by Tena Stetler
Gloved hands entwined, they meandered along the path that ran through the property, discussing everything except the wedding and holidays. As soon as they reached the expansive pond, the mist settled along the ground grew thicker at the water’s edge and crept up the trunk of a nearby tree.
Pepper crinkled her face and blew out a breath. “Not now.”
Ashling floated out of the mist, her form solidifying in her usual jeans and sweater. “Nice to see you two again. That was a nasty piece of weather that blew in here night before last. Did Klaren and Duncan get home all right?”
“They did. Thanks for asking.” Pepper narrowed her eyes at Lathen.
“I’m glad you stopped by.” The ghost hesitated for a beat her gaze sliding between Lathen and Pepper. “I wanted to talk…”
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Lathen give an almost unperceivable shake of his head.
“Is anything wrong?” Ashling asked.
“No—As long as you’re not going to meddle in our wedding plans.” Pepper settled on the bench that Lathen had created out of enchanted wood on the property. Steam rose from the bench as it warmed her damp coat and chilled body. Lathen slid in beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“Of course not dear. Just wondered if you’d picked out a location?”
“Not exactly. Why?” she asked, as suspicion crept into her voice.
“Well…as I suggested to Lathen…earlier…maybe we, meaning the McKay spirits could provide a welcoming venue for your family and friends here.” She spread her arms toward the pond.
Pepper began to shake her head.
“Now, dear, just hear me out. We could cast a spell, invisible to the mortal eye, warming the pond and surrounding land long enough for the ceremony to take place at the water’s edge. Another consideration would be for you to be wed under the arbor Aidan McKay created for his first daughter’s wedding in the 1800s. The arch has since returned to the tree from which he carved it, but at your touch, the arbor will be viable again. Wouldn’t that be a memorable way to begin your married life? Especially after the true facts of his life and marriage came to light.”
For a few minutes, Pepper sat speechless, then she wiped a solitary tear from her cheek remembering Aidan’s tale of a young Irish immigrant, alone in America. And his rescue of a young woman, Dusty, who fled the Salem witch trials in 1793, where her mother was condemned and burned to death for witchcraft. He protected her. They fell deeply in love and married. The loving union produced six children and lasted sixty-two years.
Until recently, rumor had it that as a young man, Aidan Duncan McKay enslaved Dusty, stripped her magic to strengthen his own, enchanting the land and cabin he built. The same one Pepper inherited. Aidan and Dusty’s spirits set the record straight on Halloween night.
“Yes, Auntie, I accept your offer of such a venue, but…” She leveled her gaze at Ashling. “No shenanigans, from you or other McKay ghosts. Is that clear?”
Her aunt nodded. “Agreed. Not that I would ever consider doing such a thing at your wedding. I’m a little hurt that you would even…”
“Sorry, but Lathen’s family and his pack will be here, and I don’t want to have to explain anything to anyone. I will leave it to you and the other spirits to handle the details. Subject to my approval on everything.” A cold sensation spread across her cheek as Ashling kissed her.
“No problem. It will be a magical day for you both.” Ashling gave two thumbs up as she turned toward the pond and faded.
Pepper looked across the water, but there was nothing there except fog floating across the surface and an occasional tendril of mist rising into the air. “Thank you.” Pepper rose from the bench and took Lathen’s arm slowly retracing their steps until they reached her office. Kaylee whistling overhead, they opened the door, she dived between them, a wing tip nearly caught Pepper’s cheek. “Kaylee, you know better,” she scolded. The bird whistled softly from her perch.
“Change of heart?” Lathen asked enveloping her in his arms and holding her tight.
She rested her head against his chest for several minutes in silence, listening to his steady heartbeat and enjoying his warm embrace. Not caring that Tonk and Ember were leaving muddy paw prints all over the shiny office floor, she merely closed her eyes. “Yeah, I guess. We need to contact your family. See if they’re okay with a change of Thanksgiving plans. Do you think they’ll mind?” Pepper murmured against his coat. “But I really want them to see the facility we’ve built together.”
“Nope, not at all. Bet they’ll be here early enough in December to tour the facility and attend our wedding on the Winter Solstice. Maybe we can even talk them into staying through Christmas and New Year. The pack has had them long enough over the holidays. They can spend this year with us.”
She tipped her head up to meet Lathen’s gaze. “Oh, I’d love that. Family together for the holidays.” She sighed and snuggled closer, breathing in his rich spicy aroma mingled with brine and an outdoorsy scent. “I’ll contact Mom and Dad right after we talk to your dad and Kolby.”
Kaylee whistled softly from her perch in the office and looked out the window toward the cabin.
Reluctantly, Pepper released her hold on Lathen, stood on tiptoe, and kissed his lips. “I better head up to the cabin and feed Kaylee.” She glanced at the trails of muddy paw prints.
“Don’t worry about those, take everyone up to the cabin with you, I’ll be up in a few, after I clean up your dog and wolf’s mess.” With a warm smile, he reached across her desk and turned off the computer. “Work will still be here tomorrow.” When he turned to face her, his smile morphed into a mischievous grin. “Unless you’ve hired elves to help with the paperwork.”
“Naw, more trouble than they’re worth.” She snickered and motioned to Kaylee, Tonk, and Ember to follow her.
Chapter Two
It’s One Damn Thing After Another
Lathen watched out the window as his tall, willowy woman with wavy strawberry blonde hair cascading to her waist made her way to the cabin. The osprey soaring above her, wolf pup, and black dog trotting behind her.
If someone had told him six months ago that he would be mated to a green-eyed beauty and planning a wedding, he’d probably hauled off and punched them. Or laughed manically. But here he was.
The family problems he’d experienced for years, most of his own making, settled. The pack had welcomed his return with open arms. Thanks in part to the wonderful woman trudging up the path.
His brother, Kolby and wife were expecting their first child. He’d be an uncle. Still wasn’t sure how he felt about it. Life had taken so many twists and turns, flipped upside down that he wasn’t sure what to expect next. He eyed the roll of paper towels on the desk, then went in search of a bucket and mop from the supply area of the building.
After cleaning the floor, he plopped the mop in the bucket and settled into Pepper’s chair. Her scent of lilac and roses mixed with light citrus still clung to the fabric. He inhaled deeply drawing his phone out of his pocket, tapped the screen, and put it to his ear.
“Hey, Lathen. What ya up to?” Kolby’s booming voice came over the phone.
“No good, as usual. How’s Hayley and my little nephew?”
“Who said it was a boy? Could be your little niece. But Hayley is great. She can finally function in the morning without praying to the porcelain god. Been rough on her, but seems to be over.”
“That’s good to hear. You’re flying down here with Dad aren’t you?”
“Yeah, we’ll split the cost of fuel, still cheaper than all of us flying commercial. Why?”
“May have a change of plans, if you guys are all right with it. I haven’t talked to Dad and Amy yet. Thought I’d see how Hayley was doing first.”
Kolby hesitated, his voice concerned. “Is something wrong?”
“No, no, not at all. Pepper’s parents in Colorado want to have everyone for Thanksgiving at their house. Pepper was against the ide
a at first, but I convinced her that it wasn’t a bad idea. She’s been losing sleep over planning Thanksgiving, our wedding, Christmas, and New Year.”
“Makes sense. Sure we’re included?”
“Of course. The other thing is that after the wedding, we’d like everyone to stay on with us in Lobster Cove for Christmas and New Year.”
“But Christmas is a Christian holiday. Pepper’s a witch, so…aren’t her traditions…” Kolby said.
“Oh, we worked that out and decided to celebrate all traditions. What she…we really want is to celebrate our wedding, Christmas, and New Year’s with family. A new beginning for both of us.”
“Wow. Okay. How long we stay will all depend on when the baby decides to make an appearance. The doctor said Hayley is safe to travel over Thanksgiving, but after that, wolf genes dictate a shorter gestation period. Hayley thinks the baby is due end of January, so we should be good to go.”
“Great. I’d love to talk longer, but gotta call Dad, and Pepper is fixing supper up at the cabin. I just finished cleaning the muddy mess Tonk and Ember made in Pepper’s office. Thought I’d give you a call to make the arrangements before confirming with Pepper’s parents.”
“I’ll hold you to it, bro.”
“Give Hayley our love. Tell her take good care of my nephew to be. Talk to you soon.” When Lathen hung up, he was a little surprised at the excitement that curled in his belly. He tapped in his dad’s number and waited for him to pick up. A female voice answered the phone. Lathen glanced at the screen to make sure he’d called his dad’s cell. “Amy?”
“Yes, who’s this?”
“Lathen…Is everything all right? Where’s Dad?”
“In the shower. Elijah…your dad…always leaves his phone with me when—unless we both…well.”
“That’s too much information, Amy.” Lathen laughed as his original concern melted away. Lathen’s mom had died giving birth to him. His dad, Elijah, alpha of the werewolf pack in Alaska, had chosen to raise his sons alone. Last summer, Elijah had fallen for a woman, Amy, he met while guiding a tour in Denali. She was from a pack in Montana and didn’t take any of his dad’s shit, wouldn’t let him push her away. Lathen and Pepper had attended their wedding the end of August, and he was thrilled for his dad and Amy. On that same trip, he and Pepper had spent time with Kolby and Hayley at their home in Anchorage. Pepper and Hayley hit if off right away.
“Have Dad call me back when…oh, never mind, I’ll just tell you. Pepper’s mom has offered to host the family Thanksgiving in Colorado. Kolby and Hayley have no problem with the change of location. I wanted to make sure you and Dad didn’t either, before we give the go ahead to Pepper’s mom and dad.” He went on to fill her in on all the details.
“Hey Lathen, hold on, your dad just got out, and he’s dripping all over the floor.” There were muffled sounds, and Amy squealed. “You’re buck naked. Lathen is on the phone. Talk to him. Change of plans for Thanksgiving.”
“Too much information again,” Lathen said with a hardy laugh, waiting for his dad to come on the line.
“Son, your timing…”
“Oh, Dad, I’ll only take a minute of your time.” Lathen brought his dad up to speed with the change of venue for Thanksgiving holiday. Promised to have Pepper’s parents call with directions, the location of the nearest airport to their home, and gave his dad Duncan and Klaren’s number. Afterward, Lathen and his dad shot the shit for a while before he ended the call, anxious to tell Pepper the news.
He wrung out the mop and rinsed out the bucket before heading to the cabin. The night was clear and cold, but the storm had passed. His breath formed a fog around his head while he walked to the cabin. Ice crystals fell from the trees wafting through the crisp night air as he walked up the path.
“Pepper… I talked with… Wow…where’d you get that almost teddy? Com’on over here, sexy.” His hands were ice cold, hell his whole body was frigid, except the growing ridge beneath the crotch of his jeans. He shucked his coat on the floor and grabbed her around the waist pulling her warm body to his frozen one. God she was hot. She squealed, nearly splitting his ear drum. It’ll be a while before I hear out of that ear.
“Later… Go warm yourself by the fire while I finish dinner.” She laughed shoving at his chest to no avail.
“To hell with dinner, I got exactly what I want right here.” Nuzzling into her warm fragrant neck, he tried to kick off his boots. He breathed a kiss and flicked his tongue at the scar left by his claiming bite at the juncture of her shoulder and neck. Mine. He was going to have to unlace his boots before taking off his jeans, so he reluctantly released her. “Tease!”
“Oh, no that’s a promise for later this evening. Thought we could heat things up in the hot tub.” With a twitch of hip, she flounced off to the kitchen. She stopped in the doorway and blew him a saucy kiss.
He groaned bending over to unlace his boots, toed them off, and set them next to the door. Undressing next to the fire, he seriously considered stalking her in the kitchen and have his way with her on the table as an appetizer, but figured his skin was still chilled in some areas, and she’d just squeal again. To hell with it.
Silently, on the balls of his feet, he stalked to the doorway, and leaning against the wall out of sight, he waited. Pepper sashayed though the doorway, and he pounced. He scooped her up in his arms, kissing her surprised full lips as they formed an O, taking advantage of her parted lips, his tongue thrust inside. Stopping only once to deepen the kiss, he carried her down the hall and into the hot tub room, closed the door with his bare foot.
A couple hours later, the door swung open and Lathen stepped out followed by Pepper, less the teddy. “Ever eaten in the nude?” he wanted to know.
“Not as I remember, but things are about to change.” She giggled and sprinted into the kitchen, opened the oven door, and the delicious aroma of pot roast, potatoes, and carrots filled the air. “Good thing I anticipated your appetite.” With potholders, Pepper pulled the roaster out of the oven and set it on the ceramic trivet in the center of the kitchen table. Plates, glasses, silverware, and napkins were in place. She lit the candles and whirled around to face him.
“Which one?” He chuckled wrapping a hand around her neck, slipping a finger under her chin, tilting it up so he could ravage her mouth once again.
“Both,” she murmured against his lips, curving her torso into the contours of his naked body. “Shall we eat before round two? Or let it get cold?” she whispered as her cell phone song split the quiet.
“Don’t answer it,” he urged, lifting her up on the counter, slipping between her legs. His large hands gently cupped her face and gazed into her emerald green eyes, thumbs caressing her cheeks. “I love you Pepper McKay, more than I ever thought possible.”
A quick glance at the screen and she let it go to voice mail, returning her gaze to Lathen. “Mr. Quartz, that’s quite a declaration…but…I love you more.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, brushing her lips over his, then vaulted off the counter into his arms as her stomach growled loudly.
Lathen chuckled and let her slide down his body until her feet touched the floor. “Guess we better feed you.”
She hesitated only a beat then reached for the homemade rolls in the bread warmer, walked to the table, and set the basket next to the pot roast. “Dinner is served.”
Lathen checked to make sure Ember and Tonk’s food bowls were full and added fresh water to the other bowls. He pulled out Pepper’s chair, waited for her to be seated, and sat down in the chair beside her. After finishing the meal and he was completely stuffed, Pepper pulled a pumpkin pie from the lower oven. Lathen groaned. “You could have told me we had dessert.”
Grinning she served the slices of pie with a heaping helping of whipped cream and set the plates on the table with a flourish. “You don’t have to eat it.”
“Oh, no, never turn down homemade pumpkin pie.” He scooped up a piece of pie on his fork, slid it into his mouth, closed
his eyes, and savored the flavor. “This is the best damn pumpkin pie I have ever tasted.”
“And just how many pumpkin pies have you tasted?”
“Lots. The women of the pack used to bring entire dinners over on the holidays. They were trying to get Dad’s attention. The ladies were great cooks. Dad was never interested, but we sure reaped the benefits when I was growing up. But none match the flavor of your pie.”
“It’s my gram’s special recipe.”
“Well, it’s delicious. I talked to Dad and Kolby earlier. They’re fine with spending Thanksgiving at your parents. I told Dad we’d have Duncan call him with the nearest airport location and directions to their house.”
As if right on cue, Pepper’s phone chimed. With a mouth full of pie, she checked the screen, put the phone to her ear, and swallowed. “Hi, Mom.”
Lathen pushed back from the table, leaned the chair on its back legs, and put his hands behind his head.
Shaking her head, Pepper pointed to the floor and narrowed her eyes. The chair dropped to all four legs, and he stood. Walking over to the fireplace, he stirred the embers and tossed several logs on the fire. Within moments, flames raced over the dried wood. By the time Pepper finished talking to her mom and joined him on the sofa facing the fireplace, the fingers of flames had transformed into a roaring fire.
“Wine?” She set the crystal stemware on the table in front of the couch and poured red wine into both glasses. Lathen picked up a glass, swirled the crimson liquid in the glass watching it wink in the firelight. Then he brought it up to his nose, sniffed, and took a sip. “Excellent.”
“It’s your favorite, but thought you might be too full for wine.”
“Never.”
“Mom was thrilled when I agreed to her plan. I gave her Elijah’s phone number and instructed her to have Dad call with directions. Didn’t want your family winding up in Alabama or worse. When my parents first moved to Colorado, Mom swore the mountains moved, and she wound up calling Dad for directions to get home numerous times, to hear him tell it.” Pepper roared with laughter until tears streamed down her face. Lathen’s puzzled expression turned to disbelief. In between fits of giggles she said, “Really, she did. Navigationally impaired that one.”