Chapter 148: Meeting the FamilyShasta tried to ignore the anxiety that gnawed at her stomach as she peered into the mirror in Blake's bathroom to apply a second coat of mascara. He'd be back anytime with Jackie and the kids. Recalling the only other time they'd met, she felt mortified. The thought occurred to her that there were countless other people she'd treated exactly the same way over the course of her life. She sighed and replaced the wand into the mascara tube.When she and Bear had returned to the mainland following their outing to Winchester Point, she'd made a beeline for the shower, trying to make herself presentable for when everyone returned to the lodge. In the bedroom, she slipped into a deep purple tunic dress, skipping panties as she knew Blake required, and then returned to the bathroom for one last look in the mirror. Gazing at herself, she tilted her head to the right. The outfit wasn't her go-to armor, but she felt satisfied, nonetheless. Maybe Blake was
Chapter 149: CluesSolar lights illuminated the path as Blake and Shasta walked hand in hand toward his cabin. Bear snuffled along ahead of them, stopping at a spot just off Blake's deck. Blake's brow furrowed as he spied the small white objects that had captured Bear's interest. He stooped and picked them up. "Do you smoke?" he asked Shasta."No," she frowned, "why?"He frowned at the cigarette butts in his palm. They were unfiltered and as he turned one over, he saw blue print against the white paper: Players Medium Navy."Get in the cabin. Now." His voice was firm and directive. Shasta immediately obeyed, moving up the steps and into the cabin. Blake scanned the area: the path from which they'd come, the shoreline fronting the cabin, the water and across the lake.Wide-eyed, Shasta watched as he came into the cabin and headed straight for the bedroom, emerging moments later carrying a shotgun. "Blake, what's going on?"He gave a terse shake of his head. "The phone message
Chapter 150: PancakesShasta woke up early the following morning. While Blake snored softly, she tiptoed out of bed, pulled on her pink satin robe, and padded out to the refrigerator. She'd hidden her treasures in the crisper, hoping Blake wouldn't look there.Giggling softly to herself, she took out the container of blueberries she'd picked at Winchester the day before. They'd been amazingly easy to find—they'd been there the first day she'd visited the point, she just hadn't recognized them before they were ripe.Who knew that blueberries grew on squatty little scrubby bushes? She shrugged, mystified by the oddities of nature.From the pantry, she took out a box of pancake mix, retrieved the milk and eggs from the refrigerator, and using a large glass bowl she'd seen Blake use, she followed the directions on the back of the box to make thick, white batter.Next, she placed the cast iron skillet on the stove and lit the burner, dropping in a sizable chunk of butter as she'd seen B
Chapter 151: Mama Bear"I have so many ideas for this place," Jackie said, stirring artificial sweetener into her iced tea.Shasta sipped hers just as it was, then set down her glass on the table between two deck chairs. The pair were taking a break, having spent the last hour inventorying bed linens for the various cabins. When Shasta had described her trip to the remote cabin and her adventure in bed-making, Jackie had laughed amiably."I can't imagine what it was like to grow up here," Shasta said. "It's such a legacy for you and Blake. And now for Grant and Emma."Jackie smiled at her children who played at the shore end of the dock, using tiny fishing lines baited with oatmeal to try to catch minnows that swam in the shallow water. "I can't compare, since it's all I knew," she began, "but I do know that for those few years I lived in the suburbs, I missed the peace and the quiet."Shasta sighed thoughtfully. She knew what Jackie meant. The idea of going back to California,
Chapter 152: Big PlansA satisfied smile played across Blake's lips as he steered the black Suburban back toward the lodge. He glanced at the bag resting on the seat beside him and nodded. Just what I pictured. Better, really. Sam did a great job. The bag contained a box, neatly wrapped in black paper and decorated with a white bow. In the box was a pink hand-tooled leather submissive collar and a lead of heavy silver chain with a pink leather handle matching the collar. The leather was embellished with crystals so that it sparkled in the light, just like the cuffs he'd purchased earlier.Amy and I will have our own private ceremony at the play cabin tonight. He smiled to himself. He knew she worried about what would happen when she returned to her life in California. He hoped that collaring her would reassure her that he intended to follow this relationship wherever it went.Sam had also shown him the tattoos he'd designed at Blake's request, a pair of coordinating his-and-h
Chapter 153: Daddy's SurpriseShasta shivered with anticipation, feeling her nipples stretch to full attention, bare beneath the light cotton fabric of the white mini-dress she was wearing. Her long red hair was done up in a twist and held with a large tortoiseshell clip on the back of her head. She gazed up and sighed contentedly at the canopy of stars above the round clearing, Blake's sanctuary. He'd sent her there when they'd come to the fork in the path, while he continued on to the play cabin with the bag he'd brought. He had something special planned, she could feel it. She shivered again.The snap of a twig announced Blake's presence. Shasta had been instructed to stand in the center of the ring of trees with her face away from the trail, and she had happily complied. She knew it was Blake she'd heard, she could practically feel his presence. She stood waiting, straining to hear, but there was no further sound. Maybe he was simply watching her, drawing out the suspense.
Chapter 154: Scott and JackieAs Blake and Shasta were making their way to Winchester, Scott was helping Jackie clean up from dinner. The pair chatted amiably while the children darted in and out of the room. Both Grant and Emma seemed to take to Scott naturally, laughing happily at his jokes and funny faces. Jackie watched with interest as Grant showed off his collection of Star Wars figures to Scott's admiring approval.Scott straightened up as Grant jetted off for yet another handful of treasures. "I have to admit, I had quite the collection when I was a kid." He laughed good naturedly."You're being a very good sport," Jackie laughed. "It appears you have a couple of new fans."He glanced off in the direction the children had gone. "They're great kids. You have a welcoming family vibe going on here.""Well, it's actually time for bed. It gets nice and quiet here after that. I don't suppose you'd like to hang out for a glass of wine?" Immediately, she blushed. "I mean, c
Chapter 155: An Awkward Request"So, my brother, you look like one exceptionally satisfied man." Scott smirked knowingly at Blake as, together, they lifted the new window into the space vacated when the broken one had been removed from the front of the island cabin. "Everything went well, I take it."Blake's face lit up in a huge grin. "Very well. Amy loved the collar, knew exactly what it meant." He shook his head as he gazed out across the water. "She's the one, I feel it in my soul. I know it's crazy; she's a movie star for fuck's sake. I have no idea how this is going to work."Scott shrugged slightly. "So it's your job to figure it out. There's always a way."Blake nodded. "You're right. There has to be a way."Scott eyed the other man thoughtfully. "I have something of a business proposition for you.""Oh?"He nodded. "I'll need some kind of base of operations for my wilderness school. You know, a place for folks to stay the first night and the last night of their
Chapter 328: Epilogue"Just one more push, you're doing great," the doctor said."How are you holding up, Dad?"Bleary-eyed, he nodded to the pink scrubs-clad nurse. He was ready for this long night to be over.He felt her starting to squeeze his hand again. "You've got this, babe," he murmured, kissing her forehead.Eyes closed and teeth clenched, she bore down, releasing a grunting squeal with the effort."Stop! There we are, Mom. The head is out. Now don't push, just breathe for a moment."Still holding her hand, he leaned over to see the back of the baby's head. His heart was in his throat and tears streamed down his face."Now this is it. On the next contraction, go ahead and push."He turned back to her. Eyes wide, she panted, gripping his hand for dear life."Oh, God, here it comes," she cried."You're doing great, I'm so proud of you," he murmured, turning to watch as their child was born.Fifteen minutes later, he strode down the hospital corridor to the family waiting
Chapter 327: No Time Like the Present"You should go home and get some rest, Jackie."Without taking her eyes off Scott, asleep in his hospital bed, she reached for Blake's hand. "I can't. I need to be here when he wakes up.""You're sure?"She nodded, then looked to her brother. "Can you take care of the kids? I hate to impose, but…""No worries, Jackie. Now that the storm's over, we'll take them back to our house. Amy's more comfortable there, anyway. We'll have a sleepover party."Jackie sighed. "I know they're ready to be back in their own beds. But I'll be home tomorrow, for sure, at least overnight.""Okay, sis." He kissed Jackie on the cheek. "Keep us posted."In the quiet of the hospital room, Jackie pulled a chair beside Scott's bed. As soon as they'd arrived back at the lodge, Blake and some of the others had carried Scott to the battered Suburban, laying him on the back seat.At Amy's insistence, Blake had driven Jackie and Scott to town. By the time they reache
Chapter 326: Dream Versus RealityHe was staring up at an azure sky. A warm summer breeze caressed his face. He turned his head and Jackie smiled at him, her deep blue eyes sparkling. "Where were you?" she asked.Scott shrugged. "I don't know.""Well, you're back now. That's what counts." She took his hand and led him to a bed in the middle of a sun-drenched field full of flowers. The bed's sheer white canopy billowed in the breeze. Kissing his hand, she released it, reaching up to slide first one, then the other spaghetti strap of her filmy white dress, allowing it to slide down her body and pool at her bare feet. His gaze slid from her sapphire eyes to her succulent lips. Then it traveled over the firm globes of her breasts with their pert pink nipples, to the flair of her hips, to the junction between her thighs where tight black curls were neatly trimmed. When he met her eyes again, she smiled knowingly and sank to her knees, bowing her head and resting her hands palm
Chapter 325: Warrior Princess"Jacks, you can't go out there." Blake's face twisted with concern."He won't come back until he finds Pierce. But he won't find Pierce, because Pierce is here. You can't leave Amy. I'd never even ask. And if Ned Hart won't go out there, I have no other choice." Her voice was deadly calm.She grabbed her grey coat, then put it back on its hook, heading into the dining room. Blake followed. "Jackie, seriously, I don't want you going out there." He grabbed her hand, stopping her. "Scott wouldn't want you going out there.""He can tell me that when I find him. Can I borrow Amy's pink parka? It's brighter than mine, easier to see."Blake exhaled sharply, his tone resigned. "I've known you long enough to know that once you've set your mind on something, that's it. At least let me put together a pack for you."While Blake scavenged from the survival students, Jackie put on Amy's parka and spoke to Grant and Emma. "I'm going out to let Scott know
Chapter 324: From Bad to WorseAway from the wide-open expanse of the lake, the trees blocked a certain amount of the wind, but plenty of snow filtered down. Try as he might, Scott couldn't make out any tracks left by Pierce. He continued up the trail, slipping and sliding as he made his way up a steep ridge. The designated campsite was the clearing at the top, but once he arrived, the area was empty. Even the snow was thin, having been blown into drifts against the bases of the trees surrounding the clearing. Where are you, you little shit? Scott turned in a circle, considering the most likely way Pierce might have gone. The clearing was exposed. He'd have wanted to find a spot that afforded more shelter. Which meant he would have gone lower. But in which direction?Rolling the dice, Scott headed west, where the clearing dropped off in a bluff about thirty meters above a ravine created by a now-frozen creek. He peered down into the gully, willing Pierce not to be there at
Chapter 323: Who's Missing?An hour later, Scott sipped his coffee and gazed out over the room. A handful of his campers had volunteered to help with lunch, and they'd all enjoyed potato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Now, a group of guests was working on chili for dinner.Out of habit, he mentally counted his group. Tom and Patty Payton, who'd headed up lunch, were playing cards with Justin Sapp and Paula Martinez. Dan Spinelli was talking fishing with the father and sons from Cherub Lake. Not finding Pierce, Adams, or Bennet, he frowned slightly. A trip to the restaurant kitchen revealed Brian Bennett and Keely Adams working on cornbread to go with the chili.That leaves one. Scott returned to the dining room. Jackie was across the room checking on Amy. He cruised by the table where Dan was swapping fish stories. "Sorry to interrupt, but have you seen Pierce?"The younger man frowned. "Not since we ate. But you know, now that you mention it, his backpack is gone." H
Chapter 322: Everyone Shelter at the LodgeAs Jackie and the children hiked toward the main lodge, they heard the snowmobile returning from the island. Jackie sent Emma and Grant ahead with their backpacks, Max galumphing along behind them, while she waited for Scott to secure the snowmobile."How'd it go?"Scott's lips were a grim line. "About how you'd expect. There's nothing we can do about it with the storm coming. Everybody understood, really. Except for Pierce. He's such an asswipe."Jackie's eyes widened but her lips curled impishly. "Oh my, Sire. Language."He popped her ass lightly. "And now my Princess requests a spanking. My day is complete."They both laughed as the entered the lodge. Trina had a huge fire going in the dining room's fireplace, and she'd already been to the cabins to invite guests to gather in the main lodge, where there would be food and heat."Hi, guys," she greeted Jackie and Scott. "I called the crew to let them know to stay home today. Then
Chapter 321: Blizzard WarningFrowning, Scott watched the latest weather report on the early morning local news, his mouth set in a grim line. Beside him, Jackie stirred. "What is it?" she murmured."It's alright," he answered softly. "Go back to sleep. It's not even 5:00 yet."She sniffed loudly and yawned. "I'm awake now. What's the matter?" She pushed up on an elbow and rested her head against his shoulder.He shook his head derisively. "The blizzard. They're predicting the storm to hit by this afternoon.""I thought it was supposed to skirt us to the south.""I hoped it would. But now we're under a blizzard warning." He kissed her temple and slid out of bed."What are you going to do?"He stepped into a pair of fleece-lined jeans and shrugged into a grey thermal Henley. "I'm heading to the island to let the campers know. Obviously, we're postponing the solo outings. I'll offer them the chance to return for free to finish their second week of this session." He glanced
Chapter 320: Winter SessionPulling the hood of his black parka lower over his head, Scott ducked behind the windscreen of his snowmobile and headed back to the lodge. At the bunkhouse cabin, he'd just welcomed Tom and Patty Payton, the only married couple he'd had thus far in his wilderness school.Having checked in with Jackie in the reception area of the lodge, the pair had made their way on foot across the ice to the island where they joined fellow survival students Justin Sapp, a stocky young man with an infectious sense of humor, and Paula Martinez, an attractive thirty-something Latina who wrote a Spanish-language adventure blog.Everyone in this session had broad outdoor survival experience, including the Paytons, who had once spent a year in the Amazon cataloging wildlife. They'd told Scott they were excited to learn winter survival skills in the wilderness of Ontario.That leaves four more clients yet to arrive, Scott mused as he pulled up the slope to park beneath the lodg