The Bridge Over Snake Creek

by Nikki Bolvair

  “He’s down the hall...” I went out the door. “Hannah, he hasn’t woken up yet!”

  “Betcha you're wrong!” I called back, hurriedly glancing in each rectangle window in the middle of the doors until I found his. My enthusiasm dropped when I saw him still on the bed, laying on his side with his back toward me. I pressed my hand to the window. He should’ve woken up.

  I grabbed the doorknob and twisted it, willing the sound to wake him from his sleep. The door creaked as I slid it open; I left it ajar as I made my way to him. I paused, my heart leaping as his feet moved. “Dad?”

  He rolled over, his IV cord twisted on his arm. Eyes blurry, he called my name, “Hannah?”

  I rushed to him, tears stinging my eyes, and hugged his side as I crumpled to my knees. I was so relieved. He was going to be okay. “I missed you, Dad.”

  ***

  After looking both of us over, Dr. Churchill released us, still stunned by the results of my blood test. I was clean and cured. But when I say he released us, I meant to his home, not ours. We were both still new to the Lydent world, and they didn’t want to leave us alone. My dad was taking it all in pretty easily, and it made me wonder about the talent he would have received.

  June was waiting, along with my guys, when the good doctor shimmed us to his home. It was a big homecoming. The first guy to reach my arms was Win.

  His bulky frame wrapped me up and held on tight; his own unique scent of fresh cut grass comforted me as I curled my arms around him. My chest heaved with unknown pressure. Win always made me cry. I was emotionally safe with him. With him as my strength, I broke. Masculine tang, cinnamon, earthly home, and peppermint scents surrounded me. A comforting hand smoothed my hair. Fingers traced along my own, which clutched at Win’s back until I let go and felt the coolness of Snowden’s rings as I grabbed hold of him. Lips kissed my forehead with a healing touch. And then finally the words from Jamison, “Let me have her.”

  I was transferred into his arms and didn’t hold back; I took his head in my hands and kissed the shit out of him.

  “Ah, maybe we should keep this PG guys?” my dad voiced. “That is my daughter.”

  I pulled away from Jamison and laughed. Wiping away my tears, I turned toward my dad. He sported bright, happy eyes and a grin. He looked good. Healthy. I cleared my throat. “Dad, I’d like you to meet my bondmates. Jamison Hooks. Winter and Snowden Churchill.” They waved, not leaving my side. “And-”

  Quinn stepped up and shook his hand. “Quinn Abbott, sir.” I shared a glance with him. He gave me a wink.

  Drex shook his hand next. “Tarragon Drex, sir, but you can call me Drex.”

  Dad pointed to the twins and raised a brow at Dr. Churchill. “Yours?”

  “Unfortunately,” the Doc teased. “But they’re all good boys.”

  Deb stepped in from the archway that led to the kitchen. “Dinner’s ready.” Then she noticed me. “Hannah!”

  She rushed over, and Jamison reluctantly pulled away, letting her hug me. When Deb’s arms closed in on me, panic surged. I wanted Jamison back. To check him over once more. To reassure myself that he wasn’t going anywhere. “Oh, honey, you’ve had a terrible experience.” Deb took a small step back from me, still holding onto my forearms as she looked toward her husband. “Can you and Ben start dinner while I get Hannah and her father settled?” She glanced to the guys. “You boys help too? Except you, Jamison.” Her gaze roamed over him and she frowned. “You and Hannah need showers.”

  Snowden stepped forward a half second before his brother could, sporting a grim expression. He put a hand on Jamison’s shoulder. “I got him, Mom.”

  Win, realizing he wasn’t needed, stepped back and glanced toward his mom. “The rest of us have dinner.”

  She nodded and I gently pulled my arms from her grasp.

  I cleared my throat, trying to ease the tension. “I could use a shower now. I’m kinda... unclean.”

  “Of course, dear,” Deb exclaimed, putting her arm back around me, turning us around. “Let me get to your room and then I’ll grab you a towel,” she offered, guiding me down the hallway.

  “I have Rex,” June called out, but Deb just waved.

  Deb made a left turn and took me to a room that I had been in before, Win’s bedroom. “We don’t have much space, but Win offered up his room. He’ll be bunking with Snowden in his.” She gave me a squeeze and let go. “I’ll go grab you a towel and some clothes that you can change into after your shower.”

  My gaze caught her tender one before she moved to the bedroom door, and I gave her a humble smile. “Thanks... for everything.”

  Her smile grew, and before she left she answered, “Anytime.”

  The moment the door closed, Snowden shimmed in as if he’d been waiting for it. He didn’t waste any time and tugged me into his embrace. “You okay?” His voice was deep, full of something I couldn’t quite pinpoint. Anguish would be closest.

  Once again, my arms wrapped around his bulky frame. his body was firm against mine. My head rested on his chest, just under his chin. I felt the heat of his palm caressing my back, pressing firmly, so that my body fit tightly against his. I was acutely aware of the effects of his proximity on my body. “I'm fine,” I finally answered, but he knew better.

  He whispered, so low that I almost missed it except his voice rose at the end. “You shouldn’t be, not with all that shit that just happened.” His slightly bristled cheek rubbed along my forehead as his posture relaxed and his voice wavered. “We shimmed in and I saw red. You tied to a chair, pale as fuck. I thought you were already gone. Hooks over you, so much blood, and Jamison not moving. Then that piece of shit was trying to get to you and you went to him.” My chest caught at his words. “You, going in there, raging on him like that, fuckin’ beautiful. But I will ground you if you ever do that again. I mean it.” His hand moved downward to the rise of my pj pants, staking claim.

  “Intense,” I muttered. He didn’t say anything. Didn’t deny it. But what he did do was turn his head until our mouths met.

  Emotions raw and on edge, Snowden pushed his desperation, his insecurities aside and let himself lose control. His lips were hungry, demanding, expressing his anguish and fear.

  I gave it back, gripping his shirt, letting his tongue tangle with mine. His lips took what he wanted. He had us moving, twisting me around until the back of my knees hit the bed, and we tumbled onto the soft sheets together.

  He wrenched his lips away, breathing hard. “Babe, we have to stop.” His head bent down. His green eyes were vibrant with arousal. “You’re” - his adam's apple dipped as he swallowed - “new at this.”

  Catching my breath, my fingers curled into his shirt and my gaze narrowed. “How do you even know that? Nevermind. You’re right.” I tightened my grip and then said what I was feeling, my gaze never wavering from his own brilliant green gems, “I was kidnapped, Snowden.” His body tightened; his jaw clenched. “Tied to a chair. And had to watch two people I care for deeply die. I almost died, too. So listen here, warrior, you getting it now?”

  He flexed his jaw as his body tried to relax; I’m sure his mind was racing, trying to figure out what to say. Finally, his forehead rested against mine and he smoothed his hands down my arms. Eyes intense, he answered, “Yeah, babe. I hear you.”

  I sighed. “I need you. All of you.” My voice lowered. “I don’t need a rush, Snowden. I just need all of you in the same place with me. Please?”

  He edged back from me, nodding. “Take that shower. We’ll be here.” He slid his hand up my arm and into my hair, holding on. “But you already had us, Hannah. We’ll do whatever you want.” He leaned in as I closed my eyes and kissed my forehead. “I love you.” The pitter-patter of my heart stuttered. He didn’t give me a chance to say it back as his presence melted away. Opening my eyes, I was once again alone.

  I wasn’t alone for long, though; Deb came back with a change of clothes and towel. From there, she showed me the bathroom and left so I co
uld do my thing. I went through the motions of starting the water and stripping to take a shower, feeling let down. I stepped into the shower, second guessing myself. Conflicting emotions filled me as I cleaned up.

  ***

  It was a little past midnight when I woke up on the couch after having dinner. Win had given up his room for me, but I didn’t want to be apart from any of my guys. So, we set up camp in the living room.

  During dinner, my gaze had slid to my dad and noticed he looked healthier sitting at the table next to June, but his brow had furrowed when his attention landed on me. I wasn't sure how he was coping, being a new Lydent, or even what his Lydent talents were. I shuddered at the thought of him having the talent of telepathy. If Lydents even had that type of talent.

  Now, laying down on the couch halfway through the night, I hoped my thoughts wouldn’t come true. I glanced around the room once again seeing all of my guys snoring down on the floor. I wondered what had woken me. Maybe it was the thought that soon, in the next few hours, we would all gather up on the hill that Snowden had taken me to and let my mom’s spirit go.

  This also got me thinking about Hooks. When I had mentioned it to Patrick, he had said that Hooks’ Lydent light was still around and would linger even after his spirit form left. He didn't have relatives to pass his light on to. I asked if he could just leave it in an object, like my mother did. He was unsure if there could be a large enough object to hold a light such as Hooks’, seeing as it was so old and powerful.

  Thinking back, I had seen Hooks in the in-between, and if I’d seen him there, did that mean his light had found a place to rest until some unexpecting soul was worthy enough to accept it?

  I twisted on the couch and watched all five chests rising and falling steadily in the dark. I shivered. I felt alone. Would it be wrong of me to slide in with one of them? To be held? I pushed the blankets off my body and sat up, swinging my feet to the floor. I stood up and adjusted the shirt and flimsy shorts I had borrowed from one of the guys then made my way to Win, who was furthest away, and crouched down. I was debating how to wake him when he spoke in a low, rough whisper, “Are you going to crawl in or are you still deciding?” He lifted his blanket in a clear invitation.

  Relieved, I slipped in, not saying a word, as I faced away from him. He drew the blanket around us, his arm curling around my waist to draw me back into the warmth of his body. My head rested on a small corner of his pillow, his taking up most of it, as we both lay on our sides. I sighed. “Thank you.”

  In one sweep, his nose nudged away the hair on my neck before his lips met the curve of my shoulder in a kiss. “Shh, Flirt, go to sleep.”

  I should have thought about this before I decided to seek out one of my sexy guys for warmth, because the floor was not comfy. How did they sleep on it? I felt bad. They should have slept in their comfortable beds. Forget that, I should be in a bed. We should be in a bed.

  I twisted around, earning a groan from Win. Now facing him, his palm rested on the rise of my hip. “Flirt,” he muttered, eyes still closed. “I’m no saint. If you don’t keep still, I won’t be responsible for what happens next.”

  I froze. Then carefully asked, “Does it involve a bed?” His eyes popped open, but in the dark with only a hall light providing a dim glow, I wasn’t able to gauge his reaction. Someone snorted with amusement; I wasn’t sure who, but it wasn’t us.

  Win grunted. “Hannah.”

  “Win, this floor sucks,” I whined as his chest started to vibrate. “I need to know what my stakes are. If it involves a bed, I’m game. If not, I’m willing to take you back to that lumpy couch as an alternative.”

  “Give her to me; I’ll take her to bed,” Snowden cajoled, his husky voice thick with sleep.

  Win’s arm tightened around me. “We’re good.”

  Jamison lifted onto his elbow and tossed a pillow at Snowden. “Shut up,” he grumbled, dropping back down to his now pillow-less covers.

  “But the floor does suck,” I reasoned. “Can’t we all just... find a bed? What time is it anyway?” Win lifted his wrist, his other arm curving around my head as he pressed a button on his watch to illuminate the time. It was minutes from being two am. “It’s almost two, guys. First one to shim me to a bed will get a-” I hadn’t even finished before I found myself in a soft bed.

  “Better?” Win asked.

  Then another body dropped in next to us.

  “You two need a chaperone,” Snowden grumbled, scooting up to me. “What do we get?”

  Chuckling, I curved my arm around his waist, much like Win was doing to me and teased, “I think your reasoning is pointless.”

  “Totally,” Win agreed, nodding against the back of my head.

  Snowden leaned in briefly to kiss my lips before settling back down. “Don’t care; that’s my reasoning and I’m fuckin’ stickin’ to it. And you’re deflecting. What do we get?”

  “Um, a kiss?”

  Snowden chuckled as he leaned in for another. “I’m collecting.”

  Win tightened his hold on me. “Whatever.”

  My cheeks bunched up and I...giggled? Like a little school girl. Totally not me.

  Snowden cradled the side of my head, brought my mouth to his and gave me a lingering kiss. “I think there’s overdue interest too,” he murmured, closing in for more.

  I chuckled again. Win reached up and covered my mouth before his brother could get there, muffling my snickers. “Quit it. You suck as a chaperone. Do you want our parents to come in here? ”

  Snowden paused then grumbled as he lay back once again. “And go back to that fuckin’ lumpy couch or hard floor? No.”

  “Didn’t think so.” Win moved his hand, trailing his fingertips across my lips before completely pulling away. “Go to sleep, Flirt.”

  Sighing, I closed my eyes and slept.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  When morning came, Quinn led me to the kitchen where everyone was eating breakfast. Kids -Churchill kids - were all over the place, grabbing whatever they could. Gallons of orange juice lined the table, and paper plates were shoved across the large table as the older siblings tried to keep up with the little ones. My guys were included in that. Win had a kid on his hip. Snowden had a kid on his leg and his hands filled up plates as fast as he could while a basket floated up in the air, rocking back and forth. Where he moved, the basket followed. Jamison was cooking alongside Deb and her husband, Able. Drex had a toddler in a high chair, trying to win him over with a piece of jelly toast, while Ben Churchill was getting the others settled into chairs. Even my dad and June were helping.

  Me? I was a little overwhelmed. It hadn't been like this last night, but then again, for all I knew, the Churchill's had kept a magical sound barrier on the rooms they had sent their young into last night. Quinn laid a hand on my back and I stepped in to help. Using my speed, I grabbed the orange juice and refilled cups, added more pancakes with butter and cut them into squares for some kiddos, cleared away plates from those who had finished, and finally sat down when all the chaos had dispersed, next to Jamison with my dad on the other side.

  I looked around to everyone, worn the hell out, and declared to my guys how many kids we could have. “You can each have one, but no more than that.” Everyone chuckled, relieving the tension that had built up from a morning being off kilter. "So what's the plan for today? Are we still doing my mom's spirit thing?"

  I eyed Deb for the answer while she held the baby that had been in the floating basket before everything settled down. “Yes-”

  “But we need to prepare for it,” Dr. Churchill finished answering.

  Then Ben piped in, “We should be ready as long as I get to Officer Drex about clearing the area so we won’t have any passersby. The Abbotts, Luxtons and Curringtons have dinner planned. Councilman Patrick along with his daughter, Carly, and her husband will be setting up with the others.” He looked to his wife. “You have the memories to place in the wild flowers. Do you need help with that?”

>   Deb rolled her eyes at her husband. “I had it ready to go the day before...” Her mouth clamped closed, her gaze shooting to mine and the others. “Sorry.”

  Jamison, who was sitting on my other side, took a hold of my hand and gave it a quick squeeze. My heart ached. He was practically raised by Hooks; he needed comforting, not me. I squeezed back, tilting my head to catch a glimpse of him. His eyes were focused forward, his jaw clenched. He wasn’t taking it as well as I had previously thought. I turned back to the group, who was still discussing this evening’s events, biting my lip. Did I even tell Jamison about seeing Hooks in the in-between world? Guilt fell heavy on my shoulders. I hadn’t. I needed to do that.

  Quinn, who was on the other side of me, put a palm on the middle of my back and leaned in to whisper,“You okay?” I gave a quick shake of my head. No, I wasn’t and neither was Jamison. He gave me a nudge, signaling me that he wanted me to go with him. “Come with me.”

  I stayed put, clinging to the hand I held, and shook my head once again.

  “Stubborn,” he muttered, folding his arms but letting me be. I really needed to learn to shim.

  My lips pursed at his comment, my gaze swinging to my dad. He had his arm around June, whose avid attention was on the conversation about tonight. My dad’s attention was on me. And he did not seem happy.

  A phone jingled, causing everyone to stall in silence and wait while Jamison moved his hand from mine to pull the phone out of his pocket and answer.

  “Yeah?” He sound reserved. Like he was waiting for the next shoe to drop. He nodded, listening to whoever was on the other line. We all watched closely. “Yeah, I can do that. Give me five and I’ll shim that way. Uh-huh, I will.” He hung up and turned to me, leaning in to whisper that he was going to meet up with Carly and her guys, but he’d be back for tonight.

  He went to kiss my cheek, which I knew he did for the parents’ benefit, but I wanted more. He started to pull away, but I quickly leaned in and pressed my lips to his. “Come back to me soon.”