Her Midnight Wedding (Keeper's Kin Book 2)

by Beth Alvarez

  “Evenin’, Colton,” James called, meeting him halfway. “You’re early. Everything all right?”

  “Good as it can be,” Kade said, adjusting his hat. “Saw a dead doe on the hill ’bout two miles that way. Looks like the coyotes been at it. You wanna let Marshall know when you ride back, see if he wants to send someone out to drag it off?”

  “Another one, huh?” James frowned, scratching his nose. “Charlie found one last month. Kind of odd. We don’t get a lot of coyotes in the pasture since we started riding with the cattle.”

  “Just takes once for ’em to get brave.” Kade shrugged as if it didn’t matter, though he tucked the knowledge away. Two does killed where there wasn’t a lot of competition among predators wasn’t odd, but spaced almost a month apart, it fit with his concerns. “Have you seen ’em around since then? The coyotes?”

  “Nah. They’re not too courageous, just yet. You’re more likely to see them than we are. If they got another doe, though, you might want to consider riding with your rifle again.”

  Kade nodded. “I’ll ask Marshall about it.”

  “At least you’d be hunting dogs this time, instead of rustlers, huh?” James grinned. “And here I thought our adventures were over.”

  Unable to resist, Kade chuckled. “Ain’t that the truth.” The other cowboys didn’t know the half of it. All they’d ever known about was the rustlers; not the chupacabra stealing and killing cattle, not the rogue vampire keeping it as a pet, and definitely not the way Felicity had helped him track and kill them both.

  “Well, I’ll ride on and let Marshall know, then. Have a good night.” James tipped his hat, turning his horse toward the ranch house and nudging the mare up to a trot.

  “Take it easy,” Kade called after him, positioning Dex so his back was to the setting sun.

  He’d sit and wait for the sun to set and the cattle to settle, but then it seemed the hunt was on.

  THREE

  * * *

  FELICITY DROPPED INTO a chair in the living room, sighing as she sank into the cushions. She loved her bakery; Love Bites was everything she’d ever hoped for and more. But she ran it alone, with only occasional help from her father. After a while, the job became exhausting.

  “I need to hire help,” she announced as her father rounded the corner. “I can’t keep doing this by myself.”

  Emmett Hammond only laughed. He’d suggested as much at least a hundred times since the bakery opened. She imagined he found it difficult to contain himself, knowing he was right. He sat on the couch and smiled, though he politely kept the I-told-you-sos at bay. “Do you have someone in mind?”

  “Not yet, but I’ll figure it out.” She let down her hair and rubbed her eyes. Her stomach grumbled, reminding her she couldn’t sit for long. Worst of all was coming home and still having to cook dinner. “Would you be able to tend the shop in the morning? After I do the baking, of course. I need to go talk to Regina. Gertie suggested I ask her for help with my dress.”

  “If Gertie suggested it, it’s probably best.” Her father chuckled. “Though you should have started this a long time ago, buttercup. You’d better hire that help soon if you’re going to finish everything on time.”

  Felicity groaned. “I know, I know. I just can’t seem to balance everything.”

  “Just be glad the Hilltop House isn’t open right now.”

  She shuddered at the thought.

  After opening Love Bites, they’d changed the bed-and-breakfast’s schedule. Where they’d been open all the time before, they now only opened for major holidays, winter, and a few weeks in the summer for Holly Hill’s Heritage Festival. The festival was the biggest tourist attraction the town had to offer, and between managing the bakery and preparing for her wedding, she hadn’t stopped to consider the event at all.

  “Daddy, who’s going to help you with the Hilltop House during the festival next month? Even if I have help at the bakery, I won’t be able to give the bed-and-breakfast my all.” She wasn’t sure she’d be able to give it anything.

  “I don’t know. I hadn’t thought about it.” He sounded calm, bordering on indifferent.

  “We are opening the Hilltop House during the fair, aren’t we?” Despite how hard she tried to bridle it, uncertainty crept into her voice.

  “That’s going to be up to you and Kade,” Emmett said. “You’ll be newlyweds. And in case you’ve forgotten, this is your house.”

  She couldn’t forget. Saving the bed-and-breakfast and her childhood home was what made her turn to Kade for help, and the experience had pushed her to the edge of what she could handle. They’d emerged victorious—and deeply connected—and when she’d paid the mortgage in full, her father had put her name on the deed.

  “I guess I’ll have to ask him, then.” It was a weak deferral, but it wouldn’t be fair to make a decision like that on her own. Kade’s nocturnal lifestyle had to be considered, too.

  “Which reminds me.” He leaned back into the couch, resting his arm across its back. “Have the two of you picked a wedding venue yet? There’s not a lot of competition in Holly Hill, but you need to send the invitations soon.”

  Felicity grimaced. She should have sent them already. They’d mailed one, but only to Thaddeus, and only because they knew the venue didn’t matter—they both figured the Keeper would not attend. “We’ll work it out soon, Daddy. Promise.”

  In truth, she didn’t know what to do. She’d always imagined herself getting married in the chapel where her parents had wed, but her choice of husband made that impossible. An outdoors wedding wasn’t much more possible, unless they held it after dark.

  “Maybe we should have set a winter date,” she muttered, rubbing her temples as if it would stave off her budding headache.

  “Hey.” Emmett leaned forward, giving her an earnest look. “I know it’s intimidating, but hang in there. If anyone can pull this together, it’s you.”

  “Thanks, Daddy.” She wasn’t sure she agreed, but he was right about one thing. Working out a wedding with a vampire was more intimidating than anything she’d ever done.

  * * *

  “Trouble in paradise, huh, Colton?” Charlie teased, standing at the foot of his bed with his thumbs in his pockets.

  Kade snorted, kicking off his boots and leaving them by the bunkhouse door. “Hardly. Filly’s makin’ her weddin’ dress this week.”

  “Cutting things a little close, ain’t it? You got what, three weeks until the wedding?” Pulling his phone out of his pocket, Charlie frowned when he saw the date.

  “She’ll be all right. She’s a determined little lady.” Kade tossed his bag down beside one of the empty bunks, chosen as far away from the windows as he could manage. The sun was up, but the blankets looked thick enough to offer protection. “Y’all get that deer taken care of, last night?”

  Charlie nodded. “Rico went and buried it somewhere. Marshall wants us to keep our rifles with us while we’re on the range for a while. He’s gonna talk to the game warden and see if they want to set traps. Rico said the marks weren’t normal for coyotes. He said it looked like a wolf’s doing, to him.”

  “Didn’t realize Rico was that good at trackin’,” Kade said. “There ain’t wolves in Texas, though, are there?”

  “I dunno. There could be. The government’s been trying to establish wolves in New Mexico. There was a stir over it a couple years ago. Lotta cattle farmers worried about their animals.”

  Kade rolled his eyes. “I’d think people should be more worried about the wolves. You headin’ out? Or do you mind if I borrow your phone for a minute?”

  “Just heading over to the house to get some breakfast. Alberta cooks for us, sometimes.” Charlie unlocked his phone and passed it over. “Want anything?”

  “No, thank you. I appreciate it.” Kade dug out his wallet before sitting down on the foot of his bed. He fished a plain, black business card out from behind his ID, waiting for Charlie to pull on his boots and disappear before he dialed.
>
  Despite 900-something miles between them, Holly Hill and Nashville were in the same time zone. It was almost 7 in the morning, and he had little reason to think Thaddeus wouldn’t be in the office.

  The phone only rang twice, proving him right.

  “Thaddeus Birch, Keeper.” The gravelly voice on the other end of the line was halfway between bored and unimpressed.

  “Hey, Birch. It’s Colton. Miss me?”

  “No.”

  Kade fought back a laugh. “Least you’re consistent. Listen, I got a couple things I need to run by you.”

  “If it’s about the wedding invitation, I will not RSVP.”

  “Didn’t think you would. Filly wanted you to have it anyway.” Kade watched the door and kept his voice low. “Listen, I need some help. I’m out of the house for a couple weeks, so I’m down a meal while me an’ Filly are apart. Think you can help?”

  “I should be able to orchestrate something,” Thaddeus replied. “How often are you feeding now?”

  “Once a week, maybe every ten days.”

  A pause. “That’s all?”

  “Seems I don’t get as hungry as I used to. Guess it comes with growin’ older.” Or from having Felicity close by to satisfy the odd craving. It was miraculous what a small taste could do.

  “Unlikely. When did your appetite change?” There was an edge in the Keeper’s voice, one that left Kade unsettled.

  “I dunno,” he replied honestly. “After I came back to Holly Hill, I guess? I wasn’t really keepin’ track.”

  Thaddeus made a small, thoughtful sound. “How are you faring, otherwise? Any difficulties? Changes in your mood or habits?”

  Kade hesitated. Though they’d grown weaker over time, he had experienced changes. Aggressive impulses, a deep desire for violence. They were unlike him, and he’d pinpointed the moment they began as the moment he’d killed Drake du Coudray, the rogue vampire rustling cattle outside Holly Hill. The Keepers had nearly seen Kade eliminated then, in the moment the first impulse had overpowered him. Only Felicity’s determination had stayed their hands. He didn’t like keeping secrets, but there were some things better unshared, and Kade hadn’t breathed a word of it to anyone.

  “No,” he said at last. “I really can’t think of anything. Other than eatin’ a bit less, that is.”

  “Curious,” Thaddeus murmured, though the timbre of his voice was more relaxed. “But I suppose that is good news. Perhaps it’s related to your reduced activity. In any event, I’m certain I can establish a new blood contract within a few days. I will contact you with directions once I have them.”

  Kade didn’t want to wait a few days, but he didn’t see any other options. He smiled grimly, removing his hat and putting it on the bed behind him. “Perfect. Thank you. Now for the big one.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “S’why I’m really callin’. I found somethin’. Signs.”

  The Keeper remained silent on the other end for far too long. “Of what?”

  “Lycan,” Kade said.

  “In Texas? Unheard of.”

  “How many times have I been wrong, Birch?”

  Silence.

  “Exactly. I need you to send my gear out here, just in case it’s rogue.”

  Thaddeus scoffed. “If there is a lycanthrope in your area, I shall have to dispatch someone to deal with it.”

  Kade sat ramrod straight. “Now, hang on a second! I found it. It’s mine, by all rights.”

  “It would be, if you were a hunter. You are no longer a hunter, Mr. Colton.”

  That hit like a blow to the gut. “You ain’t serious.”

  “I am not a jokester, Mr. Colton, as you are well aware. You were the one who resigned. Your skills are appreciable, but you do not get to hunt merely when you feel like it.” The Keeper’s tone softened as he went on. “It will be dealt with, I assure you.”

  Dealt with. Without him. A sinking feeling made his chest ache and Kade squeezed his eyes closed. “Thaddeus-”

  “It is not up for debate. Now. Is this number a good one to reach you at, or...?”

  Discouraged, Kade didn’t pursue it any further. “No. It belongs to one of the boys at the ranch. Give Filly a call at the house or over at the bakery. You can leave a message with her. She’ll pass it on to me.”

  “Very well,” Thaddeus said. “Oh, and Kade?”

  The use of his first name was so unusual that he gawked at the empty doorway with his brow furrowed. “What?”

  “Do not pursue this.” The phone beeped as the call ended.

  Kade snorted. “No promises,” he muttered. He dropped the phone on Charlie’s bed, then peeled back the blankets on his own bunk and crawled underneath. Burrowing in, he pulled the blankets up over his head and sighed.

  He was irritated, exhausted, frustrated, and hungry. Robbed of food, privacy, a peaceful place to rest, and now his chance to do the one thing that might keep his mind off Felicity and her requests.

  If the old man thought he was going to drop it, he was a fool. And if there was one thing Kade was sure of, it was that Thaddeus was no fool.

  FOUR

  * * *

  THE FOSTER FAMILY lived in a stately two-story brick house that seemed out of place in rural Texas. Felicity had always chalked it up to Regina’s taste. Though her husband was a native of Holly Hill, Regina had grown up in an affluent part of Austin. Half the town had expected the family would move when Sam was unexpectedly appointed sheriff in the spring, but he’d built that house for Regina, and they were determined to stay.

  Felicity had always envied their storybook romance. Especially in the years after her mother’s death, when she’d felt most alone. But she hadn’t felt that twinge of envy since Kade’s return. What they had wasn’t exactly storybook, but she couldn’t deny it felt meant to be. There had been magnetism between them from the moment he’d come through the back door and turned her life upside down. Despite Miss Gertie’s insistence they were rushing, everyone seemed to see just how they fit together.

  Gathering her skirts in one hand and taking a box of sweets in the other, Felicity slipped out of the car and picked her way up the sidewalk. She rang the doorbell, twisting strands of her brown hair around her fingers while she waited.

  Instead of Regina, it was Penny who answered the door.

  If Felicity hadn’t known her name was Penelope, she might have thought the nickname came from Penny’s coppery-red hair. Though she wasn’t part of the Foster family, she would be; she’d come to Holly Hill with Nick, Sam and Regina’s youngest son, just before Christmas. Though Nick had claimed to be on winter break, he hadn’t returned to school when the spring semester began. Not that Felicity minded. They were the only other young couple in Holly Hill, which had made them fast friends.

  “Oh, I didn’t know you were here.” Felicity tucked her hair behind her ear. “Is Regina home?”

  “Yeah, come on in.” Penny pushed the door wider, glancing at the box in her hand. “What’s that?”

  “A bribe, hopefully. I’m sure she’ll share, though.” Felicity tilted it so the pastries were visible through the cellophane window in the top. “Was I interrupting something?”

  Leading the way through the pretty house, Penny waved a hand. “No, not at all. Nick just asked me to run a few errands while he’s at work. Regina, look who’s here.”

  They rounded the corner into the kitchen, where Regina Foster stood at the sink, elbow-deep in dishwater. “Oh, Felicity! What brings you by?”

  “I brought some leftover fritters. I know apple is your favorite, so I thought you might like to have them.” Felicity smiled, following Penny to the table. “Do you have a minute to talk? I promise I won’t keep you long.”

  “Always,” Regina said. “I’m not busy like I was when Nicky was little. And thank you, by the way. I keep meaning to stop by and treat myself, but Sam seems to think he should enter the chili cook-off at the Heritage Festival again this year, so the dishes are never-ending.”
She rolled her eyes, but laughed as she shook off her hands and dried them.

  “Is his recipe any better than last year’s?” Felicity asked.

  Penny laughed, while Regina only grimaced.

  “Let’s just say it’ll be a few years before he gets that blue ribbon.” Regina pulled a cup from the cabinet, glancing over her shoulder. “Do you want one of those fritters, Penny?”

  “Yes, please.” Penny sat down after Felicity was settled.

  Regina filled two glasses with milk. “Would you like something to drink, Felicity? Milk, sweet tea?”

  “No, thank you. Like I said, I won’t keep you. I just wanted to ask a question.” Felicity paused. “Well, more of a favor, really.”

  Opening the box of sweets, Regina passed a fritter to Penny before taking one for herself. “It’s a wedding something, isn’t it?”

  “Well, yes.” Blushing, Felicity ducked her head. “I need help making my dress. I have everything on hand, I just need someone to do the sewing and fitting before I embellish it. Miss Gertie suggested I hire you.”

  “You know what? I’d be honored to help.” Regina grinned at her before taking a bite of her treat. “Your mother was the one who taught me to sew, you know.”

  Felicity blinked. “Really?”

  Regina nodded. “Sure was. She made all the curtains and quilts in the Hilltop House when you were just a little thing. That just goes to show you the quality of her work. All these years later and they look just like new.”

  “I never knew that!” Felicity propped her elbows on the table, resting her chin in her hands. “I mean, I knew she sewed, but she never mentioned those things.”

  “Oh, yeah. Her quilts always won at the county fair.” Pausing, Regina flashed Penny a grin. “I’m sure that sounds terribly boring to you. You’re a city girl, like I was before I moved here with Sam.”