Dreams of Ivory (14 page)

“Hey, you okay?” Jordan asked, and Honor nodded.

“Oh, sorry, just lost in thought over what all needs to be done with work,” Honor lied.

Jordan narrowed her eyes but didn’t say anything about Honor’s obvious subject change. “I’m excited to see what you have. I’m really just the honorary mayor until the new election in a couple months. I’m
not
running, but I still want to make sure I’m doing the job right while I’m here.”

“You’ll have to tell me that story sometime.”

Jordan grimaced. “Ugh, I hate that story, but sure. Right now I need to pee because apparently that’s something I get to do every twenty minutes from now on. I know people say this doesn’t happen until later in pregnancies, but I can’t help it. Then we can go out to the lake area you’re using. I cannot wait to see it in person now that I’ve seen the plans.”

Honor blushed as she thought about how she and Jackson had
used
that area earlier, but she didn’t mention that to Jordan. As close as the Coopers were, the other woman didn’t need to know everything about her sex life.

The fact that she actually had a sex life though made Honor want to jump up and down and do some fist pumps.

Not that she’d ever do that.

In front of people.

“I have no idea what you’re thinking about, but I think I like it,” Jordan teased, and Honor blinked.

“Oh, sorry. Uh, what were we doing?”

“After I get back, we’re going to go out and see the site where you want to build this center.”

“Sounds good to me, though should you be hiking in your condition?”

Jordan rolled her eyes. “This is more of a walk since we’re taking the trail, but yes, I’ll be fine. No mountain or rock climbing for me.”

Soon they were on their way to the lake, each couple walking side by side and enjoying the late afternoon air. There was finally a slight breeze, and Honor was in love with it. They spent another hour going over the logistics of building the camp and how the traffic would be changed with the new addition. There was already a road that led to the lake, but it was rarely used because there was another lake on the other side of town that was closer to the amenities like the inn and other places they’d build in the future. Honor could have planned on building near that one, but this lake had always held a special meaning for her.

She blushed at just how special it was but didn’t look at Jackson.

She wasn’t sure what she’d do if she met his gaze.

“So I take it you’re going to have rock climbing?” Matt asked, pulling Honor out of her thoughts.

“Yes, but it won’t be invasive. We’ll have the indoor wall for people wanting to learn. We won’t let them climb without certification. That’s the way it is now, so we’re not going to change that.”

Matt nodded and glanced at the rocks ahead of them. “I haven’t been rock climbing in ages. I know Tyler still does it when he gets a chance. This might be great if I wanted to try it again.”

Jordan wrapped her arm around his waist. “You’re going to have to be really, really careful. I know I’m the tough one, but propelling down a rock face scares the crap out of me.”

Matt kissed the top of her head and pulled her close. “I’ll be careful, don’t worry.”

Jackson came up behind Honor and put his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him to inhale that sandalwood scent she loved but didn’t say anything.

“You better be careful,” Jackson said. “Our family has had enough excitement recently.”

Matt and Jordan nodded while Honor repressed a shiver. She might not have been here for all of their adventures, but their close calls, combined with her own, made her want to be extra careful. Add onto that the fact that someone wanted to hurt her through Jackson and she really needed to be cautious.

“You okay?” Jackson asked softly.

She looked up at him and smiled. “Yes, I was just thinking about what’s been happening recently.”

“I’m going to go take a look at the rock face,” Matt said, breaking Honor out of her thoughts. “You took measurements, right?”

Honor nodded. “Yes, and I’m having professionals come out and do everything. I’m just the planner.”

Matt smiled. “Wanna show me what you’re thinking? I know I can’t help, but I’m excited.” He turned toward Jordan. “I’d rather you stay here, baby.”

Jordan narrowed her eyes but smiled. “I know you’re thinking I’m the pregnant woman who needs to stay still, but I’ll let you get away with it this once. I’m not in the mood to trip and fall over those rocks anyway.”

Matt grinned and kissed his wife while Jackson kissed Honor’s temple. “I’ll stay here with Jordan to talk about the other things she’s going to need to do to help you out.”

Honor laughed. “You mean watch her so she and the baby are okay.”

“That too. She’s having a Cooper baby after all.”

Honor rolled her eyes while Jordan laughed. 

“You really do marry all the brothers when you marry into the family, Honor,” Jordan teased then froze while her eyes widened. “I mean…”

Honor shook her head. “I know what you mean. No pressure, right?” She smiled through her words, even though her heart sped up at the thought of being with Jackson forever.

That was something they’d have to talk about later.

She led Matt to where she was planning on having the climbing area, leaving Jackson and Jordan behind. 

“So, how serious are you and my brother?”

Honor snorted but didn’t look at him, making sure she kept her eyes on her path so she wouldn’t trip.

“Subtle, Cooper.”

“I’m not really good with the intrigue.”

“Did your family nominate you to ask?” She climbed up on one of the rocks, and her legs shook. Damn, she needed to get in better shape apparently. Or it could have been the conversation she was having.

Matt gripped her arm to steady her then stepped up beside her. “No, actually, we all decided whoever got you alone first would ask.”

Honor rolled her eyes. 

“I don’t know what exactly will happen in the future other than I plan on doing what we’re doing now. I…care for Jackson.”

“I heard that hesitation there.”

“If and when I do say something along the lines of something more, I’d like Jackson to be the first to know. Okay?”

“Sounds reasonable. I know it’s a little intimidating to be with a man who has family such as ours, but, Honor, I want you to know we like you.”

That little spot in her heart where the fear of rejection had taken root started to warm again. “I’m glad you like me, but don’t put all your hopes on me. It’s a little daunting.”

“He’s never been with anyone like you before. He’s never looked at anyone the way he looks at you. He’s different with you. I mean, we always knew he wasn’t the cold man he portrayed, but you’re breaking through that so everyone can see the man he is—not the man he wants to be seen as.”

She nodded at his words but didn’t say anything. While it was nice that Matt and the rest of the Coopers knew that Jackson was more than a scowl, she didn’t like the added pressure of being responsible for showing who he was.

It wasn’t Jackson’s fault he didn’t want to conform.

“Do you think—” Honor cut off at the loud cracking sound that echoed through the air.

The hair on her arms rose and she looked up and screamed. 

“What the hell?” Matt asked then looked up. “Fuck! Move!”

He pushed her out of the way, throwing his body over hers as large rocks crashed around them. She felt the sharp sting as small rocks hit her and tried to tuck herself into a ball under Matt.

Matt grunted then screamed in pain, his voice blending with Jackson’s and Jordan’s screams from afar.

“Matt!” she yelled as the rocks stopped falling for the moment.

She moved him off her and swallowed. “Matt?”

“I’m fine.” He groaned. “The big rocks missed me, but I think a medium rock broke my arm. You’re bleeding.”

He was pale, bleeding, and wincing as he tried to move his arm. “Don’t worry about me. Let’s get you to the hospital, okay?”

Matt grunted and sat up. “Fuck. I’m okay, really. I don’t think anything else is broken.”

Tears stained her cheeks, but she nodded. “That’s good to hear, but let’s have a doctor take a look, okay?”

“Honor!” Jackson yelled her name as he ran up to her, after he finished climbing. “Oh, baby, let’s get you out of here. Matt? You okay?”

“Fine, just a broken arm. I think Honor’s stitches broke open though.” He looked past Jackson to Jordan, who stood where she’d been before, her cell phone clutched in her hand and tears sliding down her cheeks.

“Jordan’s calling an ambulance to come and get you,” Jackson said as he helped Honor and Matt stand.

“This is the second time I’ve been in an ambulance recently,” Honor said as she looked into Jackson’s eyes.

He narrowed them as he kissed her temple. “These weren’t accidents.”

“I know.”

“We’re going to find this bastard, Honor,” Jackson vowed.

“He’s messed with the wrong family,” Matt said as he limped toward Jordan.

She nodded but didn’t say anything. Someone had tried to kill her three times since she’d moved to town. Why would someone do that? 

Honor bit her lip and tried not to cry at the stress. The fact that someone would want to kill her left her at a loss, but by doing so, they were also hurting those she loved.

She might not have any magical powers to protect herself, but she’d be damned if she let those she loved get hurt again because someone wanted at her.

She’d find this person somehow.

Somehow.

Chapter 11

“Still no word?” Brayden asked as he held Cameron’s snow cone so the boy could tie his shoes.

Jackson grunted then leaned in to inhale Lacy’s sweet little girl scent. It seemed to calm him—even if her hands were sticky and currently patting his head in sympathy.

“No word,” Jackson finally said. “Tyler and his crew can’t find any evidence on the hilltop other than someone had been there and caused the rock fall. There were footprints and someone had used a crowbar or another thing for leverage to push the rocks down. They still haven’t found the van, and there aren’t any fingerprints on the windowsill where the flowerpot was that almost hit Honor.”

Brayden handed his son back his snow cone and frowned. “We know that the man isn’t as normal as other criminals that Tyler chases. The man had magic or knows magic considering what he did with you.”

Though they were on the sidewalk alone, Jackson still looked around to make sure they weren’t overheard. The people of Holiday might think they knew about magic and all it entailed, but what they knew was far from the truth.

“I’m just sick of this,” Jackson said, keeping his voice light since they were in front of the kids.

It had been four days since the rock slide that had almost killed Honor and Matt. His brother had broken his arm and had a few bruises while Honor was fine other than tearing her stitches from the car accident. It could have been so much worse.

Worse enough that he held Honor tight to him every night, not able to sleep. He’d almost thought about sprinkling his own dust on his eyes, but he wanted to be able to wake up at any moment and keep an eye on Honor.

“Don’t frown, Uncle Jacks,” Lacy said as she kissed his cheek.

A part of him melted at this little girl. Before he’d probably have tried to ignore her and done his duty as uncle by holding her, but now didn’t care about keeping up with his grumpy persona.

He kissed her cheek and smiled. “I’m sorry, hon. I’ll try to do better.”

“I like this side of you,” Brayden said as they walked down the street. Cameron and Aiden walked on either side of his brother, in a deep conversation about which comic book character should get the next movie and why. 

“What side?”

“This smiling side of you. Honor’s good for you.”

Jackson grunted but couldn’t stop his smile. “Yeah, I guess she is.”

“Don’t let her go.”

“Not planning on it, but don’t make a big deal about it. I’m quite happy with how things are going. Well, other than whoever this guy is.”

Brayden scowled. “We’ll find him.”

“I don’t really know how other than offering up Honor as bait. And, no, we won’t be doing that.”

“I wouldn’t think you’d let that happen, though I don’t think you can hold back Honor if she wanted to try.”

“Oh, I’ll hold her back.” He’d wrap her in that bubble wrap he’d promised then stuff her in a room and never let her out.

Well, hell, he knew he couldn’t do that. He’d take the spark right out of her. He loved that damn spark.

“She’s stronger than you think.”

“I know how strong she is, and darn it, you’re right.”

He’d just have to be by her side. It wouldn’t do to stand in front of her and take the blow or hide her away. Honor was more than that.

They
were more than that.

“I just want her to leave. I want to keep doing what I was doing. I was
everything
here and now she’s back and going to take it all. She needs to go. Is that so wrong?”

Chills ran down Jackson’s back as he froze then turned on his heel at the voice.

The man before him looked average. Brown eyes, brown hair, average height, average build. Nothing about him looked remarkable except for the fact that Jackson had seen him before.

In his dreams.

This was the man who’d changed his life.

Changed him into a sandman.

This was the man who wanted to kill Honor—who’d almost killed her three times now.

“Who are you?” Jackson asked as he slowly slid a shaking Lacy down his body.

The little girl might not know what exactly was going on, but the tension in the air was thick enough that she seemed to understand to be quiet. He tucked her behind him in case this stranger attacked. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Brayden hide Aiden and Cameron behind him.

They were on the wide-open sidewalk, and most of the town occupants were indoors in the high heat.

This was going to be bad.

“Who are you?” Jackson asked again as calmly as he could. He didn’t want to get the children hurt because of the crazy man in front of him.