Jackson looked at the footprints left in the sand hours
later. The golden light of dawn
illuminated the path many had trod the night before. Remo and his wife decided to renew their
wedding vows as part of their twenty-fifth anniversary. Sandy and her hubby followed suite and
renewed theirs as well. As did many of
Remoor Beach’s older couples.
As the line formed at
the pier with each couple taking their turn walking down the makeshift aisle,
Jackson found himself next to Abebi.
They kept moving forward until they found themselves at the head of the
line. Jackson tried to edge his way out
of the next couple’s path. Instead, he found himself bordered by several of the
pack’s males. Two eyed him as though he’d
done something wrong. He couldn't see
Abebi. He heard her voice from time to
time. Her sharp no and I’ll decide when
pulled at his attempts to stay calm. The
crowd of males surrounding him parted.
Remo stepped in and the crowd enclosed them both.
Remo cleared his throat.
“Son, no one is pushing you to jump the broom or stroll down the
pier. You’ve been here six months
now. Either you are courting our Miss
Abebi or you are pissing in your own hat trying to convince yourself you want
something you don’t. Which is it?”
Jackson pushed his Stetson back and squinted. Back in the Peak, no one questioned a couple
about their relationship or intentions.
Of course back in the Peak, a lot happened below the radar. Until Ziva found out and published her gossip
column. “If it’s my business, why you
butting in Remo?”
“”Cuz son the good of the pack is at stake. We got pups coming. It’s time to declare your intentions.” Remo stepped closer, his teeth bared.
“I’m not having a pack forced wedding,” Abebi cried
out. She pushed and shoved her way
through the throng of women surrounding her.
“Jackson and I will decide what we want.
Not what the pack wants.”
Elder Muson held up his hand as he yelled out. “Stop this nonsense.” He tossed backed his head and howled. A loud pitiful mournful howl echoed off the
nearby buildings. Many clapped their
hands over their ears to keep from going deaf.
The swarm parted.
Elder Munson walked forward. “Pack
law is founded on choice. Choice is key
to our co-existence with our human counter parts. It’s also one of the reasons we get along
with each other as well as we do.
Sharing and caring makes sense.
If Jackson and Abebi haven’t made their choice or choices yet, not one
of us has the right to decide for them.”
Elder Munson folded his arms across his chest and scanned
the crowd. “I’ll snap a piece out of
anyone’s wolfish arse that tries to force these youngsters to do otherwise.”
Remo chuckled, walked over to Munson, and slapped him on the
back. “Rev, you give a good sermon with
or without the pulpit.”
Munson nodded and slid his arm around Remo’s shoulders. “Right, but are any of you listening?”
A chorus of yeses sounded.
Two women moved up next to Abebi.
“Our mutual spice want to be sure sharing is a free choice. Jackson, are you willing to share Abebi?”
Jackson looked at the faces intently watching him. Hell, was Abebi willing to share him? It took two to make that decision. They had barely talked since they agreed to
court and discussed what they wanted as a foundation for that. Jackson took Abebi’s hand and dropped to one
knee. “Abebi, will you share me?”
Abebi inhaled, cleared her throat, and spoke. “Well, I. . .”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Happy Weekend Gang!
Wow talk about cliff hanger! What is Abebi's response? Her mind is made up? Blast my muse is refusing to let me in on what is coming next. I'm sure it will be right for Abebi.
Meanwhile I'm busy finishing up edits on Hot for Torrey. As soon as I have a release date and excerpts to share, I''ll post them. Until then, share a good book or two with your spice and loves. Keep warm and don't over spend on holiday gifts.
Smiles,
Solara
2 comments:
Whoa. Talk about a shotgun wedding. Without benefit of shotguns, even.
This former Jersey girl loves the idea of a "stroll down the pier." Renewing vows as the breakers crash against the shore ... that's lovely.
Not the cliffhanger, though. That's GAAHHHHHH!!!!!
Those muses are so tricky sometimes. They know just how to hook you.
That would be a lovely wedding or renewing of vows -- as the breakers crash against the shore.
I have to concur, don't overspend, just really care about each other this holiday season.
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