Harvest Dreams

by Jacqueline Paige

  now. I mean I want to help get this maniac and all but...”

  Her voice was quiet.

  Steven jumped up. “I can’t do this over the damn phone.

  I’m going to come over.” He was already looking around for

  his keys.

  “Steven, don’t!”

  He stopped. “Rach.” What? “Don’t do this to me, let me

  come over and we can sit and talk about it.” He stood there

  without moving, praying she’d agree.

  She sighed. “It’s already pretty late. I have work in the

  morning.”

  “So do I, don’t care.”

  “You’re a little more used to functioning without sleep.” “Why are you shutting me out?” He tried to keep his

  voice calm, even though he wasn’t feeling calm. “I’m not, really. I don’t mean it to seem that way.” Steven sat back down and let out a frustrated breath.

  “Angel...”

  “Don’t! There is just too much going on. At Lammas,

  that was... amazing, is one word to use, but Steven I just

  can’t. It doesn’t mean I don’t want to, I just can’t.” “Why? Just tell me why. Help me understand.” She was

  silent a long time. “Are you thinking of not going to Mabon

  because of me? Us?” His voice was hoarse.

  “No. That’s not it at all.” He heard her hiss out a breath.

  “I can’t explain it, but don’t think any of it is because of

  you.”

  “Any of what? Tell me what?” His fake calm was fading.

  “Have you told the others you may not go?”

  “No. I wanted to sort it all out before I mentioned it.” “Rachel, I’m really trying to understand...” He pinched

  the bridge of his nose.

  “I know. I can’t explain to you what I don’t yet

  understand. I’m not trying to push you away or shut you out.

  I just--I just need to know your there if I need you. I can’t

  tell you how much it means at times just to know your

  there.”

  “Always. I’m not going anywhere.” But are you? The

  thought entered his head. “Rachel, just let me come over, we

  could get drunk. That’s always fun and we haven’t done that

  together in a few years.”

  “I had a headache for two days after that.”

  “Well before it wore off it was fun.” He tried again. “Or I

  could find other substances.”

  “Steven, you’re a doctor.”

  “Exactly, I can afford them.”

  She laughed. “No, but thanks. I’ll take a rain check on

  the hangover too for now.”

  “Do you want to hear me beg you to let me come and see

  you for an hour? I will. I have no pride.”

  “No I do not want you to beg. We’re going to see each

  other in two days at the birthday dinner.”

  “But I’m so used to seeing you twice a week for the last

  four, no five months, I’m going through withdrawal. No one

  hassles me like you do.”

  “You’ve gone from wanting, to begging, to whining.” “I’m sure you’re mistaken.” He stood up and then sat

  down again.

  “No I’m not.”

  Steven sighed. “Okay maybe I was a little. I’ll wait, I’m a

  patient man.” He heard a clicking against the phone. “Oh really?”

  “Most of the time, yes. Unless it involves that ring I just

  heard, or your skin, yeah definitely your skin, then all

  tolerance is gone.” He lowered his voice. “Then there’s that

  little witch on your thigh. I would love to run my lips over

  that right about now.”

  “Steven, turning me on isn’t going to get you invited

  over here either.”

  He shook his head and sighed “No? But trying could still

  be fun.”

  “I really need to get going. I’ve got the bedroom tore

  apart and I’ll need to find my bed to sleep on before I have

  to go to work.”

  “Need help? I never did get my bedtime story.” “You’re exasperating tonight.”

  “I try.” He leaned back, looking at the ceiling. “Fine, I’ll

  let you go. Call me if you need me?”

  “I will.”

  He just wanted to hold her. “Good night, Angel,” he

  whispered.

  “Night.”

  He set the phone down quickly before he threw it. She

  wasn’t going to let him in on what was happening. She was

  very plainly avoiding him, yet wanted to talk to him. What

  was going on? Why didn’t she want to go to gathering? And

  the biggest question he thought why had she stopped going

  to see the kids?

  Steven sat there for more than an hour trying to sort it

  out, the more he tried to the less he understood. Rubbing a

  hand over his face and looked at the clock. It wasn’t really

  that late. He grabbed his keys and almost jogged to the car. *

  Dade opened the door wearing a sheet and not looking

  happy to see him. He looked like he may have been in bed.

  “Were you sleeping?”

  Dade blinked at him. “It is night. There’s a good chance I

  was.”

  Steven stepped in. “Sorry. I had a long nap this afternoon

  after my shift, so my sense of time is a little off.” Dade turned and watched him sit down. “And there’s a

  reason for this visit or you were just driving by?” “You’re kind of grumpy at this time of night.” Steven

  grinned.

  Dade sighed and dropped down in the chair. “Might have

  something to do with thinking my house was under attack

  and falling out of the bed trying to get to the door.” Steven nodded. “Could be. So I needed to talk.” Dade gave him an exasperated look. “Now?” Steven nodded.

  “Why not go drag Chris out of bed?” Dade groaned. Steven shrugged. “Well, he has a warm woman beside

  him, so does Owen, so that leaves you, bro.”

  Dade rubbed his face. “I had a warm pillow.” “Do you want a beer or a coffee or something?” “You mean something other than sleep?” he growled. Steven stood up. “Maybe I’ll come back another time.” Dade opened his eyes. “Fuck! Just sit and shut up while I

  go find the damn kitchen.”

  He grinned and sat back down. “Okay.”

  *

  A few minutes later Dade returned with two cups of

  coffee. He handed one to Steven and sat down. “Talk.” “I talked to Rachel tonight.”

  “Did you get her out of bed too?”

  “No, it was earlier. There’s something going on with her

  and it’s got me worried.”

  “Something how?” Dade opened his eyes wider and

  sipped the coffee.

  “She wouldn’t let me go over, she hasn’t been to see

  Connie and the kids since Ricky’s funeral, she’s thinking of

  not going to Mabon...”

  “What? She’s always gone to Mabon. When we were

  sneaking off to...” He grinned. “She’s just always gone to

  the gatherings.”

  Steven nodded. “I know. She hasn’t told the women yet

  but she ditched the traditional shopping trip for Lee’s

  outfits.”

  Dade nodded. “Yeah, Cora mentioned that.” “Of course, she’s told me all this in confidence so she

  can’t know you know...”

  Dade held up his hand. “I know that scene well now.” “She said she’s doing spring cleaning and going through

  everything, Dade. I think she’s goin
g to take off.” “What? Really?”

  “Gut instinct says so.”

  Dade looked at his coffee. “She’s really screwed up

  about all this isn’t she?”

  Steven nodded. “I’m afraid so, and I don’t know what to

  do about it.”

  Dade shook his head. “Neither do I, but I know who

  will.” He set down his cup and got up and stood looking

  around with a confused expression. “Okay, you’re driving.

  Just let me call her so we don’t scare her half to death

  banging on the door at this time of night.” He looked at the

  sheet around his waist. “Clothes would be good too.” *

  Cora opened the door. “Come in,” she said softly. Dade stood there looking at her. “Now how do you fall

  out of the bed and look that good when I looked like I’d

  been tossed off a ship?”

  Cora grinned. “Don’t suck up, the coffee’s already

  made.”

  He kissed her on the cheek. “Thanks and sorry to wake

  you but we had no clue what to do.”

  “That’s fine. Go grab a cup of coffee and come sit

  down.” She went over and sat on the couch and curled her

  legs beneath her.

  *

  After Steven explained why they were there Cora shook

  her head. “You might be right. She won’t let me too close to

  her. I think she’s afraid I’ll sense something.”

  Steven set his cup down and leaned back. “So, what do

  we do?” He looked at one and then the other. “Aside from the fact it’s dangerous right now for her to separate from all of us, I don’t think I can just--I just can’t... not have Rachel there.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “She’s just always been there, when I came home from college, she was there

  and then university, she’s just always been there.” Cora sighed. “I know, Steven. I’m not sure what we can

  do. We can’t confront her, that will just upset her further.”

  She thought for a minute. “We are going to have to tell the

  others though.”

  Steven winced. “If she finds out I blabbed she’s going to

  set my ass on fire.” He looked at Cora. “But you’re right

  everyone is going to have to be involved this time.” He

  glanced at the clock and winced again. “I have to go. I have

  to be at the hospital in an hour.”

  Dade looked at the clock. “You start work at four in the

  morning? No wonder you don’t know day from night.” Steven grinned at him as he stood up. “You think? You

  want a lift back to your place?”

  Dade groaned. “No. Cora is going to throw a blanket

  over me and then kick me when she gets up for work.” Cora laughed. “With pleasure.”

  Dade grinned. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  Steven nodded and went to the door.

  *

  Dade looked at Cora and moaned. “We have to get those

  two sorted out so I can sleep. Everyone comes to me when

  they have a crisis.”

  She walked over with a cover in her hand and draped it

  over him. “I know. Poor, sweet, Dade.” She leaned down

  and kissed him lightly on the cheek. “Have a nap and I’ll get

  you up for work when it’s time to get up.”

  He nodded and slumped down further.

  Chapter 19

  Steven watched Kasey run past everyone again to the kitchen.

  Dade looked at Chris. “Don’t you ever get dizzy?”

  Chris laughed. “Actually, I’m getting use to it.”

  Dade shook his head.

  Leena came wandering in. “Are we sure Rachel’s coming?”

  Steven nodded. “I talked to her earlier, to see if she wanted a ride. She’ll be here.”

  Kasey ran past again.

  Leena called after her. “Can I help with something?”

  Kasey came back in a few seconds later. “No, no the birthday girl doesn’t have to do anything.”

  Leena grimaced. “We weren’t mentioning that, remember?”

  Dade grinned at Kasey. “So what did you get the old guy by the way, we missed that?”

  Chris snarled at him.

  Kasey blushed. “Um--I can’t tell you, really. Cora took me shopping at this interesting little shop.”

  Cora chuckled. “It was a lingerie shop.”

  Dade grinned. “Really?”

  Kasey shrugged. “I didn’t know what to get him, so I got something for me, f-for him.”

  All three men swung their heads to look at Chris, who grinned. “Let’s just say I have new found adoration for leather.”

  Dade’s mouth dropped he looked at Kasey for a moment. “I need a beer.” He got up and left.

  Rachel walked in. “What’s wrong with Dade?”

  Steven smirked. “He just found out what Chris got from Kasey for his birthday.”

  “Oh yeah, I totally forgot. She looked amazing in it too. So how’d it go?” She grinned at Chris.

  Chris laughed. “You got to see her in that?”

  Rachel nodded. “All of us girls did. We ended up having a day of it trying stuff on.”

  Steven cleared his throat. “So what did you buy, Rach?”

  Rachel grinned. “That’s a secret, Doc.”

  “So unfair.” He groaned. “I’m gonna have visions of leathers and so many other things now.”

  Kasey laughed. “As long as it’s not me in those leathers and things...”

  “Better not be!” Chris growled.

  Owen grinned over at Leena. “While we’re on that topic, the topic of outfits that is, I just wondered how the Mabon outfits were coming, baby. You’ve locked me out of the sewing room.”

  “You kept trying to peak.” Leena turned to Rachel. “I’m going to need you for a fitting soon.”

  Rachel fidgeted with her hands before answering. “You have to know my measurements by now. You’ve stuck that tape measure of yours everywhere on my body at least fifty times.”

  Steven groaned and stuck his face into a cushion. “The visuals are going to have me crying soon here people.”

  Rachel laughed at him. “A little suffering never hurt anyone.” She flicked her tongue ring out at him.

  “You nasty witch! That’s just mean.”

  Dade walked in. “Oh good we’ve moved on from leather to mean. What did I miss?”

  Cora smirked. “Rachel’s teasing Doc with her tongue piercing.”

  Dade sighed. “I had to ask. I can’t go there, new topic.” He waved his hand around as he sat down.

  Leena looked over at Kasey. “Is it just me or are the males here having hormone issues tonight?”

  Kasey nodded. “No it’s not just you.”

  Leena took a breath. “Back to what I was trying to say before Doc started measuring Rachel.” Steven groaned again. “I almost have the outfits finished, but I’m trying something different and need your body, Rachel.”

  Dade grabbed a cushion and screamed into it. “Stop. Stop. Stop, I’m only a man. I admit it and I can’t take this.”

  Everyone tried hard not to laugh when they looked at him.

  Rachel looked at him. “Were you all doing healing circles again?”

  “Oh!” Owen raised his hand. “Could we?” Leena smacked him and then took a deep breath and looked at Rachel.

  “This is ridiculous. I’ll say it really fast. There are only two weeks left before gathering, please come by the damn house so I can finish sewing!” Leena waved her hands around. “There I got to finish.”

  Steven grinned at her. “Oh we’re entering the hormonal flux of pregnancy are we?”

  Leena sighed. “Is that what it is? I’m not losing my mind?”

  Steven shook his head. “No you’re not. It’s normal. You�
�re just going to feel a little unpredictable for the next while.”

  Leena sat down. “Good.” She sent Rachel a serious look. “I’m really going to need your help after the baby. I truthfully have no clue what I’m doing.”

  Rachel leaned against the wall. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” She looked around at everyone watching her. “Are we going to eat at this dinner?” she asked slowly.

  Kasey jumped up. “Oh! Yes. I got all distracted with the sex stuff going on.”

  Dade glared at her as she walked by. “I’ll help carry stuff in if you don’t speak.”

  She grinned at him and nodded quickly.

  He got up and followed her.

  *

  Rachel wandered into the dining room and sat down with a sigh. Steven waited and then sat beside her instead of his usual spot at the other end of the table.

  “You okay, Rach?”

  She nodded. “Yeah fine.”

  Leena came running in with Owen chasing after her. She turned and pushed him towards the chair. “He did not mean hormones in that way.”

  Steven covered his smile with his hand. “Not yet anyways.”

  Leena looked at him. “Really?”

  He nodded and smirked at Owen. “After the first trimester she’ll be all over you.”

  Dade cleared his throat. “Doc, don’t make me smack you silly in front of the women.”

  Steven held up his hands in surrender. “It was a medical discussion.”

  “Medical my ass,” Dade muttered while setting the tray down.

  Cora walked in shaking her head. “Dade Jones, will you please get laid soon so we can have normal discussions again...”

  Dade spun around towards her. “Are you volunteering?”

  Cora’s mouth Dropped open. She snapped it shut and shook her head. “I am not,” she muttered.

  Dade threw up his hands and went to sit down.

  Chris leaned over to Owen. “Has everyone just lost all sense of control tonight? Is it a full moon?”

  Kasey came in and set a tray down. “It’s close, but I don’t think that’s it. I just think our little family is kind of out of balance or something right now.”

  “Or something,” Chris muttered sitting back. He calmly picked up the rolls. “Anyone want a roll?” Steven nodded. Chris picked up one and threw it to Dade, who almost missed it then tossed one to Steven who caught it quickly.

  By the time he tossed one to Rachel and she caught it she was laughing so hard she Dropped it onto her plate. “The look on Kasey’s face.” She pointed at Kasey and then grabbed her stomach and leaned over laughing.