A Touch of Magic, page 9
part #8 of True Mates Generations Series
Ransom jerked his thumb behind him. “In there, Proby.”
He flashed Sabrina a brief smile before scurrying into the bathroom.
Ransom rubbed his chin. “Now, let’s—what the hell are the rest of you doing here?” he shouted all of a sudden.
She followed his gaze toward the front door. Four faces peeked into the cabin, though they scattered away. Seconds later, one of them walked in—an older man with salt-and-pepper hair and a friendly smile.
“Oh, hey there, Ransom,” he greeted with a wave of his hand. “I didn’t know you had a guest. Hello, young lady,” he held his hand out to Sabrina. “How’re you doing? Name’s Bo.”
Though the man was tall and wide—which seemed to be the norm around here—his affable expression made her feel at ease. “I’m Sabrina.” She shook his hand.
Bo’s handshake was firm, but not intimidating. “I hope you don’t mind. Me and the boys were curious, and all.” He shot Ransom an inscrutable look.
Ransom rubbed a hand down his face. “It’s not what it looks like.”
Three more men filed in, and Sabrina realized they were all wearing similar leather vests as Ransom, Hardy, and Bo. From what she’d glanced earlier, on the back was a picture of a wolf and the words Savage Wolves MC above it.
“Well, lookie here,” one of them said as he stepped closer to Sabrina. He had a wide smile on his face, and his blue eyes sparkled. “Ransom didn’t tell us he had a guest.”
“I thought you said ‘rules are rules,’ Prez,” the second man behind him said.
“Yeah,” the last one added. “No broads as overnight guests in the territory.”
Ransom’s jaw hardened. “She’s not a broad,” he said.
“Oh, is she gonna be your old lady then?” Blue Eyes asked.
Old lady? Her gaze shot to Ransom.
“She’s not mine—”
“What the heck is going on here?”
The wall of buff men parted as Silke pushed past them, mops and a bucket in her hands. “Why are you all crowding Sabrina? Give her some space. Poor girl looks like she’s gonna faint.”
Sabrina didn’t even realize that her palms had gone sweaty, and her heart was thumping in her chest. How she didn’t really faint with all these new people around her was a miracle. Normally, even the thought of being in a room with so many people would have sent her anxiety into the stratosphere.
“You know her?” Bo asked Silke.
“Yeah, I was the one who decided she could stay,” Silke said.
The men seemed mollified, and the atmosphere in the tiny room lightened.
“Uh, sorry, Prez.” Blue eyes looked sheepishly at Ransom. “I just thought—”
“Next time, think with your head, not your dick, Axle,” Ransom berated. “Now get outta here and go into town and pick up that package from Bucky.” He glared at the other men. “And as for the rest of you, grab those mops and start cleaning up. I’m gonna head back to my cabin.” With that, he marched outside.
After the men took the cleaning supplies from her, Silke linked her arm through Sabrina’s. “You poor thing. C’mon, let’s go outside and let the boys clean up.”
They walked out to the porch. “I’m sorry I didn’t check up on you yesterday, I was pretty busy.”
“Oh, don’t worry about me,” Sabrina assured her. “I’m sure you have more things to worry about than keeping me entertained.”
“Ransom said Cross would be taking care of you. Did he come back and bring you more food?”
She couldn’t help but wince when Silke mentioned his name. “I’m fine. He brought me breakfast this morning.”
“But you haven’t seen him?”
Her shoulders dropped. “No. But it’s okay. I mean, I’m used to being alone.” She twisted her ring out of habit.
“Yeah, but still, he shouldn’t leave you here by yourself.” Silke planted her hands on her hips. “The man brought you here, after all. He damn well better take care of all your needs.” Her jaw dropped as she must have realized the double meaning of her words. “I mean … he shouldn’t just leave you like a prisoner in solitary. You need stimulation.” She slapped her hands on her forehead. “Sorry. It’s none of my business what you and Cross are. I mean if you are, I’m not one to judge.”
Mortification made her face heat up. “It’s not like that.” At least, she didn’t know if it was like that. Or ever been like that.
“Again, not my business.” She waved her hands. “But, yeah, the man should take some responsibility for you. And Ransom! My brother should have explained to the guys who you were, at least. Though those boys are nosier than my Grandma Heloise’s quilting circle, I’m sure, given the chance, they’d be all over you like ants on a birthday cake,” she said with a laugh.
“So … all those guys live here?”
Silke nodded. “Yeah. They’re part of the Savage Wolves Motorcycle Club. My dad and some of his Lone Wolf buddies founded it.” She lowered her voice. “Technically, Lone Wolves aren’t supposed to have their own territory without becoming an actual clan, but my momma owned this land and the resort, and she let Pops and the MC live on the territory.”
“Oh. So, they turn into wolves, like Cross?”
“Yup.” Her lips pursed. “Cross explained all that already?”
She nodded. “I saw him … change. Then he explained it to me.”
“He could get in trouble with their high council. But, I’m sure he did it for your own good.”
“I don’t think he had a choice,” she said. “The night he rescued me, he had to turn into his wolf, and then he brought me here with his magic.”
Silke cleared her throat. “Is there anything I can do to help? Who tried to hurt you?”
“It’s …” Her chest tightened, thinking of that night. A chill ran through her as she thought that she might have died—or worse—if it hadn’t been for Cross.
Silke gripped her hands and squeezed. “I’m sorry, sugar. Here I am being nosy after you’ve gone through such a trial. Like I said, you don’t have to tell me, though I’ll be here when you need to talk.”
“Thank you.” She smiled warmly at Silke and wondered; beneath that strong, independent surface, what scars did she bear? She projected a confident exterior, but she saw the way her eyes turned dark when she asked about who tried to hurt her. Had she been hurt too? And that scar on her cheek …
“Now.” Silke took a deep breath. “The reason I was busy yesterday is that I was taking care of some check outs, and I had a group cancel for the weekend. We’re actually empty until the next guests come in tomorrow.”
“Oh no, I’m sorry.”
“Nah, it happens. Actually, it’s a good opportunity to do some maintenance stuff I couldn’t manage when we’re booked up.” She nodded her chin back toward inside the cabin. “I have a list for the boys to finish up today once they’re done cleaning your bathroom. Hmmm.” She tapped a finger on her cheek. “Maybe we can have a little party down by the lake once they’re done. It’ll certainly be a good incentive for them to finish up. Why don’t you join us?”
She blinked. “Me?”
“Yeah, why not? You can meet everyone, including Arlene. She’s Bo’s old lady, she’s a sweetheart.”
“I don’t know.” Her fingers twisted her ring quickly. It was one thing for them to all come to the cabin because of an emergency, and another for her to voluntarily be around new people.
She wagged a finger at Sabrina. “It’ll be fun, I won’t take no for an answer.” Poking her head through the doorway, she shouted, “Move your asses, ladies! It doesn’t take this long to mop up. C’mon, we got a long list of things to do.”
As she waved her hand, the four men filed out of the cabin, giving Sabrina some discreet—and not so discreet—glances as they walked by.
Silke rolled her eyes. “I should get started on my list. I’ll see you later!”
“But I—” Before she could protest, Silke waved at her and trudged down the porch steps where the guys were waiting. One of the men—a guy with a short mohawk, winked at her, which earned him a playful slap on the head. As Silke herded them away, she wondered if there was any way she could avoid going to this party. She could only hope they wouldn’t finish their work on time and there wouldn’t be a party at all.
It seemed luck was not on her side at all as Silke came by late in the afternoon. “I told you, I’m not taking no for an answer, Sabrina.”
She couldn’t make up an excuse about not having anything to wear since the other woman had brought her a bathing suit, a sundress, and flip-flops from the resort shop. Sabrina felt embarrassed and promised she would pay her back for the new stuff.
She climbed into the passenger seat of the small utility truck Silke had driven over. Silke chatted as they drove, pointing out this or that landmarks, and Sabrina actually found herself relaxing in her company.
After a few minutes, the truck slowed down right by the shore of a large lake. Music blared from a speaker, and there was a barbecue grill set up on a large deck built over the water. A couple of people were chatting by a table laden with food, while a few more were scattered about the lake area, drinking beers and talking amiably. They all seemed to be having a good time, and it was the typical barbecue, but the thought of being around all these people was making sweat build on her palms.
“I also asked a couple of the staff to the party.” She leaned closer. “They don’t know anything about Lycans,” she said in a low whisper.
“Oh. Right.”
There was a loud whoop followed by a splash, and Silke pursed her lips wryly. “Although they might find out soon if Axle doesn’t watch it. I suppose lots of normal people swim in a freezing lake for fun.”
She laughed. Although she had worn the bathing suit under the dress, Sabrina had no plans on swimming, seeing as it was still early spring, and up here, it was even colder than it had been in New York. But it seems like the Lycans had no problems with cold temperatures as two more of them dove into the lake.
Silke led them up to the deck and introduced her to a couple of her staff members, then they headed over to the grill where Bo was flipping burgers. He wore an apron that said “Kiss the Chef” as he chatted with a buxom bleach-blonde woman.
“Why, hello, Sabrina,” Bo greeted. “Let me introduce you to my old lady, Arlene. Honey, this here’s, Sabrina, Silke’s guest.”
“How’s it going, sugar?” Arlene greeted. “Want a beer or something?” She rooted through a cooler by her feet.
Not wanting to be rude, she accepted the cold can from the older woman, as did Silke. “Thank you, Arlene.”
“Where’re you from, Sabrina?” Arlene asked.
She popped the top open and took a sip. “Uh, New York.”
“New York? That’s quite a distance, huh?” Arlene chuckled. “How’d you get all the way out here?”
Sabrina cast her eyes downward and took a larger gulp of beer.
“She’s actually Cross Jonasson’s friend,” Silke explained. “You remember him, right? The guy who looks like a Viking and brought Ransom back last year. They’re … visiting.”
“Oh. Him.” Arlene fanned herself. “Woo. That boy …”
“Arlene,” Bo growled.
“I’m kiddin’, honey,” she soothed, rubbing a hand down Bo’s tattooed bicep. “I only got eyes for you.”
That seemed to placate the man, and he nodded and took a sip of his beer. Arlene winked at Silke and Sabrina. “And where is that hunk—I mean, boy?” Arlene asked. “I mean, he didn’t just drop you off here and leave, did he?”
“Arlene,” Silke said in a warning voice.
“Oh. Oh, sugar, I’m sorry.” Her gaze turned sympathetic. “Well, he tends to zip in and out of places, right? I remember when he came and brought Ransom back, he’d just pop in and out, checking in on our boy.”
“He’ll come back,” Silke said reassuringly.
She made a non-committal sound.
“Oh, lookie, here they come.” Arlene nodded to the four men who rose out of the water and began approaching them.
Bo grumbled. “You know those four. They can smell pus—I mean,” he cleared his throat when Arlene and Silke sent him twin glares, “Girls a mile away.”
“I’ll have to apologize in advance,” Arlene said. “Those boys are randier than stallions ever since Ransom banned them from taking girls back here.”
Silke’s nose twitched. “That rule was put into place mostly because Axle was havin’ a party at his cabin one night and invited those girls from The Barrel Bottom. Then Sue May came along and snuck into Ransom’s bed. Found her laying there, naked as the day she was born.” Silke frowned distastefully. “I swear, that ex of his is gonna get him in trouble someday.”
“Sue May wishes she was an ex,” Arlene snorted. “More like, never was. But she’s had her eye set on being his old lady for years.”
“Hey, Silke, Arlene,” Blue Eyes—Axle—greeted as he approached. Then his gaze shifted to Sabrina. “Hello again. I don’t think we were introduced. I’m Axle.” He offered his hand.
“Uh, I’m Sabrina.” His hand engulfed hers as they shook hands. Axle was only wearing shorts, and rivulets of water was still dripping down his shoulders, chest, and abs. She couldn’t help but stare at the tattoo of a wolf on his right pec.
“Like what you see?” he asked with a grin.
“Ax.” Bo sent him a warning look, so the man let go of her hand and backed off.
A guy with the short Mohawk haircut and friendly brown eyes stepped up to introduce himself. “I’m Hawk.” He jerked his thumb to the guy next to him. “This is my brother, Snake.” Snake tipped his chin at her. They looked very similar, though Snake was probably a few years younger and had lighter hair.
“Did you meet Ink yet?” Silke asked, motioning to the redheaded young man who had fixed her shower.
“Nice to meet you, ma’am,” Ink said with a gulp.
“Thank you for getting my shower fixed,” she said. “But I thought your name was Proby?”
“That’s his title,” Axle explained. “He’s a Probate. Means he’s not a full member yet. He has to pass the probationary period before he gets a patch.”
“That means he’s basically our bitch for the next year,” Hawk said with a guffaw as he jostled the kid with his elbow. Ink seemed to take the joshing good-naturedly as he laughed along.
“Ink? That’s uh, an interesting nickname.” Her brows snapped together as her gaze darted back and forth between the men, who were all wearing swim trunks and nothing else. All of them had tattoos all over their bodies, except for the Probate.
“Oh, Proby here’s got a tattoo,” Hawk said, seemingly reading her mind. “It’s just nowhere you want to see it.”
Sabrina blushed, and so did Ink.
A voice calling from behind got their attention. “Hey, guys, everything good?” It was the man who answered the door this morning. He walked up to them, though not alone; he was carrying a toddler, maybe two or three years old, whose arms were wrapped around his neck. “Sabrina, right? I’m Hardy. And this is my daughter, Annie.”
“Nice to meet you. Hello, Annie. I like your dress,” she said, nodding at the girl’s bright yellow sundress.
“Hi!” Annie smiled and waved, her curly hair bouncing around her chubby cheeks.
“Burgers are done,” Bo declared. “Why don’t you all grab some plates and we can start eatin’?”
Sabrina followed Silke’s lead and walked over to the table with food and utensils, taking the plate and utensils the other woman offered. “So, everyone here works for you?” she asked.
“For the resort, yes.” Silke piled some mashed potatoes on her plate. “Ink and Hawk are our handymen for the lodge and cabins. Axle and Snake do other odd jobs maintaining the property and double as our valet when we have special events. Hardy and Ransom help out, too, but they both work full time with Bucky in town. Arlene mans the front desk when I’m not around and heads up housekeeping, while Bo isn’t just the MC’s chaplain, but he’s also an ordained minister and performs the weddings that take place here.” She laughed as she grabbed a hamburger bun and placed one on Sabrina’s plate. “I can see by the look on your face that you’re surprised.”
She glanced over at the man in question, who was kissing Arlene’s neck as the woman giggled like a schoolgirl. “He uh, doesn’t seem like the preacher type.”
“He’s more spiritual than religious these days, he says. But he does perform an important job for the MC.”
“You said he’s a chaplain?”
“The chaplain. For the MC. It’s kind of a revered position. He’s there for anyone who needs counsel or just wants an ear to listen.” A sad expression passed briefly across her pretty face. “I know it doesn’t seem like it, but they all have their own demons.”
Sabrina glanced around. All of the guys did seem like happy, normal people, but then again, that was all surface. People weren’t always what they seemed.
When they finished filling up on potato salad, coleslaw, and beans, they walked over to Bo, who served them up some burgers, then walked out by the lake. They sat on one of the lounge chairs on the sandy shore. “So, this is everyone? I mean, all the MC?”
“Hmmm.” Silke thought for a moment. “Well, there’s Logan, but he doesn’t come to these things. Prefers to patrol the territory and stay with the horses. We have a couple around for the tourists, and he does a great job with them. Oh”—she looked around, then grimaced as if she had a bad taste in her mouth—“there’s Joanie.” She nodded back at the deck, where Ransom was chatting with an older woman who was smoking a cigarette. They stood far away from everyone else, like they were in their own world.
“Joanie?”
“Ransom’s mother,” she said.
She looked back toward Ransom and the cool-blonde woman. Her head was turned their way, but it was like she was looking right through them. She flicked her cigarette to the ground and smashed it with her heel, then said something to Ransom.
