Crossroads

Chapter 22

His shoulder ached, he had wood glue all over his hands, and he’d never been happier.

Derek stepped back and caught the ratty old towel Luciano tossed at him with a wince he didn’t bother to hide. It was freeing to feel safe showing weakness after the miserable weeks in New York, though the irony of being comfortable in Luciano’s presence didn’t escape him. But there was something soothing about the heated workroom behind the sprawling ranch house. He could hear the wind battering the side of the building, heralding the kind of harsh weather he’d never had to live with in Louisiana.

Something he’d just have to get used to, since Nick wasn’t going anywhere.

He turned his attention to Luciano as the man examined the cradle they’d spent the afternoon assembling. “All it needs is a little more sanding and some stain. How’s it look?”

“Michelle will love it.” Luciano ran his hand over a side panel and rocked it a little.

Derek wiped his hands clean as well as he could and studied the day’s work with a critical eye. It had been a long time since he’d had the luxury of indulging in his favorite hobby, but he hadn’t done too badly, all things considered. Either way, it would be worth a few extra twinges in his injured arm if he managed to coax a rare smile from Michelle.

He dropped the towel to the side and grabbed a worn piece of sandpaper. “How’s Michelle doing? Nick’s wearing herself down between worrying about her sister and fussing over me.”

“She’s been quiet.” Luciano began to smooth a sheet of sandpaper over the other side of the cradle. “Keeping to herself, mostly. A little sad. But she seems to be feeling better.”

For a moment Derek was tempted to ask Luciano how he was doing, but their unspoken truce hadn’t had time to grow into friendship. Though maybe it was time to change that. “Thanks for the rooms, by the way. It means a lot to Nick to be able to stay here for a while.”

“This is Michelle’s home now,” Luciano answered quietly. “You two are welcome any time you want to be here.”

“I don’t think you’re getting rid of Nick. Not until the baby’s born.” Derek gave in and rubbed at the throbbing ache in his shoulder. “I have to go back to New Orleans to deal with business from time to time. Aside from that, I think I’ll take you up on that offer.”

Luciano grinned. “Ranch life suits you?”

It did, and more than he’d anticipated. “Someone almost ripped my arm off my body a month ago in polite, civilized society. I could do with a little more time in the untamed wilds.”

“You busted their polite society wide open. Was it worth it?”

He thought of Nick, and of how Luciano loved Michelle in his own way. “What do you think?”

Luciano was silent for several moments. “I think you and I understand each other.”

“I think you’re right.” They’d both do whatever they had to in order to keep the Peyton sisters safe. Luciano’s hell was the fact that he’d never be more than a friend and protector to the woman he loved.

Luciano seemed content, but Derek couldn’t imagine a world where he could watch Nick, day in and day out, knowing she’d never need him the same way he needed her. But you’d do it, he told himself, if it was the only way to keep her safe.

He didn’t envy Luciano at all.

“What would you do?” Luciano finally asked. “If you knew she’d never love you, but she still needed your help? If her child needed your help?”

His first instinct was to protest, to insist that Michelle might grow to love Luciano in time. But he’d seen the bond she shared with Aaron. He’d seen the love, the kind you didn’t come back from losing in weeks or months. It would be years before the scars on Michelle’s heart healed, and even then there was no way of knowing if she’d ever return her husband’s feelings.

So he answered the question as honestly as he could. “I’d take care of her, however she needed. I don’t think I could do anything else, even if I wanted to.”

“Yes, and that’s what I’m doing. I only wish Michelle didn’t feel so guilty about our situation.”

Derek felt the corner of his mouth tug up. “I’m starting to think telling a Peyton girl not to feel guilty is like asking the sun not to rise. All we can do is try to remind them we’re big boys who can make our own choices.”

Luciano laughed. “How are you faring with that?”

The words slipped out before he could stop them. “I’ll let you know after I ask her to marry me.”

The man’s laughter faded into a whistle. “The long haul, huh?”

“Pretty much. Guess that’d make you my brother-in-law.”

“I guess so. Congratulations, Derek.”

He should have felt more nervousness or trepidation or something, but he’d already faced the hardest battles. He’d killed for Nick. He’d claimed her as his mate in front of the strongest wolves in the country. As far as the animal inside him was concerned, the rest was silly formality.

Of course, there was still a part of him that wasn’t all animal and instinct, and that part was scared to death. “Congratulate me if she says yes.”

“I’ve seen you two together. She’ll say yes.”

Derek trusted that he was right and changed the subject. “I may need to borrow your truck and head into town tomorrow to pick up a few things. Everyone back in New Orleans made the deductive leap that since Nick’s birthday is next week, so is Michelle’s. I think some of them went a little overboard. You’ve got about three boxes of books on their way, thanks to Michelle and Kat bonding over a shared love of reading. Thought I’d build a couple of nice bookcases, since it was my cousin’s doing.”

“Take any of the trucks. Gus can show you where the keys are.” Luciano braced his elbows on the table and groaned. “I’m afraid to get Michelle a present. Like I’d be pressuring her somehow.”

Sympathy rose in Derek. “So help me with the bookshelves. They can be from both of us.”

“It wouldn’t be fair. You’ll be doing most of the work.”

“Buy the supplies. We’ve got a new partner at the firm, so I just took a pay cut.”

“Then be prepared for insinuations about the Parker family trust funds.” When Derek blinked in confusion, Luciano shoved his hands in his pockets. “Their mom’s parents set them up before Nick and Michelle were born. High six figures back then. Could be eight by now.”

He’d always known Nick had grown up rich, but somehow he’d never quite translated that to the state of her bank account…or how many zeroes the balance had after it. He waited for pride to kick in, or maybe discomfort at the idea of being dependent on Nick.

None came, only relief that they’d have the resources to do whatever they had to do. To take care of Michelle, to make sure the company didn’t go under while Andrew found his feet, to find a psychic to help Kat. They could take care of business.

They could do it together. “I guess if it takes the Parker family trust fund to keep things going for a while, that’s what’ll happen.”

Luciano grinned. “As long as you and Nick know the score, I say that’s all that matters.”

“Damn straight.” Derek nodded to the cradle. “What do you say? Should we finish it up and submit it for approval tonight?”

“Don’t see why not.” Luciano bent and searched through the bottom of a set of large metal shelves. He came up with fresh sheets of sandpaper. “We can ask Michelle what sort of stain she’d like and do that tomorrow. If, uh, I can figure out how to do that.”

Derek laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ll show you.”

The sun had already begun to set over the foothills, painting the sky in dimming shades of purple and gray. Nick looked out the glass walls of the sunroom and rocked slowly, her hand on the arm of Michelle’s chair. “It’s beautiful here. Quiet.”

“Peaceful.” Michelle had her eyes closed, her expression almost serene. “I can’t tell you how much I needed peaceful.”

“You don’t have to.” Her sister’s pregnancy was starting to show, just a gentle rounding of her belly. “What did the midwife Luciano found have to say?”

Michelle’s hand dropped to her abdomen. “So far so good. My powers have settled out. She thinks as long as I stay calm and secure, I won’t have to worry about magical flare-ups.”

A little of Nick’s twisting tension eased. “Do you feel secure here? With Luciano?”

Her sister didn’t answer at first. The rocking chair creaked as she pushed her foot against the sun porch, the only other sound the gentle whisper of the television inside the house. Finally she opened her eyes and glanced at Nick. “I’m safe. Luciano has given me everything I need and stayed out of my way the rest of the time. But…I miss Aaron. Even before I fell in love with him, he was the only constant in my life. The only person who was always there. I don’t know if I remember how to live without him.”

As far as Nick knew, there was no way past that, and nothing to heal those losses but time. “I’m sorry, sweetie.”

Michelle’s sadness trembled in the gentle power that surrounded her, but it was a thousand times better than the chilling numbness of the first few days after Aaron’s death. “It’s getting better. I can breathe when I think about him now. Maybe someday all I’ll remember is how lucky I was to have someone love me that much.”

“I think that’s a lovely thing to remember.”

“It’s what he deserves.” Her voice hitched and, after a slow, steadying breath, she changed the subject. “How’s Derek? Is he recovered from the fight?”

“His shoulder’s going to take a while to heal, but he’s happy here too.” Away from New York, even away from his home. “It’s almost like relearning who you are, isn’t it?”

“No shapeshifter politics. No trouble around every corner, or people saying one thing and meaning another.” Michelle closed her eyes again. “Now I understand the allure of New Orleans. The chance to be just…a person.”

It was a chance Nick herself had snatched years ago, and she figured Michelle deserved it more than anyone. “Is it my turn to cook tonight? Derek’s turn,” she amended.

“It was, but since the men have been so busy with their mysterious project, I asked Gus to save us something from what he cooked up for the ranch hands. Did you know that Luciano’s cook is related to Alec? On Alec’s mother’s side, I think, so Gus might be a Parker.”

Which would make him a relative of theirs, as well. “Huh. It is a small world.”

“Mmm. He’s a good cook.”

“No kidding. Between him and Derek, I’m going to have to buy new clothes before we go home.”

Michelle went tense. “When are you going home?”

“Don’t know yet. Thanksgiving is coming up, and then Christmas…” The time she’d spent separated from Derek had crawled, but it was flying by so quickly now. “When I left Louisiana, I had every intention of staying in Manhattan. I don’t really have to go back. Derek does, at least for business trips, but not until after the holidays.”

Michelle clutched at her hand, hard enough to make Nick’s fingers ache. “I don’t know why I thought you’d leave me so soon. I suppose I still don’t believe it’s over. Derek did something incredible for us.”

Yes, he had. “It’s over, Michelle. This is your life now, and mine is with Derek. But he understands how important it is for me to be here with you right now.”

Michelle relaxed back into her chair. “Then I’ll have to thank him. I’m so happy for you Nick. Never think I’m not. Even with everything that’s happened, I’m so glad you have him.”

It would be hard to watch other people find happiness when your own had just been shattered. She’d felt a hint of it herself when she’d walked away from Derek to give Michelle and Aaron a chance, but that had been nothing compared to her sister’s pain. Derek had been alive and well, a fact Nick could cling to as she’d faced a dim future. “I understand. I’m glad too.”

“Good. You should be.”

They rocked in easy silence for a while as the sun sank behind the hills. The wind picked up outside, the chill seeping through the thick double-paned glass, and Michelle shivered under the heavy, hand-knitted afghan. “Luciano says we’re due a blizzard soon. I suppose that means all the snow we’ve gotten so far weren’t blizzards. I’m not sure if I should be delighted or terrified.”

“At least you’ve been in New York, so you’re almost used to it. Derek and I are going to spend all winter hiding under the covers.”

Michelle actually smiled. “You weren’t going to do that anyway?”

Nick blushed, and she nudged Michelle’s arm with hers. “I meant huddling for warmth.”

The front door opened, and heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway, followed by Derek’s voice. “Where are all the pretty ladies hiding?”

Just hearing him still made Nick’s heart race. “Back here, looking at all this cold, white stuff.”

Derek and Luciano arrived a few moments later, carrying a large wooden cradle between them. They set it down in the empty space behind the rocking chairs and Derek threw Nick a wink. “An early birthday present for Michelle. Or a really early birthday present for your nephew.”

Tears had already welled in Michelle’s eyes, and Nick bit her lip. “Derek, baby, can you and Luciano go see what Gus made for dinner?”

She had to give Derek credit, he had no trouble getting a hint. He nodded and jerked his head toward the door. “We’ll see if it’s ready too.”

“Thanks.” When they’d gone, she knelt in front of Michelle’s chair. “There are a lot of people who want to do things for you and the baby.”

Michelle squeezed her eyes shut, but it didn’t stop the tears from escaping. “It’s not that. I just—Luciano was trying to be nice, and I’m…”

Still missing Aaron. Nick rose. Michelle would need some time to compose herself. “I’m going inside. Why don’t you take a few minutes?”

“Thank you.”

Derek was waiting in the hallway, and Nick leaned her head on his chest. “The cradle is beautiful.”

“I was listening.” He didn’t sound at all repentant, either. His hands settled on her lower back. “Tell me if I need to back off. I don’t want to kill her with kindness.”

“Maybe a little, though Michelle can probably take it from you better than anyone else right now.” She tried to smile. “She can always chalk it up to you being kind because of me.”

His lips brushed the top of her head. “Then maybe we should pretend all those books Mackenzie and Kat rounded up are from me too. Though she might wonder when I spent time raiding used bookstores for books with naked men on the covers. Did you know about Mackenzie’s thing for pirate books?”

“Mmm, most women have one.” She tilted her head back. “Mine’s Regency rakes. Your cousin likes cowboys. The dirty kind.”

“I could have lived another decade without knowing that, thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Uh-huh. If your sister’s likely to be alarmed by dirty cowboys, maybe you should vet the books. Mac took Kat out book shopping to try to cheer her up, and they ended up spending about five hundred bucks.”

“I’m not surprised.” His body was warm against hers, and Nick slipped her hands into Derek’s back pockets.

He just held her tighter and lowered his voice. “I know you two want to spend your birthday together, but I was hoping you might sneak away with me for the night after we celebrate. A nice hotel room far away from people with superhearing.”

She’d been remarkably well behaved while he recovered from his injuries, but now she bit his jaw lightly and growled. “Yes. I need some time alone with you.”

“I’ll make a reservation.” He twisted his head and caught her lips in a brief but hard kiss. “Can’t wait, baby.”

“Yes, you can, because you have to.” She pulled free of his arms. “Did you find out what’s for dinner?”

“Uh-uh. I delegated.”

“Of course you did.” One more kiss, and she pulled him toward the kitchen. “Let’s go help. Well, you can help. I’ll watch.”

“Or we can both watch.” His fingers tightened around hers. “Fighting Conclave members to the death is one thing, but I’m not invading Gus’s territory without permission.”

She didn’t blame him. “Fair enough. We’ll stand here and make out, then.”

For the first time in weeks, Michelle surprised her with a laugh. “No, you won’t. You two had better get out of the way before this baby decides his mommy’s too hungry and moves you himself.”

Nick felt weak with relief. Michelle would be okay. It wouldn’t be quick or easy, but nothing good ever was. Life goes on, and the very fact that her sister could still laugh through her pain made it all right for Nick to move on as well, to make plans and look forward to the life she and Derek could make together.

She pulled his hand to her lips and kissed the back of it. “Lesson number one, baby. Never get between a Peyton and food. Learn it, live it, and you’ll be just fine.”