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Warm fingers stroked her forehead, as if they were smoothing lines on wrinkled paper. “Bad dreams? That’s no good.”

  “Strange ones, for sure.” Maybe not all bad. Sexy.

  “Well, the place looks good, well-cared for. I appreciate it, Shiloh.”

  “No problem. I didn’t mess with anything. Not even when I wanted to.” She winked. “Peanut Butter might leave you. He’s in love with Cindy.”

  “I’ve been saying that since they met. Soulmates, those two.”

  “He’s a butthead.” She chuckled. “He was a good boy.”

  “I’m glad. I brought you a present, to say thanks.” Bella pulled out a little bag, a lovely pink-and-red stone necklace in there.

  “So sweet.” Shiloh held it up to her neck. “What do you think?” No horn in the jewels. That was a good sign.

  “Oh. Oh, the pendant’s slipped off. It’s one of the ones you can change out.” An odd little piece of bone was held out to her, the end capped with silver filigree.

  “Wow.” Okay, she was going to run screaming. Instead she took the tiny bit of bone and put it in the bag.

  “You want to sit and have some tea, honey?”

  “Not now, Bella. I think I want to go sit in the hot springs. Rain check?” She kissed Bella’s cheek.

  “Anything. I appreciate your help.” Bella patted her back gently.

  “Thanks.” A hearty soak. That would do her a world of good.

  A soak and maybe a nice, cold beer after. Oh, she appreciated the sound of that a lot. She hugged Bella again and scratched PB’s ears. Then she headed up to the hot springs.

  She didn’t bother to fire up her Jeep; she just hopped on her bike and pedaled away. If she didn’t feel like biking back, Nova, who worked the lockers, would get her a lift down in the back of the truck.

  Panting, she cranked up toward the springs, reminding herself that the stupid pools were another thousand feet up. Silly. Still, she felt strong, head down, feet pumping. She was a winner. This was better than any spin class she’d taken in Texas.

  Something rattled in the brush beside her, moving the branches.

  She wobbled, but managed to stay upright. “No scaring me!” she shouted to the wind.

  Was that a chuckle? A husky, low, completely-not-worried-about-her chuckle? Goose bumps rose on Shiloh’s arms, and her nipples went rock hard. Cold. It had to be the cold making her shiver.

  Focus. Up the mountain. Go. Pump your feet.

  She pedaled harder, finally rounding the bend at the hot springs pool, the long, low building simple cinderblock. Totally soaked with sweat, she rolled to a stop, chest heaving.

  “Hey, girl. You look wiped.” One of the hot little river guides came out, tossed her a water. What the heck was his name? Casey? Carey?

  “Thanks. I rode hard.”

  “I can tell. We’re heading up to Gunnison for a few days starting on Saturday. Wanna come?”

  “Oh, man.” She bit her lip. That would be a hoot, to go up over the blue, maybe stop in Pleasant Valley for a piece of pie. “I have to talk to Aunt Chrissie. I’ll call, okay?”

  “Cool. Cool. It’s going to rock.”

  “I bet.” She waved before heading inside. All Shiloh wanted to do was soak, which was sort of a shame because Carey was hotter than the hinges of hell.

  Nova grinned at her as she stumbled in, her cat’s eye glasses going up and down as her face moved. “Biking up again?”

  “Shut up.” Shiloh grinned. “I needed to work out. Been shop-sitting for Bella.”

  “Poor baby, having to sit around all those books.”

  “Have you been near her fireplace with all the green weed smoke? All I’ve done all week is munch.”

  “Doritos and green olives, baby.”

  “You know it. And those grissini breadstick things at the bakery.”

  “Uhn.” Nova’s eyes rolled, the move so dramatic.

  “I know, right? Tapioca flour and Parmesan cheese. Who would have thought?” The little breadsticks amazed her every time and had put three new pounds on her ass.

  “Parmesan cheese. Man, now I need something gooey and Italian. Go soak before I starve to death.”

  “Hey, if you want to go to Gunnison and have Mario’s, Carey is going that way. It’s Carey, right? The guy from the rafting outfit? Give him a call.” She waved and headed for her locker.

  Nova’s hysterical laughter followed her. “Remember, I’m old.” Right. Nova was what? Thirty?

  Grinning, Shiloh grabbed a suit and a towel. She wasn’t afraid of the clothing-optional pools, but today she thought it best not to chance it.

  Things had been weird enough. Last thing she needed was Olaf the Toothless coming on to her. She changed, then headed for the big pool, needing the heat for her sore muscles.

  She sank in, head falling back, eyes closing. Oh, yeah. The water wasn’t scented with flowers, but it felt like heaven. This was the best idea she’d had in weeks.

  The sounds of the other people were distant, random, the echoes stretching and distorting. Shiloh let the noises fade away and hummed a little to cover anything else she heard. She loved music, loved the way it blocked everything else.

  The water buoyed her, her arms floating, breasts rising and falling as she breathed. She bobbed, her toes dipping then popping up, the tension flowing out of her. It was so easy to let her eyes close, let herself drift away, let the sounds distract her.

  Which was why the clatter of hooves on the side of the pool made her start, screaming a little. She ended up underwater.

  The water flooded into her mouth and she gagged, fighting for air. When she popped up, no one could be seen, not a single soul.

  Losing her mind.

  Losing her goddamned mind.

  She slapped the water with the flat of her hand. “Leave me alone!”

  Nothing but silence answered her.

  Scraping her hair back off her face, she glared at the edges of the pool. “What the hell is going on?”

  There was a puddle of water right there on the coping that she hadn’t seen before, U-shaped, big. She gasped, her nipples going tight, her scalp prickling. “God.”

  That husky chuckle sounded again.

  Whoa.

  The edge of the pool felt slick under her palms when Shiloh pulled herself up. Nova needed to see this. Someone not her needed to see it.

  “Nova?” She ran to the door of the locker room. “Nova!”

  Nobody.

  How could there be nobody there? Nova was always working.

  Goose bumps crawled over Shiloh’s skin, and she rubbed her arms. “Hello? Anyone?”

  No. No way. It was late afternoon. The springs would be bustling.

  Bustling, damn it.

  She heard nothing but the soft lap of water against the sides of the pool and her own labored breath. Shiloh crept into the locker room, her toes barely touching the floor.

  A fog rolled through the air, seeming to creep up from the floor, climb up like poisonous gas in the movies. She could breathe, though. No choking, no gasping. Maybe a little coughing, because that was thick…

  The sound of hoof beats came again, solid and heavy on the tile.

  “Okay. Okay. I don’t know who you are, but you’re freaking me out.” Her legs shook, and for some unknown reason, her pussy clenched, wetness beading up there. This wasn’t erotic. It wasn’t.

  This was creepy.

  She tried to tell herself not to run, but she wanted to. Hell, she wanted to scream. Instead, she walked, calmly.

  Relax.

  Peace.

  This was a mistake.

  A confusion.

  A dream.

  A huge form blocked her way into the locker room, just a shadow in the mist, and Shiloh screamed, her peace and calm and relaxation lost for good.

  “Shi? Shi, honey? Wake up!” Nova was right there, hand on her shoulder.

  “What?” Her body went under, water flowing into her nose. She surfaced, sputtering, “Shit.
Nova?”

  “You were having a nightmare. I was worried you’d hurt yourself, honey.”

  “I was looking for you.” God, she could have drowned.

  “Shiloh you were right here. I swear. I was at my desk.”

  “Well, in my dream I was screaming.” She tried for a smile, treading water. “Thanks for the save.”

  “Anytime. Cookie?”

  “Huh?” She blinked, then laughed. “Sure. Let me get a shower, huh?”

  “Sure. Hurry. Sally and her band of hooligans are here. You know they’re loud.”

  “I do.” Sally had five kids. They were sweet, but heavens could they make noise.

  Nova handed her some towels and headed back up to the front, leaving her sitting there on the side of the pool. What the hell was all that? She had been so sure Nova had left her alone at the springs.

  Maybe whatever was in Bella’s fireplace was stronger than weed. Maybe she’d lost a few brain cells. She shook her hair, flinging water. Well, at least her muscles were loose.

  At least she hadn’t drowned.

  She washed off in the shower and dressed, then headed to sit with Nova. Nova was a free spirit. Maybe she ought to chat with her about what was going on.

  There were two cups of coffee and a plate of chocolate chip cookies waiting for them when she came out.

  “Oh, that looks good.” In fact, it looked so normal that she teared up, her eyes all squinty.

  “Sometimes a girl needs a cookie and a friend. Come and sit and tell me what the fuck is going on.”

  Shiloh nodded, rubbing her arms with her hands. “It’s been so weird, Nova.” She sat, then reached for a cookie, needing a nibble.

  “Start at the beginning. I’ll give you a ride after.”

  Shiloh took a deep breath before launching her tale of books and beasts, ending with the U-shaped hoof prints she was sure she’d seen in the puddle. “It’s so freaky. I think I’m losing it.”

  “Dude, that’s scary as hell. We need sage and salt.”

  It felt amazing to be believed, trusted. “Oh, you think you could help me? I don’t know a lot about banishing.” Or anything like spells and shit. She was willing to try, though.

  “If I can’t, I know people who can. Eat a cookie.”

  Shiloh munched her cookie, the sugar making her feel better right off.

  Nova grinned. “I don’t care what anyone says, chocolate is better than sex.”

  “It sure is happy-making.” She sipped her coffee, letting the steam soothe her throat. Swallowing that water had made her raw.

  Nova took her glasses off, stretched. “So, do you think you’ll stay here in Culper? I mean, do you like it?”

  “I do.” It popped out, surprising her. She’d really thought to begin with that she’d sell her Dad’s house and leave again, but now she wanted to be in Culper.

  “Good. I’m glad.” Nova patted her wrist, squeezed it. “Honestly.”

  “Me, too.” Shiloh chuckled. “I’ve been so busy I haven’t thought too much.”

  “That’s like…oh, what do they call it? Self-preservation?”

  “Yes. It’s so pretty here. Quiet. I enjoy the community.” Even if they were kooky. Maybe because they were kooky.

  Nova hooted. “Well, we won’t let some bugaboo run you off.”

  “Yeah. Or drown me in the pool, huh?”

  “You know it. I’ll call in the reinforcements.”

  “My hero.” They laughed together, and Shiloh was tickled that it didn’t sound hysterical. “Thanks. I needed this.”

  “Me too. You…you want to go grab a pizza and see a movie? Something not scary?”

  “God, yes.” She got up and hugged Nova hard. “As long as we can bring the cookies.”

  “It’s a plan, honey. Totally a plan.”

  “Good deal.” Nova would just put the “No attendant on duty” sign out and people would still leave their entrance fees and put their towels away. That was how it worked in Culper.

  It was home.

  Chapter Two

  Elijah Mourning Dove pulled out his laptop, hoping that the Silver Nugget Hotel had Wi-Fi in their lobby. He was waiting to check into the solitary hotel in Culper, Colorado, and he needed to get in touch with his contact.

  Something was amiss—echoes of it were audible all the way above the treeline, buzzing like misplaced bees. The energy off it thrummed in his bones, heightening his senses.

  Sure enough, he got three bars, which wasn’t great, but it was better than nothing, and he emailed CatsEye1980 again with an “in town—meet tonite?”

  The immediate response of, “Six okay?” was gratifying. That would give him time to get his room, change and get the lay of the land.

  “Works for me,” he wrote back. Man, he needed some coffee.

  He headed to the tiny front desk and rang the bell, looking at the wee printed map sitting on the counter. His choices were a bakery with a coffee shop or some kind of coffee hut.

  “May I help you?” The girl behind the counter wore her hair in huge dreads, the ring in her nose glinting silver.

  “Where should I go for the best coffee and a bite to eat?”

  “Starlight Bakery. Today is ham-and-cheese panini, cream cheese brownies and macadamia nut coffee.”

  “Oh, that sounds good.” He nodded toward the door. “How far is that?”

  “Come here.” She led him to the door and stuck her head out. “You see the wooden pawnshop sign next to the post office one? It’s right there.”

  “Cool. So is the hut the other direction?” He wanted to keep his options open.

  “It is. It’s over by the bookstore.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate your help.” He gave her a smile. This way he wouldn’t have to drive with his bags and all in the car.

  “Anytime.” She waved and bounced off, just as cheery as could be.

  Elijah grinned. Small towns. He did love them.

  This one looked deliciously odd too, old and weird and charming, all at once. Half mining town, half late-Victorian hot springs boomtown, it had all sorts of echoes of history to listen to. Hell, there had been people walking this land for eons, doing magic, calling the gods.

  His people, some of them. He checked in on the truck, then headed on toward his lunch. His belly was gnawing at his spine.

  There were rocking chairs in the front of the…well. It was all one thing: bakery, coffee, post office, pawnshop, gift store. Wow. This was even smaller a town than he’d thought.

  He headed in, the scent of cocoa and pecans—and raspberry?—strong in his nose.

  “Smells good in here.”

  “Thanks.” The lady behind the counter was solid, with a tanned, lined face and long, graying blonde hair.

  “I hear you have coffee.”

  “All sorts. Cappucino, lattes, macchiatos.”

  “Do you have almond milk?”

  She raised a brow. “This is Western Colorado. Of course I do.” Her lips curved in a smile.

  “I’d like a caramel latte with almond milk, one of those amazing-looking sandwiches and whatever smells like raspberry, please.”

  “You got it.” She winked before ringing him up. “Have a seat and I’ll bring everything out.” There were three tiny tables in the spot between cafe and pawnshop.

  “Thanks.” He wandered to a little table and sat, pulling out his phone. No signal, but he could check the Wi-Fi, see if he had any other messages.

  A pretty blonde came in, earphones in her ears, the effect young, at least until she smiled and Elijah realized she was in her twenties. “Hey, Auntie!”

  “Shiloh. I need you to get the second batch of scones in the oven, please.”

  She was something else, this Shiloh, all bouncing ponytail and curvy butt. Yum. Elijah hoped staring was okay.

  “Oooh. Chocolate chip or white chocolate raspberry?”

  “The raspberry are going like crazy. Use the gluten free flour mix. Andy is coming later.”

 
“You got it.” Elijah got a quick grin from Shiloh. “Raspberries are the best.”

  “They are,” he agreed. The place was small enough that he could talk to them while they worked.

  “Are you here for the rafting?” Shiloh asked. “I hear the waters are running high.”

  “I’m actually here to meet a friend.” That seemed the easiest way to explain it.

  “Oh, cool.” All that mass of blonde hair was put up, then an apron came on. “Aunt Chrissie, your sandwich is ready.”

  “Thanks, honey.” The aunt, Chrissie, brought him his sandwich and latte, which smelled like heaven.

  Okay, he needed this. He dug in, groaning as the sweet caffeine hit his belly. The cheese sandwich made him moan again. So tasty, that homemade bread.

  “Oh, can I have one of those? I haven’t eaten since last night.”

  “Sure thing.” The older lady handed Shiloh a treat.

  He stopped stuffing food in his mouth to examine the younger lady again. She had amazing bone structure and a laugh that went right to his balls. He sat there, sandwich halfway to his mouth, to watch her move.

  She was stirring batter, and that fascinated him, the way her breasts moved.

  God, he was turning into a horndog on the spot.

  Insane. He never just went all big bad wolf on a girl. This one made him want to howl. Crazy. Sandwich. Eat your sandwich. Coffee. Breathing.

  Focus.

  His phone beeped, and he glanced at it, raising a brow. Huh. One of his best contacts from Denver had just checked in online at the Minotaur Bookstore in Culper, Colorado. Weird. Or fate.

  Either way, it was interesting.

  Distracting too, which helped him not stare at the pretty lady. What was Liam doing here, all the way from Denver? Might as well ask, so he fired off an email.

  “In Culper? Come to pawn shop.”

  It took about five seconds for “No shit?” to come back.

  “No shit. Finally get to meet in person?” He and Liam had been online colleagues for four years, but he never got to Denver these days, and Liam had never managed to get to Santa Fe.

  “Fuck yes. Be a few minutes. What are you pawning?”

  “Having a scone, actually.” At least he hoped. So far he was still sandwiching.

  “Pawning a scone? K.”

  He chuckled. “Get your ass over here,” he sent.