by Crystal Dawn
“You’ll have more with time. Let’s go up and greet Viv.” A he hit the top of the steps, the look on her face was priceless.
“You didn’t tell me Channing would be going.”
“Does it matter?” Mairi asked.
“Can he fish?” Viv asked.
“In my cat form, usually.”
“That won’t work.” Ciaro assured him. “And we need to catch fish for lunch or starve.”
Once Mairi got them to a good spot she anchored and killed the motor. “Guys against girls.” She hollered.
Channing watched helplessly as everyone else got fishing poles ready and cast their lines out. “Hey, what about me?”
“Ciaro, you better help him.” Mairi smirked. Both girls had already caught a fish and had their lines cast again.
The panther got him his pole and baited it then hurried back to his own and reeled in a fish. By this time both girls had two. Channing cast and caught one quickly, but the lead the girls had by now was daunting. They were doing as well as the girls now, but the early lead stayed in place until lunch.
“So what did we lose?” He asked.
“Everyone cleans the fish and fixes lunch, but guys get to clean up.” Mairi said with a grin and Viv grinned too. “We have the limit for today. After lunch we can swim.”
They cleaned the fish and the girls were better at it than the guys. He’d bet they did it a lot when they were growing up. This was fun and he thought he’d buy a boat like this. Mairi had easy to fix things to go with the fish and the meal was wonderful. Cleanup was fast and easy. Now it was time to swim.
Once they checked the sheltered area out for rocks or other dangers, Ciaro showed him how to jump off the roof of the boat. The girls rolled their eyes at them, but it was fun. They floated around the water and jumped off the roof for a while before sitting on the deck drinking beer and talking about just about everything. Talk turned to housing. Ciaro’s was mostly under control, but Channing’s needed some help.
“If you go out a little further, you’ll be fine. Haven’t you been getting some lake houses?” Viv asked.
“How did you know?” Channing asked about to get upset at Roger.
“All sales are a matter of public record. I was checking on something else and noticed your recent purchases. I actually bought a lake house recently too. It’s a great place to take Caro and Lucia for a weekend.”
“Great minds. And Viv would know about stuff like that. She’s a lawyer.” Mairi said and Viv threw something at her.
“Why do you work construction?” He asked.
“Mom always said law wasn’t a good fit. It worked for a while but now I’m ready to change jobs.” Viv mentioned.
He’d admit he was stunned. That was something he’d never seen coming. “So did you move for good?”
“I think so. Washington is too fast paced.”
“State or DC?”
“DC.”
She must be a hell of a lawyer to be working there. Once they were back home, he’d check her out online. He’d not really thought she’d had a background other than construction. Now he knew better. Maybe he needed to find out a lot more about this interesting woman.
“It’s time to get supper started.” Mairi said.
“What will it be?” He asked.
“Fish!” Everyone else yelled.
They all went into the small space and prepared the food. The galley was on one wall with the dining area that turned into a bed on the other. They were fixing veggie kabobs with grilled fish and dinner salad. Dessert was fruit gelatin. Everything turned out good and tasted amazing. Maybe all the activity on the water had built an even larger than usual appetite.
The beer and wine coolers seemed to relax everyone even though supernaturals barely had an effect from them. They looked at the stars and picked out constellations. The sky was clear and perfect, the air fresh with a slight breeze, and he would love to do this again.
“The weather won’t be good for this much longer.” Mairi commented.
“You can’t go on the lake in the winter?” He asked.
“Not if you like to stay comfortable. It’s too cold.” Ciaro commented.
“You can’t fish if it ices over.” Viv added.
“Okay. I understand. Too bad. So what do you do in the winter?” He asked.
“That’s when you hunt.” Mairi explained. She had a big grin on her face and he vaguely remembered someone saying she was a hunter.
It was understandable to avoid really cold, icy days on the lake. That would be uncomfortably cold and the ice was dangerous. Maybe fishing from the shore with a big bonfire would work though. He could imagine sitting with Viv and cuddling near the fire. That female was taking over his thoughts and the affection he’d developed for her was hard to overlook.
“It’s almost bedtime.” Mairi pointed out. “Ciaro and I will grab one bed and you two can fight over what’s left.” What was left was one bed large enough for two and a small bunk sized for a child that even Viv was too big for.
“I’m not worried. Channing is a gentleman and he’ll take the floor.” Viv said. He might for a little while, but she’d be in his arms before the night was through.
Mairi and Ciaro were gone now and it was just the two of them. Viv’s eyes kept closing and finally she turned in. He waited to be sure she was fully asleep. While he waited, he went through all the things he had yet to do. Progress had been made, but more was needed. It would be some time before everyone that was coming was finally settled.
He decided it was time to go to bed now. When he entered the cabin, everyone was asleep. He stripped to his underwear and slid into bed with Viv. She moved restlessly until he took her in his arms. At that point she settled and pressed up against him. It felt marvelous and brought the feeling home to him of belonging.
This female was what he needed. She would be his home and they would settle down and raise a family together. Once he had a home, he would take her there and they would be together forever. Would she change? The only reason it mattered at this point was if she didn’t, she would leave him some day when death claimed her.
In his heart, he knew she would change. To what, he was uncertain but if nothing else, a wolf would be her other half through Ariel. He already owed the white wolf, he recognized she had helped him discover his mate. Now he just had to claim her.
As he lay there with his mate in his arms, his breathing slowed and his heart rate eased. The scent of his perfect one filled his lungs and everything calmed for him. Damn! He was buying a boat to enjoy with Viv after they mated. No, he couldn’t fool himself into thinking she’d take a trip like this again until they did. He chuckled low and she moved in his arms.
No need to wake her, she would throw him out of bed. At some point he fell into the deepest sleep he could ever remember having. He woke with someone moving restlessly against him. His mate was about to wake up. Knowing he should move, he stayed where he was anyway.
Viv gasped and tried to move back away from him but she hit the wall. “I couldn’t get to sleep on the floor and there seemed to be plenty of room up here.” He grinned shamelessly at her.
“Could you move now? I need to go to the bathroom.” She said.
“Sure, Sweetheart.” He quickly got up and he noticed her eyes roam over his body. She couldn’t hide her interest no matter how much she tried. Viv passed as he stepped to the side.
He dressed as she took care of her needs in the bathroom. Ciaro and Mairi had gone upstairs and he felt the boat moving. Mairi would undoubtedly find a calm harbor for them to fish in today. Going upstairs, he greeted the couple.
“What’s up for today?” He asked.
“Once Mairi settles into a good spot, we’ll eat breakfast. Once we cleanup, we’ll fish.” Ciaro grinned as his hand stroked his mate.
Goddess, he wished he had that relationship with Viv. “I’m ready for breakfast.” He admitted.
“Me too.” Mairi said. “We’re almost t
here.”
Mairi found the little cove and pulled in. Ciaro tossed in the anchor and they all went downstairs where Viv already had coffee going. Now they began to make scrambled eggs, grilled fish, and there were donuts someone had brought along.
Once they were done eating, they all helped cleanup and they got back on deck to fish. This spot was as good as the last one. The girls still beat them this time. It must be some of the tricks locals had that they could reel them in so fast.
“So who taught you guys how to fish?” He asked.
“My mom and dad taught me.” Viv admitted.
“Ariel mostly. Other adults helped too.” Mairi explained. “We used to have lots of days in the summer where we fished and had fish fries. No catch, no good food.”
“That’s true. You ate what you caught mostly. Not that anyone had to starve.” Viv said.
“You all went together?” Ciaro asked.
“Ariel rented a few cabins and everyone stayed there. We’d fish and swim all day long. At night we roasted marshmallows or made s’mores. Good times.” Mairi said with a faraway look.
“It sounds like you guys had a lot of fun growing up.” He commented.
“My mom was always wonderful. My dad was great too until he died.” Viv declared.
“Most of us had a great time in the summers with Ariel. My family was always good anytime. Not all kids get that.” Mairi admitted. “Now we need to count the fish. We’re getting near our limit.”
“Is it usually like this?” He wondered.
“Yes, we get our limit early and swim and have fun the rest of the day.” Viv replied.
“Just a few more.” Mairi urged. Not much later, they had their limit.
“Now what?” Ciaro asked.
“Now we clean our fish then we cook lunch. After that, we lazy around on deck or in the water. We could go tubing.” Mairi suggested.
“What’s that?” He asked.
“We take a big tube and pull it behind the boat.” Viv explained.
“That sounds like fun.” Ciaro said.
Now they started to clean their fish. With all of them doing it, it didn’t take long. Once that was done, they grilled fish and fixed potatoes and a garden salad. For dessert, they had ice cream. Apparently there was a small freezer onboard.
This trip made him even happier to have his lake side home. Now a boat had moved to the top of his list after the dust settled from the first two waves of his people. Maybe Viv would be his by then? Time would tell.
“So what about this tubing thing?” He asked.
“We can do more than one at once, but it can be dangerous so I don’t like to. Who wants to go first?” Mairi asked.
“I’ll go. That way Channing can see what it’s all about.”
“Okay let’s get out into the center of the lake. You know where the tubes are.” She said.
Ciaro came back up carrying a large blue tube in his hands grinning from ear to ear. Now Mairi slowed and came to a stop with the boat just floating along. Ciaro found a line then jumped into the water. He attached the line to the boat then to his tube. Now Mairi slowly pulled the boat up as Ciaro got on the tube. Once the line was taut, she sped up and the water flew.
The panther seemed to be having a great time. It looked like it would be fun. While some natural cats didn’t seem to like water much, shifters were different. Once Ciaro had his ride, Viv went next and finally he had his turn. Mairi said she’d rather swim so they found a place to anchor and they swam for a while.
It was hard, this feeling that their fun trip was coming to an end. But it had been relaxing and they still had tonight and breakfast in the morning. All the cat leaders worked too hard and they needed things like this as did their mates. All work and no play was no good.
After swimming an hour or more, they all relaxed on the deck talking about a little bit of nothing. Soon it was time for supper which was more fish. A week like this and he might tire of fish but for now it still tempted his hunger. Viv and Mairi were great cooks and Ciaro seemed to know his way around the kitchen too. He could cook a bit, but nothing to brag about. That was alright because he had other talents to lure his mate to him. Watching Viv cook was fun. It made him imagine her fixing a meal for him and their cubs. The thought made him smile.
Chapter 4
The Ex Factor
The food was good and she could eat fish far more often serving it in different ways before she got tired of it. No one seemed to mind and they all ate with a good appetite. Once the meal was done, they cleaned up and sat around on the deck looking at the stars and sipping wine coolers or beer. Ciaro and Mairi were having the best time because they were in love. She had a feeling a young one was on the way and that was why she’d skipped the tubing. The couple would share when they were ready.
Her and Channing were relaxed and having fun too. They just barely knew each other and that made a difference. She supposed they knew each other a little better now. “Hey, what you thinking about?” He asked.
“This is nice. Maybe I need to get a boat too.” She replied.
“I’ve decided I’m going to get one soon. I’ve got a place to dock it.”
“You’re lucky. I have a dock too, but my lake house is a bit rundown.”
“Not lucky, just good.”
“And a bit arrogant.”
“Not conceited, convinced.” She laughed. At least he was amusing.
“We’re going to turn in now.” Mairi said. “Remember we go home after breakfast unless we decide to catch some fish to take home. We’ll vote on that in the morning.”
“Goodnight.” She and Channing said together as they watched the couple go below.
“I guess we should turn in too.” He suggested.
“Where are you planning on sleeping?” She asked.
“The bed is plenty big enough. It’s not like I got sexual with you. We’re adults and we can manage.”
“Of course. You’re right. I’m getting ready for bed.” She said and she headed below. Now she felt stupid. He’d clearly lost any interest he’d felt before. That was a relief. Right?
The shower was nice, but it had to be used sparingly. She got wet, turned it off, lathered up and rinsed. Drying off quickly, she put on her sleep shirt and went to the kitchen sink to brush her teeth. Channing wasn’t down here yet. Maybe he would give her a chance to get to sleep first. Admittedly, this had been a nice trip.
Snuggling her pillow she got to sleep almost right away. Mama had always said fresh air helped bring on sleep better than anything. At some point during the night, she started to wake but felt so warm and safe, she sank back to sleep. When she finally woke at dawn, something hard was pressed against her ass.
She stayed still, unsure what to do now. If she got up, his condition would be obvious as well as the fact she was aware of it. But if she waited, what might he do? He pressed against her harder making a decision even more important to make. Damn it all! “Channing?”
“Yes?”
“Are you awake?”
“I am now. I was having such a beautiful dream.”
“Well you need to move, now.”
“Of course.” He replied and he immediately rolled off the bed.
Now she went to the bathroom and returned quickly to help Mairi make breakfast. Ciaro must be worn out and sleeping in. He went to the deck where he began to get the fishing gear out so it would be easier to access later. There was no doubt they would all want some fish to take home. Once that was done, he went inside and washed his hands. By then breakfast was done and Ciaro joined them. That male looked satisfied and he kissed his mate with passion. Of course it made him jealous. That’s what he wanted too.
The food was good and the cleanup went fast. They all voted to get their limit quickly, clean the fish and head home. No real surprise as far as he was concerned. “Who set the gear out?” Mairi looked at Ciaro.
“Not me.” Her mate admitted.
“I thought it would be helpful.�
��
“Thank you. Now everyone grab their poles and let’s get it on.” Mairi directed.
It was just like Mairi had ordered the fish to bite too. She counted them and threw one back. “We’ve got them. Let’s clean them and we’ll divide them up. This will be some good eating.” She grinned ear to ear. There was no doubt she was an outdoorswoman. This was where she was happiest.
While Viv seemed to enjoy their trip, he couldn’t say she had the enthusiasm of Mairi. Few would. That might change if Viv changed and had an inner animal too. It just made sense that an animal inside would add to the joy of being out in the wide open spaces or the wooded areas.
Now the fish were cleaned up and divided among them. His cook was on her way, so maybe she could do something good with them. He’d suggested Mairi or Viv take them, but apparently they fished enough to have plenty. The dock was coming up and this fun trip was over. Something had to be figured out or he’d lose anything he’d gained with his mate. The problem was what could he do now?
Mairi pulled up to the dock where Ciaro jumped out and tied the boat to the dock. Apparently Mairi’s family owned this fun little spot to use during the summer. It was nice, but his place would be a blast. Once his people were settled in, he would have a party for all the leaders of his kind that were in place. Hopefully, Viv would be at his side. Was that just a dream? She still seemed out of reach even after spending the weekend at her side. He certainly owed Mairi one.
Now everyone got their gear together and unloaded. Their SUVs were all parked nearby and he put the fish in the back first. Going back, he got his bags and he said goodbye. He hated to leave, but Viv was already pulling away and onto the highway. Following her for a short distance, he turned when his road came up.
He hoped things had went well and all his employees, furniture and other things were in place. A brother and a sister were on their way if not already there and he hoped and prayed they would get their own places soon. That was often the way of their kind once they hit adulthood. Their own space was a valuable thing and he and his siblings had spread like dust in the wind. Now they were beginning to come back together but they were basically strangers.
