Cassandra paused in chopping the green peppers. Lily took over as the cornbread was now in the oven. Cassandra knelt next to her charge. “It’s lawyer speak for we get to keep you. And no one can take you away. We’ve been working on this ever since you came to live with us. The law is a funny thing sometimes.”
The young girl didn’t hesitate. She launched herself into Cassandra’s arms. “Thank you.” Emily kissed her guardian’s cheek. “Can I go tell Elissa? See if the foal is here yet?”
“Go ahead. Just be careful.” Cassandra stood to her full height as Emily raced out of the house. She shook her head. “She has more energy even than our wolves.” The young woman took Emily’s deserted chair. She began on the onions.
“Wolves?” Mr. Spinster shook his head. “I knew you had the one. I remember how protective she was of you when the Jones brother attempted to strike at you.”
“That’s Raven. She had four pups.” Cassandra spoke as if it was an everyday occurrence. She noticed the momentary grim glint in Mr. Spinster’s eyes. “Is there something else that brings you here?”
Mr. Spinster sighed heavily. “You and Elissa were always extremely observant.” Cassandra’s eyebrow rose. “I received a telegram from your father’s lawyer before we left Bloomfield. There’s someone who claims to be your sibling. He’s seeking to take half of your inheritance, including what you’ve already received.”
Cassandra was angry. It wasn’t in regards to the money. The ranch was doing very well. In fact, they had about fifty-four thousand in the bank. And they had requests from all across the territory, including the army, for horses.
It was what they had discussed earlier. Every time things went well, they had to deal with something. Even if they had to pay, she wouldn’t care. Cassandra was married to the woman of her dreams and they now had a daughter. So life was good.
Chapter 44
Elissa was enjoying the feel of the wind through her hair. She’d already fed on a deer. She had already prepared it to bring back to the ranch. Her soul had already released the animalistic side.
Why was the vampire sitting in the middle of the woods as the full moon shone down on her when her wife and daughter waited for her? It was because of the latest bit of stress that had entered their lives.
Mr. Spinster arriving in Oregon was a positive and a negative. Positive because their lawyer was now only an hour away. Negative because he had brought tidings from The East.
The vampire inhaled. Elissa thought it was ironic how she needed no lungs for her to exist. She had honed her body ever since coming to live with Cassandra to mimic breathing. What was ironic was how taking a deep breath helped to calm her, to clear her thoughts and allow her to focus.
A sibling. It wasn’t the worst thing. If Cassandra had a brother or half-brother, it would give her wife something she had never had. If the man didn’t turn out to be like their father.
Money wasn’t an issue. They had enough money at this point for a couple lifetimes with no signs of slowing down. It was the fact this mysterious sibling only seemed to be concerned with monetary gain.
“Things aren’t going to be settled sitting here.” Elissa took a moment before she hefted the adult deer across her shoulders. She used her natural speed to return to the ranch in only five minutes.
Raven was waiting for her. She eyed the momma wolf before taking the deer into the kitchen. Already was a towel on the table so it was ready to cut up. She’d leave it for Cassandra or Lily. They would either make fresh venison or smoke it. Either way, it would feed the household for around three or four days.
Elissa returned to the front porch. She eyed Raven. It wasn’t often the wolf was around her when she fed. It was a kind of respect she suspected.
The vampire sat on the steps. Elissa was surprised when Raven laid beside her and placed her head in the immortal’s lap. “What’s wrong?”
As if knowing Elissa was asking her something, Raven’s head rose so she was looking into azure eyes. She stared for the longest of moments attempting to convey what she was feeling.
“You miss your pups being pups.” Raven sneezed as if to say yes. “I understand. I watched your master grow from a ten-year-old to now a eighteen-year-old. Though in her case, it was a good thing she grew up. And now, I’m watching Emily grow up so fast.”
Once again, Raven sneezed. Half the time her pups were off on their own. That’s why the momma wolf had been spending so much time around the ranch. That and the damned coyotes and other wolves trying to get at the livestock.
“And one day, Emily won’t be alive anymore.” Elissa hated the thought of decades from now, she would lose someone she loved. Yes, she would turn Cassandra so that they would be together forever. But she wasn’t looking to build a clan.
Clan. Elissa hadn’t thought of her clan back East in what seemed like an eternity. Her sole focus was on Cassandra, Emily and continuing to build on the success of their horse ranch.
Elissa shook her head. The last thing she needed was to be thinking of her old life. The one that had caused such a lonely existence.
“Want to come check on the new mare?” Raven’s eyes glowed yellow in the night. “Then I have to snuggle up to your master. Maybe you can come with me.”
The wolf was already halfway to the stables. Elissa shook her head. Raven truly did understand what they said. As they entered, the vampire froze.
There was a shadow in the corner. Elissa ducked down. She allowed Raven to approach the shadow. A low growl caused the vampire to move beside the wolf.
“I didn’t mean any harm.” The voice belonged to a young man. Elissa could see him quite clearly even though there was no light in the stables, other than the open door. It wasn’t much as the clouds now covered the moon and stars in threat of rain.
The young man had sandy blond hair. His eyes were hazel in the dim light. Elissa slowly approached the young man. He was younger or the same age as Cassandra. “What is your name and what do you want.”
“My name is Yohan. Yohan Peters.” Elissa stiffened at the name. The last man that had that used that name she had snapped his neck. She didn’t want a repeat.
“Yohan Peters?” The man nodded as he forced himself further into the corner he had been hiding in. “As in the son of Yohan Peters?”
The young man nodded. Elissa growled lowly. It caused the young man to shrink back even further, if that was possible. “I thought your father had no relatives. And do you have any cousins?”
“I wouldn’t call him my father. He placed me in an orphanage when I was two. Said he couldn’t afford a kid after my mother died.” Yohan straightened a little as he felt less threatened by the terrifying woman and the wolf.
“Brothers that are so much alike.” Elissa shook her head. “That explains why you couldn’t be found, much like Cassandra. But what do you want from her?” The vampire had nearly said ‘us’. Those slips were becoming more frequent the more comfortable she was with the ranch hands.
“I heard Cassandra basically had the same thing happen.” Yohan shook his head. “I actually came here because I heard someone was claiming to be her brother. I know for a fact Uncle Raymond didn’t have any other kids. I have the proof.”
Another low growl escaped Elissa. She wanted the young man to tell her what he wanted. Without having to drag it from him. “One last time. What do you want?”
“I don’t want money. Well, I do, but I want to work for it.” Yohan pushed off from the wall of the stables. “I can cook. I used to work in a café. I’m a whiz with numbers. I could help with the ledgers. I know animals but not enough to help train the horses. And most of all, I can give you this.”
Elissa took the piece of paper from the young man. She scanned it. “This has been notarized.” Yohan nodded. “And all you want is a job?” Once again, the young man nodded. “All right. Come with me. Raven.”
The vampire patted her thigh. Instantly Raven was by her side. “Don’t be afraid of the wolf. As long as yo
u don’t act threatening, she now knows you are ok to be here.”
“Thanks.” Yohan still eyed the wolf warily. He was observant as he followed the tall, imposing woman. He knew she was the one who had taken in his cousin, but didn’t know her name.
Elissa held her finger to her lips as she opened the back door. She nearly forgot to light the candle. They made their way to the last door. The vampire opened it and waited for Yohan to enter.
The vampire followed Yohan into the room and shut the door. She had lost Raven at the room she shared with Cassandra. Her voice was barely above a whisper. “This is our guestroom. We normally are up at first light. The next room belongs to Lily. She works mostly in the house. The next room is our charge, Emily. She calls us both mom or momma now. The first door is the room I share with your cousin.”
A blond eyebrow rose, but Yohan said nothing. There were rumors in town. He’d stopped for two nights in Salem attempting to gather information. His money had run out. He figured his cousin would take pity on him. “Thank you for letting me stay in the house.”
“This is, for now, just for the night. If Cassandra agrees to you working here in some way, shape or form, you stay.” Elissa moved closer. “If she doesn’t, you leave. No matter what, I’ll be watching you.”
Yohan swallowed. His father’s reputation had preceded him. Nearly anywhere he had traveled, the man had a horrendous reputation. Hopefully he could clear the Peters name. “Fair enough.”
Elissa nodded before handing him the candle. She exited hastily. It wasn’t long before she was standing at the foot of the bed. She was watching her wife sleeping.
Cassandra had been through so much. Here was another twist of fate. Elissa made her way to the safe in the corner. Most would think it would be in the study. It was her wife’s idea to have it in the bedroom behind a portrait of the two.
The vampire slowly changed into her night clothes. Yellow eyes appeared in the night. Elissa smiled as she realized this was where Raven had disappeared to. She couldn’t blame the lonely wolf.
Elissa stealthily settled her wife against her body. The vampire wrapped an arm around Cassandra’s waist. In less than a month, they would have been married three years. She hoped there was something she could do for her best friend.
“You’re late.” The sleepy words were mumbled against her cloth covered breast. Cassandra leaned up momentarily to look into azure eyes. “Something happened.”
It wasn’t a question. Elissa didn’t hesitate in telling Cassandra what had transpired. She waited to see what her wife’s reaction would be.
“So, another Yohan has shown up.” Cassandra sighed heavily. Her head was once again resting upon her vampire’s chest. “But this one claims to want to help and needs a job.”
“That’s the gist of it.” Elissa could feel the deep breaths as Cassandra sighed repeatedly. “There’s something about him I trust. Just like you trusted Lily.”
It was the only thing Elissa would say. She didn’t want to influence Cassandra more than she already had. Tomorrow would bring an interesting day. And probably a trip to Salem to speak with Mr. Spinster.
“I trust your instincts.” Cassandra began absently making circling motions on Elissa’s cloth covered stomach. “I just want to get to know him. If he is who he says he is, I’d have blood family.”
When Cassandra felt Elissa stiffen, she lifted her head so she was looking into azure eyes. “Blood is not thicker than water. To me, I’ve made my family. I was fated to meet my soulmate. And now we have Emily and Lily. I just want to have one blood family member that wants very little from me. That doesn’t want to use me.”
Elissa relaxed. She hadn’t reacted like that in a long time. It was even before they had been married that the vampire had reacted that way. “I know. And I’m sorry for reacting poorly.”
“You didn’t react poorly.” Azure eyes narrowed in disbelief. “What you did was react almost like a human being would. It’s not a bad thing. In fact, I understand it.”
“You do?” Cassandra nodded. “How is it you can understand? Is it because you remain mortal?”
“I understand because it’s how I would react if our roles were reversed.” Cassandra saw the understanding in azure eyes. “Remember, I can be just as jealous as you can be.”
Elissa snickered. They were quite the pair. While they remained opposites, who complimented each other in so many ways, they also grew more alike with each day.
Partially it was because they lived together and were around each other a great deal of time. But the real reason was because they were soulmates. As time marched on, their souls would continue to reacquaint themselves with one another. And they would grow to be as one.
Chapter 45
Yohan had been at the ranch for two days. He was quiet. But he was hardworking. It didn’t matter what task was asked of him, he did it without question.
There was one idea Elissa had thought of that would give Yohan a job and would help the ranch at the same time. The only issue was something the vampire couldn’t believe was happening after only two days.
It wasn’t Elissa who had noticed it. There was a growing affection between Lily and Yohan. The young man was always helping the young woman without having to be asked.
Leave it to Cassandra to see it. Elissa wondered what the book she had written entailed. Only have been given small glimpses at it, she wasn’t certain.
Even with the growing looks of affection between Yohan and Lily, Elissa was determined to at least ask if he’d consider her request.
At the moment, Elissa was making her way from having been abused by one of the wildest stallions to have ever been breed on the ranch. He would take months, rather than weeks, to break. But she was determined. And a determined vampire nearly always succeeded.
Yohan was at the table with Emily. It was another thing that had surprised Elissa. How quickly her charge had taken to the young man. He made learning interesting and that was probably why they were so attached.
“That’s very well reasoned. You could make a good teacher. Or maybe even bookkeeper.” Yohan praised the young girl. “If you want to remain on the ranch, you could help with the books, that’s for sure.”
“Emily is quite intelligent.” The pair jumped at the sound of the rich voice. As usual, Elissa had used stealth to enter the house. “She can be anything she wants to be.”
“Thank you, Elissa.” Emily blushed at the praise her mom had given her. “I don’t know what I want to do yet. I just love being on the ranch.”
“I understand. I don’t do well with compliments, either.” Elissa winked at her daughter. “I think schooling is done for today. Why don’t you go and feed the chickens.”
“Ok!” Emily nearly tipped over her chair as she sped toward the door. She halted momentarily. “Thank you, Yohan for teaching me some new things.” She was off once again.
“She has more energy than the foals.” Elissa shook her head. “Do you have time for a chat?” Yohan swallowed but nodded. The vampire knew she made Yohan nervous. “There’s something I’ve been thinking of. I’ve spoken to Cassandra about it. Do you absolutely love living on the ranch or would you mind living in town?”
The question threw off the young man. Yohan wondered if he’d done or said something to upset Elissa or Cassandra. He knew his first name alone had a negative affect on them, for which he fully understood.
“Before I answer…” Yohan took a drink of the water he had sitting in front of him. “May I ask if I’ve upset you or Cassandra in any manner? Please say I haven’t upset Miss Emily.”
“What?” Elissa reviewed her words. “I didn’t mean to imply we are unhappy with you here. It’s only been two days, but you are wonderful with Emily and are a hard worker.”
Elissa watched Yohan visibly relax. “I guess I should have left this to Cassandra. She always did have a better way with words than me.”
They both burst into laughter. Elissa cleared her throat. “I have
a business idea. There’s a stable to board one’s horse in Salem, but there’s no where to rent a horse. And we could begin keeping some of the horses there to show them off to sell. I’d need at least two or three people to run the office, eventually. I thought you might like it. You know business and you know enough about horses to answer basic questions.”
Yohan was stunned. He’d come out west when he had heard there would be trouble for Cassandra. Yes he wanted to find his way in life, but he hadn’t expected it like this.
“I…” Yohan shook his head. “I don’t know if I’m ready for such a huge responsibility. But if you and Cassandra have faith in me, I’d definitely like to try and not disappoint.”
“Excellent.” Elissa patted the young man on the back. “We want to take a trip in the morning. I’d like for you and Lily to join myself, Cassandra and Emily. We’ll be looking at space. But also restocking the ranch. So it will probably be an all day event.”
The vampire noticed how Yohan’s eyes darkened slightly at the mention of Lily. The red headed young woman had someone admiring her. It was something she would have to watch. And maybe nurture.
“Thank you.” Yohan rose. “If it’s all right, I’d like to go over some of the ledgers. See if there’s anything I can add to the trip in the morning.”
“By all means. Just don’t work through supper.” Elissa gave him a playful warning. Yohan ducked his head. “Go on.” The vampire chuckled. She loved teasing people.
Gods. When had that happened? Elissa knew exactly when that had happened. It was the moment Cassandra realized that one day she would want a more intimate relationship. It was when they had shared their first kiss.
Cassandra smiled and nodded as she passed Yohan as she exited the study. By the goofy expression on his face, Elissa must have chatted with him about running a store for them in town.
The young woman found Elissa still seated at the kitchen table. Her eyes were closed and there was a smile upon her face. It was as if her wife was reliving a memory.
Bonded Souls Page 28
