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that?”
    His dad’s brow raised and furrowed ever so slightly. “Frank Red Hawk told me about it.” He glanced back at Keaton and smiled. “So, Keaton, where are you from?”
    “Georgia, sir.”
    “You’re planning on staying here now?”
    “Uh, maybe. I mean for the time being anyway. My job is here.”
    Joe patted Keaton on the back and led him to the couch. He pushed Keaton down and took a seat across from him. “Tell me about yourself, son. How’s the head? Shot didn’t go too deep did it?” He glanced up at Chay.
    Chay shook his head. What the hell was his dad up to? The man was always friendly, but he’d never taken this kind of interest in Chay’s friends.
    “Good, good. You aren’t a teenager are you?”
    Keaton blinked. From the looks of him, Bit was as confused as Chay. “No, sir. I’m twenty-five.”
    “You’re only a little younger than Chay. What do you do, Keaton? And please call me Joe. We’re family after all.”
    “What?” Chay wasn’t sure who squeaked louder, he or Bit.
    Chay cleared his throat and tried again. “What?”
    Keaton just stared, wide-eyed.
    His dad looked at him, a huge smile on his face. “He’s going to be pack, right? I mean he said he wasn’t going anywhere.” He looked back at Keaton. “Right?”
    Bit nodded, relaxing a little. “Right si—Joe.”
    Yep. The old man was up to something, but damned if Chay knew what. No way could Dad know Keaton was his mate. Chay sat next to Keaton, watching his father closely.
    They sat there for several minutes, Bit answering questions about himself, until his mom popped her head out of the kitchen. “Chay? Where’s your new fri—Oh.” Her gaze landed on Keaton then snapped up to Chay.
    Chay barely held in a sigh. Come on, Mom, don’t give him any shit…please.
    Keaton stood, holding his hand out. “Mrs. Winston, pleasure to meet you. I’m Chay’s friend Keaton.”
    Lena looked startled, but shook Bit’s hand anyway. “Nice to meet you, Keaton. I admit, you weren’t what I expected.”
    “Someone a little taller?” Keaton asked, a chuckle in his voice.
    “Someone a little darker.”
    “Mom.” Chay jumped to his feet.
    “Lena.” So did Joe.
    “Supper is ready.” Lena turned and left, going back to the kitchen.
    Chay touched Bit on the shoulder. “Sorry, Bit. She’s kinda, well, she doesn’t…”
    Joe patted Chay’s shoulder, then Bit’s. “What Chay is trying to say is my wife is a bit on the prejudiced side. Don’t worry about it, son. You’re welcome in our home. She’ll come around. Now…let’s eat.” He sauntered to the kitchen, leaving Chay alone with Bit.
    Bit raised a light brown eyebrow. “You could have warned me.”
    “Sorry. I didn’t know she’d be that obvious. She tolerates my friend Remi all right.”
    “He’s white?”
    “He’s half. And well…he probably doesn’t really count, he looks Apache.”
    “Come on, boys. Brisket’s getting cold.” Joe’s shout echoed through the house.
    Bit grinned. “I like your dad.”
    Chay nodded. “I like him too. Come on before he eats all the food.”
     
    * * *
     
    Even with his mom’s standoffish attitude, the evening went well. Keaton seemed to relax and enjoy himself. The man could be real charming when he wanted to be. Chay caught himself staring more than once over dinner. He couldn’t help it. Keaton drew him like a moth to a flame. He couldn’t wait to run his hands through those blond curls. He wanted to know if that hair was as soft in human form as it was in wolf. And those eyes, damn, he had nice eyes. They actually sparkled when Bit smiled. And dimples. Bit had dimples. Chay hadn’t noticed them before. Of course, that could be because he hadn’t seen Bit smile much.
    “I like your family, Chay.”
    He glanced to the passenger side of the truck, gaze zeroing in on that angelic face. “Good. I think they like you too. My dad does anyway. But my mom…she will too, eventually.” I hope.
    “You think? I