by Lynn Landes
“I know, good boy, Baron.” No longer caring what she looks like Serenity opens the door, and finds a small table set for two. Steaming bread bowls filled with soup, and “Coffee,” she moans with lust. She makes a beeline for the table and picks up a cup. Her body is trembling from the effort, and she sips the coffee and decides to curl up in the chair by the fire to wait for Michael.
He finds her dead asleep with Baron at her feet, when he returns. Michael walks over and sighs, looking at the young woman. Gently he lifts her, and she sighs curling into his chest as though she belongs there. He thinks, “While she protects the youngest, who is protecting her?”
He tucks her back into the bed and covers her before returning to the table. Michael sits by the fire to eat while he flips through one of his father’s old books. She is out of the woods now, except for her memory. That might be a problem, how will they convince her she’s in danger, if she can’t remember any of it. Baron walks over and puts his head on Michael’s lap. “Okay, time to feed you and let you out? Good boy, let’s go.” He pads out of the room, leaving Serenity to sleep and opens the door inhaling the crisp frigid air of the North Pole.
“Wonder how serene she will be when she finds out she’s hanging out with Mr. and Mrs. Claus and family, in the North Pole?” The thought of her reactions makes him laugh out loud. His booming laughter echoes across the canyon, and he is reminded of how long it has been since he laughed.
The death of his wife five years ago nearly destroyed him. He loved her but she had never acclimated to the seclusion and cold temperatures. They fought all the time and she thought another child would fix things between them. She died in her sleep, right after Sincere was born. Dr. Chow said it was heart failure, that it could happen when the delivery is difficult and the mother weak. He carried the guilt with him all this time, but now it has to stop. The boys have to come first, he has been blind to how they have been affected. They are the greatest gift he has ever been given. Michael looks up at the beautiful ribbons of color in the sky and smiles, feeling a sense of relief. Serenity has brought healing to his family, and she doesn’t even know it.
Baron returns and they pad quietly back inside. When he steps back into the room he smiles at the sight of her curled around a pillow with her blonde hair spilled in waves around her. Something is after her, and tomorrow she would have some questions to answer. For tonight, they will guard over her and get some rest, he settles into the recliner by the fireplace.
Chapter 6
Serenity opens her eyes slowly and turns her head, screaming when she comes face to face with a wolf. Michael jumps out of his chair with his heart pounding, tripping over the table in front of him and falls forward, landing on the floor. Baron yelps and jumps out of the bed, zipping past Michael and rushing out of the room.
“Oh, Michael are you okay?” she asks leaping out of bed. “I’m so sorry,” she says trying not to laugh him.
He grumbles something about killing his dog, as she helps him up. “Only my pride. Baron does that sometimes. I apologize if he frightened you…” he starts to say but his voice fades away as he looks at her mouth.
Michael runs a hand through his hair, stepping back from her. He shouldn’t be thinking about kissing her, but she isn’t making it easy, standing there with a smile curving her lips. She is asking him something, but for the life of him all he can think about is how she will taste.
Serenity touches his arm, “Michael? How long have you been sleeping in here?”
He drags his eyes from her mouth and answers, “A few days, or so.”
“I’m honored you would watch over me, Michael. Truly, I feel better now, just hungry. Why don’t you go to bed?” she asks with concern for him.
“Yes bed, we should get to bed. I mean…” he stammers, “I should get some sleep. I will leave you to your privacy. Good night, Serenity.” He stumbles from the room and falls into his bed, exhausted.
Serenity smiles watching his emotions flutter across his face. Confusion, embarrassment, and desire? Her heart pounds thinking about his large hands on her. She is startled by the intense physical attraction to him. “Whew, girl time to cool off. You don’t even know him, Serenity!” She tells herself as begins picking up the room. Her stomach growls and she realizes she is starving.
She heads for the door and steps into the hallway. Michael needs to rest, it shouldn’t be hard to find something to eat. How hard can it be to find the kitchen? She pads softly down the darkened hallway and wonders what time it is? She looks around, finding herself in a large open great room. The only light comes from an enormous ten foot Christmas tree. It is lit with colored lights and decorated beautifully. A piano sits in the corner and a large grandfather clock reads 4:15. A large fireplace decorated for the holidays with garland and pictures lining it. A large brown sectional with a recliner and coffee table. She turns and finds Baron, staring at her with his beautiful blue eyes. “They should have named you ghost, you certainly move like one.” He chuffs at her in response and cocks his head sideways.
“Baron, do you think you could show me to the kitchen?” He turns with a wag of his tail and leads her past a large front door, and into the kitchen. She follows quickly and decides not to turn on a light, Michael needs his rest. She finds a bowl of fruit and grabs an apple. “Best to keep it simple, right boy?” Baron pads over, and scratches on a door then looks back at her.
“Uh-oh, is nature calling?” He wags his tail and looks back at the door.
“Okay,” she says smiling as she eats her apple. She slips on a pair of large boots by the door and opens it. The glacial air takes her breath away. Snowcapped mountains greet her shocked eyes. The world is white, sparkling, as though painted with glitter, and the sky!
“The sky! Baron what is it? It’s beautiful!” she says stepping out onto the small covered porch. Oblivious to the cold, and icy snow, she stares in awe at the ribbons of color, rippling across the sky. It looks like the Northern Lights, but that’s ridiculous, she lives in Maine with her sister, Bailey.
Baron barks at her and she steps further outside, down the steps, and into the yard. She sinks into snow up to her knees, but the colors entrance her. She spins looking up at the sky, laughing while Baron jumps around barking. Michael hears the dog barking, and follows the sound. He stands watching the joy flicker across her face, and her laughter draws him outside. He leans down and makes a large snowball, then roars with laughter at the stunned look on her face, when she is struck in the chest.
Serenity grabs her chest as though in pain, and falls backwards into the snow, “Michael?” she whispers, “how could you?”
His smile fades as fear strikes. What the hell was he thinking, she is still recovering! He rushes to her side.
“Serenity, are you hurt?” Her eyes are closed and she looks so pale, he leans his head down to listen to her heart and hears… laughter. His eyes narrow just before she strikes him on the head with a large pile of snow.
“Sucker!” Serenity laughs at him and tries to move only to find he has pinned her wrists.
“Now Michael, don’t be a poor sport”…the laughter fades when his eyes drop to her pink lips. Her tongue flicks out and he leans close, inhaling her scent, into his soul. Her heart begins to pound in earnest now, “Michael, I wish you would kiss me?” she asks softly.
He smiles and softly touches his lips to hers. Gentle at first they explore each other, lips part, tongues dance, and teeth nip. Serenity grabs a fistful of Michaels black hair and whispers, “I asked if you were gonna kiss me, Michael?”
“You are healing,” Michael says releasing her and pulling her to her feet. Her clothes are soaked and his frustration is evident as he turns to go back to the house.
Serenity bends down and grabs another handful of snow, making a large snowball. She lets its fly. Accurate, and deadly it explodes in the center of his back. “What are you afraid of?” She giggles as he turns swiftly and runs at her. Her squeal explodes as she tries to run in b
oots that are way too big. He tries to stop her from falling but she loses her balance and falls forward, face first into deep snow.
He roars with laughter as Serenity comes up covered in white, coughing, and spitting snow. “Serves you right,” he says through his chuckles. Serenity smiles through her chattering teeth thoroughly enjoying his company.
“Michael, where am I?” she says as her smile fades. Any heat she had is gone and the wet clothes are not helping. In her mind she hears wolves howling.
He moves quickly towards her noticing the blue tinge of her lips. “Let’s get you warmed up.” Sweeping her up into his arms he strides back to the house. “Baron, come!”
Kicking the door closed he hurries to the back room where the fire is still roaring. “There are towels in the bathroom,” he starts to say but she is shaking and can’t seem to stop.
“I’m okay, j, ju, just cold.” Her skin has an unhealthy gray tinge to it. He throws a towel around her shoulder and begins rubbing her.
“What were you thinking, going out in this cold without a coat, Serenity?” he asks gruffly.
“Baron wanted out, Michael,” she stills his hands with her freezing ones and whispers, “I can take it from here. I need dry clothes.”
“Okay, I will see what I can do.” He hurries out to give her privacy. Michael could easily create a pair of pajamas for her, but something in him wants to see her in his shirt. He jerks off his wet clothes and pulls on sweats and a large sweatshirt. He grabs a large flannel shirt of his and makes her some broth and toast. When he returns she is standing near the fireplace wrapped in a towel, drying her hair. She turns with a smile and his heart stops. “Mine!” He thinks.
“This will have to do for now, Serenity,” he says offering her his shirt. She takes it and pulls it on over the towel and buttons it slowly. His shirt covers her to her knees and she lets the towel drop to the ground and his mouth goes dry.
“Michael, where am I? Why am I here? Why do I keep hearing wolves?” she asks afraid of the answers. She can sense his trepidation and it makes her apprehension grow.
“Serenity, you are safe with us. That’s all you need to know for now. Come and eat, then rest. Once the boys return, you will not have a moment’s peace.” He takes her hand and draws her to the bed. She climbs in and he covers her with the blankets. The tray is settled on her lap and he decides to sit nearby, and talk to her while she eats.
“Have you always been able to sing so beautifully, Serenity?” he asks hoping to distract her.
She sips and the salty broth explodes in her mouth. “Ohh, that’s so good. My mama said I was born singing. I sang before I could talk, but I would not sing in front of anyone until my senior year in college. I was dating a guy who was interning at the hospital, in North Carolina. He explained how the children enjoyed having visits from special guest. I struggled trying to figure out what I could do to help. Then, I thought about singing. I was a college student, with no money. I gave what I could, but I got more than I bargained for.”
“What do you mean, didn’t they enjoy your singing?” He asks as he takes her tray and sets it aside.
“No, they loved it, but it’s what I got back in return, Michael. I felt a connection to them, helping ease the burden they carry, if only for a moment. It’s just a song, but it felt like more. It felt natural and right. I finished my degree, because my daddy would have had a fit if I didn’t, but the moment I left the graduation stage, I knew what I was meant to do. I packed up and moved to Tennessee. That was six years ago before my sister Bailey got sick. I had to leave that dream behind, to go to Maine.”
He sits back eyeing her carefully. “You have a beautiful heart for others, Serenity. You use your God given talent to bring peace to others. That brings honor to your family, and your creator. You should be proud of that.”
Serenity stares at him with wide blue eyes, moved to tears by his words. “Thank you, Michael. What about you? What do you do, besides chase two very cute boys around?” She settles back into the pillows enjoying his company.
“I run my father’s manufacturing and production company. Dad handles the production and I handle the marketing and customer service aspects.” He says with a small smile.
“Oh, so it’s a family business. That’s nice. Are you happy doing it, Michael?” Her eyes are serious as she searches his face.
“I love it. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I spend a lot of time visiting those in need or those who have fallen on hard times. Either through job loss, sickness, or just plain economic struggles. I help where I can, like you do and hope that it makes a difference in the lives I touch. It is very fulfilling.”
His smile meets hers and he yawns, standing up. “I will let you rest now, Serenity. This time don’t go outside without letting me know, okay. We do have wild animals in the woods, and you have been through enough.”
When he turns to go, he hears her say, “Stay with me, Michael. Don’t go.” She whispers it so softly, he almost doesn’t hear her. Dark eyes meet hers and she blushes.
“Not like that! I, I keep hearing someone screaming, voices, and flashes of wolves, and pain, Michael so much pain,” she says rubbing her temples. “I remember you, and your boys but when I try to … it hurts,” she murmurs rubbing her temples.
“I will stay, Serenity. You rest.” He says settling back into the recliner. “This chair is shaped to my body by now, anyway.” Her breath rushes out in relief and she rolls over grabbing a pillow before she succumbs to sleep she says, “Thank you.”
Three more times in the night she cries out, finally unable to take it any longer he climbs into the bed beside her and pulls her body close. Whispering in her ear, “You are safe now, sleep.” She rolls over facing his chest and tucks into his body as though carved just for him. One bare leg pushes between his and she is instantly asleep. Michael sleeps dreaming of laughter, lights, and snowball fights.
Chapter 7
“Are they killt?” a tiny voice whispers.
“Of course not, Sincere. But, poke him with this stick, and see if he moves,” Nate suggests.
“Don’t even think about it, boys.” Michael snarls. Serenity giggles and snuggles deeper into his chest. He holds on tightly, realizing she is naked under the covers, except for his shirt.
“Daddy, why are you squishing, Renity?” Sincere asks curiously. “Is she all better now?”
“I bet if she smelled your special hot chocolate, she would wake right up boys.” Michael suggests with a smile.
“I’ll get it Daddy, but you gotta get off her or your gonna get her killt some more.” Sincere demands. They race off laughing towards the kitchen.
“Kill me now,” comes Serenity’s muffled response from her hiding spot on his chest. She is mortified that the children found them this way, but not quite ready to move yet. Her hand is playing with the hair on his chest…muscular, sculpted chest. Her hand runs all over him exploring and she pushes back to get a better look.
“Good morning, Michael,” Serenity says with a smile feeling his body respond to her touch.
“Good morning, Serenity,” Michael says looking down. He realizes his hand is buried in her wavy blonde hair holding her in place. Quickly he releases her and rolls away. Instantly, the cold replaces his heat and she sighs with regret.
“I better check on the boys before they burn the kitchen down,” He pulls on his sweatshirt and leaves without another word.
Serenity runs to the bathroom and cleans up, then hops back into bed before they return. Her body is sore but she is feeling stronger by the second. She hears them arguing over who will give it to her, before they enter. Nathan comes in trailing behind his brother, holding a small tray of food. Sincere struggles not to spill the hot chocolate, and Michael helps him set it on the tray.
Sincere says, “I brought you a present, I caught it last night for you on the mountain top. It’s special, it will help you get better, Renity.” He hands her a mason jar, sealed tightly with a lid
, it glows with an unearthly blue-green light.
Her face lights with pleasure as she looks at the jar. “It’s so beautiful! Thank you for thinking of me,” she says lifting the jar up so she can watch the colors rippling. “Amazing! I think I feel better already.”
Sincere leaps onto the bed, and wraps his arms around her neck. She catches him tightly and squeezes, treasuring this moment with him. “Renity, I’m so glad the wolves didn’t kill you!” Wolves, the word echoes through her mind, and she pushes his body back as the images pour in.
“The snow was so thick, I couldn’t see, then I heard you! What in the world were you doing in that storm, Sincere?” she asks glaring at Michael with accusing eyes.
“Don’t be mad at Daddy, I heard you scream and I didn’t want you to get killt, Renity!” His tears begin to flow in earnest now, and she pulls him close soothing him.
“I’m sorry, buddy, I am trying to remember everything but it doesn’t make sense. We don’t get snow like that in Maine, at least not this early in the year and wolves don’t …” she remembers Michael jumping in front of her, and the wolves jumping on him. Horror fills her eyes as she stares at him.
“They were all over you!” she whispers.
“Hold this, Serenity,” Nathan demands taking her hand, he presses the jar with the beautiful lights tightly into her hand. He covers her hand with both of his and waits. She feels a strange vibration and the jar begins to warm.
The lights begin to swirl faster and faster until the room fills with the colors reflected through the glass. Instantly her mind begins to clear. Nathan smiles, “Let the images return slowly, control it, don’t let it control you.” She nods and rewinds her memories to parking the car.
