Shiver(118)

“How did you know about this?” Aidan asked.

Fox smiled a clever smile. “Haven’t you figured it out by now? Kids know everything.”

Raven chuckled and shared a look with Aidan. “Our kid certainly does.”

Aidan moved to the opening in the wall, whistling when he saw the truth of Fox’s statement. The wall was only a foot wide, which fooled the eye into thinking it was a normal stud wall, but it ran the length of at least eight feet. And all of those feet were stacked waist-high with bags identical to the one Fox had opened. There had to be millions of dollars’ worth of gold hidden away in this ransacked cabin. “No wonder Genie was willing to kill for this.”

“What had Earl planned on doing with all this gold?” Raven echoed his thoughts, having come up behind him, seeing the evidence for herself.

“Who knows what the old man was thinking.” Aidan shook his head. “We need to hide this back up and plan on moving it under the cover of darkness. If anyone found out about this…”

“We’ve already dealt with that,” Raven said.

“Dad’s right,” Fox said. “The gold needs to be moved. Genie’s not going to stay quiet in prison. She knows it’s here. Earl paid her in nuggets for her…services.”

How did Fox know this stuff? Aidan picked up the bag, surprised over the weight, and put it back in the hiding place and then shut the door.

“Wait.” Raven held up the nugget she still held.

Aidan took it from her and put it in his pocket. “I have plans for this one.” He got caught up gazing into Raven’s warm, inviting eyes until Fox cleared his throat.

“We gotta get back in time for dinner.”

Raven glanced at her watch. “Oh, we’d better hurry. Aidan, do you mind driving? I’m still a little shaky behind the wheel.”

“Uh, sure.” Guess he was invited to dinner. Having all his dreams come true was going to take a little getting used to.

“I’ll meet you there,” Fox said. “I need to get the dogs back.”

“Be careful,” Raven said.

“Yes, Mom.”

“Listen to your mother,” Aidan couldn’t help addingwith a silly grin.

Fox’s grin was even sillier. “Yes, Dad.” And then he scampered out of the cabin, the dogs excited barks sounding as soon as they saw him.

Aidan wrapped his arms around Raven. “How much time do we have before dinner?”

Raven gave a totally feminine sound that thrilled him to his soul. She tucked her hand in the waistband of his pants and pulled him toward the bedroom. “We’ll have to be quick.”

“Woman, ‘quick’ isn’t going to be my problem.”



They arrived at the lodge late, but totally satisfied. Raven made him pack an overnight bag because he was moving in with her that night. They could get the rest of his stuff later. At some point, he’d have to return to Seattle and sell his condo, along with packing and moving his stuff to Alaska. Maybe Fox and Raven would like to take a trip to Washington over Christmas vacation?

They entered the kitchen where the whole family was seated, including Peter and Lana, Eva and Lynx and little Lark. The table had been stretched to accommodate the many seats and was stacked with food. A golden-browned turkey waited to be carved, along with mash potatoes and gravy and all the fixings for a bountiful Thanksgiving Dinner.

Today was Thanksgiving?

“What took you guys so long?” Fox asked from his seat, next to two waiting chairs.

Raven blushed bright red. “Car trouble.” Which the disbelieving group didn’t buy.

“Actually we were bringing a gift for Coho,” Aidan said, reaching into his front pocket.

“Me?” Coho asked.

Aidan held up the two inch long gold nugget. The group hushed. “I believe this was the size you requested.”

“Oh my goodness gracious.” Coho took the nugget into her hands, her eyes wide. “Unbelievable.”

“You found the gold?” Lynx asked, a note of betrayal in his voice. “I wanted to help.”

“We didn’t find it,” Aidan said. “Fox knew were it was all along.”

“Well, why didn’t you say something?” Lynx asked.

“Nobody asked me.” Fox shrugged. “Can we eat now? I’m starved.”

Pike stood, waited for Aidan and Raven to take their seats and then he began. “This year our table truly runneth over. There is much to be thankful for. A new member of the family and old members finally returned back to us.” He indicated little Meadow Lark cradled in Eva’s arms, and nodded at Aidan, who had to lower his gaze to his plate to hide the emotion shining there. “And to new friends.” Pike gestured to Peter and Lana, then cleared his throat and shuffled his feet as though nervous. He reached down and offered his hand to Fiona, which she took. “Also, Fiona, has finally consented to be my wife.”