Harvest Dreams (17 page)

you
. And you’re going to tell me you can’t be you anymore?”
“It’s too hard,” she whispered.
Steven nodded. “It is. But hiding or running away is going to be harder. You can’t stop what is meant, Rachel. You of all people should know that.” He took his hands out of his pockets and tapped his chest. “Do you know what gets me through it all?” He dropped his hands. “You. When I’ve hit the bottom and want to give up, I see you. When I’m ready to scream in frustration, I see you. Your vibrant and all you have to do is walk into a room and nothing else matters, it all fades.”
He finally stepped closer. “When I’m so tired I don’t know who I am or why I’m doing it, I see you, Rachel. When I close my eyes, you’re there laughing and telling me to get off my tired ass and carry on. You get me through everything. Just as you do to all those children whose lives you touch. It’s you.”
Rachel dropped her head and looked down at the floor. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Stay.” His throat began to tighten.
She shook her head again and played with the strap of her purse. “I don’t think I can.” She said it so softly he barely heard her.
He wanted to shake her, to yell and snap her out of it. It took all the strength he had to stay calm and not grab her. “I told you I had no pride, but I do. I’ll swallow it for you right here. Now.” He swallowed the knot in his throat. “I love you, Angel. I have for more years then I can remember.”
Her teary eyes looked up at him. “I love you too, but...”
“Just listen. I know you’re hurting right now.” He reached over and wiped a tear off her cheek with a vibrating hand. “I wished I could make it all vanish, I wished I could fix everything just so you would smile again.” He searched her eyes. “I want you to stay. I’ll help. We’ll all help you find your way back.” He caressed her cheek softly. “If you do stay, I don’t want to
just
be your friend.”
Her eyes widened but before she could speak he caressed her trembling lips with his thumb. “I want to be your friend. Your lover. Your husband. The father of your children and the person you turn to. I love you so much, Angel.”
His legs were shaking as he slowly dropped down onto his knees in front of her. He held her waist gently and looked up into her eyes. “I’m asking you to stay. Stay for me--with me. Give me a chance to make you happy. Marry me and let me love you as you should be.” He smiled an unsteady smile. “Love me back and for the love of the Gods, Angel, let me be the one to give you those babies you were meant to have.”
Rachel lifted a shaking hand and touched his face. The tears were still falling down her cheeks. “Yes,” she barely whispered and then hugged him into her and held him with shaking hands.
Steven smiled and slid slowly up her body holding her tightly. “I don’t have a ring, but I’ll buy you ten later if that’s what you want.”
She wrapped her arms around him. “I just want you.”
He lowered his head and kissed her tenderly, slowly taking it into the urgent feeling they brought to each other. Pushing her back against the door he told her without words how much he missed her, how much he needed her.
Reaching down her pulled her off her feet and against him. She moaned into his mouth and wrapped her legs around his waist.
*
Kasey turned to the others standing in the door and said quietly. “Well.”
Cora looked over at the two people so wrapped in each other they had forgotten they weren’t alone. “Um... so...”
Leena put her hand over her mouth and smiled. “Should we...”
Dade shook his head. “God no, this is like live porn. I need a beer.”
Cora smacked him and pulled on his arm to leave the room
Owen grinned at Chris. “Your house,” he whispered.
Chris grinned then cleared his throat loudly. “There are three empty bedrooms upstairs.”
*
Steven raised his head and looked down at her. Rachel blushed and hid her face in his shoulder.
Dade laughed. “I’ll show you where one is, if I can watch.”
Steven let Rachel slide down to stand on the floor and glanced over his shoulder as Rachel hid her face in his chest. “Now look at the mess you’ve got us in,” he whispered into her hair.
She looked up at him grinning. “Me? Was I holding you pinned to the door?”
Kasey cleared her throat. “We’ll be in the living room, when you catch your breath.”
Leena giggled and turned to follow everyone out of the room.
*
Several minutes later they walked in, composed and grinning. Steven sat quickly and pulled her into his lap.
Dade sighed. “No more secrets, bro. This has been killing me. Knowing and not being able to rib Rach about it...”
Rachel’s jaw dropped and she turned to Steven. “What?” She looked back at Dade. “How long have you known?”
The grin left Dade’s face as Steven glared at him. “Uh-since Lammas,” he said quietly.
“What?” She turned to Steven. “You told him?”
Steven held up his hands. “No. He--sort of--saw--after.”
Rachel covered her face with her hands. “Hide me,” she whispered and turned her face into his chest.
Steven grinned down at her then looked up at all the eyes staring back at him. Grinning he held up his hands and shrugged. “I’m a weak man, she seduced me.”
She smacked his chest. “A liar is what you are.”
Chris laughed. “Well that certainly fills in a few puzzling moments for me.” He leaned over to Cora and studied her for a moment. “So, where were you during this so called all night thing at the temple?”
Rachel spun towards her. “It was a set up?”
Cora smirked and looked to the empty cushion beside her. “It’s Dade’s fault.” She turned to Chris and grinned. “I was at Dade’s watching sappy chick flicks with him that night. I saw a tear in his eye a few times too...”
“What?” Dade shook his head. “You must have been seeing things, Honey. Damn stupid movies, make no sense.” He threw up his hands and sat back shaking his head.
Steven looked over at Owen. “This reminds me I need to buy your kitchen table from you...” Rachel hid her face again and Dade covered his and groaned.
Leena sat back into Owen’s arms and sighed. “The balance has returned.”
Kasey nodded. “Yeah.” She jumped up. “Oh!” She ran from the room.
Steven watched her fly by. “And the race goes on.”
Rachel leaned over and bit his lip. “I want four.”
Steven smirked at her. “Four what?”
She flicked the stud in her tongue out twice. “Babies,” she grinned.
He watched her mouth and smiled. “That could be arranged.” He licked her bottom lip. “Just let me know when you want to start.”
Rachel gripped his hair with both hands and pulled his face closer. “Immediately.”
She crushed her mouth against his.
Kasey came back and slid to a stop beside them. “Oh!” She looked around. “Are we going to have to pry them apart soon?”
Steven lifted his head and winked at her. “Good luck with that.”
Dade shook his head. “I think you two should by-pass the long engagement.”
Rachel chewed her lip and looked at Steven. “We could have a triple hand fast at Samhain?”
Steven grinned. “Whatever you want, Angel.” He turned to look at Kasey. “What’s that?” He motioned to the box she held.
“Oh!” Kasey looked down and then walked over to Leena. “Happy Birthday.” She held it out. “It’s not completely for you, but we worked together to get it done.”
Leena sat up and took the box and rested it in her lap. Smiling she opened the lid and peaked in. “Oh.” She sighed. Reaching in the box Leena pulled out a fine chain.
Lifting it she held up a mobile with sparkling crystals handing from it. “For the baby.” She whispered. Owen reached and took it holding it up. Leena looked up at Kasey. “It’s so beautiful, thank you.” She started to cry.
Kasey dropped down and hugged her.
Dade sat up quickly and looked at Leena then at Steven. “New rule. Only one of these women can be pregnant at a time.”
Steven grinned. “What’s the matter Dade, tears get to you?”
Dade sat back and glared over at Cora.

Chapter 20

Steven opened the door and ran into his house. “Honey, I’m home!” He looked in the living room and then turned when she came out of the kitchen. He grinned. “My week is finally over. I have four days of freedom.”

She smiled at him. “You seem pretty energized for a man that’s been working almost straight through the last week and a half.”

He grinned and grabbed her waist. “I had the incentive.” He kissed her quickly. “Did you get more stuff moved in?”
“Yes, I’ve almost got the house cleaned out now.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Steven groaned and picked her up. “I’ve missed you.”
“You’ve seen me every day.”
He growled. “Every day when I’ve been exhausted or paged or I’m coming home as you’re going to work.” He bit her neck. “I had more success getting my hands on you before I asked you to marry me.”
“You’ve managed a few times since then.” She played with the hair on his forehead. “You’re not going to like this.”
He frowned. “What aren’t I going to like?”
“Do you remember what tonight is?”
Steven stared at her mouth. “Wednesday night?”
“Uh huh, keep going you’ll get it.”
He frowned. “The day before Thursday?” He kissed her neck. “Angel, just hurry up and tell me so I can carry you upstairs.”
“Wednesday night meeting setting off any bells?” She smirked at him.
“No.” She nodded, grinning at him. “We have time...” She shook her head. He sighed and let her slide to stand on the floor then flung his arms out. “How--just how, damn it-have I offended the gods so wrongly that they keep punishing me?”
“I dunno, bro, but it’s funny as hell.”
Steven jumped to see Dade leaning in the kitchen doorway. He pointed a finger at Rachel. “Later, when we’re alone you sexy witch we’re going to discuss a few things.”
Rachel laughed as she walked from the room. “I doubt discussing will be what we’re doing, Steven.”
He threw up his hands and walked into the kitchen. He glared at Dade. “Why are we meeting right before gathering?”
Dade handed him a beer. “To discuss.”
Steven leaned against the counter and took a drink as he waved his hand around. “Remind me.”
Dade laughed. “How many hours have you been working?”
Steven growled. “Too fucking many! I’m lucky if I see Rachel long enough to drool at her feet.” He grinned. “Don’t plan on seeing either one of us at Mabon.”
Dade snorted. “Just as soon as we catch a killer, you’ll have our blessing to go make out in the bushes.”
“Don’t need permission. Try to stop me.”
Dade sat down. “Before everyone else gets here and finds out the smartest one among us has no brains at all, we need to discuss a few things to be prepared for all situations, we can’t have someone getting in your way or Chris’s.”
“There’s only one thing I want to do right now...”
Chris walked in. “I’m willing to bet there’s a reference to sex in there somewhere.”
Steven raised his bottle up in a salute. “Damn right.”
Chris leaned against the wall. “Dade has explained we’re not holding back tonight?”
He looked from one to the other. “Holding back?”
Chris nodded. “Kasey’s idea. She thinks we need to know who knows what exactly and she’s right each of us have been hiding to some extent what we can do.” He took the beer Dade offered. “It’s called team work I believe and in order to work as a team you have to know how your team mates play.”
“What are we playing?” Owen grinned at them walking through the door.
“Not what I want,” Steven muttered.
Owen laughed. “Having a hard time catching up to the little woman are we?”
Steven grinned. “You could say that. So, Owen, what position do you have on this
team
?”
Owen shrugged as he pulled a beer out of the fridge. “Was told I’m the insta-medic, in case things go wrong.”
Steven nodded. “Good position.”
Cora walked in and looked at them. “Why are you in here drinking?” She walked to Dade and pulled the bottle he was just raising to his mouth out of his hand. “We’ll need you all sober.” She poured it in the sink.
Dade reached a hand out to the sink. “Aw, Honey, one beer wasn’t gonna hurt.”
She turned and put her hands on her hips and looked at him. “Well? We’re waiting downstairs.”
Dropping his hand Dade shook his head and walked out the door.
Steven laughed and then looked at Cora and set the bottle on the counter. Clearing his throat he looked at Chris. “Shall we?”
Chris smirked. “I think we better.”
*
Steven sprawled on the floor and looked around at everyone. “So what’s the plan here?” He held up his hand. “And is anyone going to get hurt doing it? The doctor is off duty for four glorious days.”
Rachel walked over and sat on him.
He gripped her waist. “Now we’re talking.”
She patted his chest and leaned over his face. “We’ll start with you, Doctor. What did you mean when you said you could wrap him in a wind funnel?”
Leena sat crossed legged and nodded. “Yes. Can you do that? I can work the wind but not like that.”
Steven sighed and dropped his hands from her waist to flop out beside him. “First, you need to get off me, Angel. I can’t even catch my breath with you sitting on me like this, never mind the wind.” She slid off and kneeled beside him. He propped himself up on his elbows. “Okay, most of what I can do involves emotion. The stronger the emotion the stronger the force.” He bobbed his head for a second. “I can do like Lee and work with this in a pleasant, easy way, but if my emotions are hot, then there isn’t a great deal I can’t do.”
Chris looked up from Kasey lying on his legs. “Like the door, you were pissed.”
Steven sighed. “Slightly.”
Dade leaned over his drum. “So, now that you’re all happy in love and whatnot, can you still do it when needed?”
Steven grinned. “Whatnot? You’re so romantic, Jones. But yes, I’ll be able to. If Cora and Dade can single him out I’ll have more than enough rage to lend a hand.”
“Good.” Chris leaned back and looked at Rachel. “And you Ms. Sparks flying, what was that? I thought you were going to burn down my house.”
Rachel grinned and flicked her hand at him. Sparks flew against him making him jump. “A neat thing I discovered one day.”
“Neat indeed.” Chris mumbled brushing at his shirt. “Any other intense talents we should know about?”
She flicked her tongue ring a few times against her teeth. “I do stuff much like Kasey, only she has mastered so many more things I’ve just kind of concentrated on a few things other than the sparks.”
Steven sat up and grinned. “Like?”
Rachel smirked and looked around the room. “Small things, mind you, I can’t lift trees like Lee or anything, yet.” She spotted the extension cord in the corner and lifted her hand towards it. “I keep trying to do it without using my hands, but it doesn’t work very well.” The cord moved over to hover beside Steven.
As is started wrapping around him she smiled. “And I’ve only really managed to perfect it with some objects.” Dropping her hand, she smiled. “Like that.” She looked at him wrapped in the long cord and unable to move. “But I can’t do fast or instant. At least I don’t think I can.” She shrugged. “I can channel my power enough to do things like calm Mister Thunder here too.”
Steven grinned and looked at the cord. “Oh, have I got ideas for this talent.”
She reached over and started pulling it off him. “I’m not going to tie myself up for you.”
He sighed. “Well, there goes my fun.” When his hands were free he caressed her leg. “Still, a pretty useful skill.”
Owen grinned at her. “I’m so jealous. I want to do that!”
Dade held up a hand. “Let’s keep focused. I can’t be thinking about the wrong things right now.”
Kasey sat up and nodded. “He’s right. Leena, you next.”
Leena sat there for a minute. “I don’t think I have anything you’re not all aware of--of course I have more of a slow steady control as opposed to Steven’s intensity.”
Owen looked at Steven. “It is safe for her to be doing things right?”
Steven nodded. “I don’t see why not and with the chances of the baby having some or all of Lee’s abilities it won’t be harmed.”
Owen sighed. “Wow didn’t think of that, I’m going to be outnumbered.”
Leena smiled. “Relax the baby won’t come out whipping things around, it takes years to surface and then more to develop.”
“Oh good.”
“My turn!” Kasey bounced. “Let’s see, hmm I think you all know what I can do don’t you?”
Dade smiled. “You scare me is what you do.”
Kasey laughed. “Big, manly Dade afraid of little old me.” She nodded. “I like that.” Then she sobered. “If I’m upset or excited it’s stronger, so that might be of help with all of this.”
“As long as you...” Chris looked around at all the women. “...All of you stay well out of harm’s way it will be very useful.”
Cora leaned forward and looked at Chris. “How are we going to locate him if we’re in the background?” She shrugged. “As good as Steven looked dancing I don’t think you men have what he’s focusing on.”
Rachel nodded. “She’s right.” She smiled at Steven. “You looked sooo good but this sicko is into women.”
Dade frowned. “You ladies, all of you will keep all of your damn clothes on this time! We’ll find another way to get his attention.”
Owen shrugged. “I don’t think we’ll need to do much to call him out, he’s already focused on Cora. I think he’ll be watching without the erotic show.” He wiggled his eyebrows at Leena. “You can save that for private if you like.”
Leena smiled and shook her head. “Right. In another few months and that will be so erotic Owen with a belly sticking out.” He nodded excitedly.
“A pregnant woman is more sensual and attractive if you ask me,” Steven stated quietly.
Rachel smiled at him. “That is so sweet, Steven.”
“Who’s next?” Dade said abruptly.
Chris grinned. “Me.” He got serious for a second. “I can do all manner of things but I think the thing I have to throw on the table here would be countering.” He looked around. “There’s a lot of power sitting here and when things are chaotic I think my main focus will be to make sure it all goes where’s it’s intended or counter anything that goes astray.”
Kasey nodded. “That will make me feel better. Chris has only not been able to counter a charm twice that I know of.” She looked around at the women. “And it took all four of us to accomplish that.”
Chris smiled. “Which reminds me, Doctor, you still owe me a door.”
Steven held up his hands. “I asked if you were attached to it, didn’t I?”
“I guess that leaves me.” Cora said quietly. “And you all know I can sense and see or seek.” She smiled hesitantly. “But since I’ve met Rhonda I’ve been getting better at something else too.”
Dade turned to her. “Oh?”
Cora focused on Rachel for a moment before closing her eyes.
Rachel gave her a shocked look. “Did we really look like that?” She turned to Steven and blushed. “When you proposed, well after, she just sent me the instant replay.”
Steven grinned. “Yeah, how was that?”
Rachel fanned her face. “Good.”
Cora smiled and held up her hands. “I can’t always do it the way I want exactly, but pretty close.”
Dade pursed his lips. “You can do that?”
She nodded.
“That’s just cool! Send me one,” he said quickly.
Cora looked at him and hesitated for a second before she took a deep breath and closed her eyes once more. When she opened them Dade started shaking his head.
“Aw, Coralee, she was drunk. It was her. I had nothing to do with it.”
Kasey grinned. “Wow, I wanna be like Cora.”
Cora grinned over at her. “Could be quite useful don’t you think? Rhonda can do it in a flash. It’s quite amazing what she can project.”
Chris rubbed his jaw. “Well I feel better knowing only one of you can do that.”
Steven put his arm around Rachel and hugged her. “Exactly my thoughts.” He looked at Dade. “That leaves you. What’s your skill in all this?”
Dade rubbed his hands over his drum. “I’ve been practicing. Seeing what works and what doesn’t.” He shrugged. “Objects don’t, no matter how hard I focus on them, people do.” He grinned. “I got that little monster down the street to not shove another kid off the swing a few days ago.” He looked down at his drum. “But I have to have a rhythm to do it. I’m not sure exactly if it’s the instrument or me or the combination but without one in my hand I’m just a normal guy.”
Cora snorted. “If you say so.” She motioned to the drum. “And you have that here now why?”
Dade shrugged. “Security blanket. Walking in here with all of you that can toss stuff and smash things and make shit fly...”
Cora leaned over and grabbed his hand. “I’ll protect you Dade from all these scary witches.”
He laughed and raised her hand to his mouth, kissing it lingeringly.
She pulled her hand away and cleared her throat. “I guess that about covers it.”
Steven looked around at everyone waiting for comment. “Great, see you all Friday. Get out. Go home. Bye, bye.” He was standing and picking Rachel up as he spoke. He flipped her up over his shoulder and started walking to the stairs.
Rachel slapped his back. “Steven, put me down! You Neanderthal, you’re being so rude.”
He flipped her back down to her feet at the bottom of the stairs and looked down at her. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a ring box and held it in front of her. Raising an eyebrow at her as he ran his hand gently into her hair then grasped it and pulled her mouth roughly to his.
When he released her she looked up at him then turned to the six people still sitting on the floor. “Go home, now,” she whispered breathlessly.
*
Kasey hugged Chris as he closed the door to the basement. “Do you think they’ll make it up the stairs?”
Chris smiled. “I doubt they’re going to move from that spot, Sweetheart.”
She sighed. “It’s wonderful. I can’t wait to see what Mabon brings.”