by Tena Stetler
Still not trusting herself to speak, she swept her hair to one side, nervously moistened her lips and handed the box back to him. “Would you put the pendant on for me?”
His eyes sparkled. “My pleasure.” Carefully he removed the delicate gold chain and pendant from the box and clasped it around her neck.
Pepper touched the beautiful necklace and looked at her reflection in the mirror, then raised her eyes to the man’s reflection who’d given her such a priceless gift. “Thank you so much. I will cherish it always.” She got to her feet and wrapped her arms around him. “Oh, Elijah.” She sighed.
****
With Pepper’s dad at her side, she stepped out of the cabin and looked down the path transformed from a rocky surface to a lush carpet of moss and flowers. Around the pond gathered her friends, family, and ghosts under a canopy of magic warmth. She touched her dress to make sure the hem floated above the ground, thankful she decided on flat shoes. The air filled with strains of a traditional wedding march. She put one foot in front of the other and felt like she was floating. Kaylee flew overhead and landed in Ashling’s tree beside the pond. Ember walked the path in front of Pepper, and Tonk waited next to Lathen. Her father smiled over at her as they reached the wedding arch. Unwrapping her hand from his arm, he put her hand in Lathen’s, kissed her cheek, and turned to join his wife.
First Lathen recited the vows he had written, then Pepper repeated the vows she had created. They exchanged simple gold bands engraved inside with “My Love For Always,” a beaming Elijah pronounced them husband and wife. “Kiss that woman,” Elijah said with a laugh. “And you kiss him back.”
Family and friends cheered and tossed birdseed as Lathen’s head lowered, his lips caressing more than kissing hers. She quivered at the tenderness of his touch, lingering over and savoring every moment until he raised his mouth from hers and gazed into her eyes. His father said with flourish, “May I present Mr. and Mrs. Lathen Quartz.”
The guests formed a line on either side of the path, shaking hands with the groom, hugging and kissing the bride as they made their way toward the cabin. Pepper squealed with pleasure at the horse drawn carriage waiting in the driveway. It was decked out in cream and purple bows, a banner across the front proclaimed “Just Married,” and purple ribbons were braided in the horse’s mane and tail. Not a tin can in sight.
Lathen swirled a long fleece lined red cape around her shoulders and offered his hand to help her into the carriage. “See you at the reception,” he called out to the group following them. Pepper waved from inside the carriage, her lips curved in a dreamy smile as her husband climbed in beside her.
When Lathen tugged open the heavy wooden door to the community center, music and laughter flooded into the early afternoon air. The whole town had gathered to celebrate their wedding, in addition to the friends and family that attended the ceremony.
A white flocked Christmas tree decorated in cream and purple bows, ribbons, and balls stood in the corner. Several tables were scattered over the entire room, with a stage set up in the opposite corner from the tree. Two tables sat at the front of the room, a huge wedding cake sat on one with additional sheet cakes placed on either side. The wedding party was to be seated at the other.
After everyone took their seats, Lathen cringed as his brother stood to make a toast.
“I’m not very good at this, so it’ll be short. My name’s Kolby. I’m Lathen’s brother and best man. How my brother wrangled Pepper into marrying him, I’ll never know.” He shook his head and chuckled. “But she said yes, and I wish them all the happiness in the world. They are wonderful people.” He sat down with a whoosh and wiped his brow.
Pepper leaned over and whispered in Lathen’s ear. “I guess Kolby learned his lesson at your dad and Amy’s wedding.” She snickered.
Elijah stood, raised his glass. “I’m Elijah Quartz, father of the groom. Welcome to the family, Pepper. Lathen, you are one lucky man. May the magic remain in your relationship forever.” He winked at the couple as he eased back into his seat.
Pepper’s dad shoved up from his chair. “As most of you know, I’m Duncan McKay, the bride’s father.” He raised his glass. “Never met a finer man than the one that married my daughter. Never take your love for granted, and Lathen, realize from this day forward you will always be wrong.” Duncan roared with laughter as his wife frowned at him.
Laughter rippled through the crowd, with the men smiling and nodding knowingly. Lathen pushed up from his chair. “Enough of this repartee, let’s eat.”
After dinner, the band played a slow ballad for the bride and groom’s first dance. When Duncan cut in to dance with his daughter, Pepper winked at the bandleader, and they segued into a quick Irish jig. By the end of the tune, Pepper and her dad were winded but had managed to put on quite a show for everyone’s enjoyment.
“That famous Irish dance troupe has nothing on us, Dad.” Pepper giggled, her chest heaving while she leaned against Lathen. Other couples flooded onto the floor as the band struck up a lively tune. “That band is as good as Kelly said.” She tapped her toe in time with the tune.
Shortly after midnight, Duncan brushed by Lathen, gave him a wink and a nod. “I’m afraid this old man is worn out. My beautiful wife is going to take me back to our cottage. Talk to you later. The pack has a late morning flight tomorrow?”
“I think you’ve visited the punch bowl too many times, hon,” Klaren said. “We have the pack breakfast at the cabin before they head to the airport.”
“Yes, we’ll send them off with their bellies full of food,” Lathen said. “Thanks for everything.”
Pepper hugged and kissed her parents before they left.
Lathen whirled her onto the dance floor for a couple more songs, then whispered in her ear, “Are you ready to go?”
“How? We came by carriage. I’m sure it’s turned to pumpkins and mice by now.” She snickered.
“That’s why I parked my truck here earlier in the day. Fairy godmothers don’t come cheap.” He chortled.
Lathen, his arm around Pepper as they stopped at various tables and said their goodbyes to family and friends, before he led the way to his truck. On the drive home, he rested his arm across her shoulders as she cuddled into him.
At the cabin, he unlocked the door, swept her into his arms, and carried her over the threshold and up the stairs to the loft. Ember and Tonk raced up the stairs and sat at the bedroom door. “Tonight, you two sleep out here.” Setting Pepper on her feet, he leaned in close, his warm breath caressing her ear. “Close your eyes. No peeking.” He stopped to give the dog and wolf a quick ear rub as they circled and settled on either side of the bedroom door.
She closed her eyes and held tight to his hand, shuffling along. He opened the door and tugged her through, closing it behind him. “Stay right here, eyes closed.” Leaving her standing alone, sounds of footsteps and a match igniting heightened her curiosity. “Okay, open your eyes.”
When she opened her eyes, her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, Lathen.” She breathed, candles flickered around the room casting shadows across the walls.
In place of the old worn bed was a huge beautifully carved king bed. A golden hue of enchanted wood permeated the room. One main large branch with several smaller branches crisscrossed the headboard, which attached to a smooth log on either side at least six foot tall. The framework consisted of medium sized supporting logs that extended a couple feet beyond the foot of the bed, forming the sides of a polished bench. A wolf head had been carved into the top of each foot post while the base splayed a root system sinking into the wooden floor, as did the head posts. Nightstands attached on either side of the headboard columns with a log base of their own. Granite tops with matching logs grew out of the middle of the stands to form lamp poles with cream shades. The bed pulsed a golden hue of the same magically protection afforded the cabin and land.
Pepper caressed the wolf head on the foot post with her fingertips, warmth spread across her hand
. “Did you carve this?”
“Yep. Created the whole bed,” he said proudly.
“How did you get it into the room?” Her gaze traveled to the door, back to the bed, and finally to her husband.
“Oh, a little magic from your father.” Lathen waved his hand dismissively. “Happy wedding day.”
“It’s beautiful.” She slipped her arms around his neck and breathed a kiss at the base of his throat.
His fingers tugged the zipper at the back of her dress until it slipped off her one shoulder and pooled at her feet. “Darling, step out of your gown.”
She did as instructed, waved her hand, and the dress flew across to the room landing on the corner chair.
“Nice.”
She reached for the bottom of his sweater and tugged it over his head, waved her hand, and again he stood naked.
“No fair.” He flipped open the catch of her bra and caught her firm round breasts in his hands as the lacy garment fell to the floor. Bending over, he sucked each nipple into his mouth and teased it with the tip his tongue until it was a hard little berry.
Pepper’s pulse raced as her heart thundered in her chest. “Lathen.” She breathed, loving his tender touch as raw desire swirled through his expressive eyes.
When his hand slid down across her belly and inside her panties, she sucked in a breath and moaned at the magical touch of his fingers where she was already hot, already wet.
One long thick finger slipped inside her slick channel. She arched against his hand as he slipped another inside, curling them into the sweet spot had her begging for more. He withdrew the fingers and teased her opening then nudged her onto the bed, pulled her underwear off, and spread her legs wide, crawling between them. He paused.
“What are you waiting for, I want you inside me—now.” She reached for his erection, her fingertips barely able to caress his slick head. “Let me pleasure you.”
“All in good time.” He bent his head, his mouth moved lower to her center while his fingers stroked the little bundle of sensitive nerves hidden there.
His sweet caress teased layers of flesh. She writhed underneath him. “Bastard, quit teasing me, or I’ll—”
“What?” He chuckled and gripped her ass cheeks, raised her slightly off the bed, his warm breath caressed her core, teasing, exploring with his talented tongue.
She moaned. “Please.”
“That’s more like it.” His finger delved inside, curving at just the right angle sending her over the edge, her breath coming in long surrendering moans as multicolored stars burst in the air above the bed. “Oh, Lathen.”
“I love the fireworks with your ecstasy,” he murmured. “My little witch. That’s why I pleasure you first.”
Her body squirmed beneath him. “If I could control it—”
“But you can’t, so I wait until—” He licked his way to her breasts, sucked each nipple, flicking it with his tongue. His weight settled between her wide-spread thighs until he was seated at her passage, slipping only the head inside, holding it there as she pulsed around him.
She shifted rolling her hips so his length filled her, and it was his turn to moan. She smiled slyly as he lost control, thrusting into her over and over, his breathing ragged, until together they reached the pinnacle of ecstasy. Lathen slumped on top of her for a moment then rolled to the side. Tugging her against him, his semi-rigid length nestled against her ass. He pushed her hair aside and nuzzled her neck. She relaxed into him with a little wiggle to tease, savoring the satisfaction they shared. His arm wrapped around her, his hand cupping her breast as she drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The Pack Leaves—Nor’easter Arrives—Surprise
The morning after the wedding, a thin line of orange trailed along the edge of ominous clouds building over the horizon. Pepper stared out the window and glanced at her sleeping husband. She whispered the word husband aloud to see how it sounded, smiled, dressed quietly, then padded down the stairs into the kitchen rubbing her eyes. Surprised to see Amy and Klaren already had the buffet set up, Pepper sniffed, fresh coffee brewing and a batch of scrambled eggs and bacon already in the warming trays. Yum.
“Wow, how long you two been up?” she asked.
Amy whirled around as Klaren let out a squeak. “We didn’t expect you up this early.”
“Yeah thought you’d be spending time—uh—cuddling with your new husband.” Amy grinned. “I’m so happy you’re family.” She reached out and hugged Pepper. “Eli is so much more relaxed now that Lathen has found his place in the world.” Amy patted her back and turned to the stove.
“Wanted to make sure food was ready when the pack arrived. No one mentioned at the reception who was doing what this morning.” Pepper stretched her arms in the air and yawned. “Except that the pack would be here for breakfast before their flight.”
“That’s because you are the bride. We got everything under control,” Klaren said cheerfully. “Go on back to bed with your husband.” She bustled around the kitchen setting out pitchers of orange juice and ice water. Hot water sat on the warmer beside packets of hot chocolate and tiny marshmallows in an airtight container.
“He’ll still be here when everyone is gone,” Pepper shot back. “Where’s Dad?”
“Well that’s nice to know,” Lathen said in a gravelly voice from the doorway of the kitchen.
“What are you doing in here?” the women said simultaneously, then chuckled looking at each other.
“My wife was missing, and I heard voices. Wanted to make sure the pack hadn’t arrived yet.” He snaked out an arm, caught Pepper around the waist, and crushed her against his chest. Covered her mouth with his, then trailed his lips across her cheek, teasing a tantalizing kiss at the pulsing hollow of her throat.
The heady sensation of his lips feathering along her neck rekindled the desire of last night. Pulse racing, her heart beat a tattoo in her chest. She couldn’t believe the effect his touch had on her this morning especially after their marathon lovemaking last night. “Lathen, the pack will be here soon.” She breathed, feeling his arousal pressed against her.
“I know; just thought I’d remind you…” He wiggled his eyebrows in a seductive manner, held her a couple of beats longer in an attempt to avoid embarrassment.
“If you two are not going to help, get out of our way.” Klaren swatted Lathen with a tea towel she yanked from the waist of her apron.
Amy stood hand on hips. “Shooo…out of here you two.” She flicked her hands in a dismissive gesture.
“Okay, okay, we’re here to help. What do you need?” Pepper said giggling, reluctantly unwrapping herself from Lathen’s body. Maybe we should have had the pack breakfast at Maggie’s. She threw a coquettish glance his way and caught the spatula thrust into her hand by Amy.
Klaren handed paper plates, plastic ware, napkins, and cups to Lathen, pointed to the end of the long table set up in the living room. Folding chairs borrowed from the reception were arranged along the walls. “Duncan and Elijah went to get the rest of the folding chairs. Kelly said we can return them later today.”
Kaylee’s plaintive whistle echoed though the cabin. Pepper noticed the dog bowls on the floor were filled with kibble. So that’s why Ember and Tonk are asleep at the front door. She tossed the kitchen utensil on the counter. “Be right back.” Pepper scurried down the hallway and skittered to a stop in front of the fireplace. Two paw shaped Christmas stockings with Tonk and Ember stitched across the top hung at each end of the fireplace. Stockings with Lathen and Pepper stitched on them and a red one with an osprey sewn on it, Kaylee stitched across the top hung between them. “Where’d these come from?” she called out.
“Oh…the ladies from the pack made them for you guys, and charged Jan with delivering them. Brought the stockings with us this morning and hung them up so everyone could see their handy work before leaving.” Amy stood in the archway between the kitchen and living room.
“Sweet of them.” Lathen st
opped what he was doing and looked over at the fireplace. “It sure is. We’ll make sure and thank her this morning.” Pepper sprinted down the hallway when another reminder whistle pierced the air from Kaylee. After feeding the osprey, Pepper rushed into the living room at the sound of gravel crunching on the driveway. Amy pushed the curtain aside and peered out the window. “They’re here,” she announced following Lathen to the door.
When Jan walked through the door, Pepper grabbed her in for a hug. “So glad you made it. Sorry we haven’t had much time to visit.” Pepper met Lathen’s pack during his first trip back home last August after being estranged from his family and pack for several years. Jan was one of the women she’d met while helping out at Amy and Elijah’s wedding in Alaska.
“Me too, but I understand. Welcome to the pack. Several of the other gals wanted to come but had small kids, family obligations with Christmas and all.” She motioned to the fireplace where the stockings were hung. “I see Amy brought the stockings we made for your family.”
“Yes, they’re wonderful. Tonk and Ember already tried to give them the once over. Thank you so much. Better get a plate before the guys eat it all. I’ll catch up with you later.”
“Pep, before you run off, the gals wanted me to let you know, in case Lathen had forgotten about the big end of winter celebration we have every year. Maybe you and Lathen could come up for it.”
Pepper thought for a couple beats. “Maybe…We’re not taking a honeymoon until spring. We bought a large fifth wheel and are planning to camp in Rocky Mountain National Park, Glacier, and Yellowstone. If we work it right and we can find a storage place for our RV for a week in Washington, near Sea-Tac, and catch a flight, spend a few days in Alaska for your party. Email me the dates.”
“That would be super.”
“I’ll talk it over with Lathen and let you know. Also depends on things at the Center. We are talking about hiring more staff, so we’d have a bit more freedom.”