Chapter 2
“THANKS,Lex.”
Wolf shifter and Lake Gemini ferryman Lex Dawson docked his personal speedboat at the Ursa Lodge dock. Despite winter’s chill, Lake Gemini rarely froze over thanks to its extreme depths. At this time of year, with spring a mere promise, it might not be frozen but it wouldn’t entice any swimmers either. “My pleasure, Elaine.” He tweaked both Layla’s and Andy’s pink noses. “You kids have grown.”
“Uncle Lex.” Andy kicked up his boots. “Look at my big feet!”
Lex pretended to fall back in shock. “Oh, my goodness. I only know one person who had big feet like that. My Aunt Bertha.” He crouched to their level and whispered in conspiratorial fashion. “She also had a huge wart on the tip of her nose with a big hair coming out of it. She terrified me.”
Layla giggled. “You’re making that up.”
“Maybe a little.” He hugged Elaine. “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too, and it’s nice to be back. Nice, but strange.”
“I hear you.”
“I see you and your band will be entertaining the masses at the big party.”
“Yeah, we’ll play a few tunes. Badly, probably, but I suspect there will be enough alcohol flowing that we’ll sound like The Rolling Stones. Just remind me not to invite Soren onto the stage with us. He’ll make us look bad. Can I take your luggage to your cabin?”
“No need, thank you. I texted Connor. He’s on his way. He was eager to see the kids.”
“Not just the kids, I’d wager.” He lifted her bags out of the boat and set them on the dock. “Well, looks like your escort is already here.”
Elaine held her breath, but her bear lifted its head and breathed deeply. Something in the air, the tease of Connor’s scent, made the bear want to inhale.
Connor emerged through the pine trees, clad in jeans, a gray bomber jacket, and his favorite scuffed-up brown boots. As he headed toward them, his dark eyes crinkled.
Even though she’d never been in the habit of assessing his appearance, she couldn’t help noticing a couple of changes. His dark hair was a bit shorter now, and he’d grown a beard. It suited him. He looked rugged and a little rough and better than any hipster could ever hope to look.
She didn’t, however, miss the circles of fatigue under his eyes.
It seemed she wasn’t the only one with difficulty sleeping.
The kids raced to him. “Uncle Connor!”
“My munchkins! Get over here.” He bent down and held out his arms.
Layla and Andy knocked him over and scrambled atop him. He laughed, not caring that each movement dusted him in snow. They spoke over each other, giggling at his facial hair. Connor listened to their patter, nodding his head, but he glanced at Elaine.
One side of his mouth curled up in a kind grin, and her heart flip-flopped.
Maybe she hadn’t managed to push her old friend away and he’d forgiven her. Maybe he was just being nice. She wasn’t sure, but for some reason, she’d never been so nervous.
He picked up the kids by their waists, one under each arm, and spun them around. After a few spins, he set them down. “I’m going to help you guys get settled in Cabin 14, but I’m going to say hello to your mom first.”
The kids spotted a cardinal and its mate and followed the birds into the nearby clearing.
Connor walked over to Elaine. Each step seemed to take an hour. Every scrape of his boots on the ground seemed to scrape at her wounds. He stood before her, his face serious. After a moment, he brushed two fingers over her cheek. “You look good.”
“Flatterer. I’m a mess and you know it.”
“Elaine, you’re the furthest thing from a mess I’ve ever seen.” He held out his arms. “Bring it home.”
Home. Was this still her home? She’d never felt so homeless.
She fell into his arms, glad for the sanctuary for however long it lasted.
