Read Online Kindling Flames: Flying Sparks (The Ancient Fire Series Book 2) by Julie Wetzel - Free Book Online

shifting to look into the box. “Of course it would be silver,” he grumbled as he looked at the cloak pin with a scowl. “Still, it’s a pretty piece of junk.”
    “Just because you can’t wear it does not mean it’s junk,” Darien reprimanded the wolf. He shifted so he was supported on his elbow and looked past Vicky at the alpha. “I think it is a very appropriate gift for this situation. He obviously put some thought into it.”
    Darien reached down into the box and picked up the pin to look at it more closely. “These aren’t easy to come by in this day and age.” He flipped the pin over to inspect the craftsmanship. “This had to be something he’s been working on since that night.” Setting the pin back in the box with the shawl, he added, “And, I rather like the color.”
    “It doesn’t matter if you like the color,” Rupert jabbed. “Does she like the gift?”
    The two men looked at Vicky expectantly.
    “Um…” She felt awkward under their eyes. “It’s very nice,” she admitted. Vicky picked up the pin and played with it for a moment. “I’ve always liked old, Irish things,” she said absentmindedly.
    Amusement lit Darien’s face as he watched her investigate the gifts. She had no idea what she had just said and how it applied to him. He thought about reminding her that he was an “old, Irish thing,” but decided that he would just leave it for the moment. They had company, and it wouldn’t do to embarrass her in front of the werewolf.
    “Well.” Rupert broke the silence that had fallen in the room as he pushed himself up from the chair. “Now that that’s over, I need to get back to what I was doing.” Facing the bed, he addressed them both. “Darien. Miss Westernly.” He nodded his head in farewell before turning to the door.
    “Good night,” Vicky called, dropping the shawl to her lap.
    “Good night, Rupert.” Darien watched the wolf leave. He waited for the door to close fully before he reached for the woman in front of him.
    Vicky squeaked when his arms snaked around her middle, and he slid down the bed against her.
    “You are all right, aren’t you?” Darien mumbled into her back, where his face was pressed.
    Her insides quivered at the contact, and she laid her hand over where his arms were pressed into her stomach. What had brought on this response? Was he worried because he felt responsible for introducing her to this world, or was it because he truly cared about her? “I’m okay,” she answered. “I was just shocked when he came in.”
    Darien gave Vicky a squeeze and took a little more comfort from her physical closeness before releasing her to sit up.
    Vicky’s feelings had been confusing before, and she thought she had sorted them out, but the man’s actions had just jumbled them up again. She was at a loss and needed to talk to someone to sort them out. If only her mother didn’t live so far away. Vicky gasped as she remembered that she still needed to call her mother.
    Darien heard the sharp intake of air and looked around for what might have caused the reaction. “What?”
    “I need a phone.” Vicky looked up at him with pleading eyes. “I don’t think that anyone’s called my mother about the fire.”
    He smiled and relaxed again. “You can’t use a cell phone in the intensive care unit. If you give me her number, I’ll call her and give her the number for the phone in here,” Darien offered.
    Vicky raised her eyebrows in surprise. “You’re willing to call my mother?” she asked in disbelief.
    “Sure,” he agreed.
    “All right.” Vicky found something to write her mother’s number on.
    “I’ll be right back.” Darien slipped from the room to make the call. He could tell Vicky was apprehensive about him talking to her mother, but how hard could it be? Stepping out of the intensive care unit, he found a quiet waiting room where it would be safe to make a call. He punched the buttons on the phone and listened as the line