A Witch's Journey

by Tena Stetler

  “It wasn’t. There’s Kaylee’s aviary addition on one side and the exercise room on the other, which isn’t quite finished.” She winked at her mom.

  Klaren hugged her daughter, then held her by the shoulders at arm’s length. “You look wonderful. This place agrees with you.”

  “Better you than me.” Her father drew in a deep breath as the breeze brought with it the scent of brine. “Though I always loved the ambiance of the sea.”

  “Where’s your young man?” Klaren wanted to know. She shaded her eyes with her hand and pointed with the other. “Is that him walking toward us?”

  “Yes.”

  “Wow, nice physique. No wonder you keep him around.”

  “Momm,” Pepper said drawing out the word in exasperation.

  Duncan poked his wife in the ribs as his arm wrapped around her. “Down, woman,” he said with a chuckle.

  “Just because I’m on a diet doesn’t mean I can’t look at the menu.” She cackled, fanning herself, then schooled her features into a pleasant expression when Lathen approached.

  “Mom, Dad, this is Lathen.”

  He grasped Duncan’s extended hand. “Nice to meet you, sir.”

  “It’s Duncan, son. But the pleasure is ours.” He glanced at his wife and back to Lathen. “You’ve put quite a bit of work into this project. Nice job.”

  “Lathen, my mom, Klaren,” Pepper said, her lips twitching to suppress a giggle as her mother wrapped him in a warm hug.

  “Pepper’s told me a lot about you.” He returned the hug.

  “Only good things, I hope,” Klaren said with a smile. “Nice to finally meet you, Lathen.”

  “How about a tour of the place. We’ve spent way too much time sitting,” Duncan said, stretching his legs and glanced at his wife who nodded emphatically.

  “Certainly. Follow me,” Lathen said, entwining his fingers through Pepper’s. “How about we start with the facilities and wind up back here at the cabin, where I believe Pepper’s got cookies and lemonade prepared.”

  “Sounds great.”

  Lathen led the way to the kennels and lab/office buildings, then showed them around the marine habitat/clinic and holding area, past the pond, and finally through the wild bird aviary.

  As they exited the aviary, Pepper suggested, “Why don’t you two relax by the pond while Lathen and I get the drinks and cookies.”

  Her father cleared his throat. “Looking to turn us over to Ashling?” he inquired, a grin playing at the corners of his mouth.

  “Nope, just going to get it out of the way if she is inclined. Tonight, we have a great dinner planned of grilled steaks, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, and fresh baked rolls with Mom’s favorite fruity red wine. You and Lathen can get acquainted, and we can discuss recent events without interruption, hopefully.” Pepper eyed the tree beside the pond and snickered. “And our trip to Alaska. You are planning to stay on the property with Ember and Kaylee while we’re gone? The guest room is ready.”

  “Of course, dear,” her mother said. “If you don’t mind, I could use some of that wine rather than lemonade if we are expected to deal with Ashling.”

  “Wonderful idea.” Her father nodded.

  When Pepper returned with the wine, Ashling hadn’t made an appearance. Lathen set up a folding table and placed the plate of cookies, along with cheese and crackers, in the center. Pepper poured the wine into glasses. Her dad picked a glass and swirled the red liquid around and handed his wife a glass. She sniffed, sipped, and smiled.

  “Very nice,” Klaren said

  When Pepper and Lathen reached for their glasses, Duncan raised his glass in a toast. “Sláinte.”

  Lathen’s forehead creased as he raised his glass.

  “It’s an old Gaelic toast, means health,” Pepper whispered to him, then raised her glass. “Sláinte.”

  A tendril of mist wound its way down the tree. “Well, if you’re done with the wine tasting, can we get down to business?” The amused voice of Ashling intervened.

  Chapter Seventeen

  North to Alaska—

  After an early morning flight from Bar Harbor to Boston, the plane took off again and touched down at Seattle airport just before five o’clock in the evening. Lathen took their carry-on backpacks from the overhead compartments and walked stiffly toward the door.

  “Two legs of the journey complete. We’ll grab a cab or the shuttle and have them take us to the Space Needle. We can check on reservations for the SkyCity Restaurant on top the needle, then walk around the area for a bit.”

  “Sounds great.” Pepper ambled after him.

  The timing was perfect. They caught a shuttle to the Space Needle, but there was a forty-five-minute waiting list at the Space Needle’s SkyCity. Lathen made a reservation, then picked up a tourist map of the area to peruse.

  Pepper glanced at her watch. “This should work out perfectly. Explore the area, come back and eat, play tourist a bit more, then catch a cab back to the airport.”

  “Sounds good. But we need to be back at the airport a couple hours before our flight, just to be on the safe side. Let’s start at the Space Needle’s observation deck. We only have about thirty minutes left before dinner.”

  “Looks like the line is shorter to the observation deck than it was when we arrived. Let’s go.” She grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the elevators.

  While they were waiting in line, Lathen took the tourist map out of his pocket and circled a few attractions, then handed the paper to Pepper.

  She took the map and studied it, leaning against the wall. “After dinner, we’ll check out Pike Place Market, then the sculptured gardens, and maybe a walk along the waterfront?”

  When Pepper stepped off the elevator onto the observation deck, which towered over 500 feet above the surrounding area, she sucked in a breath. “This is fantastic.” She rushed over to the edge. “You can see forever.”

  “We’re lucky, it’s a clear day. Often there’s drizzle and the area is shrouded in fog or mist. Kinda like Lobster Cove.” He looked at his watch, then followed Pepper around the observation deck. She took pictures, handed her camera to an older man and asked him to take their picture, and several times she simply stood mesmerized by the view.

  Five minutes before their reservation time, he wrapped his arm around her waist and guided her toward the restaurant.

  “This was such a wonderful idea. Thank you,” she murmured, leaning back against him.

  Once seated, he noticed she had a hard time keeping her eyes open. They’d been up before dawn. He wanted to make sure everything was in place so things ran smoothly in his absence. Pepper explained Kaylee’s routine as well as Ember’s to her mother and emphasized that neither one was allowed outside after dark. Emergency phone numbers were given to the necessary people including her parents. And now their long day had caught up with them.

  It seemed like they had just ordered when the waiter set a plate of wild king salmon in front of Lathen and slid Mary’s ranch chicken in front of Pepper. He considered ordering a glass of their favorite wine, but reconsidered. Staying awake was already a problem.

  After several bites, Pepper dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. “Mmmm, this chicken melts in your mouth.”

  “The salmon is excellent,” he said around the final bite of salmon. “Better get going, if we want to get to everything before heading back to the airport.” He paid the check and touched her lower back guiding her toward the exit. His hand slipped lower as she stood in front of him at the elevators. The ridge beneath his zipper pushed against the cloth as he shifted to release the tight feeling and slipped his hand to her waist. Leaning over, his lips touching to her ear, he said, “You’re driving me crazy and you know it. I don’t buy that innocent act.”

  She turned her head back toward him. “I have no idea what you are talking about. I’m dead tired and suspect you are too.” But she licked her lips slowly before twisting to face forward again as the elevator doors opened.
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br />   He sighed and followed her into the elevator, making sure she stood in front of him.

  Watching Pepper’s eyes go wide at the sculptured gardens made him grin. Her delighted laugh was contagious when the fishmongers at Pike Place Fish Market threw fish, played games, and performed with customer’s purchases. After all that, the trip back to the airport was quiet and uneventful.

  He even relaxed a little until they walked into the airport and their flight began boarding. The closer he got to Anchorage, the tighter the knot in his stomach clenched. One bright point of this whole trip was seeing his brother and Hayley again for a couple of days. Until Kolby showed up, Lathen hadn’t realized how much he missed his brother.

  On that rage-filled night so long ago, he’d left the valley and swore never to return. Yet, here he was and with a woman he hoped would someday become his mate. What the hell am I doing? Second-guessing events yet to happen? He shook his head to clear his thoughts as Pepper squeezed his shoulder.

  “It’s going to be fine, I can feel it.” She smiled reassuringly. “They’re boarding first class. You ready to sit for another few hours?”

  “Hell no, but I don’t see any choice. My pacing would make the staff and other passengers nervous. You?”

  “Not really, but I am so looking forward to spending time with Hayley. According to her emails, she has every second of our days in Anchorage planned. We do get to sleep until noon tomorrow.”

  “That was generous of her. Considering we don’t even arrive until one o’clock in the morning,” he grumped, plodding toward the gate, boarding pass in hand.

  On the plane, Lathen settled into his chair, thankful for the larger seats giving him more shoulder and leg room. Leaning back, he looked over at Pepper, who was already asleep. Her luscious lips formed a pout, almost like she was displeased with someone in her dreams. He smiled and glanced at his watch. Only four more hours and they’d arrive in Anchorage, where the whirlwind would begin.

  ****

  The plane touched down, and Lathen stared out the window. The landscape looked familiar, but he was surprised to find the anger he’d carried the last time he boarded a plane here gone, replaced by confidence in who he was and uncertainty of how he was going to handle the upcoming days. Would his father still see the man he was back then? Would he be welcome or still treated like an outsider? Which, if he was honest with himself, was of his own doing. Ignoring his roiling stomach, he took a deep breath and laid his hand on Pepper’s arm, gently shaking her awake.

  “We’re here. Let’s gather our things and see how much of our luggage the airline has lost.” He grinned as she blinked up at him.

  She jerked upright. “Oh no. What if they lost the dress I bought for the wedding? It’s the only one I have.”

  A brow lifted, he turned to her. “Really? Only one?” He shrugged. “Then you and Hayley will have to go shopping and replace it.”

  She pushed up from the chair and glared at him. “Yes. There isn’t much call for dresses when you work wildlife rehab and rescue.”

  “I see your point. But I like the way those jeans fit your tight ass anyway,” he said, fending off her slap at his arm.

  Once Lathen had secured their backpacks from under their seats, they walked up the aisle and out the door to find baggage claim. When the couple rounded the corner to the conveyor piled high with suitcases, a red-faced man stood chucking black suitcases onto the floor.

  “They lost it. I knew they would. Happens every time,” he shouted as a uniformed service rep strode across the floor to his side.

  “Oh, look here,” Lathen said grabbing three pieces of blue soft-sided luggage and matching garment bag, setting them on the floor. “It’s all here.”

  The man gave Lathen a eat-shit-and-die look as the service rep, talking in a conciliatory voice, tugged the irate man toward a set of offices.

  Lathen picked up the luggage, Pepper took the garment bag, and they rushed to the rental counter. One drowsy attendant greeted them. Pepper handed him the paperwork she’d printed off the computer and requested an upgrade to an SUV at no charge, a special deal she’d found while booking their flights. She signed the necessary paperwork and tossed the keys to Lathen.

  “We’re all set. Beddy-bye, here I come.”

  The next morning, Lathen’s phone vibrated itself off the edge of the night table, making a soft thud as it hit the carpeted floor.

  “Aren’t you going to answer that?” she asked in a sleepy voice.

  “No,” came a muffled voice from under the pillow. “It’s Hayley and I’m not ready to get up.” He lifted one corner of the pillow and peeked at Pepper. “Are you?”

  “I am now.” She sat up and rubbed her eyes with her fists.

  Lathen groaned and sat up swinging his feet to the floor, snatched at the offending device. By that time, it had quit ringing. He checked the caller ID. “Told you.”

  “Call her back. See if she wants to meet us for breakfast in about—an hour?”

  “Better make that lunch, it’s nearly noon. I’ll just text her.” Getting to his feet, he sent a quick text off to Hayley, then padded toward the bathroom. “I’m going to jump in the shower.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Want to join me?”

  “Is that all you think about?” She chuckled. “Oh, yes, you’re male, that is all you think about. I’ll join you, but that will screw up our time frame to meet your sister-in-law.”

  “Literally.” He smirked. “So be it.” His text alert went off, and he checked the screen. “Kolby and Hayley will meet us for lunch in an hour at a Mexican restaurant on Old Seaward Highway, just down the street from Kolby’s work. Guess we only have time for a quickie.”

  “Or not.” She flipped the shower knob and stepped into the spray, splashing water on him.

  ****

  “Boy, I can’t believe our luck,” Lathen said, holding the door for Pepper as they walked out of the bright sunshine into the restaurant. “Sunny and in the seventies in Washington. We get here and it’s sixty-five, not a cloud in the sky.”

  “Some things are meant to be.” She smiled back at him.

  Hayley stood and waved from a table near the back. A strong hand gripped Lathen’s shoulder from behind.

  “I gotta agree with you, girl. Great timing, bro,” his brother said as the door closed behind him. “Nice to see you again.”

  Once seated, they checked out the menu and ordered. When the waiter left the table, Kolby asked, “How long do we have before you head to the valley?”

  “We’ll leave Sunday afternoon, drive up to Cantwell, and stay at the Old Lodge there. Made a reservation under Pepper McKay, just in case Jimmy still works there.”

  “He does, but should be off shift by the time you get there. Dad will want you to stay with him and Amy,” Kolby said firmly.

  “We’ll see how the first meeting goes, then decide from there. The Old Lodge isn’t far from the valley.”

  “Depends on whether you’re on two or four paws.” Kolby laughed.

  Hayley jabbed a fist in his ribs. “We discussed this. If Lathen has something to tell us, he will. Otherwise, shut your pie hole,” Hayley said, her eyes narrowed.

  “Since Pepper only has two, we’ll be traveling by vehicle. But big brother, feel free to run whenever you feel wolfy,” Lathen shot back, an easy grin forming at the corner of his mouth. His brother’s eyebrows shot to nearly to his hairline, then one winged up in question.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Pepper wanted to know as everyone at the table burst into gales of laughter.

  “It’s an inside joke from their high school days,” Hayley said wiping her eyes with her hand. “Male werewolves never grow up. Kolby used to egg Lathen on about…”

  Lathen frowned. “I don’t think so, Hayley. Somethings are best left alone.”

  Hayley nodded at Lathen, then shielded her lips from him as she mouthed to Pepper, “I’ll tell you later.”

  He shot a warning glance at his sister-in-law. “
Kolby, control your mate.”

  “Hey, there is no controlling her—between the hormones and her fiery—well, you know. I’m looking out for number one. The rest of you are on your own.” He smirked and caught her hand as she attempted to jab him in the ribs again. “Hayley cleared her schedule to play tour guide this afternoon. If that works for you. When I get off work, we’ve planned a barbecue at the house.” Kolby glanced at his watch.

  The waiter returned with a tray of drinks, chips, and salsa. “Your food will be out shortly,” he said with a quick smile.

  Lathen nodded to the waiter and continued. “Sounds great. We can drop off Hayley’s car at the house as soon as we’re done here, and I’ll play chauffeur.”

  “That’ll work.” Kolby glanced at his brother. “After dinner, there’re a few things I’d like to discuss with you while the girls plan tomorrow. I’ve taken the day off. And we’ll call it an early night because I know you two are beat. Sound good?”

  “I’ve got the guest room all ready for you unless you would rather stay in the hotel…clear across town,” Hayley said, emphasizing the last three words slowly. “That way we get to spend more time with you.”

  Lathen looked over at Pepper, who nodded. “If it’s no bother, that would be great.”

  Their waiter returned to the table carring a tray stacked with food. He set the plate of steaming chicken enchiladas, rice, and beans in front of Hayley, two tacos and a cheese enchilada plate went to Pepper, and large combo plates with rice and beans for Kolby and Lathen. In the middle of the table, the server slid a plate of fresh tortillas. He glanced at the empty basket of chips. “Do you need more chips and salsa?”

  Kolby glanced around the table. “No, we’re good.”

  After they finished the meal and ate sopapillas for dessert, Pepper groaned. “I’m stuffed. Now I need a nap.”

  “No time for that.” Hayley laughed. “We got shopping and sightseeing to do.”

  Lathen rolled his eyes. “No one said anything about shopping until now. I’ll just nap in the car while you two shop.”

  “Nope. You need to pick out Dad and Amy’s wedding gift.” Hayley snickered. “Unless you already have.” She glanced at Pepper, who shook her head.