The Blessed Blend by Allison Shaw Read Free Book Online Page B

and John, “You two, inside! Now! Find a place and sit down!”
    Both complied without a word.
    “Tell your pack to go home, Callie,” he said firmly.
    Callie looked at the pack, pointed up the mountain, and commanded, “Owenvsv danigi!” The wolves looked at her for a moment and she repeated the command. Much to the relief of the guests, they melted back into the woods.
    Still holding Callie, Jim looked at Mike. “You’re going to have to guide our guests to camp. I’m guessing the Scottish ones won’t be going, so leave their gear here. Go grab you some gear and get these other gentlemen on their horses and underway.”
    “Which horse you want me to ride, Uncle Jim?” Mike asked. “I ain’t ridin’ that evil witch of Callie’s.”
    “Hell, I don’t care!” Jim responded, somewhat exasperated. The past few minutes had been more of a show than the guests had paid for and if he couldn’t keep Callie from losing it this could end up on international news. “Ride Bubbles! He wouldn’t buck if you put a field full of burrs up under his blanket! Get Callie’s rifle and scabbard just in case you run into some hogs.”
    Mike shrugged and moved to do as he’d been told. Jim looked at the remaining guests and said, “If you gentlemen will wait just a minute, we’ll get you on your way to camp.”
    The four men nodded and moved toward the waiting horses. The Texan said to the other American, “That’s one hell of a family reunion, don’t you think? Thought we might get to see a real hillbilly feud!”
    The other man responded, “I wasn’t sure if we were going to revisit Deliverance or Dances with Wolves myself, but I’d pay handsomely for the privilege of shooting one of those wolves. Too bad they’re a protected species here.”
    Jim looked at Caleb. “You go with Mike and help him get those men to camp. Once you get there, grab Callie’s gear and head back. I’ve got a feeling that the shit’s overdue to hit the fan.”
    Caleb protested. “Dad, shouldn’t I be here in case something goes wrong? Callie looks like she wants to kill that unega in the worst way.”
      “I’ll handle her. I need you to do what I asked.” He looked at his oldest son. “This is a family matter, understand? Keep it to yourself. Your girlfriend ain’t your wife.”
    Caleb nodded. He loved Lacie but she would blab this all over the mountains in less time than it took to breathe. He turned and walked over to the guests to get them matched up to the horses. These were well-broke, locally-bred gaited trail horses with the disposition and smarts to handle riders who were complete idiots. Which was frequently the case.
    Jim turned to his daughter and made her look up at him. “Callie, listen to me,” he said gently but firmly. “It’s high time all of this got straightened out. We’re going to go in there and you and that feller are both going to have to do some talking. Understand?”
    Callie’s eyes shone hard and cold. “I hate that bastard! If he tries to take my children I’ll kill him before he so much as touches them!”
    “You will not kill anyone, Callie!” Jim ordered. “If this man is their father, he has some rights. We need to find out why he’s here, and if he’s here for the kids we need to know how he found out.” He cupped her cheek with his hand. “No one’s taking my grandkids anywhere, Baby Doll. Now let’s go inside and start sorting this mess out.”
    With a hand on Callie’s shoulder, Jim entered the lodge. “Get back, Brutus!” he said as he blocked the dog from coming through the door. “You wait out here on the porch.”
    The front room of the lodge had an old-style hearth big enough to roast a haunch of beef in, with andirons capable of holding a log over two feet in diameter and three feet long. A large log of white oak burned slowly on the grate. A large hook built into one side of the fire place held a cast-iron kettle which held a simmering potpourri of cinnamon, nutmeg,