Reaping Trouble: The Lynlee Lincoln Series, #4

Chapter 1

I’d been crouched down behind the storage shed so long that my legs were asleep. Patch was hiding between my knees, tail pointed straight out and ears perked up. She was absolutely on high alert.

I could hear scuffling and footsteps from the building just across from me, and I knew that any minute he would find me. I wanted to use my magic so badly that my fingers twitched. It went against everything in me to let anyone get the best of me, but no matter how tempting, I refused to conjure my wand.

I closed my eyes and held my breath, waiting … waiting …

Tag! You’re it! Justin exclaimed as he tapped me on the shoulder and then jumped up and down with glee. Cover your eyes and no cheating. Count to ten while I hide.

A grin tugged at my lips, but I covered my eyes with one hand and began counting slowly and loudly. I reached ten and then popped my head up and scanned the woods all around.

I spotted Jilly to my left immediately. She was supposed to be hiding too, but instead she was leaning against a tree, both hands against the bark and her ear to the trunk. Her eyes were closed, and there was a look of absolute contentment on her face. It was times like these that I noticed how much she’d grown in the years since I’d first met her. There was maturity to her expression as she magically communicated with the woods that belonged to her as a nymph.

As I passed by her, I stretched out my arm to brush her red curls with the tips of my fingers. It was a small gesture, but a big one, too. I kind of wanted to stop, lean down and smack a big kiss on top of her forehead, but for Lynlee Lincoln, that would have been a bit much. In fact, the day I did that would probably be the day I died or something.

This was our fourth round playing Hide-n-Seek, and in my mind, that was about four too many. Still, each time it was Justin’s turn to hide, he did so in the area just east of his dad’s work shop. Patch was leading the way, her head high in a cocky sort of gait. She apparently knew Justin’s game as well as I did.

Just as I was sneaking up to a stack of wood that I suspected he might be behind, I heard the slam of a vehicle door, and Patch and I both turned around in quick response. My pup’s hackles were up in alarm. I, on the other hand, was so excited that if I’d had a tail it would have been wagging.

Beck was home. Which was important in the I love my boyfriend and I’m glad to see him area, but most especially in the please save me from another round of Hide-N-Seek corner.

Hey, gorgeous! He had a briefcase in one hand and a duffel bag in the other, the latter of which he raised to wave his fingers at me. I’ll be right back out.

Oh, it’s okay. I’ll just come in. The exuberance in my voice might have been a little much, but, hey, I was slightly desperate for some adult conversation.

Even though his hands were full, he held the door open for me, and as I passed, he leaned in and pecked me on the cheek. A smile so big it nearly split my face in half crossed my lips, and I had to urge to grab his cheeks and lay an even bigger kiss on that sexy mouth of his.

Instead I took his briefcase from him and followed him to the bedroom. How were things this go-round?

He shrugged as he tossed his bag onto the bed with a thud. Eh, not bad. Hopefully only one more trip will be necessary.

Oh.

I couldn’t hide the disappointment in my voice. He looked at me with one eyebrow cocked and then stalked towards me. Is that puppy dog face because you miss me when I’m gone? Or is it because you’ve been left with my kids about five times in the last two months? Then before I could answer, his mouth swooped down over mine, and any coherent response I might have made flew right out of my brain.

He pressed himself against me, and I backed up just one pace so that my rear was against the wall. Beck’s hips ground into mine, and a tiny moan welled up within me. God, when you make those kinds of sounds, it drives me crazy, he breathed against my ear. But I’m nasty from the trip, and also two little munchkins will probably be barreling through the front door any minute.

Seconds was more accurate. He’d no sooner said the words than the front door slammed open hard enough to smack into the wall.

Sorry! Justin exclaimed, and by the sound of his voice, I imagined he was probably heading for the kitchen. He wouldn’t take long to find us so I leaned up and pecked my lips against Beck’s one more time, then extricated myself from his embrace just as his son came into the room.

Dad! He wrapped his arms around his father’s legs in the kind of hug only kids seem capable of giving. One corner of my lips ticked up in a half-smile.

Where’s your sister?

My eyebrows raised, and I pulled my head up and down in a big nod. Ah, well, she’s occupied, I think, with a big oak tree out back.

A what … oh, the nymph thing?

I heard a scratching sound and realized Patch must have gotten left outside and wasn’t entirely happy about it. As I crossed the house to open the door, I responded to Beck’s question. Yeah, she’s been spending a lot of time out there. I imagine the tree is struggling. It probably showed signs we would have missed, like losing its leaves earlier in the fall or …

I couldn’t finish my statement because the moment I opened the door, my little white and black dog yelped in excitement, then scrambled across the floor, her claws ticking against the hardwood.

Hey, girl. Beck knelt down to rub the pup’s ears. Patch’s tail was wagging so hard that her entire back end was moving with it. Beck was just about to stand up when Jilly finally came stomping into the room.

Daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, she chanted, then jumped into her father’s arms with excitement enough that he almost fell over.

So it seems everyone in the family’s happy to see me.

Happy. Relieved. Thrilled.

And thankfully I don’t have to leave again for two more weeks.

I was pretty proud of myself. I managed to restrain myself and didn’t issue a single expletive.

Chapter 2

Oh, my word…

I was leaning against the counter, chin in my palm as I watched Rhiannon roll her eyes in delight as she chewed an enormous bite of chicken enchilada casserole.

Oh. My. Word, she said again, this time with a moan that might have been better suited for the bedroom. This is so good. Like, seriously.

I smiled, then shrugged as if the compliment wasn’t all that important. I just followed Charley’s recipe. Easy peasy.

Okay, let’s get one thing clear, my BFF said, scooping one last enormous bite into her mouth. I have never, ever known you to cook anything that turned out to be edible. I’ll eat almost anything, but you have been known to make even me turn my nose up at your food. Follow the directions or not, this was an amazing accomplishment for you.

I wasn’t sure if I should be hurt by her frank comment about my overall cooking ability or just accept the compliment. I decided on the latter. Thanks.

She replaced the lid on the storage container and put it back into the bag I’d carried with me, then rounded the counter and put her arm around me. I’m so proud of you, Lynlee. You’re turning so … so … domesticated.

I snorted and rolled my eyes, sliding myself out of her embrace. Yeah, that’s what Beck says.

We were at the house of one of my previous clients. Grammie Charley had passed away months ago, and the sweet little old witch had left me all of her possessions. I’d never understand why, but it had fallen to me to take care of things.

Rhia opened the front door, and I was surprised to see a few people already milling about the yard sale. It was only six thirty in the morning, and I’d put seven o’clock in the ad.

Is there trouble in paradise? Rhia asked, glancing at me over her shoulder.

No, not at all actually. That was true. Beck and I were getting along really well, and despite my grumbling about his weekend work trips, the kids and I had developed a pretty good routine without him. "It just doesn’t seem right. I mean, I never really thought I’d settle down. I thought I was married