by V. A. Dold
The younger woman, the one with dark brown hair and large blue eyes, smiled brightly. “Hi! Yes, I do, and it’s nice to meet you. I’m Jolene, but my friends call me Jojo, and this is my big sister, Kensie. I’m fairly new, too. I only moved here myself about six months ago. You’re going to love living here. Everyone I’ve met is very friendly.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you both. So, you said you moved here, Jojo. Do you live somewhere else, Kensie?”
“Yes, I’m only visiting for a week, then I need to head back to Minnesota.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. I hoped to invite you both to dinner once we’re unpacked.”
“Thank you, but I only came to make sure Jojo was doing okay. I have patients waiting for me back home so I can’t stay.”
“Yeah, Kensie is a famous doctor at the Mayo Clinic and has a waiting list about a mile long. I practically had to kidnap her to get her to take a few days off and come see me.”
“If you would like to come to dinner, Jojo, I would love to have you over.”
Jojo practically squealed. “I’d love to. Here’s my number. Just call me when you’ve finished unpacking.”
Krystal took her information and said goodbye as she moved to the next aisle. Her excitement over meeting Lucas’s mate practically crackled in the air. She would have to come up with a plan to get Kensie to visit again so she could introduce her to Lucas.
Kensie was gorgeous, with her long red hair and large brown eyes. Lucas had a thing for redheads, and she would knock him on his ass when he met her. Now, she just needed to figure out a way to get them together. How the heck could she accomplish that if the woman never took time off from her busy schedule?
Krystal tapped her pen on her chin as she puzzled it out. A call to Aunt Emma might be in order. She was the sneakiest person she knew, and might have an idea how she could get Kensie to visit again. Texas was going to be much more interesting than she expected.
*****
Lucas pulled his cell phone from his pocket. The truck was unloaded and there were still several hours of daylight left. “How’s the shopping going?” he texted to Krystal.
“We’re about half done. I estimate two more hours,” she texted back.
“Taking Thomas for a ride, call if you need me.”
“Okay, have fun and don’t fall off.” She added an image of a cartoon character with a head injury for good measure.
“LOL, you’re funny today.”
“I’ll be here all week,” she joked back. “See you in a couple hours.”
“See you soon.”
Thank Goddess he already shipped his horse, Elvis, to the ranch. The handsome bay stallion was a gift from a rancher in South America after he saved the rancher’s daughter from a nasty group of men. He also purchased a sweet buckskin filly named Marigold along with a few other horses from a local rancher when he closed on the sale of the property. With the horses, he would be able to give Thomas a tour and they could make plans for the future of his operation.
Lucas tucked the phone away and went to find Thomas. “Hey, man. Want to take a ride? I can show you some of the ranch.”
“Sure. That would be great,” Thomas agreed. “I could use some fresh air and sunshine.”
Lucas saddled Elvis and Marigold quickly. “Do you know how to ride? The mounting block is over there if you need it.” Lucas tilted his head toward the block as he continued to tighten the cinch of Elvis’s saddle.
“I’m not an expert, but I know how to ride,” Thomas assured Lucas as he led Marigold from the barn.
“You’ll like her. She’s sweet and well trained. Once we have a herd, I might even use her for cutting cattle.”
“Wow, she must be good.” Thomas looked the horse over with new appreciation. “Where did you find her?”
“A few ranches over, they raise and train cutting horses. She was good, just not good enough to compete so they happily sold her to me. We’re negotiating a few more head for the ranch hands to use.”
“What about trail horses? You don’t plan to use the cutters for the general public do you?” Thomas asked, concerned not only for the guest, but also for a well-trained animal at the mercy of an ignorant city slicker.
“No,” Lucas chuckled. “I was given the name of a man the next town over who specializes in docile horses. Most of his stock is crossbreeds. He has developed a bloodline over the years, which produces a calm, intelligent, but very sturdy animal. I believe he said most of his stock has a percentage of draft horse, which accounts for their size and sturdiness.”
“They sound like the perfect trail horse. You might even be able to use them for hayrides. How many head do you think you can get?”
“I left a message I was interested in ten to fifteen to start with. Once we get a feel for the guest load from the dude ranch operation, we can purchase more if we need them.”
“That’s a sound plan,” Thomas nodded. “Have you considered letting experienced riders do an advanced option at the dude ranch and actually help work the cattle?”
Lucas smiled and nodded. “I’ve considered the idea. But I want to get the basic dude ranch operation running smoothly and the cattle herd in place before I give advanced programs serious thought.”
“Good idea. Holy cow. This is beautiful,” Thomas exclaimed as they neared the narrow river that cut through a large portion of the ranch.
Lucas beamed, taking in the incredible view. “This river is one of the major reasons I purchased this spread. I have a water supply that doesn’t dry up. The river is shallow enough in spots to cross the herd, but also deep enough in places to ensure water is always available. I researched the source extensively. There are several creeks and rivers that feed the water supply as well as a half dozen springs.”
“No wonder it took you so long to settle on a location. Dang, Lucas. Who knew you were so savvy?” Thomas laughed.
“Apparently, not you,” he joked back.
Lucas managed to show Thomas the section of the ranch that would be used primarily for the dude ranch before they headed back.
By the time Krystal and Julia returned it was late. The dedication would have to wait until Emma arrived.
Chapter 3
Two days later, Isaac and Emma Le Beau pulled into the long curvy drive of the Rocking Double L Ranch.
“Isaac, are you sure this is a driveway?”
Isaac chuckled. “Yes, cher. Many of the ranches in Texas have long, meandering roads. When the road was cut, the person developing the land adjusted the flow to avoid obstructions, but also to provide privacy.”
Emma had been mesmerized by the view since they first entered the hill country of West Central Texas. She expected arid desert. “I love how green and hilly this area is,” she said for the tenth time. “I’m really glad the ranch is only eight hours from the plantation. I was worried he would find one in Mexico or some other equally far away location.”
“I didn’t say anything, but I was a bit worried myself. When he spent so many years in South America, I was sure he would come home and announce he found property and was moving to another country.” Isaac pointed out his window at a spec in the distance. “There’s Lucas now, on the top of that rise. Do you see him?” A human wouldn’t have been able to identify what they were seeing, but his wolf vision zeroed in like a telescope.
Emma leaned forward to see out Isaac’s window. “Oh, his horse is so pretty!”
“Handsome, Emma. His horse is a boy; boys aren’t pretty. You say that around the beast and you’ll give him a complex.”
Lucas, we’re here. Isaac called telepathically to his son. In the shifter world, only mates could speak telepathically. Isaac was the exception to the rule. As the king, he possessed the ability to speak to all of his subjects at will.
Great! I’ll be back in a few minutes. I’m checking a fence before the cattle are delivered tomorrow.
Take your time. We’ll find Krystal and unload the car.
Lucas laughed. Mom brought a ton of f
ood didn’t she?
Don’t even get me started. Isaac laughed back. Emma was never able to restrain herself when it came to feeding her family. No matter how old they got, they were her babies.
“Krystal! We’re here,” Emma called out as she swept into the main house.
“Auntie Emma! Uncle Isaac! I’m so happy you could come.” Krystal hugged Emma as tightly as she herself was being hugged.
“Oh, cher. Wild horses couldn’t keep us away. Are you getting settled?”
Krystal glanced at the stack of cardboard boxes lining the wall and blushed. “Unpacking is slow. I did the kitchen first thing when we arrived. But the rest of the house is still in boxes.”
“Ah, poo.” Emma waved off the daunting task like it was a fly. “We’ll have this place ready in no time.”
“Aunt Emma!” Julia squealed as she rushed into the room.
“There you are, cher. Are you enjoying your vacation?”
“I adore Texas. Thomas is taking me to a neighbor tomorrow to buy me a horse! Can you believe it? I’m going to own my very own horse.”
“That’s wonderful.” Emma grinned. “I love seeing you both so happy.”
Isaac grunted as he pushed through the door loaded with suitcases. “Howdy, ladies. Where should I put these?”
“In the first bedroom on the right.” Krystal laughed as he pretended to slump under the weight of his load. “But Uncle Isaac, people don’t really say ‘howdy’ around here.”
Isaac chuckled and gave his niece a playful wink. “I figured as much, but I couldn’t help myself.”
“Dad! Mom! What do you think of my new place?” Lucas asked, beaming as he strolled through the backdoor.
“It’s so pretty here,” Emma exclaimed.
“I like what I’ve seen so far. Of course, that’s only been the driveway and this main house,” Isaac joked. “Your stallion is magnificent. Have you had time to purchase a few more horses? I’d love to ride with you and Thomas if you have enough mounts.”
Speak of the devil. Thomas joined the family as he came in from the barn. “Grandma. How’s my girl?” he asked as he swung her around in a circle.
Emma giggled and planted a kiss on her grandson’s cheek. “I’m great now that I’m with my favorite boys. How was the drive here with the trucks?”
“The move went smooth as silk.” Thomas’s bright smile faded to an expression of concern. “How’s my mom doing? Is she feeling okay?”
Emma patted his arm. “She was perfectly fine when we left. Cade took her to the island for a bit of rest.”
“Good.” He nodded. “That’s good.”
Anna Le Beau, Thomas’s mother, was eight months pregnant with his little sister. When Tim James, Thomas’s biological father, attacked Anna and Julia, the stress was too much. His mother’s doctor ordered Anna to go someplace quiet and rest. Her blood pressure and stress levels were too high and Anna refused to take it easy. Cade Le Beau, Thomas’s stepfather and the crown prince of the shifters took matters into his own hands. Now his mother and Cade were spending a quiet week on the island without Internet, a sure way to force his mother to relax.
Julia took Thomas’s hand and waited for the room to quiet. “Aunt Emma, we waited for you to arrive before we did the dedication of the ranch to the wolf goddess. Would you like to do the honors?”
Emma clapped excitedly. “I’d love to. I haven’t had the chance to meditate today, so I’ll do the dedication at the same time. Lucas, would you mind if I used one of your horses? I’d like to ride a little ways out for the dedication.”
“I don’t mind at all. I’ll have Hank, my new ranch hand, saddle Marigold for you.”
Emma beamed and patted his cheek like he was a youngster. “Thank you, cher.”
*****
Before leaving the house, Emma retreated to the private bath attached to their guest room. It was very important to not only prepare the site of the ritual, but herself as well. The bath not only cleansed the practitioner’s skin, but also cleansed the psychic dirt and attachments that could cling to her.
The bonus was the bath put Emma into the perfect frame of mind to perform her rituals. She never traveled without her homemade, blessed, herbal soaps and oils. She learned long ago to travel prepared for anything.
Emma held her fingers in the stream of running water to test the temperature, perfect. Closing the drain she sprinkled Dead Sea salt, drops of her favorite blessed oils and a sachet of ritual herbs into the tub. Breathing deeply, she smiled. The steam rising from the water was intoxicating.
Carefully dipping her toes, she ensured the water wasn’t overly hot before sinking into the lovely aroma rich water. Closing her eyes, she envisioned her body, soul, and aura bathed clean.
As she felt the day wash away, she performed her ritual blessing upon herself.
She touched her third eye, saying quietly, “I consecrate myself with a blessing from Luperca, the Mother Goddess.”
Touching her right breast, she said, “By the breeze and wind, that is her breath.”
She touched her left shoulder. “By the earth, that she provides for her children’s needs and protection.”
Touching her right shoulder, she said. “By the water, that is her life giving essence.”
Next she touched her left breast. “By the fire that is her spirit’s gift or fury.”
Lastly, she touched her third eye again. “May the Mother Goddess bless me, so moat it be.”
Fifteen minutes later, Emma enjoyed the warm Texas breeze ruffling her hair as she rode Marigold to a far off shaded spot she spied from the crest of a hill. The perfect place to meditate and do the dedication ritual.
With the grace of a dancer, she dismounted and secured Marigold to a low hung branch. Stepping to the saddlebags, she carefully removed the small broom she’d brought and her ritual supplies.
Her person was cleaned and blessed. Now it was time to do the same to the location. First she collected all the branches and twigs. Then she took the broom she made and blessed decades ago for ritual work and swept the space clean of loose stones and leaves.
Emma picked up the athame her mother made for her when she was but a child. The simple whalebone hand-carved knife was her most prized possession. It was the only physical proof remaining of her mother’s presence on this amazing earth.
The dedication ritual was much like the dedication she performed hundreds of years ago when she and Isaac settled the land that is now their family plantation. Traversing the complete boundaries of the ranch would be utterly impossible for her to do. Instead, she asked the mother goddess to join her and accept the drawn representation she created in the soil with the athame.
Next she prepared a makeshift altar. She felt the goddess and her gentle energy materialize to her right as she one by one placed her sacred items on the rough-hewn plank she brought from the barn. A tiny incense bowl with frankincense was in place. A small antique bottle filled with blessed water and salt was set at the ready. Then she placed her ritual bell carefully before her. Finally, she pulled her white candles from the saddlebag.
Taking a cleansing breath, she cast her circle around the representation of the ranch. Lighting the incense, she cleansed the ranch and chanted, careful to waft smoke into all the nooks and crannies of her drawing.
“By the powers of fire and air, I cleanse this property, all structures, the creatures which inhabit the land, and the people who visit or call it home. I ask that the Wolf Goddess remove the past. Fill this place with joy and love; and send her blessings and protection from above.”
Closing her eyes, she visualized every negative energy or act ever visited upon the land vaporizing in the smoke from the incense. Lifting and floating safely away, to never cause harm to any who tread upon the consecrated land.
As she finished, she opened her eyes, extinguished the incense, and gave thanks to her mother goddess.
She took the blessed salt water and sprinkled the exterior of her drawing. “By the
powers of water and earth, I ask the goddess to consecrate this land and provide a wall of protection around it to repel any who would seek to harm the people or the land. I invite the energies of abundance, wellbeing, and peace to fill this homestead, and remain until the end of time.”
Gently picking up her centuries old bell, she rang it over and over as she filled the entire drawing with its clear tone. Breaking up any stubborn blocks or negative energy with its perfect pitch.
Few still lived who knew Bartlme Grassmyr, the famous Austrian bell maker, who forged the bell for her personally. It was a gift to Emma’s mother the day she gave birth to her only daughter, Emma. She held the last bell he ever made.
Carefully, silencing the bell, she set it aside.
“Thank you, Goddess Luperca for your blessing and protection. May you always be worshiped and revered within the boundaries of this homestead for as long as a Le Beau descendent resides upon its soil. Blessed be.”
“Blessed be, my daughter. I bless and protect this land. Woe to any who seek to harm the earth or my children residing herein.”
Emma bowed her head. “Thank you, Mother.”
“I told you, I would inform you further regarding Lucas’s mate. I would do so now. Krystal has met Lucas’s mate and arranged for his mate’s sister to come to dinner. Tell my daughter Krystal to enlist the sister to help bring this mating to pass. Kensie Brown is an innocent, stubborn woman. It will take cunning to get her to visit a second time. The hardest part will be forcing Kensie to spend time with Lucas. She will experience great fear, not understanding or trusting her feelings. The sister will have to work hand in hand with Krystal to continually thrust Kensie into his presence. This may well be the most difficult arrangement yet.”
“I will counsel Krystal and make myself available to advise her at anytime. Should I talk to Lucas about Kensie and her likes and dislikes? Perhaps coach him without him realizing I speak of a specific woman?”
The goddess considered the suggestion. “For now, talk to Krystal and set the meeting in motion. As for Lucas, simply tell him you are always available for advice if he cares to ask. If you say too much, he will be suspicious.”