Once Upon a Rainbow, Volume One

by Mickie B. Ashling

  “Mother?” he called softly, remembering the long afternoons they had spent together making the candles, the bright strings of them decorating the kitchen. The room had been less cold as they huddled over the pan of hot wax, carefully dipping the wick in over and over, adding a new color when needed. The apartment had always been cold, even in summer.

  “Are you warm now, Mother?” he asked, thinking of her in heaven by a warm fire, plenty of food and friends and laughter around her. All the things she’d missed in this life. Dani had tried to make it up to her by being a good son, a friend when she needed one. But he knew she’d been lonely. Disappointed in life. Afraid for him. He’d often heard her at night from his bed against the back wall while she wept alone in the kitchen. He’d wanted to go to her but had no idea what to do to comfort her.

  The snow fell in earnest, and he was once again aware of the biting cold of the night air. A killing cold. He huddled on the ground, burying his head in his jacket, one eye on the sputtering candle flame. Maybe he’d be joining his mother by that warm fire in heaven soon. He could picture it—Mother holding out her hand to him, drawing him down beside her on the warm stone hearth. They’d laugh and hug, Mother kissing his face like she did when he was a child.

  Mother would wrap him in a blanket, tuck him against her side. Maybe she’d read him a fairy tale. He could see it clearly, and the warmth of the dream seeped into his limbs and lulled him toward sleep.

  Chapter Nine

  CHRISTIAN TOOK ANOTHER swallow of his drink, the fiery liquid burning his throat on the way down. Dani still hadn’t called. Not that he had to, but damn, Christian had wanted him to. It was after eleven, not even an hour before Christian wanted to be kissing him. It didn’t look like he’d be getting his wish.

  He hoped nothing was wrong…

  He looked around for Jordan, no longer interested in the party, and a flash of color in the crowded room caught his eye. Most guests at the party wore silver or gold. This guy wore crimson, his hair a flame of red and purple. He caught Christian’s idle gaze on him and danced over, the skintight outfit showing off a toned body and promises behind leather. Flashing Christian a mischievous grin, he had him put down his drink and then tugged him reluctantly onto the dance floor, plastering himself against Christian as the music pounded through the room.

  Christian took a step back, putting a little distance between them. Did Dani ever go dancing? Somehow he didn’t think so. He didn’t seem to have a happy life. Christian would bring him here next year, make sure he got his kiss at midnight. He peered over his vibrant partner’s head at the crowded dance floor, couples and groups swaying to the music, clinging, glittering in their New Year’s Eve garb. A slow smile lifted his lips. Would Dani wear a dress if he asked nicely, something soft that molded to his slim, perfect body?

  He’d forgotten the guy with him and jumped when he put an arm around his waist to pull him closer. He jerked from his hold, irritated. What the fuck?

  The imp blinked at him, clearly startled. “Sorry,” he mumbled and ducked into the crowd. Christian watched the bright figure join another group with dismay. He hadn’t meant to scare him off like that. He just wasn’t interested…

  “Dammit,” he muttered and headed for the front door of the Grange. He sent Jordan a quick text, and his friend answered he wouldn’t be needing a ride home. Christian frowned. He didn’t even have a phone number where he could reach Dani. Stepping outside, he drew a sharp breath of the bitterly cold air. The snow fell in thick, heavy flakes. Great. He had that long drive out of town to make, and the roads wouldn’t be plowed until daylight. Should he just go home?

  Dani’s face sprang into his mind, the shy smile and bright, scared eyes he’d flashed Christian before entering that house. Christian knew he couldn’t sleep until he was sure Dani was happy and safe.

  The car engine turned over sluggishly when he twisted the key and then caught, and Christian put the heater on immediately. God, it was cold out. He’d check on Dani then go straight home. There was hardly anyone on the road when he began, and he drove as slowly as he needed. It took some time to maneuver the snowy roads, and he slipped a little on ice when he turned onto the driveway to the Lundgren estate, but the road was still passable.

  Christian made a frustrated sound as he came to a stop in front of the large house. It seemed wrapped in darkness, only the lamps on the far corners lit against the night. Was everyone asleep? He climbed out of the car, pocketed his keys, and made his way carefully on the slippery stone walkway to the ornate front door. He pressed the bell, not sure if anyone would answer, and was startled when the door opened almost immediately.

  Dani’s cousin recognized him, and a smile of distain curled his lips. “It’s you. I’m surprised you had the balls to come back.”

  “Who is it, Patrick?” a quavering voice called from farther down the hall. “Is it Dani?”

  “No, Grandfather. Dani’s friend. Maybe he’s come back to finish the job.”

  “What do you mean?” An anxious knot formed in Christian’s stomach.

  “I left your pretty friend alone for two minutes, and he ran off with Grandmother’s jewelry.”

  “What? I don’t believe—”

  “How well did you really know him?” Patrick shot back nastily before the door opened wider and Dani’s grandfather peered out at him.

  “I’m afraid it’s true,” he said, his voice more sad than angry. “Patrick took him around the grounds before dinner to make a phone call, then showed him to the guest bathroom when they came in for dinner. We waited, but Dani never joined us. I checked for him upstairs and found Janet’s jewelry box open and several expensive pieces missing.”

  “You went for a walk? In this weather?” Christian didn’t like the strange glitter of malice in Patrick’s green eyes. What had he done?

  Patrick lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “He wanted to make a phone call, but seemed to change his mind. Besides, it’s a good thing I did. Given more time, who knows what he might have run off with?”

  Christian stepped up to him, barely controlling his anger. “Show me where.”

  “I’m not going out in this weather.” He looked Christian over coolly. “You’d better leave before we call the police.”

  Suspicion shouted in Christian’s head. “Why haven’t you already?”

  Anger flashed over Patrick’s face, but his grandfather put a hand on his arm, stopping whatever his reply would have been.

  “Patrick’s right,” he told Christian in a soft voice. “You should go. I won’t call the police on my grandson, but please ask Dani when you see him to return the jewelry.” He shook his head mournfully. “He’s broken Janet’s heart.”

  “I—”

  Patrick closed the door in his face, triumph curling his lips as Christian leaped back out of the way. He clenched his hand into a fist. Asshole. This wasn’t over. Returning to his car, he searched in the back seat and came up with a flashlight and the spare blanket he kept in case he was stranded on the road somewhere.

  Facing the dark wall of the residence, he spotted the stone pathway rounding the house to the left and assumed they went that way.

  “Dani, where are you?” he whispered, following the path to the side of the large dwelling. Fresh snow covered whatever footsteps might have been back there. He walked along the side of the house and peered around the corner. Acres of darkness stretched out before him. Shit. If Dani were in any of the outbuildings, he’d never find him until daylight.

  He turned back and stared at the house, imposing as it loomed up before him. Only faint light broke through the thickening snow from the security lamps on the corners of the building. Frowning, he wondered what he should do. The air was remarkably quiet, muffled by the snow, and yet the sound of rushing water caught his attention. He flicked on the flashlight and swept the beam across the dark space to his right on the side of the house.

  The focused light illuminated a thick hedge across the width of the yard. Curi
ous, he trudged over the snow-covered area. The sound of water grew louder, and he stopped at the hedge to peer carefully over the thin barrier between himself and a recent mudslide. The rushing sound of the river below floated up to him. If Dani had fallen…

  Christian didn’t finish that thought. Darkness filled the empty space before him, except… Was that a flicker of light to his left? He hurried along the hedge and then paused to peer over the rim where he thought he’d seen the light, small as a candle flame. The snow made it hard to see, and he turned off his flashlight. Darkness gathered instantly around him and his heart jumped. There, directly below him, was a figure huddled on a ledge about thirty feet down, the stub of a candle still lit against the night.

  “Dani!” Fear and the cold snatched his voice away. A dusting of snow covered the small form, indicating he hadn’t moved in a while. Thank God he wore the coat and gloves Christian had given him. He pulled his phone from a pocket, plucked off his glove, and tapped the screen to call emergency services.

  A crunch in the snow behind him had him dodging to the side. He crouched down to face a dark form looming over him. Patrick laughed unpleasantly, face lit by the flashlight he carried.

  “So the little fairy didn’t fall to the water after all,” he commented, gazing down at Dani. “Lucky that ledge was there.”

  “I’ve called the police,” Christian told him, straightening but staying alert.

  “How unfortunate. Well, good luck getting him up from there. I’m leaving, myself.”

  “The police will want to talk to you.”

  “Why? The guy must have run out here after stealing Grandmother’s jewelry. I have nothing to do with that.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  Patrick gave his irritating shrug. “I don’t care. Who will the police believe? Me or the homeless guy?”

  Christian narrowed his eyes, furious, but Patrick merely laughed at him and walked away. After a moment, he heard an engine start and the crunch of tires as Patrick drove off. He turned back to the ravine and crouched at the edge.

  “Hang in there, Dani,” he called, urging the police to hurry. He didn’t know what he’d do if he lost Dani now, after only just discovering the sweet, fascinating person who had crawled into his heart.

  Chapter Ten

  DANI’S HEAD HURT, the pain growing worse each time he coughed.

  “Easy, baby. I’m here. Try to sleep.”

  “Mother?” No, that couldn’t be true. His mother was dead. But who else cared about him? A low chuckle from the unseen person made him smile reflexively.

  “It’s Christian,” the voice enlightened him. “I’m hurt my lover doesn’t recognize my voice.”

  Lover? Warmth spread through Dani. He’d admitted his love to Christian, but there was no way the gorgeous guy could want him the same way. He must be dreaming.

  “Is he awake?” a separate voice asked, and his heart jumped. That sounded like…

  Dani opened an eyelid and peered through his thick lashes. Surprised, he sat up in the unfamiliar bed, and Christian hurried to put an arm across his shoulders when a fit of coughing struck him.

  “Grandfather?” he asked when he could speak, his voice coming out a rough whisper. His chest hurt when he breathed. The sterile room came into focus. Hospital? What was going on?

  “We’re here,” Grandfather told him, and Dani’s gaze swiveled back to the man’s elderly face. His grandmother beside him looked so much like his mother Dani’s heart ached.

  “What…?”

  Christian pulled him tight against his shoulder. “Don’t you remember? You slipped off the edge of the mudslide at the Lundgren estate. Luckily, you landed on a small ledge that kept you from tumbling all the way to the river.”

  Dani shivered, memory of the nightmare returning. “I was so cold. So scared,” he confessed, shifting closer to the warmth of Christian’s chest. “I kept hoping you’d come.”

  “You’d been out there almost five hours before Christian found you. I’m sorry, Dani,” Grandfather said gruffly. “We didn’t know what Patrick had done. You might have died—”

  “He would have died of exposure if he’d had to spend the night out there,” Christian put in angrily.

  Dani put a hand on his arm to stop his fierce words. “Patrick?”

  “He took some of my jewelry and told us it had been you,” Grandmother said sadly. “He took more when he left, so we know he lied. I’m sorry we ever believed him.”

  Dani leaned his head wearily against Christian’s shoulder. Of course they had thought that about him, but still, it hurt. No matter how desperate he’d become at times, he’d never stolen anything in his life. He couldn’t bear the disappointment he’d have seen in his mother’s eyes.

  “Are you pressing charges?” Christian went on ruthlessly.

  There was silence for a moment, then Grandfather cleared his throat. “No. Not unless Dani wishes to. I’d rather deal with Patrick myself.” There was a glint in his eye that didn’t bode well for his grandson.

  Dani recalled the terrible fear as he slipped over the muddy ledge into the ravine, and Patrick’s failed attempt to catch him.

  “No. I slipped in the mud and fell off the edge. Patrick did try to grab me before I went over.”

  “He just didn’t bother to tell anyone what had happened to you,” Christian fumed.

  Dani made a soothing sound and kissed the side of his face before sitting up to meet his grandfather’s concerned gaze.

  “Do what you think is best, Grandfather,” he said and was rewarded by his relieved nod. A cough rumbled in his chest, and he pushed a hand against his ribs to ease the pain.

  “We should let you sleep,” Grandmother said gently and leaned close, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. “Come see us when you’re better?” She smiled radiantly when he nodded.

  Grandfather shook his hand. “I’m glad to have you home, Dani. Come by the house soon. I’d like to discuss your future.”

  Surprised, Dani nodded again. “Yes, sir.”

  He gave Christian a wide-eyed look after they’d gone. “What did he mean?”

  “It means, sweet Dani,” Christian said, running his thumb over Dani’s lips as if he couldn’t help himself, “Frank and Janet Lundgren feel that, through you, they’ve gotten their daughter back. They told me they want you in their lives.” Christian leaned closer, his lips inches from Dani’s. “As do I.”

  Dani groaned when Christian didn’t kiss him.

  “What do they want me to do?’ he asked, desperate for Christian to take him in his arms.

  “What do you want to do? They can give you anything. What is it?”

  Dani’s heart pounded in his chest. Could it be possible? “I’d like to move Mother to a nicer cemetery. We couldn’t afford anything, and she’s…” Dani swallowed a painful lump.

  Christian’s arms went around him. “I’m sure they’ll want that, too. But what of you? What do you want for yourself?”

  “College? Oh God, Christian, I want to go to school. I never have, and I don’t want you to be ashamed of me—”

  “Never, Dani! I would never be ashamed of you. You’re the bravest guy I know. Sweet and beautiful, too. College it is, then. I can help you apply for the spring term…” His voice trailed off and a wistful expression touched his handsome face. “I suppose you’ll live in that big house of theirs.” He paused when Dani shook his head. “What?”

  Dani trailed fingers up Christian’s arm, through his hair, pulling him down to eye level. “I know whose bed I want to sleep in,” he murmured against Christian’s mouth. “If he’ll have me.”

  “Absolutely,” Christian said without hesitation, and Dani thrilled at his groan when he seized Christian’s lips in an urgent kiss. Dani’s cough broke them apart, and Christian gave him a concerned look.

  “The doctor said you should be okay to go home in the morning. I’d better let you sleep.”

  “Fuck sleep,” Dani told him and captured his
lips again, thrusting up his hips to emphasize his need.

  Christian chuckled, pushing him back. “Sleep, and I’ll take you home to bed when the doctor releases you.”

  “As you wish,” Dani said, then tugged Christian onto his lap. “Give me a goodnight kiss?”

  Christian eyed him suspiciously but didn’t protest when Dani placed his lips on his, and they both groaned, Dani cheating by thrusting his tongue deep into Christian’s delicious mouth in a kiss full of promise and hope.

  About the Author

  Dianne is the author of paranormal/suspense, fantasy adventure, m/m romance, and anything else that comes to mind. Oh, and a floral designer, which is the perfect job for her. When not writing, she can express herself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.

  Email: diannewrites2@hotmail.com

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/diannehartsock

  Twitter: @diannehartsock

  Website: www.diannehartsock.wordpress.com/

  Other books by this author

  Sweet William

  Callum’s Fate (coming late November 2017)

  Hood’s Ride is Red

  J.P. Jackson

  “HARKIN ROSS, DID you do it?”

  I jerked my shoulders away from the policeman who escorted me up the steps to the law courts and turned to scope out who had barked the question. My sudden movement caused several officers to move in quickly and surround me.

  An expected crowd had gathered with cameras snapping pictures and cell phones recording video clips. I strained against the handcuffs, the metal edges grinding the hair on my arms into the fresh cuts on my skin. These pigs were making damn sure I was restrained as tight as possible. Manacles had been locked onto each of my ankles, threaded with heavy chains between them. All I could manage was to shuffle forward.

  Rain had been falling that morning. The sky was grey and overcast, much like my mood. The smell of wet hung heavy and thick.

  I blew a tuft of ochre-red hair out of my eyes as I scanned the crowd. Singling out the face that belonged with the question was easy. I could smell him from where I stood.