Keeper of the Golden Dragon's Heart (The Cedar River Series)

by Murray, Gemma K.

  “Mmmm, gods that is good.”

  “The fudge or the fingers?” I asked teasingly. He just gave me a smug grin before he went to wash up for lunch.

  After lunch, Bowie went to the station to check up on things there. Papa went back to the woodshop. Mama wanted to watch her talk shows so I washed up the dishes before I dug back into the wrapping project in Papa’s office.

  I was knee deep in gifts, wrapping paper and ribbon when Bowie got back. He locked the door quietly behind him. He slid his cold hands under my sweatshirt to rest on my midriff. I screamed and jumped up. “Damnit, Bowie, those hands are like ice!”

  He was laughing at me. I threw a roll of tape at him.

  “I’m sorry,” he claimed.

  “You don’t look very sorry,” I said. I backed my way around Papa’s desk to try and stay away from Bowie. That predatory look came back into those deep golden whiskey-colored eyes,

  “Go ahead and run, kitten. I will always catch you.”

  I tried to duck around him with no success. He caught me around the waist and pulled me against him. He sniffed me. “You smell incredible. Between the chocolate, the cinnamon and sugar plus the almond flavoring, I could just eat you up,” he whispered as he lightly nipped my ear.

  My nipples hardened instantly. He backed me up to the desk and kissed me hard. He lifted me so that I sat on the desk top, then he stepped between my legs. He buried his hands in my hair and teased my lips open with his tongue. There was a purr that started and I couldn’t stop it. My cat loved him and couldn’t get enough of him. This is what I’d been looking for with the boys I’d dated. Who would have imagined that it had been right here in front of me all of this time? Bowie’s hand skimmed over my breast and I moaned softly.

  He pulled away to look at me, his desire evident. “I will never hurt you, Anastasia Plum. You know that, right?”

  I looked deep into his eyes and saw the truth there. I nodded. He pulled my sweatshirt over my head and bent to take my nipples in his mouth. He looked up at me with those eyes that were the color of the sunshine showing through amber and I was lost.

  His hand slipped between my legs and rubbed my center through my pants. I moaned softly as the tension began to build. I heard a soft knock on the door which was like having a bucket of icy water dumped on you.

  “Hold on a minute,” I called out, reaching for my sweatshirt. Bowie sat down behind the desk to hide the evidence of what we were doing.

  Brady walked in and looked around. “What are you two up to?”

  “I’m, uh, wrapping presents for Papa,” I said, feeling lucky that I had any stability in my voice.

  “Did you need something?” Bowie asked.

  “Yeah, I wanted to let Ana know that I got Mama’s gift bought.” Brady looked at me, “They’re all wrapped, but you know how nosy Mama can get. I stuck them under your bed. She’d never think to look here.”

  “Alright,” I said.

  “Hey, Bowie? If you’re not busy, you want to take a ride with me? I found some tracks today that I thought you should look at.”

  Bowie was out of his chair and pulling his coat on, “Poachers? On our trails?” Brady nodded. “If I’m not back in time, I’ll just meet you at the party, okay?” Bowie asked me.

  “Sure, I’ll ride in with Mama and Papa.” He came back in to kiss me.

  When he reached the door, I said, “Bowie?” He turned to look at me. “Be careful. I’d be lost if something happened to you, too.” He smiled and closed the door behind him.

  Chapter Nineteen- Bowie

  “What the fuck are you doing with Ana?” Brady asked me when we got into my truck.

  “It’s not really any of your business, Brady.”

  “She’s not one of those girls you get to toy with, Bo. She’s been like a sister to us.”

  “Tread lightly with your next words, Brady. She’s been like a sister to you and the twins. She’s always been more friend than little sister to me. I never really hung out with her the way you guys did. She was younger.”

  “Exactly. She’s younger than you. She’s just begun to get things figured out in her life.”

  I ran a hand through my hair. “I’ve fallen for her, Brady. I don’t know when it happened. Things have shifted between us. It started in the hospital. But it came to a head when I found out she was going on a date with Lance Smythe, these feelings started to fall in to place. I was jealous of Lance. He got to spend time with her, text her sweet little messages, kiss her good night. All of the things that I didn’t have a chance to do. Lance came to me and said he had noticed me watching Ana a little too closely and that he was backing off from her. Then, Mama talked to me about it. I guess I wasn’t hiding my feelings as much as I thought I was.”

  Brady sighed heavily, “Just don’t treat her like you do the other women you date.”

  You would think I was quite the Lothario from my family’s opinions of my love life. We found the spot on the trail where Brady had spotted the tracks. We followed them off the trail and deeper into the woods. The tracks stopped and disappeared in to nothing.

  “What the hell?” I said.

  “I didn’t follow them. I had a tour with me when I found them. Those idiots would have shot at anything that moved. I didn’t want a bullet in my ass or worse because I was out trying to find a bunch of poachers.”

  I knelt down in the snow and dug a spot in the snow, looking for any signs, but we had reached a dead end. I took out my phone and recorded the GPS coordinates. Just another spot to keep an eye on, but this time, they were in my woods; the woods where my family hunted, where Ana hunted. They were getting a little too close for my comfort.

  I dropped Brady off at his apartment in town and went into the office. Lance was typing up reports.

  “Any activity today?” I asked as I went into my office.

  “The Riley kids were throwing snowballs at the statue in town square. You know, really exciting stuff,” he said.

  I chuckled. That kid would eventually figure it out. Life in a small town was not exciting by any means, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

  “Oh, I’m supposed to have you tell your mom that Maxine Kennedy had her twins this morning.”

  My mom helped the new mothers in our small community adjust to life with new babies. As shifters, our women often had more than one child. Mom had a circle of women who would take turns helping with the housecleaning, cooking, and other children when it was needed. This was Maxine’s second set of twins, but if these two were anything like her first two, then my sympathy went out to that woman.

  “I’ll pick up some supplies and run them out to her in case the snow gets too bad.”

  The Kennedy’s lived on a little country lane that usually went untouched by snow plows. I called Mama who promised to put a box of baby stuff together for Maxine until she could get there personally tomorrow. Next, I called the grocery store and hospital. They each promised to have boxes of necessities ready in an hour. This is what small town living is about; friends helping friends. When someone needs a helping hand, everyone pitches in to help. We all come together to celebrate those wonderful surprises that come along when you least expect it. Or to help you deal with the crap that life tends to deal out. I wouldn’t trade this feeling for anything.

  I wrote up a quick report about the tracks and posted it in my personal files for me to review tomorrow morning. Lance was leaving as I came out of my office. He and my other deputy, Adam, were on call tonight.

  “You guys making an appearance at the Community party tonight?” I asked Lance. “ If you feel it isn’t necessary that’s okay.”

  “Yep. Mom’s on the decorating committee.”

  “Have a safe night.”

  “You, too. I’ll see you there.” I locked up the office before I left.

  I picked up the boxes for the Kennedy family and headed out of town towards Mama and Dad’s. Callum’s car was gone when I got there. On the table was a note saying,
>
  Had to go help decorate the center, took Ana with me. Pop in on your dad’s shop and let him know what time it is. Boxes are on the counter. Love you, Mom

  I found the boxes and carried them out to my truck before checking in with Dad who was engrossed in his project.

  “You’d better get inside and change, Dad. Mom will have your head on a platter if you aren’t there on time.”

  Dad stuck his paint brush in the paint thinner and followed me out. “Do you want to ride in with me?” he asked.

  “I can’t. I’ve got to run out to the Kennedy’s, then I have to stop at my house and change my clothes before I head to the party.”

  Dad nodded, “Drive safe on these roads.”

  I promised I would and headed out on my final mission for the night.

  The Kennedys were grateful for the boxes. They hadn’t had a chance to get to town yet and the older kids were running low on milk. Davis Kennedy offered me a cup of coffee so I politely accepted. Maxine had to bring the new babies out for me to see. They were cute little things. Davis popped Mom’s casserole in the oven to heat up.

  I excused myself after one cup of coffee and started the drive back to town. I had wanted to walk in with Ana on my arm, but the best of intentions are usually ruined by the simplest things.

  A glance at my watch told me I had time for a shower. My house phone was ringing as I walked in. I wasn’t going to answer it, but changed my mind and figured I had better. Good thing I did. It was Mom.

  “Can you pick up some hot cocoa mix for the kids? I thought we had some here, but we don’t.” It was just one more thing to do.

  “Yep. I’ll be there in about forty-five minutes. I’m getting ready to take a shower and then I’ll be on my way.” What a day this was turning out to be.

  Chapter Twenty- Ana

  My best friend from high school was on the decorating committee, so while we decorated we caught up on each other’s lives. She was pre-med at an out of state college and engaged to her high school sweetheart. We finished decorating the tree and putting presents under it for the kids.

  “So, who are you seeing these days?” Nat asked.

  “Actually Bowie and I are feeling things out between us.”

  Nat’s mouth fell open. “Bowie Golden, former quarterback? Bodacious Bowie?”

  I laughed, “One in the same.”

  “You lucky girl! Good for you!”

  Mama was beckoning me to the kitchen. “Can you help me put these urns on the tables? We’ve got coffee, decaf and hot water. Grab those tea bags, too. I called Bowie and he’s picking up hot cocoa.”

  Mama was fluttering around like she usually did at these things. She wanted everything to be perfect, and everyone to have a good time. The McIntyre pack had provided sloppy joes for dinner, and they smelled delicious. The tables were all set up and decorated with Yuletide centerpieces.

  “Oh, Ana. Fair warning…Camille would like you to say the blessing before we eat.”

  I stopped what I was doing. “What? You know how much I hate public speaking.”

  Mama hugged me with one arm, “Sweetie, you will be just fine. If you need us, we’re here for you. You could just pretend you are saying the blessing to Bowie. He’s always calmed you down.”

  My palms were already sweating, my heart racing, my chest getting tight. Yeah, I have anxiety attacks when I’m asked to speak in public. I ducked into the restroom to run cold water over my wrists. When I finally gathered myself together and walked out, the center was filled with people who I had babysat for, went to school with, dated, and loved. This was a family gathering of sorts. But I couldn’t find the most important person to me…Bowie.

  Callum had brought the girl from the tree lot. Colin had to tease me about wearing a dress and heels.

  “If you aren’t careful, kitten, we might start to think of you as a girl,” he’d teased.

  Brady was talking to a very pretty redhead. I don’t think I’d ever seen Brady talk to a woman before unless she was on a tour. I don’t know what she was saying to him, but he was blushing. I stopped to talk to certain people, but I was looking for Bowie. I went into the kitchen to get a drink of water. I closed my eyes and forced myself to calm down. I felt someone step up behind me, and for a moment I forgot to breathe. His scent gave him away. He naturally smelled like a campfire on a chilly fall night and his cologne only enhanced his smell.

  “Looking for me?” he whispered in my ear. He kissed my neck. I turned into him and hugged him tight. He wrapped his arms around me, “Mama told me about Camille’s plan. Just breathe, kitten. I’ve got you.”

  I breathed in and let it all out. I opened my eyes for the first time since he had found me. Wow! He had on a pair of black dress pants and a cobalt linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He looked amazing.

  “You look so handsome tonight,” I said.

  He twirled me so that he could see my dress. “Since when do you wear dresses? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in one. And those shoes, I’m such a lucky man. Those legs are going to keep me going for quite a while. You look so sexy.”

  The dress was one that Viv had found that she thought would be ‘superb’ for me. It was flowy and soft. I had wanted it in black, but Viv convinced me that the green would suit me better. The handkerchief hem kept me from feeling too exposed. The shoes were one of those purchases I’d made, then wondered where in hell I would wear them. You know the purchases I’m talking about, right? They were black platform pumps with a bow on the toe. Cute, but definitely not something I’d wear often. At least I hadn’t thought so at the time. I may have more reasons to wear them now since they drove Bowie crazy.

  “Thank you.”

  “Can I ask for a favor?” he said with a grin.

  “I’ll keep the shoes. Just for you. Maybe one day I’ll wear them and only them just for you.”

  “You are a bad, mean woman, Anastasia Plum,” he said as he leaned down to kiss me. Then, he took me by the hand and led me to where our friends, family and town were gathering. Camille was asking people to sit down so we could do the blessing. Everyone sat pretty quickly.

  “I’ve asked Ana Plum to say the blessing tonight. Ana, can you come up?”

  I took a deep breath.

  Bowie whispered, “I’ve got your back.”

  I walked to the front of the room. Suddenly the lights dimmed so that the candles in the centerpieces were the only light in the room. My cat eyes could make out Bowie standing at the light switch.

  “Can we join hands with our neighbors, friends and family?” I requested.

  I called on the Lord and Lady to help me through this. A large hand took my left. I looked to see Brady there on one side. My right hand was taken by another familiar hand…Papa’s. Tears welled up in my eyes. With a wobbly voice, I recited a blessing I remembered my mom and dad saying before each meal, “Lord and Lady, watch over us, and bless us as we eat. Bless this food, this bounty of earth, we thank you, so mote it be.”

  The lights came back on and Camille took over again. My knees were not too steady as I made my way back to Bowie.

  “You did good, kitten,” Brady said.

  Papa hugged me.

  Bowie turned me so my back was against him and wrapped his arms around me from behind. “That was good,” he said.

  “Yeah, well, next year, you can do it.” He laughed.

  Mama had her boys trained to wait until everyone else had been through the line until they could fill their plates. Bowie and I got into line.

  Lance arrived a little late, “Hey, Ana.”

  I stepped out to hug him. “How are you? I haven’t seen you. You promised me a movie.”

  “I’m good. I’ve been busy. Are you sure us seeing a movie wouldn’t bother Bowie?”

  I looked up at Bowie, “Two friends can see a movie, can’t they?”

  Bowie glared at Lance, “As long as one friend keeps his hands to himself.”

  Lance swallowed hard. “I’m off tom
orrow night. They’ve got Red Riding Hood showing.”

  “Cool. I’ll meet you at the theater.” I could have sworn I heard Bowie growl.

  The party wound down early, so Bowie and I took a walk around town to see the lights and Yule displays. He was tense and had been since I chatted with Lance.

  “Are you going to yell at me? If you are, just get it over with, please,” I begged.

  He took a deep breath, “I’m not going to yell. I just can’t figure out why you’d make plans to go to the movies with him. I thought I’d been pretty clear in how I feel about you.”

  I frowned at him. “Well, you’ve expressed a lot of desire, but you haven’t been an open book about where this is going, Bowie. If you just want to fuck me, Bowie, let’s go. I promise you’ll never forget it. If you want a relationship, speak up. I’m ready to go either way. I’m not “dating” Lance. I’m going to the movies with a friend. You have to work tomorrow, and I don’t want to sit home alone. Lance and I had plans, but when this, whatever ‘this’ is, all happened between us so quickly, I knew I wasn’t going to see Lance again on a boyfriend-type basis. Right now, you are really hurting my feelings. Just what type of person do you think I am?”

  Bowie looked at me, I mean, really looked at me. “You know me, Bowie. Probably better than anyone if you think about it. I’m not the girl who has one guy on the line while seeing someone else.”

  I let go of his hand and started back to the center alone. I refused to let the tears in my eyes fall. Callum was just getting ready to leave when I walked up. I waved him down.

  “Hey, can you give me a ride home?” Callum unlocked the door and let me in.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Yeah, I’m just tired.” That was the end of the conversation.

  I changed my clothes when we got home and walked down to the lake. I did my best thinking when I was outside and this seemed like a night that I needed to think about. My feelings for Bowie were leaving me confused. He’d always been my friend. He understood me on a level the others didn’t.