by Tena Stetler
“I understand. It’s quite a place you have here. Took lots of pictures when Lathen gave us the tour before the wedding. Talked with Gwen, that woman’s a hoot.”
Pepper grinned and glanced across the room where Gwen stood deep in conversation with Brock, who she’d invited to the breakfast. Secretly…well maybe not so secretly she hoped Gwen found a soulmate in Brock. “She is, known her for years.”
Jan followed Pepper’s gaze and jerked her chin toward the two. “Looks like she’s…”
“We hope so.” Pepper laughed, pointing to one of the guys with his plate heaped high with eggs, bacon, hash browns, and a cinnamon roll on top.
“I better get food or like you said, it’ll be all gone.” Jan rushed off to the buffet table.
Pepper visited with several other people and watched as a large knot of men she recognized from Eli’s wedding, gathered around Lathen laughing and talking. He’d rekindled the relationships he’d had before leaving the pack.
When she walked over and settled in a chair next to the fireplace, she sighed. His family had grown closer after Kolby and Hayley came to Lobster Cove several months ago. Kolby was looking for Lathen to tell him about their father’s impending nuptials. Elijah’s first wife died shortly after giving birth to Lathen, and his father had never remarried, until Amy. Pepper grinned watching the interaction between Eli and Amy. They were prefect for each other.
Her gaze returned to Lathen. After he’d been badly injured in the middle east, recovery had been difficult, and he wasn’t the same man that left to join the SEALs. Violent and unstable after his physical injuries healed, he’d left the pack and found his own way of dealing with the trauma. Drifting from place to place, he settled in Lobster Cove where the people embraced him and his skills. And where fate had intervened. Pepper shook her head and wove her way through the crowd, touched Lathen’s arm, and smiled. He wrapped his arm around her waist, brushed his lips over hers, and continued visiting. I’m a lucky woman.
****
By noon, the pack departed to catch their flight home. Hayley begged off to go lay down while Pepper, her mom, Amy, and Gwen cleaned the kitchen and the men brought in the serving dishes and collected the trash.
After checking on his wife, Kolby joined his brother and dad for a long run around the property. Pepper watched the men strut to the barn, probably to strip and shift. Pepper was still uncomfortable seeing her father-in-law and brother-in-law in the nude after a run. So the group usually disappeared before a run and returned fully clothed. Even though nudity was not a big deal in the pack, the cost of replacing clothing shredded by phasing was. Tonk was on Lathen’s heels, Ember remained behind with Pepper.
Gwen would probably enjoy the sight of the naked well-muscled men, Pepper mused as she put away the warming trays and joined the women in front of the fire. The ominous clouds on the horizon this morning spread across the sky, the wind whipped around the cabin howling like a banshee. Small snowflakes swirled down sideways becoming bigger and bigger until the ground was covered, visibility at zero. Pepper stood at the big bay window, her forehead creased. Where were the guys? They should have been back by now. She paced the floor watching the snow pile up.
Amy stepped behind her. “Honey, they’ve played in storms worse than this. Remember we’re from Alaska.”
“But Lathen isn’t—I mean it’s only been a while since his abilities…”
“Once a werewolf, always a werewolf. They’re fine.” Amy patted her shoulder. “Let’s play cribbage, Klaren and I against you and Gwen. I know we can beat you this time.”
Pepper raised an eyebrow. “And what’s changed? Mom, no magic, understand?”
Her mom stuck out her bottom lip in a pout. “I’m shocked you’d even think such a thing.” Gales of laughter floated through the room.
“Kolby,” Hayley called from the bedroom. “Kollbbby.”
Amy sprinted down the hallway, just as Hayley reached the doorway, white as a sheet. “What’s wrong?”
“My water broke, and the contractions have started. We gotta stop them. It’s too early.”
Remaining calm, Amy said, “Awww…babies make the rules, especially first ones. Let’s get you settled back in bed. Kolby went for a run; he’ll be back any minute.”
Another contraction took Hayley by surprise, she leaned against the door jam, dug her fingers into the wood, leaving imprints, while she breathed through it.
“How far apart?” Gwen wanted to know looking over Pepper’s shoulder into the room.
“I’m not sure, but they’re coming fast,” Amy answered. “Where’s the nearest hospital?”
“Lobster Cove—a couple miles away. But…I’m not sure…” Pepper glanced out the bedroom window, the snow was falling so hard all she could see was white.
Suddenly, the back door banged open. Pepper rushed to the kitchen. Tonk raced into the room, flinging snow all over as he shook, followed by a snow covered Lathen, Kolby, and Eli.
“That was a blast,” Lathen declared. Shrugging out of his parka, he hung it on the peg by the door. His smile faded as he saw his wife’s face.
Pepper raced to him, threw her arms around his neck. “I was worried sick. But more importantly, Hayley’s gone into labor. Think we can get her to the hospital?”
The color drained out of Kolby’s face at the news, and he sprinted down the hall into the bedroom.
“It’s just a wall of white out there. The snow is… No. I don’t think it’s safe. You can’t see where the side of the road ends or where the shoulder begins.”
“Pepper, got a minute,” Gwen called from the bedroom. “I don’t think we got time to get her anywhere.” She turned as Pepper skidded into the room. “The contractions are two minutes apart.”
Pepper turned to Amy. “Do you people have a history of quick births?” As the words left her mouth, her face warmed. “Oh, shit, I didn’t mean that the way it came out.”
“No worries,” Amy said with a nervous laugh.
“What do you mean? What are we dealing with?” Gwen’s eyes widened.
“Can’t sugar coat it.” Amy glanced at Pepper then back to Gwen. “We’re werewolves. Yes, the birthing process can be quick compared to human standards,” Amy said. “As well as the healing. That’s one reason we have our own doctors.” She whirled around to face her husband. “Eli.”
“Okay. This can’t be much different than the deliveries we’ve handled at the Sanctuary…” As soon as the words were out of Pepper’s mouth, the look of horror on Hayley’s face caused her to wish she could take them back. Insert foot, chew vigorously. Her defense mechanism in a crisis was humor. However misplaced, the creatures she cared for never minded.
Panting lightly coming down from a contraction, Hayley narrowed her eyes. “If you weren’t a witch, I’d…”
Pepper straightened, hands on hips and grinned. “What is the big not so bad werewolf going to do?”
Hayley attempted a laugh. “Your bedside manner needs a little work, woman.”
Pepper’s lips twitched as she patted her sister-in-law’s arm. “Gotcha…” Pepper stopped mid-sentence her gaze shifting to Gwen who seemed frozen in place scanning from one person to the other.
“Did yyyou sssay wwerewolf?” Gwen finally stammered.
“Yes, now get a grip. Amy, have you had any experience delivering the pack’s babies?” Pepper glanced at Amy who shook her head.
“Not hands on. We do have a doctor in the valley that takes care of our mothers. Eli would have that number.”
Eli, stood outside the door, jerked his phone out of pocket, and touched the screen. He brought his gaze to meet Amy’s, shifted to Pepper. “Storm’s interfering with reception. I’ll send a text.”
“Try the land line in the living room.” Pepper smiled at Hayley, sucked in a breath, then glanced over at Gwen. “We got this. Right?”
Gwen straightened her stance and raised her chin. “Of course.”
Klaren stuck her head into the ro
om. “You’re going to need blankets, bassinets, diapers.” She flicked her wrist and several of the named items materialized in the room. “There, that’s about all I can help with. Unless you need something else, I’m going in the kitchen and start cooking.”
“That’s Mom’s answer to everything.” Pepper grinned. “Kolby, quit pacing. Hold Hayley’s hand, wipe her forehead with this washcloth.” Pepper flicked her fingers, a bowl of cool water and washcloth landed in his hand. “Gwen, grab the supplies we’ll need from the medical supply cabinet in your room.”
Gwen sprinted out the door, nearly colliding with Klaren.
She quickly moved out of the way. “Well everyone is going to need to eat. We aren’t going anywhere for a long while, just look at the snow coming down out there,” Pepper’s mom said over her shoulder. Her footsteps echoed on the hardwood floor as she made her way to the kitchen.
“The bones in my right hand are crushed,” Kolby teased, shaking his hand, holding his wife’s hand with the other one.
“That’s not the only thing you bastard…” Hayley panted on the verge of another contraction.
“Breathe…breathe…breathe,” Kolby coached. “Come on Hayley, you know what to do. It’s cresting now, relax. You’re doing great, my love.”
“This one is going to be our only child,” Hayley spat out between clenched teeth, then leaned back against the pillows, eyes closed. At once her eyes flew open, and her breathing increased. “Oh God. Another one.”
“Com’on Dad, you don’t want to get in Pepper’s way. She and Gwen can handle it.” Lathen tugged his dad down the hall into the living room. “Guess I’d better stoke the fire the old fashioned way.”
Eli snickered. “Spoiled already?”
“Hey, I heard that you two,” Pepper called out as Gwen positioned Hayley to deliver the baby.
“I can see the baby’s head. Here we go,” Pepper said squatting down, nodding to Gwen. “Push, Hayley, push.” The words barely out of her mouth before the baby almost slid into her hands. “It’s a girl.” She cleaned out the mucus, and the baby took her first breath. A loud wail followed. Laying the baby on Hayley’s chest, Pepper slid her hand over her sister-in-law’s belly and started to clamp and cut the baby’s cord. She paused. “Oh—Gwen take over here.” Pepper wiped her arm over her face and blew out a breath. “We have another one.”
Hayley let out a scream. “I gotta push.”
Returning to her position, it was only a matter of minutes. “It’s crowning, oh—” Pepper supported the baby’s head, turned the shoulders slightly, and helped the little boy into the world. He voiced his displeasure loud and long. “Kolby, you got your boy.” She clamped and cut the cord, wrapped the baby in a blanket, and handed him to Kolby. “Give him to Gwen for a minute. Have her weigh the boy. Bet he’s close to five pounds, the girl’s a little less.”
“Amy can you let the guys in the other room, know we have twins.”
“Of course.” Amy turned on her heel and strode through the doorway. “Guess what guys, we got two for one…” Her voice faded.
Gwen took the baby, weighed it on the scales Lathen brought in earlier. “Yep, five pounds thirteen ounces. Good guess, girl.” She handed the boy back to Kolby.
“Let me take the little one for just a moment,” Gwen murmured to Hayley, weighed the baby. “Five pounds two ounces, a nice healthy set of twins.”
Pepper delivered the placenta and determined the uterus was contracting down. Bleeding would not be an issue. Getting to her feet, she tossed the soiled linens in a pile. Peering at the mess for a moment, she frowned and waved a hand. The pile disappeared, in its place clean blankets and sheets appeared neatly folded. “That’s better.” Leaning against the wall, she heaved a deep sigh, glancing at Hayley. “You did great. How are you feeling?”
“Tired, sore, but happy. So many things could have… You did a great job too.” Hayley’s gaze flitted lovingly to the little girl in her arms and over to Kolby and her son. He leaned over with the little boy in his arms and murmured something into his wife’s ear, brushing his lips across her cheek and lips.
“I’m going to give you two a little privacy. If you need anything, just holler. Amy and Gwen are just down the hall. The others—are probably chomping at the bit to see the babies so make it quick.”
The grandfather clock chimed six when Pepper scooted by the window noting darkness had fallen. “I’m going to take a shower and get changed. Be back in a flash.” Pausing at the base of the stairs, she sniffed. “Something smells awfully good.” She dashed up the stairs.
“I’m going to see if she needs any help.” Lathen flashed a quick smile and followed her.
“She’s been dressing herself since she was three,” Duncan called after him, chuckling.
Kolby stepped into the hallway. “Dad, Duncan, everyone, come see Amber Moon and Colton Elijah.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Christmas Will Never be the Same
Christmas Eve morning, Pepper woke up to a snowplow rumbling up their gravel road. Jumping out of bed, she pushed aside the curtain and saw the snow had stopped. The sky was still cloudy, but patches of yellow sunshine tried to break through. “I think the storm is over.” She bounced onto the bed jostling Lathen awake.
He blinked, stretched his arms over his head, and yawned. “Never a dull moment around you.”
“Me? It wasn’t my brother’s wife that decided to give birth to twins in the middle of a snow storm.” Pepper balanced on her knees on the bed, hands fisted on her hips.
Raising a butterscotch eyebrow, he stared at her. “Are you sure. I believe a few days ago we were married, so that makes her your sister-in-law too.” He shifted on the bed and Pepper toppled over.
She rolled over and sat cross-legged on the bed. “What a whirlwind this last couple of weeks as been.” She paused for a beat and threw her arms up in the air. “The whole holiday season.”
“That’s what happens when you have a wedding for the holidays. Makes for an interesting ending to the year that has brought more happiness than I can ever remember. I love you, Pepper McKay Quartz.” He reached over and pulled her on top of him.
“I love you, Lathen Quartz.” She settled onto him and kissed his lips affectionately, slipping her fingers through his hair. “More.”
A pounding on the door brought her upright.
“Hey guys, hate to bother you, but…doc from Alaska is on the phone. Needs some information,” Eli said.
“All the times, weights, measurements anything else he needs is written on the pad next to Hayley’s bed,” Pepper said.
“Oookay—we’re considering going into town to get baby gifts for this evening. Do you think any stores will be open?”
“Since the plow has been here, you can bet some of the merchants in town have their stores open. It’s Christmas Eve, but they will close early.”
“So…do you want to join us?”
Pepper looked at Lathen, paused for a couple beats then shook her head. “I don’t…”
The skin at the corners of his eyes crinkled as a grin spread across his lips. “Family will be gone in a few days, then we can spend all the time in the world with each other. I don’t mind going if you want.” He whispered conspiratorially.
“I don’t know how you do it, know what I’m thinking even before—”
“It’s a wolf thing.” He shrugged, climbed out of bed, and pulled on a clean pair of jeans.
“Oh, kinda like going to sleep as human and waking up as a frigging huge wolf?”
“Yeah, kinda—but different.” He guffawed. “Kolby said it’s happened to him, but Hayley didn’t think anything of it—well—because—”
“He’s married to a werewolf,” she interjected, threw up her hands and giggled. “But that situation tends to scare the bejeebers out of us normal folk.”
“Normal folk? You?” He gave his head a little shake and pursed his lips. “Nope, not a word I’d use to describe you or the McKay�
��s.” He lunged for her, caught her around the waist, and brought her down on the bed, tickled her until she was gasping for breath.
“Okay you two, a no would have sufficed.” Footfalls moved away from the door.
Lathen released Pepper, in a blur of motion was at the door, opened it a few inches. “We’ll be down in a minute to two.” Pepper joined Lathen peeking out.
His dad turned and winked. “We’ll wait for you.”
Pepper scrambled into her favorite red holiday sweater. She’d bought it at an after-Christmas sale several years ago to squelch Gwen’s complaints about her lack of festive attire. Slipping into a black pair of jeans, she brushed her hair and added mascara to her light red eyelashes. “I’m ready.”
“Me too.” His voice muted as his head popped out of a green fleece pullover with red bands at the bottom and cuffs.
She looked him over and smiled. “Very festive.” Nodding approvingly.
“Yep, Lobster Cove is a jolly place around Christmas. You know what though, I heard something about a Grinch award next year.” He shook his head. “Wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that.”
“Why…did someone—”
“Don’t know, didn’t ask.” He sniffed. “I don’t smell any food; bet we’re going to Maggie’s for brunch.”
“Sounds wonderful. Give everyone a break.” She snapped her fingers. “We could have finger foods for Christmas Eve dinner. I have taquitos in the freezer, several kinds of dip in the fridge. We could pick up lobster rolls while we’re in town. Ashling used to have lighted candles around while we opened packages on Christmas Eve. They’ve got to be here somewhere. Afterward, we could relax with family.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Lathen bobbed his head in agreement.
Pepper scooted downstairs slightly ahead of him and found everyone waiting for them. “We’re off to Maggie’s?” Lathen asked smugly.
“How’d you know?” Klaren asked. “Kolby is going to fix eggs and bacon for Hayley when she wakes up. We’ll leave the house to them for a while.” Klaren frowned. “That’s okay, isn’t it?”