by Anna Lowe
She glanced back at the guest house where Luke waited in the shade of the porch. He knew she needed a few moments alone before leaving the ranch. He’d even said as much the day after the fight.
I don’t have to crowd you to love you.
But he was there for her, as he’d been when she needed him most.
I always will be, he said, whispering into her mind.
They were that tuned in to each other. That in sync.
Tina wasn’t kidding when she’d said, “I told you mating was worth it.”
Carly had to agree. That was the crazy thing. Years ago, her mother had fallen head over heels for a man she barely knew — a possessive alpha type, no less — Carly’s dad. And Carly had spent her whole life thinking, Look where that got her. But now she’d gone and fallen head over heels for a man she barely knew — an alpha type, of all things — and it didn’t even hurt. It just felt good.
Really good, her wolf hummed.
“Hey,” Luke murmured, slipping his arms around her.
She turned her head to meet his kiss. “Sneaking up on me again, mister?”
He nuzzled her slowly. “You need more time alone?”
She hugged his arms as her wolf answered. No, thanks. I’ve had quite enough time alone.
“Want to take a little walk?”
She nodded, and they set off slowly, because life didn’t feel like it had to be lived in a rush any more. On the contrary, she wanted to slow down and savor every moment with her man.
She and Luke walked down the open square in the center of the ranch then turned left past the supply shed. All the childhood stories she’d been tempted to share had come tumbling out over the past week — including the one about how she’d crawled after a skunk when she was five — and they’d laughed and laughed. Luke shared his stories, too — funny stories from a long time ago. Warm memories of his childhood, and yes, bad memories, too. It hurt just to hear what he’d been through, but part of the invisible burden on his shoulders seemed to ease after that.
The chip on her shoulder did, too.
“Can you make it from this one to that one?” Luke asked, detouring to the tree stumps Carly used to jump between as a kid.
She perched on one while he stepped up on another, and they hopped along the two parallel lines. When they jumped off at the other end, they both wore ear-to-ear grins.
“Aunty Carly! Aunty Carly!”
“Uncle Luke! Uncle Luke!”
Two kids ran up, bright, happy, and blissfully free of all the baggage of adults. The whole pack had accepted Luke after that day up on the cliffs, even if it would take time for the underlying tension to dissipate. The kids, on the other hand, accepted him as if he’d been family all along.
“Aunty Carly, do you really have to leave today?” Holly asked.
“Yes, sweetie.”
“Can I come visit you and Grandpa at North Ridge?” Tana asked.
Carly exchanged glances with Luke. Her father had been surprisingly positive when she’d called to say she wanted to move to North Ridge with Luke.
“I’m not getting any younger,” her father had grumbled. “Just tell that whippersnapper he’s got to work his way up the ranks like everyone else.”
That, she knew Luke could handle. No problem.
“Of course. You can visit any time,” Carly said.
“Are you going to be the new alpha there?” Tana asked Luke.
“Well… I guess we’ll see,” he said, looping an arm over Carly’s shoulders.
Carly snorted. It was just a matter of time, she knew. Yes, Luke would have to work his way up the ranks as her father had said, but given how he’d won over the wolves of Twin Moon Ranch, Luke would be leading North Ridge pack in no time. Her father was a strong alpha, but he was a grouchy old coot, too, and she’d bet anything the pack was ready for a powerful young alpha like Luke — the kind who actually knew how to smile from time to time.
“You could be like Mommy,” Tana said to her. “Daddy says he’s in charge of the ranch, and Mommy’s in charge of him.”
Carly hid her own grin. Yeah, she had a few ideas about her own role at North Ridge. But she’d have to work her way up, just like Luke.
“I want to be alpha someday,” Tana said earnestly.
Luke tousled her hair. “I bet you will be. I bet you will be.”
Carly had been looking forward to a quiet, good-bye walk across the ranch with Luke, but walking with the girls was fun, too. Luke seemed to enjoy it as much as she did, joking with the kids and admiring all the things they pointed out.
“Oh! See the pretty butterfly?” Holly cried out.
“That’s my favorite pony over there,” Tana said.
“And look at this rock!” Holly exclaimed, handing Luke a pebble. “Isn’t it nice?”
Carly glanced at Luke and knew he was thinking the same thing — that the next generation at North Ridge could grow up in an era of peace and wonder like the kids of Twin Moon Ranch. That fear and suffering at the hands of a corrupt alpha were a permanent part of the past.
He squeezed her hand and smiled at the kids. “That’s a great rock, Holly.”
“You can keep it.”
“I can keep it? Wow. Thanks.” He slipped it in his pocket.
The man was good with kids. Carly looked at him out of the corner of her eye.
Just don’t get any crazy ideas, she told him.
What ideas? he replied far too innocently.
Don’t go thinking I’ll be having kids or anything. Just because I mated doesn’t mean my life has to end.
Maybe not having kids soon, her wolf murmured. But someday…
Yeah, she liked the idea of someday. A lot. Not that she’d admit as much…yet.
Kids? Luke said. Nah. Not sure I’d make a good father.
She stopped abruptly, tugged on his hand, and whispered, “Someday, I’ll prove you wrong.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Promise?”
She nodded firmly, liking the idea more and more. “Promise.”
“What do you promise?” Tana asked.
“Um…that you and Holly can visit us in North Ridge soon.”
“Hooray!” Tana cried.
“Hooray!” Holly echoed. “Can Mommy and Daddy come, too?”
Carly laughed, but Luke laughed even harder, and the sound echoed off the hills.
“Any of you can come any time. You’re all invited.” He pointed down at the ranch. “But right now, I think it’s time for us to get going.”
As they finished the loop, Carly soaked in the views. The patchwork of yards and houses in the central part of the ranch below. The pastures that spread all around, fading gradually into the scrub of the desert. The rocky mesas and the winding dirt road to the highway and the outside world. Home?
Home is where the heart is, Aunt Jean always said.
Carly turned and hugged Luke, murmuring one word. “Home.”
The hug turned into a kiss and the kiss nearly heated her up all over again, but Holly and Tana giggled, reminding her where she was and why.
She cleared her throat and broke away from Luke.
More of that later. I promise, she said. But first things first.
His eyes were so dark, she still couldn’t tell if they were black or brown, but the way they shone, it didn’t matter.
“First things first,” he agreed, taking her hand.
A little crowd had gathered by the time they reached Luke’s truck, ready to say good-bye. Carly hugged everyone a little longer and tighter than she usually did when she left Twin Moon. But when she thought ahead, her heart thumped faster, and part of her wanted to rush out and get started with her new life at North Ridge. Luke still had a few wrongs to right, as well as a pack to lead when the time was right. Carly needed a pack to contribute to, as well — a pack where she wasn’t someone’s kid sister but her own person. Settling down in Colorado would also strengthen Twin Moon pack by cementing a new alliance with North Ridge.
>
It’s perfect, her wolf hummed, more content than it had ever been.
“Promise you’ll visit soon,” Tina said as they said their good-byes.
“Say hi to Dad,” Cody said. “And don’t feel like you have to rush him back here any time soon. We kind of like how peaceful it is.”
Carly play-punched her brother in the arm. Yes, their dad could be a real pain in the neck. As the youngest of the Hawthorne siblings, though, she’d always had an easier relationship with him than the others. So, who knew? Maybe her dad would even stay at North Ridge for a while.
“First things first,” she murmured, as much to herself as to Cody.
“Bye, Carly,” Ty said, gruff as can be — but his hug was a little tighter than usual. And the way he shook hands with Luke made her smile stretch wide.
My mate is something else, her wolf hummed with pride.
That, he was. Luke could fight like the devil, but he’d proven he could humble himself, too. He’d put his life on the line not just for her, but for the entire pack. He’d put his pride on the line, too, and proven himself in every possible way.
“Take care,” Heather said.
“Visit soon,” Lana added.
Just about every member of the pack was there to say good-bye. Everyone but Audrey, who’d been confronted by Ty and Cody shortly after the rogue attack. Carly had never seen either of her brothers that close to exploding with rage. She would have liked to share a piece of her mind with Audrey, too, but it was too late. Audrey, pale and shaking, had driven away right after the meeting and hadn’t been heard from since. Most pack members had breathed a sigh of collective relief.
Which meant Carly’s good-byes could be made without bitterness, just heartfelt emotion as she hugged and kissed one person after another.
“Thanks,” Ty said to Luke. His voice was low, loading the word with sincerity. “Thanks.”
She squeezed Luke’s free hand. Mate. My perfect mate.
“No,” Luke said. “Thank you.”
Both men stood there for a while, stuck for words. Still, the trust and gratitude Ty gave Luke through a simple handshake said more than any words could.
Lana winked at her. Who says communication isn’t Ty’s thing?
“Thanks, everyone,” Carly said, moving things along.
She and Luke were about to get in that beat-up blue Ford of his when a voice called out.
“Wait.”
Everyone turned around, and Carly froze when she saw Kyle hurrying up. Kyle, who had every reason to treat Luke like a mortal enemy.
Carly stiffened, and Luke did, too.
The closer Kyle came, the slower he moved, and he chewed on his bottom lip before grinding to a stop in front of Luke. He dragged a hand through his spiky hair, and with the other, he steadied his son, who was perched on his shoulders.
“Came to say bye,” he said, talking to the ground. Slowly, he raised his gaze to Luke’s face. “Bye and thanks.” He patted his son’s foot as he said it, making it clear what he was thankful for.
Luke didn’t say anything at first, but his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down.
“Like I said,” Luke said a moment later, sounding a little raspy, “I came here to thank you.”
When he and Kyle shook hands, Carly had to hide the sigh building inside her.
Stef, Kyle’s mate, beamed, and when she hugged Luke, Kyle didn’t even growl.
“Thank you so much,” Stef said. “Thank you.”
She looked a lot like the other parents around who hugged their kids tighter and nodded at Luke.
Thank you. Thank you.
Carly could have savored that moment forever, but Luke looked around awkwardly, not quite sure what to do.
“Well, we’d better get going,” she said, tugging him toward the vehicle. “Thanks, everyone.”
Luke let out a long, relieved breath, climbed into the truck, and started it up.
Everyone waved and called their final good-byes as Luke put the Ford in gear and slowly rolled down the driveway.
“Bye-bye!”
“Have a good trip.”
“Visit soon.”
“Don’t drive too fast!”
Carly stuck her head out the window to blow her sister a kiss. Kyle and Stef were hugging, and Heather had a hand on Cody’s shoulder — each woman proud of her man.
Just like Carly, who rested her hand on Luke’s thigh.
She looked up as the truck passed under the ranch gateway. The ranch brand swung overhead, as it did every time she arrived or departed. But this time, the metal glinted in the sun, almost like it was winking at her. Or was that destiny?
She settled into her seat and looked forward, ready for her new life.
“Bet he’s not sad to see me go,” Luke murmured, looking at Kyle in the rearview mirror.
“Nah. Not anymore.”
Luke nodded. “True. He’s a good man.”
She took his hand and kissed it. “Just like you.”
Luke cleared his throat sharply, then tried to joke it off. “Think you can live with that?”
“Oh, believe me, I can.” She tickled his ear. “Good in all the right ways, with just enough bad to keep things interesting.”
He grinned and picked up speed, making the pickup rattle down the dirt road to the highway. Her Triumph was strapped in the back, making a racket. She’d been ready to leave it behind, but Luke insisted she bring it along.
We don’t have to give up every part of the past, he’d said. Besides, you’ll need it to take me for a ride from time to time.
She liked the sound of that. A lot.
“You good?” she asked, catching him glance back.
Luke didn’t answer right away, but when he did, he gripped her hand. “First time in years I’ve left a place and actually felt like I’ll miss it. In fact, it’s the first time since I left North Ridge as a kid.”
She put her hand over his. “Well, then. I guess we’re going to the right place.”
They both looked north, imagining Colorado, and she could sense his heart swell. Hers did, too.
“We sure are,” he murmured. “We sure are, my mate.”
* * *
Thank you for reading Desert Roots! If you enjoyed the story, please leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews are the best way to thank an independent author for a story you’ve loved.
Desert Roots wraps up the main thread of the Twin Moon series, but there are two related stories you won’t want to miss. One is Desert Yule, a heartwarming Christmas story that revisits the couples you’ve grown to know and love. The second is Sasquatch Surprise, a spin-off story that stars Lana Dixon’s sister and Harrison, the sweetest, sexiest Sasquatch ever.
The good news is, your favorite Twin Moon heroes and heroines all make repeat appearances in the BLUE MOON SALOON books, a spin-off series featuring bear and wolf shifters looking for a second chance at life and love. The action, emotion, and passion all kicks off with Damnation, Book 1. Click here for a sneak peek, or order it on Amazon today!
Anna also has an exciting new series for you — ALOHA SHIFTERS: JEWELS OF THE HEART. The stories all take place in Hawaii and feature sexy dragons, irresistible wolves, touchy tigers, and burly bear shifters. Nothing is forbidden to this elite corps of bodyguards and private eyes — except falling in love. It all starts with LURE OF THE DRAGON, Book 1! Click here for a sneak peek, or order it on Amazon today!
You should also make sure you’re signed up for my newsletter so you’ll be the first to hear about new releases, exclusive stories, and great deals. Finally, you can read about the inspiration for Desert Roots in the bonus materials section of my website, so please come and visit today!
Sneak Peek: Damnation
Book 1 in the Blue Moon Saloon series
Jessica Macks is a she-wolf on the run from a band of murderous rogues. When she finds a job at a shifter bar, it seems like a safe haven from her hunted life on the road. But the minute she walks through the s
winging doors of the Blue Moon Saloon and comes face-to-face with the man she once loved, she’s tempted to march right back out. No way, no how is she risking her heart to that infuriating alpha bear again.
Simon Voss thought he lost everything in an ambush months before: his home, his family, his past. His new job at the Blue Moon Saloon is a desperately needed fresh start on life. Then along comes Jessica, the irresistible she-wolf his clan forced him to reject years before. When Simon is obliged to hire Jessica and work side by side with the one woman to ever make his bear go wild, he’s half in heaven, half in hell. He hasn’t forgotten her, and she sure as hell hasn’t forgiven him. Is this just another path to heartbreak or his last chance to claim his destined mate?
Behind the doors of the Blue Moon Saloon, alpha shifters confront their darkest fears and their deepest desires. Read on for the first chapter of Damnation, Book 1.
* * *
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Tina asked.
Jessica forced herself to keep up a steady, confident stride and nodded firmly. “I want to do this.”
I need to do this was more like it, but pride was about the only thing she had left.
Tina glanced at her, but Jessica kept walking down the sidewalk in the dusty western town, pretending not to notice. She was getting to be a champ at pretending lots of things, like the fact she wasn’t shaking inside.
Run! Run away! her inner wolf screamed.
If she hadn’t had her sister, Janna, to think of, Jessica might have done just that — hit the road running and never looked back. Except she’d tried that already, and it hadn’t worked.
Time to stop running, she told her inner wolf.
We don’t know this pack. We don’t know this place, her wolf whined.
“This is going to be great!” Janna smiled. “Is that the saloon?”
Janna wasn’t just putting on a brave face. She actually was excited about what she’d called their lucky break. As if they were lucky to have lost their pack to a band of rogues one awful night six months ago. As if they were lucky to be leapfrogging from one place to another in search of some safe refuge.
Jess shook her head. God, she was getting bitter. Her sister was right. This could be their lucky break. They’d found a pack willing to set them up with work and a place to stay. And not just any pack, but Twin Moon, one of the most powerful packs to emerge in the Southwest in recent years. Tina Hawthorne-Rivera was a leading member of that pack, and she seemed to have a soft spot for wayward shifters in need of a second chance.