Harvest Dreams Book 3 Magic Seasons Romance Series

Rachel is a woman that lives carefree with a buoyant recklessness. She loves being a flirt and has spent many years indulging that side of her personality. Her energy draws others; her character is to protect all those that cannot protect themselves. When...

Chapter 1

Rachel sat there in silence, her mind filled with too many thoughts. They had to be bordering on insane, all eight of them to go to a third gathering—knowing the killer was going to be there again. Although unlike the Beltane murders, one had survived the attempt at Solstice. She felt sick to her stomach when she thought of Rhonda barely surviving the attack. Would she be able to go through something like that, and still carry on after? She didn’t know. How Rhonda was managing to not lose her mind since having to hide, she’d never understand. The scars she’d been left with…and knowing your friend died and you survived… Rachel didn’t know if she could ever be as strong as Rhonda.

Cora nudged Rachel’s arm and showed her a text message.

‘Keep in touch. Would be there to help if I could. Blow their minds. Rhonda

Rachel snorted. “Easy for her to say she won’t be there.” Remembering the men in the front seat, she grimaced at Cora. “I think it’s so wonderful, a double hand fasting at New Years. I’m so jealous.” She pouted. “I hope they start making babies soon so I can be Aunt Rach and spoil them rotten.”

Dade glanced at her in the mirror. “Most people like to wait until after they’re actually wed before they make those babies, Aunt Rach.”

Steven turned around and leered at her. “I have no problems with children before marriage. Just let me know if you want one of your own, sexy witch. I’ll be happy to help in any way I can.”

Dade snorted. “It amazes me you aren’t black and blue from using those lines, Doc.”

Rachel leaned forward. “I actually could use your help, Steven.” She said it seriously.

Steven’s eyebrows shot up. Both men looked at each other and then he turned back toward her. She kept her voice quiet. “My little foster guy isn’t doing all that well, would you be willing to do a consult when we get back?”

Steven tapped the side of his head and grinned. “You had me dreaming for a second, angel,” he smirked. “I’d be happy to.”

Rachel smiled. “Wonderful. It’s just so sad. To be six and not have the energy to run breaks my heart. The clinic has done a few tests, but nothing shows up. He just keeps getting thinner and weaker. I don’t think they’re really looking.” She rubbed her hands together and studied them for a moment, before looking back up at him. “He had a really bad case of the flu last fall and he’s never really been the same since. You know how crowded the ward homes are… His caregivers have been trying everything.” She glanced to see a sympathetic look on Cora’s face. “I almost didn’t come this weekend, but Ricky told me to go and celebrate for him.” She sniffed and reached into her purse.

Dade gave her a wide-eyed look in the mirror before he glared over at Doc.

Steven turned sideways in the seat to face her. Does she know how much he wanted to hold her? “Do you know anything about his medical or family history?”

Rachel nodded as she played with the edge of her skirt. “His mother was a drug addict, she didn’t want him.”

Steven sighed and unbuckled his seat belt. He knew what the child of a drug addict usually meant. Improper eating, no prenatal care and the list of illnesses the children suffered from were longer than he wanted to admit. He pushed between the two front seats and half kneeled, half squatted in front of her. He’d worry about being stuck later. “You get him in to see me. Don’t worry about an appointment, just show up whenever it’s good for you.” He caressed her cheek softly. “You know I’ll do anything humanly or otherwise possible for him, don’t you?” For you he added inside his head.

Rachel gave him a shaky smile. “Thank you. I just worry.”

He leaned up and kissed her softly on the lips. “That’s a good trait in a mother, angel, foster or otherwise.” He kissed her again and turned before he pushed his luck too far.

Dade looked at him solemnly. He glanced in the mirror at the women again.

Cora looked over at Rachel, who had turned to look out the window, then peered into the back of the van. “Dade, did you bring your base djembi along?”

Dade’s eyes met hers in the mirror. “That and a couple others, honey. Why do you ask?”

Coralee gave him a sweet smile. The kind of smile he usually had to work really hard to get. “I think I’ll want to hear that one at the Saturday night revel fire.”

He grinned then winked at her. “I would love to play it for you, it makes my mouth water when you dance.” She smiled again but didn’t reply. What are they up to?

Rachel sat turned towards the window. Steven had given her some hope, at least. Between worrying about Ricky and quivering nerves over the plan she and the other women concocted, this was going to be one very long weekend. She watched the fields go by, the crops of corn and beans were deep green and ripening each day. Lammas, the celebration of the first harvest.

Smiling, she looked up at the trees scattered along the road here and there. They were full and green, and looked so alive. The last thought sobered her. Glancing at Steven she smiled, if anyone could help Ricky it would be him. Does he know how much his always being there when I need it means to me? Probably not. Steven had been her shoulder to cry on since she was a silly teen, and she hoped she would always have him.

Steven turned to look at Rachel again. The short skirt rode up with her legs crossed, he’d almost dropped a kiss on the witch tattooed on her thigh. He turned back, couldn’t even look at her now without thinking of her witch. Or worse, every time she licked her lips all he pictured was that tongue ring and what she could do with that. Where were all the fairy godmothers when you needed one? He had only one wish, and she was in the back seat.

He rubbed his hand over his brow. Would she hold it against him if her little buddy were as ill as he worried? Warning bells had gone off as soon as she’d told him that he’d never bounced back from the flu.

Catching Dade glancing at him, he sighed. Hopefully it was something simple, a nutritional deficiency, not uncommon for children of addicts, their bodies had complications like that all the time. Shaking himself out of doctor mode, he grinned back at the women.

“So, are we going to need bibs to sop up the drool seeing you all in Leena’s latest outfits?”

Cora grinned at him. “I think that’s the only reason you come along with us, Steven. To see what Leena’s created.”

He bobbed his head in agreement. “That and I love looking around the fire and noticing every male there watching the four of you walk away with us. Does wonders for a man ego.”

Dade was chuckling quietly. “Wouldn’t do much if they knew the truth.”

“Yeah well, that’s privileged information,” Steven mumbled.

Rachel smiled, “It’s a half-truth now if it makes you feel better. Owen and Chris get to be with some of us.”

Steven playfully patted his heart and grinned at her. “You are a nasty witch, angel. Stomping on a man’s dreams like that.” Hearing her laugh made his burden lighter.

Dade leaned forward. “Somewhere on this road between fields, there is a lane we need to be turning down. Call out if you spot anything that looks like that.”

Chapter 2

Dade glanced again at Cora reclining in the passenger seat. “You need me to stop, honey, so you can get out and stretch a bit or anything?” He wanted to cry every time he looked at her.

Cora smiled at him. “No thank you, Dade. I’m just going to lie back and close my eyes. I suspect Leena drugged me heavier than needed for the trip.”

Dade glanced in the mirror to see Steven grinning in the back seat. “On Doctor’s orders, Cora. Sorry, but the jarring on the trip home would not be very comfortable.”

Cora laughed softly. “Well I’m floating with the van, so it’s all good, Doc.”

Dade grinned at the singsong tone of her voice and then looked in the rearview mirror. “Never heard her so sweet and agreeable. What tincture is Lee using?”

Steven laughed. “Sorry, privileged information.”

“Cora has the right idea actually.” Rachel said with a yawn. “I need a nap.”

Steven reached over and popped her seat belt undone. “I volunteer to be your pillow, my lady.”

Rachel smiled then leaned down to rest her head in his lap. Grinning to herself, she rolled to face him, bending her knees up to rest against the seat, and snuggled her face into him, repeatedly. Feeling his reaction, she grinned and then closed her eyes. She knew she was only fooling herself, believing she could have some contact yet stay out of his bed. It was going to be hard but she knew she had to, she couldn’t bear to lose Steven.

Running a hand into her hair, Steven gently massaged her scalp. He rested his other hand on her rib cage and watched her until her breathing settled.

Lifting his head, he caught Dade’s knowing look in the mirror. He glared at him for a moment. Steven spoke as quietly as he could without disturbing the women, but loud enough for Dade to hear. “I can’t believe not one person at the camp had any scratches on them.”

Dade raised his eyebrows at him in the mirror and smirked.

Steven closed his eyes realizing he was thinking of the marks on his own sides. “How is that possible?”

Dade sobered and shook his head. “I have no idea, but all of us walked around enough today to see every person there. And it’s hot enough, meaning there was enough skin exposed to check.” He wiggled his eyebrows at him in the mirror.

Steven shook his head and bared his teeth at him. Getting him to stay quiet wasn’t going to be easy. Rachel nuzzled into him and he immediately looked down at her. Her dark eyelashes against the pale skin looked like crescent moons. The decision came to him. If she thought she was going to just walk away and forget about their four days together, she was in for a surprise. He planned to remind her every chance he got.

“I’m going to take them to Owen’s first and get Cora settled, then I’ll drop you off.”

Steven looked up when Dade spoke. “Sounds good. I want to check Cora’s side after the trip anyways.”

Dade nodded and kept his eyes on the road.

“What do you mean I can’t go to work? I sit in a chair most of the day, how will that hurt me?” Cora demanded from Dade.

Dade watched her pull her shirt back into place as the Doc finished replacing the bandage. “You should wait until you’re healed.” He said quietly looking at Steven.

Steven shrugged. “It looks good, no bleeding.” He sat down and looked at her. “It’s up to you really, but if you take a day or even two and rest properly it’s going to heal cleaner and there will be less scaring.”

Dade stood there trying to keep silent.

She looked at her side and then up to Dade. “I’ll stay home one day, that’s it.”

Dade grinned. “I can take part of the day off and keep you company, if you’d like.”

Steven got up; left them to sort the day off between them. He wandered through the house trying to find Rachel. He found her in the kitchen on the phone, and he watched her expression as she spoke. She was concerned but it wasn’t a child on the other end of the phone.

“Hold on he’s here, I’ll ask him.” She held the phone against her chest.

Pleading brown eyes turned to him, she could ask for the moon and he’d do all he could to bring it to her.

“Steven, I’m talking to Connie, she’s Ricky’s foster mother. He’s really listless today. Would you be able to come with me to see him?”

He studied those eyes and then glanced at the clock. “I want to go home to shower and change and then I’ll go see him before I call in.”

She smiled at him then lifted the phone. “We’ll be over once we get cleaned up a bit. No problem. I’ll see you soon.” She hung up the phone and turned back to him. “Thank you.”

Steven’s only thought was to grab her and kiss her. Knowing Dade was close by was the only thing stopping him at this point, regardless of their agreement. Her agreement, he quickly corrected the thought, he never said he agreed. He cleared his throat. “No problem.” He turned. “I’ll go get my stuff out of the van and you can take me to my place to clean up.”

She nodded. “I’ll go see if Dade and Cora are fighting yet, and tell them I’ll be back later.”

Rachel paced around his house while he was in the shower. He had invited her to join him and now, all she could think about was climbing in with him. Shaking her head, she scolded herself. Gathering is over. We’re home. Hands to yourself, you greedy witch.

“That looks like a pretty serious internal discussion taking place.”

She jumped and turned, only to see him standing across from her, grinning. “It’s always difficult to come back to reality after the freedom of a gathering.” She perched on the edge of the chair.

Steven nodded. “I think this one might be a little more difficult to settle down from.” His eyes searched hers as he spoke softly.

She smiled. “Maybe. You could try not looking so good standing there, it would help.” She playfully whined.

He laughed. “I plan on making this as difficult for you as possible.” He glanced at his watch. “Shall we go, before I try to persuade you otherwise?”

Nodding, she got up and picked up her purse. “Yes, I’m anxious to see Ricky.” She grinned at him when they reached the door. “And I’m driving.”

He laughed. “Is that a warning to be prepared before we reach the car?”

Chapter 3

Steven stood back shaking his head.

“It’s so cute.” Kasey giggled.

“It’s pink.” Dade stated loudly.

“I think it was probably at one time more of a red tint.” Chris smiled at Dade. “Going to offend your manly nature to stay in a pink cottage?”

Dade shook his head. “As long as I don’t see it in the sunlight, I’ll be fine.”

Owen was still standing there with a smirk on his face when Leena pulled on his arm. “Let’s go have a look. Gwen said there were only four beds so they added a few cots.” She smiled up at him. “It should be interesting.”

Steven was happy when he stepped inside to see the interior a normal white and not some faded, mutated shade. There was a little kitchen, and a table with chairs under one window.

“We’re moving up in the world this time,” he said after peeking into the bathroom. “We have a bathroom and a kitchen.” He glanced around at the mismatched couch and single chair. “And almost a sitting area.”

Kasey ran up the stairs. “Three rooms up here two with double beds one with two cots.” She called out as she flew back down the stairs, then looked in the two rooms on either side of the kitchen. “A double bed in each.”

Steven went over and put his arm around Rachel. “Don’t suppose you’d feel sorry for my back and share one of those double beds with me?” She gave him an amused look. “The idea of me sharing with Dade and you ladies sharing doesn’t sound nearly as appealing.”

Rachel smiled up at him. “I’d love to wander in and see you and Dade spooning.”

“Which room has the cots, Kase?” Steven dropped his arm and put his hands in his pockets.

“Let’s go get our stuff,” Dade mumbled.

After the men left, Kasey paced around the sitting room. “If they find out we are going to be in so much trouble.”

Leena leaned back in the chair. “Owen is going to flip. Well, actually we’ll be lucky if all of them don’t turn into the chest-beating…overbearing men we know and love.

Cora leaned against the door watching out it. “I’m not looking forward to Dade’s reaction.”

Rachel sat in the middle of the floor. She knew the others were just as nervous. “Just remember to bat those eyelashes and pout, it seems to work well.” She laughed, “I don’t think fainting will get us out of the trouble we’re going to be in.”

Leena nodded. “Tomorrow night then?”

“They’re back.” Cora straightened from the door and opened it.

“Are you ladies planning on your cleansing ritual?” Chris asked as he walked in carrying bags.

Steven held his breath, wondering if Chris had found a way to figure out what the women were planning.

“Yes.” Kasey said excitedly. “I love to start a gathering that way.” She had an excited look on her face.

“Mind if I add something this time?” Chris stopped in front of her.

Kasey smiled. “No. Anything you add would be great.” She stretched up and kissed him.

“Good.” He held her to him and looked over at Steven.

Ha, Steven thought, he has a plan. We’ll find out one way or another.

Dade set up the little table the women carried along with them and then stood back to watch.

Owen stood beside him. He glanced at Steven the look on Owen’s face said he was hoping whatever Chris was up to it was would be obvious, otherwise someone would have to explain one more thing to him.

Cora came over to the table, holding a bag to her forehead. She. “A bag of protection for us all.”, She said, before setting it on the table. She grinned at Kasey. “I won’t tell you the ingredients.”

Kasey grimaced.

Rachel set a large violet candle on the table and snapped her fingers to bring the flames. “For health and peace to us all.” She smirked at Kasey. Obviously little Kasey was teaching Rachel a few new tricks. That may be bad for me later on, Steven mused.

“Impressive.” Kasey grinned at Rachel before stepping to the table. Opening empty hands over the table she closed her eyes while slowly closing her fingers. When she opened them, a stone sat in each. Setting them on the table, she whispered. “Sardonyx, to protect us all.” She took her place beside Dade.

Chris grinned at her. “Amazing.” He walked over and held out his hands, a large stone hovered over them. “Okenite, for truth and love.” Lowering it to his palm he set it on the table before backing up to stand beside Kasey.

Leena raised a brow at Chris. Walking to the table, she rubbed her palms together and smoke came from them to surround the table. “To cleanse and protect.” She opened empty palms and wiggled her fingers. The smoke swirled throughout the cottage, circling each person, before returning to hover over the table.

Steven inhaled deeply and then moved to join the rest of them. He chanted inside his head and knew when the feeling of unity reached them. A few gasps confirmed they all felt the connection when they joined hands. “To the first harvest,” he said quietly.

Dade shook his head walking over to the couch. “It’s like show and tell now around you guys.”

Cora laughed. “Jealous, Dade Jones because you can’t do all of that?”

He leaned towards her. “Go get my drum, honey. I’ll show you exactly what I can do.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I thought so.” He looked around. “I wasn’t saying it in a bad way, it’s actually getting cooler by the day with each of you outdoing others.”

Kasey laughed. “I found so many cool spells in Chris’s room, I plan to try one new one a day.”

Dade swung around to look at Chris. “Good luck with that.”

Chris smirked, “it’s never dull.” He looked around and then shrugged, “I think the more we’re together the more our skills are merging and growing.”

Kasey walked up and put her arms around him. “Why okenite Chris? With all your knowledge, you could have picked one stone and charmed it to make the killer walk to our door and give himself up.”

Steven stood back and continued to observe, waiting for Chris’ response.

Chris kissed the end of Kasey’s nose. “And do exactly what I told you I’d never do.” He shrugged again, “I thought truth and love were the strongest, pure emotions, so maybe it will do some good.” He rested his head on hers and sent Steven a knowing look.

Dade leaned back. “I don’t need to have huge powers to know you ladies are up to something, so are you going to tell us about the plan you’re keeping from us?”

Cora sat beside Dade and studied him for a moment. “We are not planning any sort of spell or ritual. Why would the four of us try that, when we could have your help and have the power of eight?”

Dade looked at her for a moment and then gave Steven a defeated look. “Okay, I guess we were mistaken.”

Leena hugged Owen and looked over at Dade. “You’re probably just picking up on nerves, Dade. The last two gatherings haven’t been the easiest.”

Chris sighed. “That’s true and it’s possible that’s what we’ve been sensing. Oh, before I forget, are we sticking to the same rotation for the watches at night?” He was answered with shrugs and nods.

Kasey stretched up and pulled his head down. Biting his bottom lip, she smiled. “Come help me unpack.”

Chris looked down at her, nothing distracting his focus from her. “We’ll be down later.”

Leena reached and took Owen’s hand. “Come help me.”

“Anything you want baby.” Owen said with a grin, following her up the stairs.

Steven groaned into his hands. “You couples need to give us poor single people a break —all this kissing and touching and suggestive looks…”

Rachel walked over and bent down, leaning over him. His heart raced when her lips touched his. Opening her mouth, she made sure he felt the ring from her tongue rub over his.

She pulled away and straightened up. “Better?”

Steven nodded as she walked to the room she’d chosen. He shook his head to clear it, and then turned to Dade.

Dade was looking over at Cora with puppy eyes. She laughed at him and walked to her room. Turning to Steven he groaned. “I need beer, lots of beer.”

Steven nodded. “Yeah, well what I need just walked in there…” he pointed after Rachel, “But beer would work. Then dinner, opening circle and more beer before our watch.”

Dade nodded as he went to the cooler and pulled out two. “I’ll be fitting a nap in there too. I was so tired after Solstice it took a week to feel rested.”

Steven laughed as he accepted the bottle. “I live on broken sleep, so I’m one up on you there.”

The time was finally here again.

He had to make sure he didn’t fail again.

He watched waiting to see if the same woman returned.

She hadn’t.

The tall lawyer that found her did return.

But he knew not to interfere this time. He knew.