Protector Wolf. Linda Johnston O.

to ensure that wolves remained welcome and safe in this area.

      And hopefully didn’t attack any more people. But neither of them could guarantee that.

      She, though, by giving another talk on staying far away from them might be able to help, at least a bit.

      But would she convince herself...?

      “How about you?” Piers asked. “How long will you be here?”

      “I’d originally thought just a couple of days,” she said. “But it sounds as if there is a lot more I can do here, both by informing people and maybe even finding out about the wolves here and how dangerous they might be. If they attack people, that’s bad for them as well as for the humans near them. It gives people an excuse—maybe even a good one—to hunt the wolves, even though they’re protected in this area.”

      “I think we’re on the same wavelength,” Ryan said, his tone decisive and his expression now not particularly warm but highly businesslike—a good thing.

      “Then let’s work together,” she said. “Find out about that attack last night and try to determine the wolves’ location. And despite the danger those wolves may present—well, I’m hoping to find a way to make sure they’re left alone.”

      “Sounds good to me,” Piers said, nodding, then looking toward Ryan.

      “Absolutely,” he agreed.

       Chapter 7

      Maya found the rest of their breakfast quite pleasant—until it ended and she got into a small squabble with Ryan about who was going to pay for her meal. She allowed Ryan to win after he convinced her that the federal agency he worked for might not directly make contributions to WHaM but would be glad to assist it in at least this small way.

      On the way out, she noticed that Trev was sitting at a table near the door with another man and a couple of women. Good. Though he’d said he wasn’t from this town, he apparently had friends here—and hopefully was putting in a good word with them about WHaM and wildlife.

      And those friends included women. Hopefully he was flirting with them, so Maya didn’t need to feel so uncomfortable with this nice fellow wildlife lover.

      She split up with Ryan and Piers on the sidewalk outside and Maya gave Rocky a goodbye hug. She considered doing the same with the guys—Piers first, although it was really Ryan she wanted to touch again. But she hugged neither man.

      “Where are you off to?” Ryan asked. She had wanted to ask him the same question but had decided not to since it might seem too personal.

      “Oh, I need a few things so I think I’ll head to the grocery store.” She left unsaid that she hoped to learn more from the Sharans about the people in town who were happy that wolves were back. Not to mention whether they’d heard more about what had happened to Morton Fritts.