Indian summer

Chapter 24

Logic told me that I wasn't needed here. I should have just left. She seemed at ease here and apparently didn't need me. It was obvious no matter how painful it was. But something deep inside me told me it was just a mask; that inside she needed me just as much as I needed her. So against the obvious I stayed and watched my life sigh another man's arms through the dancing blaze.

Dixie P.O.V.

We all talked long into the night. We eventually sat down, making a circle of friends around the burning fire. I knew every person there and was good friends with all of them before I left but it seemed different now. They joined me in the conversation but they weren't as animated towards me as I remembered.

I stayed near Ronny the whole night; leaning against him and playing my role. Every time my mind would wander or my eyes would search the woods in front of me for a grey wolf with two black spots I would lean a little closer to Ronny, take a deep breath and inhale his potent cologne or glance up at his face which I once considered drop dead gorgeous. Each time I would feel a pang of disappointment in my heart. He was not as warm as Embry was, he did not smell woodsy like Embry and he was definitely not as handsome as Embry. I would ignore the disappointment though and let my mind become that of a star struck teenage girl, ruled by her hormones.

I felt Ronny shift next to me and I looked up at him. He was gazing down at me with a slightly amused expression. "I'm glad you came back Dixie. I missed you so much."

The words should have brought a flutter to my heart or a blush to my face but they didn't. I was angry at myself for not having logical reactions. I leaned my head back against his shoulder and sighed. "I missed you too Ronny."

His arm wrapped a little tighter around me and I tried to ignore the disappointment. Somewhere, deep inside of me, was the logical reaction I was trying to dig out. It was cloaked by the dream back in Forks but I knew it was still there. I just had to get past Embry, get past Forks, get past all this illogical, mythical, nonsense and bring back reality.

I focused on the touch of his arm around me. It wasn't as warm as Embry and it didn't bring goose bumps to my skin but it still felt sorta nice. I focused on that feeling until I could feel every line and callous on his hand against my arm. I could feel is strong muscles against my back and I noticed how they bunched and released as he absentmindedly stroked my arm with his thumb. My heart fluttered. It was barely noticeable... but it was there!

"We had some calves born this past week." He mentioned in his deep bass voice. I felt a little bit of warmth in my chest and grinned.

"Really? I love calves, they're so cute."

That was obviously the reaction he was hoping for. He may have thought he was being slick but I saw right through that sorry farm boy. "Want to go see them?"

"Sure," I said in a quiet excited voice. Ronny stood up and I got up with him, dusting off my shorts. I glanced over at Katie, "Me and Ronny are going to go see the new calves, wanna come?" I didn't really want her to come but it might make our disappearance less awkward.

Her lips rose in a half smile, "No I'm fine, you two go ahead." So much for making this less awkward. As Ronny and I walked off I heard some snickers and an 'ow ow.' I smiled and Ronny laughed. I took Ronny's hand up in mine, hoping to feel the faint flutter in my chest. I did and it wasn't as faint.

One of the cows lowed as we approached the sleeping herd. They all stirred but didn't get up. The herd looked like one black mass but as we got closer I could see the little black balls sleeping in the tall grass. One of the little ones picked up his head; floppy hears wagging on either side of his round face.

"They're so cute!" I hissed excitedly as the calf licked his nose with his large pink tongue.

"I should have brought you out here earlier so you could have seen them better." Ronny muttered beside me.

I turned myself back to him, "I think now's the perfect time."

He let out one short nort and smiled. He reached a calloused hand up to brush a strand of hair out of my face. "I really missed you. You have no idea."

His touch ignited another excited flutter in my chest. It felt like a drug. I wanted more. I wanted to feel this mundane feeling again and again. I stepped closer to him as his lingering hand wrapped around the base of my neck. He leaned in until his breath was hot on my face. My heart stammered and I felt my breathing speed up. More, I wanted more. I leaned closer to him and closed the gap.

It felt wrong, completely wrong. It made me want to pull away in disgust. But the flutter was still there. He parted his lips and his sweet breath filled my mouth; the flutter grew.

Embry P.O.V.

I moved in the shadows as they walked towards the herd of sleeping cattle. I watched Dixie willingly take that man's hand up in hers and I bit my tongue. I should have left. I should have run away right then. But of course I didn't. I couldn't leave.

I breathed heavily in the shadows of the grouping of trees as they talked by the fence. The man looked at her in a way that made a soft growl erupt from my throat. I stifled it but not for long.

The man leaned into her and begged silently for Dixie to lean away. But she didn't, she moved forward, almost urgently, and pressed her lips to his. A pain like none other flooded me. It felt like my blood was on fire. I saw read and I shook even though I was already in wolf form. I clenched my jaw to keep the howl of pain from exposing me.

Dixie appeared confused at first and for a second I thought she would realize the mistake she was making but I was wrong. She kissed him back, pressing herself against him and wrapping her arms around her neck.

That should be me she was kissing so passionately.

I couldn't stifle it this time. A low and mournful howl barreled from my throat, echoing off the trees. I spun quickly, stirring up a wind as I flew away from there.

Dixie P.O.V.

I kissed him back, pressing my whole body against him and wrapping my arms tightly around his neck. My heart was pounding so loudly in my ears I barely heard the low howl echo across the field. The cattle jumped to their feet and I pulled back with a short gasp.

"What was that?" My mind was confused. It wasn't comprehending anything.

His hands moved down to my waist, sending a trail of shivers up my spine. His lips moved to my throat and murmured, "Coyote,"

Oh, right. My breathing sped up as his lips moved back to mine. Wait, no, it wasn't a coyote. It was... no, yes, no, wait. My head spun, the two sides of me fighting for dominance. As my hand moved up into Ronny's hair I realized which side was winning. But the howl still echoed around in my head, making me more confused than ever.