"Yes. We're not talking about just a friendly encounter here. She wants to move in and have little cubs. I'm not ready for that with any female and I certainly don't feel that way about her."
"All right, fair enough. But you seriously need to consider romping with someone, because what just happened in there," Dinah gestured toward the secured room with her thumb. "As justified as it was and as much as the little prick had it coming, it's not like you to lose control like that."
Jamison released a frustrated breath. "I know. It's just all I can do to deal with him sometimes. I can't believe the elders assigned him to this, and then he has the nerve to talk about Hank like that in front of me?"
Dinah nodded. "One of the things I've always admired about you, Jamison, is your unwavering loyalty."
"But?"
"But, Dalton's not all that wrong about Hank. He is past his prime and you're next in line."
"So, what?" Jamison asked in outrage. "You think someone should just take him into the forest and put him out of his misery?"
"Don't be ridiculous. I think he should have the grace to step down, that's all. Also, the Council assigned Dalton to this because as much as he is an ass, he's also a good hunter."
"Since when did you become a fan of Aaron Dalton? Wait a minute." Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "I saw the way he looked at you earlier. Don't tell me that you and him...?"
Dinah actually paled at the thought. "Ugh! Don't be absurd. I couldn't be less interested. I just recognize a good resource when I see one. Besides, I have my eye on someone else at the moment."
"Oh, really?" Jamison grinned. "Does this someone have a name?"
"Of course she has a name..."
"She?"
"You make it sound like I've never been interested in the female form."
"Please, Dinah, don't even try to sound indignant. No one cares about who you're fooling around with, but you do have to admit that you usually go for males. You know... if you're ever going to stop playing the field and settle down you should consider a female. Males have no interest in cub rearing."
"You're getting way ahead of yourself, Jami. I have no interest in cub rearing."
Jamison nodded. "So what's so special about this female who's caught your eye?"
Dinah flushed and Jamison was even more interested in the answer, but Dinah simply changed the subject. "Hey, did you hear that Christine Mafdet's great niece has moved into the old manor?"
"What? When?" Jamison forgot all about love connections. "How did you hear that?"
"Apparently she stopped at Fogerty's last week for a few groceries and mentioned it to Denny."
"Denny? The checkout boy?"
Dinah shrugged. "He rang her up."
"What did she look like?"
"I'm not sure." Dinah frowned. "Blonde, a little on the tall side? Denny said she seemed nice enough. He did say he got the impression that she wasn't one of us."
"If she's related to Chris she'd have to be, wouldn't she?"
"Her mother married a human. That would make the great niece only half and she might not even have the ability to change."
"Her mother," Jamison said. "That woman had no honor. Her aunt raised her as her own child and the Mafdet bloodline was pure until she had the nerve to muddy it by marrying an ordinary man."
"Does it matter? The Great Mother knows there are plenty of humans living in and around Harmon. What's one more?"
Jamison thought of the blonde, blue-eyed stranger she'd met earlier and suddenly had a sneaking suspicion about her identity. Still, Dinah had a point and the Panthera certainly shouldn't care if the woman she'd met on the highway was a human. It wasn't any of her business except for one thing.
"It depends on what Christine told her."
It was Dinah's turn to look shocked. "You think she'd tell this girl about the Panthera if she wasn't like us?"
"I think it's a little too coincidental. First, someone or something is making kills with the potential to expose our community and then Chris Mafdet's niece shows up with a truck-load of camera equipment."
"What are you talking about?"
"On the way here I saw a woman near Mafdet Manor changing a tire on the side of the road. She fit your general description, and the truck was loaded with photography gear. She wouldn't tell me her name and didn't seem to appreciate me asking questions."
"That's probably because you were being your usual charming self," Dinah said dryly. "Seriously, that's a pretty big leap, isn't it? You see some stranger on the road who happens to have a camera along and you just assume she's in league with whatever attacked that Beltie? You might as well accuse the entire tourist population because I'm sure they all have cameras."
Jamison grinned sheepishly. "You're probably right. I'm seeing conspiracies everywhere. But I'm still going to check out the newest resident of Mafdet Manor."
"Of course, you wouldn't be doing your job if you didn't."
"Do you mind letting Mother know what happened with the bull? She and the other Council members can decide how to contact the Felidae." Jamison mentally crossed her fingers that Dinah would agree. She had enough going on and if she spoke with her mother, the woman would insist on lunch and the day would be gone before she knew it.
"What? And just ask Chiesel if his pride is trying to get us all killed?"
"Not his pride, maybe just one rogue lion."
"And what are you planning to do in the meantime?"
"I'm going to have lunch and then welcome our newest member of the community," Jamison said as though it should be obvious.
Dinah wasn't so willing to let her out of her familial obligations. "Why don't you come with me? Mom's working pediatrics today and I'm sure she'd love to see you. You're already here."
Jamison started walking backward across the parking lot, attempting to end the conversation and escape as quickly as possible. "I can't think of anything I'd rather do, but I'm starving. Gotta go."
"Chicken."
Jamison laughed as she got into the Rover. She loved her mother, but Darlene Kessler could be kind of intense. She was a great medical doctor but would jump at the chance to grill her eldest about her non-existent love life. The last thing she needed was her mother playing shrink on the heels of Dinah trying to set her up with Laura Paul.
Chapter Five
THERE WAS A storm coming. Lee could smell it on the wind. The temperature had fallen at least ten degrees from the mid-seventies she'd enjoyed that morning. Deep, threatening thunderclouds roiled overhead, promising a great blow before it was over. It was only four in the afternoon, but with the sun obscured and the tempest pending, the day had the feel of early evening.
As a wildlife photographer who had traveled all over the world, she understood exactly how cold it could get in the mountains in a relatively short period of time. For that reason, she stood at the rear of Mafdet Manor wielding an ax like a lady Paul Bunyan, splitting her own wood.
Lee placed a short piece of timber upright on the chopping block and pushed her shirtsleeves further up her arms. In deference to the dropping temperatures, she'd donned a blue-checked flannel shirt, but she wore it more like a jacket. It was unbuttoned and she had a black tank top underneath.
Her flesh glistened with perspiration and a steady trickle slid down one side of her face. Lee's blonde hair was wet at the edges of her hairline, rendering it a dark brown and unknowingly setting off her fine chiseled features. Her muscles rippled as she held the tool in a two-handed grip and swung it up over her head. She didn't notice how the tank rode up to expose her midriff to the cooling breeze. Rather, she concentrated on how it felt to wield the ax. At the apex of the swing, Lee grunted slightly and reversed direction. The head of the implement glinted in the waning light and flew back along its axis. In one strike, the log split neatly in two and the head of the ax bit deeply into the chopping block.
Without pause, she pushed the pieces aside and replaced them with yet another short stump. Her body moved clean
ly through the motions as she added to the growing pile of firewood, but her thoughts were elsewhere. Intense green eyes and coal-black hair swirled through the images in her head. She'd only seen Jamison Kessler for a few minutes on the highway, but thoughts of the woman refused to leave her alone.
Jamison probably wasn't even aware of the raw animal sexuality she radiated, but Lee had noticed. She'd already pictured how to photograph her, the technical settings, the lighting. She shivered and envisioned the woman wearing something more revealing than a park ranger's uniform; perhaps cutoff jeans, ragged around the thighs, and a white tank fully displaying those powerful arms that the duty attire attempted to conceal. Tanned flesh from so many hours in the sun would be set off like bronze against the snowy color of the shirt. Lee saw strong, alabaster teeth flash as Jamison smiled up at her and toward the camera. The concept was so real that she actually gasped from the reaction that flashed through her stomach.
How would she look chopping this wood? Lee suddenly wondered.
Muscles would flex, shifting over bone and sinew with the movements. Sweat would form on Jamison's brow and bead on her skin, a rivulet trailing down between her breasts...
Cleo unexpectedly rushed from where she'd been standing next to the tree line, barking furiously. Lee jumped and barely managed to keep from slicing her leg with the ax. "Oh, God! Cleo, you scared the shit out of me."
Lee stood for a second catching her breath and willing her heart to stop hammering. She was confused and without question, aroused. She could feel the dampness at her center when she shifted.
What the hell is wrong with me? I'm daydreaming about a woman who couldn't possibly be interested in me, and I shouldn't be interested in her either. Didn't I learn anything from Debbie?
On the heels of that thought, another woman invaded her mental landscape. Her own mother. It's only natural, she'd have informed Lee in her clinically detached way. It's all right to be attracted to someone and even to act on that desire. Just don't delude yourself into thinking it will last forever. Enjoy it and move on.
"Right." At least Cleo had stopped barking.
Lee swung the ax again, cleaving the log neatly in two.
"You're good at that."
Lee spun around in surprise and froze at the unexpected sight before her. Jamison Kessler knelt not quite five feet away with her hand extended toward Cleo. The beagle was stretched toward the stranger as far as her doggie body would go so she could sniff the outstretched fingers. Normally, Cleo would be all over someone new, taking full advantage of being adored for the wonderful creature she knew herself to be. Instead, she seemed wary, not quite sure of what to make of this woman. But Lee couldn't tear her eyes away from twin pools of forest green. Her heart pounded and her tongue cleaved to the roof of her mouth. Jamison's lips parted and dimples creased her cheeks and Lee was lost.
She was aware she was staring, but couldn't tear her gaze away from the smile she'd been daydreaming about moments before. For a thoughtless eternity, she mapped the beautiful face, only noticing now a thin band of tan around the inside of Jamison's green irises. The color of aged whiskey.
The mesmerizing smile faded and a frown grew between dark eyebrows before Lee realized her visitor had asked a question.
"Are you okay?"
"What?" Lee released one hand from the ax and pushed her bangs back from her forehead. "Yeah, of course. I didn't hear you drive up."
Jamison stood and gestured to the woodpile. "It takes skill to split wood like that."
Lee grinned and released her pent up breath. "You should have seen me a few minutes ago. The ax looked more like an out-ofcontrol weed-eater."
Jamison laughed with her and the tension evaporated.
"Are you going to tell me you ran my license plate earlier so you could track me down? I told you I didn't steal all that equipment." Lee made the comments in a lighthearted effort to break the ice, but was surprised when Jamison flushed slightly.
"No, I wasn't trying to track you down. At least, not for that. I heard a rumor that Mafdet Manor had a new resident and I wanted to come by and welcome you to the neighborhood."
"Well, thank you, although it's not much of a neighborhood. I don't think there's another house around for miles." Lee realized she'd been staring at Jamison the whole time. She set the ax against the side of the house and picked up some wood.
"Here, let me help you with that."
Lee was taken aback when Jamison suddenly invaded her personal space and bent down next to her. She leaned over to pick up a few logs, giving Lee an unobstructed view down her shirt at firm, rounded breasts unrestrained by a bra. When she lifted her head, her face was less than three inches away. Lee's eyes widened slightly and she held her breath. Her hands began to shake and one of the logs slipped from her grasp. She must have made some sound, an inarticulate signal of panic.
"Is something wrong?"
Lee couldn't speak. Her tongue refused to cooperate. She shook her head and stood to move toward the front of the house, aware that Jamison was only a few steps behind.
Jamison kept talking as if nothing unusual had happened. She didn't seem to notice that Lee was shivering uncontrollably and desperately trying to rally her shattered senses. Grateful that the other woman was behind her, Lee closed her eyes for a second and took a deep, calming breath.
"As far as neighbors go, I guess I'm your closest, Miss Mafdet. I live a few miles east of here if you cut directly through the woods."
Lee walked up the front steps and glanced at the jungle cat statues guarding her home. She fumbled with the knob of the heavy door and started across the entrance. She led the way into the library just off the foyer. Lee had been planning to build the fire in the first floor guest room, but this one would have to do for now. She'd just carry a few logs around to the room she'd made her own later. The library and the guest room shared a chimney and in times past would have helped to heat the home.
"Over by Meacham Lake?" Lee asked, thankful that her brain seemed to be functioning once again.
"Yes. You know the area?"
She shook her head. "I've been studying some of the park maps. I'm a photographer, as I'm sure you've probably already guessed. I used to come up here when I was younger, but it's been so long I don't really remember anything. And it's Grayson, by the way. Lee."
Jamison smiled again. "Lee, then. I've lived here my whole life. Maybe I could show you some of the more beautiful places in the forest."
Lee could tell Jamison had surprised herself by making the offer. She had a feeling the tall, imposing woman wasn't usually so impulsive around a virtual stranger. "That's really nice of you, but I can't ask you to do that."
She wasn't just trying to be polite and let Jamison off the hook. Lee had enough trouble standing here trying to speak coherently. With her hormones raging out of control every time she looked at Jamison, being around her over an extended period of time could be dangerous.
Resolve filled the green eyes. "I insist. Trust me, there are some of the most spectacular places on Earth around here and you won't find them on any map."
In spite of her previous decision, Lee found herself being charmed. Why not spend some time together? Jamison obviously knew this area and maybe she'd even consent to let herself be photographed somewhere along the way.
She smiled and gave in. "All right. You talked me into it."
"Great. Tomorrow's Saturday. Is seven o'clock too early? We could go over to the Madawaska Flow and then up to the top of St. Regis Mountain. There's a fantastic view from up there."
"Sounds interesting and no, it's not too early. When I'm shooting my schedule is all over the map so I can get the lighting I need."
Jamison nodded and they walked toward the front door. Now that they had a plan to meet the following day, Lee was feeling tongue tied again. She didn't quite know what to say, but then remembered something Jamison had told her.
"You said you've lived up here your whole life?" They stepped ont
o the front porch and Lee rested her hand on a chiseled feline head.
"Yes, that's right."
"You must have known my Aunt Chris."
Jamison started slightly and looked into her eyes. Her expression softened and Lee read sadness as well as a deeper emotion. Respect? Love?
Jamison nodded.
"I can barely remember her. What was she like?"
"She was..." Jamison's voice cracked and unexpected tears gathered in her eyes. She averted her head and tried to blink away the moisture.
Without thinking, Lee reached out and took a strong left hand between both of hers. "I'm sorry."
Jamison shook her head and spoke softly, her voice warm fondness. "It's all right. Chris was amazing. She always had time for a stranger and saw the beauty in everything. The people of Harmon were her family, and twice a year she would hold a huge party out here. The whole town was invited. Summer Solstice and Halloween were her two favorite times of the year."
"Summer Solstice? I thought that had to do with some kind of old religious rites." Lee smiled.
Jamison shrugged. "Maybe. I just know she loved celebrating the land...our home."
Goose bumps erupted on Lee's arms and she remembered she was holding the other woman's hand. She let go and stepped back a pace. Something about what Jamison said had struck a chord, but she couldn't quite figure out why.
"Well," Jamison said, "I'd better head out. The storm will be here soon and it looks like it's going to be a good one."
"Right. Thanks again for stopping by."
Lee was aware that her words were abrupt and sounded cold, but being around Jamison had her feeling off-balance. She couldn't stop looking at her, drinking in the darkly gorgeous features and even now she yearned to touch her again. She had to gain some distance.
Jamison's smile faded and she looked deep into Lee's eyes. A quality she couldn't name rested there. It was dark and sensuous and she couldn't look away. "I'll see you in the morning," she said softly.
The husky timbre vibrated along Lee's nerves, resonating long after Jamison had driven away. A few raindrops slapped the porch in front of her and she realized she'd been standing there alone for the last ten minutes.
Under the Midnight Cloak Page 5