by Donna Kunkel
Steve handed the mug to her and bent down to unfasten the snowshoes.
She looked into the mug, hot chocolate. She inhaled deeply. “How did you guess?”
“I know you like chocolate.”
“In any way, shape, or form. It’s a woman thing.”
“So I’ve heard.” He smiled, helped her step out of the snowshoes, tapped the snow out, and set them next to the front door. “You want to go out again tomorrow?”
She took a drink and nodded. “It felt good to walk.”
“I bet.”
“Why?”
“I’ve never seen anyone walk like you did.” He grinned.
“I know. I amused you again.” She forced herself to walk normally up the steps and into the cabin. After setting the mug down on the table she hung up her coat. “It was good to get out.” She picked up the mug and headed into the barn to get the evening chores done. Last thing she wanted was for him to see how stiff she was. He stayed in the kitchen and kept working on dinner.
The next morning, she could hardly move, but she wasn’t going to be defeated by a pair of shoes. She fussed around until the cabin door clicked shut. To make sure he was out of the cabin, she poked her head around the bedroom doorframe and scanned the room. The coast was clear. She rushed to the closet and pulled her suitcase out from under the clothes. After plopping it on the bed and unzipping it, she reached inside the interior pocket and pulled out the bag that held her wand.
She loosened the drawstring and eased the wand out into her hand. Her magic reached out and melded with the wand. The rush of magic invigorated her. Why did she ever think she could live without her magic? It was a part of her very essence. If she became serious with Steve, she’d have to tell him that she was a wizard.
Something scraped across the living room floor. It was probably only Mandy, but she couldn’t risk explaining about magic at this time. She slipped the wand in her sweatpants’ waistband, put the bag back in the suitcase, and stored the luggage back in the closet. She spread the clothes back out. Once she was satisfied that the closet looked like normal, she headed out into the main room.
She looked around, but Steve was still out in the barn. She quickly slipped her wand into the wand pocket inside her coat. She headed out to the barn to quickly do her chores. After finishing up for the morning and showering, she donned her coat.
“Going out again?” Steve asked, looking up from his book. “What’s so interesting?”
She headed to the door. “Nothing.” She had to do better or he might follow. “I wanted to cross the meadow.”
“That’s a long walk.”
“I know. I only got a third of the way yesterday.”
“What makes you think you’ll get any farther?”
“Well. It’s easier walking on previous tracks.”
He nodded.
“So the first third should be a lot easier. Each day I’ll get farther across.”
“I could take you over there on the snowmobile.”
She had to remain focused. Convince him. “I know it’s stupid. It’s something I need to try on my own.”
He continued to watch her then finally added, “Don’t be too long or I’ll come looking for you.”
She smiled. “You’d do that?”
“Course.” He started to get up but she motioned him to stop.
“Just stay comfortable, I want to do this without any help.”
“You sure?”
She nodded and opened the door. “I need to prove to myself that I can do this.”
“Okay. Holler if you need help getting the snowshoes on.”
She waved as she headed out the door. The snowshoe’s straps looked like a complicated mess, but she had managed yesterday.
“Oh, well,” she whispered. “A little more magic won’t make any difference. I’ve already failed.” She pulled out her wand and used it to get the snowshoes on. After stepping away from the porch, she performed a spell to make herself as light as a bird. She figured it would now be a lot easier to walk across the snow.
She glided across the snow. Now this was a lot easier. She had already made it halfway across before she took her first break. Keeping her back to the cabin, she cast a spell to determine if anyone was watching her. Nothing, she was alone. At least now she could get the rest of the way across.
Without magic she would only have gotten a little farther before turning back. If she turned back today, she’d get back too early and he’d ask questions. It was either go on for another hour or she’d have to stop and wait. No way was she simply going to stand in the freezing cold.
She charged on toward the tree line. Today she needed to at least pick up part of the unicorn’s trail. After hitting the trees, she studied the ground and moved farther down the valley. After searching for a half hour, she crossed a few faint hoof-prints. Tomorrow she’d have to follow them in under the branches. She was out of time for today.
She studied her surroundings so she could find this spot again. Nothing was immediately obvious except for a large boulder just barely visible. She started to head back when she thought about the snowshoe tracks. Her trail shouldn’t be spotted by anyone out for a ride.
A little more magic wouldn’t matter. She used a spell to obliterate her tracks part of the way back. There had to be some at least. When she neared the cabin, she removed the spell that made her light and trudged back the last bit.
****
As soon as she approached the cabin, Steve came out on the porch. He helped her remove the snowshoes. “I missed you,” he said. He moved close and maneuvered her back against the front door. “You were gone so long.” He placed an arm on each side of her with his hands on the door, pressing her up against the wooden surface. He let his warmth seep into her. “Did you miss me?”
She had barely started to nod when he started kissing her.
He ravished her mouth, letting her rich taste fill his taste buds. Oh, how he enjoyed how she tasted and responded to him. His flame had instantly curled tightly around her energy, never wanting to let go. He moved one hand to stroke her hot face. Their hearts pounded away in the quiet. Then he felt it. The animal stretched, yawned, turned around, and settled back down. He had to stop before the animal awoke.
He broke away from the kiss and placed his hands back beside her. Leaning forward, he touched his forehead to hers. Under his hands, he could feel the gouges in the front door. A finger trailed along one of the deep grooves. The splinters and cracks were obvious through his thick gloves.
He needed to distance himself. But she made him react like no other woman had. The animal in him had never woken up this early before. Being involved with her had to be doing this.
He had to do it. He had to end their relationship to keep her safe.
She’d be leaving in a couple of weeks. That would make it easier. Or would it?
Damn, she was one hot woman.
But that would be taking the easy way out. No. He had to tell her the truth. She deserved to know why he was going to say goodbye. She would fight his decision, but he would remain firm. No backing down. This was too important.
She’d find someone else. Someone who wouldn’t put her life in danger. If she stayed here he’d end up hurting her. The animal in him would want to be with her—do anything to be with her.
He traced a gouge in the door again. After all, he’d been responsible for these marks.
“We’d better get inside where it’s warm.”
She nodded, but he didn’t move right away. He opened the door for her and helped her out of her coat once inside. She moved up against his back and wrapped her arms around him.
“How about continuing that kiss in the bedroom?” she asked.
He shouldn’t, but oh how he wanted to. He was already hard from her simple kiss. Instinctively, he took a deep breath. Her perspiration from the walk tickled his nose, and her distinctive apples and arousal scents as well. She wanted him.
He flipped around
and swept her up in his arms. He carried her to the bedroom where he tossed her onto the bed. He quickly worked at getting her pants off then moved up to nuzzle her neck. “I don’t want to disappoint you.” He slid away long enough to get a condom on.
“We still have our clothes on,” she said.
“Not where it counts.” He licked up her neck and shoved himself in.
“You feel so good.”
He pulled out and shoved back in with a low growl. He didn’t care if it might be a quick one, he needed to feel her wrapped around him.
They spent most of the evening curled up next to each other in bed reading. They only left to milk Anna Belle and eat. After setting the dishes in the sink, they returned to the bed so they could continue to caress each other and make love again before falling asleep.
Steve woke when his animal stretched, moved around, then curled back up. It was only four a.m., but he had to move away from her. He slipped out of the bed, grabbed some work clothes and headed out of the bedroom. Mandy shuffled out and whined. “Stay girl,” he whispered as he threw his clothes on. He dashed out to the barn and started working. Shifting hay bales, hauling full water buckets, raking straw—anything to exhaust himself. He had to keep the animal asleep.
****
Alex stretched and touched the cold sheets next to her. The bed was empty. She flipped over and grabbed her glasses to see the clock. “Why didn’t you wake me up?” she called out.
No answer.
Alex flipped the covers back, slid her legs over the edge, and ran into Mandy. The dog was plastered against the bed. “What’s wrong girl?”
Mandy whimpered.
Alex rubbed her chest and gave her a last pat. “Shame you can’t talk to me.” She dressed and shuffled out to the living room. Empty. No Steve, no breakfast, so she headed out to the barn. “What’s up? You didn’t wait for me to help?”
He glanced up, “Go ahead and take your shower. I’ll get this.” He went back to work.
Alex shrugged and headed in to shower. At least this way she’d get an earlier start on her hike. Would the hen ride around on Steve’s shoulder if she wasn’t there? Or would the bird be mad and peck her tomorrow? Today when she started out, she headed directly to where she’d been yesterday. She took a moment and pulled in a couple of deep breaths. The trees looked dark and forbidding. I’m being silly. I can protect myself. She pulled her wand out and held it in front of her. If anything attacked, she’d be ready.
She took a hesitant step in. Then another.
The trees lessened some as she got a little farther in. She continued to follow the tracks into the trees. The hoof trails crisscrossed back-and-forth the farther in she went. “This is hopeless,” she mumbled. She sat down on a nearby granite rock to catch her breath. Within seconds her butt felt like a block of ice. She took a last look around the fir grove. “I’ll be back,” she called out. Only silence answered her and nothing moved among the branches. She trudged back the way she’d come. She’d have to come back after a new snowfall. At least with the way the weather had been, she shouldn’t have to wait long.
Chapter 19
The next day, Alex hurried through her chores with the hen completely ignoring her. Once finished, she headed back to the area where she’d seen all the trails. The fresh snow last night had filled in all the old tracks. Nothing but smooth snow covered the ground. She wandered deeper into the trees letting a feeling inside her guide her steps. After a couple of minutes, the strange sensation increased. It was almost the way she felt when she met another wizard, different—but still magic.
The unicorn had to be close. She’d never sensed magic this strong, not even when she was at magic school. It had to be because of the lack of other people; people always seemed to create an energy all their own. Her senses hummed the farther in she went. Then she spotted a trail of only one set of hooves coming toward and going away from her. Finally, a trail she could follow.
She knew she needed to be heading back, but she couldn’t pass up this chance. The trail wound deeper and deeper into the firs. The boulders got larger the farther she went. She had to be getting close to the side of the mountain.
More trails joined with the one she was following, all leading in the same general direction. Her steps became a little easier with the trampled snow, but exhaustion had settled in. Her legs ached and her breathing had been labored for several minutes now. The unicorn had to be close. She could feel the magic pulling her. After taking a pause to catch her breath, she continued on.
The trees became scattered among the boulders. A narrow trail wound around the large hunks of rock. After rounding a large boulder, a rock face loomed close. The trails all led to a dark narrow slit in the rock face. As soon as she’d gotten a stone’s throw away from the crevice, she heard the pounding of hooves.
She stopped and took a couple of steps back.
The unicorn charged forward and stopped just outside. He snorted and huffed. His front hoof dug into the dirt and snow repeatedly, flinging it back.
Alex held up her hands and took several more steps back.
The unicorn tilted his head down and snorted, creating a cloud of steam.
“Whoa,” Alex said. “I don’t want to hurt you. I’ll leave.” She stepped carefully backward. The unicorn continued to stand guard, still huffing like a pit bull guarding his bone. She turned around and headed back through the firs.
How could she gain his trust? She trudged back across the meadow. How would you get a pit bull to accept you?
Treats. That was what she had to do. Bribe him. Tomorrow she’d bring a bucket of oats. He should like that. Alex hurried back as fast as she could, not lifting the spell on her until she was near the porch. She clomped in and went over to the fire to warm up.
Steve was sitting in his chair reading. “Did you enjoy your walk?”
“Immensely. I think I’ll go again tomorrow and maybe the day after.”
“If you want exercise, I know of a way to do that here.”
Alex refused to turn and face him, knowing from the heat in her cheeks that she had to be blushing. “I enjoy being out in the fresh air after being trapped inside for so many days.”
Steve set his book down on the table. He moved close and rubbed his hands up and down her arms. He whispered into her ear, “If you want to slow things down, just tell me. You don’t have to go out hiking every day to avoid me.”
She turned around and wrapped her arms around him. “That’s not it.”
He lifted a strand of hair off her face.
“I enjoy being outside. Seeing all the snow, trees, and mountains. I don’t get to see this in Denver.”
“No, I guess you don’t.” He worked the edge of her ear between his lips.
“At the rate we’re going, you’re going to run out of condoms.”
He pulled back and looked at her. “True. Next time I see Peter, I’ll see if he has any I can have.”
“I thought you said he didn’t date much. Why would he have any?”
“A man can hope, can’t he?” He kissed her neck. “I can warm you up better than this fire can.” He started kissing her neck again.
“You only have two left.”
He took her hand and headed to the bedroom. “Then I think we should pay Peter a visit tomorrow.”
She had to bribe the unicorn tomorrow. “Why don’t you go while I’m out taking my hike. I’d be too embarrassed to be around when you ask him.”
“Sounds like a plan.” He started undressing her. “We’ll use one now and save the other in case it snows tomorrow.”
That evening, they made a nest in front of the fire so they could snuggle while eating dinner and reading. Mandy insisted on lying against them on the blanket.
The next morning, Alex rushed through breakfast and chores so she could get an earlier start. The moment Steve turned his shower water on, Alex rushed over to the front door. She slipped her wand out of her coat and tucked it into her waistband. Without w
asting a moment, she dashed out to the barn, Mandy close on her heels.
Mandy ran over and brought a ball back.
“Not right now, girl,” Alex said to the excited dog. “I only have a couple of minutes.” She looked around the barn and found a spare bucket tucked in next to the hay bales. Alex grabbed the bucket and took it over to the barrel of oats. She popped the lid off and poured scoop after scoop of oats into the bucket.
Anna Belle strolled out of her pen the moment the lid popped open. Alex carried the half-full bucket to the middle of the barn and set it down.
Mandy dropped her ball in the bucket.
Alex pulled it out and brushed the oats off the fuzzy ball. She tossed it away and Mandy bounded after it.
Anna Belle eyed the bucket and started to move toward it.
Alex spotted Anna Belle heading toward her, so she snatched the bucket up. “These aren’t for you,” she said to the cow.
Anna Belle was determined.
“Okay, okay,” Alex said. She circled around the cow and took the bucket to her pen. Anna Belle stayed close. Alex tipped some of the oats into Anna Belle’s bucket and rushed back to the middle of the barn again. This time she didn’t waste a second and whipped her wand out. “Decresco,” she said and touched her wand to the bucket. She continued to touch the bucket as it shrank. Once it was down to the size of a ball she lifted her wand. She snatched the miniature bucket up before Mandy got the idea that it was a new play-toy. Alex tucked her wand back into her waistband and carried the tiny bucket to the cabin. She cracked the door to the cabin open and heard the water still running.
Mandy pushed through the door carrying her ball.
Steve would be finished in only a minute or so. She rushed into the cabin and pulled the brown bag she’d found earlier out of her coat. She slipped the bucket in and folded the bag over several times.
The water turned off.
Alex put the bag in her coat pocket, pulled her wand out of her pants, and put it back in her coat. She could hear Steve getting dressed, so she ran into the bedroom and started snatching some clothes. He would expect her to be ready to get her bath as soon as he’d finished.
