Harvest Dreams

by Jacqueline Paige

  “I needed that,” she whispered.

  “Me too.” He kissed the tip of her nose and then grinned. “Now if we don’t go out there, they’re going to come looking.” He dared her with his eyes.

  She smirked and flicked her tongue ring out as she pulled out of his arms. “Can’t have that.”

  “Nasty witch.” He joked as he put his arm around her and walked back out into the living room with her. When everyone turned he sent out a warning look that told them all to carry on.

  Leena smiled. “Everything okay, Rach?”

  Rachel nodded and sat down on the floor by an empty chair. “Yeah, I’m good.”

  Steven Dropped into the chair she was in front of. “If I nod off just pretend I’m listening intently please.” She leaned back between his legs and he felt better knowing she needed to be near him as much as he needed it from her right now. He smiled over at Cora. “Do I need to get up and see if you’ve re-injured that right now?”

  “I was so well behaved today everyone thought I was missing.” Cora smiled sweetly at him.

  Leena laughed. “It’s true. We usually see her flying through the plant to yell at deliveries drivers every few hours. I checked twice to see if she’d had gone home.”

  Steven grinned. “Good. I’ll look at it when I’m on my feet again.” He moved his legs so they were barely touching either side of Rachel and lowered his head back and closed his eyes. “Has Patrick found anything?” He asked softly knowing from there he’d just have to listen.

  *

  Chris grinned over at the tired doctor for a moment then looked around the room. “He’s almost as frustrated as the rest of us, probably more so with how well he and Rhonda aren’t getting along.” Kasey glared at him.

  Dade chuckled. “Boy, do I feel his pain.”

  *

  Cora glanced at Dade. “He probably brings it on himself, also.” She smiled to herself when she saw Rachel lean her head over to rest on Steven’s leg almost absently; he’d moved his hand from his knee to play with her hair.

  Rachel caught the grin and smirked back at her. “So what next?”

  Chris lifted his hands. “Suggestions?”

  “Nap?” Steven muttered with a grin on his face.

  Dade laughed. “I thought you’d passed out already. How do you do that? Look completely lifeless yet still be listening.”

  “Go to university in a few accelerated programs while keeping up your social calendar and you’ll learn all sorts of interesting things.” He opened one eye and gave Dade a look.

  Dade laughed. “Am I too old to go now?”

  Steven shook his head serious again. “Never too old, are you, Chris?”

  Chris held up a hand. “How did we get from discussing a very serious matter to my age?”

  Steven chuckled. “Did I mention your age? I did not. You’re paranoid, my friend.”

  Kasey started laughing and climbed into Chris’s lap. “I’ll protect you.”

  Owen cleared his throat. “I don’t even know what we were talking about anymore.” Leena was sitting back against him between his legs him hugging her tenderly.

  She laughed. “I’m supposed to be the one with no brain functions right now.”

  Rachel’s head popped up. “Why would you say that?”

  Leena grinned at her and then looked around the room. “We were going to wait a bit but someone has been dying to run all over yelling it.” She grinned at Rachel again. “I’m pregnant.”

  Rachel let out a squeal and jumped up across the room quickly.

  *

  Steven bolted upright grabbing his heart. “I need a doctor.” He gasped and shook his head, grinning at Rachel kneeling at Leena’s feet placing her hands the other woman’s very flat stomach.

  “Ohh. That’s so wonderful you guys.” She hugged Leena and kissed Owen and then jumped up again. “I’m gonna be Aunt Rach!” She hopped back over and almost jumped in Steven’s lap. “They’re having a baby,” she smiled at him.

  “And I’m close to having a heart attack.” He laughed. “I was almost nodding off before you scared the hell out of me.” He pulled her into his lap grinning at everyone standing and congratulating the other couple.

  He would have too, but holding Rachel for the few moments while he could was more important. He grinned at Leena. “I just happen to know this absolutely brilliant doctor of pediatrics.”

  Leena smiled at him. “I was going to wait to talk to you later on. Are you looking for new patients?”

  He grinned. “I’m only accepting pregnant witches right now, so I think I can help you.” Rachel sat up and grinned at him. “That is so cool you get to deliver my niece.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Niece? You’ve decided already?”

  She nodded. “Yep and Kasey gets to give me a nephew.”

  Chris mouth opened and he looked at Kasey. “You’re...”

  Kasey laughed. “No and I plan on waiting a few months before I toy with the idea, at least.”

  Chris hugged. “Exactly, I’m not ready to share just yet. Someday, but not yet.” Kasey smiled at him and cuddled into his lap.

  Leena laughed and shook her head at Rachel. “Well I’ll try really hard for a girl, but there are no promises with that.”

  Dade winked at Owen. “Congratulations, Pops.”

  Owen grinned. “Never thought I’d like the idea of that, but I do.”

  Dade just nodded.

  Steven sighed as Rachel slid off his lap and back to the floor. “Now that I’ve been scared into wide awake, where were we in our discussion?” He looked over at Cora who had been very quiet. “Cora?”

  Her eyes popped wider. “Sorry just lost in thought. I’m fine.” She looked at Leena and Owen and smiled again. “So, I’ve been thinking, I’d like to try another search again soon.”

  Chris shook his head. “Absolutely not.”

  Dade leaned forward. “I second that.”

  Owen held his hands over Leena’s tummy. “Passed. Next idea.”

  “Hold on.” Rachel leaned forward. “It doesn’t work that way guys, nice try though.”

  Steven looked at the men. “I’m inclined to side with the guys. Things haven’t been going really well with the searching.”

  Rachel sat up and turned around kneeling in front of him. “How can you say that? We’ve got a partial name, calendars, a ring, a knife...”

  Steven leaned forward. “I can say that because once we got a nice little fantasy, the four of you almost collapsing and then we almost lost Kasey, quite literally lost that is.” He watched her pause and actually considered what he said. She bit her lip and looked at him and then her eyes widened almost in a dare sort of way and she flicked that damn stud out of her mouth twice before speaking.

  “There has to be a way, to do something for safety.”

  Her eyes pleaded with him. Her voice softened and he couldn’t stop looking at her mouth. Steven sat back and threw his hands up. “Suggestions?” He said to the others while his eyes continued to watch her face and run over her mouth. Her little move with that damn sexy ring was not going to go without retribution. He looked over at Dade.

  Dade smirked at him before he turned to look around at everyone. “I could use the drums or shaker and see if I could do something while you guys go seeking, bring in some spirits for protection...”

  Steven looked away from Rachel and over to Dade. “Will that prevent anyone from injury or pain?”

  Dade thought for a moment. “Couldn’t hurt.”

  Chris shook his head. “We’re missing something here in all this. It’s right there and I haven’t been able to grasp it.”

  Owen looked up from nuzzling into Leena’s neck. “Has anyone checked the list of attendants and really checked the people you’ve been seeing for years?” He shrugged. “It’s the only people we haven’t looked at.”

  Chris opened his mouth to object then closed it. “Interesting idea. Not one any of us want to think about, but still..
.”

  Rachel lifted her head from Steven’s leg again. “Do you know how creeped out that makes me feel? To think it could be someone I’ve hugged for the last ten years?”

  Leena sat up and nodded. “Yes it’s not a good feeling, but it is an avenue we haven’t explored.”

  Chris looked at Rachel. “Do you have the lists?”

  Rachel sighed. “I don’t know where half my stuff is, some here, some at my place, which reminds me when can I live at my place again?” She grinned at Cora. “No offence.”

  Cora smiled. “None taken and I ask the same, when can we go home?”

  Steven rubbed his hands over his face and then looked over at Dade, who appeared to have the same thought. “When the killer has been found,” he said quietly and waited for Rachel to spin and look at him.

  “What? But that could take months or never,” she sighed. “It sucks the rest of you either have a fiancé or whatever to be with or can just do whatever you want and Cora and I are stuck here with half our... everything in our own homes that we’re not allowed to go to alone.”

  Kasey nodded in sympathy. “She’s right it’s really unfair and it sucks.”

  Steven hissed out a breath, he was exhausted and should be sleeping not arguing about basic logic. “What would you like us to do? Let you wander around so this guy can come after you? Isn’t it enough he almost got Cora? That he found out where Chris and Kasey are?” He threw his hands up in frustration as he stood up and paced over to the window before turning. “What do you want, Rach? You want to go home so you can be paranoid he’s coming for you in the middle of night?”

  Rachel stood up with her hands on her hips and looked at him. “Don’t be so dramatic. That’s not what I want and you know it.”

  Dade leaned down to Cora and whispered. “Isn’t this usually our scene?”

  Cora nodded and then touched her side. “Uh huh, but I’m injured.”

  Dade nodded in agreement and straightened up to see Steven glaring at him. “You’re on your own, bro. My screaming partner is on the bench this round.”

  Steven snarled at him and turned back to Rachel and raised his hands towards her. “Then what do you want Rachel? You think we want to feel like we’re intruding ourselves into your lives? We don’t want that but we’d like to know each and every one of us are safe at all times.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked at her. *

  Would it ever end? Rachel shook her head and sighed. “You know I dunno Doc. I wished I could figure it all out, but I can’t. You think I like looking over my shoulder fifteen times a day? Having to call and check in with everyone whenever I’m leaving one place to go to another? I don’t. I let you guys know because, hey I care to not to worry anyone. But I’m losing my freakin’ mind here.” Was that a smirk or a snarl on his face? She flicked a hand out towards him and sent a slap of wind against him. He stepped back two steps and glared at her.

  *

  Chris watched Steven’s jaw clenching and unclenching. He nudged Kasey off his lap and stood. He felt a slight vibration in the floor under his feet as he stood.

  He knew a man about to lose it when he saw it and he knew how bad it was when that man was himself. What he didn’t know was exactly what that involved with, Steven. “We need to calm down people. Everyone’s stressed, everyone’s tense and some are beyond tired or exhausted. *

  Steven dropped his head and rested his hands on his hips. Taking a slow breath he looked back up. “Sorry, my fault. I don’t think I’ve slept since we got back. It seems every patient of mine had some sort of crisis during my absence.” He looked at Rachel for a moment. She still stood with her hands on her hips watching him. “We aren’t trying to make you and Cora feel stuck here, Rach. But until we can come up with something, I don’t know. Does anyone know what else to do?”

  Rachel huffed out a breath and dropped her hands. “Your right. I’m a little stressed right now with Ricky and all this, sorry.” She dropped back into the chair he’d been sitting in.

  Steven spun and walked to look out the window. What the hell is wrong with me? What started with a simple conversation, even as all over the place as it was, had turned into an eruption. Shaking his head he stood there trying to clear his head.

  “I’ll go up and see if I have the copies of the list,” Rachel said quietly.

  Steven turned to see everyone looking at him. He threw up his hands. “I know. Asshole! Break her heart telling her about Ricky then badger her. Which way did she go?” Kasey pointed to the stairs. He sighed. “I’ll go apologize, again.”Shaking his head, he walked to the stairs. *

  Rachel was digging in a box when he found the right room. She glanced up at him and then shook her head. “Don’t apologize; I’m as much at fault as you are.” She straightened up glancing through some papers. “We’re both exhausted, both stressed...” She put the papers on the bed and turned back to the boxes.

  He stood there watching her move with jerky movements and knew she was on the edge of either breaking down or blowing up. Neither, he thought he could deal with. “Come here.” he said quietly.

  She straightened up and looked at him with searching eyes. “Steven...”

  “Come here,” he whispered again.

  She set the handful of papers down and walked towards him. When she was within reach he put his hand behind her neck and pulled her to him. She watched his eyes brush over her face a few times before they stopped on her mouth.

  Lifting her face to him she met him half way. His mouth crushed down on hers demanding entrance which she gave instantly. His tongue stroked over the ring in hers before turning his head and pulling her closer to him.

  She didn’t care if she said she wouldn’t do this as she wound her arms around his neck and molded her body into his. More, her mind screamed. Don’t let me go. *

  He wrapped one hand around her pushing her hips into his as his mouth tasted, refilling his senses with her. Her response drove him into deep frenzied kisses. He needed more but there was no time. Groaning against her mouth he pulled his head up, resting his forehead against hers. Searching her eyes he wanted to tell her to come home with him, or let him stay with her, but knew the answer to both. If he had more time he knew he could convince her...

  “You two are going to melt the candles in here soon.”

  They jerked apart and turned to see Cora standing in the doorway. “I came to help look.” She raised her eyebrows. “Or break up the fight, everyone was worried.” With her tongue in cheek look she smiled. “I suggest you both go splash cold water on your face unless you’re ready to announce this and then come back downstairs.”

  Rachel nodded and hid her face in Steven’s shoulder. “Buy us a couple minutes.” She pulled back and grabbed a few pages. “Take these I’ll bring the rest.”

  Cora nodded and grinned at Steven and then walked back down the hall.

  “Well,” he said pulling her closer again.

  She smirked. “Now you’re going to have Cora picking fights with you to see if you apologize to her that way.”

  “That’s fair.” he grinned.

  She smacked him. “Touch her and I’m sure Dade will rip off your hands.” She sighed. “She kind of knew anyways.”

  “Really?” he questioned softly. “Oh and footnote here, I don’t want to touch Cora. I don’t want to touch anyone but you.”

  She smiled. “Okay.”

  He pulled her close. “So if she knows I could...”

  She put her hand over his mouth. “No you can’t, we can’t, this wasn’t supposed to happen.”

  He shrugged and licked her hand so she’d moved it. “Angel, it’s going to happen. When you get tired of running I’ll be waiting with open arms.” He bent down and nipped her neck before he pulled back and tugged her shirt open to look down it. “How are those marks I left behind? I should check those for infection.”

  She smacked his hand away. “They’re just fine and you know every time I’m getting dressed I see them and
remember how they got there.” She scowled at him.

  “And how does that make you feel, Angel?” He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Hot? Wet? Wanting?”

  “Out.” She pointed to the door grinning. “Get out, Steven O’Reily.”

  He grabbed her quickly and gave her a quick, hard kiss and then turned and walked out the door.

  *

  Steven stepped into the living room. Leena turned. “Did she just yell and call you by your real name, Steven?”

  He nodded and grinned. “Nasty witch.” He sat down.

  Dade grinned as he watched Steven’s eyes sweep over Rachel very slowly when she walked in. Turning he saw Cora watching him watch Steven and smirked at him. Oh, sneaky voodoo witch knows something, he thought. He winked at her and then looked around. “Not to rehash that interesting previous discussion but Cora and I will most likely be at the temple for most, if not all of Saturday night. So that’s going to leave Rachel here alone.” He smiled at Cora who grinned and dropped her head down so no one could see her face.

  *

  Steven shrugged. “I’m not on call Saturday if you want one of us chest beaters to keep you company, Rach.”

  Rachel looked up at him for a moment and then back to the papers in her hand shrugging. “Sure you’ll probably sleep the whole time, but don’t worry I’ll protect ya.”

  Steven grinned. “Good to know.” He looked back at the papers he’d picked up and was trying to remember what day it was and how many were left until Saturday. He kept his head down and purposely avoided seeing the gloating look he knew Dade was going to have. He also wondered is there really something going on at the temple. He coughed to keep from chuckling.

  Chris rubbed his hand over his face. “I think I’ve had it for tonight people, must be getting old.” He grinned. “Seriously let’s get together for brunch on Sunday and we’ll discuss the lists and people we know until we’re bored.”

  Cora nodded. “I am actually kind of tired and achynow.”

  Dade looked at her. “And you didn’t tell us this sooner why?”

  Cora smiled. “Sorry. Could you give me a hand putting some things back up in the cupboard before you go Dade?”

  He jumped up. “First time you’ve ever asked for help, you must be sore.”