Beltane Magic (Magic Seasons Romance Series Part 1)

Leena drove slowly through the massive trees. Their branches were like gnarled hands, long, pointing greyed fingers reaching toward the others across the road. Light sifted through, casting web-like patches of brightness on the road. Soon leaves would fill in the spaces, blocking the light. She wanted to stop and just drink in the scene.

A few lingering titian-colored leaves were sparsely scattered along the sleeping limbs, having determinedly held on through the winter. To some it would feel eerie, a detail they wouldn’t stop to notice; to her this was nature at her most beautiful time of awakening after the long, restful winter.

She sighed and glanced back to the road. Why was she the one to get there last, after driving through this middle-of-nothing alone? Oh right, she was the big supervisor, the one who needed to stay behind and finish up while her three friends and coworkers had piled into another car, four hours earlier. Well, at least they’d be sure to get a cabin in a good location. One close enough to everything to be easy to get to, but far enough away that private time wouldn’t be a problem.

Leena glanced in the rear-view mirror before stopping the car in the middle of the road. Of course, no one would be behind her on this scenic route, which was beginning to look more like a path through an enchanted forest. She picked up the map to study it again. Somewhere there was supposed to be a bridge and slight incline. She was pretty sure the drawing with arrows pointing down meant downhill. She grinned. Justin made this map, and unless he’d changed since last year, she knew in her gut that his description of a thing and hers were not going to be even close.

Justin and his wife, Gwen, organized several small events throughout the year and they were never in the same place twice. The places were always completely secluded, and completely appropriate, for the small gatherings. She admired them for that.

She wondered how they managed to find some of the places; most were so remote that explorers were probably the last people to have set eyes on them. Knowing this made her look forward to this first gathering after the winter months, just for the surprise.

Double checking the printout from Gwen’s email one more time, she started moving forward again. She held her breath as the car carefully crept around the corner. In this atmosphere, she almost expected a dragon or another fanciful creature from the fairy tales to jump out on the other side.

That was the bridge? It looked more like a few logs tossed in a line. She glanced in the mirror again. It had to be. There hadn’t been anywhere to turn off from this road, it seemed to get narrower with each mile she traveled. She didn’t want to think what she’d do if she met another vehicle at this point.

Driving slowly and hearing the crunching under the tires of her car did nothing to reassure her. Nor did she allow herself to look out the window and see what exactly was under this primitive bridge. She hadn’t realized she was holding her breath, until it rushed out in a whoosh as the back tires cleared the last log and were once again on the dirt path that passed for a road.

Her stomach was knotted with tension from the drive, and fluttery with excitement. The Beltane gathering was finally here. Most called this a festival, but to her, it was more. Being reunited with those she saw only a few times a year, or some she’d only ever seen at an event.

For some this would be the only time they could be who they were inside, be how they wanted to be and feel accepted.

Leena felt she was luckier than most, she had three true friends. They didn’t have the exact beliefs as one another, but in the last five years as the friendship grew stronger, they found ways to blend and merge those beliefs into something strong and unbreakable.

This was a slight incline? She almost hit the brakes but was afraid she’d slide off the road. It looked as if it dropped right off to nothing. The email said private and secluded. However, they didn’t mention that people would be too afraid to venture over the bridge, and if they did, surely this hill winding down into a dark path of overhanging trees would deter them from going any farther.

It was probably breathtaking once everything was reborn and newly grown. As it was not yet May, it was still covered with the brown and grey of winter’s slumber. She smiled, soon a thousand different shades of green would cover the ground, and life would breathe anew. Leena loved spring, loved the rebirth after long cold winters. Being of a pagan nature, she understood that winter was needed to revive the Earth, which supported so much life, but this still didn’t stop her from being as thrilled as a child seeing the first signs of spring every single year.

This path would be eerie in the darkness with the trees casting shadows, and it would scare many, she thought. Well, those who did not believe as she did. Nevertheless, she loved nature in every form, as it chose to present itself.

These next three days would be spent with many of the same heart and mind celebrating the new season, celebrating Beltane and thanking the Earth for blessing them with the bounty of the seasons to come. The excitement of the gathering brought a smile to her face. Together again with her chosen family, not the ones of her blood, but with her friends and fellow pagans, she could revel in the seasonal change.

As she pulled through a gate covered with dry vines she smirked, because it left the impression of entering a haunted space. A short distance away was the best part of her pagan family. Coralee, Rachel, and Kasey stood by a little shed waving to her. Pausing, she took a moment to just sit and be thankful for friends such as the odd trio walking toward her.

The four of them together had all the bases covered in terms of looks. Coralee was a few inches taller than Leena’s five foot ten, with long, dark red locks of “frizz,” as Cora herself liked to call her own hair. Rachel, whose pale complexion seemed even lighter than normal next to Cora’s dark skin, stood a little over five and half feet and had straight, jet black hair barely past her jaw line. Kasey was the shortest of them, and this week, wore her blindingly bright, wavy blonde hair in short spikes all over her head.

Leena glanced quickly in the mirror to make sure she didn’t look as frazzled as she felt after the adventurous drive. Her scant makeup seemed intact, and her lifeless brown hair was, as always, perfectly flat.

Many on her spiritual path would spend a lifetime trying to find a close friend with similar beliefs. She had been lucky to find three five years earlier. And she thanked whatever forces were responsible for this every day.

Cora grinned and leaned in the door as she opened it. “How’d you like that bridge?”

“It seemed like trees that fell in place. My heart still hasn’t slowed since I drove over it.”

Rachel laughed. “We debated on parking and walking over, but didn’t want to interrupt Kasey, who was praying to every goddess she could think of.”

“It didn’t help when you said if it failed, we’d be rafting instead.” Kasey mumbled quietly, as she tried not to grin.

Leena got out and stretched. “I need the bathroom. Now. Then I’ll go check in with Gwen.” She watched as the three all smirked. “There is an actual bathroom here, right?”

Cora nodded. “Yep, there’s one bathroom for the guys and one for the girls.” She grinned when Leena’s eyes widened. “It should be interesting with roughly a hundred people in attendance, according to Jean at registration.”

“Let’s hope they’re mostly men then.” Leena reached in and grabbed her purse.

“Yes! Mostly men works for me.” Rachel grinned.

The others were laughing as Leena headed in the direction Cora pointed, shaking her head. “We’ll take your stuff to the cabin and meet you at registration.”

After exiting the bathroom, which she was sure at some point had been a storage shed, Leena paused to look around. The cleared area wasn’t huge, but it was big enough to have a large open space with a few covered picnic areas in the center. There were small cabins around the outskirts of the clearing that looked much newer than the bathroom shed. They were far enough from the surrounding trees to give you a sense of privacy without having to hide in the bushes to get it.

She smirked as Charlie, the regular event handyman, walked past, carrying a shovel and mumbling to himself. Charlie was a familiar sight at the gatherings. Although in all the years she’d been coming, she never actually remembered saying more than a handful of words to him. She watched the older man attack the ground with the shovel for a moment.

Outside the clearing were trees of every size and type. It was almost as if they were holding the small area in their arms, keeping all those inside safe and protected. Perfect, as always. It would take a solid day or more to hike up out of this valley through all the trees, without getting lost, and you couldn’t hear any traffic or unnatural noise. To the east, she could hear running water and made a mental note to find the time to check out the river. It was obviously swelling with the spring thaws and rushing madly between the banks. Smiling, she headed back toward the larger building. She hoped it held a kitchen that was a bit more modern than the bathroom.

With registration taken care of, the four headed to the cabin. Leena was surprised to see it was actually larger inside than it appeared. Dark and weathered wood on the outside contained a soft cream interior, making the area seem larger. One window at the back and the glass door allowed natural light to brighten the space. She was thankful when she noticed the wooden door to shut at night and they wouldn’t have that “being watched” feeling. There was a set of bunk beds on each side of the room. Well, it wasn’t the Hilton, but it would be dry and reasonably private.

The four women allowed themselves the luxury of a cabin at events. It was easier than hauling tents and other gear, they had all agreed after their first time sharing a tent. The tent came close to going up in smoke during one silly moment, lighting candles for a ritual.

Turning again, she noticed the little folding table they always brought was sitting by the door. “Shall we cleanse and protect our little space?” She grinned, because the others were already digging in bags and cases. Mixing beliefs and magic, always proved to be interesting among the four, for you never knew who was going to do what.

Cora stepped to the table first and placed a small cloth voodoo protection doll in the center, “To protect those who dwell within.” She stood with her eyes closed.

Kasey opened her hand to sprinkle shiny dust around the table. “A touch of moon dust to see us safe during this full moon.” She joined hands with Cora and waited.

Rachel stepped up to place a light blue candle on the table, then grinned and held her hand over it. As the wick burst into flames, Rachel smiled. “Blue light to protect us and ours.”

Leena stepped into the space between Kasey and Rachel and placed an abalone shell onto the table. Smiling at Rachel, she rubbed her hands over the shell letting crushed herbs fall. They began smoking as they settled in the shell. “Lovage to cleanse, purify, and release this space of all negativity.” She clasped hands with the others and smiled.

The air in the small cabin stirred and swirled lightly, taking the scent of the Lovage throughout. From one hand to the other, through the four, a tingle could be felt.

Leena dropped her hands and smiled. “At least you kept the snakes and critters at home this time, Cora. I wasn’t ready to hold Kasey still again.”

Cora laughed in her deep husky way. “I promised not to bring living things after that first time. It’s tempting, but I’ll save you from that fun.” She bundled her jacket up. “I’m heading to see if they need any help in the kitchen before the opening circle. Anyone coming?”

Rachel picked up her poncho. “I’ll head that way with you. I want to see if they expect any children this time around and if I can help with the kids’ program.”

Kasey flopped down on a bunk with her notebook. “I’ll be here trying to describe that drive through the stalking forest.”

Smiling, Leena found her warm cape and headed back to the door. “I’m going to wander. Don’t forget to show up for dinner, Kase.” She grinned when the blonde head didn’t even lift in acknowledgment as the pen in her hand was already flying.

Ambling around the site, Leena was lost in her own thoughts and almost walked past someone talking to her.

“You don’t say hello anymore?”

Leena turned to look up into deep green eyes. “Chris! Sorry, I was in my own little world.” She accepted the hug from the tall, dark-haired man. “I haven’t seen you since Kasey dragged me to your Wiccan church. How long have you been here?” He grinned down at her as she quickly stepped back from him.

“Got in an hour ago. Wasn’t sure we’d make it over that bridge with the van. But we survived.”

She followed his gesture to see his usual group of festival buddies. Tall, dark-haired, dark-eyed, brooding Dade. “Dade. Great to see you.” She almost hesitated as he stepped forward for a brief hug.

“Let her go so she doesn’t forget me!”

Grinning, she turned to see Steven, with his friendly smile and his chaotic, dark red hair. “Of course, I won’t forget you. How are you?” She hugged him a little longer than the others, because he always felt safe. He was just as big as other two men, but he felt harmless.

“Do I get hugged, too, or do I have to know you forever and a day?”

Startled, she turned towards the unknown voice.

Dade laughed. “Well, you knew her about twelve years ago. If you hadn’t been running around the planet, you might get hugged.”

She studied the large man. He had to be well over six feet, probably by at least two or more inches. He had a build like a bodybuilder—a very nice build. His blond hair was neat, although with it that short, did it have a choice really? When she stopped at the pale blue eyes, she knew exactly who she was looking at. “Well, Owen Grey, it has been a long time.” She offered a hand.

He smiled at her and took her hand. “I haven’t seen you since you started high school.” He studied her. “How have you been, Aileena?”

She wasn’t sure she was comfortable with the way he was looking at her and tried twice to pull her hand free. “I’ve been good. Get tired of the rest of the world? Did Dade drag you here?” She offered a slight smile.

“Oh, he didn’t drag me. I all but begged to come with him. I’m doing some research for a new book, and this is where I need to be.”

He unknowingly found her weakness. Books. “Really? I’ve read most of your work, Owen. It always surprises me what comes out of your mind. What are you researching here?” She knew his work was mainly fantasy fiction, but she was uncomfortable knowing that he would be looking for ideas in one of the few places she felt safe.

“I’ve been toying with the idea of adding some mythology into a book or two. Dade is the one that convinced me that mythology and the many practices of the occult are very misunderstood... so I’m hoping to mix fact with fantasy and come up with a good story.” He watched her relax.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll make it work.” Giving him a polite smile, she turned back to Steven. “See you at the opening circle?” At his nod, she started to walk away.

“Leena.” Dade put a hand on her arm to stop her. He lowered his head and voice. “He won’t expose anyone.”

She stopped and sighed. “No, I guess he wouldn’t, having been friends with you and your family for so long.” She felt guilty at her first impression. “I’ll see you later, Dade.”

Owen stood with his hands in his pockets and looked at the woman walking away as Dade stepped back over to him. “You didn’t tell me she went from cute to mysteriously sexy, Dade.”

Dade laughed. “You didn’t ask, bro.” Dade slapped him on the back, “but I’ll tell you, there’s no chance with that one. No one gets close enough to get a chance. She went through a bad marriage and has never been the same since.”

Owen grinned. “Good thing I came back then. A woman like that shouldn’t be alone.”

Steven and Chris started laughing from behind them.

Chris, still chuckling, walked over and patted him on the arm. “Good luck to you then, Owen. You’ll need it. Even more when she has her women swarming around her. Those four together will boil your blood, in every way known to man.” He grinned. “This is why we spend as much time with them as possible.”

Dade and Steven nodded as they headed back to the van to get the rest of the supplies.

As dusk started to fall, the drums began to chant. They spoke to the Earth and called to the souls who felt their meaning. At larger events, there would be as many as sixty drummers. Being a smaller gathering, there were a few more than twenty. But their purpose was still to call to the attendants and make ready for the circle. Some call it a ritual, others a celebration.

People responded to the rhythm from all directions. Owen stood to the side of where Dade and Chris were drumming, and watched the women’s cabin. As they came into sight, his heart stuttered and his breath hissed out. The guys hadn’t been joking.

The four women began walking toward the circle.

He was sure it was a trick of the setting sun, but they appeared to glow as they walked. Their brightly colored outfits floated around them, seeming to be part of the quiet breeze, giving them the appearance of floating. Noting each woman in as much detail as memory would allow, he hoped he could use this imagery in his writing.

The short, curvy blonde with shy eyes walked with a confident glide. Atop her helter-skelter blonde spikes was a halo of flowers and ribbons trailing down.

Next to her, a dark-eyed woman with bright flowers contrasted with her midnight black hair. Her smile, he noted would make any male ache.

The woman walking, actually gliding gracefully, beside her had to be close to six feet tall. She was a walking epitome of feminine grace and beauty. Her dark complexion and deep red curls made a man’s mind think of things that heated his blood and played with his soul.

His eyes moved to the only one of the women he knew, and his heart tripped once more. Her long, shiny brown hair reached past her waist and flowed around her like a cape. With each step the ribbons from her halo twisted and played in the tresses. Oh how he wanted to be those ribbons Leena’s smile made him wish he knew what she was thinking. She was obviously very happy and content with the company, and he imagined the event about to take place pleased her as well.

Steven patted him on the back. “Tried to warn you.” He pushed him toward the drummers. “Stick with the drummers, and you’ll be close to them. The drums call to them more than most.”

Nodding, Owen looked over to the drummers and met Dade’s eyes. His friend’s grin was saying, “Told ya so.”

As the women reached the circle, Dade caught Leena’s attention and motioned for her to come to him. She did, smiling as she worked her way through the drummers. Owen watched her lean down to Dade, noting that his friend didn’t miss a beat on his drum.

She lifted her head and looked quickly over to Owen, staring at him for a moment, and then nodded down to Dade. Reaching up she pulled a flower from her halo and stuck it in the cords of Dade’s drum, much to his friend’s pleasure judging by the smile on his face, and then she walked back over to her friends. Owen watched for a moment more as she spoke quietly to the other women and they turned and started toward where he and Steven were standing.

His blue eyes jerked to Dade, a devious grin on his face. He’d never been a nervous man, but watching those four women with the swaying hips glide toward him, he felt a nervous buzz in his veins.

“Steven!” Kasey shrieked as she launched herself into his arms. She grinned at Owen while she hugged Steven. “I’m Kasey.”

He couldn’t help grinning down at the blonde woman pulling herself out of the other man’s arms. “Owen Grey.” He started to extend a hand then was surprised when the woman he thought had shy eyes hugged him tightly.

“The author?” She stepped back and looked up at him.

“Yes.”

She grinned again, “You just became my new best friend!”

The dark-haired woman pulled her back. “You will have to ignore my silly friend. She broke out the mead earlier than normal.” She studied him for a minute. “I’m Rachel.” She hugged him and grinned again. It made his blood flow faster. Then she stepped back and leaned closer to Steven. “How’s life, Doc?” He received a brief hug.

Steven winked at her, not minding the nickname. He was, in fact, a doctor of pediatrics. “Great, Rach.”

Owen wasn’t sure whether to smile or faint when the tall, dark woman wrapped her arms around him. “I’m Cora. Nice you could be here.”

“Thanks. Although I have no idea what’s going on, or going to happen.”

Leena laughed. “Yes, we know. Dade asked if we’d keep an eye on you and keep you out of trouble while he’s busy. Of course we can probably answer any questions you can come up with.”

He smiled. “Awesome. Okay, first question?” No one spoke. “Why don’t you four have very large, protective males guarding you?”

Cora laughed a husky laugh. “Oh, I like this one.” She gave him a warm smile, “I have a question for you, Mr. Grey.” She waited until she had his full attention. “You’ve known Dade a long time... so do you believe in magic? Real magic?”

Everyone, including Steven, turned and waited for his answer.

Owen cleared his throat. “I’ve been friends with Dade since we were about six, and, yes, I believe anything is possible.” Not one responded, and he grinned. “Having been at his family home more than my own growing up, I’ve seen more than I could ever explain. Does that help?”

Smiles flashed at him from the women. Leena stepped beside him. “It does. We’re very careful with whom we trust. Our beliefs and magic are very guarded. We will trust you, because Dade has asked it of us. Don’t abuse that.”

He felt his nerves settle. “Fair enough. I give you an open mind to fill, ladies.” He grinned and put his arm casually around Leena’s shoulder, noticing that she tensed at the contact. “Now, how about giving me a wee preview on what to expect? I feel like the only person here that doesn’t know what’s going on.”

Leena was tense, he could see the emotions flash through her eyes and was about to release her when she relaxed and smiled up at him.

“I guess that makes you today’s sacrifice then.” When he tensed, she laughed. “I’m kidding, Owen. We’re going to begin the rite for May Eve, or Beltane. Tonight we dance and celebrate the coming fertile season, and the men will set up the maypole for the morning.” She grinned. “You’ve heard of dancing around the maypole, haven’t you?”

He shrugged, “Always thought it was just a saying. It is real?”

She nodded. “It is. I’m sure you’ll have more questions, but why don’t you just relax, observe, and enjoy?” She moved to take her place in the center of the circle, waiting for the drumming to escalate again.

Owen tried to listen to everyone around him, but he wasn’t able to focus on any one conversation as the drums grew louder and faster. He could feel the beat inside his chest, and it made him light-headed, but he enjoyed it all the same. He felt Steven step beside him.

“Most circles will call on this deity and that, making big speeches. This group is more of a do rather than say, kind. The women will dance shortly after everyone is centered. Then, we’ll go outside the circle and help bring in the pole.” He paused to listen to the drums a moment himself. “The pole represents the masculine, and the ribbons the women will put on represent the feminine.”

He grinned up at Owen. “In years gone by, this night was a night for ‘a-maying’ and couples spent it alone in the woods. Married couples could even take off their rings for the night...” Steven noted that he had Owen’s full attention now. “But those were the days before AIDS and all that, we don’t practice that now. But if a woman places her wreath upon your head this night, then you’ll have a female to dance the pole with in the morning, at least.” He grinned at the disappointment on Owen’s face. “I always hope to be lucky enough for a few kisses. You never know.”

Realizing that was all the insight Steven was sharing, Owen turned back to the circle. The drums were nearly frantic now, in speed and volume. He glanced at Dade and realized the drummers seemed to be in a trance.

They stopped on the same beat, and the silence was suddenly deafening. Everyone in the circle stood motionless, breathing deeply. No one spoke. No one moved. Relaxing his shoulders, Owen took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He tried to feel as relaxed as everyone else appeared to be.

A few moments later the drums started with a quiet, gentle rhythm. He watched the women walk slowly in the center of the circle. With slow, gentle movements they started to sway with the drumbeats as they walked around the circle, arms pulling up from the ground and pushing skyward. He’d never seen anything so graceful and lovely in his life.

All of the women had wreaths of flowers on their heads. Owen noticed that none of them came close to the glowing beauty of Leena and her friends. Maybe he was biased, for he only knew those four out of the many. As the drums grew louder, the women changed their movement to match the volume, but their mist-like speed didn’t change at all.

Steven tapped his arm, motioning him to follow away from the circle to a group of men a few yards away. He wanted to object, afraid to miss any of this mystical dance, but he followed, questions bubbling to the top.

He heard Steven say something about a newbie. Owen found himself being placed at the front of a twenty-foot log. Steven stood opposite him, grinning. “Best seat in the house. Just walk beside me into the circle and help hold this up as the women put their ribbons on.” He winked and grinned before turning back toward the circle.

The log wasn’t heavy, not with more than twenty men carrying it. He didn’t really have to lead; the men just pushed the leading males toward the goal.

The drums were still playing. The women opened their dancing circle as the men carried the pole into the center. He realized each woman had a ball of ribbon in her hand as she danced past, and he just noticed the hole at the center of the circle.

So caught up in the beat of the drums and the fluid movement of the women, when an older woman appeared in front of him and placed her ribbon over the end of the pole on a nail, he was shocked to find her there. After securing the ribbon, she began walking along the side Steven was on, running the ribbon from her hand down the pole. And in turn, each male was gently touched when her hand went past him.

He would have turned his head to see what she did at the end, but another woman was standing in front of him and smiling. She secured her ribbon then gently touched his shoulder and walked past him to the man behind him.

Owen chanced a glance at Dade and found his friend drumming slowly and smiling at him. Dade winked and went back to watching the woman dance slowly around the pole.

After the fifth or sixth woman had secured her ribbon and walked down his side, Owen wasn’t sure whether he should feel as excited as he did or not, but he certainly wasn’t going to fight it. Cora was next in line, and she gave him a look that set a buzz in his system, then attached her ribbon and went down Steven’s side. Steven flashed him a grin that said he wasn’t at all sorry she chose his side.

Kasey was next, and he knew she would walk down his side. She ran a gentle hand up his arm and across his shoulder before moving past, and he was quite pleased with the buzzing feeling she left behind.

He again watched Steven grin as Rachel was next and she ran her hand along Steven’s arm, similar to what Kasey had done to him. He did hope though he didn’t have the same dazed look on his face the Doc did.

Turning back to face the next woman, he realized it was Leena. His heart picked up immediately. He smiled and was shocked at the one she gave him in return. He watched her secure the ribbon. As her hand traveled up the length of his arm with a whisper-light touch that burned a trail in its wake. When her hand caressed his cheek, as soft as a gentle breeze, his smile widened and he could honestly say if he dropped his hold on the log, no man there would blame him.

He felt her pass behind him, her body brushing gently against his back as she continued moving along the pole with her ribbon. Catching Dade’s eye, he knew it was more than obvious how damn pleased he looked at this moment. His friend was grinning and shaking his head.

Owen didn’t know all that much about rites and circles, or even Beltane, but he vowed he would volunteer to hold the log every year, single-handedly if need be, to see that this season was always celebrated. His whole body was buzzing. He couldn’t recall how many women went after Leena, but instinctively he knew how many would go past before she would dance by again.

After all the ribbons were placed and the pole lowered into the hole, the drums changed to a loud, flighty, faster rhythm. He watched several of the males join the dancing, as a few females came and went. He noticed almost immediately Leena wasn’t in the dancing circle. Turning to the drummers, he saw that she and Cora were walking among the drummers, bringing drinks. Dade winked at him and turned his head back to the women.

He saw his friend watch Cora, almost daring her to bring a drink. He also saw that Cora moved to the drummers away from where Dade sat. Leena walked up and squatted down beside Dade and spoke in his ear. Dade laughed and shook his head. Owen watched as Leena pulled a bottle of water out of the bag and offered it.

He recognized the playful dare in the man’s eyes as he spoke, and was surprised when she smiled, uncapped the water and placed it to Dade’s lips. She literally was giving him the drink. Swallowing, Dade grinned again and said something. That something was enough to make her lean down and place a kiss on his cheek. Owen made a note to have a private conversation with his lifelong friend and find out how the hell he did that.

Not wanting to see Dade gloating, Owen turned back to watch the dancers and wait for Leena to return to the circle. He noticed Kasey and Rachel were sharing a bottle of wine, and he headed that way. He didn’t want to leave the circle to get a beer, so maybe he could beg a sip from the ladies.

The drumming remained steady, which surprised him when Dade walked up beside him. He knew it wasn’t just his friend drumming, but he seemed shocked they continued without him. “Do your arms get tired?”

Dade shrugged. “Sometimes. I just take a short break now and then. Most often I’m too caught up in what’s going on to notice. So, what do you think so far?” They slowly moved around the outside of the circle toward where the women were standing.

“I am going to need a little time to digest this. I feel like I’m on a high and I haven’t had a bloody thing to drink, or anything else.” He grinned at him, “I do know I will hold that pole every year for the rest of my life, though.”

Dade threw his head back and laughed. “You haven’t seen anything yet, my friend. The best is yet to come.”

“Any better and the showers here better be good, because I’ll need one. Long and cold!”

Chris caught up to them and grabbed the bottle of water from Dade. “Did I offend one of the ladies, or all of them? I didn’t get a drink brought to me. Or a kiss. How did you manage that, Jones?”

Dade winked at Owen as he answered, “I’ll never tell, my friend.”

Chris laughed and turned to Owen. “I think if you’re planning on attending on a regular basis, we need to teach you to drum. You enjoyed that pole far too much for a newbie.”

Owen nodded. “I will hold that pole every year until I’m so old someone has to hold me up.”

Cora noticed the three men walking toward them and elbowed Steven, who had moved up to stand beside her. “Owen’s all right, isn’t he? I haven’t sensed anything off with him.”

Steven grinned, “He’s fine. He just doesn’t know what he already knows. Yet.”

“Well, let’s hope we don’t scare him into never wanting to know.” She smiled as Chris walked over. “Hello there, Mr. Lawyer Man. Sorry I didn’t bring you a drink. These two,” she motioned toward Kasey and Rachel, “were partaking of our ritual mead a little too healthily, and I don’t want to have to carry anyone back to the cabin tonight.”

Chris shrugged, “I’m always happy to take drunken women where they need to go, Cora.”

Dade put his arm around Kasey. “I’m sure they’re going to be able to walk back just fine, Coralee.” She glared back at him as he watched Leena glide over to the small group and said, “Are you ladies up for a bit of fun after the festivities?”

Kasey smiled sweetly up at him and snuggled more into his chest. “What kind of fun are you looking for, Dade Jones?”

Dade smiled down at the tiny woman under his arm. “Oh, nothing that isn’t acceptable. I just thought maybe we could bring some light into Owen’s world. You know, rather than break it to him gently...” He grinned at his wary looking friend. “We’ll just lay it all out for him. Well, not all, but enough.”

Leena laughed softly and then frowned at Dade. “You’re not very nice sometimes, Dade.” She turned to Owen and smiled. “I assure you, it’s all harmless, just a way to bring you into our little circle, Owen.”

Owen cleared his throat, not sure whether to laugh or whimper. “I’m game.”

Chris, who had been looking around the rest of the crowd, frowned at Dade as he liberated Kasey from under Dade’s arm and swung her into his arms. “Great. Now ladies, how about you get back out there and dance so we have motivation to drum this night?” Setting Kasey down, he grabbed her face gently between large hands and kissed her lips, hard.

Kasey, grinning wide, nodded and headed back into the circle.

“Come on, Owen, sit with the drummers, and we’ll give you a silent beater.”

Owen looked at Chris as he walked past. “A what?”

“A drum that’s muffled so you can get the rhythm but no one will hear a sound from your drum.”

Owen laughed. “Sounds like my kind of drum. Lead the way.”

Owen found himself between Dade and Chris, caught up in learning the rhythm and watching either Chris’ or Dade’s hands to pick up the beat. This was a good place to be, as the dancers stopped often to dance right in front of them, or to bring them drinks.

After an hour, his arms were tired and he had new admiration for the men who were still going strong, moving effortlessly from one rhythm to the next.

During a slower beat, he noticed several of the women moving through those at the edge of the circle. He watched as they took their wreaths off and placed them onto a head. He was sure the men didn’t realize how silly they looked wearing flowers and ribbons, although when the women gave them a kiss, he was sure they didn’t care.

Kasey paused in front of the drummers and began to weave her way toward them, slowly taking off her wreath. She smiled in a shy, nervous kind of way at the drummers. Neither Dade nor Chris paused, but Owen could feel them both waiting to see who she was going to place her wreath on. When she passed Dade and went to Chris, Owen enjoyed the grin on his new friend’s face.

Chris actually missed a few beats as he raised a hand to place it behind her head to receive the kiss. Owen didn’t see steam, but he felt warmer just witnessing their kiss.

He was wishing some woman would make him look like an idiot and place her wreath on his head. He turned to watch the scene repeated with Doc and Rachel. He was sure Steven was blushing after, or maybe it was just from the heat.

At the point when Cora began seductively dancing her way into the drummers, his heart stopped. She was far too exotic for him to handle, but if she placed her wreath on his head, he would certainly try. He felt like a schoolboy wanting to jump up and say, “pick me,” but he dug deep and found his dignity somewhere.

She passed him by and held the eyes of the man beside him. When she placed the wreath on Dade’s head and leaned her mouth down to his, Owen was sure the sparks that flew burned him. In his own amazement, he realized it was a kiss out of a movie that made your heart speed up. Dade didn’t miss a single beat, though the kiss seemed to last more than just a few moments.

He found himself wishing for mistletoe, a cute puppy, anything that would bring one of the women to him. His heart tripped when he noticed Leena dancing toward the drummers. He fought the urge to look around and make sure he was the only one in the area without a wreath, but he held onto what composure he had left.

When she stopped in front of him, it was all he could do to not stand and meet her halfway, he held the drum in front of him tightly and stayed seated. As the wreath touched his head, her smile made his insides burn. He reached up to gently guide her head down to his.

As Leena lowered her head toward him, she still wasn’t sure why she felt compelled to pick Owen. Maybe it was from those years in school wishing he’d notice her, hoping her first kiss would be from him. He was older, and that made her invisible then. Now she was long out of school and if a woman didn’t allow herself a few luxuries, then life held no meaning at all.

When he palmed her neck, she felt the heat and couldn’t stop herself from looking into his blue eyes. They had darkened to the color of steel, and the little voice in her head tried to tell her “mistake,” but she didn’t care.

Feeling the heat sear through her, she had to stop from moaning into his mouth, and slowly pulled back before it was too late. His passion-filled steel eyes captured hers as he loosened his hold and let her straighten.

Owen forgot where they were. Her lips were soft and warm as they touched his as heat coiled in his stomach. Turning his head, he deepened their kiss, knowing this may be the only chance he would get to taste what she offered. She tasted of dark passion and hunger. He didn’t know where he was going to find the strength to keep this brief, but he really didn’t care if it never ended.

As she danced back to the circle, he felt Chris lean over, and heard him whisper. “Boil a man’s blood... welcome to our world.” Chris smiled a lopsided grin at him and then lowered his head back to his drumming.