Together they walked out to the street where her parents’ station wagon was parked. Her dad was quite proud of the fact that they had the only wagon in town with the wood paneling on the sides. The drive home only took about five minutes. They lived at the end of Fairchild Lane where it dead-ended. Their house backed up to Bels Creek, which Colleen could actually see through the trees when she looked out her bedroom window.
Instead of going to college or moving to a big city after she graduated high school, Colleen had stayed home and taken on more responsibilities at her family’s business. She had recently become the assistant manager, and she was salting her wages away into a nest egg for when she did move out on her own or got married.
As if reading her mind, her dad broke the silence inside the car. “Pumpkin, I appreciate you taking on the assistant manager position. It’s nice knowing I can leave to run errands and know the store is in good hands.”
“Aw, Daddy, thank you.” She leaned over and pecked him on the cheek, which crinkled when he immediately smiled.
“I know it won’t be long before someone comes along and sweeps you off your feet, then you’ll kick your old man to the curb.”
Colleen shook her head, causing her blond hair to bounce. “I don’t think that will happen anytime soon,” she protested, but immediately thought of the mysterious man who had run out of the store earlier. A vision flashed of her holding his hand while her free hand rested on her belly, swollen with child. A gasp escaped her lips and snapped her out of the daydream. She was surprised to find she was holding her stomach, like in her vision.
“Are you okay, pumpkin?” Her dad’s brown eyes were full of concern when he turned to look at her.
“Yes, I’m fine,” Colleen said and quickly moved her hand onto her lap.
Before her father could say anything else, they had arrived at home, and he was pulling into the driveway. The azaleas and rhododendron in the front flower beds were in full bloom. Some of the blossoms reached as high as the porch railing. The Campbells lived in a Victorian painted a light lavender with darker purple trim. The garage used to be a carriage house, back when horses were the main mode of transportation. It was just large enough to accommodate the station wagon. Her dad didn’t pull into the carriage house, though, and before he turned off the engine, Colleen ran on ahead inside, leaving her dad to get the sack of groceries. The screen door slammed shut behind her, and she slipped off her white Keds before running up the stairs to her right.
Once in her room with the door shut, she took a few deep breaths to collect herself. That vision had felt so real, like she was really pregnant, and as she ran a hand over her flat stomach, she actually mourned for the child that never existed. What on earth? she asked herself, bewildered at the range of emotions.
After running a brush through her hair, pulling it up in a ponytail, and tying it with a ribbon that matched her shirt, Colleen went back downstairs to join her family for dinner. They were already in the dining room. Her dad was seated at the end of the table with his back to a window that looked out over the side yard. Her seventeen-year-old sister, Kelly, and her fourteen-year-old brother, David, were seated to his left. Colleen’s mom was just setting the platter containing a roast on the table right next to a vase displaying a gorgeous arrangement of fresh flowers. Colleen sat down to the right of her dad and her mom took the seat at the other end of the table. They joined hands and said grace before diving in. Bowls and platters were passed around until everyone had full plates. David’s practically spilled over onto the lace tablecloth.
“Ellen, you outdid yourself with this fine feast,” her father praised, and Colleen grinned when her mom blushed from the compliment. Forks scraped against porcelain as they ate and chatted about their days. Callum presented a bottle of cabernet from the crate, and Colleen’s mom opened it, filling the wine glasses for her and her husband, as well as Colleen.
“So, David, what did you do today?” Callum asked.
“Oh, my day was real swell, Dad! I spent the day on Mathews River with Billy and Dewey. We went fishing and swimming.”
“Did you catch anything?”
“No. Well, Dewey hooked an old boot, but that’s it. Oh, and we saw a giant wolf. Billy claims he saw its eyes glow, but I didn’t see anything like that.” David’s face lit up as he recounted his adventure.
“Callum, this is why I get nervous with David running around all day. What if he had been attacked? Lord knows what else is in the woods.”
Colleen finished taking a sip of wine before chiming in. “The animals were here first. We’re encroaching on their land. It’s only natural they’re going to be seen by the river. It’s one of the few water sources around here. Imagine how they feel. We’ve moved in and taken over, just like with the Indians.”
The room grew quiet, and Colleen looked around the table. Her mom’s lips were a straight line, her eyes narrowed in disapproval. “Being vocal about such controversial viewpoints won’t win you any suitors, Colleen,” she said.
“Well, I’d prefer a suitor who shares my views and doesn’t mind a woman who speaks her mind.”
Kelly snorted, and Colleen turned to look at her sister. She had clamped a hand over her mouth, but it didn’t cover up the grin she was trying to conceal. They both had opinions about being stuck at home to be housewives and spent many nights sneaking into one another’s bedrooms to discuss their dreams of changing the world. For Colleen, she saw how the town was creeping farther and farther into the wilderness that surrounded them. She wanted to protect the animals and their habitat. Kelly wanted to break barriers and become the first female fighter pilot in the Air Force. Watching films about the daredevil heroes who flew bombers during World War II had left quite a lasting impression on her sister.
“Callum, say something,” Ellen pleaded, but he only winked, his brown eyes twinkling with amusement.
“I agree with Colleen. I want both my girls to find men worthy of them and their passions. Just like you, Ellen. It wasn’t so long ago when you were coordinating letter-writing efforts for our troops and supporting the young wives left behind.”
“Not me. I’m never getting married. I’m going to stay here forever,” David announced, before stuffing a piece of roast beef in his mouth. “Mom’s cooking is too good to leave behind.” This statement was muffled as he chewed and spoke at the same time. Ellen gave him a pointed look in reprimand at his poor manners but couldn’t help but laugh at his declaration. This dissolved any tension in the room.
Later that night, Colleen tossed and turned, her dreams invaded by the stranger from the store. His blue eyes as his gaze traveled the length of her body, warming her from the inside out. She could even smell him in her dreams, and when she woke up, the scent lingered. A mix of balsam and something spicy. Blaming it on the open bedroom windows and the smell of the forest being carried in on the slight breeze, Colleen got up to close the window closest to her bed.
The moon was full and illuminated everything in a silvery light. Looking out into the backyard, she almost missed the animal partially shrouded in shadow, until it moved. The movement caused the creature’s eyes to glimmer in the moonlight. Colleen gasped and took a step backward, even though she was on the third floor and safe inside the house. Once over the initial shock, she returned to the window and leaned forward, her elbows on the sill. After a few minutes, the animal stepped out of the shadows to reveal a gorgeous mountain lion. Muscles rippled beneath its fur coat as it moved. Then it sat down on its haunches and raised its gaze to meet Colleen’s.
She wasn’t sure how long they stared at each other, but she was captivated by the odd interaction, which was interrupted by a yawn. Her skin was chilled by the night air, and she shivered. When she stood upright, the mountain lion got up, too. She raised her arm and waved farewell. Colleen watched as the giant cat slipped in between the trees that grew along the edge of the yard and disappeared, before turning away and climbing into bed, burrowing under the covers.
Chapter 6
With a groan, Daniel sat up, swinging his legs over the side of his bed. He was buck naked, and shredded bits of clothes were strewn all over the hardwood floor in the cabin. Streaks of mud stained the bright white sheets, and pine needles fell from his hair when he ran his hand through it.
“Damn it,” he muttered under his breath and stood up, stretching out his body.
Between the full moon and the lure of his mate being so close, he was unable to resist shifting and seeking her out. While he thought he may come to regret his actions later, he enjoyed observing his mate at her home. When she appeared in the window, he practically froze. Her blond hair was rumpled from sleep, and he saw the outline of her curves through the fabric of her nightgown. With his keen eyesight, he noticed when her nipples hardened right when she saw him. She was like Rapunzel in her tower, and everything about her called to him. It took every ounce of control to stay in one spot when all he had wanted to do was scale the wood siding of her house to reach her. Fortunately, he hadn’t done anything that would make her think he was anything but an ordinary mountain lion.
It was his first night in Havenwood Falls, and he had already showed himself to a human. When he met with Elsmed Fairchild the day before, the fae had explained how the town came to be. That the founding families were made of various supernatural species, from werewolves—including the town’s sheriff, Ric Kasun—to vampires, witches, fae, and more. They were all seeking a safe haven and found it in the picturesque box canyon. The surrounding mountains provided a natural barrier, but wards and spells provided a magical boundary for additional protection. The humans who lived in town, with the exception of a few, like the town mayor, didn’t know that supernaturals existed, and the Court—the supernatural governing body made up of members of the founding families—wanted to keep the humans as uninformed as possible. That meant not doing anything supernatural in front of them. At least he hadn’t shifted in public. Only a mountain lion would have been seen roaming through town, if there were any other witnesses, which he hoped there weren’t. He was lucky he didn’t get shot. His new beginning was off to a stellar start.
Crossing the bedroom to the tiny bathroom, Daniel peered in the mirror at the stubble that had sprouted up overnight. After shaving, making sure to shape his sideburns, he showered, removing all evidence of his nocturnal romp.
The parking lot at Burger Bar was deserted when he drove past to reach the jobsite. A Silverstream trailer was set up in the packed down dirt directly behind the restaurant. He parked next to it and got out of his truck. Daniel had been told to report at seven o’clock, and had arrived a few minutes early on purpose. He wanted to get a feel for the landscape and scope of the project. The ground had been broken during a big ceremony with the mayor cutting a ribbon and everything, but after that, Miller’s Plaza had stalled because of labor issues. Apparently, Ross Builders had been experiencing a string of bad luck in keeping people employed. The last foreman had disappeared overnight. This was why the owner, Herschel Ross, had started recruiting in other parts of the state.
Miller’s Plaza was a big commercial initiative that would create more retail and office space beyond the town square. An excavator was parked off to the side near a flatbed trailer stacked with steel beams. Patty told him the day before that Herschel had said the city was ready to run sewer and water lines once the holes were dug. That would be step one. Then they’d dig a hole and pour the basement. From there, the buildings would go up fairly quickly.
Daniel leaned against his truck and poured some hot coffee from his Thermos while he waited for Herschel and the rest of the crew to show up. He was anxious to take a look at the blueprints. From where he stood, he had a good view of Main Street. Traffic was light, but he imagined once school was back in session, it would be busier.
A pale green International pickup truck turned into the entrance and came to a stop next to Daniel’s truck. “Ross Builders” was written on the side with dark blue paint. An older man stepped out. He wore faded dungarees and a dark green Western-style shirt. The buttons looked strained as the shirt stretched across a rotund belly.
“You must be Daniel McCabe,” he said and extended his hand. “I’m Herschel Ross.”
“Nice to meet you, sir.” Daniel shook Herschel’s hand. He had a strong grip and plenty of calluses. Those came with the trade.
“Well, Patty Parker from the temp agency spoke very highly of you. Are you ready to get to work?”
“Yes, sir.”
Daniel followed Herschel into the Airstream trailer, which served as the jobsite office. The dinette area on the right, with the built-in table, served as the desk. Blueprints, invoices, and newspapers were scattered everywhere. The sink and counter in the kitchen area to the left were spilling over with dirty dishes. Several grease-stained waxed paper wrappers with the Burger Bar logo were on the floor. Cigar smoke permeated the air, making Daniel want to stop breathing. He imagined if Herschel went camping, he’d leave his garbage behind in the forest. Another reason he disliked humans—they didn’t appreciate the environment.
“Have a seat. We’ll go over the plans.”
Daniel shoved some papers aside and sat down on the bench. Herschel dug through the pile and pulled out a roll of blueprints. He unrolled them across the top of everything. There were so many lumps pushing up from underneath, it resembled more of a topographic map.
They spent close to thirty minutes going over the plans and schedule. When the rest of the crew arrived, Herschel introduced Daniel. The crew was small, and half of the eight men looked like they were approaching retirement age. One of the crew members, a tall man with olive skin and dark hair named Mickey, shook Daniel’s hand. As he did, a gust of wind blew, and Daniel caught his scent. Mickey wasn’t human either. A subtle nod passed between them, an acknowledgment that they both recognized each other’s supernatural side.
As the day progressed, the cool morning burned away under a cloudless sky. The sun beat down on the crew as they worked. Daniel paused to wipe sweat from his brow and take a drink of water from the canteen he brought. The water was no longer cool, but it was wet and kept him from dehydrating. He took off his shirt and tossed it onto the seat of his truck through the open window. When he leaned back against the hood, enjoying a hint of breeze, he stared up at Main Street. Traffic had picked up, and Burger Bar was hopping. Waitresses wearing pink dresses with white aprons, notepads hanging out of their front pockets, whizzed through the parking lot deftly, carrying trays loaded with burgers, fries, and shakes. They navigated around cars and people with the grace of dancers and were a mesmerizing sight. The smell of grilled meat and fried food made his stomach growl, and the sandwich in his lunchbox was suddenly unappealing.
At high noon, Herschel came out of the job trailer and sent everybody to lunch.
“Be back in an hour—sharp!” he yelled before disappearing back inside.
Daniel shook his head. No wonder Herschel had a hard time keeping people. His management style was awful. Daniel had seen his type before, the kind who hired people to do the dirty work while they stayed clean and barked orders. Daniel preferred to work alongside his crew. Not only did it help to earn their respect, but working hard made the day go by fast.
Reaching into his truck, Daniel grabbed his shirt and lunchbox. He walked past Burger Bar and made a right on Main Street.
He remembered seeing some benches in the town square and found an empty one underneath a large oak tree and completely covered in shade. Daniel sat down with a groan. His shoulders and back were already tight from the morning spent shovel
ing and moving dirt. It was at least ten degrees cooler in the shade, and he took a moment to close his eyes and lean his head back. His roaming the night before had cut into his sleep. Between being tired and his sore muscles, he felt like an old man. The scrape of his lunchbox sliding toward him on the bench and the most irresistible scent caused him to open his eyes and sit up with a jerk. There, sitting next to him, was the woman from the market. She had a paper bag on her lap and was looking at him with deep brown eyes. A shy smile lifted her pink lips.
“I hope you don’t mind. There’s room for two.” She gestured at the respectable distance between them.
“Uh, no, you’re fine,” Daniel responded stiffly and popped the latch open on his lunchbox, hoping the distraction of food would help him to ignore the woman. Now that she was sitting right next to him, his senses were overwhelmed. His whole body coiled tight—even his toes in his work boots were curled. He needed to keep from making a scene. He wanted to pounce on her, touch her, rub against her, bite her, and mark her. He’d be hauled away in a second. The police station was within eyesight.
Out of the corner of his eye, Daniel saw her pull out a book from the bag, and she opened it up on her lap. She held a sandwich in one hand, taking dainty bites whenever she turned the page. Her blond hair was just long enough to brush the tops of her shoulders and curl up at the ends, and her bangs curled down over her forehead. She had an adorable nose that turned up slightly at the end. A bread crumb clung to the corner of her mouth, and he became fixated on it. How that crumb teased him. All he had to do was lean over and lick it off, but one taste would lead him down a rabbit hole, and he’d be lost in his own Wonderland and simply mad.
“Aren’t you hungry?” Her soft voice broke through his haze. He forced himself to look away from the taunting crumb and meet her eyes. She was blushing and chewing on her bottom lip like she was trying to stop from laughing.
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