Moonlight Mist: A Limited Edition Collection of Fantasy & Paranormal)

by Nicole Morgan

  They both laughed.

  “Okay—but it might be something I pick up at the diner.”

  “That’s fine with us. Auntie really likes the pecan pie,” Gunny said.

  “And, how about you? What do you like?” Hallie asked as she slid her hands around his waist.

  The sensation she’d felt earlier in the day washed through her.

  “As long as you’re coming over and you’ll let me kiss you again, I’m all set,” Gunny said.

  “We’ll definitely kiss again—if you want.”

  “Oh, I want.”

  Chapter Three

  Morning came entirely too soon for Gunny.

  He’d spent hours texting with Hallie, learning about her and sharing about himself.

  He’d spent at least an hour worrying about how he would tell her about how she would transform into a wolf. Not sure if I should tell her—maybe just schedule another date?

  When the alarm went off at five in the morning, Gunny debated hitting snooze a dozen times, but opted to get up and run before work. If I don’t, I’ll never manage to deal with the kids all day. Some of the younger shifters were struggling with impulse control more and more as the full moon approached. Didn’t help that there were wolves, bears, fox, and bobcat shifters at the school—and the different groups didn’t mix well during the brightest lunar phase.

  Aunt Martina ran with him, which slowed his pace. But, it helped her cope with the day-to-day happenings as the full moon drew closer. Even with a run, her episodes of forgetfulness and her behavioral outbursts increased until the moon started to wane.

  Preoccupied with both Hallie as well as Aunt Martina’s state, Gunny overcooked the omelette he made for his aunt. “Shit,” he said as he slid the ruined entree into the disposal, “I’ll make you another and get myself a protein shake on the way out.”

  “Piss off. Clara can help me get breakfast when she gets here.”

  “But—”

  “But nothing. I don’t even know why she comes over here every day. It’s not like I get into trouble or anything,” Aunt Martina said.

  Gunny snort-laughed. “Because Clara is here you don’t get into trouble. You forget about the three months before Pack figured out what was going on with you.”

  Aunt Martina waved him off. “You’re exaggerating. It’s not like I set the house of fire or anything—that’s something you’ll do if you don’t tell Hallie she’s your mate soon.” She got an evil glint in her eye. “I couldn’t find that sweatshirt she left me last night. Do you know where it is?”

  Gunny sighed. “I slept with it last night. It smells like her.”

  Aunt Martina cackled. “Why do you think I kept the damn thing? You wouldn’t have slept at all if you hadn’t had it.”

  “True. Hallie’s coming over tonight for dinner. I’m considering whether we should tell her about what’s going to happen tomorrow night.”

  “Yikes. That’s probably not going to go well. I’d probably wait,” Aunt Martina said.

  “Wait for what?” Clara said as she walked into the kitchen.

  “To tell Hallie that she’s a wolf shifter.” Gunny leaned against the counter and forked a mouthful of cheese, bacon, and sausage omelette into his mouth.

  “Ah. I’d probably schedule another date with her tomorrow night and take her somewhere safe for her first shift,” Clara said.

  “And by safe, she means somewhere no one will hear her screams,” Aunt Martina added.

  “Obviously. She could come here, but I want to keep her away from the rest of the pack until she is aware of what’s happening to her.” Gunny couldn’t bear to let another male near her, anyway—not until he’d claimed her as his mate, and he couldn’t do that until she’d had her first shift.

  “We can just make this place off-limits,” Aunt Martina said.

  Gunny shook his head. “I want you to be able to come home if it makes you comfortable. I don’t want Pack to have to dissuade you in your wolf form.”

  “Dammit. Good point. I think we need to leave the garage door open a little so I can shimmy under instead of shifting on the front porch,” Martina said.

  Clara clucked her tongue and shook her head. “We need to come up with a solution for our packmates who are dealing with dementia. We need to have a safe place for them to shift and run—but it needs to be fenced in so they aren’t in danger. Crossing those roads have the potential to be dangerous—either for being hit by a car or discovery.”

  “I can’t think about this anymore this morning—I need to get to work. Soccer practice after school.”

  Aunt Martina hugged him. “Hallie’ll be okay. I have a feeling this’ll answer a lot of questions for her.”

  Clara added, “And, Mayer Pack will help. Let me know who you want with you and we’ll make sure it happens.”

  Aunt Martina released him and he pecked her cheek. Then, Gunny turned toward Clara, resting his hand on her arm. “Thank you—but she’s mine. I’ve got this.”

  Clara nodded. “It’ll be okay, Gunny. Let me know where you’re planning to go and I’ll be sure someone is within earshot and knows the deal.”

  Gunny nodded. “You ladies have a great day.”

  When he reached Zephyr Junior/Senior High School, Gunny checked his phone as he walked into the building. Hallie had sent him a text.

  HT: Good morning. Have a good day with the kids. Can’t wait to see you later.

  GN: Later can’t get here soon enough. Thinking I may need to run out at lunch. What are you doing around noon? I think I need a fix.

  HT: You can stop by the shop at lunch. I’ll be there all day.

  GN: Excellent. Can I bring you anything?

  HT: No—as matter of fact, I’ll have lunch for you waiting. Might have to share with Laura, though.

  GN: Not a problem—as long as I get to see you.

  HT: See you then. xoxo

  A calm he’d never experienced washed over him. My mate. I’ve found her.

  The morning seemed to take forever. He had a sixth grade PE class, a seventh grade health class, and an eighth grade PE class and, while the students were engaged and attentive to his lesson, Gunny wasn’t doing his best. These kids deserve my best—after I know Hallie will be mine, things will be better.

  At the first ding of the bell for dismissal to lunch, Gunny headed for the middle school office.

  “Nora, I’m going out for lunch and have prep immediately after lunch. I’ll be back for my next class.”

  “Where’s the fire, Mr. Newfield?” Jannae Brown, the high school principal and acting middle school principal, asked.

  “Hey, Jannae. Just going to have lunch with a friend.” Gunny had thought about lying—saying he was going to check on his aunt—but decided against it. Zephyr was a small town and someone was bound to see him going into or coming out of Stitch in Time.

  Jannae scrutinized him. “I suppose.” Then, she cracked a wide grin. “Just kidding. Have a great lunch.”

  Gunny walked past her and growled. “Having lunch with my mate…only she doesn’t know it, yet.”

  Jannae’s eyes were wide and she was slack-jawed when Gunny turned back to wave.

  For a bear shifter she’s not very perceptive.

  Hallie had been up since five in the morning. She was restless and felt as though her skin would peel off with the slightest touch.

  After her text exchange with Gunny earlier that morning, she settled somewhat and threw herself into creating a quaint picnic lunch they could eat in the store.

  Stitch in Time was divided into two parts. The front half of the shop was for retail. They stocked sewing essentials and a limited selection of fabric. The back of the shop was the heart and soul of the store. There, Laura Greenfield, her boss, taught various craft classes—mostly sewing-related.

  As Hallie unlocked the back door of the establishment, her mind wandered. Laura wanted her to take over the store and eventually buy her out.

  She could picture it. The sma
ll back room with the refrigerator and desk would be her office—where she would plan her classes and order her supplies. She left her cooler there.

  Wandering through the back of the shop, Hallie contemplated removing the dividing wall. Opening up the space would allow her to keep an eye on the front while she worked on setting up a crafting class—or even while she was teaching. That wouldn’t be fair to the people taking the class—they deserve my undivided attention.

  She’d hire a couple high school students to assist with the classes as well as man the retail portion of the business while she taught.

  None of it mattered at the time, though. Gunny would be there in three hours.

  Hallie passed the time cleaning and daydreaming about changes she’d make.

  The time passed quickly, and before she knew it, Laura startled her.

  “Hey—where were you? I called out when I came in the back and you didn’t answer,” Laura said.

  “Just in my own world, I guess.” Hallie smiled.

  Laura looked at her intently. “What’s different about you?” she asked.

  “Nothing. I’m…at work.”

  “Hrm. There’s something. I’ll figure it out eventually,” Laura said.

  “Oh, Gunny Newfield is coming by during his lunch,” Hallie said.

  “Does he need alterations to those uniforms or is he ordering more?” Laura asked.

  “Um. Neither?”

  “What do you mean, ‘neither’?”

  “He’s coming to have lunch with me. I hope you don’t mind—if someone comes in, I’ll take care of them. Gunny knows I have to put the shop first.”

  Laura smiled. “No, honey. You have lunch with that man. Just…be careful. He’s been in Zephyr for around five years and he hasn’t dated. We don’t know much about him, but he’s from a good family. His great-aunt, Martina, is a wonderful woman, bless her heart. She’s got a touch of dementia, now.”

  “I know. I had dinner with Gunny and Martina last night. Gunny thinks she needs to think about easier fasteners for her clothes.” Hallie fidgeted with the hem of her black tunic.

  Laura continued smiling and nodded. “Huh. Did you find out anything interesting last night?”

  “I learned a lot about Gunny—we were texting much later than we should’ve been.”

  Laura tilted her head. “Okay. You go set up for lunch with your beau.”

  Hallie rolled her eyes. “He’s not my beau. Yet.” She giggled.

  “Oh, if he’s coming here during his lunch, he’s your beau, all right,” Laura said.

  “Okay, boss.” Hallie walked into the back of the shop and moved her cooler from the small office and set it next to a round table tucked in the corner.

  As she added the final touches to the table, she heard the bell at the front door jingle. He’s here!

  Hallie froze in her spot and counted to ten. She inhaled and exhaled slowly. Then, she walked calmly to the front of the shop.

  “There you are, Hallie. Your gentleman friend is here. I was getting ready to send him back to surprise you,” Laura said, grinning.

  Gunny smiled. Something was different about him as he silently moved toward her, invading her personal space.

  She didn’t mind at all.

  With their fingers entwined, Hallie escorted Gunny to their picnic.

  Fresh fruit--strawberries, blueberries, and pineapple—stood in the center of the table in an earthenware bowl. Diced cheese and cubed steak and chicken were in matching containers on either side. Iridescent champagne flutes stood like sentinels guarding the place settings.

  In an ice bucket, a bottle of sparkling cider chilled.

  Gunny stopped. “You did all of this for me?” he asked.

  “Well, for me, too. I have to eat lunch, ya know.” She giggled.

  “You’ve worked hard enough already. Sit.” Gunny settled her in a chair, then opened the plastic-corked bottle. Pop. He poured the bubbling juice into the glasses before sitting.

  He picked up his glass and his eyes darted to hers.

  Hallie pinched the stem of the glass between her thumb and fingers.

  “I’d like to make a toast.” Gunny took a deep breath. “Hallie, you’ve made a remarkable difference in my life in the past day. I never thought I would find someone that was interested in learning about me and would look past the fact that I live with my great-aunt who requires some pretty intense care. You’re invaluable, and I hope that we are able to spend a lot of time together in the future, getting to know each other better. Cheers.”

  “Thank you,” Hallie said as she brought her glass to Gunny’s. The soft chime of the crystal meeting made her thirsty. She sipped down half of the sparkling cider.

  Gunny appeared to search through the meat. He speared a piece of chicken and brought it to her lips. “Here. Let me feed you from my hand.”

  Hallie’s lips parted and the morsel rested on her tongue. She closed her mouth and Gunny slipped the tines out.

  Next, he selected the bluest, largest blueberry from the bowl and lifted it to her mouth.

  As Hallie chewed the delicacy Gunny had chosen, he’d eat a few bites.

  “You should be cared for.” His expression was somber.

  “I think I’d like that,” she said.

  “Will you let me care for you?” Gunny asked.

  “This is awfully fast, don’t you think?” Please say you’ve felt a connection…

  “I don’t think it’s fast at all. Something about you draws me in and I can’t think about anything except you. Like, what would I do if you walked out of my life? I don’t even want to think about it, but my mind goes to worst-case scenario.”

  “You’ve got Martina, though,” Hallie said.

  “She adores you,” Gunny said.

  “Do you have time to devote to a relationship?” she asked.

  “I’ll make time. You’re worth it. I think you’re the one.” Gunny pressed his lips into a thin line.

  “Funny. I keep thinking the same thing and telling myself I’m just crazy. So, yes. I’ll let you care for me for as long as you’ll have me.” Hallie blew out a pent-up breath.

  Gunny smiled. “You don’t know how happy you’ve made me.”

  “I think I have an inkling.”

  “Tomorrow night I need you to come over as soon as you leave work. No pit stops, no dawdling.”

  “Um,” Hallie started, “I’ll try?”

  “It’s just really important that you come over quickly. I have plans,” Gunny said.

  “Okay. I’ll come right over. Let’s focus on now, though. We’ll get to tomorrow evening when it gets here.”

  Chapter Four

  It was foolish to have lunch with Hallie. The rest of the day crawled at a snail’s pace. Normally, he enjoyed soccer practice. Every little thing bothered him. The boys weren’t understanding the new defense he tried to explain, and the way they gushed over the uniforms irritated him.

  Except…

  “Boys, let’s get a picture for Ms. Thompson. She made the uniforms.”

  The team settles into a three-row formation and the two clowns lay on their sides propping their heads up with an elbow in the turf.

  Gunny snaps the picture and sends it to Hallie.

  GN: The uniforms look great. The boys love them.

  HT: Oh, they do look awesome!

  GN: Is your afternoon dragging, too?

  HT: YES! Is it six yet?

  GN: LOL. I might have to put these guys through their paces again after they change out of the new uniforms.

  HT: They’ll hate you if you do that.

  GN: And?

  HT: Dismiss them and get your teacher stuff done so you beat me to your house.

  GN: Deal. See you soon.

  The timestamp on the last text was 4:45pm. Hallie worked until six.

  Could he keep it together until he saw her again? His wolf paced just below the surface, needing a hit of Hallie’s scent to calm until it was time to shift the nex
t evening.

  It was the only thing that would pacify his wolf.

  And, that was a damn sad state of affairs.

  Mindlessly, he dismissed his soccer players and went into his gymnasium office. There, he had a three-year cycle of lesson plans aligned with Common Core State Standards for physical education as well as health. For each grade level and each subject, he marked where he was so it was easy to find the next day’s lesson.

  Fortunately, as he went to each binder, he found familiar lessons with zero prep. No copies to make, no tasks he needed to accomplish ahead of time, no errands to run to teach the lesson.

  The best kind.

  With time to spare, Gunny left the school with Bruce Springsteen blaring. The rock anthems pumped him up and got his thought processes moving.

  He stopped at the florist and bought a bouquet of Gerbera Daisies in bright mixed colors. They reminded him of Hallie.

  “Martina likes sunflowers this time of year,” Hildie Hammond pronounced.

  “I know. These aren’t for her,” Gunny said as he gathered his purchase and breezed out the door.

  His next stop was Prime Cuts, the butcher shop. Owned by Cal Cummins, the small storefront had a huge back end—which included a slaughterhouse on the property. Those that were Other in Zephyr contacted Cal regularly for free range items when someone had a hankering—or the spellcasters needed a formerly-living ingredient.

  A cowbell sounded when Gunny entered the store.

  “Gunny! I haven’t seen you in ages. What’s that aunt of yours making you do? Anything weird? You know I live for weird.” The middle-aged man—a fox shifter—talked a lot more the closer they got to the full moon.

  “Not much to tell. Just trying to keep everything together with Aunt Martina’s dementia grabbing hold a little harder each day,” Gunny said.

  “Well, what brings you here today?” Cal asked.

  “I need a melt-in-your-mouth cut of beef that I can dice and lightly sear.”

  “I’ve got the perfect thing—but are you sure you want beef? I’ve got some fresh venison—”