My Runaway Mate

Chapter 17

Bailey's POV

After my run with Jax, I went about my day is normal.

Hanging out with Maddie and Hannah, working in the garden, and enjoying each others company. I'm really happy to have friends.

Jax's mother walks up to join us. I met her a few weeks ago, right about the time I met Edward. She has been so sweet and kind. She reminds me of my mother. The longer I'm here,the more I feel like I'm home.

As we are laughing and talking in the garden, planting some tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, spinach and what have you, Jax walks up.

"Hello ladies. How's it going?"

"Going good." Jax's mother, Linda responded

"Good to hear. Bailey I was wondering if you wanted go out tonight?"Jax asked me

"You mean, like on a date?" I question very hopeful.

"Yeah like a date" he says with a smile.

" I say, yes" I excitedly say back with an even bigger smile.

"Great! Can you be ready in an hour?" he asked me.

"Sure can."

"Great, see you then" and walks away.

I'm so excited I'm shaking.

"Well,"Linda says "you best be getting ready then."

" Are you sure? I can stay a little bit longer..."

"Nonsense!" Linda interrupted me "go right now and get ready. Girls go with her" she says to Maddie and Hannah.

The three of us excitedly run back to the house and into my room. I was dirty from gardening so I need to take a quick shower. Maddie and Hannah said that they would go through my clothes and find me something to wear.

When I realized I don't have nice clothes with me mostly just tank tops and leggings, my usual attire.

Hannah says "no worries we're about the same size.Let me go see what I have in my closet."

And with that I take a quick shower excited for my date with Jax.

After I'm showered and dressed Hannah and Maddie are fussing over my hair and makeup.

I'm really not used to this kind of treatment. Normally I would just apply some mascara and face powder and be out the door, but Maddie insisted I go 'all out.'

Hannah loaned me an off the shoulder, floral print blouse with a pair of designer jeans, with wedges to wear.

It really was a beautiful outfit, perfect for an afternoon date.

Hannah is doing the finishing touches on my hair.My hair is naturally curly, so she didn't have to do a whole lot with it.

Applying some hair spray, and a few bobby pins to hold it in place.

"There. Perfect" she says.

Yeah, Jax won't be able to keep his hands off you" Maddie says which causes me to blush.

Just then I hear a tap at my door. Maddie goes to open it and let Jax in.

"Hey you.." Jax suddenly stopped. His eyes light up and his jaw drops. "Bailey, you look gorgeous" he says to me.If it was at all possible, my face just got ten times more red.

"Thank you" I say and smile back at him "you look good too." I'm not lying. He did.

He had on a nice pair of jeans and a button-up collared shirt that fit him just perfectly. You can see the outlining of his perfectly built physique. I really was blessed with this man.

"Well then, let's get going" he says to me as he extends his hand.

I excitedly take it and we head down the stairs for our first date.

"Have fun you guys" Hannah said.

As we are heading out the door Kip runs up Jax.

"Jax, Suzanne from the office is calling she says it's urgent."

" Did she say what it is" Jax asked

"No, she just said she has to talk to you right now."

" Bailey I'm so sorry give me one minute."

It's ok," I say "go take care of what you have to do I can wait"

He kisses my hand as he runs back up to his office to take a phone call.

Kip stays with me. "So, first date huh?" he says

"Sure is" I say back "but what other job does he have besides being Alpha?" I asked him, suddenly realizing I had no idea what else he did.I never thought to ask.

Kip responded "Have you ever heard of McKenna Enterprises?"

"Yes I have actually."

" That's what he does."Kip said "He's the CEO and owner."

My jaw drops. McKenna Enterprises is a multimillion-dollar corporation.They own many businesses.

"I bet you didn't know your mate was a billionaire did you?" Kip says with a laugh.

"No, I had no idea" I said back

Just then Jax comes back down the stairs he looks upset.

"Bailey I'm so sorry.We're going to have to postpone. There's a problem with one of my companies and I need to go and investigate. I'm so sorry"

"That's okay," I say "maybe tomorrow?" I question hopefully.

I am disappointed but I understand.He does have a business to run.

"Sure, we can schedule for tomorrow."he says

"Why don't you take her with you?" Kip says.

Jax's eyes light up.

" I mean do you want to come with me Bailey? It is one of the diners that I own. We can still grab a bite to eat."

"Sure" I say excited to see a little bit of what he does.

"All right then, let's go."

And we head to the diner he has to go check on.

******************************************

Jax's POV

Bailey is sitting in a booth waiting for me while I look into the problem from the diner.Apparently one of their main grills went out on them.

I'm looking into it right now to see if I could fix it .

"There's no fixing this. The pilot blew and it won't heat up."I tell the manager. "The grill is shot. I'll have a new one ordered today. You should have it by tomorrow."

"Thank you Mr. McKenna."the manager says.

I sit on the other side of the booth across from Bailey

"Well the good news is I figured out the problem. The bad news is no burgers."

She laughs "That's okay."

"Good news again, the fryers are still working. We can have chicken strips and fries."

"That actually sounds really good. With ranch on the side?" she asked in a cutesy voice

"Anything you want baby doll." I say back.

"Ok, just excuse me one minute, while I use the ladies room." And she gets up and head to the restroom.

As I'm sitting waiting for Bailey to return, a man walks into the diner. I know it's a wolf. I can sense it, and he's not from around here.

I've never forgotten about Grayson and his trackers and this wolf could be one of them. I'm thankful Bailey is in the bathroom right now and, I'm scared because I can't mind link her to stay in there.

If she comes out and he sees her, Grayson will know where she's at. I can't risk it.

I walk up to the wolf. He senses me too. I'll try to be friendly at first.

"Afternoon"I say to him. He doesn't respond to me.

"What brings you to this part of town" I ask again.

He looks at me annoyed "What's it to you?"

"What's your business here?" I asked him back.

"You a cop or something?" he says.

Now I'm getting really pissed off.

"I'm Alpha of the Blue Moon pack down the road" I say to him.

" I haven't crossed onto your territory" he says.

Technically he's right. The diner is not on pack lands, but there are humans around. If this guy is up to no good, I have an obligation to protect the humans as well as my mate and my pack.

"No, but I am the owner of this place" I say to him and he looks at me. He doesn't blink and is showing no fear.

"Good for you"he says.

"As the owner I have the right to refuse service to anybody and I'm refusing service to you. Why don't you leave?" I say

I know Bailey could walk out of the bathroom at any second now. I have to get her a cell phone until I can mind link her.

"I haven't done anything for you to refuse me service."he says back to me.

Man this guy's got balls.

"A rogue in my Diner is enough for me" I say, trying not to tip him off if he is in fact a Tracker.

" I'm just passing through town," he says "I'm hungry and I'm tired. Just let me eat and I'll leave. I don't want any trouble." he says

"There are other places to eat and rest at." I say back to him.

"You got some sort of problem with me?" he asks as he stands up to meet me in my eyes.

" I don't like rouges." I say back to him.

" Well lucky for you,I'm not a rogue"

"What pack are you from?"

"None of your business."

It's taking everything in me to stay calm. I'm ready to break this guy's neck.

"You tell me you're not a rouge, but won't tell me which pack your from? Sounds like you are looking for trouble."

He's standing face to face with me, trying to stare me down. I'm not afraid of him. Actually, I'm a little impressed.

"And if I was, what would you do about it?" he challenged.

That was just the invite I needed. I grab him by the arm and shove him towards the door.

"Let's step outside, and I'll show you."

"Alright then." he says back.

As we are heading out the door,he stops dead in his tracks. He's getting the same scent I am. That sweet scent of vanilla and cinnamon. He looks right at me. I see it registers on his face. He knows. Bailey is here.

Damn it!