by J. L. Farey
The truck slowed and came to a stop. Aiden leaned forward on the steering wheel, looking in front of them. “What in the heck is going on?”
They’d stopped far enough away from Laurel’s cabin to keep from disturbing the spectacle going on in the front yard. A cloud of butterflies floated and flitted around, as if they were dancing. And below them, dancing right along, was Bailey. He jumped and flopped and rolled on the ground, the whole time with his tongue lolling out of a doggy grin.
“Have you ever seen him move around like that before?” Aiden asked without taking his eyes off the dog.
“Just once. When he walked into a spider web.”
What had gotten into him? Then it hit her. She’d totally forgotten about Aurora.
“Aiden, there’s something I forgot to tell you.”
He looked at her with a frown. “Besides contacting my mother?”
“Well, yes. But this time it wasn’t my fault. She just showed up out of the blue.”
As if she’d been summoned, a beautiful blond nymph danced around the side of the house.
Aiden pointed. “Who is that?”
“That’s Aurora. My sister. I’ve told you about her.”
“Sure. Just not that she was dropping by for a visit. That seems to be the theme for today.”
“In my defense, I didn’t expect either one of them to drop by without warning.”
Aiden gave her a look that made her think defending herself probably wasn’t the right thing to do. He moved the pickup forward to where he usually parked, then cut the engine. Aurora noticed them and waved. Bailey dropped to the ground, panting.
“Welcome home.” Aurora ran up to meet them and wrapped Laurel in a hug. “And you must be Aiden.”
She moved on him with open arms, but he held out his hand. “I must be. Nice to meet you.”
“A careful man. I can respect that.” Aurora shook his hand. “But believe me, it won’t be long before you’re coming to me for a hug.”
If any other woman has said that, Laurel would have taken it as a challenge. But Aurora was merely speaking the truth. Everyone loved her eventually.
Laurel motioned toward the cabin. “Let’s all go inside and relax.”
“Not me.” Aiden took a step backward. “You stay here with your sister. I’ll go to my place. I need to be alone for a bit.”
With a wave, he got back in the truck and drove away. Laurel’s lips tingled from the absence of a goodbye kiss. The day was getting worse.
“Oh dear.” Aurora bit down on her thumbnail. “I hope that’s not because of me.”
“Not totally.”
Aiden probably wouldn’t have minded Aurora’s spontaneous visit if not for the whole business with his mother. Laurel forced a smile. She’d give Aiden the space he needed and, fingers crossed, they’d work everything out in the morning. For now, she’d try to relax and catch up with her sister.
“Come on,” Laurel said. “I need a drink. Something tall with a lot of ice.”
They walked into the cabin with Bailey trailing behind.
“You’re not fooling me,” Laurel said over her shoulder. “I saw you dancing around like a Vegas show dog.”
He wrinkled his nose and sneezed. Laurel laughed. It had been an insane day, but one thing was for sure: She knew a dog who was going to sleep like a rock tonight.
~ ~ ~
She’d been right about Bailey. And Aurora was fast asleep, too. But Laurel had given up. Rather than lie on the couch thinking about how she needed to stop thinking, she decided to get up and take a walk.
The minute she stepped out among the trees, her spirit lifted. No matter how long she lived, no matter how many things changed, the trees were constant. Sturdy, solid, and grounded, they shared their strength with her. But one thing was different, now. For the first time, she was soul bound not to a tree, but to a person. When Dillon had set fire to her tree, he’d almost killed Laurel, too. Aiden hadn’t hesitated to step in and bind himself to her.
Over the weeks, she and Aiden had grown closer and closer. She loved him, and she had no doubt he loved her. But now, Laurel was affected by the tension between them more deeply than if they were a normal couple having a fight. There was a piece of her that wasn’t right, and she couldn’t fix it on her own.
A mild breeze blew through the woods, emphasizing the bite in the air. Laurel welcomed the cold. It cleared her head and helped her consider different perspectives. As she walked, she saw more animals out than usual. Rabbits, squirrels, birds...she even saw a fox and a racoon. No doubt they all sensed Aurora’s presence. It was interesting that Aurora had felt the need to visit now, at the same time as Aiden’s mother. It could be an innocent coincidence, but Laurel was inclined to believe there was something more at work.
Before she could consider what that something could be, she was distracted by a rustle in the brush. She watched as a hulking brute pushed his way through the branches. It pushed its nose toward her, sniffing the air. Laurel smiled. She’d know that golden-furred bear anywhere.
“Aiden.”
She’d found that when Aiden was shifted, she could hear his thoughts as clearly as if he was speaking out loud.
You couldn’t sleep either?
“Nope.”
Want to walk together?
She gave him a hopeful grin. “Can I get a ride?”
Aiden swung his head to one side, pointing at his back. Anytime.
Laurel climbed onto his broad back and hugged her arms around his neck. She kept her cheek pressed against his fur and soaked up the warmth from his body as he lumbered forward. If she wasn’t careful, the rocking motion would put her to sleep right there.
He walked until they reached the lake shore. After he carefully lay down, Laurel slid off his back and sat beside him, leaning her shoulder against his. Moonlight dappled the water like diamond dust. It was such a pure, peaceful moment, she wished they could stay there forever.
So do I. But with one change.
Aiden stood up and moved a few feet away. He shook his body, rose on his hind legs, and let out a roar. As he did, his shape changed and his fur melted away, transforming back into the clothes he was wearing when he left the house. It took less than a minute for him to shift back into the man she loved.
“If we’re going to stay this way forever, I insist on being able to kiss you.”
Laurel smiled as he came back and sat down beside her. She lifted her lips to his and he pulled her close.
“Oh yeah. That’s much better.” Laurel melted against him with a happy sigh. “Aiden?”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry I contacted your mother. I never should have done that, especially without telling you.”
“Your intentions were good.”
Laurel laughed. “Yeah, but you know what they say about the road to hell.”
“Yes,” he nodded gravely. “It’s very hot.”
After a playful punch to the shoulder, she pressed closer against him. “I’m not a fan of heat. This is much better.”
“I agree. I actually felt physically ill before I left the house.”
“It’s our bond. When things are good, we give each other strength. But when we argue, it’s like a piece of ourselves is missing.” Laurel wrapped her arms around her knees. “Do you regret it now?”
“The soul binding? Not one bit.” Aiden squeezed her shoulder. “I’ve got news for you, even without it, fighting with you would make me feel sick. Know why?”
Laurel was feeling a little sassy. “Because you’re a hypochondriac?”
“Because I love you, you crazy nymph.”
“And I love you, silly old bear.”
After a few moments of contented silence, Aiden spoke up. “I made a mistake, too. I should have told you what happened in New York, but I wasn’t ready. I’m ready now.”
With a playful squeal, she swung one leg over his lap, straddling him while she pushed his shoulders flat against the grass. Then she plan
ted a thorough kiss on his lips.
Eyes wide with surprise, Aiden looked up at her. “What was that for?”
“To shut you up. All I want right now is for us to enjoy being together. My sister and your mother and New York...all that can wait till tomorrow. For now, can it just be the two of us?”
Before she knew it, Laurel was thrown off balance and ended up on her own back, looking up at Aiden.
He grinned as his face moved closer to hers. “Babe, you read my mind.
~ ~ ~
The rain pummeled his face.
Not again.
It was the same stormy night, the same black-tarred roof, the same sinister figure running from him. But this time, when he rounded the cooling unit, everything changed. He was in a dark forest, surrounded by tall, grey trees. One by one, a face appeared in a tree, spoke to him, then melted back into the trunk. His mother. “You’re a monster.” Wade. “There’s nothing normal about us.” Aurora. “Come dance with me.” Rye Randall. “Howdy, son! You sure are a disappointment!” And finally, Laurel. “I love you, Aiden.” She stepped forward, out of the tree, then shifted into a pretty black bear.
Everything changed again. Back on the roof, with the rain pouring, Hudgens stepped out of the shadows with a rifle in his hands. “Well, look what we have here. You’ll make a real pretty trophy.”
He aimed the barrel at the bear’s head.
A clap of thunder went off like a canon. Aiden was falling, faster and faster, until he hit something.
“No!”
His body jerked as his eyes popped open. He was in bed. Beside him, Laurel propped herself up on one elbow and put her other hand on his chest.
“You’re safe, Aiden. I’m here.”
More importantly, she was safe. “Come here.” She nestled her head at the base of his shoulder and he put his arms around her. “Just let me hold you.”
It didn’t take long for her to fall back asleep. He could tell from her gentle snore, which resembled the purring of a kitten. Aiden kept his breathing steady, trying to match hers, but sleep was nowhere in sight.
In all the years he’d been plagued by that dream, in all its different permutations, it had never been quite so personal. Was it his mind’s way of dealing with stress? Or was it something more, some kind of message? Laurel was never going to shift into a bear, not even now that they were bound, so the dream couldn’t be literal. Maybe it was a warning. Would being with him somehow put Laurel in danger?
He’d never let that happen. If necessary, he’d let her go before he’d let anybody hurt her. Even himself.
He was still staring at the ceiling when he heard a commotion in the front room. He sat up. Beside him, Laurel groaned and also sat up.
“Are there people in the house?” he asked.
“Only one person. My sister. But she has the ability to sound like a crowd.”
They got out of bed and set about being presentable.
“Tell me why I don’t keep any clothes here?” Laurel said as she opened a dresser drawer.
“Because you like stealing my T-shirts.”
“That’s true.” She pulled out a worn, navy blue T with a beer company logo on the front and buried her nose in it. “Smells like you.”
“Me, and a bottle of mountain fresh fabric softener.”
She came to where he waited for her by the door. “Are you ready to attack the day?”
For a second, he considered telling her what last night’s dream had been about, but he quickly decided against it. He was understandably anxious about dealing with his mother and the bombshell she’d dropped about his father. The dream was his mind’s way of taking charge. If he told Laurel, she’d just worry. The last thing any of them needed right now was one more thing to worry about.
“I’m as ready as I’m gonna get.” He pulled the door open and led the way into the new day.
A day that appeared to start with a floor show.
Aurora was singing and dancing around the living room. Bailey was on the couch, his front feet on the arm rest, howling along with her.
“We surrender!” Aiden waved his hands in the air. “Just make it stop.”
Aurora stopped dancing in mid-twirl. “Some people are so crabby in the morning.”
“How did you know to come here?” Laurel asked.
“Bailey told me.”
“What?” At Laurel’s yelped question, Bailey flopped down on the couch and buried his nose under a cushion. “Why is he talking to you and not me?”
Aurora shrugged. “I have no idea. But did you ever consider that maybe, the problem isn’t that he’s not talking, it’s that you’re not listening to him?”
Laurel’s face went blank as she thought about that question.
“You two sit down and let me whip up something. You don’t mind if I get a few field mice in here to help, do you?” She burst out laughing. “I’m just playing with you. Breakfast will be made by my own two hands. Look. I’m washing them right now.”
Laurel shuffled into the kitchen. “I’ll get the coffee going. We’re going to need it.”
Aiden held back a laugh. Aurora sure was a force of nature. Which got him thinking, one force of nature deserves another.
“Aurora, did Bailey happen to mention my partner, Wade?”
4
The snug ride into Nocturne Falls made Laurel determined to track down a lead to a car before doing anything else, even if Aurora complained the whole time.
They arrived at the Sheriff’s station at the same time Wade was coming out the front door.
“I was starting to think you took the day off.” Wade stood holding the door open, until Aurora stepped out of the truck. One look at her and his jaw dropped.
“Wade, come meet Laurel’s sister.” Aiden waved him over. “This is Aurora. And this is Wade, my partner.”
From that point on, it was like they were the only two people who existed. Aurora simpered and flirted, Wade postured and complimented her. Laurel was a little surprised how quickly they took to each other.
“Say, Wade,” Aiden spoke up, “I’ve got a lot of paperwork to catch up on. Why don’t you take Aurora around with you? It would give her a chance to see the town.”
“Great idea. If it’s okay with you.” Wade looked down at Aurora.
“I’m game.” Aurora fluttered her eyelashes and linked her arm through his. “Let’s go.”
Laurel held back her laughter until they were a block away. “That was painful to watch.” She looked up at Aiden. “Do you realize what you’ve done?”
“Yes. I found a way to free us from them for a few hours.”
“And you’ve just introduced two of the strongest personalities I know. At some point, they’re going to clash.”
“And one will become the victor.”
“Or, there’s the other scenario where they join forces and take over the world.”
“I hadn’t considered that. Oh well, think how nice it would feel to be close personal friends with the people at the top.”
She shook her head. “I’ve got more important, real-life things to think about. Like talking to your mother.”
Aiden’s jovial expression dimmed. “Kill joy.”
“Come on.” She bumped her shoulder against his arm. “The longer you put it off, the worse it’s going to be. So, what do you say? Lunch with her? Dinner?”
Hands stuffed in his pants pockets, Aiden paced the length of the truck and back. “No, I’m pretty sure whatever we talk about will ruin my appetite.”
He had a good point. “Okay, then how about we meet in the park? We can walk, or sit at a table. We’ll still be around people, but not so many that privacy is an issue.”
“That should work.”
“I’ll even contact Danielle and set it up with her.”
Aiden stopped his pacing and put his arms around her waist. “Have I told you how amazing you are?”
“Let’s see.” With her arms around his neck, she let her head fa
ll back, just a little, as she considered his question. “You have. But not today.”
“Shame on me.” His voice was a low, sensual rumble as his face came closer to hers. “You are amazing.”
Unable to stand the torture of his slow assault, she pulled him down for a kiss. Unfortunately, she pulled too hard and their foreheads met before their lips could. Laurel staggered backward, rubbing her head and laughing.
“I think that’s my cue to get to work. Don’t move.” Aiden put his hands on her shoulders and planted a no-nonsense kiss on her mouth. “I’ll meet you in the park later.”
Before they could do bodily injury to each other again, he hurried into the station. Laurel smiled and walked down the street toward the Hallowed Bean. With any luck, she’d find a person to talk to about a car before she had to meet Danielle.
~ ~ ~
The car hunt went even better than expected. There was only one sales notice on the board at The Hallowed Bean, but it was exactly what she’d been hoping to find. The owner, a stocky man with a full beard, a bushy unibrow, and a penchant for collecting vehicles, wanted to make room in his garage for something new. As a result, Laurel was able to purchase his low-mileage SUV for an extremely reasonable price.
With that big item scratched off her list, she felt a bit more able to address the next task.
“Nocturne Falls certainly is a picturesque town.” Danielle was looking up at the wrought iron spider webs decorating the street lights as they waited to cross.
“It’s a special place. I doubt there’s another place in the world quite like it.”
The light changed and they walked across the street and into the park.
“How long have you lived here?”
“A little over a month. The exact amount of time I’ve known your son.” She wondered what Danielle thought of how quickly their relationship had moved. She waited for a judgmental look or sarcastic comment, but none came.
“Tell me about yourself, Laurel. What’s your super power?”
Laurel chuckled. “I’m not one of the Avengers. I’m a wood nymph, so I have a special connection to trees and nature. And I’m very old.”
