by Tena Stetler
“Since you’ve worked for a rehab clinic before, you know that head wounds bleed profusely. Your dog’s lost quite a bit of blood, but with a few days’ rest and confinement, she should be fine. If you can ice the area to keep the swelling down, all the better.” Dr. Foster closed her medical bag and handed Pepper a prescription bottle. “Antibiotics, one twice a day for a week. Don’t want infection to complicate her recovery.”
“Thank you, Dr. Foster, Pepper said.
“Oh, call me Dylan.” Picking up her bag, she glanced at Pepper. “Welcome to Lobster Cove, Miss McKay.”
“How’d you know…and it’s Pepper.”
“This is a small town. Word travels fast. If you need a vet for your planned facilities, count me in.”
“I appreciate that. I’ll be in touch,” Pepper said stifling a yawn.
“I’d like to see Ember in a week.”
“I’ll bring her in.”
“Lathen, when you get a chance, stop by the clinic. There’re a couple projects that need your attention.” A tired smile curved her lips when she stepped through the door. “Good night.”
“Thanks again,” Pepper called before closing the door. She turned to check on the dog. Ember’s eyes blinked open with a wild-eyed look, and a low growl rumbled from her throat.
Lathen moved closer to Pepper. “I have the entire day off tomorrow, but I’m not sure you are going to feeling like taking part in my surprise. I can reschedule it. For next weekend if you want.”
She comforted the dog, and Ember went back to sleep. “Next Saturday would be best. I need to stay here and keep an eye on her, finish up the proposal and drawing for Brandon. Meeting is on Monday.” Pepper’s eyes drooped, and she stifled another yawn.
“I know, have it on my calendar. We also need to prepare for the city council meeting next Friday.”
Pepper plopped on the couch and rested her head on the back. Lathen settled next to her. “You need to get some sleep. I can spend the night on the new couch and take the first shift on Ember.”
“I don’t want to bother you. But I could use your help getting a crate unpacked and moving her in. When she wakes up in a strange place, she could injure herself trying to escape. Can’t sedate her, due to a possible head injury.”
Lathen raised an eyebrow and looked skeptical.
“I know the vet said she didn’t think there was serious head trauma, but she also didn’t prescribe a sedative. Best to err on the side of caution.”
“I wasn’t questioning you. Just thought with your ability to sooth her, sedatives aren’t necessary. That’s all. Where’s the crate?”
“In the spare room. I’ll get it.”
“No, your color is just starting to return to normal. Stay here, I think I saw it when I brought out the medical supply box.”
“Should be leaning against the wall, next to where the box was.”
“Brought most your rehab supplies, did you?” he asked grinning.
She bristled and snarked. “Never know when you’ll need ’em. So yes of course I brought…”
He grimaced and swallowed hard, biting back a retort. “Wasn’t being critical, only observant.” He pushed up from the sofa and padded toward the room. “I’ll get the crate.”
When the crate was set up and the patient transferred, Lathen paused, then headed for the door. “Do you want any help with the meeting prep this weekend?”
“Huh, oh…yeah, I could use the help. Hey listen, I’m sorry about biting your head off. Didn’t mean to, just tired.”
“I know. My offer still stands. I’ll sleep on the couch. You are no good to anyone exhausted.”
“Okay, I’ll sleep for a couple of hours, but if she wakes up and becomes agitated. Wake me.”
“Will do. When you wake, I’ll go home, get a shower, change, and bring breakfast. Then we can get started on the paperwork and updated drawings.”
She mumbled something he couldn’t make out as she trudged down the hallway, stopped at the door to the spare bedroom, and turned. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” After a few minutes, he went in to check on her. Pepper curled up in the center of a king-size bed, her breathing was even and shallow. He took the blanket folded at the bottom of the bed and tucked it around her.
Back in the living room, he toed off his shoes, stretched out on the sofa, and fell into a fitful sleep. His dreams were interwoven between his last covert mission and something dark and evil chasing Pepper. Yanked out of sleep before dawn by the unthinkable, he sat up, sweat pouring off him, checked on Ember, and walked to the kitchen to put on coffee. All his preternatural senses screamed danger, but he couldn’t figure out why. Pepper stirred in the other room.
He slipped his shoes on. The hinges creaked as he opened the door. Ember shifted but didn’t wake. Outside on the porch, he stretched his back and legs out. The back and hip injury he’d sustained in the blast during his last op continued to give him problems. Straightening, he shifted his weight to the good leg and started down the steps. Eventually, he was able to maintain a slow jog following the trail to the beach, around the barn, and stopped at the bench near the pond and stood still. Once warmed up his muscles were much more cooperative.
The moon cast silvery shadows across the landscape. His rapid breathing and the waves crashing on the shore were the only sounds. Perched on his good leg, he rested his other foot on the bench, leaned his arm on his knee, and looked around. Strange silence enveloped the area, no insects, no birds, nothing. It was as if the whole world waited for the sun’s orange glow to spread across the eastern horizon. A slight pressure on his shoulder raised the hair on the back of his neck. Whipping around, he glimpsed the figure of a woman materializing behind the bench.
“You’re up early,” she said in a whispery voice.
“Couldn’t sleep.” He rubbed his eyes and stared. “Aren’t you Ashling McKay? Deceased?” There were pictures of her in the cabin when he’d met with Colleen over the aviary. “Can’t find the light?”
The women floated across the uneven ground leaving phosphorescence smudges on the earth. She settled back against the tree a few feet from the bench, foot propped against the trunk and arms crossed. “Think you’re amusing?”
As he looked at Ashling, the tree branches bent forming a protective canopy above and around her. The water on the pond, earlier smooth as glass, now had white capped waves over the water.
“Nope, just wondering what the hell is going on around here.” He sat on the edge of the bench and twisted to face her. “Are the legends true, now that a McKay witch has returned to the property?”
“Something like that. But there’s a challenge to the McKay magic. A malevolent spirit is looking to feed off the McKay magic, make it his own. Mr. Green is a conduit for this spirit. Whether he’s acting of his own volition, I can’t be sure.”
“So why are you telling me all this?”
“Because you care for my niece. Difficult times are ahead.”
“Shouldn’t you have this conversation with Pepper? My magical abilities are…well…damaged.”
“Not as bad you think. That’s a discussion for another time. Pepper’s been through a lot before coming here, and it’s made her stronger. But what lies ahead…she’ll have trouble going it alone. If you’re not up to the task, you need to leave—now. Maybe Gwen…”
“Up to what task? I’ve been damn supportive so far.” Lack of sleep and his quick temper were not a good mix. Knowing this, he turned and walked toward the cabin. “You need to talk to Pepper.”
With a wave of her arm, the wind howled through the trees and spun a water spout across the pond. “I fully intend to…Sit down and listen to me.” Raising her other arm, her magic propelled him toward the bench and unceremoniously dropped him on the seat.
Immediately, he pushed to his feet and stood defiantly, though pain stabbed through his leg into his back. “This is not the way to gain my allegiance. For Pepper’s sake, I’ll stick around—for now.
But you leave me the hell alone. Got that?”
Her image wavered back and forth, then shot straight up into the tree and disappeared, leaving a trail of mist in her wake.
Pepper was moving around the bedroom when he returned. Rather than stay to discuss recent events with Pepper in his thunderous mood, he left her note, explaining he’d gone home to shower and change and would return later. As he climbed into his truck, he glanced backward and saw her peeking out the bedroom window.
Chapter Nine
Too Much Activity and Stress…
Drives the Magic Haywire and You See Ghosts
Pepper heard his truck start up and wondered why he was leaving without a word. It wasn’t like him. But there were chores to do, so she walked into the aviary, tossed a fish to Kaylee, who promptly caught it and landed on her favorite perch.
Ember’s whimpers and barks brought Pepper running into the living room. The dog was clearly unhappy with the current situation.
“Okay. I’ll take you outside, but on a leash only, and after you’ve done your business, we’re coming back in. Give me any static, and it’s back in the kennel for you. Understand?”
The dog cocked her head, ears flat against her head, and gave Pepper a long hard stare.
“Suit yourself.” Pepper walked to the door and opened it, stepping out onto the porch. She took a deep breath of the fresh morning air and turned to the dog. “Well?”
Resigned to her fate, Ember stood, stretched, and let her tail curl over her back.
“That’s what I thought.” Pepper strode back to the crate, opened the door, and hooked a leash to the harness she’d put on Ember the night before.
After a brisk walk around the property, Pepper settled into a chair in the kitchen and spread the plans across the table. She looked down at the dog resting at her feet. “A brushing and bath is in your immediate future, girl.” Ember slanted one ear and cocked her head to look up, then settled her head on her paws, closed her eyes.
Tires crunching on the gravel of the driveway brought Pepper to her feet. She padded over to the window and peered out. Clouds obscured the sun as Lathen thrust the truck door open.
At the knock on the door, Pepper said, “Come on in.”
Lathen pushed through the door. “Pepper, don’t leave the door unlocked, especially after what happened…”
“I didn’t. It was locked until I heard your truck.” She flicked her wrist. “I unlocked it for you, and now—it’s secure again.”
He crossed the hardwood floor to where she sat, leaned down, cupped her chin in his hand, and kissed her lips lingering for a moment, then straightened. “What ya working on?”
She looked up at him and ran the tip of her tongue around her lips. “Revising the barn drawing and incorporating your sketches for the marine rehab building down at the beach. Do you have access to the materials necessary to make it happen?”
Leaning over, he put his hands on her shoulders and examined the drawings. “Yep, it may take me a while to get everything here. But once you give me the go ahead, I’ll get it coming.”
****
Monday afternoon, Pepper was working in her flower gardens when Brandon Fairbanks’ vehicle made its way up the driveway. Getting to her feet, she brushed the dirt from her knees and was surprised to find him dressed in jeans and a polo shirt.
“Nice to see you again. Thanks for coming.”
“It’s the highlight of my week. “He grinned and extended his hand. “I worked from home this morning, so casual attire was the theme of the day. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. I wanted to show you the changes that have already been made and what is in the plans.”
“Great. And I have good news. With your work history, education, recommendations, and certifications it was a slam dunk getting the state and federal licenses approved. As far as the nonprofit status of 501(C)3, the IRS had no problem approving Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation. Dylan Foster’s vet sponsorship info you provided and her willingness to consult for injured wildlife was a great help.”
“That’s wonderful news.” She reached her hand out to shake his, and instead swung her arms around him in a bear hug. “Thank you so much,” she said, sure the smile on her face would be there forever.
Brandon grinned, a bit taken aback at her exuberance, and it showed. He cleared his throat and continued. “Now, I wasn’t sure whether you wanted a Migratory Bird Permit, but I went ahead and completed the process with the US Fish and Wildlife service. I figured you wouldn’t turn any injured creature away. So best to have the proper paperwork.”
“You’re exactly right.” She beamed.
“That permit should be approved and sent directly to you soon.” He handed her a manila folder with the other licenses and permits obtained. “Keep this in a safe place. Make copies of your licenses and permits and display them in a prominent place. Which brings me to the subject of an office.”
“I thought I’d use part of my home.”
“I wouldn’t advise it. Keep your private residence and life completely separate. There seems to be room for a small office in the corner of one of the other buildings or even the barn without encroaching on the aviary.”
She looked at her watch. Lathen was supposed be here by now. “Mr. Quartz was going to meet you here to go over the new plans. But…”
Footsteps on the porch followed by a loud knock on the door, and Lathen walked in the door. “Sorry I’m late. A job ran longer than expected.” He reached out to shake Brandon’s hand. “Good to see you again.”
“Likewise.” Brandon clasped Lathen’s hand. “Pepper, we need to talk about my services and that of Mr. Quartz. Do you want to continue my services on retainer?”
She motioned to the kitchen table and took a seat. The men did the same. “At this point, I think that would be best. At least until I get the wildlife center up and running. Then we can visit this subject again. I also want you to remain the attorney for my business dealings.”
“I’m willing to do that. As for Mr. Quartz…”
“I’d like him to be an employee of the nonprofit?”
“Excellent idea. We need to open bank accounts for the wildlife center. I’ve set an appointment for you next week with the financial adviser, so we can get the estate settled. He can advise you on any changes in investments or tax shelters.”
“I don’t want to change any of the charities Aunt Ashling supported, and include the Salem wildlife refuge. After reviewing the rest of her portfolio, I’ll leave things as they are.” Pepper checked off that item from her to-do list.
“If you are looking for federal funding, I can do some research on that as well. Once you get the Migratory Permit, federal funds could be an option, especially if you are part of a catastrophic rescue effort.”
“True, that can be pricey.” Pepper pulled her bottom lip through her teeth as she considered.
“It’s always a good idea to have several financial avenues available.”
“Agreed. Let me know what you find out.”
Lathen spread out the revised plans on the table and glanced at Brandon. “Do you want to walk the property, then look at the plans, or vice versa? The mist is rolling in. Might be a damp walk.”
“That’s all right. I could use a bit of fresh air. Best do it first before it thickens into fog.” He glanced out the window and looked over at Pepper. “Are you ready for the town meeting?”
“I think so. Still putting the finishing touches on the presentation.” She opened the door and watched the mist crawl along the ground, then reached for her jacket hanging on the hook next to the coat closet. “I’d like to go over it with you and Lathen when we return.”
****
Early Tuesday morning, after a rough night, Pepper stepped out of the aviary into the bright sunshine, allowing Kaylee to fly overhead. Following the rocky path with Ember at her heels, she arrived at the beach, while the osprey banked and swooped across the water. Pepper breathed
in the briny air, closed her eyes, and her mind’s third eye opened. Suddenly, she was soaring through Kaylee’s eyes over the white-capped waves that sprayed over the rocks and came crashing onto the shore. A shadow danced in the water. Her wings folded back and talons forward, she dove. Her timing a little late, the fish slipped through her claws. She emerged from the water with wings spread and gained altitude riding the air currents until she spotted another meal and streaked toward the water, claws extending. This time her talons tightened around the wriggling scaled body, and she surfaced with a large fish. The osprey’s exhilaration and pride flowed between bird and witch.
With the beat of wings overhead, Pepper blew out a breath and opened her eyes. Whew! What a rush. She whistled for Kaylee to follow and climbed up the rocky path to the pond. The bird called loudly, then circled, landing gracefully on a large branch, still clutching her prey. Kaylee ripped pieces of flesh with her beak and gobbled them down.
Pepper settled on the bench, the hairs on the back of her neck prickled. At the water’s edge, Ember’s ears perked up. She barked once and trotted back to Pepper’s side. She heard whispers and turned to see Ashling’s wispy form leaning against the huge pine tree. “Ashling, is that you?”
The form solidified. “Of course it is, girl. Who were you expecting? Lathen?” Her familiar throaty laugh floated through the air. Pepper leaned back and crossed one leg over the other.
“No, he’ll be here tomorrow,” she said flippantly. “I’m so glad to see you. Colleen alluded to the fact you were still on the property. There are so many things I want to—”
Ashling waved her hand impatiently interrupting. “Had to watch over Colleen, but it became too dangerous. I didn’t realize…oh never mind…it’s my fault.” She kicked at the dirt with her foot, her wispy form having no effect, and changed the subject. “That’s one fine man you got there. But he’s damaged goods. Unless you can bring him around, he’s of no use to you.”
