“I think that there’s something going on that I don’t understand but I don’t blame all of Pacific for it. Do you have any ideas?” Tracy asked casually, wondering what Shelley would say, if anything at all.

“Well, if you’re asking me, I’d have to say I think Sarah is behind it. She and Jo are bosom buddies, you know, and Jo is dumb as a rock. Way too stupid to have thought that little scene up on her own. And that stuff on the porch? Well, I don’t know the whole story but it sounded like Sarah was in the wrong somehow and you took her to task for it. And good for you.”

Tracy briefly outlined the situation with the phone call and Shelley was scandalized. “You have to be kidding me! I’d have killed the bitch!”

Tracy laughed. “I seriously wanted to for a while but Nick wanted so much for things to be all right that I let it go. I mean, I knew part of her apology was for Nick’s benefit but I didn’t knowallof it was! I just have a hard time believing last night was about her wanting Nick to herself. I mean, she’s risking tearing the Pack apart with this. She has to know that Nick is my mate. She doesn’t stand a chance.”

Shelley shook her head as they pulled into the driveway of the first house. “I don’t know, Tracy. It all seems very suspicious to me. But there’ve been some…” She stopped speaking as Nick came to the door to open it for Tracy.

“Tell me later if you don’t feel comfortable saying it in front of Nick,” she murmured and let him open her door.

By the third house, Shelley had told Tracy that she’d gone out with the wolf who’d handled the basic accounting for the Pack and he’d quit and gone tight-lipped. In the end, he’d actually left the Pack.

Shelley had thought it odd at the time but figured he’d felt like there was no real room for him in the Pack hierarchy and that’s why he’d left. She hadn’t thought of it again until she’d started thinking about how odd Ben and Sarah had been acting and when it’d all started up.

“Is it okay if I talk to Nick about this? I think he should know. I promise you he won’t be upset with you.”

“Okay. I don’t know much more than that. Like I said, I’d forgotten it entirely until last night.”

When they pulled up the long driveway leading to the last house, Tracy sat stunned. They drove up a hill and when they reached the top, there sat a Spanish Colonial, complete with a courtyard, fountain and gardens.

“Oh my goodness, who’d have expected this?” There was a lovely circular drive and lots of room at the sides of the house. It was not very common to see that style of architecture in the Northwest and Tracy instantly fell in love with the circular arches and the pretty gardens.

She was out the door before Gabe or Nick could get there, staring, openmouthed, at the house.

“This place just opened up yesterday. The same family that had it built ten years ago has moved to London. They’re good friends of mine but they don’t know if it’ll be for a year or permanent just yet.

They are very nice people. The rent isn’t too high for a place this big.” The details Shelley was giving floated around Tracy as they walked into the open front hallway. The tile was a warm red glaze with pretty blue, cream and yellow accents inset here and there. The ceilings were high and big windows lined the first floor, flooding the house with light.

There were five bedrooms and huge closets. The kitchen was a dream with a huge island and a giant fridge and freezer. A cook’s fantasy. It looked out over a very large fenced yard with a pretty view. No immediate neighbors to either side.

“I’d ask what you think but, baby, you have no poker face at all.” Nick grinned at her. “What do you think, Gabe?”

“It’s beautiful and clearly Tracy loves it. When can we move in?”

“I just need to run a credit report and get a deposit and the first and last month’s rent and you can have the keys.”

“Milton is going to love the yard. Dogs are okay, right?”

“I’m sure if it was a stranger, no. But I know Nick and I know he’ll take care of the house and I can vouch for you with them.”

“Let’s do it. Can you handle selling my apartment?” Nick put his arm around Tracy, unable to not touch her.

“Hell yes! I’ll buy the damned thing, I’ve wanted that place for two years now. No offense, Tracy, but I think most of his appeal, other than the face, was that apartment.”

Caught by surprise, Tracy laughed. “Well, you can have the apartment, I’ll keep the face.”

Shelley grabbed her hand and squeezed. “You’ve got a deal.”

They all drove back to the office, filled out paperwork, wrote a check and got the keys. Tracy hugged Shelley on the way out. “Thanks for everything. And thanks for telling me all of that stuff. I appreciate it. I don’t know anyone down here and it’s nice feeling like I may have a friend.”

Shelley smiled. “You do have a friend. Truly. I’d love to grab a drink or lunch with you soon, get to know you better. Call me if you need anything else and I’ll keep my eyes and ears open.”

“Thanks.”

Grinning, she rode back to the apartment with Gabe and Nick.

“Okay, I admit it, the house is gorgeous. Good choice, baby.” Nick grinned at her, taking her hand and kissing her palm until shivers ran from the heat of his mouth straight to her pu**y.

“Well, my. Yes. I’m glad you like it. And it’s got space for all of us and a yard for Milton. He will love that fountain and oh, the indoor pool and weight room will come in handy, won’t they?”