Crimson Moon (21 page)

The smile on Caleb's face expressed his happiness. “And we're here."

The fence stopped ahead, two parts divided by the gravel. To the right was an enormous barn and beside that some sort of metal structure with two large trucks underneath. Dogs were scattered about, lounging in the sun. Directly ahead was Caleb's home.

Four large pillars lined the grey stoned porch that staggered in two rows onto the ground. Concrete was poured into a circle, the gravel ending just as it began. The white house was bright, the green shutters and front door matching perfectly. Glass squares ran along each side of the door frame, forming an interlocking pattern. White rocking chairs were empty on the porch, potted flowers hanging from metal fixtures directly overhead.

"It's beautiful,” I told him softly. The house was beautiful—it was true. But the sense of love flowing from the inside out made it all the more lovely.

"It is,” he whispered.

He pulled to the right and parked, cutting the engine. He peered at me, lips curving, that soft smile forcing my heart into my throat.

The green door flew open, and when I turned to look, he did too, smile going wide. He threw open the door, leaving it ajar as he ran for his sister. They clashed together and he lifted her body, twirling her around as they clenched their arms around one another.

Her voice was lovely, with a slight southern accent. “You're home!"

"Sammie.” He hugged her tightly before letting go.

"Where is she?” she laughed, peeking around his shoulder.

They came over to the SUV and I opened my door, trying to mask the anxiety I felt.

"Sammie, this is Emma. And of course, Emma, this is my sister, Samantha."

"It's great to meet you, Emma!” She jolted forward and threw her arms around my neck.

I was relieved she couldn't see the initial shock that crossed my face. I hugged her back and Caleb beamed at the two of us.

I smiled in spite of myself.

"You too, Samantha—"

"My friends call me Sammie."

"Sammie,” I corrected myself.

"Excellent!” She grinned.

It was easy to identify her and Caleb as siblings. If their faces, similar hair and coloring, or those deep blue eyes weren't enough—one could easily perceive it in the unmistakable adoration shining in their faces for one another.

Caleb walked to me, and for the first time, I felt embarrassed and shy. He reached for my hand, clasping it firmly in his. If he had any indication of my inhibitions he wasn't letting on—nor was he going to allow it to dissuade him.

"Where are Mom and Dad?"

Sam bit her lip, smiling and giggling at us. “Mom is making one of your favorites for lunch, chicken and dumplings. So Dad is trying to avoid her as much as possible. She told him he can't work today, since you'll be home. He's already said she's driving him ape shit."

"I guess we should spare him, then.” He smiled at me and explained, “My Mom goes overboard when I visit—cooking, cleaning, and expecting Dad to join in. He usually hides in the basement."

We walked to the porch. The grey stone was beautiful, reaching all the way around. Sammie stepped to the door which was still open, skipping inside. I stopped behind her and Caleb closed the door.

The ceilings were enormous, crown molding framing the high walls. The dining room was to the left, a brilliant glass chandelier hanging over the huge table. Two seats were placed under each section. The basket in the middle filled with bright red apples.

"This way.” Caleb laced his fingers around mine, leading me down the hallway and past the staircase, into a doorway on the left.

The kitchen was gigantic. A dark wood island in the center of the room was covered with speckled white marble. The marble on the countertop matched, wrapping around the wall. The sink was surrounded by flowers, a stove and black oven situated at the far end.

Mrs. Blackney looked up from preparing dumplings, white flour covering her apron and hands. Her mouth hung open and she hurriedly crossed the room. I released Caleb just in time. She was diminutive against him, just like the pixie I'd imagined. Her hair had grown since the picture, hanging in waves at her shoulders.

"When you called this morning, I was so happy. It's so wonderful to have you home."

She fought back tears, her delicate hands going to her face. She turned her attention to me, pulling free of his arms. Her light blue eyes were brimming and she sniffed, laughing.

"And you must be Emma. Welcome to our home, come here.” She wrapped her arms around me, just as Sammie did. This time I wasn't shocked. I had to bend my knees, even I towered over her.

"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Blackney."

"Oh, none of that! Call me Beverly, please."

"Beverly,” I corrected myself again.

"That's better.” She touched Caleb's arm as she passed, love shining in her eyes, and returned to finish lunch. “Your Father is in the basement. I told him I'd send you down."

"Come on!” Sammie grabbed my arm, pulling me out of the kitchen. “Dad really wants to meet you."

I stumbled but recovered. Her enthusiasm didn't cease when we reached another set of stairs, but at least she released my arm. She bounded down, disappearing around the corner.

I turned anxious eyes to Caleb.

"I'll lead,” he chuckled, holding my hand as we descended the steep stairs.

The light was dim and I could hear Sammie speaking excitedly, “She's really pretty, Dad!"

"I'm sure she is, Sammie. Now settle down, before your Mom comes down here,” he scolded her lightly.

"She's too busy slaving over those dumplings. I don't understand why they have to be perfect. It all goes down the same way."

We reached the foot of the stairs, turning into the basement. A couch was situated below a large flat screen television mounted into the wall, a love seat and recliner on either side. Sammie was on the couch, speaking to her Father in the recliner on the right. The main light source came from the lamp next to him, the window high situated in the wall barely emitting any of the outside sunshine. Caleb led us around.

"Hey, Dad.” Caleb reached out and they shook hands. “This is Emma."

"Son,” he said affectionately. Then he turned his deep blue eyes to me I had to clear my head, he and Caleb looked so much alike. “Hello, Emma."

"Hello, Mr. Blackney,” I was waiting to be interrupted this time.

"Call me, Chris.” He motioned to the couch. “Take a seat. Your Mom will be at it for awhile yet."

"She's already driving you ape shit? It's not even noon.” Caleb laughed and we sat down, Caleb taking the middle. His hand wrapped around my shoulders to keep me close and I realized he had zero qualms about displaying his affection—none.

"Your Mother, as much as I love her, has been driving me ape shit since I met her. It's all a part of her charm—best given in doses,” Chris admitted, shaking his head.

"Sammie.” Caleb grinned mischievously. “Sarah bumped into Michael the other day. He was asking about you."

Chris grumbled something and Samantha scowled distastefully.

"Not him again,” she complained, rolling her eyes. “I already told him the last time he called here to leave me alone. I'm not changing my mind, either. I will never go out with anyone again because I feel sorry for them. Talk about the date that won't go away. If I bonded with him, I'd have to kill myself, seriously."

"He can't be that bad,” Caleb riled her. “Anyone who keeps coming back for more of your emotional beat downs must have something going for him. What did you do to the poor guy anyway?"

"Since when did you start defending stalkers?” she huffed defensively, narrowing her eyes and folded her arms across her chest.

"I'm not defending him,” Caleb countered, shrugging. “You know that if I had my way, you'd be old and single forever. Besides that—you're too young to date."

As soon as he said it, I squeezed my eyes shut and bit my lip, grimacing. I looked down at my hands, holding in my laughter and hiding my smile. He was about to eat his words. Sammie didn't miss a beat.

"No you don't, Caleb. Emma's barely older than me. You can't use that line anymore.” She smiled at him, totally ecstatic.

"Dad,” Caleb grumbled, sighing. “Will she ever outgrow being so annoying?"

"It's not annoyance, son. She's just gifted with the talent of a smart ass. Just like your Mother,” Chris chuckled, causing us all to laugh.

We chatted together for a while, Chris explaining what had happened on the farm and Sammie filling us in on the local town gossip. Beverly came downstairs when lunch was ready and we went up after her.

As Sammie forewarned, everything had to be perfect. The china was in place along with cloth napkins and expensive silverware. I sat next to Caleb, our seats brushing, elbows bumping. He reached under the table and squeezed my leg, smiling rakishly.

I flashed back to the movie where a dating couple is having dinner with the family. The girl touched the guy inappropriately while everyone else was oblivious to the sexual innuendo's taking place right in front of them. I stifled a snicker and Caleb looked at me inquisitively.

"What's so funny?” he whispered.

"I'll tell you later,” I giggled, squeezing his hand.

The food was delicious. The chicken melted inside my mouth along with the dumplings. Beverly prepared a huge pot of them, and by the end of lunch, she was scraping out the remainder. Sammie, Caleb, and Chris gorged themselves, leaving nothing over.

"Time for desert,” Sammie chirped, wriggling in her seat. She glanced at me and said, “Mom made fresh apple pie, it's the best in the county!"

"Actually.” Beverly glanced at Caleb and they exchanged nods. She stood, walking to the side table and plopping a worn cloth tote in front of us. “I've prepared a special desert just for Caleb and Emma."

Chris cleared his throat and said, “Beau is in his stall, son."

Caleb pushed away from the table, helping me from my seat and collecting the tote. Chris and Beverly were smiling and Sammie seemed just as confused as I was.

I peered up at Caleb as he led the way from the dining room, whispering, “What is going on?"

He grabbed my hand and squeezed my fingers. “A surprise."

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"All of this belongs to your family?” I asked in disbelief, rocking in motion with Caleb's body as he guided the reins and directed the horse beneath us.

"Our property line extends to the mountain."

He clucked his tongue and I braced myself, latching onto the mane of the large chestnut gelding for dear life. I'd ridden on multiple trail rides back home, but never bareback. Without the comforting grip of stirrups for additional leverage, I felt unbalanced.

Caleb's arm tightened around my waist and he bent over my ear, whispering, “I've got you, Emma."

"Sorry,” I exhaled, loosening my hold.

He laughed, keeping me close. “Don't worry, we're not far now."

I knew he wouldn't tell me, but I chose to ask anyway, “Not far from what?"

"I told you.” He brushed his mouth against my cheek, heated breath creating goose bumps along the skin. “It's a surprise."

We continued following a path through the thick trees, winding up the narrow trail and then following it back down. The sky was slightly overcast, covering the trees in a thin shade of grey. Thick green ivy ran along the trunks of trees, the flooring of the forest practically covered in it.

"A person could get lost in here,” I mused, winding my hand around Caleb's arm. “I can't remember the direction of the house."

His words at my ear caused me to shiver. “That's why you always stay on the path."

We came to a divide in the trail and Caleb guided Beau to the right, taking us down the mountain. The trees thinned, revealing more of the sky and an unbelievably breathtaking view of the land below.

Something flashed in the distance and I pointed to it. “What's that?"

"I told you,” he growled playfully, nipping at my ear.

"I know, I know,” I sighed, “It's a surprise."

He laughed, and when we cleared the trees and entered a meadow, he clucked his tongue again, sending Beau into a smooth canter. The wind breezed across my face and through my hair and I relaxed into Caleb, holding onto his arm for support.

We came to another line of trees with a large path in the center but instead of continuing on horseback Caleb released my waist and kicked his leg round, carefully sliding off. He reached up to help me down, hands grasping my hips.

I placed my hands on his shoulders, and he held me close, my feet dangling inches from the ground. His lips found mine as his free hand wound into the hair at my nape, bringing me closer. I responded by parting my lips, welcoming his tongue as he teased and tasted my mouth.

Beau shifted at my back and snorted and Caleb groaned, pulling away to smile at me. “Come on, beautiful. It's this way."

He lowered my feet to the ground and took my hand as he reached for the reins, leading the way. The trees continued to part and thin out as we walked through, a large shack of some kind located at the end.

We reached the little hut with no walls and a thin metal roof and Caleb directed Beau inside, tethering the horse in the shade.

At my questioning gaze he explained, “Derek and I used to come here with Sammie when she was a little girl. It was easier to build this than to chase the loose horses each time."

He offered his hand and I took it, moving near as he walked past the trees, the dirt thinning and revealing rock like gravel. I stared at the huge stone formation just ahead, with trees and foliage along the top. Several trees wove around the right side and Caleb guided me to the left.

We walked to the center and I finally set eyes on my surprise, lips curving into a smile. “You have a rock quarry?"

The fresh rain water inside the stone barrier was a glorious mushroom blue, the surface still and unaffected as the breeze was blocked by the large rock walls surrounding it.

"Let's sit over there.” He pointed to an expanse of grass growing along the side, shaded by several large trees.