by T. M. Cromer
Autumn stood and circled to where Summer sat. “I hate seeing you miserable. It’s needless because you both want the same thing.”
She wasn’t saying anything Summer hadn’t thought in the dark hours of the night when she’d lie alone in her bed. But her sense of self-preservation wouldn’t let her lay her heart on the line again.
“He’s hot and cold. I can’t take the back and forth, Tums.”
“He’s a guy. Guys don’t know what they want until they screw it up. When they realize the best thing that ever happened to them walked out the door, they implode,” Winnie added.
Summer received the impression her sister spoke from experience, but she’d never heard a word of any major romance in Winnie’s past.
“Winnie?” she questioned.
“That’s another story for another time.” Winnie smiled softly. “This is about you and Coop.”
“I thought it was about an ancient artifact,” Summer countered to skirt around the issue of her relationship or lack thereof. “Can we get back to that subject? Please?”
Three of her four sisters shared a speaking look.
“What?” Summer threw up her hands. “Just come out with it already.”
“Fine. You told us you needed to find something called the Chintamani Stone.”
Summer nodded.
“I’ve done some additional research.” Autumn opened the laptop in front of her.
Envy—not quite full green but a shade in that general color wheel—hit Summer. Just once she’d like to be able to teleport with an electronic device larger than her smartphone.
“Earth to Summer.”
“Sorry,” she mumbled. Gah! She had to stop with these little side flights of fancy and focus on the subject at hand. She’d have to remember to ask Winnie if she made a homeopathic equivalent to Adderall.
“You mentioned it was last in the safekeeping of a couple called Roerich. Their intent was to deliver it to a monastery in Tibet.”
“That’s correct.”
“Everything I’ve read indicates that this couple never reached Shambhala. In fact, it’s a mythical city,” Autumn informed the group. “One written account claims they did make it as far as Shigatse which is located in the Tsang province of Tibet. There is an old monastery there that fits the description of Helena Roerich’s diary entry.”
“You found this all in just a few days? Impressive.” Holly lifted her coffee cup up in salute.
Autumn grinned. “Research and finance are my strengths.”
“What’s the plan? Start with the monastery and backtrack?” Winnie asked.
“We’re talking fifty years here.” Autumn shook her head. “I can’t imagine a relic as powerful as this one is reported to be will still be there.”
“You think this is a wild goose chase,” Summer stated flatly.
“I do. However, I did find another something interesting in the margin of Helena’s diary.”
“Wait! Are you saying you found her original diary?” Summer asked, incredulous and awed by her sister’s mad research skills.
“I have. Or I should say, Aunt GiGi has.”
“What’s this something interesting?”
“She only wrote four words with a question mark: Only couples in love? I think perhaps she was making a note to herself about the stone. Although, I don’t know how to decipher it.” Autumn shrugged and grimaced. “If it’s what I think, and only an actual couple can retrieve the stone, then it leaves all of us out.”
“Not necessarily,” Summer argued. “Technically, Coop and I are in love. But he has no magical ability. For that matter, you and Keaton could be considered in love as well.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Keaton doesn’t love me. We have a better chance of matching Winnie and Zane or Spring and Knox than we do me and Keaton.”
Both sisters in question sputtered and flushed.
Interesting. Summer intended to dig deeper into their love lives when this was all done. Turnabout was fair play.
“So it has to be me and Coop.” She thunked her head on the wood table. “That conversation is going to go over well. ‘Hey, Coop, I’m no longer interested in a relationship with you, but do you mind jaunting off to the Himalayas with me? I have an object to retrieve for the father who terrifies you. Why yes, it will give him unlimited power.’”
“When you put it that way, I don’t see how he can refuse,” Holly quipped.
Winnie, the voice of reason, piped up. “I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves. First, Helena Roerich could’ve been making a note about dinner party attendees for all we know.”
The siblings all exchanged glances. Winnie had a point.
“Second, I still believe either myself or Autumn to be the best candidate to go. No offense, but we are the ones with the greatest abilities.” Her face was apologetic when she said, “I’m sorry, Summer, but you could potentially trigger an avalanche or some other crazy natural disaster on that mountain.”
Summer scrunched up her face but patted her sister’s hand. “No offense taken. You’re not wrong.”
“I’ll go, Winnie. You have a business to run,” Autumn declared. “It will be a simple matter to pop over to China, ask some questions, and pop back.”
They were all in agreement that any “popping” would wait until they discovered the whereabouts and condition of their mother.
“I’m with Dad on this, I don’t think any one witch or warlock should possess an object with such power,” Spring said. “I think if, or when, we do find the stone, we let the witches’ council decide.”
“All in favor?” Summer asked half-jokingly.
Heartfelt “ayes” flew around the room.
“Is this the way all major decisions get made in your family?” Holly wanted to know.
“Our family,” the Thorne siblings chorused.
“You’re our sister too, Holly,” Autumn said with an arched brow.
The tears brightening her twin’s eyes caused Summer’s own emotion to well up.
“I’m so glad you found me,” Holly choked out.
“Aww hell! Group hug,” Autumn declared.
28
Coop shifted his stance and sent the mare he was training in a different direction. When the bay shied and reared, he checked over his shoulder for a visitor.
Summer.
He curbed the urge to rush over and sweep her into his embrace. Instead, he chose to corral the mare and hook the lead.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
Their eyes connected across the distance of the round pen before she dropped her gaze.
If he didn’t know better, he’d assume her look of uncertainty indicated she feared her welcome.
“How’s the new sanctuary?” he asked as an ice breaker.
A genuine smile graced her lips. “Perfect. Eddie’s barn is magnificent. I’ve added a pool.”
Coop forced a smile in return. “That should make him happy.”
“Yeah, they all seem to be settling in well.”
“Good.”
Small talk out of the way, he didn’t know what else to say.
“Coop, can we talk? I mean, after you’re done training or work or something.”
“I’m finished for today. Let me put Sadie in the paddock and check on Macy then I’m all yours.”
“I’ll check Macy, unless you’d prefer Dr. Parsons.”
“No, I prefer you,” he said.
Her surprise was apparent.
“I know you can see the images in the horses’ minds, Summer. It gives you an advantage. You’re also a damned good doctor who cares about her patients.” He gave a short nod. “So yeah, I’m cool with you checking on Macy. But don’t be surprised by the colorful cone. Chloe has your Dr. Doolittle ability to speak to the animals and has sworn Macy wanted something prettier than the florescent orange.”
Summer’s wide smile was brighter than the morning sun.
He cleared his throat of the emotion buildi
ng. “I’ll meet you in Macy’s stall after I’m done.”
She nodded and headed for the barn.
As he watched her walk away, he let hope seep back into his chest. If she wanted to try again, he was going to grab on with both hands and never let go, no matter how freaked out he got by whatever magic he happened to witness.
Five minutes later, after he’d released the mare and washed his hands, he halted in the aisle by Macy’s stall door and rested his arms along the top of the wood.
Summer murmured something to the mare, and the horse responded in animal speak. “She seems to be doing well,” she said. “I’m impressed with her recovery. You know she doesn’t need the cone for balance anymore, right?”
“Yeah, but Chloe insists Macy likes it.” He unlatched the door and shifted to let her out. “She also says Macy misses Eddie’s visits.”
Summer cast a glance over her shoulder at the mare. And damned if the horse didn’t nod her head.
“I have room at the sanctuary for her if you’d like me to take her.”
Coop rubbed Macy’s neck. “You’ll have to ask her. I’d miss her, but whatever is best for her peace of mind works for me.”
“You could visit, too.”
He stopped the action of stroking the long column of the horse’s throat. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I’m sorry.”
Coop faced Summer. The dark circles under her eyes matched the ones he’d seen in the mirror lately. “You’re not the one who should be apologizing, sweetheart.”
“I pushed you into accepting what I am instead of easing you into it, Coop. If I’d have given it any thought at all, I’d have realized it was too much, too soon.”
“I’m not going to lie and say it wasn’t a lot to wrap my head around, but I could’ve, and should’ve, handled it better than I did.” He tugged on a lock of her brilliant blonde hair. “I love you, Summer Thorne. I will until the last breath of air leaves my lungs and until the last thud of my beating heart. Then I’ll spend my time in the afterlife loving you even more.”
With a shaking hand, he thumbed away the solitary tear from her petal-soft cheek.
“I love you too, Coop. Until the last breath of air leaves my lungs and until the last thud of my beating heart.”
“Sounds like you two just exchanged wedding vows,” a wry voice inserted.
Coop hung his head. “Christ, Knox. Ya think your timing could be a little better?”
“It’s better than catching you in the middle of doing the dirty, isn’t it?”
Summer laughed and threw herself into Coop’s arms.
He hugged her tight and whispered, “I’d never admit it to him, but yeah, it sounds like we just committed to each other. You in?”
“I’m in,” she confirmed.
“You may kiss the bride,” Knox quipped.
“I’m going to kill him,” Coop told her while he attempted to ignore his smirking cousin.
She bit the corner of her lip. “I don’t know. I think he has a good idea. You should totally kiss me.”
“Sweetheart, when I start, I don’t intend to stop. I don’t want an audience for that.”
Pink stained her cheeks. He laughed and bussed her brow.
Without releasing her, he looked at Knox. “What’s up, man? Was it something important, or are you just here to bust my balls?”
“Can’t it be both?”
Coop raised a brow.
“River’s Run is selling off stock. I want to go check out a few of their stallions as possible additions to our herd. You cool with that?”
“Of course. What do Keaton and Zane think?”
“They’re on board.”
“When do you leave?”
“There’s a flight out to Colorado this afternoon,” Knox informed him. “I’d like to be on it.”
“Okay. When you get back, there are a few things we need to discuss,” Coop said. He drew back and glanced down at Summer. “Family matters.”
“It might be a few weeks. My mom isn’t faring well. I got the call last night.”
“Anything we can do?” he asked, concerned because Knox hadn’t spoken to or about his mother in years.
“I’ll let you know if there is.” Knox stepped forward and held his arms out to Summer. She went into his embrace.
Coop experienced a flare of jealousy and possessiveness.
“Congrats, beautiful,” Knox said softly. “I wish you both a long and happy life together.” To Coop, he said, “Take care of her, or I’ll kick your ass.”
They shook hands, and Coop couldn’t help feeling he was sealing a deal. “I intend to.”
After Knox left the barn, Coop gathered her close. “I thought he’d never leave.”
She giggled and lifted her face for his kiss.
Later, as they were in bed, Summer broached the subject she’d had with her sisters a few days before.
Coop stilled. He hated the suspicion that clouded his mind, but he had to ask. “Did you come here to gain my help for the stone?”
Her body tensed against his side.
He sat up and turned his back to her. “God, I’m so stupid.”
“No, Coop. I mean, yes, I would like your input. But no, I’m here for me.”
He didn’t dare hope she spoke the truth.
As if she read his mind, she said in a low voice, “I love you, Cooper Carlyle. It’s no secret that I always have. I think by now you know me. Know who I am deep inside.” She paused, and he glanced over his shoulder.
She knelt in the middle of his bed, naked with arms spread wide. “You know what you see is what you get. I don’t know how to be anything but myself.”
“Why now? Am I to believe you’ve suddenly had a change of heart?”
“That’s exactly what I expect you to believe because it’s true.” She dropped her arms. “Three days ago, as I sat around the table with my sisters, I was of the mind that you and I were done. But the more I thought about it, the more I remembered how happy we were for the brief time we were together, the more I realized how stubborn I was being.”
Summer inched forward and wrapped her arms around him from behind, her forehead pressed against his spine. “You came to me first. You apologized and were willing to try again. How could I ignore that?”
He felt the movement as she slowly shook her head.
“I sent you away because I was afraid, Coop. You have the ability to wound me like no one else. What does it say about me that all you have to do is smile my way and I’m willing to forgive you anything?” she asked on a whisper.
Coop twisted and tugged her into his lap. “I’m sorry,” he said raggedly. “I don’t know how to say it enough.”
“You don’t have to. You’ve said it, and I know you mean it. Please know I mean it, too.”
“You’re not the only one afraid to trust. You’ve never given me a reason to doubt you, but I think I’m jaded after all these years in law enforcement.”
She cupped his jaw. “Despite how much I love my new home, there’s one thing missing… you.”
He closed his eyes. “My job and my stables are here.”
When the silence went on too long, he opened his eyes.
She wasn’t upset. In fact, she appeared downright mischievous with her glowing sky-blue eyes.
“Well, Sheriff, it’s a good thing I can move between places in the blink of an eye. During the day, I’ll work at my practice, alternating it with the sanctuary. If you’ll have me, I’ll spend nights here with you. No different than any normal person’s evening commute.”
“If I’ll have you? Oh, sweetheart, I’ll have you any damned way I can get you,” he said with feeling.
“That’s what I was hoping,” she laughed.
“Okay, let’s figure out what to do about this damned stone.”
29
Alastair arrived at the Thorne estate two mornings later. Summer and her sisters were on hand to meet him at the agreed upon time they’
d set the night before.
“This looks like it could result in a lynching based on your dire expressions,” he said dryly. He appeared unconcerned either way.
“My sisters have agreed to help me search for the Chintamani Stone. But I need to see Mother first.”
Holly stepped forward and clasped her hand. “We need to see Mother first.”
Alastair ran his impassive gaze over the group and settled on their joined hands.
“Aurora stays with me.” His tone brooked no argument.
“We don’t intend to remove her from your care.” If Summer was sure of one thing, it was his love for her mother. “But I’m not going into this blindly, Alastair. I still don’t trust you completely.”
His expression hardened, and he nodded. “I know I rank last in this little family unit, child. But I do have your mother’s best interests at heart.”
“That’s good enough for me. As long as she comes first, I’m cool with helping you.” She looked to her sisters for their agreement.
Winnie and Spring nodded, but Autumn crossed her arms under her breasts and raised one perfectly arched auburn brow. She always was the more difficult sell of all Summer’s sisters. Ignoring her, Summer faced Holly. “You ready for this?”
“Yep.”
As one they turned toward Alastair. “We’re ready.”
“Hold on tight.”
Before he touched them, Autumn stepped forward. “Hurt either one of them, Uncle, and I’ll have your guts for garters.”
Amusement twisted his lips. “You’ve been around my sister too long. You’ve developed her mannerisms.” The mocking smile disappeared. “It’s not always a good thing to emulate GiGi. Ask her why her beloved husband took off for the hills. You might find she isn’t the saint you believe her to be.”
“Fuck off, you tool. I’ll trust her over you any day,” Autumn snapped.
“Like I said, you’ve been around my sister too long.” He waved Summer and Holly forward. “Come.”
As Alastair clasped her hand, a surge of power pulsed through Summer. She glanced up in surprise, and he winked. Before she could question what she’d experienced, they stood outside what could only be classified as a castle.