Autumn Windsong by Colleen Love
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental. Autumn Windsong COPYRIGHT © 2007 by Colleen Love All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Contact Information:
[email protected] Cover Art by Nicola Martinez The Wild Rose Press PO Box 706 Adams Basin, NY 14410-0706 Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com Publishing History First Faery Rose Edition, 2007 Published in the United States of America
Dedication To my Magic Man.
What people are saying about Colleen Love... So lyrical and magical in feel...your stuff seems to have its own internal magical feel and it sort of pours out over the words and the mood of your pieces. This one is beautiful… ~Denyse Bridger (www.denysebridger.com) Autumn Windsong brought a warmth to my soul, even though the backdrop of Colleen Love’s short story is a frigid, snow-laden land. The inner strength and determination of Alita melds perfectly with Beau’s quiet, sultry arrogance in this tale of soulmates. The fact that Beau’s appearance can shift from his spirit guide, a buck, to human form is interesting, and he always seems to carry around that pride and strength no matter what form he’s in. Autumn Windsong gives us a glimpse as to how fate and destiny can bring together past-life lovers in most unusual and unexpected ways—even if it seems against their will. ~Kelly Wallace, Multi-Published Romance Author (www.kellywallace.com)
Prologue The sun had just dipped below the snow-laden trees. The King of the Forest waited in proud silence on the dark edge of the wooded line. He peered into the pristine whitecovered meadow, waiting. It wasn’t just any meadow, but hers, his predestined mate’s. He held his head high, with his mighty antlers jutting skyward as he waited with endless, solemn patience. When he sang his song of love for her, his warm breath puffed in foggy tendrils from the frigid chill. She came to him as she always did; as if in a dream she floated on his music, unaffected by the cold. Standing on his hind legs, he reached for her. She touched him, sifting the stiff brush of his hair through her fingers. What was a hoof became a large, calloused hand, capable of caring for her in this vast wilderness, yet soft enough to hold and comfort her. His body became manlike, but never entirely losing the appearance of the great buck he was. His face became handsome, features entangled with those of the beast, with large antlers crowning his brow. He would take her, mate her and she would return to her world, leaving a hole that always ached with longing when she departed before the light of day. The Elders told him she was his destiny. It was a love so strong, it drew them into the dream world before they had met. The meeting would happen when the time was right, but until then he would wait.
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Chapter 1 The sound of a single shot echoed and re-echoed through the darkness of the early Alaskan morning. Alita Wickstrom bolted awake, her silky dream shattered as the connection to her soulmate severed with brutal cruelty. She blinked her sleepy eyes a couple of times before they became wide with realization as she listened for a split second to her dogs howl with frenzied fervor. Poachers on her land, and close too! Catapulting herself up, she tore back the blankets, thrust herself into jeans and yanked a wool sweater over her head. With confused trepidation, she pulled on a thick snowsuit, hat, and boots and jammed her gloves in a deep pocket. When her trembling hand was on the door, her eyes fell on the long Winchester rifle standing in the corner. She hated that gun but begrudgingly carried it for protection anyway. She tucked it under her arm and slipped an extra magazine in her pocket as she stumbled out the door, letting it slam, the comfort and safety of her little cabin behind her. She inhaled the pure stinging air, wincing when the subzero temperatures bit into her exposed cheeks as she ran to the kennels. The dogs yipped and yelped with crazy anticipation from the unexpected sound, and on its heels, the excitement of seeing Alita appear so abruptly. They bounded and banged against their kennels on their hind legs, sensing her shaken demeanor and eager to be with her. She laid the gun in the basket of the long wooden sled as she prepared the leads for the dogs. The full Blood Moon lit her way in pale, wan light, as she unlatched the first kennel and took Jezebel out. Jezebel quieted and licked Alita’s hand with a contrasting warm tongue. Alita gave her noble head a soft pat. One by one Alita pulled them out, slipped leather booties on their paws and harnessed them to the towline. The chore was an easy one that came from a lot of experience of harnessing in the darkness, and the dogs 2
Autumn Windsong obediently remained in their positions behind the leaders, Jezebel and Jack, trembling with restrained excitement. “Line out!” Alita called to Jezebel and Jack; they stepped forward and took up the slack on the towline as she added each dog to its position in line until all eight dogs were in position. She shoved her frozen hands into her gloves and jumped onto the runners, barely catching them as the sled moved forward. “Mush!” A turmoil of excitement streaked through her body with every hammer of her heart; adrenaline both warmed and sparked her mind as a thousand scenarios of “what ifs” played through her imagination. It angered her that people would be killing animals on her land, especially without permission. It was something else that nagged at her, though, the fear of the unknown and the feeling of something gone wrong, that forced her to put herself into jeopardy. That coiling gut feeling of instinct gave her the charge to ignore her own physical discomforts and follow the invisible line that drew her forward. The sled bolted forward, hissing on runners, over the vast sparkling white meadow. The dogs plunged and bound over the fresh powder, yelping as they went along. The welltraveled course led to the forest’s edge where the darkness swallowed them in. The dogs knew the trail well and traveled it with ease. She had little to no fear with them; her pack was her loyal protectors. They quieted as the sharp jump of energy began to mellow. Panting dogs and the swish of her runners in the snow were the only sounds. Even the wintering birds and animals lent to the quiet, though it wasn’t yet winter. The morning’s occurrence had left all the creatures frightened and wary of any intruder in their world. Through the lacing canopy of naked branches, pink blushed the dark periwinkle skyline, marking the beginning of the new day. The nervous twist in her belly goaded her forward, past where she usually turned back. She looked for a fallen animal, hoping it wasn’t what her gut told her it was. It was then she spotted a familiar shadow, and her heart sank. The long stretched shadow of a deer’s face, a large rack of antlers, the lean shape of a large buck, tangled in the brush. 3
Colleen Love Alita gave the quiet command to stop them. “Whoa…” Her heart pounded as she sprang from the sled and stumbled through the deep powder before the dogs stopped. There, on the other side of the fallen branches, lay the downed form. With guarded caution, she stepped closer. Her heart pounded fiercely, in fear for the beloved buck of her dreams. But it was not the shadow of a deer; instead, it was a large and unexpected beautiful creature lying motionless in her forest. It was the most beautiful man she had ever seen, caught in the brambles and unconscious. She felt the tension of a familiar connection grip her, as it often had in the web of her dreams, and she knew in her heart it was him. “No!” Alita gasped and plunged through the loose snow to find him, plowing through the dried and brittle brambles to where he lay. Ripping off her gloves, she pushed them into her pockets and fell to her knees. Cradling his face in her hands, she was relieved when a deep groan erupted from his chest. His skin felt warm; she breathed a sigh of relief. He was alive. Her eyes went to the contrasting tufts of white down wafting from a small hole on his shoulder. Her bare fingers found a small patch of slippery wetness; holding them up, she saw the darkened blood on her fingers and staining the feathers and shoulder of his coat. Then her eyes went to the dark embroidered badge that identified him as an Alaskan game warden. Pushing down the rising panic, she unzipped the zipper a small length with trembling fingers and looked beneath. The filtered light was too dim to see anything against the black shirt, but a dark, wet stain was spreading through the stiff uniform fabric. “Can you hear me?” She spoke in an unsteady soft voice by his ear. “Yes.” He groaned again. “Can you tell me what happened?” She fought to keep her voice strong. “No.” He groaned again. She placed her arm under his head. “I need your help, I can’t lift you alone and you can’t stay here. Come on, I need you to sit up.” She wrapped her arm around his broad back as he moved to sit up. “That’s it, now stand and lean on me. My sled is just over there. I have a nice warm cabin not too far away with a nice warm bed and a fire.” She knew she 4
Autumn Windsong was encouraging herself as well as this stranger. She did her best to balance him on her small frame as he leaned heavily on her when he stood. With slow steps, they staggered their way to the sled as the stranger gasped in pain with each step. “I’m sorry, I really hate to move you without getting help for you first, but it’s the best I can do right now. Better to be safe than sorry.” When they made it to the sled, he slid from her grasp into the basket of the sled and was still. Alita tucked his dangling legs in the best she could, then hurried to cover him with the blanket she always kept there. Her pack stood watching the trees, ears pricked forward. Their hair stood on end as a warning growl rumbled low in their throats. Alita’s eyes darted around, scanning for any immediate danger. She felt it around her, pressing in like an ominous cloud of doom. She hurried faster, getting the game warden secured in the basket. Finally done, she pulled her gloves back on and jumped on the sled, glad for the first time that she had the old Winchester with her. “Come! Gee!” The command had the dogs turning around and bolting to the light edge of the forest and into the sparkling snow again. “Mush! Come on, guys! Let’s go!” She felt the little hairs on the back of her neck prickle as the dogs growled while they ran. The edge of light came into view, prodding the dogs to move faster. They lunged to the edge and the forest spat them into the welcome brightness of the meadow. They strained against the unaccustomed extra weight in the loose powder, but home was in their sights, along with their warm kennels and food. The level clearing was faster going and they reached the cabin in record time as the dogs followed their own tracks home. As soon as the sled stopped next to the kennels, they threw themselves onto the snow with tongues lolling. Alita jumped from the runners and went to the ranger again. He was lying too still and much too quiet. No sounds came from him now as she hovered over him, listening, searching for any signs of life still left in him. She rubbed his legs, fearful hypothermia would set in faster than she could help him. “Come on. Wake up!” A groan rewarded her efforts. 5
Colleen Love “That’s it, come on!” She reached for the hand of his uninjured arm and pulled on him until he responded by sitting up slowly. He began to pitch forward in a somersault. Alita leaned all of her weight against him, catching his scent. For a split second, while she balanced him, she recognized his scent, for it had teased her in so many dreams. Struggling hard, she managed to prop him against her and pull him up to standing. They stumbled forward to the cabin and burst inside. There was only a second for Alita to consider where to put him—in her bed.
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Chapter 2 Alita slammed the door behind them with a swift kick as she stumbled in the dim light, guiding the half-conscious man to her bed in the corner of the single-roomed cozy cabin. Sitting him on the edge of her bed, he slumped backward. She grasped him by his coat front before he fell, baring his weight once more. She stood between his thighs, balancing him before she helped him lower onto her bed in a controlled fall. His weight counterbalanced and she felt her feet leave the floor as she slid up onto his torso. Sliding down off of him to the bed, she rebuilt her dying fire with quick and easy steps. He needed warmth, as much warmth as she could conjure from her little wood stove. She didn’t know how long he had been out there, but she knew it didn’t take long for the frigid temperatures to have ill affects. She could not have him being cold at all. “Oh goddess, help me.” She whispered the silent request as she worked with quick and nimble movements to get the fire burning hot. As heat began to infuse the room, she lit the oil lamp by her bed and went back to him. When she opened his down parka, little puffs of white floated from that small hole in the front left breast she had seen earlier, more of it covered in sticky red blood. She tugged on the sleeve of his right arm; on reflex he pulled his hand inside the sleeve and his arm moved free. A low groan rolled from his throat. “I’m sorry about that. I’m trying to be careful.” She rolled him to his unwounded side, freeing his wounded side, and rolled him flat with another low groan. He wore snow pants, which came off with an easy swishing sound, and they were added to the pile on the floor. His trousers followed. Alita crawled up next to him, unbuttoning the damaged uniform shirt. The light through the window over the bed reflected from the small metal badge with his name beneath it onto his left breast. Alita couldn’t help the leap her heart 7
Colleen Love took when she saw the dent in the metal, damaging his identification. She touched the engraved lettering, marred by a deep gouge, with her fingertips as she murmured his name, “Beau Lenno.” His groan shook her back. She unbuttoned and removed his shirt, much the way she had his jacket. His undershirt was a crisp white against earthen flesh where the blood hadn’t stained it crimson. She drew out her scissors and cut the fabric away, exposing his smooth, broad chest. She watched as it rose and fell with each heavy breath. She took in the strong physique and the dark curls that trailed down the concave of his abdomen, disappearing beneath his boxer briefs. His breathing came in short gasps as he shivered with gooseflesh puckering his skin, prodding her to hurry and get him tucked under warm blankets. Alita tore her eyes from him and got a cloth and warm washing water from a bowl atop her wood stove. With smooth and gentle strokes, she cleaned away the blood. Relief flooded through her when she saw there was no puncture wound from the bullet, only a deep gouge from it ricocheting off his badge. But a question was quick to form. “Why are you unconscious?” Her whisper barely made a sound as she put her ear to his chest and listened to the strong heartbeat pounding within it. She applied a large square of white gauze to the wound and took the cloth and water away. When she came back, she tucked him into her bed, still not knowing why he wouldn’t or couldn’t wake up. She studied him for a moment. He seemed to be in a deep slumber, breathing deep and even once she had him tucked under her down comforter. A yip outside reminded her of an unfinished duty to her companions. Still dressed in her warm clothes, she gathered up large bowls of dog food and special treats for their reward and went back out to the towline where her dogs were still waiting. The blinding sun shining on the snow was far from warm. Alita hurried to the kennels and placed each bowl down. One by one, she thanked and petted each dog before releasing it. They charged into their kennels to eat and then curled up on top of their houses for a nap. Alita would close each door after them. It was their custom and today was no 8
Autumn Windsong different. Going back into the house, Alita removed her snow clothes and hung them on the peg by the door to dry. She turned to the kitchen and was greeted by her cat, Sheba. Sheba stamped her impatient feet, kneading the small rug with her claws, lifting it and letting it fall with a subtle slap. Purr-filled meows spoke only of her desire to be fed and her irritation at being kept waiting. “What corner did you escape from?” A seductive love look with the same purring voice spoke back. “Well, you’ll have to wait for a moment. I have to get my snow things off and hung up. Now, just be patient.” Sheba went to the cupboard where her food was kept and rubbed against it. Her serpentine tail moved gracefully with her, as if trying to seduce Alita into moving faster to grant her wishes. She sat and stared at Alita through slitted eyes as she reached a paw out to open and let the cupboard door slam shut. One good slam had Alita running; she grasped the door with a firm hand and looked up to see Beau stirring with a restless groan. “Now look what you did!” She scowled at the cantankerous beast. Sheba ignored the scolding and entwined herself around Alita’s legs and feet as she poured a small cupful of dry food into the divided bowl and put a small bit of canned food into the other side. Sheba voraciously attacked the wet food, dismissing Alita altogether. Alita added more wood to the stove, checking the water levels in the bowls on the upper level. She looked at the snow melting in buckets alongside the stove and knew she would need to refill them soon to keep her water supply up. Beau began stirring in his sleep; he groaned and rustled around under the blankets. Alita went to him, sitting on the edge of the bed. His warm, inviting scent came to her from his movements under white sheets, contrasting his bronze, shining skin. She reached over and moved a strand of raven hair from his cheek. His skin seemed warmer than normal; little beads of sweat gathered on his forehead and his heartbeat throbbed in his thick, slick throat. Alita turned 9
Colleen Love away to get a cool cloth to bathe his skin. With a sudden bolt his hand clamped around her upper arm, nearly encircling it in a firm squeeze. He jerked her down to him and Alita couldn’t help the yelp of surprise. “Where am I?” he gasped in a ragged voice; his glassy ebony eyes were open, but there was no coherent registration. “You’re safe and going to be all right.” Alita hoped her words would soothe him enough to get her arm back in one piece. She was relieved when his grasp relaxed. But he still held her in his viselike grip. “I know you. I’ve seen your face.” He whispered with a certain reverence through dried lips. “You’re OK.” Alita leaned on him, feeling his warm breath on her skin. She smoothed more of the escaped hair from his eyes. “You’ll be safe with me. I won’t let anything happen to you.” His words were barely audible to her, but she heard them before his hand relaxed and he slid back into whatever was holding him captive. Alita rubbed the sore spot on her arm as she went for another cold cloth. She washed his face and neck, and then filled a zippy bag with snow for an ice pack. It seemed to help calm him as he lay silent, sleeping in his dark world. Alita stationed herself by the bedside, keeping vigil by her newfound mate. Beau remained in a semi-conscious state the rest of the day. Often he would come close to waking, jolting up, frightened and vulnerable. Each time Alita would reassure him he was safe and he would tell her he knew her before he slipped back to his unknowing world. Alita kept her watch over him, losing track of time, which was slipping to evening, evening to night, until the pink stain of dawn painted the sky once again. Finally, Beau seemed to be in a deep sleep. Alita felt confident enough to leave him to care for her dogs. She stoked the fire, went to the kitchen and prepared their bowls of kibble. With what seemed to be record-setting speed, she fed and cared for each of her companions before hurrying inside. She was relieved to find Beau in the same position as she had left him. She fed the ever-persnickety Sheba and finally herself. Alita sat in the rocking chair next to the fire and 10
Autumn Windsong watched Beau sleep, wondering what she should do next. She was soon joined by Sheba, who curled up in her empty lap, blinking with amorous eyes. Alita stroked her back while the cat purred her contentment. “I don’t get it, Sheba, he just isn’t waking up. This is the second day and I’m beginning to wonder if he has a concussion or something?” Sheba replied with a purr-filled meow in reply as her claws began to work into her thick sweater. “I know now, without a doubt, he is the one I see in my dreams. I feel that same connection and his features hold the same resemblance. He’s said repeatedly he knew my face though I’ve never met him, but I feel as though I have known him a lifetime. Yes, he is the one, Sheba, he has to be.” Sheba purred in agreement as she squinted her eyes at Beau. “Tonight is Samhain. I have an idea; maybe we can find some special help.”
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Chapter 3 The short daylight hours had added a sense of urgency to getting the outside chores done, especially since she had neglected them the previous evening. Alita was relieved to have her outdoor work finished as the hours faded and darkness cloaked the land. She knew her dogs were clean, fed and comfortable. She looked at the wood box, stocked and full to overflowing, as was the wood stove. The snow buckets were full, as were the water bowls. Dinner, consisting of a simple stew, was bubbling on top of the wood stove in an old deep cast-iron pot. The pungent, spicy aroma of turnips and venison made her mouth water. Sheba wove and tangled herself around Alita’s legs, making her trip on several occasions as she begged for scraps. And Beau still slept, though he stirred from time to time with more attempts to awake. Alita sat in her low rocking chair with a bowl of stew and ate with deliberate slowness as she contemplated Beau’s condition. She watched him struggle as he tried to open his eyes, fighting for consciousness. He seemed right at the edge and he needed help; she could feel his struggle. Tonight, that very special kind of help she had spoken to Sheba about earlier would be possible with the veil between their worlds at its thinnest. She finished eating, cleaned her bowl, and put it away while she planned what she needed to do. Alita sat before the built-up fire in her rocker and fell into a quiet meditation that even Sheba quietly respected. Her mind became a clear void as she grounded herself, feeling her body become a single union with the earth. Her toes were the roots grounding and keeping her centered. Her thoughts and will stretched upward and onward to achieve heights of awareness she had never attempted before. Her body gathered and stored the energy she would need to achieve the task at hand. The sacred vitality roared and flared through her, gathering and building until she felt as 12
Autumn Windsong though she would burst. Opening her eyes when the clock cuckooed twelve times, she knew it was time. It was midnight, The Witching Hour, and the time had come to begin. She made the room very warm and moved the few furnishings from the center of the room. She cleared the hardwood floors to reveal a large circle painted on the floor. The star filled the inner circle, its apex pointing north. Using an antiquated hearth broom that had been passed through the generations down to her, she swept her circle clean, and returned the broom to its place, leaving a sparkling energy within. She slipped from her clothes, removing anything that would interfere. Standing at the bottom of the circle, she faced north. Relaxing and clearing her mind, she began to draw power from within herself, visualizing her feet rooting into warm fertile soil as liquid warmth began there and coursed its way upwards to her knees. She couldn’t stop the shiver traveling through her spine and the gasp of slight pleasure when it passed over her well-rounded hips, through her sex and over her navel. Her breasts went from tight rosettes to fully blossomed, warm nipples. Her arms, shoulders and head filled with the rush of power. Everything that passed through her senses was brighter, clearer and sharper. She heard Beau’s soft rhythmic breathing louder, felt his senses roiling as he struggled to regain himself. Closing her eyes, she inhaled his scent as it possessed her and she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, on a very primal level, that he was hers, and she was his; she was on the right path. Raising her right hand, she cast her circle and stepped into its glowing center. “Spirit of the north, spirit of the west, Protect my will, my hearth, and my quest. Spirit of the south, spirit of the east, Guard what is mine, from man to beast.” An invited wind began to howl around the house, disrupting the stillness. Alita kept her chant even and calm: “Lady Bridgette, Lord Cernunos, I come before you as your humble child, My promised has come to me, the man from the wild. He has come to me at great cost, His body injured, his mind is lost. 13
Colleen Love I pray to you to guide me through the night, That I may find him and guide him to the light. I ask for your sight that I may see, As your will grants, so must it be.” Without removing herself from the circle, she gripped Beau’s hand. Like an electrical bolt, she jolted as she was charged and bonded to him, feeling everything he felt, knowing everything he knew. She fell to her knees as his dark world claimed her. Sweat slicked her bare body; she worried he would slip from her grasp, but their hands were fused together. With a sound of thunder, she cried out as she felt her spirit rip from the shell of her body. She looked down on her own form, kneeling beside her bed, grasping Beau’s large hand in both of hers. Without hesitation, she laid her spirit, her very soul, over Beau and felt herself melt into him. Into him! She couldn’t back out now, even if she wanted to; it was too late. If she tried, her physical self would die and her spirit would be lost. She absorbed into his consciousness and became his very thoughts. She paused, waiting to adjust. His strength was ebbing as he tried to wake. He wasn’t sick; he was fighting, but fighting against what? She turned, looking around her; the darkness was a suffocating blanket making her move with slow, deliberate movements. She began to walk through the echoing blackness of his subconscious. His struggle grew as she walked. Urgency beckoned, so she hurried her steps and stumbled, falling to the slick shining floor with sweating hands squeaking on the hard, glossy surface. Alita picked herself up, using her hands to balance on the floor, and felt the nude figure she had tripped over; he was bound. She felt her way up his form until she found his face, feeling his features with her fingertips. It was him, it was Beau. She released his gag and he gasped for air with heaving breaths. The knots were tight and difficult in the darkness, but she worked them free. A light came on with an abrupt brightness around her, Alita blinked against it, shading her eyes as she tried to see him. Beau stood before her, rubbing his wrists and arms as he looked at her. “It’s you! But how?” He touched her face as she felt herself begin to slip. Alita felt herself fading away, drifting back and being 14
Autumn Windsong claimed by the black she had rescued him from. She shifted back into her cold body and felt herself stand in the circle once again, weak and tired. She closed her circle with sobbing breaths. “Spirit of the north, spirit of the south, I thank you and release you. Spirit of the east, spirit of the west, I thank you and release you.” Then, she too, fell into an abyss of velvet dark. When Alita opened her eyes again, she was no longer in the circle where she had expected to be. Instead, she was in her bed, under her down comforter. A large, warm arm wrapped around her bare waist. The raging winds were silent and the only sound was the fire crackling in the stove. The old cuckoo clock read that hours had passed; it was 3 a.m. Blinking her eyes, she turned her head with slow purpose, looking behind her. Beau’s eyes looked into hers and he gave her a weak smile. A sharp exhale escaped as a smile tilted her lips. “It worked.” “Yes, it worked. When I opened my eyes, there was a naked and very cold little nymph lying on the floor. So I brought you into your bed with me. I hope you don’t mind.” Alita closed her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief, “Thank you.” She struggled to turn under the weight of his arm. “Are you feeling better?” “Yes, I’m feeling much better. I think I should be thanking you!” Alita’s tired smile was warm. “Good,” she paused for a measure, “you kept saying that you knew me, though I’ve never met you before.” She propped herself up on an elbow and looked into the fathomless glitter of his eyes, “Do you believe in fate?” His eyes shifted to the fire and fell to soft sight. “Fate, as in, one predestined path set out for everyone? Maybe; I don’t agree with a solid-set-in-stone kind of path, but maybe a road with lots of forks in it to allow for choices with consequences. I would believe in that kind of fate. Yes.” “Do you believe in soulmates?” “Hmm, now that I don’t know about, what do you mean?” “I mean two souls, destined to be together throughout 15
Colleen Love the tapestry of all time. The same life threads woven throughout lifetimes, coming together again and again. Always searching for one another and sometimes succeeding in finding one another because of a love so strong, it bonds them, making it easier and easier each lifetime to meet up again.” She searched his features. His eyes met hers again. “Well, when you put it like that, it sounds better than the clichés I hear out there.” “Well, I’m a believer in that kind of fate, destiny and soulmates. You’ve been in my dreams for a very long time now, Beau Lenno, and I believe you are all of those things for me. For us.” “Dreams, fate, destiny, all three at once.” Her voice was a quiet whisper. “Yes, please don’t think me crazy. I would have never been able to help you like I did if we weren’t destined to be together. When I heard that gunshot go off, it severed something and it scared me to the core. I knew it was more than just poachers out there.” “Crazy,” his laugh was gentle, “after all of this? No, I don’t think you’re crazy.” He paused, his voice filled with intense interest. “Tell me about your dream.” Her eyes searched his for any sign of disbelief, but found none. “A giant buck stands at the edge of my clearing and bugles to me. He is my mate and I can’t resist him, and so I go to him. He is half deer, half man; he mates me and then leaves with the rising sun.” “Well, I can assure you that I am not a deer.” His expression was guarded when he touched her cheek with his fingertips. “Do you have a small tattoo on your right shoulder?” “You mean a tattoo of a buck?” His eyes glittered dark and sensuous against the firelight flickering across the room. “Yes.” A small smile curved the corners of his lips. He clenched his teeth, working his jaw muscles when he reached a finger of his injured arm to touch her cheek. “The name badge says Beau Lenno, that’s my traditional name and what I’m known as. But in other circles and traditions, I am known as Running Deer. Beau Running Deer Lenno.” Alita’s eyes went wide as a satisfied smile deepened the dimples on her cheeks. “It would also explain why my Red Fawn has been in 16
Autumn Windsong my dreams as well,” Beau stated simply as he picked up a strand of fire-red hair and hissed in pain. Alita sat up, unconcerned about not having anything on. “Be careful! You’ll start bleeding again!” She fussed over him as she opened the edge of the bandage and peered inside the gauze. “You’re very lucky, you know. The bullet hit your badge before it got to your shoulder; this is just a small flesh wound, but I bet it hurts like hell. By the way, my name is Alita Wickstrom, though I like Red Fawn much better.” “Yeah, my shoulder does hurt like hell.” He grimaced when he lay back against the pillows again. “Would you like something for it?” “You aren’t going to make me drink something awful, are you?” he teased. “I could, if you want me to. I was thinking something more in a tablet form though.” Her laugh bubbled up when she retorted. “That would be great.” “Are you hungry?” “Not for food, yet.” His eyes were heated and slow when they drifted down her bare body. “You’re not well enough for anything other than that yet.” Alita slid from the bed and put on a pair of sweats. She felt the weight of his stare as he watched her every movement sliding into them and a sweatshirt. She smiled and got out the bottle of pain reliever and a glass of water. When Alita gave them to Beau, she sat down next to him. “Can you tell me what happened out there?” A worried frown creased his features, “No. Right now, I have no idea.” “Well, just rest for now. We will sort this all out in the morning. I’m tired.” She banked up the fire and got into her bed, next to Beau. She lay on her back, staring at the beams on the ceiling. It felt strange having her bed warm before she got into it. It felt stranger still to have the heaviness of a man weighing next to her and against her, making her want to turn into him naturally. She felt his stare and turned to look at him, propped up on his right elbow. In the flickering light of the fire, his sharp features faced her, his eyes sparkled black, and his hair was a shimmering shadow over his shoulders. “You should rest. Try to get some sleep.” 17
Colleen Love “I’ve slept enough already. I’m not tired.” “Are you afraid whoever it was who shot you will come looking for you?” “No.” His eyes hardened for a single heartbeat, then became soft again. “I don’t let fear rule me; besides, I think I have everything I want and need, right here.” “We barely know each other.” Alita smiled. “We have known each other longer than my grandparents did when they married, and they were together more than fifty years.” “That was a long time ago.” “Yes, but I already feel like I’ve known you an entire lifetime. You have been in my head! How much more do you need? I already know the kindness of your heart. You brought me here because of what we already know. So why wait any longer?” A wicked smile curled her lips. “One reason, because you are injured and I’m not taking any risk of you hurting yourself further.” “I’m fine, see?” The muscle in his jaw flexed when he raised his arm a little and placed it on her midsection. “Yes, I see you’re being stubborn and now you’re hurting yourself again.” “Well, it wouldn’t hurt so badly if you would move closer to me.” “OK.” She sighed heavily. “Do you always get what you want?” She smiled when she bantered with him, as comfortably as if they had been together forever. “No.” He smiled. “First time.” “You’re a liar, Beau Running Deer Lenno,” she teased, “just go to sleep.” She yawned when she closed her eyes, breathing in his heavy, earthy scent, feeling his thick arm over her and the ridge of his arousal against her. For the first night in a very long time, Alita didn’t dream of the buck in the clearing. As a matter of a fact, she didn’t dream at all. Just comforting black warmth embraced her as her soulmate overwhelmed her senses.
18
Autumn Windsong
Chapter 4 Beau lay awake in the comfortable stillness of the cabin. The only movement was the fire flickering and the cat that came up on the bed next to them. Alita slept heavily next to him. The connection he felt between the two of them was something he had never felt before, he had to admit. Sure, he had been with other women. He seemed to have a certain charisma that attracted them, but this connection was more than just an attraction at first glance. He didn’t usually cater to the notion of soulmates or anything like that. But now, he thought he understood what that whole thing meant. The dreams he had of Red Fawn drew a straight line to this bond between them and he knew without a doubt that Alita was Red Fawn. It was just proof that no matter what your beliefs were, the circles were the same and intertwined. What bothered him was part of his dream that he didn’t want to tell her. Her dream was one of them coming together, of him coming to her and leaving, but his was much darker; he put it out of his mind as he found himself clutching the blankets in his fist and clutching Alita close to his chest. She groaned and turned her back to him. The feel of her beneath his arm was natural and right, and the first and most basic instinct came to his mind: the need to protect his mate. The feel of danger still lurked around; he wasn’t going to let his guard down that easily. He rotated his shoulder with gentle circular motions, testing its range of motion as he stared soft-sighted into the fire. A subtle haunting tone of a wooden flute floated through his subconscious as he let his mind play back over what he did remember, hoping to gain some thread of insight. The morning was dark. It was very early when he rose to follow a tip that there was deer poaching happening on some remote private property. He followed his lead to an old logging road, where the tracks of a larger truck were fresh. 19
Colleen Love He turned down the road and drove until he found the truck parked along the side of the road. He pulled up behind it and went to investigate. No one was in the cab. He had only rounded the front of the hood when he felt a stinging pinch sink into his neck. He remembered as his world faded to darkness that the hood still felt warm. He could hear men’s voices echoing down the long chamber of fading consciousness and remained in a half-sleeplike state. He did what they told him as if he were willing to follow their every command. He fought to stop but couldn’t. Through a groggy, thick fog, he stopped when they told him to. Then a loud crack of the gunshot followed by searing pain ripping through his shoulder, and he fell. The next thing he remembered, he was here. The dreams, the dreams had to mean something... Beau blinked his eyes back to reality. He needed to think away from this comfort and warmth. He thought better when he was busy; he rotated his shoulder again. It was stiff and sore, but he needed to move around; there was no way in hell he was going to lay around for nothing. Light was just glowing on the horizon. He knew it had to be at least 7:30, maybe later. Gently, he tucked a couple of pillows behind Alita and crawled over her, being careful not to disturb her. His clothes were by the fire and he pulled them on; they felt warm and toasty. He banked the fire and decided the wood box needed to be filled. He slipped on his boots and crept to the door, opening it only enough to pass through. The day had dawned with perfection, clear and sunny with the air crisp and cold. It was perfect for clearing his head while he busied himself with the wood pile. The dogs began barking with great howls and yips and he hushed them by going to them to let them smell his hands. They recognized him and licked his hands through the kennel wires while they wiggled with delight. “Now, be quiet. No telling on me.” His voice was a growl any kindred canine spirit would understand. A couple of the dogs went and lay back in the warmth of their doghouses. Some watched him with quiet curiosity as he went to the wood pile and began taking wedges of wood to the porch. He winced as his sore shoulder took on extra 20
Autumn Windsong weight, so he took only a few at a time, letting himself grow accustomed to the weight. But soon, his stiff muscles began to warm up and he was able to carry more. When the sun finally came up enough to see well, he opened his coat, pulled open his shirt and looked at his wound under the patch, relieved to see that it was nothing to worry about. He kept busy stacking and chopping while he mulled over what he was going to do when he found out who had done this to him and why. The large sledge axe and splitting maul were just inside the shed door; he started in on the large rounds of sweetsmelling fir needing to be split. He removed his jacket, swung and cracked the first round apart and started a rhythm. The crack of splitting logs matched the deep throbbing drum of his heart. He split them into quarters and eighths for an easy carrying size. The stack under the eave grew as the picture in his foggy memory began to come into focus. He thought back to a time of innocence when he was younger. He sat around the fire with his grandfather and other tribal elders. He had just been initiated as a man at the tender age of sixteen. Though they resided in modern times, they clung to the old ways, as a family and a community. The shaman had said his future had marked him as a protector of their lands. His mate would come to him while he guarded the lands he loved as a gift from the Great Spirits. She would be his one true mate for life when she found him. He would know it when the time came. He had found her, well, she had actually found him. There was no questioning that. As he stood over the table of wood, he was just getting ready to start in on the next round when an exasperated voice shattered the silence and the thoughts vanished. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Stopping mid-swing, he leaned the handle of the axe on the round of wood and watched Alita as she stalked up the path he had created through the snow. “I asked what you are doing.” An incredulous look creased her brow. “I’m chopping wood; it helps me think.” “You shouldn’t be out here!” Disbelief filled her voice. “Where should I be?” He smiled broadly knowing he was 21
Colleen Love setting her up. “In bed!” “Well, I tried being in bed last night, didn’t I? Apparently I’m not well enough to enjoy being there, so I came out here to get that way, quick.” “That’s not funny, Beau, what if something is seriously wrong with you? What if something is broken? You should be taking it easy.” Worry played across her features, “There won’t be any pilots coming out here for awhile. Not until spring or a dire emergency, and I plan on no more dire emergencies.” “It wasn’t intended to be for that, and nothing serious is wrong with me.” He picked her up and set her on the round he was going to start in on. He looked into the depths of her angled green eyes as he wrapped his arms around her waist, in part, to keep her there, but also to feel her soft warmth in his arms again. “You might have been in charge yesterday and last night, but now I’m fine and I’m in charge.” His voice was quiet and firm and left no room for the questions he felt coming from Alita. His mouth was only a breath away from hers. It was easy to touch his lips to hers; he felt her go lax in his arms when she kissed him back. Her lips were smooth and melted against his, her hands slid up his chest and around his neck, making him groan. He slid his hands to her face and into her hair, lips hard and hungry, demanding more. When she opened to him, he tasted soft mint on her tongue. He pressed her tighter to himself, feeling her against his ridged body, tasting her and wanting more. Alita pulled her lips from his. “Beau,” it was a mere whisper as she looked intently into his eyes, “you’ve only just come to me. I want you whole and well and strong again. I was so frightened when I found you like that.” The shine in her eyes was a reflection of that fear. “Well.” With soothing fingers he touched her face, as if to erase the worry from her features. “We can’t live in fear; I’ve brought danger out here to you and I could never live with myself if something happened before we even had a chance to start. There is something different about you that I find irresistible. For the first time ever, I felt distracted enough to have to leave to think. I’ll make it very clear and 22
Autumn Windsong very blunt. I want you and I want you safe. While I’ve been out here, I have had some time to think about what happened. Some of it is coming back to me, but I need to go back to where it all happened. I don’t think this is over with, by a long shot. Can you take me back to where you found me? I think it might help.” He held her face in his hands, keeping her gaze steady with his. Her voice was quiet and satisfied. “Yes, I will take you. I’ll get dressed to go and get the dogs ready.” “Where is your radio? I need to make some contacts, if that’s OK.” “You better come in and do it now, then. There’s a storm coming in and it won’t work during the storm.” Beau looked up to the sparkling powder blue sky without a cloud visible. An argument began to cross his mind, but he rethought it after remembering what he knew about her. He had a feeling that knowing her a lifetime would never begin to cover knowing everything about her. Somehow, that thought stuck with him and it intrigued him even more. “I’ll be in, in a minute. I just want to finish what I’ve started here and get things put away.” “Better hurry! That storm isn’t too far off and I think it’s going to be a big one.” Again, Beau looked to the horizon of towering snowcapped evergreens; his eyes saw nothing but beautiful clear blue sky and his ears filled with the songs from winter birds. Though now, he did note a certain urgency in their little voices. So he hurried and split the log round, stacked the wedges and put the tools away in the shed. As he made his way inside, he looked to the sky once more to see only blue and felt a sudden gust of cold wind blow, making the hairs on the back of his neck stir for more reasons than just the chill. Stomping the snow off his boots, he removed them on the porch and carried them inside with him. The scent of coffee and breakfast made his belly growl. Alita had the radio on the small table. Beau pulled out the chair and sat down to it as Alita brought him a cup of hot coffee. “I didn’t know how you liked it.” “Just like this,” he took a long sip. “Mmm, perfect.” 23
Colleen Love “I hate to hurry you, but if you want to get there and back in one piece, we really need to get moving. This storm is going to be very strong, I don’t want the dogs out in it.” His eyes met hers; “I need to know how you know this.” Alita stopped and stared wide-eyed at him for a second before she smiled. “Just call it a gift. Now hurry. If you need to let them know where you are at, here are your GPS coordinates.” She marked them on a piece of paper. Beau switched on the radio, dialed to the frequency he needed and grasped the microphone. “Dale, this is Beau. You there?” The radio beeped when he released the switch. There was a long pause. Both were silent. “This is Dale. Beau? Where the hell are you?” Beep. “Listen, there’s been an accident. I’ve been rescued and I’m OK for now, but I’m not exactly sure where the truck is. I’ll get back to you soon.” Beep. “Just so long as you’re OK. We can find the truck if the GPS is still in there.” Beep. “It is. Everything is still in there.” Beep. “OK. You’re sure you’re fine? We can drop a pickup if you need us to.” Beep. “No, I’m sure I’m fine.” Beep. Beau looked to Alita and smiled broadly. “Be careful. A big storm is coming in. Strong winds, lots of snow predicted.” Beep. The smile disappeared while he still held Alita’s eyes. Beau made long eye contact with Alita, who was now smiling at him. “Will do, over and out.” Beep. “Over and out.” Beep. Beau shut off the radio and put the pieces back. “Let’s get moving. Apparently there is a storm moving in.” “Apparently,” Alita teased as she stood dressed in her warm clothes, ready to go. Beau slipped on his snow pants and was slipping on his coat when he noticed the fluff escaping the hole in his down parka. The little tufts of white floating from it were a reminder of what he went through. He touched the dried blood darkening the circumference and felt the ridge of melted fabric the hot shell left when it had passed through. 24
Autumn Windsong “Those bastards are gonna pay for this, and for denting my badge too. Let’s go.” He felt determination burning his senses as he went to the door. Alita got the dogs bootied and on the towline while Beau watched with admiration. The dogs followed everything she said, like magic, he thought. “I’ll sit in the basket since I’m lighter, you take the runners. Do you know how to do that?” She smiled up at him as she shielded her eyes from the bright glare of the sparkling snow. “Yeah.” He stepped onto the runners. Alita got into the basket of the sled and pulled the blanket over herself. “Mush!” Alita called to them from the basket. The dogs took off in a bound, barking and lunging against their leads with great enthusiasm. With a swish the sled glided over the clearing to their trail through their forest. They picked up speed, ripping across the snow and into the forest line. It became darker when they entered the forest; the light dappled through naked branches and snowladen evergreen boughs. “Whoa!” Alita’s single word had them stopping at the spot where they had found Beau. The dogs stopped with their tongues lolling, and the sled followed. Alita got out, put the blanket down and set the break. Beau stepped off the runners and stood next to her, looking all around, trying to grasp any kind of recognition he could. “I’ll show you where I found you.” Alita took his hand and led him to the thicket where the impression of his body lay as a grave reminder, frozen in the snow. The tracks next to Alita’s small boots were large and easy enough to follow. He began to follow them for a ways up a trail leading to the east. He debated following it, but with the storm soon coming, he would never have time. He turned back, not wanting to risk their lives waiting for him and knowing the trail would soon disappear because of the impending storm. Then an idea came to mind. He rushed back to the thicket where Alita stood waiting and watching him. He began searching the brush at the base of the tree. “What are you looking for? Can I help?” 25
Colleen Love “Umm, yes. I’m looking for the bullet shell, it had to have gone somewhere; I doubt they picked it up if they think they shot and killed me. If I can find that, I can get help finding answers.” “OK.” Alita began looking through the scrub brush with him. They hadn’t been looking long when a large gust swayed and bent the treetops, knocking the frozen snow to the ground in loud plops and crashes on smaller trees. Beau’s attention snapped to Alita, then to the dark canopy above them. “Oh, no! We’re too late! The storm! Come on! We have to go now! We’ll be lucky to make it back before it hits hard!” The wind gusted sharply, almost knocking Alita down. Beau grabbed her and steadied her, helping her tromp through the brush and snow to the sled basket. He hopped on the sled runners and released the brake just as the dogs turned and the sled lurched forward without commands needed. He held on tight to the sled as it sped along. The dogs were silent as they ran hard, focused on getting home. The forest opening was a sheet of white from the wind gusting the snow. He hunched down as best he could. The dogs lunged into the billowing white. The wind was bitter. It bit into any exposed flesh, and searched relentlessly for any way into clothing. He stood his ground against the gusts, tucking his chin to his chest. His weight was the only thing keeping the sled upright as the dogs plowed their way through with him peddling to help. After what seemed an eternity of drifting through dunes of billowing freezing white, they came to a stop and the dogs stood still. There was no telling where they were—they couldn’t see a foot in front of them—but the dogs knew. Alita just sat in the basket and Beau came to help her, not wanting to leave her alone. He helped her stand and get herself moving in the cold. Her first concern was for her dogs. She went to them and he helped her with each halter. As Alita petted and released each dog with a murmur of praise, it went to its kennel without any prompting. Beau folded up the lines and helped her put the sled in the shed before they made their way to the cabin. When they finally got inside, Alita shivered and shook as she got out the large 26
Autumn Windsong bowls used to feed them. She filled them and was getting ready to go back out into the icy blast. “I will take those out. You get warm by the fire.” “But—” “No buts.” He took the bowls from her. “Now go on.” He opened the door and disappeared into the storm.
27
Colleen Love
Chapter 5 Alita stared at the closed door for a brief moment before she shuffled to the fire. She felt frozen to her core and could barely move. The quiet mellow burning warmed her as she placed another log in the stove to make it hotter. She was just removing her coat when Beau blew in with a white swirl chasing him. He slammed the door and stood looking at Alita for a second. “You haven’t gotten very far with getting your snow things off.” He peeled off his gloves and hat, throwing them onto the rocking chair, then unlaced his boots and took them to the stove. “No, I’m getting warm first.” A wolflike grin spread over his face as he removed his coat and snow pants and tossed them onto the rocking chair next to his gloves and hat. Alita’s brow furrowed when Beau took the zipper from her fingers and began to unzip her coat, but she didn’t protest. He peeled it off of her and threw it on top of his things. Next, he unsnapped her snow pants and slid them down her frozen legs; he went down on his knees to untie her boots. “Beau, I’m fine, I can do this myself! Watch out for your shoulder!” She began to plead as she clung to his back when he threw off her balance by lifting her feet, one at a time, to shuck her boots. “My shoulder is fine; it’s getting better all the time. I need to use it, and I mean to use it.” “You are so stubborn.” She could feel from his movements and actions that he wasn’t in any pain. The warmth of his broad back made her want to lie across him to absorb more of his heat into her chilled body. Warmth from him radiated far stronger than what her little stove could produce. Little prickles of sweat had begun gathering just from the fire, but what came from him made her cheeks 28
Autumn Windsong flush and liquid warmth pool in her belly. When he stood, her arms were still on his body, sliding to his shoulders. She met his eyes with an upturned gaze, not wanting to leave his embrace, his energy. The feel of his large, thick hands on her skin when he grasped her shirt and pulled it over her head made her shiver when he drew her in closer, pressing her belly to the hard ridge in the front of his jeans. Alita came up on her toes when Beau’s lips touched hers with a tenderness that had all of her nerves begging for more. Alita rocked back flat-footed again, never taking her eyes from his. Dark eyes spoke volumes of his intent for her, sending an electrical charge skittering down her spine. A calloused finger moved a loose strand of hair from her cheek, touching her bare skin. Her lips parted and a gasp escaped. Her nipples crinkled in response when his touch trailed down her throat. His gaze followed his fingers to her hardened nipples. Lightly, he brushed over the hard peaks, sending another wave of pleasure through her. She sucked in her breath and bit her lip to fight the groan wanting to escape. He took off her snow-sodden pants and laid them out by the fire to dry. “Come on, you’re cold.” He scooped her up and put her in bed, covering her. He went back to the fire, knelt and added more wood. Unexpected shivers began to make her tremble and her teeth rattle together as she watched him snoop through cupboards and drawers. Finally, he found what he was looking for. For a moment, he stood mixing and pouring and produced two mugs with little tea tags floating from the brim as he went back to the wood stove to pour hot water in the cups. “Here, drink this, it’ll help.” Alita sat up, taking the concoction in cupped hands. She took the first sip and sputtered in surprise. “What is this?” Her eyes watered as the flavor of apricot brandy bit into her tongue and burned down to her belly. “A hot toddy, it works wonders to get you feeling better.” Sitting next to her, he sipped his own, “So, tell me, how long have you been out here?” He removed one of her numb feet from beneath the blanket. He held it in his hand until she felt warmth seep into her skin from his hands. He carefully inspected her foot for frostbite and then began 29
Colleen Love massaging it to get the circulation moving. His touch was making it difficult to speak. “I’ve only been out here for seven years. I used to live in Washington, but when my grandmother took ill, I came out to help her; I fell in love with this place and stayed until she crossed over.” Her warm foot tingled as pleasure traveled up her leg from the pressure points being caressed. “I see. You have lived alone out here all these years?” He placed her warmed foot back in the blankets and took out the other, inspecting it the way he had done the first foot. A haunting, seductive glint in his eyes made it very clear he knew what he was doing to her. Alita swallowed and caught her breath, “Well, yes, I guess. But in the summer, my brothers and parents come to visit. When I came up, I just couldn’t leave and realized I belonged here. Talk about spells being cast, I think Mother Nature hit me hard there.” He began to massage her cold foot, the trail of warmth vining up her leg, adding to the aroused warmth at the apex of her thighs. “It is beautiful here, isn’t it? I wouldn’t leave for all the money in the world. Do you run the Iditarod?” He placed her warmed foot back under the comforter and pulled it back over her. “I’ve trained for it, but never actually ran it. After my lead dog died, I suddenly couldn’t do it.” A sudden stab of pain ripped through her heart. “She was my favorite and I just couldn’t do it after that.” “I see.” Beau watched her with heavy lidded eyes. His hand absently rubbed her thigh, through the comforter, as if to soothe her. Alita felt warm and loose as his touches and the toddy began warming her through. She blinked her eyes slowly. Beau took her cup. “Why don’t you take a little nap? I think you’ll feel much better.” Alita sat up a little, “No, I’m fine. Mmm, I feel so good now. Come in here with me, please.” The sedated words drifted from her lips as Beau’s gentle push had her melting back against the pillows. She wrapped an arm around his broad shoulders, dragging him down with her, seeking the melting warmth of his lips. She slid the tip of her tongue across his lips, seeing entrance. He opened to her invitation 30
Autumn Windsong and delved deep into her mouth, wrestling her tongue. He tasted of warmth and apricots from the toddy. When he moved under the comforter and pulled her close, she wrapped her legs around his waist, letting the hard ridge of his erection ride the cleft of her sex through her panties. His eyes glittered ebony coals when he looked down into her eyes. “I want you so much. Make love to me, please.” Her whisper drifted to his ears. With a grunt he pulled from her and undressed himself. As Alita quickly wiggled from her panties, she kept her eyes on his silhouette. His tall, lithe form flickered in shadow across the wall. She scooted to the middle of her bed and welcomed him with open arms when he sank down to her body. The warmth of his smooth bare skin covered and surrounded her. His mouth heated her lips, trailing to her jaw, her throat and to the valley between her small breasts. She smoothed the bronzed skin of his back, raking her short nails over the tight rounds of his buttocks. Shining black hair tickled her when his razor-sharp teeth pinched her nipples, making her groan. He continued the sweet torment to its twin. His fingers slid down the plane of her abdomen to the curls in the “V” of her thighs, her muscles clenched. She opened her legs to him, inviting his touch. He slid his fingers over her slick sensitive flesh, sending jolts through her system, delving into her wet center with a soft squelch, making her sigh deeply. He pulled and pushed again, making her muscles tense against him, and the sigh grew to a groan. Her breath came in short gasps when his thumb pad found the firm fleshy button of her clitoris which he stroked in cadence to his strokes within her body. She clutched at him, holding him tight as she spired higher and higher, lost in pleasure. Her body moved with him and against him, bringing her to orgasmic bliss. His lips were over hers when she cried out with pleasure, swallowing the sounds as her spirit merged with his. Beau moved over her between her thighs and pressed his erect head into her. He slowly pushed his shaft deep within her with an even ebb and flow. He stopped with a sharp groan as the grip of her vaginal muscles clenched tightly around him. He pulled from her, feeling the ridge of his tip catch on her entrance, and pushed back in, deeper, 31
Colleen Love longer. As his skin pulled tight, he realized he wasn’t going to be doing that many more times before it was all over with. Alita lay in his arms, her body wrapped around his. Her pale, elf-like features so petite in his grasp, yet she possessed such strength and power. Her eyes drifted closed when he felt her body squeeze his shaft tighter when she moved under him. He cupped her bottom in his hand and moved his body faster, driving deeper each time. Alita cried with pleasure, the pulsing of her sheath gripping and milking his shaft until his seed spilled within her. He slumped over her, bearing his weight on one elbow. “Are you warm now?” His voice was soft when he spoke close to her ear. He moved his mouth to her lips, cheek and throat as he kissed her. “Mmm, yes,” her voice, soft as a sultry giggle, played in his ears; she stroked the stubble on his cheek and chin, “Thank you, I’m much warmer now.” Her breath caught when he pulled his semi-flaccid penis from her warmth and stood up. “Where are you going?” “The fire needs more wood. We can’t let the fire go out in this storm. I’ll go out and check things later.” He banked the fire and stretched. The coolness caressed him, making blood rush through his nude body. When he crawled back into bed and cradled Alita to his cool skin, he slid beneath her, rolling her on top of his torso. She slipped him back into her warm depths and sat up, arching her back to him when he slid deeply into her. Grasping her bottom in both hands, he pulled her hips forward and his hands slid up her back. He drew a small berried nipple into his lips, suckling until her head lolled back and she groaned. His hands smoothed back to her bottom, rocking her hips. He took the other nipple in his lips until it garnered the same response. She arched in further to him, her hands on his chest, her muscles clenching for balance. Harder and faster he moved her until the low groan accompanied the rhythmic squeeze around his cock. She wilted to his shoulder, breathless. His arms came around her, cradling her close. He closed his eyes, savoring the sensation of her body wrapped around his. Her warm breath on his neck was soon followed by soft, tender kisses and gentle love bites. Her soft caress on his skin and around his wound eased the tightening of his 32
Autumn Windsong muscles. Cool jagged streaks coursed around his shoulder, countering the heat overwhelming him. Her lips on his were warmer still as her tongue stroked his while her fingers left cool trails wherever she touched. She began moving her hips again, rotating and rolling them against him. He didn’t bother to stifle the growl of pleasure. He slid down, flat. The building waves grew as she ground herself against him. He held her hips down hard when her hands reached around to cup his balls. She pulled against him harder until his struggle to hold her nearly made him forget he was being ridden hard. He had crept up to a level of pleasure he had never peaked before. It still built, becoming an urgent need bordering pain. His eyes closed, he rocked harder, and the sweet pain frayed his senses. Suddenly, with a great bellow, he released, sending hot jets of semen into Alita. Alita closed her legs over his, and lay atop his chest while he recovered. When Beau opened his eyes, he looked into Alita’s. A feline smile tilted her lips as she propped herself up on his chest. “What did you do to me?” His breath came in great ragged heaves. “Magic,” she whispered as she traced the circumference of his nipple. He shivered when the autumn wind howled around the little cabin.
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Chapter 6 Both slept for a time, safely wrapped in one another’s arms. Alita was the first to wake. The feel of Beau, with his flesh warm and supple next to hers, made her purr with contentment as she stretched, and her movements woke him. Darkness still claimed the atmosphere and the fire had mellowed to slow burning embers, yet there was still enough light to see his features as his soft dark eyes opened and drew her into focus. A sensual smile slowly melted across his lips. The clock cuckooed seven times, disrupting the silence. “Do you hear that?” Alita whispered as she propped herself up on an elbow. “What?” “It’s quiet, the storm is gone.” “Sounds like it.” Beau propped himself up on his elbow. “I’ll go put some more wood on the fire, and then go check the dogs. Otherwise, I’ll never get out of this bed.” Alita wiggled closer to him, kissing the dip in his throat. “Is that a bad thing?” “No. But I have to get back to reality sometime.” “I know.” Her head followed her eyes downward. “Hey, I’m not a love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy.” “I know. You have too much passion within you for that. But I don’t think this is over with; I just have a sick, gut feeling. It’s the dream again, for me the deer symbolizes being carried to the underworld, or death. You are the deer. If something happens and you are taken from me...” She couldn’t continue. “Alita,” his hand smoothed her cheek and cupped her chin, “I am the deer, yes. Sometimes a deer is just a deer. I am Running Deer, and in my dreams you are Red Fawn, my mate. Perhaps it’s just the tangle of both of us coming together. Now, look at me.” He raised her chin and she looked into the dark depths; she knew she was in love and 34
Autumn Windsong she couldn’t help the tears starting to stream down her cheeks. “I am going to file this at the office, then I’m coming right back. I have some vacation time I’ve been saving. I think spending it here with you is where I’d like to be. No, I don’t think this is over by a long shot, but it soon will be.” He sat up and climbed over Alita to get out of bed. After picking his clothes up off the floor, he dressed quickly. Alita sat on the edge of the bed, her heart heavy. The nagging feeling weighed down her heart even further. She watched Beau crouch before the wood stove and pile the wood in. She just sat until Beau stood before her with her fire-warmed clothes in his extended hand. “Better get dressed, I don’t want you catching a cold.” “I’m fine.” “But you’re still naked; come on, things will be OK. You’ll see.” “Famous last words.” She took the clothes from him and began pulling them on. Beau went to the radio and pulled it out. “Why don’t you let me take care of the dogs this morning.” “Well, usually we go for our run first thing.” “I know, but today I think you had better skip the run. Does that shotgun work?” “Yes. It was my grandmother’s. I hate that thing.” “Can you use it?” “If I have to.” Beau laughed as he stacked up the bowls of dog food and was almost to the door when the dogs began barking. It wasn’t in greeting; it was in warning. Beau set the dishes down, opened the door and peered out into the new morning light just cresting the tree line. “Don’t go out there.” The hairs prickled her arms and up her neck. “Something or someone is out there.” “Give me the gun.” He reached his hand back without taking his eyes from the open crack in the door. Alita placed it in his hand. “Stay inside and be quiet. I’ll be right back.” The door closed behind him with a quiet click. The dogs continued to yip and howl with wild snarling savagery, digging at the ground by the fence. Alita paced a few steps in front of the stove before she stopped and petted Sheba when she stood and arched her back in a deep stretch. 35
Colleen Love An unexpected sharp pain bit into her skull. Dizziness tilted her world, and she gripped her head and stood, blinking. She looked to the door just as it banged open. Two large men lunged toward her. Alita screamed and lurched away from them. One fell onto the hot stove, screaming. The other tripped over the chair holding Sheba. Sheba hissed and growled wildly as she jumped on the largest perpetrator. Her claws sank deep into his flesh and the weight of her rotund body ripped the flesh from his face. Sheba lunged at him again, ripping, tearing and biting at the screaming man. As the other man chased Alita around the room, he passed the angry Sheba in the small space. Sheba sprang from the shredded man to him; she clung to him with her weighted claws. His flesh tore with the same ease as the first man’s; both men collapsed on the floor, rolling and grasping at their faces. “Stop, Sheba!” The cat sat close to the men’s heads, growling and hissing at them. Every time the men glanced at the cat they screamed in fear and stayed curled in a fetal position. Alita grasped the lead for the dogs in her hands. She was just stepping over to them to tie them up when the arctic draft blew in the open door again. Alita jumped; she nearly began to cry when she saw it was Beau, rubbing his head. He took the lead lines and wrapped her in his arms. “It’s OK, it’s all right.” He kept his eyes riveted on the men while he sat Alita down at the table. He crossed over to the men still writhing on the floor and sat them up with gruff gestures, back to back. “Why are you here?” No answer, but at least they quieted. “Who sent you?” Silence once again. A low growl from Sheba rumbled from deep in her chest, and suddenly the men began clamoring to speak, shouting over one another. “Michaels! It was Michaels! It was James Michaels who sent us.” Beau looked at them with a somber expression; he had never heard of a James Michaels. “That’s fine. Why did you come after me?” The hesitant silence once again strained the men. Another low feline growl prompted them. “It wasn’t you he 36
Autumn Windsong wanted, it was nothing personal, he just wanted revenge.” “For what?” Beau prompted, keep his voice even and low. “He was busted for poaching. He had a few other issues unresolved and broke his probation. Honest, we don’t know any more than that.” “So he wanted to add murder to it all?” “Hey, I ain’t sayin’ anything until I see a lawyer.” “That’s fine, I have one last question. What did you dart me with before you shot me?” Silence was followed by a low growl. “GHB.” “GHB?” Alita’s voice chimed in. “What’s that?” His eyes never left the men when he answered Alita. “Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate; it’s a drug, legal when prescribed, illegal as a date rape drug or used otherwise.” His tone was still level even though he was pissed. “Why? Why did you do it?” “Easier to get rid of the body if he walks there himself, it would look more like an accident then too. We didn’t know there was a cabin here until we left. We figured we’d better come check it out, make sure the job was finished.” Sheba growled and licked her lips. “Make that creature leave us alone.” Beau let a wicked grin cross his lips as he stood and turned his back to them. He went to the radio and switched it on. “Hey, Dale! You around?” The automatic beep signaled when he released the mike trigger. A short pause followed before a male voice answered. “Yep, I’m here.” Beep. “How long will it take for you to come out with the chopper?” Beep. “Depends on where you’re at.” Beep. Beau gave him the GPS coordinates. “Maybe an hour or so, you all right?” Beep. “Now I am. It seems we have some uninvited guests. Does the name James Michaels mean anything to you?” Beep. “James Michaels...” He paused and there was a shuffle of papers. “Yes, his name is on a warrant list I have here. 37
Colleen Love Why, what’s up?” Beep. “I have a couple of his buddies here making trouble. Get the chopper out here to pick them up and I’ll tell you the whole story.” Beep. “I’m on my way!” Beep.
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Chapter 7 It didn’t take long for the helicopter to arrive. As a matter of fact, the time was too short in Alita’s opinion. She knew she would have to let Beau go sooner or later. It made her heart hurt to know that it was sooner rather than later. The loud thump of the chopper blades pulsed through the air as it landed in the field, turning to a high-pitched whine as the engine slowed. She was still sitting in the chair Beau had put her in and Beau kept his attention focused on the two men. She just sat silent, not knowing what she was supposed to say or do. Her heart was certainly not above begging and groveling for him to stay, but her head was, and she certainly wasn’t going to listen to her heart at the moment. He had his duty and his job to think about. At least she would have the sweet memory of meeting the object of her dreams that held so much meaning for her. When the knock came, she numbly got up and opened the door. Two uniformed game wardens were standing there and she let them in. Beau immediately addressed them. “Hey, Dale, Tom. Glad you both came.” He smiled at them. “Are these the men?” Dale looked in their direction. “Looks like you don’t need any help. The cat looks like she took care of business.” He laughed at the still snarling and hissing Sheba. “Well, why don’t you fill out this statement sheet and we will get them out of the way.” Dale handed one to Alita and one to Beau. “Better to get it done while we are all still here.” Alita filled it all out to the best of her recollection. Of course, the best parts wouldn’t be mentioned. Maybe she would write those in her journal sometime later, much later. Beau handed his in first; hers followed. The rangers read the men their rights and cuffed them. As they were leading them out the front door, Alita picked up Beau’s down 39
Colleen Love coat with the white tufts still floating from the hole in the left breast. She tried to tuck some of the escaping down back in. That’s when her fingers felt something long and hard within the lining of the coat. She stopped and fumbled with it for a second, producing the long brass shell Beau had hoped to find in the forest before the storm struck. She held it up to Beau along with his coat. He grasped the shell and her fingers, pulling her toward him. His lips slid over hers, so warm, so smooth. Alita felt her heart break a little more. Damn. This wasn’t supposed to happen like this. Actually, it was. She tried not to let the tears build in her eyes. He smiled down at her as he slid on his jacket, keeping the shell in his hand. “Thank you. Thank you so much. I’ll be back.” He left, following the men, shutting the door behind him. Better he leave quickly, sever it clean and fast; she couldn’t watch out the small kitchen window. It would be easier once he was gone. She would go about her normal chores and routines, get things back to normal. Well, as normal as she could after all of this. Perhaps she would even teach herself how to use that detestable gun, if she could find it now. She listened to the dogs still barking wildly, and the whine of the helicopter’s engine start. Soon the thumping matched the rhythm of her heart and then all was quiet. She stood silently by the stove, letting the tears fall. Damn it. She knew loving someone also meant letting them go. Beau was a free spirit and there was no way she could hold him here. He had to be free to choose what he wanted. A sudden burst of cold air blew in. Alita looked up to see Beau framed in the doorway. Beau stood in the doorway, blinded by the intense white of the snow. He slid his coat off and set it in the chair. When he turned he saw the stricken, tear-stained face of his love. He went to her, his fingers touching silvery trails down her cheeks. “What is this?” His voice was hushed and calm. “I thought you were leaving me.” “Like that? Oh, no, no, no, no. I said I was coming back.” “I didn’t think you meant in five minutes. You have your job to do, I respect that.” 40
Autumn Windsong “Oh, no, no, no, no. I told you, when I fall in love, I really fall in love.” His arms came around her waist and he slid his hand to tilt her chin up to look at him. “Are you in love?” Her eyes glittered bright in the dim room. “Yes, I’d say I’m in love with Alita Red Fawn Wickstrom.” He was rewarded with a warm smile that lit her sad eyes. “I’m in love with you too, Running Deer,” hearing his name made his heart surge with warmth. Her mouth tasted sweet against his when he claimed it. “You know, we are connected and bonded now. I felt it when they hit you in the head and knocked you out.” “But I didn’t tell you that they did that.” “You didn’t have to, I knew.” “I gave them the shell you found; you just gave me the missing piece I needed. They can take that shell and prove it came from one of their guns. You don’t need to worry now.” “No, I don’t have to worry because you’re with me. Come on, we have dogs to feed. It’s already getting late and the sun is about to set again.” “Oh, I thought you’d like to know, those men were babbling nonstop about seeing a woman. A very angry elderly woman who had done those things to them; they didn’t see a cat at all. Of course Dale and Tom think they are just babbling, but I’m betting there is more to it than that.” Both looked at Sheba sitting quite content, licking her paws on the floor by the stove. “Come on, we better get the chores done, there’s not much light left.” Beau helped Alita get her coat on, and then he pulled on his coat. When he opened the door, Sheba suddenly bolted out into the snow and disappeared into thin air. Beau and Alita stood in stunned silence. When Beau looked to Alita, she just gave him a lopsided grin and shrugged her shoulders. “I always had a feeling she was the spirit of my grandmother. I wonder…” “After the way those men acted, I wouldn’t doubt it. Not for one moment.” Beau stacked the wood high in the wood box and helped 41
Colleen Love Alita get more snow in to melt. They had eaten and made themselves comfortable by lamp light. Alita brought out the big copper bathtub and positioned it in the middle of the pentagram. The circle was only a visible trace around the tub. They filled it and sank into the warm depths. Safely wrapped in one another’s arms, they watched the magic of the Aurora Borealis flicker and slide across the cold night sky.
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