Force Of Nature

by Peggy Webb

“This means the world to me,” he said.

  “We’re leaving in a couple of weeks for Skylar’s holiday concert tour, and you two need some time together. How does next spring sound?”

  Michael was so full he could merely nod, and Anne asked, “Here? In Belle Rose?”

  “No,” Skylar said. “We want to renew our vows in Atlanta…in Daniel’s church. I’m not sure his parishioners have ever forgiven me for marrying their minister in a pagan ceremony on the riverbank.”

  “They adore you.” Daniel kissed his wife. “Almost as much as I do.”

  “Pagan, my foot,” Anne said. “It was one of the most spiritual ceremonies I’ve ever seen. And I’ll go tell them so.”

  The family roared with laughter, and Daniel said, “You go get ’em, Mom.”

  “She’ll box their ears if she has to,” Hannah told Skylar, and she was only half kidding.

  To all appearances her mother was demure, sedate and ladylike. But let one of her own be threatened and she became a tigress. When Emily was eight, Anne had actually told a hulking soccer coach that he wasn’t going to have any red left in his hair if he didn’t back off and stop bullying her daughter, that if he ever made Emily cry again in PE she was personally going to snatch him bald-headed.

  “I thought she might settle down while I was gone,” Michael deadpanned, “but I came back to the same hellion.”

  Anne shot back at him, “You haven’t seen anything yet.”

  They got lost in each other and so were Daniel and Skylar. Hannah was the one who noticed the steak was charring.

  Michael rescued it while Anne assured him, “We’ll scrape off the burned parts.” But Hannah saw the worry that crept into her mother’s face.

  Late that evening, when she told her parents and Skylar goodbye, she said, “Daniel, walk me to the car.”

  “Sure thing, Sis.”

  “Don’t call me Sis.”

  Hannah made the retort more for old time’s sake than out of any pique. They left Michael leaning over the piano while Anne played and Skylar belted out, “Blue Skies.”

  “I’m worried about Mom,” she told Daniel as soon as they were out of earshot.

  “She looks tired.”

  “It’s more than that. Did you notice how she watches every little move Dad makes? It’s as if she’s afraid something might be missing and she has to be vigilant to fill the gaps.”

  “Could be. I think she’s just afraid of losing him again. These last six months nearly killed her.”

  “I know.” She squeezed her brother’s hand. “I’m glad you and Skylar are staying.”

  “Sky wants to help Mom put together the anniversary shindig. I wish you could stay, too.”

  “No can do, big bro.”

  “What’s the hurry?”

  She almost told him. She and Daniel had always confided in each other. She was the one he had come to when he’d fallen so inappropriately in love with Skylar. Or so he’d thought, until Hannah had set him straight.

  If she could talk to him, maybe Daniel could set her straight. But how? Who would ever understand the absolute foolhardiness of falling in love with the wolfman she was trying to tame?

  No one would ever tame Hunter. Of that she was certain.

  “I have to finish the story,” she told her brother, and it was the truth. But only part of it. The other part was that she couldn’t bear to be away from Hunter. And not merely because she worried about what he might decide to do.

  She hugged her brother, then drove by the mall on the way home to pick up art supplies. Then she turned her car north toward home. North toward Hunter.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Reclining amid their recently tangled bedcovers with the sheet draped over her hips, Hannah looked over her shoulder at Hunter. He stood barefoot in front of a huge canvas working at a furious pace. Oil paint spattered his chest and the front of his jeans.

  “Take your time,” she said. “I’m in no hurry.”

  She enjoyed watching him paint. In fact, it was one of her greatest delights. Hunter brought the same intensity to the canvas that he brought to their lovemaking. She had chosen wisely in buying large canvases. He was a larger-than-life man.

  “I want to capture that wanton look on your face while it’s still fresh,” he said.

  “We could do it all over again.”

  The mere suggestion aroused him. Eyes gleaming, he started toward her.

  “I was just kidding,” she said.

  He propped one knee on the bed and leaned over to brush one nipple with red paint.

  “Were you?” he said, moving the brush to the other nipple.

  “Not really,” she whispered.

  The brush clattered to the floor as she pulled him down to her, and it was a very long time before Hunter got back to his painting.

  As he posed her once more she looked at the painting he’d already done leaning against the wall—Hannah emerging from her bath.

  “If you keep painting me nude, you’ll never get all those canvases filled.”

  “I had much rather fill you…tilt your chin down a little.”

  “Like this?”

  “That’s good.”

  “Hunter, are you nervous about tomorrow?” They would be driving down to Belle Rose for her parents’ anniversary celebration.

  “No. I’m looking forward to it. If conversation lags I can always talk about how to steal a grizzly’s coat for the winter.”

  She loved it that he had a sense of humor. He would do well tomorrow. In addition to his own natural charm and humor, he had aced everything she’d taught him, including the finer points of dining.

  Soon he would have no need for her. Not as a teacher and protector. Not as a playmate, either. Certainly not after America’s long-stemmed beauties got a gander at him.

  “Hannah, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Is it my hair? You’re afraid it will offend your family. I’ll cut it.”

  “No! Don’t you dare. I adore your hair.”

  “I haven’t seen hair like this…except on the covers of those historical romances in your bookshelves.” His eyes were twinkling.

  “Fabio.” She gave an over-the-top sigh. “My secret passion.”

  “I’ll capture him and send him up to live with my wolf brothers for a while.”

  Though he was still teasing, something inside Hannah clenched as if she were holding on…and holding on tight. The pull of the wild was still strong with him. Someday she would have to give him the choice: do you want to stay or do you want to return?

  But not now. Please, God, not now. Please, please, please.…

  She had to have a few more days with Hunter, a few more weeks.

  And then she could let him go. Couldn’t she?

  “Tomorrow when we go down to Belle Rose, I’ll start to teach you to drive the car.”

  “Why?”

  “A car will give you the freedom to come and go as you please.”

  “That’s what feet and legs are for.”

  “I’m afraid you can’t run on freeways the way you could race around Denali.”

  “That’s the reason Americans are fat. I’ll fly where I’m going and take taxis when I have to.”

  “I should have known you’d have it all figured out with that big brain of yours.” She laughed. “I think I’ll limit your TV viewing time. It’s giving you some bad impressions.”

  “All except the X-rated channel.”

  “You graduated a long time ago.”

  “Did I?” He put his brush down.

  “Hunter, get that look out of your eyes.” His bare feet made no sound as he came toward her. “Hunter.…” She sighed his name one more time, and that was all.

  Before they left for Hannah’s home, she said, “You look great. Like a Bohemian artist.”

  It wasn’t his looks that worried Hunter. It was the very real possibility that he would do or say something to cause her distress and make her wish
she’d never taken him to meet his family.

  He knew pack behavior. He understood that those who broke the codes of conduct were driven out.

  “Tell me about your family’s rules,” he said.

  Hannah turned her attention from the road to look at him. “There are no rules.”

  “Every pack has rules. They are necessary for survival.”

  She didn’t correct him. She didn’t point out his lapse into primitive thinking. She merely turned her face back to the road and said, “I see.”

  He watched the scenery whizzing by. He hated being in the car. For one thing he couldn’t make out landmarks. For another he couldn’t smell anything. How could he locate the enemy without sight and smell?

  He didn’t say any of these things to Hannah. Enemies were predators who would pounce when you let your guard down. The only difference between her world and his was that in his world he could smell them coming before they bared their claws.

  “Fifteen minutes and we’ll be at Belle Rose.” She’d told him about the antebellum house with the cannonball still lodged in the wall. He could barely remember his parents’ house. All he had was a vague recollection of large spaces and a huge backyard.

  She reached across and squeezed his hand. “Just be yourself, that’s all. And if you start feeling uncomfortable or…trapped…just let me know and we’ll leave.”

  “Thank you, Hannah, but that won’t be necessary.” He had no intention of failing the test with her family.

  Hannah was the last to arrive. She’d planned it that way. In one sweeping glance she would see the initial reaction of her entire family.

  She parked the car beside her brother-in-law’s BMW, then turned to Hunter and said, “Showtime.” She smiled when he got out of the car and came around to open her door.

  “So far, so good.”

  “If I pass the test, do I get a reward?”

  “You get a reward whether you pass or not.” She moved into him for a quick, hard kiss, then stepped back and took deep breaths. She was more nervous than he.

  “Let’s go,” she said.

  Her family was gathered in the living room, and when they walked in, it was Michael’s reaction she watched first.

  He sized Hunter up, alpha male of the pack taking the measure of the newcomer to see if he posed a threat to the rest of the members.

  Lord, now she was thinking like Hunter. She stifled a nervous giggle.

  “Hunter.…” Anne came forward and took his hand. “Can I get you something to drink? We’re having Pinot Grigio. Or I can get iced tea, a cola or water.”

  “I’ll have wine,” Hunter said.

  Anne shot a triumphant look toward her daughter, one that said, “You did it!” She hurried off to get the drink, and Hannah watched the rest of the family. Except for Anne and Michael, not one of them knew Hunter’s background. And so far, not one of them appeared suspicious that he was something other than he seemed.

  Of course, they’d only got past the introductions. The real test was yet to come.

  It was the family’s athlete Jake who started the ball rolling. Judging by Hunter’s fitness and deeply tanned skin, he correctly sized him up as full of athletic prowess.

  “You must be a fellow outdoorsman,” he said. Hunter acknowledged this with a smile and a slight nod. “Which sports do you enjoy?”

  Hannah held her breath, waiting for his answer. Michael seemed poised to step in if he had to.

  “Long-distance running, primarily.”

  “Ever done any competitions?”

  “No. But I’ve had to run for my life a few times.” Hunter’s laughter turned a truthful statement into jest, and Jake joined in.

  Emily came to stand beside her husband. “So Hunter, where are you from?” she asked.

  “I was born in New York, but I’ve spent most of my life in Alaska.”

  Hannah began to relax, and then Jake asked, “There are some great ranges in Alaska. Have you ever done any mountain climbing?”

  Anne turned white, and Michael hurried to her side. Emily poked her husband in the ribs. “Jake, let’s not talk about that.”

  “I forgot, honey.” He hurried over to his mother-in-law. “I’m truly sorry, Anne. I didn’t mean to resurrect painful memories.”

  “That’s all right,” she murmured, but everybody could tell it wasn’t.

  Good lord, Hannah thought, did her mother still blame Jake for Michael’s coma? After all, he had been the one to ask him to come out of retirement and go back to the mountain. But Michael was a professional high-altitude film-maker. Or had been. The whole family had lived with the possibility of avalanches and other natural disasters for years.

  A deafening silence fell over them. Hannah wished she had never brought Hunter. It was the wrong time, the wrong place. Obviously her family still had wounds to heal.

  Why hadn’t she taken him to a good restaurant, instead? Why hadn’t she done something simple like that?

  Wearing the serious look he always got when he was getting ready to deliver a sermon, Daniel moved away from the piano where he’d been standing with Skylar.

  “Wait.” Michael put a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Let me.”

  When he strode to the center of the room, not a single person watching had any doubt that Michael Westmoreland was back in charge. Not that he had ever been a dictator, but he had been their wise leader and benevolent advisor—the rock that provided shelter for them all.

  “In this family we’ve lived with the capricious nature of mountains all our lives. Especially Everest…the one that nearly killed me.”

  Anne put her hand over her mouth to stifle a sob. Michael gave her a look of such compassion, such love that she tilted her chin up and returned a brave smile.

  “That’s my Annie,” he said. “That’s my girl.” He looked around at his family once more. “I know these last few months have been hard for all of you. With the exception of Anne, I think Jake must have suffered the most.”

  Emily leaned her head against her husband’s chest, and he stroked her back.

  “I want all of you to know that I went back to Everest because I wanted to. For no other reason.” He smiled at his wife. “And Anne, I want you to know that I’m never going again. One climber in this family is enough.”

  “I have my skillet handy in case you change your mind,” she said, and everybody laughed. Anne Beaufort Westmoreland had her spunk back.

  “One more thing,” Michael added. “No subject in this family has ever been taboo, and we’re not going to pussy-foot around the subject of mountains.”

  “Hear, hear.” Daniel lifted his glass. “I propose a toast to Michael and Anne Westmoreland, the world’s greatest parents.”

  Emily chimed in with, “Most of the time,” and Hannah added, “When they could catch us.”

  Then Michael lifted his glass. “To my precious Anne, the love of my life.”

  She linked arms with him saying, “To my darling Michael, my heart and soul.”

  The festive mood lasted through dinner, and afterward Emily said, “I don’t want to steal Mom and Dad’s thunder, but Jake and I have an announcement.”

  One look at Jake’s face told Hannah what her sister’s announcement was going to be.

  “I’m pregnant,” Emily added.

  Excitement ran high. Hannah was the only one who didn’t join in. All she could see was her once-unconventional sister settling into mundane routine.

  “Congratulations,” she said, and that was all.

  She loved her family and was happy for her sister. She really was. But she was even happier that her sister’s news had once again deflected attention from Hunter.

  He was doing a superb job of blending in, but when Skylar asked him, “What do you do?” he was stumped for the first time that evening.

  “He’s an artist,” Hannah told her sister-in-law.

  And it was true. He had enormous natural talent that she was hoping would translate into a career.r />
  If he decided to stay.…

  “Hannah?” Her mother lifted one eyebrow.

  “Sorry, Mom. What did you say?”

  “Skylar’s going to sing for Michael and me. Are you and Hunter ready to go back into the den?”

  “Certainly.”

  Hannah squeezed the arm Hunter offered, and he leaned down to whisper, “How am I doing, teacher?”

  “Better than I am,” she whispered back.

  Skylar sang love ballads while Michael and Anne sat on the sofa with their arms around each other. Emily leaned back in Jake’s arms and he caressed her still-flat abdomen.

  The music made Hannah dream of glorious days and magical nights with Hunter, but she scrupulously avoided looking at him or touching him. She didn’t dare. He was so totally uninhibited about sex she couldn’t possibly risk arousing him.

  And that was all it took—one look, one touch. For both of them.

  “My last number is one that is special to both of you for many reasons,” Skylar said. “It’s ‘Wonderful Tonight.’”

  Michael stood up and pulled Anne into his arms, and they danced while Skylar sang. Afterward Anne suggested a stroll through the rose garden.

  “This December has been so mild we still have a few stragglers in bloom,” she said.

  Everybody declined the walk except Hunter and Hannah.

  The veil of evening had fallen over the garden, and when Hunter reached for her hand, she felt electrocuted. Her parents led the way, and under cover of darkness he drew her hand against him.

  Sucking in a sharp breath, she looked up at him. His eyes gleamed silver in the moonlight and danced with mischief.

  Hannah jumped apart from him when her mother started talking. She and Michael had stopped beside a pink rose that looked white under the stars.

  “This old-fashioned floribunda is the only one still blooming,” she said. “There’s really not much to see in the garden. I just felt the need for air.”

  “Why don’t we leave you two alone out here?” Hannah said. “Anyway Hunter and I need to be going.”

  “You won’t stay the night?” Anne said.

  “I think it’s best this way, Mom.”

  Michael shook Hunter’s hand. “I’m glad you came with Hannah today. You’re an impressive young man.”