by K. S. Martin
“I’ll take wood duty. Nothing clears a man’s mind like swinging an axe.” Dexter offered rubbing his hands together. He was a sweet old wolf. Jordan wasn’t sure how old he was but he knew that Dexter’s age rivaled dirt. He weighed little more than the axe he was offering to swing but Jordan had no doubt that he would work from dawn to dusk without complaint. Dexter was a lot like Lettie that way.
“I have three or four poles. I’ll be in charge of fishing.” Pete, another older wolf, called out and Jordan smiled, nodding. Jordan watched a few of the younger ones speak to Pete and Terry’s pup was talking to Dexter. That was a good kid, nice and strong so Jordan felt better that Dex wouldn’t be out there alone. Splitting wood was hard on the body. This might work. Lettie was speaking to a large group and there was a crowd forming around him too.
Once the meeting ended and everyone had a job or two assigned to them, Jordan collapsed in one of the chairs. He rested his elbows on his knees and closed his eyes. “It’s going to be okay Jordan.” Lettie stepped between his knees and cradled his head. “Where did you get the idea for this garden thing you were talking about?” She let her fingernails kiss his scalp, a low satisfied growl rumbled through him and she smiled scratching harder. He’d always loved it when she did this. Her nails scraped over the sides and down the back of his head to his neck. Jordan’s hands gripped the backs of her thighs and massaged. They worked their way up to her buttocks and she bit her lip to contain herself.
“I saw it in a movie, I don’t even know if it will work but I rewound that part of the film about six times to get a real good look at it. The only difference is that they had glass over their garden and we are going to use plastic.”
“I think it will work but I think that it will work better if we dig smaller ones instead of one big one. Smaller ones would be warmer.” Jordan considered it. “I also think that we should check the internet too before we do all of that work.”
“Done sweetheart, we need plastic, hay, compost, and plastic jugs.” Lettie raised an eyebrow at him. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this. We are planting broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, Brussel sprouts, kale, collards, mustard, garlic, peas, and lettuce.”
“I hate Brussel sprouts.” Lettie complained, she was still scratching so he wasn’t moving.
“We can skip them if nobody wants to eat them. You get the idea though right?” She nodded. “Sprouts are better than starving.”
“I’m not so sure.” Lettie giggled. “Come to bed.” Jordan’s cell phone buzzed in his pocket. It was Nelly. After a boisterous conversation with her, Nelly was in charge of the cold frame gardens. She recalled seeing something like it in her grandmother’s diary and went home to look. Nelly was ninety-six last month, so her grandmother lived in a whole other world. Luckily, gardening hadn’t changed much. Nelly had blue prints in the diary, plant suggestions, directions on crop rotation, and a group of grandchildren that were ‘itching’ to help. She said. Jordan agreed and told her that she was in charge. A good alpha knew how to delegate. He had followed Lettie upstairs as Nelly spoke and by the time that Lettie was climbing into bed without her nightclothes on and her naked backside wiggling as she went, he would’ve agreed to anything Nelly said just to get her off the phone. “Who was that?” Lettie asked innocently pulling the quilt up to her chin and licking her lips. Jordan grinned at her wolfishly.
“Nelly is in charge of the garden, her grandma kept notes when they did it back in the last century. She knows what, where, how and how deep, plus she has a brood of grandchildren to work it.” He was peeling his clothes off while he watched her eyes skim and dance over his body. The desire in her eyes was enough to make him hard but her crawling across the bed with her naked backside wiggling at him made his blood heat and electricity dance from his balls up his spine. “I want you Lettie.” She bit her bottom lip never taking her eyes from his. She swallowed hard.
“How? I think maybe you want me like this.” She pulled the quilt off and got to her knees presenting her naked behind. “I think this makes you hotter than anything else.” She murmured. “And I think that I need you like this, hot, hard, and out of control. Don’t you agree Jordan?” Her voice dropped to a husky sexy tone that quickened his heated blood. A growl rumbled deep in his chest and his eyes pulsed steady with desire. Lettie lowered the top of her body and raised her butt wiggling for him. Jordan growled loudly and crawled up behind her. She could feel his hot erection against her thigh. “What are you waiting for Jordan?”
“I don’t want you doing this, like this, unless you want it this way. I can’t get that last day out of my head. The sadness in your eyes when you presented yourself this way was devastating. I don’t want to make you feel that way again. I love you.”
“Jordan, we’ve forgiven our pasts. I want you, right now, right here and just like this. Don’t make me wait Jordan, I need you.” Lettie snapped at him. There was his feisty girl. Jordan drove his length into her forcing a long loud moan from his mate. “Sweet Jesus, yes Jordan, just like that!” Lettie drove her hips back into him, taking all of him, and soaking up all of the power he was driving into her wet weeping channel. Her arms trembled, her womb clenched and her breasts were heavy with desire. Jordan’s body covered her, heating her skin. His strong arm was across her chest and his hand curled around her shoulder to use as leverage. He needed to be inside of her, he needed to bury himself so deeply that they were one again. Her blood pounded and tremors raced over her nerves radiating from her center to her extremities. “Jordan!” She wailed. Her channel clenched, wrapped around him inside of her, and clamped down hard squeezing his shaft without mercy. The orgasm detonated and shook her mercilessly. A million white lights burst behind her eyelids and her entire body heated to what felt nuclear.
“Christ Lettie!” Jordan roared as he came viciously inside of her. The tingling struck up his spine from his balls clenching and squeezing them tightly. They collapsed together in a heap. Both were out of breath, both exhausted and both more content than they’d ever been before. “I love you Lettie Giroux.” He murmured in her ear.
“I love you too mate.” Lettie was already drifting off to sleep and snuggling deeper into his arms. The corner of his mouth lifted and he held her tighter as he drifted with her.
Chapter Ten
Jordan put an ad in the local newspaper the next day advertising their heating, air and plumbing services. His team of workers had their trucks and vans loaded with parts and tools. Anything they needed they would have to buy on credit for the time being. Lettie introduced pack members to Mister Thompson and set up interviews. He hired twelve of them for various positions in the store. The pack was working well as a team and had come together faster than he thought they would. Jordan was proud. He was getting the feeling that his pack had been bored as rich wolves. Everyone needed a purpose. Several pups were honing their hunting skills under Aimee’s direction. Who would’ve thought she could stalk deer as well as a she could stalk a potential mate. It didn’t hurt that she flirted with all of the young males. Her teams of hunting pups were all vying for her attention. Jordan rolled his eyes. Whatever got them fed, worked for him. Jordan went to help Nelly and her grandkids dig the holes, Lucas and Terry were already working. Nelly’s group could plant, tend and harvest but a full-grown male would dig a hole with less effort. Jordan took a shovel from one of the pups and got busy. Nelly was studying blueprints and chirping in Jordan’s ear while he dug large square holes. Some were deeper than others were and some were bigger than others were. Nelly was a good leader Jordan decided. Her helpers were putting in compost and seeds into the finished holes. They’d planted carrots, lettuce, and broccoli so far. Her grandmother’s diary tracked what grew where and what the mix of dirt and compost should be. Thank God for sentimental wolves. Aimee’s crew carried three deer past the gardening group and Jordan congratulated them all on their catch. They would prepare the deer then butcher them and hang them in his freezer. This could all work. Jordan’s cell buzzed a
nd he answered “Summerville heating and air.”
“Oh. I almost hung up.” A surprised Lettie giggled and Jordan smiled. “I’m going to stay late but I’ll be home by bedtime.” Jordan growled. “Jordan, it is overtime and we need the money.”
“I know.” He murmured. “Are you going to eat?”
“I’ll get something. I love you.” She said and she was gone.
“Damn it!” He hissed. Jordan finished his hole and handed the shovel to one of Nelly’s grandsons. Her idea of getting something was a bag of peanuts. Jordan walked up to the house. Aimee’s pups were doing their best to haul a deer up to hang and drain. Jordan took the rope in his hands and pulled. The doe went up effortlessly. Two of them got busy with the carcass. “Tie the rear hooves Bobby.” Jordan said to one of the younger pups. “Now hand me the end of the rope there.” Jordan took the piece of rope in his hands and threw the loose end over another branch then hauled the second deer up. Aimee watched with interest but kept her distance. He and Lettie were both marked and Aimee had Lucas. Jordan helped the last team of pups hang their deer then went inside. He heard Aimee explaining how and where to cut.
Jordan checked the freezer once inside. He found deer steak already butchered. He fixed dinner and wrapped it up in a plastic box for her. She would get something. She would get dinner. If she had to work overtime, it was the least that he could do. Jordan climbed into the truck and headed to the store. He waved at a couple of pups headed to the river with their fishing poles along the way. He hoped they had luck and brought in a batch of catfish. Jordan parked outside of the store and carried the boxes inside.
“Hi Jordan.” Mister Thompson called from the office.
“Mister Thompson, how are you?” The old man nodded. “I brought her dinner, is it okay if she takes a break?” Jordan grinned proud of himself when he saw respect in the old man’s eyes.
“Of course. I’ll have her meet you in the break room.” Jordan waved and headed to the back while Mister Thompson made the announcement over the speakers for Lettie to go to the break room. Jordan quickly laid out dinner complete with drinks and waited. She came in a few minutes later and smiled.
“What are you doing here?” Jordan stood and pulled her into an embrace. “I missed you.” She murmured.
“Me too. I brought dinner. Mister Thompson said you could have a break.” Lettie sat down on the plastic chair beside him and opened the box. “It’s venison steak.” She nodded and took a bite.
“Oh wow! What is that smell?” Aiden drifted in on the scent of Jordan’s cooking.
“Jordan brought me dinner. Are you hungry?” Aiden nodded his head vigorously and Jordan laughed. “Sit.” Jordan shoved his still covered box toward Aiden.
“Are you sure Sir?” Aiden suddenly looked worried.
“I have more at home. Eat. Are you working overtime too?” Aiden nodded stuffing meat in his mouth. “Aiden are you starving, when did you last eat?” Jordan asked. Was his pack starving to death or what? Aiden grinned.
“I had a bowl of cereal for breakfast. That was around five this morning Sir.” Jordan nodded.
“You guys need to eat. You’re wolves. You’re working long hours and you aren’t taking care of yourself.” Jordan admonished them. Both nodded but neither looked up. Jordan watched his mate eat. He was glad that he’d brought her food. She worked too hard, relaxed too little, and didn’t eat often enough to suit him. Aiden glanced at the tea in the quart container that Jordan brought, Jordan slid it across the table. “Go on.”
“Thank you Sir.” Jordan rested his arm on the back of Lettie’s chair and she leaned toward him and kissed his cheek.
“Thanks for being so sweet.” She murmured. Jordan grinned wolfishly at her and winked.
“You’ll be sweet to me later.” She waggled her eyebrows and bit her lip. “And now you’ll have the strength to.” Aiden wiped his mouth.
“I better get back to work. Thanks again Sir.” He hustled out of the room giving them some privacy.
“I think we scared him off.” Lettie picked up a piece of meat with her fingers and put it in his mouth. Jordan sucked her fingers when he took the meat from her. “Behave.” She giggled. He buried his face in her neck and kissed her. “Oh…Don’t do that…” Jordan nibbled her earlobe and tasted the hollow behind her ear. “Jordan, I have to work.”
“I know.” He murmured tasting her throat. “I want you to think about what you’re missing while you work all of this overtime and by the time you get home I think you’ll be extra sweet.” He chuckled. Humid puffs of air tickled her neck.
“I may have to come home sooner rather than later.” Lettie fisted his shirt and kissed him. Jordan pulled her into his lap and held her to him. “I have to work.” She said between kisses.
“How long is your lunch break?” His lips trailed from her temple to her throat. “Do you still have keys to the apartment upstairs?” He murmured against her skin.
“Jordan!” Lettie held him away. “I think you’re trying to get me fired.” She laughed.
“I’m just trying to get laid, nothing more.” His eyes twinkled and she giggled.
“Well maybe you’ll get lucky later. I do need to go back to work but I’ll be home around nine. Will you wait up for me?” He nodded. “Thank you for dinner and for feeding Aiden. Someone needs to take care of him. His mom’s run off again.” Jordan’s brows furrowed. Aiden’s mother would do this every few years when she and her husband fought. In between her spells, she was a great pack member but she’d been leaving Aiden’s dad for years. They would fight, she would run off, and he would chase her leaving his young son at home. Until now, other pack members would take him in until they returned but Aiden was seventeen or so now. He was old enough to take care of himself but at the same time, not.
“How long has she been gone?” Jordan worried.
“A couple of weeks I think. I just found out today. I was going to talk to you about having him stay with us until she came home.” Jordan nodded. “If he won’t come, I at least want him to eat meals with us. You can pull the alpha card on him if you need to convince him.” Jordan nodded again.
“You’re right. We take care of our own. Talk to him.”
“I will. I’ll ask him for a ride home too. His shift ends at the same time.”
“Okay. Get back to work.” Jordan let her out of his lap, gathered his dishes, and headed home.
Jordan waited on the front steps for her. Dexter stopped to talk for a few minutes on his way home from chopping wood. He told Jordan that they had cut a half cord today. Jordan was impressed and made sure that he thanked the old wolf. When he glanced at his watch, it was after ten. He tried the store on his cell but no one answered. Where was she? Maybe she was having a hard time getting Aiden to staying with them. Lettie could be tenacious when she wanted to. The kid wasn’t home yet either. Jordan sighed. She needed to be at home. She would be coming into season soon and Jordan didn’t care that they were broke. He wanted pups. They were old enough, responsible enough and his clock was ticking. As far as he was concerned, the money had nothing to do with it. They were together and he wanted a family. He’d planned to talk to her about it tonight since he’d already put her in a good mood. Aiden’s truck rumbled down the gravel road and stopped at the foot of the porch. Lettie was looking at Aiden and they were having an animated conversation. Jordan got up and went down the steps.
“Just be at work in the morning Aiden. The rest will get worked out later.” Lettie was angry and didn’t notice that Jordan had opened her door. She turned and screamed startled. “Jordan. I didn’t hear you.”
“Aiden, is everything okay?” Jordan asked leaning inside the cab scenting the roiling emotions.
“Yes Sir.” Aiden nodded. “I’ll pick Lettie up at eight tomorrow morning.”
“Okay and you’ll have breakfast before you leave. We’re having pancakes, bacon, and eggs, not cereal.” Aiden’s face lit up and he nodded. Human teenagers were bottomless pi
ts and wolf teens made their human counterparts look like they were dieting. Jordan helped her from the truck and shut the door. “What’s going on?” Lettie stomped up the steps and went inside slamming the door open. “Good to see you too. I missed you. Mwah!” He kissed the air then followed her. Lettie was in the bathroom, the shower was already running by the time he got there. Jordan tried the door but she’d locked it. What was going on? If she needed privacy or to cool off, he would give her what she needed. Jordan went to the kitchen for a bottle of water then waited in the bedroom for her. He pulled his clothes off and sat on the bed in his boxer briefs. Jordan flipped through the channels on the rarely used TV but turned it off when the bathroom door opened. Lettie came into the bedroom in her tee shirt and shorts. What happened to her being sweet? “Lettie?”
“What?” She spat not looking at him. She climbed into the bed and pulled the covers to her chin.
“Are you okay? You seem angry.” Lettie looked over at him. Her eyes flashed. “You are angry. Tell me about it.” He slid down and turned onto his side to listen to her. “Lettie, talk to me.” Jordan coaxed when she remained silent.
“Mister Thompson died.” Her anger morphed into sadness and terror. She covered her face with her hands and sobbed. “He had a heart attack in his office. I went to check on him around nine when we were getting ready to leave and he was slumped over his desk. The policeman said he’d been dead for a couple of hours.” She said when she could speak. The tears overtook her again and Jordan pulled her close to hold her while she let it out. “What are we going to do now?” She wailed and her whole body trembled. “I told everyone to come to work tomorrow. I can do payroll and write the checks but then what? He doesn’t have any kids or relatives that I know of so what will happen to the store? “I just got everyone a job and now there is not going to be a job. What are we going to do Jordan?”
