“What’s put that look on your face, Kea?” Hal asked.
Shaking his head, he dusted off his gloves. “Nothing. Cammie’s inside. Why don’t you go in while I finish up out here?”
Hal raised one blond brow. “You need some help? Surely you got a shovel around here somewhere. Not all of us need wussy little things like that machine to clear a path.”
Felicity laughed and patted her husband’s arm. “You do remember who you’re talking to, right? I mean, he could launch a stream of fire and have the entire lot cleaned in no time at all.”
“Obviously he’s decided to do it the manly way. I’ll just show him how a real man does things. You head on inside and see that gorgeous, little baby, who I’m sure looks just like his mama, while the fire breather and I take care of business.” Hal made of show of cracking his knuckles.
They both watched Felicity walk into the house, her head shaking as if she was muttering to herself.
“Now that the little woman is out of ear shot, how about you tell me what’s on your mind. I could see you were a million miles away.”
Keanu stared at his best friend for a moment. When he’d needed Hal last year to help with a group of men bent on killing him and Cammie, Hal had dropped everything and rushed to his side, no questions asked. They were as close as brothers; their entire SmokeJumper team was close knit. “Slater took off after we rescued Cammie and took LeeLee with him. It’s only a matter of time before I have to explain to my wife that her beloved pet, which by the way is a shifter locked in her present form, may never come back if she stays with Slater. Not to mention I’m worried about Brax.”
With a shovel in one hand, Hal began making headway on another path, speaking over his shoulder. “Brax is a grown man with a child who can see far more than she should. If he needs our help, she will reach out to us. As for Slater,” he stopped and leaned on the handle. “I would bet my lucky nickel he will be able to fix whatever is wrong with LeeLee, which is awesome by the way, and again, you shouldn’t worry about it. You have a wife and child who need your attention. Let everyone else worry about themselves for once.”
It was hard letting go of the leadership role he’d been in for so long. Although he’d been second behind Brax when they went out on a jump, he was the lead since Brax was the captain who stayed behind. An image of the older man with his black hair and black eyes appeared in his mind. Each of their team had unique abilities, and Brax McCay’s was what they called a Mind Bender. His abilities were a little frightening yet very much a needed commodity on many occasions. What he saw made him relax as he realized the other man wasn’t in imminent danger. He pushed a thought out, hoping the other man could hear him and know he was always there if he needed him. The image disappeared, leaving him with a sense of calm.
“Whoa, you totally zoned out on me there. Where did you go?” Hal stood next to him, a frown on his face.
He gathered his wits, thinking of how to explain. “I had this image pop into my head of Brax. I’m not sure if it was him projecting or if it was wishful thinking. Either way, I’m not gonna keep freaking, but I will shoot him a text when we get inside. Hopefully, the asshat will text me back.”
A booming laugh came out of Hal. “Start the text with asshat, that’s sure to get his attention.”
They finished the snow-removal task just in time for the next arrivals, walking in through the garage where they took off their wet boots and coats. It had been a tie who could get more snow shoveled. Keanu only used a little of his extra abilities but figured it was only fair since Hal was filled with the berserker, a being that resided within him was now one his best friend could call upon, when extra strength was called for.
Rasmund and Dyani were the last to arrive. Watching how the large, red-haired man catered to Cammie’s mother was amusing. Keanu knew the older woman had waited over twenty-four years, although she doesn’t admit she had, for the love of her life. Rasmund thinking he’d done the right thing by leaving Dyani, therefore protecting her from the wrath of his own father, who was the alpha of his pack, only coming back and claiming Cammie’s mother after his father had died and his duty to the pack was passed down. The town folk joked you never saw one without the other. It had taken Cammie’s parents years to reconnect, but the obvious love was clear to all. He wondered if he and his wife would be murmured about one day and knew they would be.
“All right, we are all here now. It is time to tell us the name of my great grandson before I wither away to nothing.” Alo Raine, Keanu’s grandfather, announced.
Cammie laughed, startling the sleepy baby. “Don’t you want to open presents first?”
Mahalu and Jolon Hakun, Cammie’s grandparents, both glared at Keanu first and then Cammie. Her grandmother muttered something in their Native American tongue, too low for him to hear.
“Grandmother, why I never,” Cammie joked, obviously she’d heard, and whatever it was made her smile from ear to ear.
Keanu went to stand by his wife and son. Cammie had bought him a cute red-and-green plaid one-piece sleeper to sleep in, saying it would be their Christmas tradition to all wear matching pajamas. He’d raised his eyebrows since he and she tended to not wear anything to bed, or if she did, it tended to end up on the floor. His wife had informed him they’d need to start putting on clothing once the children got older. Now, their son was dressed in a cute, and yes, he was going to be one of those parents who thought their child was the cutest kid in the world, pair of denim jeans and a button-down top with a little red bowtie. Cammie had donned a red dress that had him itching to take off. He swore the next six weeks were going to be the longest of his life.
“I’ll let Cammie do the honors.” Bending, he kissed her perfect bow-shaped lips. She still tasted like strawberry lip-gloss, a flavor that he would always associate with her.
“As you know, this big guy made quite an appearance the day he was born, and since it was snowing, we decided to name him Kayi. It means falling snow in Native American.”
Rasmund came over. “Like Sky without the S.” He nodded. “It’s a wonderful name. Very fitting.”
Hal cleared his throat. “Felicity and I have an announcement to make as well. You want to do the honors, ma petite?”
Felicity’s face turned a deep shade of red. “I won’t be so little in about six or seven months, it seems.”
Hal placed his big palm over her flat stomach.
Keanu went over to where they were sitting and yanked his best friend up, giving him a hug. “Congratulations, you two. Maybe you’ll have a little girl for my boy to fall in love with.”
“Oofta, don’t talk like that. My baby will never date.” Hal’s blue eyes looked shocked.
The room broke out in laughter, while Felicity pulled her husband back down beside her. Keanu couldn’t believe how different their lives had become in just a little over a year. He looked across the room at his wife and child, his gaze taking in the soft glow that surrounded his world. Cammie’s face lit up as she met his stare, making him feel as if he’d hung the moon, and he knew he’d never wish to be anywhere else, not even freefalling out of a plane.
“Let’s eat before I starve to death.” Hal’s words broke into his musings.
Keanu looked the giant blond man up and down. “Hal, you could go for weeks without eating and still be a big son of a bitch.”
Cammie slapped her hand over his mouth, keeping Kayi tucked against her shoulder with the other arm. “You’re going to have to learn to curb your language, my love.”
He nipped her palm, soothing it with his tongue, and was grateful for the miracles he was given.
“I thought Slater was spending Christmas with us?” Felicity asked, looking around the large table.
Rasmund sat his fork down, his elbows resting on the table. “I sent LeeLee here to protect my daughter after we’d exhausted all resources to reverse the damage done to her. You see, when she was just a child, her family was attacke
d, and something happened that made her shift into her wolf. When I found her, I could scent that she was a shifter and thought she was just too scared to shift back. The rest of her pack had been... destroyed. She appeared to be the only surviving member, so I took her in thinking once she realized she was safe, she’d shift back. However, it’s been over twenty years. I don’t know how old she is, but I’d say she was in her late twenties by now, and almost all scent of her human half has completely left her. When I sent her to Cammie, I’d hoped they’d bond, but as time went by, it became clear something had happened that was irreversible. Slater thinks he knows of a place that can help and requested I allow him to take her there. I believe if there is hope, then he is the man who can make it so.”
Keanu wasn’t shocked at the words since his father-in-law had already told Cammie and him most of the story. He remembered the way his friend had been around LeeLee from the beginning and wondered if they were mates and how it would affect Slater if she didn’t change back. He held his own family a little closer, knowing he’d go crazy or worse if anything were to happen to them. “When will you know how things are or if it worked?” Keanu felt compelled to ask.
“Slater will tell us when he is able. Until then, let us eat and be grateful for all that we have and say a prayer to the All Mighty for our loved ones near and far.” Rasmund pulled Dyani into the shelter of his body.
Alo Raine looked off to the side. “All will be well. As for the child you are carrying, young Felicity, you are very blessed indeed. Hal, you are very lucky, just as my grandson Keanu is with Cammie. Now, let us eat.”
Kayi was placed in the bassinet between Cammie’s and Keanu’s chairs, with Alo taking the head of one end of the table while Cammie’s grandfather Jolon took the other.
Keanu looked around at their family and friends and realized it was the best Christmas he’d ever had and knew it was the first of many.
The End
About the Author
Elle Boon lives in Middle-Merica as she likes to say... with her husband, two kids and a black lab who is more like a small pony. She’d never planned to be a writer, but when life threw her a curve, she swerved with it, since she’s athletically challenged. She’s known for saying “Bless Your Heart” and dropping lots of F-bombs, but she loves where this new journey has taken her.
She writes what she loves to read, and that is romance, whether it’s erotic or paranormal, as long as there is a happily ever after. Her biggest hope is that after readers have read one of her stories, they fall in love with her characters as much as she did. She loves creating new worlds and has more stories just waiting to be written. Elle believes in happily ever afters and can guarantee you will always get one with her stories.
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Author’s Note
I’m often asked by wonderful readers how they could help get the word out about the book they enjoyed. There are many ways to help out your favorite author, but one of the best is by leaving an honest review. Another great way is spread the word by recommending the books you love, because stories are meant to be shared. Thank you so very much for reading this book and supporting all authors. If you’d like to find out more about Elle’s books, visit her website or follow her on FaceBook, Twitter and other social media sites.
Blind Sided
By
HA Fortman
Prologue
The droning sound of tires against cement, broken by the soft thump as they drove over pot holes along the seemingly endless highway, lulled Chrissy into a light doze.
Her parents were bantering back and forth up front, play fighting as they always did on these long trips. It was a habit the two seemed to enjoy; her father would say something outrageous and her mother would volley back with another that was so far out there that she often had a hard time keeping a straight face.
Chrissy didn’t mind though; it felt nice to have the sound of their laughter to break up the monotony of the long four-hour trip.
She had brought her cell with her, but the mountains were blocking any signal, so she’d just pushed it back into her purse. Maybe when they reached the resort with the secluded cabins, she could sneak away and check in with her friends.
Once a year, they would pack themselves into the car and head across the mountains of South Dakota for a two-week-long camping excursion.
“It’s rustic—no electricity or plumbing, just us and nature. Afterward, we’ll get a room at a hotel and spend time visiting Grampa.” Her mom said this every year, but eventually, they would cut out after a week and only spend a day or two with Grampa before heading back home. The bugs and wildlife her mom gushed about would eventually override any sense of adventure.
Even though Chrissy was sixteen and had her license, she preferred to let her parents handle these excessively long road trips. And leaving at four in the morning meant she could catch a few extra hours of sleep.
Chrissy knew she would be banned from her laptop, even her cell phone, while they were having “family time.” Not that she minded the time spent with her family, but Skyrim had just been released, and she was really looking forward to drowning her summer doldrums in several hours of killing dragons and chasing ogres.
With a sigh, Chrissy curled up in the back seat of her parents’ Chevy Malibu, doing her best to avoid her sprawled-out little brother. How his ten-year-old body could take up most of the back seat was beyond her. He probably would have taken the entire thing had he not been buckled in.
She smiled indulgently as she pulled his red and white striped shirt back down over his stomach, remembering how he was so excited to be on the trip. All of his bouncing and wiggling had pulled it out of his jean shorts. The rumbling of the engine had tugged him into the land of slumber hours ago, and she knew he’d be asleep for most of the trip.
Chrissy decided that she didn’t want to read on her small tablet, even if it was about elves. After she tucked it back into her black leather purse, she let the sounds of the tires lull her into a land where her dreams could rule.
Tucking her hands into the lap strap of her seatbelt, she turned her head away from the bright sun streaming in through the passenger windows.
Chrissy soon succumbed to the need for rest, her body relaxing into the seat as sleep pulled her into a bright and vivid dream land.
Chapter One
There are those out there that say a fog can be as thick as pea soup, but this was ridiculous. Even if she possessed super-enhanced vision, Chrissy knew she wouldn’t be able to make sense of where she was.
Thick trees, so dense at times, she had to squeeze her body through sideways, clogged her way. Never mind the steep hills and sheer cliffs that sprang up out of the endless sea of green and white. It seemed at times that it was trying to reach out and drag her down into the abyss.
“I need to find someplace to rest. Maybe then I can figure out what’s going on.” Her voice sounded hollow as exhaustion stripped emotion from it; the echoes increased the all-encompassing dread that tried to suck her down into its depths.
Each slow step, her hands cast out wildly in front and to the sides, felt like a battle through thick quicksand.
Exactly when she lost her shoes, she had no idea. Once, a pair of bright summer teal shorts hugged her plush body, but now, they were nothing more than dirty brown and black tattered rags. Her floral print tank top wasn’t in any better shape. She’d had to tie the laces together in o
rder to keep it from falling off.
She was so exhausted, beyond anything she ever imagined possible. Only sheer determination kept her going, the hope that it would be better on the other side of that thick fog.
She gave up trying to count her steps; there was no point, and she kept forgetting what number she was at. It wasn’t as though she would be able to tell anyone where she’d come from or was going.
Distractedly, Chrissy pulled a twig out of her long, ratted brown hair. “Huh, guess Mother Nature thinks I need to blend in more.”
With an aborted yelp, she felt herself suddenly falling, sliding feet first down a leaf-strewn hill. Blindly she reached out, scrambling to catch the small trees as they flew past faster and faster. Dirt and leaves cascaded down around her as they gathered under her, increasing her speed. The damp foliage whipped her arms and legs mercilessly.
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