SHIVER

by Tiffinie Helmer

  “It’s about time you two got hitched.” Fox beamed, rushing forward to give them hugs.

  They stayed together, a tight unit, until Fox squirmed. “Can’t breathe,” he said.

  “How’d your team do today,” Aidan paused, “without Lucien?”

  “They were confused. It took them a while to get the hang of it, but we had a quiet moment for Lucien and then Senyea took lead.”

  “She would be the one.” Aidan chuckled and ruffled Fox’s hair. “What do you say we look for a new dog to balance out the team?”

  “Hey,” Raven said. “We should discuss things like this, as parents, before we let the kid in on it.”

  Aidan sauntered up to her, trailing his fingers over her cheek. “What do you say we work on making another kid, maybe a sister for Fox?”

  “Ohh.” Raven melted into Aidan’s arms, the tears back in full faucet mode.

  “TMI,” Fox said, closing his eyes. “Is there going to be a lot of that kind of talk going on? Because that’s going to take some serious getting used to.” He shuddered. “Besides, there’s something I have to show you.”

  They moved apart, but still held hands.

  “What do you have to show us?” Aidan asked.

  “Gold.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Fox moved over toward the side of the stove.

  “Careful, that’s…hot,” Raven warned unnecessarily as Fox turned a bolt on one of the cast iron feet.

  There was a loud click as the sidewall behind the stove moved slightly. Fox pried open the door, which when closed fit seamlessly into the wall. He reached in and pulled out a small canvas bag the size of a cantaloupe. With two hands, he carried the heavy sack to Aidan.

  “No.” Aidan shook his head. “Whatever is in that isn’t mine.” He looked at Raven. “It had to have been your dad’s, which makes it yours.”

  Fox set it on the floor between them and opened the drawstring bag. Yellow gold nuggets glittered in the light. Raven caught her breath and reverently reached for one, pulling out a nugget two inches long, weighing at least four ounces.

  “There’s a fortune in this bag,” she whispered.

  “Yeah, and there’s at least a hundred more bags stacked in the wall,” Fox revealed.

  “How did you know about this?” Aidan asked.

  Fox smiled a clever smile. “Haven’t you figured it out by now? Kids know everything.”

  Raven chuckled and shared a look with Aidan. “Our kid certainly does.”

  Aidan moved to the opening in the wall, whistling when he saw the truth of Fox’s statement. The wall was only a foot wide, which fooled the eye into thinking it was a normal stud wall, but it ran the length of at least eight feet. And all of those feet were stacked waist-high with bags identical to the one Fox had opened. There had to be millions of dollars’ worth of gold hidden away in this ransacked cabin. “No wonder Genie was willing to kill for this.”

  “What had Earl planned on doing with all this gold?” Raven echoed his thoughts, having come up behind him, seeing the evidence for herself.

  “Who knows what the old man was thinking.” Aidan shook his head. “We need to hide this back up and plan on moving it under the cover of darkness. If anyone found out about this…”

  “We’ve already dealt with that,” Raven said.

  “Dad’s right,” Fox said. “The gold needs to be moved. Genie’s not going to stay quiet in prison. She knows it’s here. Earl paid her in nuggets for her…services.”

  How did Fox know this stuff? Aidan picked up the bag, surprised over the weight, and put it back in the hiding place and then shut the door.

  “Wait.” Raven held up the nugget she still held.

  Aidan took it from her and put it in his pocket. “I have plans for this one.” He got caught up gazing into Raven’s warm, inviting eyes until Fox cleared his throat.

  “We gotta get back in time for dinner.”

  Raven glanced at her watch. “Oh, we’d better hurry. Aidan, do you mind driving? I’m still a little shaky behind the wheel.”

  “Uh, sure.” Guess he was invited to dinner. Having all his dreams come true was going to take a little getting used to.

  “I’ll meet you there,” Fox said. “I need to get the dogs back.”

  “Be careful,” Raven said.

  “Yes, Mom.”

  “Listen to your mother,” Aidan couldn’t help addingwith a silly grin.

  Fox’s grin was even sillier. “Yes, Dad.” And then he scampered out of the cabin, the dogs excited barks sounding as soon as they saw him.

  Aidan wrapped his arms around Raven. “How much time do we have before dinner?”

  Raven gave a totally feminine sound that thrilled him to his soul. She tucked her hand in the waistband of his pants and pulled him toward the bedroom. “We’ll have to be quick.”

  “Woman, ‘quick’ isn’t going to be my problem.”

  They arrived at the lodge late, but totally satisfied. Raven made him pack an overnight bag because he was moving in with her that night. They could get the rest of his stuff later. At some point, he’d have to return to Seattle and sell his condo, along with packing and moving his stuff to Alaska. Maybe Fox and Raven would like to take a trip to Washington over Christmas vacation?

  They entered the kitchen where the whole family was seated, including Peter and Lana, Eva and Lynx and little Lark. The table had been stretched to accommodate the many seats and was stacked with food. A golden-browned turkey waited to be carved, along with mash potatoes and gravy and all the fixings for a bountiful Thanksgiving Dinner.

  Today was Thanksgiving?

  “What took you guys so long?” Fox asked from his seat, next to two waiting chairs.

  Raven blushed bright red. “Car trouble.” Which the disbelieving group didn’t buy.

  “Actually we were bringing a gift for Coho,” Aidan said, reaching into his front pocket.

  “Me?” Coho asked.

  Aidan held up the two inch long gold nugget. The group hushed. “I believe this was the size you requested.”

  “Oh my goodness gracious.” Coho took the nugget into her hands, her eyes wide. “Unbelievable.”

  “You found the gold?” Lynx asked, a note of betrayal in his voice. “I wanted to help.”

  “We didn’t find it,” Aidan said. “Fox knew were it was all along.”

  “Well, why didn’t you say something?” Lynx asked.

  “Nobody asked me.” Fox shrugged. “Can we eat now? I’m starved.”

  Pike stood, waited for Aidan and Raven to take their seats and then he began. “This year our table truly runneth over. There is much to be thankful for. A new member of the family and old members finally returned back to us.” He indicated little Meadow Lark cradled in Eva’s arms, and nodded at Aidan, who had to lower his gaze to his plate to hide the emotion shining there. “And to new friends.” Pike gestured to Peter and Lana, then cleared his throat and shuffled his feet as though nervous. He reached down and offered his hand to Fiona, which she took. “Also, Fiona, has finally consented to be my wife.”

  A shocked silence vibrated through the room followed quickly by loud cheers and a few, about damn times. Food was forgotten as congratulations were passed around, though Fox did help himself to a roll during all the ruckus.

  As the noise echoed around them, Raven leaned in close to Aidan, touching the wolf totem he hadn’t removed since she had given it back to him. She picked up the carved wolf, caressing it with her fingers. “You know the wolf symbolizes family.”

  “Yes.” Words were suddenly difficult for him to utter. This woman was his mate, these people his pack. Aidan leaned over and gently kissed his Raven. “Wolves also mate for life.”

  Raven smiled and shook her head. “Spirit wolves mate forever.”

  THE END

  DEATH CACHE: A PREVIEW

  Tiffinie Helmer

  Coming November 2013

  THE INVITATION

 
By Special Invitation Only

  1st Annual Extreme Geocaching Competition

  June 7th – 14th

  Time & Place: 8:00 a.m. N64° 49.098’, W147° 55.0349’

  Lodging: Rustic cabins on a pristine glacial-fed lake.

  What to bring: Pack for survival in Alaska’s Extreme Backcountry.

  Do you dare to be the best?

  CHAPTER ONE

  “Well, hell. I’ve slept with everyone here.” Tern Maiski’s gaze swept the airplane hangar. All her exes stood next to the Cessna, chatting it up, and outfitted like they were headed on the same geocaching trek she was.

  “Except you refused to put out for me when I wanted to experiment in college.” Nadia Hanson, best friend extraordinaire, came to a stop next to her, giving a slow whistle at the impressive line-up of testosterone. “Damn, girl. Remind me again why you let these guys go.”

  All eyes turned their direction. The men stood in a row like a reception line from hell.

  Tern tightened her hold on the strap of her backpack. She had no problem meeting each of the men’s stares. Except Gage Fallon’s. The bastard had walked out on her without a word six months ago. Not an email or lousy text message to explain the hard dumping he’d given her. “I should tuck tail and run right now,” Tern murmured.

  “And let these guys prove that they’re better at geocaching than you? You’re the one who introduced them to it,” Nadia pointed out, knowing it would put her back up.

  Sure enough, Tern straightened her shoulders and sauntered forward with a walk that was part take-no-prisoners and part promise-to-rock-your-world.

  She greeted Addison ‘Mac’ MacFearson, fifty-two, with a hug and a kiss on his leathered cheek. He was a rugged Alaskan bush guide with a ‘No Crybabies Allowed’ attitude, and she hadn’t seen him in a few months. He released her from the bear hug and cocked a knowing smile. “You’re in for a trial here, sweet cakes.”

  Lucky Leroy Morgan, world famous mountain climber, stood next to Mac and winked, his come-hither smile tempting Tern to sidle a little closer.

  Man, he’d been fun.

  “I thought you were in Africa,” she said, staying just out of reach. A lot of good that did, as he took a step forward and grabbed her into a swinging clench.

  “I was, until this little adventure presented itself. Damn, but it’s good to see you.” He followed the swing with a dip and planted a searing kiss on her lips. When he’d righted her, she was dizzy, flushed, and half tempted to follow up on that kiss. But she knew better.

  Lucky Leroy was a gambler, not only with his money but his life. He’d climbed Everest and Denali twice—the second time in the dead of winter. There wasn’t anything he wasn’t willing to try at least once. It hadn’t taken her long to know that he was the kind of man she couldn’t trust with the grocery money, let alone with her heart. He sure as hell had been a lot of fun, though. Even though she’d ended their relationship, he still looked her up whenever he was in the hemisphere.

  “I stopped by the shop last night, but they said you were in Chatanika visiting your family,” Lucky said. “Seems lately every time I look you up, you’re busy.”

  “Thought I was waiting around pining for you?”

  His hand covered his heart and his bedroom eyes warmed. “A guy can hope.”

  She introduced him to Nadia, and those eyes heated further in appreciation for her best friend. Another reason she’d cut Lucky loose. The man had a weakness for the ladies, and she didn’t share. Period.

  Robert Coate was next. He solemnly nodded his head. “Tern,” he greeted. His gaze still had the power to nick her heart when she looked directly at him. She’d broken his and the guilt of it weighed heavily on her shoulders.

  A business owner of a sporting goods store just down the street from her own shop, The Arctic Tern, Robert had made the most sense in her husband search. He also understood the Native Alaskan in her as he was part Athabascan himself. He was involved in the community, regularly attended church, loved dogs, and was a single parent in need of a mother for his beautiful six-year-old daughter, Chloe, who Tern adored. He was about as close to Mr. Good Enough as she’d found. But no matter how ideal he seemed, she couldn’t get past their lack of physical chemistry. And to be honest, she didn’t want to be known as Mrs. Tern Coate.

  “Hi, Robert. How are you doing?”

  “Fine.” He straightened his shoulders and hooded his eyes, trying to hide what he still felt for her. It was like this every time they ran into each other since their breakup last fall. Though Tern had tried to let him down easy, easy hadn’t worked, and she’d been forced to be brutal in order to make it clear that she was no longer interested in anything more than friendship. Since then they had stuck to ‘fine’ and ‘okay’, still feeling around for a more comfortable footing.

  And then there was Gage.

  Tern’s heart hurt just knowing he breathed the same air. It had the added benefit of pissing her off too. She had no business caring about a guy who wasn’t man enough to pick up a phone.

  From the moment he’d walked into her shop—looking for a gift for his mother—they had ignited. She’d glanced up from her cash register ready with her welcoming spiel, but the words had died on her tongue as everything in her body shivered with awareness. He’d felt the same. Or so she’d thought. She’d sold him a gift for his mother, had dinner with him that night, and made breakfast for him the next morning. They’d been inseparable after that. She’d fallen in love so hard and so fast that when he’d taken off with no word, she’d been devastated.

  It still bothered the hell out of her that she didn’t know what had gone wrong. One night they couldn’t get enough of each other and the next day Gage had vanished from her universe. She’d even gone so far as to contact his employer when days had passed and she couldn’t reach him, thinking he’d fallen prey to foul play. But the Director of the Geophysical Institute at the UAF, where Gage taught and studied Space Physics and Aeronomy, had assured her Gage was fine. Fine? She’d been going out of her mind with worry and the bastard was fine?

  While she refused to look at Gage as she greeted the other men and introduced them to Nadia, she’d felt his eyes burn through her. An answering heat rippled under her skin. She did her best to ignore it and failed.

  When she finally turned to face him, heat exploded inside her, and it was all she could do not to lick him like an ice cream cone, all six feet and three inches of him. He’d changed in the long months since she’d seen him. He was leaner, with an edgy danger to him that somehow made him even more attractive. That shouldn’t cause her blood to race and her heart to thump harder. His green eyes were colder, his dark hair longer, and it looked as though he hadn’t laughed in a long, long time. The biting remark hanging on her tongue died.

  “Tern,” he said, in that same husky, deep baritone that had her insides clenching. “Seems you know all the players. Are you the one who sent the invite?”

  Like she was a masochist. “No. I’m just as surprised to see you as you are to see me.” She met his gaze and tried not to flinch. He didn’t look happy to see her at all. She’d bet he wouldn’t be here if he’d known she’d been invited on this excursion. It hurt knowing he hadn’t missed her the tiniest bit.

  Deadbeat. He wasn’t worth her heartache.

  Nadia bumped into her, and she grabbed a deep breath to introduce her to Gage, but Nadia greeted Gage with a hug. Then Tern remembered. They were both employed by the University. Nadia had been the one to suggest Gage check out her shop when he needed to do his Christmas shopping.

  Tern didn’t like seeing Nadia in Gage’s arms. He smiled at her friend, his eyes crinkling up at the corners as they caught up with each other. Why couldn’t he have greeted her like that? She turned away before she gave in and kicked Gage in the shins or fell into a blubbering puddle at his feet.

  Through the door of the hangar sat her white Jeep, beckoning like a rocketship. She even took a few steps toward it, before realizin
g what she was doing and stopped. She couldn’t back out now. Not with Gage’s eyes boring into her back. If she walked off, he would know how much he’d hurt her. But then, how did she spend a whole week with him in the wilderness and refrain from killing him, or worse, sleeping with him again?

  A sandy-haired man, who looked as though he preferred spending more time in the air than on the ground, entered the hangar. “Folks, my name is Hugh, and I’ll be ready to take off in about five minutes,” their pilot announced. “We’ll be taking the DeHavilland Beaver tied up next to the dock. If you’ll carry your bags down there, I’ll get them loaded, while you take your seats.”

  “Do we know where we’re going?” Robert asked, grabbing his pack and following the pilot.

  “Everything will be made clear to you once we’re in the air.” The pilot shrugged. “Those are the instructions I’ve been given. Can’t have one of you with an advantage.”

  How about disadvantage?

  Tern sure as hell felt like she was at a disadvantage starting out. It didn’t seem like anyone else was carrying the emotional baggage with them that she was.

  She caught Gage watching her from across the hangar and suddenly felt like a rabbit being hunted by a wolf. Her nipples tightened as something that felt like excitement shivered over her.

  “Ready to take off?” Nadia broke through Tern’s connection to Gage.

  “Nope.”

  “Ah, come on, Tern.” Nadia flashed a smile and gave her newly darkened hair a toss. She’d recently exchanged her natural cinnamon for Tern’s raven coloring. Tern was still getting used to the change. “It’ll be fun. Once we get there and the games begin, you’ll forget all about Gage Fallon.”

  Right. And they’d see stars in the arctic sky tonight too.

  They climbed aboard and took their seats in the floatplane. Nadia sat in back with Gage, sandwiching Tern with Lucky on one side and Robert on the other. Mac sat up front with Hugh.

  Fortunately, once they took off on the man-made Chena Marina and were soaring northwest into the brilliant blue sky, the noise in the plane was too loud to carry on a conversation without headphones and mics. Mac and Hugh were the only ones outfitted, which suited Tern just fine. There was too much back and forth going on inside her head to pay attention to anyone else.