by Tena Stetler
“Whew,” Hayley said. “That was a close one. Don’t want the groom seeing the wedding dress before the wedding.”
“I thought the groom wasn’t supposed to see the bride in the wedding dress,” Pepper said.
“Same thing.” Hayley huffed.
A whine, growl, and loud thump came from the inside the closet. “Oh nooo.” Klaren yanked the closet door open. Timber lay sprawled on her back, hind feet kicking in the air, needle sharp puppy teeth chewing on the bottom corner of Pepper’s wedding shoe box. Her mom whisked the pup into her arms. “You naughty little creature.” She held her up and kissed Timber’s wiggling wet nose.
Pepper examined the shoes. “No harm done.” She peeked further into the large walk-in closet. “Where are Tonk and Ember?”
“Is Timber up there with you?” Lathen called from the bottom of the stairs. “Ember and Tonk tore in and out of the house when I came looking for you, but no Timber.”
Opening the apartment door, Pepper stepped out on the small wooden landing. “Apparently Tonk and Ember ditched Timber. She’s up here trying to chew up my new shoes.”
“What kind of trouble are you girls getting into without male supervision.” He snickered.
Balling up a wad of tissue paper she still held from the shoe box, she hurled it at him. “Nothing to concern your testosteroned mind with.”
“What? Never heard of such a thing. You made that adjective up.” He roared with laughter.
“Maybe…” she conceded as she flounced down the stairs toward him, Hayley, Klaren, and Amy on her heels. At the bottom of the stairs, she flung her arms around his neck and planted a smacking kiss on his lips.
His large hands encircled her waist, and he smiled against her lips as he deepened the kiss. Leaning into him, she returned his kiss with reckless abandon. Klaren swatted Pepper’s butt as she passed by, the other ladies giggled.
“Pepper, come along, time to release him and help fix dinner, you can finish what you started later.” She chuckled, led the others toward the barn door, heard voices and turned. “Everyone convened out here?”
“Kolby and Elijah wanted to see the horses, check out the sleigh,” Duncan said.
“Then Lathen got derailed.” Kolby snickered glancing up the stairs.
“You heard your mom; we’ll finish this tonight,” Lathen whispered against her ear, his voice husky. Reluctantly he released her, turned his attention to his brother, gave him a middle finger salute.
Kolby snickered again as his dad chuckled. “Boys will be boys, regardless of their age.”
Even with the rude interlude, desire zinged through Pepper’s body as she and Lathen walked to the cabin hand in hand, his breath rapid as if he’d ran a long race. She smiled. He was as aroused as she.
After a dinner of chili and cornbread, the group sat around the fire sipping wine, exchanging tales of life in Alaska, and at the Lobster Cove Rescue and Rehab Center. In addition, Duncan and Klaren described retired life in the country as opposed to the daily grind of college professors in the city.
Pepper stifled a yawn and proposed an early night since they planned to leave before dawn for Rocky Mountain National Park.
Lathen suggested they take two vehicles. The couples agreed and decided that Pepper, Kolby, and Hayley could accompany Lathen in the rented SUV. While Klaren, Elijah, and Amy would ride in Duncan’s crew cab truck. Goodnights were said, and each couple retired to their rooms.
“Alone at last.” Lathen closed the door to the bedroom quietly and crossed to Pepper. Taking her in his arms, she felt his heartbeat increase against her chest. She drew in a breath as her own heart thundered. The caress of his lips on her mouth, trailing along her jaw line and to the rise of her breast shot spirals of desire through her body. His hand slid under her sweater, releasing the front hook of a wispy lilac silk bra. Her breasts spilled into his hand as the other pulled the sweater over her head and tossed it aside. He fondled one firm breast, its pink nipple a ripe berry and lowered his head flicking his tongue across the tip, drawing it into his mouth. She shivered at his tantalizing touch.
“In a hurry are we?” she cooed. Curling her fingers into the bottom of his shirt, tugging it over his head, the shirt slid to the floor.
She slipped her fingers inside his waistband and flicked open the button, lowered the zipper. The jeans hung on the curve of his firm ass until she tugged them down, where they pooled on the floor.
He stepped out of them, swept her up in his arms, she kissed him, lingering as their tongues entwined in a sinuous dance. He eased her onto the bed.
When his fingers stroked between her breasts, along her ribcage, and across her belly, pleasant jolts of desire swirled where she was already hot. Unbuttoning her jeans, he slid the zipper down and peeled the jeans off her legs, leaving only her lilac silk panties.
With a dark and smoldering look, he stared at her semi-naked body, his fingers teased lower, pulled her panties aside, and stroked her warm, wet flesh. He bent over and breathed a warm kiss through the silk of her panties, slipping a finger inside. A soft moan left her lips as she arched against his hand. Panties went flying when he crawled between her legs, running his hands up her thighs. Heat seared through her. He knew how to touch a woman.
Breath ragged with desire, he whispered, “You are absolutely beautiful.”
She leaned forward, his impressive erection straining for release, Pepper pulled at his underwear, and his length sprang free. He wiggled out of the fabric, lowering himself onto her. His erection pressed against her opening. As he leaned on his elbow, she arched up, knocking him off balance. He rolled to his side, and she straddled him, pushing him onto his back.
“My turn.” She giggled hovering over him. Slowly she eased around him. Painstakingly slow, she allowed him inside her an inch at a time. When he was buried to the hilt, he groaned and arched his hips finding a rhythm to please.
“No, no, no, not yet.” She raised up.
“Tease.” He grunted with a smirk, grasped her waist with both hands, and thrust into her until she covered her mouth to muffle the scream as an orgasm ripped through her.
When her pleasure subsided, he rolled her onto her back. Her breasts crushed against the hardness of his chest as they found the sequence that bound them together soaring higher and higher until she crashed over the edge of ecstasy again. This time, he followed her, his breath coming in long, shuddering moans. After a few minutes, he rolled to his side and gazed at her. “I love you,” he murmured against her ear.
“I still love you more,” she said sleepily.
“No way,” he whispered, shifting so their legs entwined. She snuggled her head against his shoulder, enveloped in his arms, and drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Ten
An Exciting Sleigh Ride After a Thanksgiving Snowstorm
Wednesday morning a bright orange sliver of sun lay across the horizon. Breakfast consisted of muffins filled with egg, bacon, cheese, and various veggies depending on each person’s preference. A recipe Pepper had found on the internet and tried at home. After the delicious muffins were gobbled down, plates put in the dishwasher, and table wiped off, everyone reached for their coat.
In layers of winter gear, Lathen, his brother, Hayley, and Pepper climbed into the SUV with steaming mugs of coffee and hot chocolate. Klaren, Amy, and Elijah clambered into Duncan’s truck, their travel mugs filled with fresh coffee for the two-hour drive to explore Rocky Mountain National Park.
Upon arrival at the park, Lathen presented his annual park pass. The ranger told them Trail Ridge Road was closed due to a recent snow. However, Bear Lake Road was open and some of the hiking trails around it. “There’s good snowshoeing farther up. Watch for weather change; we’re expecting snow later this afternoon,” Ranger Smith said with a smile, handing park brochures through the window.
“Kinda figured that. Thanks.” Lathen pulled the SUV forward a couple of vehicle lengths and waited for Duncan to clear the checkpoint. No other vehicl
es were behind them. Once the truck was even with the SUV, both men rolled down their windows.
“Bear Lake it is,” Duncan called out cheerfully. “Glad we brought snowshoes.”
“Yep, maybe another time. We’ll follow you.” Lathen rolled the window up and waited for Duncan to take the lead. “Girls are you going to hike round Bear Lake, or stay in the vehicle?”
“We’re hiking of course,” Hayley said indignantly. “I’m pregnant not incapacitated.”
Lathen laughed, glancing at Kolby. “It’s an easy hike and designated for the handicapped. Even have benches around the lake.”
Hayley reached up and slapped Lathen lightly upside the head. “You knew that was coming.”
“Hey, I’m just being thoughtful. I didn’t mean…” He rubbed the side of his head, sent a sideways glance to Kolby. “Help me out here, bro.”
Kolby raised his hands, palms up in a gesture of surrender and shook his head. “No way! You dug the hole; you figure out how to get out. Besides, I gotta live with her.” He neatly dodged a swipe from his wife.
Pepper sat silent, her hands folded in her lap, smiling like a Cheshire cat.
Easing the SUV into the parking spot next to Duncan’s truck, Lathen jumped out, skimmed the hood of the SUV as he vaulted over, and opened Pepper’s door. “My lady?” He bowed deeply.
She flicked her hand with flourish, then took his and slipped out of the vehicle. “Who says chivalry is dead. But I’m not helping you either.”
Lathen frowned at her, then snorted. “Figures.”
Kolby assisted Hayley out of the vehicle. They joined the group standing behind the truck.
“This trail leads around Bear Lake Loop, up to Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and on to Emerald Lake. Dream Lake is great for snowshoeing. Which I happen to have in the back of the truck. What’s the plan?” Duncan glanced around the group unlocking the metal tool box in the back of the truck.
“I’d like to check out Dream Lake, get some pictures.” Elijah held up his new camera. “It’s one of the most photographed lakes in the park.”
“I’ll join you,” Lathen and Kolby chorused.
“Me too, unless…” Amy said, peering over at the other women.
“No, go ahead,” Klaren said. “I’m happy to walk Bear Lake Loop.”
“Hayley and I will take the Bear Lake Loop too; if she wants to go farther, we will. Otherwise, we’ll meet you guys back here,” Pepper said, glancing at the snowshoes in the bed of the truck before pushing off the side of the truck.
“Hey, Pep, you don’t have to stay here with me. Go ahead with them. Klaren and I’ll have a good chat walking around the loop.” Hayley zipped up her parka, pulled on her hat and gloves.
“That’s exactly what I am afraid of.” Pepper shifted from one foot to the other, her camera swinging from a strap around her neck. “But the trail to Dream Lake passes Nymph Lake and has breathtaking views of Glacier Gorge, Longs Peak, Hallett Peak, and Flattop Mountain.”
“The girl does her homework,” Eli said.
“We’ll have plenty of time to gab later,” Hayley said giving Pepper a shove toward the others.
“I won’t tell too many stories about your childhood… Promise,” Klaren said smugly, crossing her arms across her chest.
“Yeah right. That’s why your arms and ankles are crossed.” Pepper huffed. “But I’m going to go with the guys and Amy anyway. Thanks.” She hugged her mom and Hayley then took a pair of snowshoes Lathen handed her.
“Don’t put your hands in the water. Bear Lake is the only lake in the park that has leeches,” Duncan warned with a chuckle; he turned toward the lake. “It’s completely frozen over anyway. I see people walking across it.”
“You had to say that, didn’t you Duncan.” Klaren pursed her lips and frowned.
Duncan shrugged. “Well…it does.” He tossed the truck keys to Klaren. “If you get back before us, just hop in the truck and wait.”
His wife reached up and plucked the keys out of the air. “I put a set of truck keys in my backpack. Keep yours.” She handed them back to him.
The group talked as they made their way around the Bear Lake loop. Evergreen trees and aspens grew close to the winding path around the lake’s shore. A wooden bridge over the shallow narrow end allowed a glimpse of cutthroat trout during the summer, according to the posted sign. Hayley and Klaren stopped and sat on a bench before venturing on up to Nymph Lake, where beautiful yellow lilies make their home on the deep blue waters. Today, it was also frozen. Pepper waved as she loped up the hill to catch up where the guys and Amy headed toward Dream Lake.
Lathen let the others take the lead up the trail and caught Pepper by a gloved hand. “Your dad and I were talking last night. He said something about the use of magic at Christmas time held no consequences.”
She tilted her head a bit and narrowed her eyes. “Depending on what it’s used for. Yes, that’s true. Christmas magic is different than the regular magic according to the McKay’s folklore, which is what my dad is talking about. I have no idea why, except maybe when the witches married mortals Christmas magic spun from their beliefs. Why?”
“Maybe we could use the spell he talked about, then we wouldn’t have to use the Lobster Cove Community Center for the reception. The ceremony and reception could all be held on the property.”
“I’ve thought of that. But then we wouldn’t be able to invoke the rights of a bride and groom to leave early…if we wanted to. Because everyone would be in our home. Which is where I want to spend our wedding night…alone.”
“But Gwen will be there.”
“Gwen’s different than having the whole town, family, and friends at the cabin. Then trying to get everyone to leave at a reasonable time.”
Lathen groaned and tapped himself in the forehead. “Oh…I see now.”
“Along that line though… Maybe we could use magic to build a temporary large, heated structure for one night near the pond and hold the reception there. If we feel like leaving the reception early, we could escape to the cabin. Still, the reception location is on the invitations.”
“True, but I like that option,” Lathen said nodding. “We can mull it over.”
“We’ll work on that with Aunt Ashling when we get back home. Since she’s overseeing magic at the pond.”
Lathen looked up ahead and noticed the other couples had stopped to put on their snowshoes. Pepper and Lathen did the same, and their little group continued to Dream Lake.
As Elijah and Pepper finished taking pictures, light snow swirled through the air. Pepper took the camera from around her neck and carefully handed it to Lathen.
He pushed the review button, scrolled through the pictures and nodded. “Awesome.”
Duncan smiled peering over Lathen’s shoulder. “During the summer, the lake reflects its surroundings like a mirror image. No matter which outlook you take a picture from, it looks different. That’s why they call it Dream Lake.” The snowflake size and intensity increased. “I don’t think we want to go on to Emerald Lake.”
“Agreed. Let’s head back,” Elijah said. When the group arrived at Nymph Lake, they took off the snowshoes.
By the time they reached the vehicles, the snowflakes were still on the increase; the ground was covered with a couple inches of snow. Duncan yanked open the door to the truck, and warm air whooshed out. Hayley and Klaren sat in the back seat warm and toasty.
“I’m riding home in this truck,” Hayley said leaning over Klaren.
“Me too.” Pepper climbed into the front passenger seat, closed and locked the door.
“I guess we are riding with Lathen,” Elijah said on a laugh, wrapping his arms around Amy. “I think you’ve been abandoned by your kind.”
“No, I wasn’t as fast as Pepper. Or I’d be in that seat and she’d be standing out here.” Amy grimaced.
“It won’t take long for the SUV to heat up,” Lathen said glowering in Pepper’s direction. She merely stuck her tongue out at him
and turned her attention to the women in the back seat.
He fobbed the vehicle open, clambered inside, and started the engine. The drive home was treacherous, blowing and drifting snow caused the red tail lights on Duncan’s truck to disappear and reappear several times during whiteout conditions as Lathen tried to keep the truck in sight. The two-hour drive took four. It was nearly eight o’clock when he pulled into the McKay driveway behind Duncan.
Klaren popped out of the truck first and hurried up the path to unlock the cabin. When she pushed the door open, Ember, Tonk, and Timber came bounding out, all wiggles and wagging tails. Just as quick they were off chasing each other, barking and rolling in the snow. Kaylee’s loud whistle could be heard between wind gusts that nearly toppled Elijah and Amy as they trudged into the house. The group took off their boots. Lathen sniffed. “Something smells awfully good. Beef stew?”
“Yep, I put it on this morning before we left. I’ll whip up cornbread, and we’ll have dinner in two shakes of a peacock’s tail.” Klaren grinned and hurried off to the kitchen.
“Need any help?” Amy followed behind her. Hayley plopped onto the couch, hand over her belly. Kolby settled next to her. Duncan flicked his fingers at the fireplace, and it roared to life.
“That’s more like it.” Pepper’s dad started to ease into the recliner farthest from the fire. “Hey Klar, do I need to make coffee?”
“Nope, it’s handled, be a couple minutes.”
Pepper sprinted to the aviary to sooth Kaylee. Within a few minutes, she walked into the room with the osprey on her gauntleted arm.
“She refuses to eat,” Pepper announced straightening papers below the bird’s portable perch in the family room. “I’ll thaw a few fish cubes for her, throw them in her bowl a bit later.”
Lathen whistled for Ember, Tonk, and Timber to come inside. “Don’t want them wandering off in this storm.”
