HOME AGAIN

Tongson sat before the fire pit staring into the flames.  The brisk breeze blew down off the mountain peaks bringing with it the hint of chill and cold telling of the change of seasons.  Soon the first snow fall of the season would decorate the peaks behind him.  Fall foliage and many of the highland animals would vacate for lower areas closer to town.  Even Tavia mentioned packing up and returning to their city home.  Tongson inhaled filling his lungs with the scents he’d come to love over their spring, summer, and fall sojourn here on their peak in the mountains. 

Tomas left six months prior on one of his journeys that took him far away from the family.  The twins were barely crawling when he left.  Their older brothers and sister ran the quad with their spindly legs racing all over until they curled up in young children puppy pile style fall fast a sleep for a few hours.  Mickey and Night Hawk’s daughter ruled the rest of the children like the diva she loved to be.  Her new brother might temper those outbursts as he got older.    Yes, life was good here on their peak.    The book store and Tavia’s new arts and craft business needed attention.  And the tribe needed him.

Tongson stirred the fire watching the sparks fly into the dark midnight sky.  Deep within the house, most slept.  Ready for the journey they would undertake in the morning.  Maybe not until late afternoon if he didn’t sleep soon.  This time the truck and SUV would take them down the mountain and back to town.  Shape shifting with small babes and toddlers took more energy and time than any of them had leaving the mountains this late in the season.  Tomorrow would come no matter how much he longed for time to slow allowing him more time in the serenity and quiet he’d come to enjoy.

“Can’t sleep?” Tavia asked slipping her arms around him from behind.  She hugged him to her.  

Tongson nodded as she kissed his cheek.  “I wish sleep would claim me.  We elude each other.  Back to town tomorrow.”    He sighed and leaned against Tavia.

“The seasons have seen us grow and change.”  Tavia slipped her hand into Tongson’s.  She knew the call earlier in the week still haunted him.  His father at the age of one hundred had joined Tongson’s mother in the hereafter.  Watching two human parents age weighed heavily on their adopted son.  Neither of them permitted Tongson to deny his heritage or who he was.  Their unconditional 

love and support shaped the man next to her.  The man, the spirit bear, she loved and called husband.

“Tomas called,” she whispered leaning closer to Tongson.  

“How is he?  I miss that Tom Cat!”  Tongson sneezed as if on cue.  “Even miss his blasted dander tickling my nose.”

“He’s coming home.” Tavia squeezed her senior husband’s hand.  “Both my husbands will sleep with me between again.”

Tongson nodded.  Sometimes home was a place, a feeling, and even the people who made up the family.  He was blessed to have all three here and now.  Tomorrow he would have more again in another place that called him home again.

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Happy Weekend Gang!

A few readers have remarked on how harsh and hard Tyburn and Rachel's saga is.  Pris and I are thinking about where to take the story next with them.  Meanwhile, the other part of our Alaskan group is making their way back to town after some time in their mountain home.  

Be sure to keep warm as the chill of fall begins.  Keep a good book or two handy  to share as you cuddle with your Spice and loves under a blanket in front of the fireplace.  I know I will!

Until next week,

Solara

 

Thankfulness and Gratitude

Angel looked out the window.  Pristine white snow fell in large flakes.  Outside several landed on the windowsill, melted and as water trickled down the side of the pane until they disappeared from sight. 

Two months had come and gone, and still no word from Randall.  His family reached out to her covertly through short phone calls and anonymous emails.  All they wanted to know she couldn’t answer.  No one knew where he was.  His eldest brother demanded responses threatening to expose her whereabouts if she didn’t answer him.  

Angel sighed, wiped her eyes, and hunched closer to the window.  Her cell phone lay next to her, battery dead, and her minutes run out.  She knew what Tongson said was true.  Her safety and the lives of the kits she carried hinged on her remaining silent and hidden.  At least with the snow she could run and find tranquility for a moment in forgetfulness as she exercised. 

Out by the large grove of trees marking the border of the property a flash of black appeared.  Angel blinked and squinted.  Had her mind bent in half and began playing tricks on her?  The black splash appeared again. Appeared and weaved itself back into the dark trunks of the trees.  

A mournful howl split the air and three others followed.  Three dark inky dots appeared closer to the edge of the snowline separating the grove from the shoveled path leading to the house.  Angel gasped as the dots began racing toward the path.  One then another became clearer.  Three large black wolves came into view.

One leaped and spun in circles.  First, to the left.  Then to the right.  Another copied his moves and added his own as if trying to get the other to follow suite.  The third hung back, sitting on his haunches watching the others.  The first two laid their ears back and bared their teeth.  The third trotted up behind the others.  Crouched, and waited until the two raised their asses up, tails raised, as they lowered their fronts snapping and snarling between yips. 

Two loud barks echoed off the hills.  Howl after howl mixed with the echoes.  The largest of the three black wolves sat on his haunches, his tongue lolling out as if he laughed at the other two caught off guard by his cold nose goose their exposed asses more than once.   The other two circled him.  He snarled and trotted toward the house.

Laughter sounded behind Angel.  She turned.  Tongson and Octavia stood arms around each other smiling and pointing toward the trio approaching.  “Looks like Anthony’s relatives arrived.”

Angel blinked and scratched her head.  “This is the triad made up of a husky and two wolves.”

“Not them.  Relatives of theirs that are joining us for Thanksgiving and Solstice.  Anthony, Tory, and Josh are arriving later.  They’re bringing humans with them.  Also the baby.”  Tongson sat next to Angel.  “Why the puzzled look?”

“There are species mixing that shouldn’t.  At least that is what Sheer Khan says.”  Angel wrapped her arms tight around herself.

Octavia slipped her arm around Angel’s taunt shoulders.  “Khan wishes to rule a world where his orders and whims are supreme.  He seeks to let terror reign in his stead and allow control to be his to grab.”

Tongson nodded. “Here we live by our own rules.  We mix, pleasure and do as our agreements and experiences teach us.  There are good and bad in everything the world produces.  Knowing which is which is which is key to understanding what makes and keeps the peace and balance.”

Octavia smiled.  “There is much to be thankful for and gratitude to give as well as share.  Come let’s find out who joins us for the celebration.”

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Happy Weekend Gang!

I hope you like this week's post as we learn more about Angel and her love.  As well as more on the world outside of Talbot's Peak.  Poor Gil now as mayor.  That is going to be a new adventure in squirrelish antics.  

I'm off to work on edits for my new release due out in January.  I'll post more and a tidbit when I've got an excerpt or two to share.   Remember to take time out to enjoy the fall colors and share a good book with your spice and loves.  I know I will!

Smiles,

Solara

Love, Faith, Hope-The Greatest of These

Tomas looked up from the sermon he laid upon the pulpit.  He smoothed out the crinkles in the pages again.  He splayed his hand over the words making up the title.  His throat constricted as two more filed in and made their way up the aisle until they found seats in the hard wooden pews filling the converted church.  

Tavia’s weak smile warmed his heart.  Two pews back Mickey and Night Hawk sat keeping the children occupied.  Tongson’s brief nod as Tomas’s eyes met his communicated more than Tomas could ever say aloud.  Human and shifter alike dab their eyes.  Many took the packets of tissue offered as they entered the sanctuary.  

Tomas cleared his throat catching the attention of the packed room.  He nodded to the gray haired woman sitting at the battered piano.  She played the opening chords of Amazing Grace.  A quartet of men and women rose on the left side of room.  Their voices blended as each sang a line of lyrics before all four sang in unison.    Another familiar song filled the room as two shifters sang a ballad about illicit love and broken hearts.  As they sat, Tomas spoke.

“Friends, neighbors, and loved ones, today’s tragedy brings home once again why we must unite as a community.  One person took too many lives, hurt innocent beings, and lost touch with himself.  Others seek to harm and hurt anyone who is different.  Some shrink away in fear.  Some use words and actions to justify the malice they do.”

Tomas paused.  Several heads nodded and whispered echoed off the walls.  Licking his lips, he continued.

“Our fellow shifters in Talbot’s Peak face life and death daily from human and shifters.  Humans face the same from humans and shifters as well.  They’ve chosen to unite and live.  To embrace their differences and work together to create a haven and home for those that want to live in peace, love, and a faith in their fellow citizens’ innate goodness and sincerity.”

More nods and soft yeses resounded.  Tomas scanned the crowded room.  Two large men stood near the exit doors.  Their arms hung at their sides.    Moments earlier, they were tight against their chests.  Tomas inhaled deeply.  His eyes meet Mickey’s.  She mouthed I love you, raised her and Night Hawk’s joined hands, and blew a kiss toward Tomas.

Tongson sat with his arm around Tavia.  His wide smile and wink erased any lingering angst Tomas felt.  Tavia’s head bob gave him the fuel he needed to go on.

“There are many quotes on faith, peace, and love.  Many of us here are pagan, a natural religion.  Others are of varying faiths.  For me, I have three that guide me daily.  I’d like to share these with you.  First comes from the Christian Bible:  Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love.  The next quote I stumbled upon surfing the internet looking for inspiration for tonight’s topic.  I found one that hit home by a person named Adlin Sinclair a British executive and humanitarian.  He said, and I quote, ‘Without faith, hope and trust, there is no promise for the future, and without a promising future, life has no direction, no meaning and no justification.’  The last is from Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese philosopher: Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

Tomas looked up from the paper in front of him.  He felt all eyes watched him intently.  It was though the community breathed as one spirit, one entity, with them waiting for his next utterance.  Tomas swallowed hard and followed where his heart led him.

“I sense a deep love and caring within us.  Those in Colorado are hurting.  We’ll do what we can for them through our connections with Talbot’s Peak.  I know I want to tell each of you I love you and your love gives me the courage to go on despite this awful tragedy.  Our faith in each other unites us and brings us together to work in peace and harmony for the greater good of all.   Over the next days, weeks, and months as those touched by this begin to heal or let out their grief and hurt, let’s remember we’re in this together.  No one stands alone.”

Tomas gathered up his papers.  He stepped down from the pulpit.  One person stood, clapping.  Another joined and another.  Smiles, greeted him as he made his way down the aisle.  When he reached the door, the largest of the guards leaned down.  “The donation area is packed with boxes and items offered by everyone in attendance.  The cash jar is stuffed to the brim.  We found another and it is overflowing as well.”

Tomas clenched the paper in his hands.  A tear threatened to streak down his check.  A soft hand wiped it away.  He turned.  Tavia and Tongson stood next to him offering their hands.  He moved toward them knowing he’d come home to where he belonged and acceptance was the norm, not the abnormal.

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Hi Gang,

My heart goes out to the people of Aurora, CO.  Having gone through the last Los Angeles Riots,  I can relate to the feelings everyone is going through.   My post this week is my attempt to make sense of the world around me and the horror that sometimes fills our lives.  Hug your loved ones, friends, and extended family by blood or choice.  Tell them you love them and how much they mean to you.  It's important.  Take time to enjoy each other and have hope that a brighter tomorrow is out there for all of us.

Solara

Pleasent Dreams

Penelope watched as Danny moved to the bedroom of the suite. His head hung down, hiding feelings he’d obviously kept bottled up for far too long. His mind was in pain and his soul called out for healing. It was no wonder he’d never escaped the mailroom drudgery of the Guts & Butts Gazette, nor was is surprising that his sex life was nothing more than a revolving door of partners. Daniel Muldoon spent so much time shoring up his wounded emotions that everything else came in second, third, fourth…


The knock sounded again only harder this time than before. Who could be bothering her at this time of the night, at least she thought it was night. Who could tell with the extended darkness at this time of the year?

Penelope pulled open the door and had to hold tight to the handle to remain standing. He was back. Her brilliantly, blue-haired beauty and he’d brought a friend—a bear of a man with peace and knowledge in his eyes.

“G’day Mistress…”

“Hello, stranger,” She snarked, looking out at the duo through the slightest of cracks. “Do you need something, or are you lost?”

“Ah, my Sheila has claws and knows how to use them it would seem.” His lip curled up at the corner and had a definite effect on her well-being—an effect that hit her low and had lusty intents. She would love to watch this man do anything and everything.

“Sheila, huh.” With that accent he could call her the worst names and still not offend, but it wouldn’t do to let him know that. No she needed to channel her inner domme here… “I think I like Mistress better; at least from someone with…”

“My name is Burgess, beauty.” He reached right through the crack and ran a warm finger down the side of her cheek, setting the tiny nerves that lay beneath to tingling and sending prickles of pleasure clear to the tips of her toes. “Burgess King, now may we come inside?”

Well blast. He’d turned her game right around on her.

“Come on in then.” Penelope pulled at the door, widening it further so that they could come inside. Her luxurious suite soon became as roomy as a gilded cage with one tiny swing. “Wow, never let it be said that you gentlemen couldn’t hold a captive audience.”

“We overwhelm you, my colorful bird, and for that I apologize. I am Tongson and I have need of your special spirit.”

“Mr. Tongson.” Penelope reached out her hand, hoping her surprise didn’t show at his use of colorful bird. Very few beings could place her origins, but this one could. Did that make him an adversary or an advocate? “No apologies are necessary as I have no clue as to what this special spirit is of which you speak.”

The strange man lifted his head, breathing deeply before looking her way again.

“The young mink has found his way into your care then?”

Daniel? Why would this man be interested in her little apẻritif? “Yes, he is here and shall remain here…”

“Good, he needs what you, the both of you, can show him.”

“Excuse….”

“You see, our young mink is on the cusp of a revelation about himself and his role with some friends of mine. Unfortunately, I am not in the position to apply the final lesson to this needy young man, but my visions tell me that you two are.”

“Crikey, Tongs…skip the cryptic and get to the point will ya. How can we help this bloke?”

Penelope agreed, they were wasting time, but the look in Mr. Tongson’s eye told her he had said all he would on the subject. What came next would be up to her and Burgess.

And you would be right about that, Prudence Penelope Peaparrot. Take care of these two and you shall reap a very unexpected benefit.

Penelope was shocked to hear Tongson’s words whispered gently in to her head. Clearly, he was a special creature.

“Aussie, Ms. Jorgensson,” Mr. Tongson murmured, using the name she’d never given him with a twinkle in his eye. “Pleasant dreams.”