by Tena Stetler
“Sure, Mike’s going to take care of the residents this morning and leave by noon to spend Christmas Eve with his family. Alec has a few days off for working over Thanksgiving for us,” Lathen said. “We’ll be back by early afternoon.”
“Speak for yourselves. We got shopping to do,” Klaren said, elbowing Amy.
“Fine, you two, Dad, and Eli take the SUV, Lathen, Gwen, and I will take our truck. That way you can shop ’til you drop or until the stores close, whichever happens first.” Pepper chuckled.
Duncan and Eli looked dismayed at each other, glanced at their spouses and shrugged. “Guess that will work.”
Pepper’s lips twitched in an effort to hide a grin. Better you two than us. I hate to shop; do all mine online. She glanced around. “Where’s Gwen?”
Klaren pointed down the hall to the guest room. “She’s been on the phone all morning.”
Careening out of her room and down the hall Gwen came to a quick stop in front of Pepper, “I’m here, I’m here. What’s up?”
“Want to ride into town with us to pick up a few baby things?” Pepper said with a chuckle.
Gwen hesitated for a couple beats. “Sure. We won’t be gone too long? Brock is coming over—um—to discuss the needs of the Salem Sanctuary so he can inform his partners. He’s leaving day after tomorrow.”
“Guess the storm delayed his departure. Didn’t he say something about returning Christmas day to avoid traffic, so he could open the clinic the day after?” Pepper mused.
“Apparently. He checked the highway conditions and decided to wait ’til the day after.” Gwen shifted from one foot to the other uneasily.
Narrowing her eyes, Pepper couldn’t pass up the opportunity to tease her friend. “Gee that decision didn’t have anything to do with say a woman he met recently?”
Red crept up Gwen’s neck spreading across her cheeks. “Nooo.” She couldn’t keep the smile off her face.
“You can tell me in the truck,” Pepper whispered conspiratorially.
“What are you two girls twittering about?” Duncan asked using a pretend cough to cover a snicker. “Are we ready to go or not?” He glanced at the others.
“Ready,” Gwen and Pepper said simultaneously, slipping into their parkas and boots.
Lathen held the door open as everyone piled out into the winter wonderland. Someone swept the snow off the trucks. They also ran the snow blower to clear a path from the cabin to the driveway and out to the road.
“Hey, who’s the elf that did all this work?” Pepper’s glance bounced from her dad to Eli. Both grinned wide.
“That’s quite a tracked snow blower you have,” Eli said climbing into the rented SUV, holding the seat forward for Amy to hop into the back seat.
“I knew where you stored it. Figured that Lathen kept it all gassed up and ready to go. So when we heard the snowplow come by, figured we could make it into town. To make it easier, we made a few passes with the snow blower on the property.” Duncan opened the passenger door and boosted Klaren into the back seat. “Lead the way,” he called to Lathen.
“Thanks for doing that guys.” Lathen fobbed the pickup doors open. Pepper shoved the seat forward for Gwen, then leaped into the front seat. It was slow going; as they drove through town, Pepper sat up straight and craned her neck, pointing to a house they passed.
“Look, there’s a “For Sale” sign outside the old Bonchard place. Did you hear anything about Ben moving, Lathen?”
“Nope, but that’s a good thing. Maybe he’s leaving.”
“Or up to something.” She blew out a breath, settled back against the seat. “I know, I know, I’m over reacting.”
Lathen shrugged as he pulled into the gravel parking lot behind Maggie’s, the parking lot was half-full.
“Guess the last minute shoppers thought they were sunk when this storm hit.” Pepper snickered.
Inside they found a corner booth roomy enough for everyone. Sandy brought tea for Pepper and poured coffee for the rest of the group. Sandy came back for the order, and the weather was the conversation of the hour.
In short order, smiling she brought heaping plates of eggs, bacon, hash browns, and sausage. “Can I get anything else for you?” Sandy glanced across the table.
“Nope looks like it’s all here,” Lathen said scooping up a fork full of scrambled eggs and cheese.
The others ate with gusto and soon the plates were empty. Duncan got up to meet Sandy at the counter, took the bill, and handed her a credit card.
Klaren took hold of Amy’s arm. “Time to shop.”
She looked dubious. “Think many shops are open?”
“Oh, yes, it’s Christmas Eve. If the shop owners could get to their shop, you bet they’re open.”
“I guess we’re off,” Duncan said. “Meet you at the cabin in a couple hours?”
“Yep,” Pepper and Gwen followed the group out the door, with Lathen bringing up the rear.
“Is this going to take very long?”
“Nope, going to pick out a few baby things and head home.” Pepper carefully picked her way along the partially snow-covered sidewalks of Main Street to Hazeltine’s. “There is a children’s boutique in here, The Pink Lobster. We should be able to get everything we want.”
Gwen nodded. “Does everything in this town have something to do with a lobster?”
“Of course.” Lathen tugged the door open, a bell overhead tinkled as Gwen and Pepper walked in. “It’s Lobster Cove.” He pointed to the left where Amy and Klaren stood browsing through the women’s department. To the right, Eli and Duncan’s attention focused on the leather goods in the men’s department.
Pepper hissed out a breath as she elbowed Lathen in the ribs pointing across the room. “Look, Brent Bonchard passed behind Dad and Eli.” She grabbed his hand.
Lathen followed her gaze as she yanked him along behind her skirting the tables and other shoppers. She grabbed hold of Brent’s coat sleeve. “Could we have a word?”
Brent narrowed his eyes looking coldly at the hand holding his coat and shook free. “Ms. McKay, what can I do for you?”
Stepping between Pepper and Brent, Lathen moved Pepper to his side, holding her back with his arm. She bristled and glared at him, then turned her attention back to Brent. “Why have you been following me?”
He gave a half laugh. “I wasn’t following anyone. You seemed to be in my path, no matter where I went. Wanted to avoid contact if possible, so as not to get my brother in trouble.”
“What are you doing here?” Pepper asked.
“Obviously as you know, my brother has some issues. Lobster Cove is not good for him. So I came to convince him to move to the west coast with my wife and I. We own a business there, and he could get the help he needs and work for us. That way we can keep an eye on him and out of the reach of the McKay’s.”
“Wait a minute, your brother caused—”
Lathen gripped Pepper’s arm and gave a nearly unperceivable shake of his head. “So when are you planning on leaving?”
“Hopefully in the next couple days. If that’s all, I need to pick up a few more things and get back to packing. This whole debacle has put a wrench into my family’s holiday season.”
“You do realize the coven will have to be informed,” Pepper said.
“Already done. His tracking will be done by our coven on the west coast.”
“But I just talked to Ravyn,” Pepper argued. “She didn’t say anything about Ben leaving.”
“We finalized the arrangements this morning. Believe me I want my brother out of here as badly as you do. Enough damage has been done to all parties.”
Pepper searched his expression and saw the pain in his eyes, along with the overwhelming hurt she now detected from him. “Agreed. It’s just that—”
Brent stared at her then a light of understanding glinted in his eyes. “You thought I’d come to revenge my brother’s spell binding,” he said sardonically. “Nothing could be further from the truth.
Best thing to ever happen to Ben. He was headed for trouble when I left years ago, but no one would listen to me. So here I am to pick up the pieces.” He shook his head sadly.
She’d verify Brent’s story with Ravyn later, but her intuition told her he was telling the truth. “I can’t say I’m sorry to see him go, but I do wish you luck in your endeavor.”
“Thank you. Now, if it’s all right, I’ll be on my way.”
As he stepped away, the circle Pepper hadn’t seen forming of her mom and dad, Gwen, Eli, and Amy closed in.
Pepper held up her hand. “It’s all right. We’ve straightened everything out. Brent is here to move Ben to the west coast.”
Lathen remained slightly in front of Pepper and slipped his arm around her waist reassuringly.
With a collective sigh of relief, the parties returned to shopping. Brent went on his way without a word.
“So you believe him?” Lathen asked.
Pepper slumped against him. “Yes, I do. But—”
“Oh, yeah, we’ll be keeping an eye on him and Ben until they leave.” Lathen straightened. “Let’s get the shopping done. We’ve packages to open,” he said with a boyish grin.
After only thirty minutes, Lathen’s arms were full of packages. He followed the girls to the truck as light snowflakes drifted through the dusky sky.
“A successful outing,” Pepper declared. “I’m sure glad Kate wasn’t working at Maggie’s. Didn’t want to explain that to your dad.”
Lathen shook his head. “Oh, I’m sure Kolby has chewed that little tidbit over with Dad and anyone else that would listen. My brother is not one to keep his mouth shut when he can stir the pot, so as to speak. You’d think she’d give it a rest since we’ve all moved on.”
“Hell has no fury like a woman scorned.” Pepper snickered climbing into the truck.
“Yeah, yeah. How many do we expect for dinner?” He closed the door behind her.
Waiting until Lathen climbed into the driver’s seat, she said, “The nine of us, plus the twins. Gwen, is Brock staying for dinner and Christmas Eve festivities?”
“I don’t know. He may want to spend it with Dylan and her family.”
“Yeah, right.” Pepper snickered.
“Brock is a nice guy.” He put the key in the ignition, turned it, and the engine roared to life.
“I hope it works out for you.”
“We’re just friends,” Gwen protested.
“That’s where it all begins.” He paused, raised an eyebrow, and glanced in Pepper’s direction. “You didn’t have anything to do with it, did you?”
“Not exactly—fate had more to do with it while we were busy with the Forest Owlet rescue.” She shifted in her seat and looked out the window.
Gwen tapped Pepper on the shoulder. “Hey guys, I’m sitting right here.”
The sidewalks were nearly deserted; several shops already had closed signs hung on their doors. Ice crystals mixed with snowflakes shimmered as the street lights blinked on.
“Bet everyone will be home sooner than expected. It’ll be dark by four, and they’re not used to shops that roll up their sidewalks this early on Christmas Eve.”
When Gwen, Pepper, and Lathen walked through the door to the cabin, Kolby had relocated one bassinet into the living room beside Hayley. The twins were nestled together, sound asleep. Hayley lounged on one side of the double rocker recliner, dressed in red sweats, and matching slippers adorned with embroidered holly.
“My don’t you look nice,” Pepper said leaning over to give Hayley a hug after peeking at the babies in the shared bassinet.
“I wanted Amber and Colton to be a part of our first family Christmas.” Hayley glanced over at the bassinet when Amber fussed a little.
“I’m going to call Brock. Be back in a minute.” Gwen hurried down the hall, into her room.
“Be right back.” Pepper left the room and returned lugging her aunt’s decorations box. She popped the top, rooted around, and found several large red, green, and white candles with festive holders. The few holidays she had spent here as a child with her family, Ashling and Colleen celebrated Christmas Eve with lit candles, and she wanted to recreate that ambiance tonight. Lathen took the candles while Pepper placed the holders. The aroma of cinnamon, bayberry, and cloves lightly filled the room.
Headlights swept the driveway, Pepper peeked out the window. “The shop ’til they drop group are back.”
Klaren was the first through the door. “My it’s cozy in here and smells”—she sniffed furrowing her brow—“just like when we spent Christmas with Ashling and Colleen. Where ever did you find those candles?”
“In Aunt Ashling’s Christmas decorations.” Pepper pointed to the box in the center of the room. “I even found the table cloth.” She shook out a red and green crocheted cloth with crystal beads attached to the scalloped edges. “Anyone hungry?”
There were nods all around.
“The taquitos are in the freezer. Several types of dip in the fridge and chips are in the cupboard. I’ve a bowl of fresh fruit…well frozen fresh, thawed out fruit.” Pepper giggled.
“I’ll help you get things set out,” her mom offered.
“Lathen, could you get out the plates, silver, and napkins?”
“Sure.”
It didn’t take long, and everything was arranged on the dining table. Pepper took out the deep fryer, added oil, and set out a platter piled high with frozen chicken and beef taquitos. “Taking orders, how many of each does everyone want?”
One by one each person filtered past the table filling a plate, most adding a bowl of fruit.
Everyone settled down around the crackling fire, plates in laps and discussed their fondest childhood memories of the holidays. After dinner, Lathen lit the candles and lowered the lights. Flames cast shadows that danced across the walls in a warm orange glow. Ember, Tonk, and Timber lay by the front door, each gnawing on a large meaty bone. Kaylee watched the activities haughtily from her perch across the room. Packages were distributed.
When Pepper’s turn came, she tore open the wrapping, lifted the lid from the little jewelry box, and gasped. “Oh, Lathen they’re beautiful.” A pair of emerald earrings sparkled in the firelight. She jumped up and gave him a big hug.
“Way to go little brother,” Kolby said. “Great minds think alike.”
Puzzled, she glanced around the room. Kolby tossed a small box to her. “Go ahead and open it.”
Catching the box, she untied the ribbon and opened a hand carved wooden box, lifted the top, and nestled inside were a pair of onyx wolf earrings. Pepper’s breath caught. Amy had received a pair almost identical for a wedding present. At the time, Pepper had gushed over the workmanship and originality of the design.
“Yeah we noticed,” Hayley said gleefully. “One of our pack members designs one-of-a-kind jewelry and sells the pieces on the internet. Makes a damn good living too.”
“Oh wow. You have to give me his business card,” Pepper insisted.
Kolby pulled out his wallet and handed her a dog-eared business card. “It’s the only one I have.”
“Way to show me up, bro.” Lathen leaned over to get a better look, and his brother handed him a multi-use knife in the original packaging.
“I don’t wrap gifts.” Kolby shoved his hands in his pockets.
The whole room burst into gales of laughter.
Next Hayley untied the ribbon from her gift, slid a fingernail under the taped edges, and carefully unwrapped the package then folded the paper neatly in her lap. The group gave a collective groan.
“Hayley sometime tonight,” Eli chided. “Some of us would like to open our gifts before the new year.”
The room erupted with more laughter. Hayley stuck her tongue out at her father-in-law and opened the box in slow motion. She shook out a lilac hoodie with the LCWRRC logo embroidered across the back and her name in pink on the left front.
“Oh, I love it.” She unzipped it, rubbed the fleece material agai
nst her cheek, then tried it on. “It’s so soft and fits perfectly. Thanks so much.”
Tired of waiting, Kolby had already ripped open his present and proudly showed off his black hoodie, his name embroidered in silver thread on the front left and the LCWRRC logo across the back.
“We didn’t want you two to fight over the hoodies, so we had your names stitched on them.” Pepper’s lips twitched with amusement, imagining Kolby in the lilac hoodie.
As each person took a turn opening their packages the pile of wrapping paper grew, nearly as tall as the mountain of baby gifts stacked next to Hayley.
Pepper shook her head. “Colton and Amber will be the most spoiled grandchildren on the planet. It’s a good thing Eli has a private jet, or you’d never get all the Christmas gifts back to Alaska without paying boocoo bucks for shipping.”
As the remaining packages were opened, there were ohhs and ahhs from the group.
After clean up, Pepper handed out wine glasses. Lathen poured the wine, with the exception of Hayley who got sparkling grape juice. He held up his glass in a toast. “The best gift of all tonight is being together as a family.” Everyone raised their glasses in agreement.
Pepper wrapped her arm around Gwen and squeezed. “Far cry from last Christmas. Huh?”
Gwen nodded, her eyes glistening. “You are so lucky.”
“No, we’re lucky. You are a part of this family too,” Pepper whispered.
Brock sidled over to Gwen and slid his arm around her waist, bent down, and whispered something. She smiled.
Lathen joined their little knot and rested his arm around Pepper’s shoulder. She nudged him in the ribs and subtly tilted her chin toward the couple, silently mouthing, “Friends my ass.”
He grinned and brushed his lips over hers. “Stay out of it,” he whispered before deepening the kiss.
“Well, I think it’s time we hit the road,” Duncan said picking up their empty wine glasses, carrying them to the kitchen.
Klaren chuckled. “We’ll be here first thing tomorrow morning to help with the Christmas feast.”
“Ditto,” Amy said slipping her arms into the coat Eli held. When they started out the back door, Timber scrambled between Eli’s legs in an effort to escape only to be yanked away from the door by Duncan.