by Lauren Dane
“That’s not the place we’re sleeping tonight?”
“No. That’s the super nice one that has daily tours and stuff. It’s on the historic registry and whatnot. Therefore, it was booked into the fall. We’re at this other one. Ours is supposed to be haunted.”
“We’re staying at a discount haunted inn?”
She snorted a laugh. “Not so discount. It’s high season after all. But it’s probably that other inn’s sister from dad’s mistress from his second marriage who never quite felt as good. Put that way, it sounds even more awesome.”
Gregori didn’t say they had very different ideas of awesome. But he trusted her to make it fun. He always enjoyed whatever odd things she said so he pulled out one of the candy sticks and sat back to enjoy the view.
The beautifully maintained Victorian she parked beside was definitely not what he’d consider a discount version of anything. However, Wren had been right about this place being the more eccentric of the two.
Teal with white gingerbread cutouts and two stories of wraparound porch, the inn was surrounded by a white picket fence that echoed the main colors. From the little lot they’d parked in, he could see roses and hydrangeas in a more formal garden, while wild roses climbed the porch railings.
It wasn’t until they’d approached the steps to the front doors that he began to notice all the statues of gnomes and bunnies tucked in and around all the trees. He shot his wife a look and she laughed.
“Enjoy it, Grisha.”
The gnomes and rabbit theme continued as carvings all around the screen door and then into the front foyer where their hostess popped out with a happy exclamation.
“The newlyweds?” she asked Wren, who nodded.
“That’s us. Wren and Gregori.”
“I’m Althea Dodge. Welcome to Dodge House.”
Althea was most likely at least eighty if she was a day. She wore a bright red caftan with dangling gold earrings and lipstick to match the clothes she wore. Approaching them, she held out her hands, big rings with shining stones on several fingers.
“Thank you. We can’t wait to look around the grounds. Your gardens are calling to me.”
Wren charmed Ms. Dodge as she complimented the various elements of the home.
“Let’s get you signed in and to your room. I’ll give you the tour as we go, if you like,” Althea told them.
“Yes, please. We’d love that,” Wren said.
As they headed up a spiral walnut staircase, their hostess pointed to a scattering of photographs hanging on the wall.
Lots of shots of women on motorcycles and riding horses in pants. “We’re a wild bunch,” Althea said with a chuckle. “My daughter and her family have a ranch just outside town so she’s got horses and motorcycles. My grandmother was married six times. She was a firecracker!”
Wren joined in on the laughter. “My favorite women are firecrackers. I approve.”
“This is the honeymoon suite,” she told them, unlocking a door and showing them inside. “My great-great grandfather had this built for his bride to have a place to live when she arrived from Boston. He was a scientist, you see. And then a medical doctor and the town’s funeral director. Oh, don’t worry, he didn’t do that last job here.”
The room was dominated by a gleaming cherry wood bed with more pillows than he’d imagined could actually fit. Naturally several of them featured rabbits. Gregori wondered what Ms. Dodge’s own bedroom looked like and if they made wallpaper with gnomes and rabbits.
“This is so pretty,” Wren said as she and Althea headed out the French doors to the deck just outside.
“It’s private and very cool in the evenings. The shade from the big trees makes it a pleasure to be out here at sunset. Just wear some bug spray because we’ve got mosquitoes like the devil.”
When she brought them back inside and showed them the small adjoining bathroom, Ms. Dodge paused at the door back out to the hallway. “We have a wine and appetizer mixer from six to seven thirty. I hope you two come by to say hello. Breakfast is from six to nine each morning in the dining room and if you get thirsty or need a snack, the kitchen is open to guests. There’s always iced tea, lemonade and coffee.”
When she left, Wren turned to him with a smile. “So?”
“There are gnomes everywhere. And bunnies. What is happening with that and should we be alarmed?”
“Did you see there were rabbits on her earrings? I want to know that story. I love her and would like to keep her in my pocket for all time.”
“That’s a very bold statement, Wren.”
“Why waste a statement that isn’t bold, I ask you?”
He had no argument for that, so he shrugged instead. “You’re correct.”
“Duh. Okay so I have some lunch recommendations nearby. Are you feeling like ribs and burgers or Mexican food? Let’s walk over,” she said, looking at her phone. “Both places are on the same block, just different sides of the street. We can judge which smells better when we’re there.”
“I like the way you think.” He took her hand after she put her sunglasses on.
Butte was a city, but it felt like a small town as they strolled down the sidewalk. Red brick buildings made up most of the businesses in that part of town at least. Antique shops, smoke shops, boutiques and other small stores lined their way.
Gregori knew she was hungry when she didn’t even pause to look at the windows of a bookstore they passed. His woman loved books and he’d only ever seen her bypass them when she was hungry or otherwise thinking about something else.
It was the sign out front declaring the day as tamale special day that made their minds up so they bypassed the burger place and headed to the place best described as a dive with a long counter, a few rickety tables and the best tamales he’d eaten in years. So good he ordered another two while Wren was still working on her tacos.
The man behind the counter smiled as he handed over another plate. Gregori thanked him, complimenting the food and while he was at it, he ordered some more tacos for Wren and a beer for both of them.
“You’re my favorite husband ever,” she said, clinking her bottle to his.
“What’s up next after lunch?” he asked her.
“Our next stop is a brothel museum.”
He just looked up from his food and gave her a raised brow and she stole a bite of his tamales.
“Yum. The place has weird hours and it might be a total tourist trap but I don’t care. It’s a brothel museum. A must see.”
“I’m not complaining.”
“There aren’t ladies working there as prostitutes anymore so don’t get excited.”
That made him laugh. “I’ll try to rein in my impatience at the loss.”
“Good. Then maybe some shopping before wine and snack time at Dodge House. It’s probably good we didn’t have burgers and ribs for lunch because I’ve got reservations for a late dinner at a steakhouse I was told was the best steak in the city. We’ll see whether that’s true or not.”
He took her hand and squeezed. Gregori had been bummed about the trip being canceled and their plans being shifted to a road trip. But so far it was delightful. His silly wife at his side had a way of finding memorable places to see and eat and drink in. The area was beautiful and yes, he had her all to himself.
“They have a bunch of brown liquor on the menu there according to the website. A local distillery here in town supplies some of it. If the drinks are good, we should head to have drinks there tomorrow and maybe get something for back home.”
“So we’re eating and looking at brothels and wooden carvings today, clearly. What’s up for tomorrow?” he asked, returning to his lunch.
“We have white water rafting and maybe, if you’re up for it, an ATV ride. I looked at an events calendar and there’s a bar with live music we might head to in the evening. Our
hotel is in a restored building not too far from the bar so that’s nice.”
Chapter Six
“Tell me, Althea, what’s the story with all the bunnies and gnomes?” Wren asked.
They’d gathered in the drawing room of the inn, the wine flowing, the perfect company for the cheese, crackers and sausage plate. Wren nudged Gregori, calling his attention to a tiered dessert plate that had appeared, full of pretty slices of lemon bars, shortbread cookies and a quick bread of some sort.
“It was my grandmother who loved all the rabbits. When she ran this place, there were many of them on the grounds, eating all the veggies in the garden and being adorable nuisances. She even wrote a story for children about them. The little girl in the book was named Althea. I’ve loved the little fluffballs ever since.” Althea shrugged with a smile, the bracelets on her left wrist jingling a little as she did.
“The gnomes came from Roger. That’s my late husband. He gave my mother a gnome for the garden for her birthday. Not too long after we’d married. I think it was supposed to be a joke and you see how that turned out. We started with just one and now there are dozens all around the property. They make me happy every time I see them. Guests always have fun finding them all as well.”
Speaking of guests, there were several other couples currently staying. A few of which stared at Gregori when they thought he wasn’t looking. Wren wanted to assure them he knew exactly what they were doing but chose to ignore them.
It wasn’t that she could blame them. He was strikingly beautiful in his own way. Impossible not to gaze at as far as she was concerned.
He did manage to pay attention to them when they stared at her though, which she always found disconcerting because she never saw him jealous with anyone or anything else.
It was unbelievably sexy when he was that way, though she was always careful not to give him too much ground because he was bossy and would happily wrap her in bubble wrap and keep her at home so nothing bad could ever happen to her and no one would disrespect her.
Still, he flirted in a courtly way with Ms. Dodge, which pleased their hostess very much and made Wren all gooey inside as she watched because he was all grumpy and frowny on the outside but the Grisha she saw every day was this one. Sweet and thoughtful. Well, still grumpy and frowny, but that came with the territory and as she found it sexy as fuck, she really couldn’t complain.
“I want to go look for gnomes and bunnies,” she told Gregori quietly.
He shrugged. “Then let’s do that.”
Just like that, the man who’d probably rather do a thousand things other than search an old lady’s garden to look for stone animals and gnomes agreed. Because she’d love it.
It was one of their commitments. He was grumpy and distrusting of most everything and she coaxed him into doing things outside his comfort zone and made them fun.
“Just being married to you is like an art project.”
He looked at her warily. “Is this a good thing?”
Wren patted his arm. “You’re an artist. I’m an artist. We both love art. It’s our jam. Do you think it’s a good thing?”
“You’re very saucy just now.” He grinned at her. A flash of teeth that was gone in moments.
“I’m always saucy and you’re always broody, mysterious and sexy. We all have our roles to play.”
He leered briefly. “I’m always happy to play roles with you, kitten,” he said in Russian and it sent a thrill through her.
She barely contained her nervously excited giggle, instead sipping her wine and turning her attention back to the rest of the room.
They stayed for a while longer, chatting with the other guests before excusing themselves to tour the garden. And look for gnomes.
Gregori watched, amused as she danced and bent around the bushes and trees. Her delighted laughter when she located one of the statues that was her quarry seemed to cloak him, his heart warmed by her very existence.
“If it’s wrong to be amused at the sight of you in this garden while I snap pictures of jauntily dressed gnomes and bunny rabbits on bicycles I don’t want to be right.” She skipped—really and truly skipped—his way, tiptoeing up to kiss him quickly before dancing away again, resuming her hunt.
He snorted. The scent of night blooming jasmine and roses rose, heady and sultry in the air. Ms. Dodge’s gardens were truly lovely. Peaceful. It was clearly the work of someone who loved the property, which charmed him as much as Althea Dodge’s vibrant spirit.
He did love a woman with a sense of style and independence and their hostess was definitely that and more. Wren was a younger version, though he did hope to be her only husband instead of Dodge’s multiple ex-spouses.
“Is there a prize?” he asked, rather impressed by the way Wren’s breasts heaved up as she bent.
“Ah! Right here.” Wren angled her phone to snap some pictures of the wheelbarrow-pushing gnome. When she straightened, she turned to him. “Prize for what?”
“Finding all the garden statues. Like a free latte or a cookie.” A cookie sounded rather good. They needed to explore a little so that they’d walk past the bakery he’d noted on their way in that afternoon.
She laughed. “I’ll buy you a cookie. I promise. Oh wait, the place we’re going to dinner has a fantastic dessert menu. I checked online to be sure. So I’ll buy you whatever you like.”
“Don’t think I won’t remember that,” he said, following easily in her wake as she continued to peer under benches or behind bushes until she located the last two.
“All done. Let’s go inside to show Ms. Dodge and then get ready for dinner.”
Before she could get past him to the French doors leading into the inn, he caught her in a hug.
She hummed, snuggling closer to him, squeezing him tight.
“All right,” he told her reluctantly stepping back before he got a hard-on. “Now that I’ve collected my fee, we can go.” He opened the doors, bowing slightly as she passed.
* * *
After she got her dress on and pinned up the loose braid she’d made, Wren looked around, expecting the shiny black tube of her very favorite red lipstick where she thought she’d left it, on the counter.
“Gregori? Have you seen my lipstick? I thought I left it right here on the counter,” she called out while riffling through her cosmetic bag.
He came to the door of the bathroom where she’d been getting ready for dinner. “Really?” He gave her a face, as if he said you’re really asking me that question?
“Yes really. You know what my lipstick looks like. It’s the only kind I wear. You buy it for me half the time. And you have an eye for detail that makes you super handy when I lose things.” Which tended to be on a regular basis. Especially if she was in the middle of a project.
“I never thought of it like that.”
“It’s why your work is always so visceral. Always hits me, rips into my gut or caresses my heart. I never feel blah about anything you do because you pay attention to detail. It’s a cool skill.” Which was all absolutely true and totally sexypants.
In a few steps he had her backed up against the cool marble. “I’ll have to kiss you before you find your lipstick. More expedient that way,” he told her before a warm, slow slide of his mouth over hers.
“You’re a giver,” she sighed dreamily.
“You only need ask and I’ll lay the world at your feet.”
Wren cupped his cheeks. “All I want is all of you. That’s it. Now help me find my lipstick so we can get out the door in time for dinner. If I let you kiss me again we won’t make it in time.” He had a way of showing her all the potential in blowing off things like dinner reservations so they could stay home and burn up the sheets. Or the hall, kitchen table, wherever.
After one of his patented Gregori smirks, he left one last smooch to her forehead and he headed out in
to the main room to look as she checked her purse and the pockets of the shorts she’d had on earlier that day.
Not two minutes later he called out and she headed to him. “Is this it?” he told her, holding the tube aloft.
Yes! She snatched it before giving him a thank-you kiss and a pat on the ass.
“Thank you. Where was it?”
“In the drawer of the bedside table.”
“Weird. I haven’t been in there. I’ve left most everything packed and the only clothes I’ve taken out I hung up.” Wren spread the deep red over her lips and blotted to be sure she didn’t get any on her teeth. “Maybe someone came in while we were at the mixer downstairs to tidy up or turn down and put it there.”
“So pretty,” Gregori murmured, staring at her lips.
Wren canted up one corner of her mouth. “Makes me feel sassy. But I’m also hungry so let’s go before you get me into trouble.”
Getting her into trouble that ended in an orgasm was one of his favorite pastimes. But he was hungry too and she looked lovely. He opened the door and turned to give her a long once-over. She wore a white dress. Summery and flowy around her legs. Her upper arms were exposed, complemented by her tattoos and the bracelets at her wrist.
“I wore sandals so if we want to walk around after we eat, we can. Never the wrong time to do a little shopping if the mood strikes.” She held her hand up to the light and wiggled her ring finger, catching all the facets of the diamond. “It’s just so pretty.”
Pleased she thought so and flattered to see her look at it with so much delight, he led her down the steps to where Ms. Dodge had stopped to talk to one of the guests.
When she looked up to see them both, she clapped her hands, beaming a smile. “You look beautiful and so in love. Have a wonderful time tonight.”
They thanked her on their way out and Wren tucked the rose Ms. Dodge handed her into her hair. Gregori paused at the front gate to kiss her temple after taking a deep breath of that heady scent.
“You smell good enough to eat,” he told her.