”
“Thanks.” With a backpack on her shoulder and her son’s hand in hers, Penny turned her back on the garage, walked past her car, resisting the urge to kick it, and headed straight down the street, trusting that Frank was pointing them in the right direction in the town which didn’t really exist.
What else could go wrong?
Chapter Two – Logan
“I just need to get some air.” Logan pushed open the back door that led from the kitchen out into the small, paved area where the trash cans were stored. The door bounced back at him and he cursed himself for nearly taking the damn door off its hinges. He did not need more maintenance work at Wishing Moon Hotel.