by Tena Stetler
She took a couple more fries from the bag and popped them in her mouth, chewed for a beat. “I called Kelly from Wedded Bliss. She’s going to handle the decorations.” Pepper shook the bag toward him and filled him in on her ideas and the arrangements. Her forehead creased thinking back to the man who’d crossed her path. “What do you know about Bonchard’s family?”
Lathen took the final few fries and scrunched the bag up, walked over, tossed it into the trash can not far from the gazebo, scanned the area and turned back to Pepper.
“Why?” He raised an eyebrow.
Chapter Fourteen
Unexpected Visitors and the Past Comes Knocking
After a long pause, Lathen shrugged. “Not a lot. Rumor has it Ben’s family kept to themselves. I heard he was an only child then someone else said he had a brother, but they never got along. His parents are dead and I haven’t seen a brother around, so… Why? He isn’t causing problems again… Is he?” Lathen asked pulling her closer.
“No reason…wait…” She blew out a warm breath; the air fogged in front of her. “A man that looked an awful lot like Ben cut through the square as I was admiring the decorations. Only his hair was shaggy and much lighter, he’s taller than Ben, thin, but their faces…same sharp bone structure, dark beady eyes. When he stopped and stared at me”—she shivered—“but he went on his way… Spooked me, I guess. He didn’t say anything. I couldn’t get a bead on his magic signature. It was as if he disguised it.”
“That’s strange. Everyone has Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays on their lips this time of year.” He paused for a moment. “We need to head home. How about cruising through town first and enjoy the light displays.”
She nodded, slipped her glove on, and took his hand. “Maybe I should call Mom and in passing ask about him.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Let me make some calls. Then we’ll decide if anything needs to be done.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Don’t worry…nothing is going to go wrong.”
They strolled down the sidewalk toward the parking lot and admired the holiday decorations in the shop windows. He helped her into the truck and closed the door, scooting over to the driver’s door in a blink of an eye he climbed inside. He rubbed his hands together and started the engine, turned the defroster on as the windows began to fog.
Half an hour later, Lathen turned the truck onto the gravel drive to the cabin, slowed, and stared at the dark SUV parked in front of the cabin. Slowly he guided the truck behind the vehicle, noticing that the plates were government issue. What the hell is this?
Pepper leaned forward in her seat. “What’s a government SUV doing sitting in front of our home?”
“Maybe it’s the DIFW,” Lathen said hopefully. He turned off the headlights and cut the engine. The doors opened on the SUV, and four men in suits stepped out and waited.
Oh shit, this doesn’t bode well. He recognized one of the men, Lt. Commander Raymond Sale. Lathen jumped out of the truck as Pepper opened her door. “Pepper, why don’t you go on inside, let Tonk and Ember out, but keep them close. I’ll just be a minute.”
Pepper glanced from the men and back to Lathen. She opened her mouth to protest, but he shook his head and glanced toward the cabin where he could hear Tonk and Ember barking. For a beat he watched Pepper turn and walk the path to the cabin. He turned his attention to the men standing in the driveway.
“Good evening, gentlemen, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
Lt. Commander Sale stepped forward. “Long time Lathen. You look a helluva lot better than you did last time we spoke.”
“Yeah, when you told me my injuries were career ending, gave me a medical discharge. Patted me on the back and said I was lucky to be alive. Has something changed?” He looked pointedly at the other men.
“Obviously.” Raymond cleared his throat, shifted from one foot to the other, motioned to each man in turn. “Lt. Wade Johnson, Staff Sargent Tom Heller, Lt. Joseph Renner. This is Lathen Quartz, the best multi-talented computer-hack-programmer in the business. Not to mention his reconnaissance skills are… We need your expertise.” He brought his gaze up to meet the former SEAL’s dark look.
Lathen paused, bit his lip to keep from spouting a nasty retort. Where were you when I needed help? Couldn’t even get an appointment with the VA before I had to move on to keep my sanity. Now you come to me? He blew out a breath knowing once you’re out of the SEALs that’s it. This kind of thinking would get him nowhere. He met the man’s gaze with a frosty look. “Want to come in for a cup of coffee?” He swept a glance to the other men who nodded, hands in their pockets, collars pulled up against the cold.
“That would be great. Then we can discuss the situation.”
“Understand, I have no intention of returning to active service of any kind or being at your beck and call. I won’t jeopardize what I have here. Hell, I’m getting married in a couple of weeks. This LCWRRC is my life now. And I am helping other veterans that your system couldn’t or wouldn’t.”
“So we’ve heard. You’re doing a good thing here.” Ray glanced around the area and shivered. “I’d like to discuss this over that coffee you offered.”
Suddenly, the cabin door flew open. Ember and Tonk burst onto the porch, sniffed the air, and growled low in their throats. Lathen smiled at the expressions of shock on the men’s faces. “You might want to stay close, Ember and Tonk don’t think much of strangers.”
Wolf and dog rushed toward the group, before they reached the men, Lathen put a hand up. “Leave it.” He waved the canines into the yard and led the procession to the cabin. As he passed Pepper who held the door open, he whispered, “Nice timing.”
She smirked. “They had to take care of business.” Pepper shifted her gaze to Kaylee who sat staunchly on her perch inside the main room, feathers held tight, ready for a fight.
He brushed by the osprey, stroked a wing. “Relax. They mean no harm”—he cocked an eyebrow—“at present.”
Pepper winked at the bird, who ruffled her feathers and took a relaxed stance on the perch, still watching.
Raymond and the men gave Kaylee a wide berth, as they stood uneasily in the center of the room.
Pepper snickered behind her hand. “Take a seat anywhere. I’ve already put the coffee on; it’ll only be a couple of minutes.” She gave Lathen a backward glance and walked into the kitchen, picked up a tray with a white china cream pitcher and a matching sugar bowl. Six spoons lay between the serving dishes and clattered against the china as she set the tray on the coffee table in front of the sofa where three of the men sat. “Lathen, would you mind helping me with the coffee?”
“Sure…no problem.” He nodded to the men and took two mugs from Pepper after which she returned to the kitchen for the other mugs of steaming coffee.
“Mmm this smells great.” Raymond took a mug from Lathen, sipped, then wrapped his cold hands around the warm cup. “Sorry for the intrusion. You’re a hard man to locate. We tried the cell number we had for you several times over the last week. There was no answer.”
“That’s because Pepper and I were visiting her parents for Thanksgiving. We just returned last night.”
Raymond shifted uncomfortably in the recliner. “You don’t answer your phone when on vacation?”
“Not when the unfamiliar number is from a government agency,” Lathen said nonchalantly.
“We should get down to business.” Raymond slid his cup onto the tray and leaned back in the chair.
Pepper brought the other mugs and handed them out to the men. Lathen made the introductions, then settled into the double rocking recliner. He patted the seat beside him as an indication for her to sit.
“This op is classified,” Raymond began with a pointed look at Pepper.
“Then my security clearance must still be intact.” Lathen smirked. “But whatever you have to say, Pepper remains where she is. If that’s a problem, I guess you should finish your coffee and be on your way.”
Raymond frowned. “You know the rules.”
“Yep, I do, so I believe our conversation is at an end. Now, did you guys have a good Thanksgiving?”
The men smiled and nodded as a group. Wade said, “It was nice to have some time off. Had family in, that kind of thing.”
Raymond frowned, let out a heavy sigh. “You’re a hard one to deal with. Let me make a couple phone calls, and I’ll get back to you.” He shoved up from the sofa and strode outside, closed the door behind him.
Lathen chuckled and held up three fingers, then two, one and Raymond rushed in the door, phone to his ear, Tonk and Ember right behind him. “Lathen, call off your dogs.”
Pepper motioned to the canines and pointed to the floor where they both settled beside her, low growls still in their throats. Raymond stepped out onto the porch.
“Anyone want a refill?” She returned to the kitchen and opened the oven, pulled out a sheet of lemon sugar cookies. A warm, sweet lemony aroma filled the kitchen and wafted into the living room.
“Is that sugar cookies I smell?” Lathen pushed up from his seat, turned, raised a brow at the guys. “You want a cookie? Pepper makes the best lemon sugar cookies I’ve ever tasted. Her grandmother’s recipe.” He grinned when two of the men licked their lips and nodded, with a quick glance at the door. “Don’t worry, he’ll come around.”
Lathen made his way to the kitchen. “When did you have time to whip up a batch of cookies?”
“I always have different types of cookie dough in the freezer. Figured this might take a while, so I heated the oven and popped the cookies in before I let Tonk and Ember out.”
“Nice job.”
“You know; I don’t have to sit in on your conference.” Pepper shrugged.
“What they want me to do, could have a wide reaching detrimental effect on our lives, our family, friends, and the townspeople of Lobster Cove. I have no intention of jeopardizing what we have.” He winced. “But if they can find a way for me to assist them without a trace being made to the Center or myself… I’ll consider it.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and snuggled into her neck to trail kisses up to her jawline, ending at the corner of her mouth. “I love the way you smell—and taste.”
Pepper giggled, turning her face to kiss him full on the lips. She nearly dropped a cookie as she finished layering the rows of cookies on the crystal plate given her as a house warming for her first apartment by Aunt Ashling. The platter had never been used.
Lathen kissed her softly, winked, and returned to the living room with a plate piled high with lemon yellow cookies, piped with white frosting.
The door banged open as a blast of frigid air blew though the room, napkins from the table swirled to the floor. Raymond’s expression was pinched when he crossed the room. “You win, but we’ll have to vet her before any further discussions.” He looked around the room and handed the phone to Pepper as she entered the room.
She stared at him, then at the phone. “What?” Her gaze shifted to Lathen.
He peered questioningly at Raymond. “What’s going on?”
“Need to get some information.”
Lathen took the phone, ended the call. “Her information is available from federal applications she’s completed. I know you checked her out before you arrived.
“Let me tell you how this is going to go. No communication to my home or the LCWRRC. I can review what you have going on at the naval bases near here, but no official word on what I’m doing or set schedule. The private sector is still light years ahead of the military in cyber ops and security. Not going to get caught in that situation, again.” He gave the Lt. Commander a meaningful look.
“You can’t dictate what you are and aren’t going to do.” Raymond paced the floor, his body rigid, his forehead creased.
“That’s where you’re wrong. I’m a civilian now. Remember? So we need to call it a night.” Lathen snaked his arm around Pepper, rubbed his cheek on the top of her head.
Raymond stood, face red, hands flexing at his side, eyes bulging, and his lips set in a thin line. Still he said nothing.
“We’ve a lot to do between now and the wedding, not to mention the Center is at capacity from recent incidents. Think about my offer, it’s the only one you’ll get.” He walked to the door with Pepper. “Thanks for stopping by.” Cold misty air swirled into the room when he opened the door and the men left. After he closed the door, Pepper stared at him.
“You’ve got some balls, telling the government what you will and won’t do.”
“If it’s that important, they’ll meet my terms.” Shaking his head slowly, scenes from the ambush and explosion flooded his mind. He blinked, scrubbed his hand over his face. He really didn’t want any part of this. But…service to his country had defined his life…until… “Come on, let’s go to bed.”
Pepper leaned against him, rubbing her hand in circles across the tight muscles of his back, watched his jaw muscle twitch in time with the pulsing at his temple. “A nice warm shower is just what the rehab specialist orders.” Her full lips turned up in a seductive smile.
He licked his lips, felt his crotch tighten. “Who am I to argue with the professional.” He padded upstairs to the loft behind her and watched as her jeans slid to the floor, followed by her sweater and lingerie; he followed suit. All unpleasant thoughts faded away, leaving desire raging through his body when he swept her into his arms and carried her into the shower.
****
Lathen’s eyes blinked open, and he rolled over to snuggle against Pepper. His phone rang, he cursed quietly, grabbed the phone, checked the ID and touched the green icon before the second ring. “Dad, what’s up?”
“Is everything all right with you and Pepper?”
Lathen crawled out of bed, careful not to wake Pepper. “Sure. As far as I know, why?”
This morning we had a couple feds nosing around Half Moon Valley. Asking questions about you, Pepper, your relationship. You’re not in trouble are you?”
“Of course not. Saw an old government acquaintance last night. Didn’t like his message and sent him on his way. Are you and the family on schedule for the plans we discussed?”
Silent for a couple beats, his dad finally sighed into the phone. “I believe so. Could be earlier depending on the weather forecast. Storms will bring us in earlier, if need be.”
“Nope, I’ve checked, and it’s nothing you need to worry about, unless Amy is spooked about another encounter.”
Pepper opened her eyes and squinted at the slice of sunlight spreading across her face. “Storm’s over.” She sat up and noticed Lathen standing at the window, the phone to his ear. She eased out of bed and wrapped her arms around his waist from the back, laid her head on his shoulder.
He tilted the phone slightly away from his ear and mouthed the word dad to her.
“Oh, how’s Hayley doing?” she whispered.
“Pepper’s awake and wants to know how Hayley is doing. No early arrivals, right?”
His dad chuckled. “Not yet, but she is big. Kolby tried to talk her out of the trip, but it was a no go. She is looking forward to the wedding.”
“Well, Dad, we have to grab breakfast and make rounds. The Center is fuller than anticipated. A nor’easter came through while we were gone. Had a devastating effect on the wildlife. Give our love to Amy. See ya soon.” Lathen disconnected the call and raged. “Son of a bitch.” He paced the floor, scrolled through the numbers on his phone, took a tattered business card from his wallet on the dresser, and flipped the edge.
“What…your dad?” Pepper asked perplexed.
“No. Lt. Commander Raymond Sale. The bastard that was here with the three other guys last night. He’s trying to force my hand—there were feds at the pack lands this morning.”
“Oh…So what are you going to do?”
“Nothing. Dad understands how to shut them down; he’ll inform the rest of the pack. Ray will be in contact sooner than later, and I’ll tell him the deal i
s off. Now how about breakfast. I’m starved.” He put the business card back in his wallet.
Pepper pulled on her worn jeans, a pink and purple striped sweatshirt layered over a black t-shirt, and ran a brush though her hair. She drew it back in a ponytail. “Sour cream waffles, bacon or sausage, hash browns okay with you?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “Coffee will be ready in a few.” She hurried down the steps to the kitchen.
Lathen clenched and unclenched his hand—wanted so badly to punch something, but instead he shook out his hand. This was exactly what Ray hoped for—and it’s not going to happen. I’ve nothing to hide, so Ray has no bargaining chips. He smiled and dressed in jeans, blue plaid flannel shirt over a black tee, pulled on thermal socks, and looked for his boots. Must have left them downstairs. He sprinted down the stairs and slid into the kitchen, laying a loud smacking kiss on her lips. “Sorry about that, just got a little…”
“I understand. Ray doesn’t know you very well.”
“Not anymore.” Lathen got out syrup, set plates and glasses on the table, along with a pitcher of orange juice.
She filled a mug with coffee, inhaled. “Mmm. I’ll never understand how fresh ground coffee can smell so good and taste so terrible.” Pepper screwed up her face, plopped a French vanilla tea bag in her mug, poured hot water over it, swirled the bag in the water. She breathed in the aroma, added milk and sugar, took a taste, and grinned. “Now that’s more like it.”
Laughing at her expression, Lathen scooped up the coffee mug and walked to the window. “Bet they’re staying in a local hotel. How about a ride after breakfast and checking on the boarders?”
“Sure, I have a meeting with Kelly this afternoon. Going to drop off the decorations I purchased and let her handle the rest. Need to do a little administration work this morning.”