Under the Mistletoe, page 20
part #1 of Home to Heritage || Book Five Series
“Have you learned nothing?” Logan pulled out his phone and shot off a text message to his sister-in-law.
Logan
What do you think about helping Devin and me plan a last-minute snowman contest for Monday when school gets out?
The reply was almost instant.
Hannah
We’re in. Boys would love it. I’m texting Janie, Olivia, and Leah now.
He pointed the phone toward Devin. “See?”
She just smiled and buried her head into his chest as he wrapped her in a bear hug. Maybe not the fanciest first date, but it had been memorable. “Will you go to the Adam dance with me?”
She offered an impish smile. “Are you going to wear a suit?”
“How about a really nice pair of jeans?”
“You at least have to wear a tie.”
“Fine, as long as you’re my date.” He dropped a kiss on her nose.
Then he stepped back and pulled two sticks from the bucket. He held one out to her. “Are you ready?”
She took one and on three, they both stabbed an arm into the snowman.
Then Logan grabbed the carrot he’d taken from his mom’s fridge and held it out to her. “Do the honors?”
She giggled as she jabbed the carrot into the snowman’s face. “Thank you. No one has ever done anything like this for me.”
The words scraped against him. She had no idea how amazing she was or how easy it’d be to do things like this for her the rest of his life. Right now, she wasn’t ready to hear all that. But he would prove to her that she was worth showing up for every time.
twelve
Showing up for Devin had sounded easier when he wasn’t staring at a blank page with a chapter due. He needed to leave within the hour to get to the snowman-building contest, but he couldn’t very well leave before sending this off to Christina. He couldn’t even turn in the chapter late because Christina had plans. She was waiting for it this minute. He had about ten texts that said so.
Logan drummed his finger across the keys as gibberish filled the screen. That wasn’t helping. He highlighted it and pressed delete.
He had five chapters to wrap this story up and convince his team that he could handle book four. Not that book four was going anywhere. He’d roughed out three different plots for the synopsis and still hadn’t had anything really stick. Now he only had two days to get it to them.
The first three books had just come to him. Like he wasn’t writing the books but rather was recording what the characters were doing in his head. But what was he supposed to do when the characters stopped talking? When the world in his head had gone still. The once colorful realm had become a black void.
Maybe if he broke through with Rand and Astryn, then book four would finally unlock. Sounded good, but so far, chapter twenty was barely over five hundred words. He scrolled back and reread what he had so far.
Stone of Anwar: Chapter 20
Astryn had barely had a chance to breathe since receiving the news of Orin’s death and the subsequent whirlwind wedding six hours ago. And now she’d be spending her honeymoon hiding out in caves by day as they made their way north to the land of Rand’s mother by night. But what choice did they have? Until they captured their unknown enemy, no place was safe. No person could be trusted.
Astryn had been near a panic when Rand had told her they would be traveling without guards, but he had been unmovable on the subject. He had launched into a jarringly detailed account of what had happened to Anathia’s last king while surrounded by his best men. Rand was convinced someone in the inner circle was providing information to the assassins, and therefore their best hope was anonymity, traveling as two peddlers to Kenthor. He had assured her that if his mother’s family was being framed, then they would be his best allies. She only hoped he was right.
Rand raised the torch and stepped through a gap in the rough crag of the cave wall. The darkness swallowed him and his light. Astryn scampered after him, but it wasn’t nearly as easy in a skirt. The peasant clothes were easier to move in than her normal ornate gowns, but much scratchier. The material caught, and she gave it a yank. The ripping of fabric filled the quiet. She sighed, but maybe it would just add to the common look they were going for.
Her mother had nearly fainted straightaway at her being married in these garments rather than in her prepared gown. But Astryn had stood her ground, and Rand had agreed. Haste was of the essence, and the union had been an elopement in the middle of the night, not the grand celebration planned upon. An elopement where the groom had barely looked at her. His detachment had stripped her and left her like a vessel on the water. No anchor, no oars.
The long, narrow passage opened into a larger cavern that squandered the torchlight, now casting faint long shadows. The ground was flatter here, with rocks that seemed more placed than fallen.
Rand scanned the area then stepped over and knelt next to the remains of a campfire and some unburned logs that lay in a circle.
Astryn knelt next to him, the ground biting into her knee. “Who brought this here?”
“Thieves use these caves a lot as they travel.” He grabbed a twig, lighting it on the torch. “It is already too light to gather wood. So I was hoping there would be something to use. We’ll prepare better before we stop tomorrow, but this should last. If not, we might find more wood in another cavern.”
Astryn swallowed the lump in her throat as she scanned the wide space. “What if they come back?”
A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “They haven’t been here in some time. But if they come, we can offer them a warm fire.”
“Rand. I’m serious.”
“So am I.” His eyes were heavy and dark. “I can handle some petty thieves. What I can’t protect you from is an enemy I don’t recognize. And until we know who killed my brother, we do it my way.”
Logan leaned back from the computer and ran his hand roughly through his hair. Now what? If he wasn’t careful, this was going to turn into a boring scene very fast.
Logan pushed away from his desk and headed to the kitchen. He stopped in his brother’s doorway. There was a bag on the bed. He stepped into the room. “Going somewhere?”
Liam pulled some clothes from the closet and added them to the bag. “Skiing with friends for a few days. I’ll be back Wednesday. I’d invite you, but I’m guessing you’d rather stay.” He smirked.
“Yeah.” He shifted his feet. “I should have told you how I felt about Devin.”
“You should’ve.” Liam walked over and stopped right in front of him. “You know I’d never—”
“I know.”
Logan patted his brother on the shoulder, but Liam pulled him into a quick hug, then pushed him toward the door. “And if Devin loves you, you are one lucky guy. So don’t mess it up.”
“I know that too. Have fun.” Logan pushed out of the doorway and made his way down to the kitchen.
“Ah, the milk run.” His dad spoke from behind his paper. “You must be stuck. It’s always your go-to when you get blocked.”
Logan opened the fridge, pulled out the milk, and filled a glass. “I didn’t realize I was that predictable.”
“I’ve known you for years.” His dad folded the newspaper and set it aside. “So, what are Rand and Astryn up to that has you all up in knots?”
Logan put the milk away and drew a big gulp as he settled into the seat across from his dad. Cal came running into the room at Logan’s voice and shoved his head into his lap. “With Orin dead, I’ve sort of written myself into a corner.”
“How do you figure?”
He buried his fingers into Cal’s thick brown fur and gave him a good scratch. “Before, the couple had all this tension because Orin stood between them. Now he’s gone, and they’re married. The tension is gone, and I still have five more chapters to deliver.”
“Don’t they still need to find out who killed Orin?”
“Yes, but I need to convince my editors I can do this romance thread, which means I have to conclude the romance at the end of the book, not five chapters from the end.” He downed the rest of his milk and spun the glass in his hand.
“Well, then find the new conflict for Rand and Astryn.”
“What conflict? They’re married. Nothing stands in the way of their happiness but Rand’s guilt. I don’t really want to write about that for five chapters.”
His dad eyed him over his reading glasses.
“What?”
“You think marriage is the end of conflict?”
“Ha.” His mom walked into the room and poured herself a cup of coffee. “Marriage opens a whole new realm of conflict you never considered before.”
His tense conversation with Devin had conflict, but they had worked through that. “You want me to just make them fight? That sounds—”
“No.” His mother sat in the chair between him and his dad. “Early in a relationship, your shared values bond you together. You like the same things, prioritize the same things, but not all of your values will align. What will you do when your values run into conflict with each other?”
“They both value defeating the enemy.” Logan shrugged. That didn’t get him any further.
“But Rand wants to defeat the enemy because he values avenging his brother.” He pointed at Logan. “Loyalty to his brother is his highest value.”
“Which means he might have a hang-up or two about taking Astryn as his wife.” His mom tapped the table. “It could feel disloyal to him. Astryn values defeating her enemy because she values keeping Cambria in peace. Peace is her highest value. How do you think she’ll feel about Rand being so focused on avenging his brother that he isn’t seeing her?”
Logan stared out the window a moment. Another fresh layer of snow had appeared last night. It would be perfect for the snowman contest he should be at. A contest that started in forty minutes. Yeah, he knew a thing or two about conflicting values. He stood and then carried his glass to the sink. “Thanks.”
He hurried back up to his room and settled into his chair. First, he sent off a quick text to Devin.
Logan
Struggling to get my chapter in. I’ll be there as soon as I can.
The “read” notification appeared, but there was no response. Maybe his parents were onto something about conflict. But she had to understand he couldn’t blow off his job.
He needed to get this done, then he’d hurry over.
The flames licked over the small twigs, and Rand added a few more logs to the fire. “That should keep us warm and offer you a bit of light.”
“Me?” Astryn’s voice squeaked.
“I need to go get the horses settled where I left them in the last small cavern. I’ll bring our packs.”
He stood, and she immediately followed. “I’ll walk with you.”
The flickering light of the small fire made his strong features appear even more fierce. “I need you to see to the fire. It will need more wood in a minute.”
He looked ready to say more but instead turned and disappeared through the crack in the wall, taking the torch with him. She’d never seen Rand take charge like this. Gone were the heated looks and tenderness.
A finger of guilt still wedged itself between her ribs. The moment she found out she’d marry Rand rather than Orin, she’d felt…relief. Nothing in her wanted Orin dead. Even now, the idea she’d never laugh with him again gutted her.
She just hadn’t wanted to marry him. Hadn’t wanted to be Rand’s sister-in-law. But at least Orin had wanted to marry her. And the love Rand had once had for her seemed to have died with his brother. Now she was simply his responsibility. And that fact was almost as heartbreaking as Orin’s death.
The fire made a little light, but the dark shadows seemed more menacing. Had that one moved? Her breathing sped up as she gripped one of the rocks by her feet.
With her free hand, she grasped the pendant. She hadn’t told anyone of the day in the garden lest they think she was crazy, but with everything that had happened, she couldn’t help but wonder if they were after her—or the necklace.
The necklace she’d failed to save Orin with. Surely that was what his mother had meant. A day would come when he was mortally wounded and she would have to choose. Only she hadn’t been there. She had failed her mission from Origin.
She set down the rock. Her hand shook as she picked up another log. She tossed it on top and sent Rand’s wooden tower crashing down, snuffing out the light.
Astryn jumped back as a few orange embers rolled toward her skirt.
She took a stick and pushed them toward the pit, but their light quickly faded, stealing any hint of sight.
“Rand?” The word came out just above a whisper. She drew a breath and tried again. “Rand!”
This time the word echoed around the chamber.
Astryn stilled as hoofbeats echoed in the cave. Had the enemy found them? What would she do if they killed Rand? She couldn’t do this on her own. She didn’t even know where they were going.
“Astryn.” Rand’s voice was quick and desperate. “Astryn, where are you?”
She took a few steps in the direction he’d gone, then tripped but fell smack into his solid chest. The earthy scent she remembered from the night he saved her in the woods surrounded her once more.
He wrapped his arms tight around her. “I thought…” He released a deep sigh and brushed her hair back from her face. “I didn’t check this room thoroughly. Are you all right?”
Was she all right? No, she wasn’t. He’d left her. Not to mention he was being bossy and reckless, and she’d failed them all. And she would tell him some of that as soon as these tears stopped filling her eyes and clogging her throat.
“The fire went out.” Her voice sounded braver than she felt. “Where is the torch?”
“I had set it down when I was getting out the bags. When you screamed, I just ran. But I can get it.”
“Oh.” But she didn’t let go.
Rand’s hand smoothed over her hair again, his fingers playing with the ends of the curls. His lips pressed against her forehead. She lifted her face toward his. When he didn’t move, she rose up on her toes and pressed a kiss to his jawline. A small groan vibrated in his chest, but he pulled back and stepped away.
His warmth was replaced by a cold breeze that sent a shiver through her. “Astryn, you’re Orin’s.”
“Orin is dead.” And it is my fault.
“Don’t you think I know that?” He dropped his hands and took a few more steps back. “That is the only reason I’m here and he’s not. Every time I look at you, I think of Orin and how you should be his. You will always be his in my mind.”
And if he only knew her failures, he’d probably hate her even more. But she would keep that information locked away, because being his obligation was better than being truly hated by him.
He polished it up and sent it off to Christina. He glanced at the time and cringed, stood, and grabbed his coat. Hopefully, Devin would be more gracious than Rand.
When Logan parked his Bronco along the square, Devin didn’t know whether to hug him or pelt him with snowballs. He’d texted he might be late, but an hour and a half? Most of the kids had already left.
Whatever they did for their second date tonight better be good.
“Need help with anything else, boss?” Greyson appeared next to her. He wore a black coat and a U of M hat with a blue-and-yellow pom-pom on top. It should make him look ridiculous, but the guy just had a suaveness about him. She was pretty sure he could pull anything off. No doubt Jess wished she’d been able to join in their afternoon rather than attend some event she and Piper had at the high school today.
“I think we are good.” She scanned the square. “Logan just arrived, so he’ll help me with cleaning up the refreshments.”
Maybe she shouldn’t volunteer him, but he’d been the one who’d talked her into this event, and then he hadn’t shown. He could help with the refreshments.
Greyson slipped his hands in his back pockets. “Logan knows there’s nothing going on between you and me, right?”
“Of course.” That was a weird thing to bring up. “Why would you ask?”
“Because if looks could kill…” Greyson nodded in Logan’s direction.
She let out a laugh, but the smile froze on her face when her gaze landed on Logan.
Oh.
What was that about?
“You two are clearly together, and I don’t go after girls in relationships.” The way he said it, Devin had no doubt there was a story there.
She was trying to come up with the words to tell him she wasn’t worried, when Logan stopped next to her, his eyes softening as soon as they met hers. “Sorry I’m late.”
“Late? You have to at least make it before the end to be late.” She motioned to the surrounding snowmen without any kids.
“I know. I’m sorry. I had to finish”—his gaze flicked to Greyson a moment—“work. It just wasn’t coming together.”
“I need to get going.” Greyson took a backward step in the direction of the church. “And you two look like you have it from here.”
“Thanks again, Greyson. You were a lifesaver.” She waved as he took another step away.
“Anytime.”
Greyson’s smile faltered when he glanced at Logan, but when she turned to look at Logan, he was looking at her.
“Forgive me?” His sad eyes nearly did her in.
“Of course.” Devin started gathering cups at the cocoa station that hadn’t quite made the trash. Less than a month ago, he’d told her she was more important than her parents’ work. Funny how Logan’s position changed when it was his work and not her parents. No, he was nothing like her parents. He’d missed one event, not a lifetime of them. “It all turned out. Greyson jumped in to help.”
“I’m sure he did.” His tone was flat as he began helping tie up the trash.
