Midweek comes and I'm on my way to the reservation with a top-up order for a party, apparently. I have never been to this reservation, no one has, it's not a public access one. After a solid forty-five minutes of lead foot driving, I see a sign saying private access only, turn back.
'Well, that looks friendly.'
I roll my eyes for the hundredth time today. Get in, out and back home. Though, I can't lie, the scenery is nice!+
Home is relatively flat and open but the further I get, the more rolling the landscape becomes. The forests are thick and green, there's even a river near the road off and on. I take one final turn and the forest opens up to a large clearing.
The main house is breathtaking and huge! I've never seen anything like it before in my life. Multi-story made of wood and stone, the mansion looks like it was crafted from the very forest around it. There are people of all ages milling about; clearly, a lot of people live here.
As I drive up to the front door, I see Jace and Xavier exit the house with two women. Jace smiles and waves me over.
Where are the strawberries!? Don't tell me you forgot them," Jace whines like a brat as he digs through the back. I reach in the back seat, grab a basket and hand them to him as he lights up.
There you go you big baby," I say, rolling my eyes as I laugh. His grey eyes shine in delight as a giant grin splits his face.
Not so fast!" Says the first woman. She's in her late twenties, tall and willowy, with long dark brown hair and eyes. "That's for dessert, hand it over." She holds her hand out for the basket and Jace breaks out into the most dramatic pout; big eyes and pouty lip as his eyes lock on hers.
Give it up Jace, those big puppy dog eyes won't work on me." She turns her attention to me. "Hi, I'm Claire, Xavier's mate, you could say I'm the head cook here."
Oh, hey there," I say as I reach out and shake hers. She's not who I would expect to be with Xavier, far more outgoing and happy, but I guess opposites attract.
What else did you bring me, lil' elf," I hear Jace say from the back of the truck. He has the attention span and boundaries of a child as he searches through the crates.
Just Grandmother's order, take it up with her," I joke as I check the surroundings out. "This place is amazing, I've never seen anything like it!"
The house is impressive from a distance and up close it's amazing. Massive doesn't even capture its scale–some of the boulders used in the facade are as big as I am. The way the stonework and timbers come together gives it such an organic feel like the mansion was grown, not built.
You're just on the front lawn, you haven't seen anything yet, lil' elf," he teases, waggling his brows.+
Elf? Really?" I deadpan.+
Well, it's elf or pixie, humans can't grow this good," he laughs, running a hand through his already messy golden brown hair. I can't help but roll my eyes and groan at his exuberance. "What about sprite? Oh, or fairy!"
He's far more impressed with himself than he should be.+
Elf it is," I grumble in defeat, which earns me a hearty laugh from everyone. "So, where would you like me to unload all of this?"+
Oh, don't worry about that," Claire quickly cuts in. "The boys can take it in. We're just preparing for a big dinner and everything's such a mess." Xavier starts to take out the crates and stacks a couple for Jace before grabbing a stack himself.+
Well, that didn't sound rushed at all.+
Movement out of the corner of my eye catches my attention as I see the boy from the market running from the house. "So this is where you come from, hmm," I muse quietly to myself.
Oh? Where did you meet Ethan?" The second woman asks. She has been quietly staring me down since I arrived. I don't get a particularly hostile vibe from her, but by her stiff posture, she clearly isn't comfortable with me being here.
He's been at the market a couple of times, quite an appetite," I say, trying to brush it off. Her dark eyes narrow, so clearly that wasn't the right thing to say. "He didn't cause any problems, just has a sweet tooth, so I bought him a couple of cookies and gave him some cherry tomatoes." Success, she visibly relaxes.
Sara! Where is everyone? Derek will be here any minute!" Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome from the market yells as he steps out the front door.
Chris, was it?
I don't even notice I'm staring until his hazel gaze meets mine. Panic snaps me out of my trance and I quickly drop my gaze. He starts to make his way over, but someone intercepts him for a quick question.
Suddenly feeling flustered, I take it as my hint to leave. Claire hands me an envelope with their payment, I thank them quickly, shut my tailgate and head out. Looking in the rearview mirror, I see Chris staring as I drive off. There's something so intense about him, yet I can't explain it...
Once I am past the first bend and out of sight, I feel like a weight is lifted off my shoulders. +
What the fuck? Why am I flustered like this, and why does he make me so uncomfortable? I thought I finally had my shit together, maybe not...
------+
I'm safely home by mid-afternoon. Since there's less work today, there's not too much left to do for the end of the day. My stomach is still churning from my earlier nerves, so I settle on some veggies and dip for dinner. I grab a plate and sit on the deck, watching the fireflies dance as dusk settles in.
Nights like this remind me of just how much I love it out here. The peace and tranquillity as I unwind at the end of a long day.
I see the same grey wolf from the other day walking up the back laneway. He's cautious, sniffing the air regularly as his crystal blue eyes scan the area. I take the opportunity to study him. I would say wolves are rare here, but that makes twice now in the same week I've seen him.
His blue eyes settle on me as he relaxes under a nearby tree. I swear he's studying me as much as I am him. He's beautiful and bigger than I thought wolves were. Now that he's a bit closer, his size is undeniable.
He looks about the size of a pony–is that normal?
My thoughts are cut short by a howl in the distance. The wolf snaps his head in that direction and sits up a little taller. A couple of minutes later, another howl sounds, but this one sounds a bit closer. An uneasy feeling seeps into the air, making me nervous. With dark settling in fast, I gather my dishes and go to head in. One last look shows the yard is once again empty. My wolf is on his way once more. I lock the back door and head to bed.
-----+
I pause, standing up from the row of pepper plants I'm working on and wipe the sweat off of my forehead with the back of my arm. Even in a tank top and thin yoga pants, it's too hot and it's only mid-morning. I'm clearly not getting any more done here today so I decide to swing by the market.
I pull up and catch a big grin from Jude as I head to the tailgate to grab the cooler I packed with cold drinks and Freezees. As I head into the market area, he happily takes the cooler from me, insisting on carrying it the rest of the way. We head over to Trish who is sitting, fanning herself, desperate for some relief. Her regularly pale skin is flushed red from the heat.
Come to me my beautiful, cold, sweet caffeine," she gushes as she eagerly takes the bottle of iced coffee I hold out to her. We both stare like she's finally cracked, but she ignores us as she gulps it down.+
What can I do you for, Jude?" I ask, scanning the options. He cocks an eyebrow, as a slow smirk creeps onto his lips. Instantly, my face flushes in response.
What is going on?! I'm blushing like a schoolgirl.
I shake my head, trying to wash the feeling away. "Um, drink wise I mean, um," I stammer. With a winning smile, he grabs a pop. I smile back as I cut open a blue Freezee for myself.+