by Tena Stetler
She nodded. A faint orange glow emanated from her palms slowly spreading to her fingers. A tiny spark snapped at the tip of her pinky. His large hands eased over hers to stop the progression of sparks. A vibration of feet pounding the ground had them both glancing up as a uniformed police officer sprinted toward them.
The officer flashed Sven a tight smile and leaned over to clasp the cuffs on Green. “I’ll take it from here.” Green fought against the handcuffs, and the officer yanked him to his feet by the arm. “You again? What happened?” the cop asked Tom, noticing that his eyes suddenly glazed over and he stilled. The officer shook Green, who slumped to the ground unconscious.
Brows knitted together, the officer bent down and put two fingers on Tom’s neck. He pushed the button on his radio, just as sirens wailed, red and blue lights swept across the area, and an ambulance screeched to a stop. “I want everyone to stick around,” he shouted. “Chief and another officer will be here shortly to take statements.”
The officer stepped out of the way while the EMTs prepared Tom Green for transport and loaded him into the ambulance.
****
Lathen listened while Pepper gave her statement. He added what he saw and they were released. On the drive to the cabin, Pepper rested her head on his shoulder, his arm wrapped around her. Nostrils flared as he inhaled her citrus and wildflower scent mixed with the adrenaline that fueled her flight or fight response, now diminishing as she relaxed against him.
For the first time since that terrible day his SEAL team’s mission had gone horribly wrong, the sensation of phasing had thrummed through his body as he shoved his way through the crowd to get to Pepper. He actually had to restrain the response. Could I have phased? Was the overwhelming desire to protect Pepper so ingrained, his wolf’s physical ability to shift kicked in? He didn’t have the answers tonight, but… Restless in the seat, he flexed his torso and leg muscles. A coiled ready-to-spring sensation felt familiar. A slight smile crossed his lips.
Pepper tilted her head up to peer at him. “Uncomfortable?” She tried to slide over giving him more room, but his arm tightened around her pulling her closer.
“Never felt better in my life,” he said confidently. The predator awareness was back, and he reveled in it.
Her eyebrow arched in question as he felt her eyes linger on him and shot her a quick glance.
“So has trouble always followed you around?” he wanted to know.
“…Nooo, well, not exactly. At least not to this level. You’re aware of the final incident in Salem, but the ten years prior was calm, except for deadbeat boyfriends.”
“Which, I am guessing, is why you learned to defend yourself so well. Magic didn’t do it for you?”
“Magic is hard to use in the presence of mortals. Besides, it’s forbidden. You know that.”
Lathen raised an eyebrow. “Someone forgot to tell Mr. Green or Mr. Bonchard. And what about those flying feathers the night Tom showed up at your place?”
She shook her head. “I still have no idea what happened that night. Must have been the cabin or land, some kind of protection enchantment that triggered it. Glad no one else saw. Need to talk to Ashling. Seemed the feathers took on a life of their own.”
“Oh—Green saw, all right. He was babbling about all kinds of things as they took him away.”
She shrugged. “Strange, if he’s any type of magical creature, he’d know better than to say such things.” Pepper looked up at him, her forehead creased. “Things just don’t add up.”
The truck slowed to a stop in front of the cabin. “We’ll remember this Fourth of July for years to come,” Lathen commented with a frown.
“It was a wonderful day, right up until the last few minutes. Even then, it could have been much worse.”
“True.” Lathen climbed out of the truck and walked around to Pepper’s side, opening the door and holding his hand out. Ember trotted off the porch, tail wagging furiously as she greeted them.
Pepper leaned over and scratched the dog’s ears. “Geesh, I can hear Kaylee’s whistles from here.”
Lathen ambled up the porch steps and settled into one of the chairs. Ember nudged his hand, and Lathen patted her head and rubbed down her back. “Feels good, huh, girl?”
****
“I’m going to let Kaylee out, so she can join us. Want to just sit here for a while, enjoy the peace and quiet while we can?”
“That’s what I had in mind.” He grabbed her hand as she passed and pulled her down for a long, intimate kiss, before releasing her.
The kiss sent her stomach into a wild spiral as her pulse raced. She cupped his chin in her hand and tilted up, her eyes met his. “You know—I could be in…”
Before he could say anything, she turned and hurried into the house and released Kaylee. Pepper watched her fly through the house and out the door, whistling loudly as she soared above the house, then settled on the porch railing. Pepper leaned against the kitchen door frame, hand to her heart. What possessed me to almost say I loved him? She knew it was true, but opening herself up like that, a recipe for disaster.
On top of that, tonight in the truck something had changed with Lathen. She sensed it first when he’d hovered over her, the calm he exuded while clasping her hands to keep them from sparking. Then while she was nestled into his shoulder, his warm, woodsy scent was different, infused with a light spicy tang and something else, something wild. Too tired to figure it out tonight, she padded into the kitchen and reached for a favorite bottle of wine. “Want something to drink?” she yelled, forgetting temporarily that, with his preternatural abilities, raising her voice wasn’t necessary.
“Beer would be great. Thanks.”
Pepper grabbed an ice cold beer from the fridge and poured herself a large glass of wine. Walking out onto the porch, she handed the bottle to him and eased down in the chair, took a sip of wine, and closed her eyes.
“Sore, huh? I bet that elbow aches like a bitch.” He reached for her arm. “We got something special, you know that.”
She nodded and leaned back in her chair while he rolled the cold beer bottle gently over her elbow between swigs. “Cold will keep the swelling down. Should ice it before going to bed.”
“Thanks, I’ll do that.” She paused. “Want to spend the night?”
The corner of his mouth kicked up in a sexy as sin grin. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Chapter Fourteen
Circle the Wagons Before All Hell Breaks Loose
—A Lesson in Self-Preservation
It was still dark when Pepper barely heard her cell phone ring. Sleepily, she felt on the night stand, nearly knocking her glass of water off, then rolled over to see a light flashing from her open backpack on the floor beside the bed. She swung the pack on the bed by the strap, dumping the contents all over the bed. She grabbed the phone, tapped the screen.
“Hello?”
Her dad’s voice boomed through the phone. “Are you and Lathen all right?”
She wiped the sleep from one eye with her finger and blinked. “Yes. What’s wrong?”
“Your mother insisted that something was terribly wrong last night. We tried your cell several times, but you didn’t answer. She’s on the phone now arranging for airline tickets. Klaren, don’t confirm those, Pepper’s on the line.”
“There was a minor altercation at the Fourth of July celebration in town, but nothing serious,” Pepper said.
Awake now, Lathen’s brows shot nearly to his hairline. He reached for her phone whispering, “You tell them or I will.”
She yanked the phone out of his reach and vaulted out of bed before he could grab her. “Well, it’s a bit more than that.”
“I’m putting you on speaker so your mom can hear everything.”
As she watched Lathen getting dressed, Pepper recounted the events of the evening, trying to brush over the ending. Nearly losing track of what she was saying a couple times as Lathen’s movements around the room would have put an expe
rienced pole dancer to shame. Finally, he zipped up his jeans and pulled his shirt on slowly.
“You encountered both Ben and Tom Green?” her mother asked pointedly. “And didn’t think that was a big deal?”
“Have you talked to Ashling about this?” her father, Duncan, asked.
“No, you woke us—uhh—me up. Got in late last night and haven’t had a chance to even process what happened, much less recount it for everyone,” Pepper said irritably. “But after breakfast, that’s next on the agenda. Okay?”
“No, it’s not okay, you could have been killed,” Klaren said. “We’re coming out there.”
“Mom, now wait a minute. You’ve already reserved a cabin for mid-August. That’s only a few weeks away. I’ll be fine until then. Green’s in police custody, and I doubt he’ll be getting out anytime soon.”
“That’s what you said last time. And Ben is still…well, I think we need to be there.”
“Pops—Talk some…”
“No, Pep, I’m afraid I have to side with your mother this time. Besides, we’d like to be there to help you finish the wildlife center and visit with old friends. Truth is—”
Klaren interrupted. “There are always a thousand little things for the grand opening itself. Like invitations, caterers, decorations, rental of tables and chairs—oh, all kinds of things. We could help with those. You know this is a big social event for a little town like Lobster Cove. That would leave you and Lathen free to take care of the day-to-day issues of making sure the facility is ready.”
“Why do I get the feeling there’s something you two aren’t telling me?” Pepper asked pacing around the room.
“Well, we agree that Benjamin Bonchard is the common denominator and may have an ulterior motive, but beyond that, we’re still investigating. Be careful.” A light tapping could be heard over the phone. “I’m going to talk to the owner and see if we can get the cabin earlier.”
“Dad, that really isn’t…”
“We’ll be in touch with our arrival date. And say good morning to Lathen for us. Love you.” He chuckled, disconnecting the call.
Pepper sat down on the side of the bed. “Guess I better have a chat with Ashling.”
Lathen eyed her appreciatively. “While I love what you’re wearing, I’d prefer that you get dressed before hunting up ghosts.” He snickered. “And I don’t want to explain to the workers why the boss lady is wandering around naked.”
She stuck her tongue out at him and seductively undulated out of reach. “You gave the workers several days off.”
He lunged and pull her to him, running his hand up and down her naked body, and groaned. “Tease. Now get dressed before I strip and take you to bed.”
“What are you waiting for?” She nibbled along his jaw, teased the corner of his mouth with her tongue.
“I promised Matt I’d be over this morning to check on the ice cream machine. If I’d come early, he offered to buy us breakfast. Then we’ll come back and visit Ashling. Or not…” He lifted her off the ground, and she wound her legs around his waist.
Her phone rang at the same time his buzzed on his hip. She waggled her finger. “Not meant to be—”
“Rain check.” He growled, lowering her to the ground and taking his phone out of its clip. “Hello.” He paused. “Yeah, we’re on our way.” Listening to Matt, Lathen motioned to Pepper, pointing to the truck and mouthed “Coming?” eyebrows raised.
She nodded, ending her discussion on the phone with the store manager regarding the flyers for the grand opening. Pepper wanted to get those in the works before her mom showed up and tried to take over. She meant well, but Pepper had her own way of doing things and sometimes mother and daughter didn’t see eye to eye.
“The special paper I ordered for the flyers is in. The copy shop is going to run a proof to make sure the ink on the sculptured paper is the effect I want. Can we stop by there after breakfast and take a look?”
“Sure thing.”
The ice cream machine was humming along when Lathen stopped to check on it. After reviewing the manual, he made a list of parts necessary to keep the machine running glitch free. On their way to breakfast, Lathen suggested strongly that Matt order the parts right away. “You know there is no way of telling how long the repair I rigged up will last. Give me a call when the parts arrive. I’ll be happy to run over and install them if you don’t trust your staff.”
Matt grimaced. “It’s not that, it’s just with it being our busy season, I’m afraid he’d rush through it and…well…you know. I’ll call when the parts arrive.” He glanced at Pepper. “How you doing?”
“Great. Elbow’s a bit sore, that’s all.”
“Your display in self-defense was the talk of the town. By the time it was chewed over by everyone, sounded like you were invincible. The weird part, Mr. Green didn’t remember a thing when he came to at the hospital.”
Pepper felt the heat rise in her cheeks. “Really? That is strange. I was just lucky.” She shrugged.
After brunch, it was off to the copy shop. The flyer’s textured surface made the muted ocean, blue sky, and mist settling over a spit of land pop. The artist’s rendering of an osprey and other seabirds in the sky was perfect. A dark seal sunned on a rock, while slick gray bottlenose dolphins frolicked in the ocean alongside other marine mammals. Exactly what she had in mind. In the bottom left was a picture of Ember, the center’s first rescue. Arched across the top in soft turquoise letters was Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. A small red lobster was depicted crawling up the curves of the capital C’s. Printed below the title, large silver letters read “Grand Opening—Everyone Welcome!” Pleased with the flyer, she signed off on one thousand copies, paid for the paper, graciously accepted the free print offer, and left the shop.
Lathen and Pepper strolled hand in hand through the streets visiting with the shopkeepers, talking with friends, and stopping for a late afternoon snack at Bea’s.
The sun was sinking low in the west by the time Lathen pulled into the driveway and got out of the truck. Nearly sprinting around the vehicle, he grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the pond. “Let’s take a walk.”
“Wait, I want to let Ember and Kaylee out.” She slipped her hand from his grasp and held up her index finger. “I’ll be right back.” The minute she pushed the door open, Ember wiggled her way out, waited for an ear rub from Pepper, and rushed to Lathen, who knelt down and pushed the dog over, giving her a good belly rub.
A few seconds later, Kaylee flew out the door, banked, and headed straight for the beach. Pepper walked back to Lathen and looked down at the dog. “Traitor.” Ember wiggled her tail and raised a paw. “Oh, too late for sucking up.” She laughed and ruffled the dog’s fur.
He entwined his fingers with hers and strode toward the pond. The closer they got, the more she felt a subtle hum of magic. Glancing toward the pond, her eyes widened and she sucked in a breath. “Oh wow.” Sitting at an angle to the old bench was a new one, created out of gnarled wood sanded smooth, woven together to form a unique high back, curved arms, and smooth seat, supported by four stout but twisted legs. In old-fashioned lettering, the name McKay was meticulously carved on the arching back.
“Well, what do you think?” he asked nearly dancing from one foot to the other like an overly excited kid.
Running her hand along the sleek wood, she said, “It’s beautiful.”
“I gathered pieces of wood scattered on the ground, sanded it so the branches fit together tongue-in-groove style. They were almost—cooperative,” he said in a low hesitant voice.
“Of course, they’re enchanted.” Pepper settled into the bench caressing its arms. A sense of well-being enveloped her when she twisted and used her finger to trace the carved letters across the back. Beside her, she patted the seat inviting Lathen to join her. “This is beyond wonderful. Where did you find the time?”
“Funny thing, after I started gathering certain pieces, my pile grew overnight, and
once I sanded each piece, it practically assembled itself. There’s kind of a vibration to it. Sounds crazy, huh?”
“Not at all. I’m surprised you can feel it.” She leaned her head against the back and sighed.
“I didn’t at first, but it became stronger over time.”
“Or you became more in tune with it.” Narrowing her eyes at him, she asked, “What’s going on with you?”
“Not sure, I’m working through some things. Let you know when I get it figured out.”
A loud snort came from behind them. Ashling stepped out of the curling mist near the tree. “I’ll tell you. The man is—let me rephrase that—The beast roams within, making him whole again.”
Lathen scowled at her. “Must you be so dramatic? The beast never left me, just my ability…”
“Oh, hogwash. You couldn’t get through the guilt.” As she spoke the fog crept along the ground as if trying to escape the broad sweep of the wind that grew stronger and shoved ominous dark clouds across the sky. “But now…hold that thought. I gotta go. Been doing a little research of my own, and I may have the answer to what’s going on around here. Ever heard of the minion curse? Nasty bugger and a hundred times stronger than a normal spell.”
“Ashling, we need to talk to you. Does Benjamin Bonchard meaning anything to you?”
“The nasty piece of work Klaren was dating when Duncan stole her heart? Let me get back to you.” Leaving a curling mist in her wake, Ashling disappeared.
Pepper jumped to her feet. “Ashling, you come back here. What do you mean a nasty piece of work? Ashling!” Pepper threw her arms in the air and let them drop to her sides. “Now what am I supposed to do?” With a heavy sigh, she narrowed her eyes squinting at the last tendrils of mist winding around the tree. Kaylee stared at Pepper from her perch low on a branch.
Storm clouds dissipated in a shimmering silvery moonlight that bathed everything in an eerie white glow. Dark shadows danced from the trees through the swirling mist across the pond as the waves lapped at the shore. A bullfrog serenade was silenced momentarily by the beat of wings and screech of an owl on its nightly rounds searching for food. A light ocean breeze brought a chill to the evening. Ember came trotting back from the edge of the pond, circled twice, and settled on the ground beside Pepper.
