“Right!” everyone shouted.
Luna didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Thanks. You guys are terrific. I was so worried, and you don’t even care.”
“We care about you, toots,” Dulcie said. “And I’m so delighted that you’re not a virgin anymore.”
Luna gasped. “You knew I was?”
“Oh, please.” Dulcie rolled her eyes. “When it came to sex, you were dumb as a box of rocks. We all took a straw poll, and the results came out solidly in favor of virginity as the only logical explanation, because you were so smart in every other way.”
Luna set her glass on the deck. “I’m so embarrassed.” She allowed herself to sink down until the water covered her head.
Janet grabbed a handful of hair and pulled her back up.
“Ow.” Luna rubbed her scalp.
Janet smiled at her. “Didn’t want you to drown from being embarrassed. Now that we know you grew up in a somewhat wonky fashion it all makes sense.”
“And now,” Dulcie said, “we can tell dirty jokes and you’ll actually get them instead of just pretending to.”
Luna retrieved her wineglass and took another gulp. “I didn’t know I was such a burden on y’all.”
“You haven’t been, sweetie,” Janet said. “You’ve been a joy, and however you influenced His Lairdness to go along with the inn project, we’re grateful.”
“Here, here!” Dulcie hoisted her wineglass in the air again. “To Luna!”
“To Luna!” all three of them shouted as Luna turned pink with a combination of embarrassment and pleasure.
“Give me a glass,” said a male voice. “I’ll drink to that.”
“Well,” Dulcie said. “If it isn’t the Laird of Glenbarra, the stout lad who deflowered our Luna.”
Colin grinned at her. “Congratulations, Dulcie. You finally got my title right.”
Luna took a deep breath and sank back under the water.
Chapter 25
Colin hesitated to intrude on the female bonding he heard going on as he approached the hot tub. But he’d promised Luna he’d show up, and he was a Were who kept his word. Fortunately he’d caught enough of the conversation to know that Luna would have a support system after he left. George Trevelyan wouldn’t ride roughshod over this lot.
“This is not a bad hot tub, is it?” He climbed in on the other side of Luna and glanced down. She was still under the water. “Does she do that often?”
“I don’t know,” Sybil said. “This is our first time going hot-tubbing with her.”
Dulcie handed him a glass of white wine. “For all we know, she’s a hot tub virgin.”
About that time, Luna erupted from the water, gasping for air. “Y’all are talking about me. I can feel it.”
“We are,” Colin said solemnly. “And the big question of the day, the one all our viewers want answered, is, are you a hot tub virgin?” He wondered if she’d remember the distinction they’d made last night between Jacuzzis and hot tubs.
“Okay,” Dulcie said, pointing at Colin. “He can hang with us anytime. Am I right?”
“You are so right,” Sybil said. “He can even bring his pet gecko, if he wants.”
Janet snorted. “I don’t know what it is with Sybil and the geckos all of a sudden, but it’s sort of disturbing.”
“So are you?” Dulcie asked Luna.
“Am I what?”
“A hot tub virgin,” Janet said. “Try to keep up.”
“Yes!” Luna threw her arms in the air, splashing water everywhere. “I’m a hot tub virgin! And a phone sex virgin! And a vibrator virgin!” She glanced around. “Whoops. Did I overshare?”
Dulcie was laughing so hard she almost choked. “No!” she said, gasping for breath. “Feel free to drink more wine, and tell us anything you want!”
Luna ducked under the water again and combed her hair back from her face. When she resurfaced, she looked like a mermaid as she peeked at Colin through lashes dotted with water. “We’re not always like this.”
“Yes, we are,” Sybil said. “We’re just not always this wet.”
Colin smiled down at Luna. “It’s great. I like it.”
“See?” Dulcie stood and refilled everyone’s wineglass. “He likes it. Luna, babe, I don’t know what you’ve got going with this gorgeous Were, but he’s a keeper.”
“He’s heading back to Scotland tomorrow,” Luna said.
“He’s not!” Dulcie looked horrified. “Tell me it isn’t so, Laird of Glenbarra, just when I learned to say your title.”
“It’s true.” He took another swallow of wine. “I need to straighten out a few things with my younger brother, Duncan.”
Dulcie’s eyes widened. “Be still my heart. You have a brother ?”
“I do.”
“Is he as good-looking as you?”
Colin smiled. “Better.”
“Well, then, that settles it.” Dulcie finished topping off everyone’s wine. “You go right back there, and you bring him over here. If he needs straightening out, we’re just the crew to handle it. Right, ladies?”
“Right!” rang a chorus of female voices.
Colin could swear Luna’s was among them. He wondered how Duncan would react to this bunch. Chances were he’d fit right in. It was definitely something to think about.
“Oh. My. God.” Sybil sat up and wiped a hand over her face. “Do my eyes deceive me, or is that Hector walking this way in a bathing suit? God, it looks ancient. I hope it stays on him.”
Janet turned. “It is Hector,” she said in a low voice. “Don’t anybody say anything crazy, or you’ll scare him away. We’re about to make Whittier House history, so don’t any of you muck it up.”
“I’m sorry,” Dulcie said. “But that’s just not how I roll.” She made a megaphone of her hands. “Hey, Hector! Get your bony ass over here! We’ve been waiting for you!”
“I thought so!” Hector yelled back. “How could you have a decent party without the Hector-man?”
“The Hector-man ?” Janet looked around frantically. “Is hell freezing over? Is the world coming to an end? I can’t handle the shock!”
“It’s all Luna’s doing.” Colin leaned down to kiss her wet cheek.
“That’s not true,” Luna said. “It’s just… us, all of us, working together.”
“Yeah,” Janet said, “but it’s also you, toots. We were blessed the day you showed up. I hope you plan to stick around.”
“I do.”
As Colin heard the ring of certainty in her voice, it underscored her answer to the question he posed earlier, the one she’d called daft. No, she wouldn’t run away with him. She was anchored to this place and these friends, as well she should be after all the years she’d spent as a vagabond.
Only a selfish lover would insist that she give up the first safe, secure home she’d ever known. Only someone protecting his own interests would rip her from this spot and hope that she’d flourish in an alien environment. He wanted only the best for her. And from what he could tell, the best was right here on Le Floret.
Luna had never been surrounded by so many Weres who cared about her. Laughing with them, teasing and being teased, was so new and so special. Best of all, she could share this time with Colin, who seemed to enjoy himself as much as she did.
She longed to stop time and hold them all in this moment forever. But Dulcie said she was turning into a prune, and they’d finished the wine, and Hector said he was cold, although he’d been as boisterous and crazy as the rest of them. Luna hoped this was the night he started taking some joy in life.
As they left the hot tub, they all agreed to meet in the dining room for dinner after they showered and changed. Eating together wasn’t their normal routine, but it was appropriate for this special night, the last night Colin would be in residence.
Everyone pitched in to get the food on the table, and more bottles of wine were opened. As a farewell meal for the owner of Whittier House, the Much Honoured Colin MacDow
ell, Laird of Glenbarra, it worked.
Hector even proposed a toast to the success of the Whittier House Inn, and Luna knew then that she’d convinced him to stay on. The inn would be a blending of the old and the new, and Luna was optimistic about its future, even with George Trevelyan hovering menacingly in the background.
They’d talked a little business during dinner, and Colin had suggested creating a walk-in freezer out of a little-used pantry. Hector thought he’d need a riding mower, and Dulcie said the vacuum cleaners should be upgraded. None of it was startling, and everyone seemed confident they could handle the new regime just fine.
They all agreed that with a concerted effort, they could open for business the first weekend in August.
“Can you be here?” Janet asked Colin.
Luna was glad Janet had asked the question instead of her.
“I don’t know,” Colin said. “I can certainly try.”
“If not, you can always make a video to welcome the guests,” Luna said.
He gave her a long-suffering glance as everyone asked about the video and he had to explain that he wasn’t doing a video, come hell or high water. He’d do his best to be here in person, he said.
Luna wasn’t counting on it. He’d meant to come back while Geraldine was alive, too, and the obligations in Scotland had prevented him from returning. Considering that, she wouldn’t expect him at all, and would be thrilled if he happened to show up every couple of years.
Obviously, if she could wave a magic wand to stop Colin from leaving, she’d do it. But then he couldn’t handle the family problems that troubled him so. He did have to leave, and she’d faced that reality. She’d spent her whole life facing tough realities and disappointments, and she was good at it.
As they all sat discussing more plans for the grand opening, Luna thought about the good fortune that had led her here. She loved the island and the castle, but she loved these Weres far more. They were her family as much, or maybe more than her grandparents.
They accepted her for who she was. At last there were no more secrets, which meant the friendship and love would grow as they all worked together to make Whittier House a success. She was home at last.
Sybil finished off the last of her dessert and laid down her fork. “You know what we should do now? We should all go back to our rooms, shift, and go for a run in the woods. It would be like old times.”
“Sybil!” Dulcie gazed at her in open admiration. “That’s a brilliant idea.”
“I have ideas sometimes,” Sybil said. “I just don’t usually mention them because I’m afraid they’re stupid, but we’ve had such a great time, and it seems fitting on Colin’s last night that we should all go for a run.” She glanced around the table. “I’m faster than I look.”
“I’m not,” Janet said. “But I wouldn’t mind working off a little of that dinner. Let’s do it.”
“I would love for us to go for a run,” Luna said. “Thanks for suggesting it, Sybil.” She made a mental note to draw Sybil out more as the weeks went by. She’d been living in Dulcie’s shadow far too long.
“Does the front door still have that revolving panel in the bottom section?” Colin asked.
“Yep.” Dulcie nodded. “I tested it just the other day. I’ve been hankering for a run, but I didn’t really want to go alone.”
“I would have gone,” Sybil said. “I didn’t know anybody else wanted to.”
“I think this is a great idea,” Colin said. “But I haven’t run through these woods since I was seventeen. Anybody want to volunteer to take point?”
“Me,” Hector said. “We’ll meet down by my cottage. I go for a run nearly every night, so I know the best trails.”
All heads turned toward Hector. Luna was beginning to wonder if she’d completely underestimated the grounds-keeper.
Dulcie was the first to comment, as usual. “Hector, you sly Were. I had no idea you’ve been gallivanting through the woods every night. Maybe sometime you’ll take me along.”
“I might.” He gave her an assessing look. “If you think you’re up to it.”
“I can certainly keep up with you, you old Were.”
Hector smiled. “We’ll see about that, won’t we?”
Luna was fascinated by the interchange. Hector seemed to have dropped ten years in the past few hours and was acting like a robust man in his early sixties. Dulcie had definitely taken note of it. Interesting.
“Let’s carry the dishes to the kitchen and stick them in the dishwasher before we go,” Sybil said. “Janet shouldn’t have to come back to a mess.”
“Good plan,” Luna said.
“Excellent plan,” Janet said. “Thanks, Sybil.”
Sybil flushed. “You’re welcome.”
Luna smiled to herself. Sybil, having scored with her previous idea, had promptly lobbed in another one. No doubt about it, Sybil had promise. Maybe Luna should ask if Sybil wanted to learn how to keep the books for Whittier House.
With everyone helping, the dishes were dispensed with quickly and they each left for their respective rooms. Luna gave silent thanks that Colin had encouraged her to shift the night before in the penthouse. Otherwise she might have begged off for fear she’d keep everyone waiting. Instead she was eager to join in the fun.
Even so, she wondered if they’d all be down at the cottage ahead of her. Once she’d shifted, she loped out of her room and started down the stairs. Colin, his chocolate and caramel coat shining in the light from the chandelier, waited for her at the bottom of the stairs.
He glanced up when she appeared. There you are!
I know I’m slow. Is everyone else already outside? She hated being the last one out the door. She’d have to do this more often so she got faster.
Don’t worry. Janet just went through the door. You’re not that slow.
She joined him at the bottom of the stairs. Thanks to you. Thank you for last night.
His blue eyes flashed with amusement. Which part?
All parts. Now, let’s go! She trotted quickly toward the door and pushed her head against the bottom section. It revolved silently, giving her ample room to step through.
She turned as Colin came out the door right behind her. He barely fit, but she didn’t expect her future guests to be bigger than he was, so the door should be adequate. He gave the panel a nudge, and it clicked back into place.
She stayed by his side as they loped toward Hector’s cottage. Maybe, when the inn opens, I should offer nightly guided runs.
Colin glanced at her without breaking stride. Led by Hector?
If he’ll do it. He’s an interesting Were.
Colin snorted softly. Dulcie seems to think so, too.
I’ll let you know what happens. She planned to keep in touch with Colin by phone and e-mail, which might be more frustrating than no contact at all, but she’d take what she could get.
I’m glad we’re doing this group run. Colin’s voice was clear and strong. But when it’s over, don’t go in. I want time alone with you.
She was amused by the alpha nature of that statement. He didn’t ask. He announced. At times he could be open and flexible, but this wasn’t one of them. He was in full wolf mode.
Because she wanted alone time as much as he did, she would agree, but she couldn’t resist teasing him. I’m at your command, Your Much Honoured Lairdness.
He looked over at her. Good.
She couldn’t be sure, but she thought he was smiling.
They reached Hector’s stone cottage and found his small front yard dominated by the presence of three wolves. Dulcie was the trimmest of the females and her reddish coat had a slight curl to it.
Sybil remained stocky in Were form and had a glossy black coat similar to Luna’s. Janet was broad of chest and her rich brown coat looked well cared for.
Hector hadn’t shown up yet, and then Luna saw him coming around from the back of the cottage. She stared at the large, silver wolf as he walked with regal assurance to the fron
t of the cottage. As a human, Hector wasn’t the sort anyone would notice, but as a wolf, he was imposing.
Luna glanced over at Dulcie to see how she’d reacted to Hector’s somewhat grand entrance. Dulcie seemed riveted by the sight of Hector, his head held high, as he surveyed the small pack he was about to lead through the forest.
Hector looked at each wolf in turn, as if counting noses. We’re all here. Even his voice sounded stronger. Follow me.
Dulcie leaped into action and took off after Hector. Janet and Sybil followed.
Colin held back. Go ahead of me, Luna. Hector’s taken point, so I’ll guard the rear.
Luna had never run with a pack of wolves before, but Colin had, so she followed instructions and bolted into the trees after Sybil. Joy rocketed through her as her fantasy came to life. Running full out along a narrow path through the trees, she stretched her muscles and savored the freedom of using her powerful legs the way they were meant to be used. Leaves scattered beneath her paws as she ran.
Along the way she caught the scent and sounds of night creatures—the soft hoot of an owl, the scurrying feet of raccoons, the sour smell of a skunk that had crossed the path. Best of all, she wasn’t alone.
Colin’s voice came from behind her. Having a good time?
Colin, I love this. All these years, I’ve missed so much!
And now you can have it all.
That startled her. Did he really think he meant so little to her? Not quite all, Colin.
Tonight then. Tonight you can have it all.
Yes. And it would have to be enough.
Chapter 26
Colin hadn’t been sure that he’d recognize the route after fifteen years, but he did. A few trees had fallen and others had grown, but Hector obviously maintained this running path along with everything else on the estate. And he’d used it, even when no one else had.
The route took them in a large circle that would end at Hector’s cottage. Once around should be plenty for Janet and Sybil, but Colin fully expected Hector and Dulcie to add a second lap. Luna, who wasn’t used to this, already sounded out of breath.
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