Winter Magic (3 page)

The hot cocoa recipe made enough to fill two mugs and the instructions suggested adding a bonus single-serving bottle of Bailey’s. When he went looking through the gift ideas, he’d stumbled upon the mix. All the users who shared the pin also commented on how good it was. Since Fawn seemed determined to try a new thing every week, he figured, what the hell. She might like it. Tying the miniature alcohol bottle to the lip of the jar with a red ribbon, he screwed the top on then opened his Word program.

He didn’t want her to know it was him for several reasons. First and foremost, she’d reject the gifts, and second, she’d hide from him even more than she already did. It was a defensive thing, but it stung nonetheless. He had to draw her out of her veil of security and make her want to experience life.

He understood her need for privacy and unwillingness to put herself out there. Anyone carrying burn scars knew the damage they did to a person’s body and their self-esteem. Add in the fact her legs had been broken and repaired a few times…. Shit, he’d understand if she wanted to be a hermit the rest of her life. However, his little mate was a fighter. She didn’t dwell. She didn’t throw a pity party. She kept going, even if it was at a relatively slow pace, with marked mini-achievements. He saw her as a strong woman with an iron will. A lion in sheep’s clothing.

Now it was up to him to show her how strong she really was. Loading a piece of parchment into his printer, he settled in and began to type the quote he’d found the day before while scouring the Internet.

Life holds special magic for those who dare to dream.

What are your dreams, Fawn?

Imagine one of your favorites and grab onto it with both hands.

Hold it close. Believe in it. Make it happen.

He placed the note along with the jar into the box then taped it shut. At nightfall, he left his rambling home and drove out to Fawn’s place. After parking the truck a good distance away, Kalum stripped and shifted. He stretched out his large black frame and grabbed the string attached to the box gently between his teeth. Trotting down the path to her home, he kept to the shadows. Careful not to alert her, he peered into the window of her living room.

She sat huddled on the couch, the soft glow of her lamp illuminating the book on her lap. A soft throw covered her legs, and the fire in the fireplace flickered. The scent of burning pine drifted on the night air, filling his senses. He could stand there for hours and watch her. Explore everything which made her happy, but this was a mission. He didn’t want to get caught nor did he want to upset her. Dropping the package, he scratched the door once then took off back the way he came, not waiting to see if she answered.

As he pulled his clothes back on after returning to his truck, he took one more look down the lane leading to her house and grinned. Three more days and he’d make her his. He’d teach her how to grab those dreams and ride them off into the sunset. He’d give her everything just to see her happy and in love.

The scratching sound drew Fawn’s attention to the back door. When the sound didn’t come again, she got up and peered through the blinds. On her porch, lay another box. Should she open the door and pick it up? Should she leave it there? Her conversation with Tinks replayed in her mind.
This could be a good thing.

She never got presents. Her parents had long since passed. Her brother had left and showed no sign of returning home. Who would give her something? She warred with herself over something silly. It was obvious someone desired her attention. The whys didn’t matter. No one, hopefully, would hurt her again. Maybe Tinks had been right.

Yet, she didn’t trust herself enough to give in to the little spark of happiness. One thing might lead to another, and, if she were put back into the same situation, she’d die. This time she wouldn’t come back from the trauma, the mental anguish. As it was, had Tinks not convinced her to start her own small company, she’d still be hiding. The thought of trying to find Kru and move in with him entered her mind, too.

Still, staying seemed easier, and perhaps Magnum had been right. She was weak. She didn’t take chances. She hadn’t pleased her family. Him. She wasn’t special and had no hidden talents. Even as a child, she’d kept to herself. It had made her easy pickings for a deranged Alpha.
Enough of the pity party, Fawn.
Yes, it was. That was her past, this was now.
So, what is the Fawn of now going to do about the package outside getting snowed on?

She opened the door, grabbed the large box, and brought it inside. The plain brown box had no markings of any kind on it. A piece of twine had been wrapped around it and….
No way.
She sniffed the box and swore she caught the hint of leather and aftershave. She sniffed it again but this time all she smelled was cardboard.
Weird.
Cutting the twine off, she then pulled off the tape and opened the box. Another note sat on top of a jar. She put the parchment aside and grabbed the Mason jar.

Fawn laughed. Hot chocolate and a bottle of Bailey’s. She loved cocoa; it was a staple in her home. She grabbed the paper included in the parcel and read it. A smile floated across her lips. Dreams. As a child, she’d had so many. She wanted to be a doctor or a scientist. Then a model and a songwriter. She’d been fifty feet tall and invincible. She wished she could go back to her wide-eyed innocence. Unfortunately, those times were so long ago and the reality of life was pretty simple. It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t nice. It was rough and hard. It was about sacrifices and defeats. Mini triumphs. Being brokenhearted and lonely.

God, she hated being a Debbie Downer.

She filled her teapot and placed it on the stove then read the instructions on the card.

Again, she sniffed the jar. All she scented were the contents. Chocolate, powdered milk, cinnamon, some other things, and marshmallows. So why did she feel disappointed?
Damn it, Tinks.
Her suggestion that Kalum was the secret admirer ran on a repeat loop through her mind. Would he do this? And if he had, why? He could have any of the females or even find a human. Someone untouched or unmarred.

Even if she did like him. Okay, more than liked him. She’d be nothing special for him. She’d hold him back and make him a laughingstock.

What would it be like to wake up next to him? To be happy with him? To kiss him. Those full, tempting lips that always curled into a sensual smirk when he teased her. Would the kiss be hard and demanding or soft and gentle? She wondered if his calloused fingers would rasp over her skin when he touched her. What he sounded like in the throes of passion.

She knew instinctively he wouldn’t be cruel. He’d love her. Give her pleasure. He’d wipe away all the fear of being with a man after being mentally and physically tortured. If she only had the courage to grasp the dreams written in the note. As much as she thought her little challenges were making her stronger, she didn’t feel like they were. She still stayed home most of the time. She hadn’t been on a date, nor had she attempted any type of affection with a man. So, in her book, she was still a coward.

The whistle of her teapot brought her out of her thoughts. She grabbed the mug and the jar and proceeded to make herself a cup of hot chocolate. She added a generous dollop from the Bailey’s bottle and went back to her book. She could have more, if she took the first step. Fear made her stomach knot, but a bit of wide-eyed wonder she’d suppressed for so many years broke free and whispered,
Try.

Fawn took a sip of the hot, sweet goodness and moaned. Okay, she’d try. She’d play this game for as long as it lasted. She’d step out of her self-imposed hell and live. What was the worst that could happen? Not like someone would hurt her. Those days were gone. Drew didn’t stand for it anymore.

“Well, here’s to a new life and a better me.” She took another swig from her mug and grinned. “Yep, I’m grabbing life by the horns.”
Maybe.

***

The scent of fried chicken greeted Kalum as he stepped over the threshold of his home. He strolled into the kitchen and found his sister and brother working side by side in front of the stove. “Wow, leave for an hour, and look at you two. When did you get to be so domesticated, Graham?”

His brother flipped him off. “About the same time your ass did, crafting diva.” Wearing a floral apron, Graham carried a pot of potatoes over to the sink and poured out the water.

“Let me guess. You’re afraid of getting dirty?” he said, tugging on his brother’s smock.

“As a matter of fact, I have a date in Rapid City tonight,” Graham replied. “I wanted to look my best.”

“Then stay home,” Lily piped up. “She gets one look at your ugly muzzle and she’ll run for the hills.” She squealed when Graham grabbed her and started tickling her.

Kalum stood back and watched his younger siblings. After their parents passed, he’d wondered if they’d ever be normal again. Mom and Dad had been the glue holding their family together. The love his mother had for each of them—teaching them to be respectable adults and never take for granted a moment in life, seemed like a stark contrast to Fawn’s life. How many happy memories did she have?

Had her mom baked cookies with her? Had her dad taught her how to fish? Had she ever been camping or slept out under the stars? Questions swirled through his mind as he stood there with his siblings.

“Hey, Earth to Kalum, did you get lost again?” Lily tapped his shoulder.

“Huh?” He shook his head. “What did you say?”

“I said, would you mind setting the table,” Lily said with a laugh. “I swear, since you started this little scheme, your mind has been wandering.”

“I was thinking about the cattle and what I have to do tomorrow,” he said, grabbing the dishes out of the cupboard.

“You lie worse than a snake oil salesman,” Graham chuckled. “Plus, if you get
that
look on your face from thinking about the cows, we have bigger problems.”

“What look?” he asked, placing the plates on the table.

“Like you can’t wait to get balls-deep in a heifer.” His brother grabbed the bowl of mashed potatoes and placed it in the center of the table. “Is there something you need to tell us, bro?”

“Fuck off, asshole,” Kalum snapped and stomped back to fridge. Grabbing a beer for himself and one for his brother, he walked back to the table. “I was thinking about Fawn.”

“Does she suspect it’s you?” Lily set the platter of chicken on the table.

“No, I don’t think so. I played it off yesterday, and tonight I dropped the present off as a Wolf.”

“How did you cover your scent?” His brother took a seat across from where he stood. “She should be able to smell you.”

“I’m hoping with me popping up at random times at her house, my scent will mingle with the package, and she won’t think anything of it.” Kalum shrugged.

“I told you, I should have done it in the morning on the way to town,” his sister said, patting his back.

“Yeah, maybe.” He took his seat. “What about you and Chris?” Lily’s reaction the day before hadn’t set well with Kalum, but he didn’t know the right way to broach the subject.

Graham took a bite of chicken. “These are the times I wish Mom was still around. I don’t want to get into the whole touchy-feely thing.”

“Mom would have baked cookies then braided my hair while telling us stories about her and Dad,” Lily mumbled.

“I liked the one about the first time Dad met Mom,” Graham said. “I think it’s why I don’t want a mate. The way Dad looked at her—”

“Like she hung the moon and the stars,” Kalum said.

“Yeah. I don’t think I’ll ever find a woman like Mom.”

Kalum nodded. He had to agree with his brother, but were they supposed to find mates like their parents? “I don’t think we’re supposed to. I think we’re meant to find someone who makes us want to be better people. Kind of like Dad said.”

She snorted. “Who are you and what did you do with my brother?”

Kalum shrugged. “I realized I didn’t want to be alone anymore.”

“You’re turning sentimental in your old age,” Lily teased.

“Yeah, maybe I am. So, are you going to the solstice party?” he asked.

“And mingle with the heathens? No, thanks. I’ve seen what our pack does to their women. I don’t want any part of it.”

“Watch it now,” Kalum said. “We all belong to
our
pack, Lily. Chris wouldn’t hurt one hair on a fly’s ass, let alone a woman.”

“Chris isn’t everyone, Kalum. I’ve heard things. Our pack is—was—messed up,” she replied, while picking at her potatoes. “Look at what they did to Fawn.”

“That was part of the old regime. It’s different with Drew. You’ve seen it, little sis.”

“I have. He’s doing a great job of revitalizing the land, but old wounds, brother.”

Yeah, he understood what she was getting at. “I know. Look, why don’t you at least come with me to the solstice festivities if Fawn bows out? Both of you. We’ll make it a family thing.”

“I hate when you pull the family card,” Graham grumbled. “It reminds me of when Dad would say, ‘Hey, watch this’ when he’d take us camping. Everything always backfired on the old man.”

Lily laughed. “Poor Dad. Do you remember the time he thought he still had it and used the rope swing over the lake?”

Graham nodded. “Let a professional show you how this is done, boys.” He took a sip of beer before he chuckled. “Dad forgot to let go and smacked into the hillside then fell into the water.”

Kalum snorted and then took a bite of chicken. He could remember what happened like it was yesterday. Their dad had been laid up for three days afterward. “Then when he surfaced and squeaked out, ‘I’m okay. Don’t worry about me.’ I swear Mom had a heart attack and called him every name in the book.”

“I thought she was going to castrate him,” Graham said.

“I think she did.” Lily snickered.

“So, this means you’ll join me?”

“We’ll join you,” Graham agreed.

“With bells on,” Lily added. “You should know, if there is dancing, I’m not doing it.”

“Why not?” Kalum asked, curious to hear her answer.