The Saturday of their second harvest celebration felt light and easy. Everyone was so happy. The way they should have been at each gathering since Beltane, but hadn’t been.
Even discussing who saw what and didn’t, and what could go in the statements for Patrick needed, there was laughing and smiles.
Dade sat back and watched everyone. It felt good to see this again. Cora was being so sweet, he found himself trying hard not to push her. Of course, if she was willing to let him get the odd kiss, he was all for trying often as he could catch her alone.
Cora stood in the kitchen humming to herself while browsing in the fridge.
“Hungry again? Wasn’t my pre-breakfast and breakfast enough for you, honey?”
She spun around and grinned at him. “Yes, just looking for, something to nibble I suppose.”
He walked towards her grinning. “You’re making me have to bite my tongue and not reply with a Dade answer.”
She bit her lip. “Sorry, couldn’t resist.”
Dade pulled her gently by the waist closer to him. “Let’s see if you can resist my appealing mouth, shall we?” He lowered his lips to her smiling ones. Her hands rested against his chest but remained relaxed. Taking his time to coax her mouth to open, dipping his tongue in her mouth he felt her hands grip the front of his shirt.
“Don’t mind me.” Steven grinned as he reached around them to the fridge.
Dade lifted his head and looked at Cora’s glazed eyes. “Your timing sucks, O’Reily.” He smiled at her still watching him.
Steven shrugged. “Then you shouldn’t try to seduce Cora in the kitchen.” He looked at the table and grinned. “That table isn’t strong enough.”
Dade dropped his hands from her and stood there shaking his head. “It’s okay for them to paw each other constantly but I’m a bad man for taking a few kisses.”
Cora smiled at him as she walked towards the door. “Oh, they’re given not taken, Dade.”
There was a palpable air of excitement in the preparations for the Mabon ritual circle. The hole was dug to give the gifts of the harvest back to the earth. Each person took their fruits and vegetables they were contributing and set them around the circle to wait for the evening meditation and celebration.
Leena grinned at Steven as she worked on Rachel’s top from the dance the night before. “If you wanted her to wear it again tonight you should have taken it off her, not ripped it away.”
Steven lifted his hands and shrugged. “I’m a weak man, I’ll admit it.” He grinned at Rachel. “Isn’t that right, angel?”
Rachel smiled at Leena. “He definitely liked it.”
Leena blushed as she worked on the clasp at the front. “Yes, I think all the men appreciated my efforts, again.”
Dade laughed and winked at Cora. “Your efforts to make us trip on our tongues and drool like idiots, Lee?”
She smiled and laughed. “Yes, those efforts.”
Dade looked at Cora and smiled. “So, are you going to wear yours again, honey? I didn’t get to really appreciate Leena’s efforts since I had to stay alert and watch for a killer.”
Cora shrugged and smiled at him sweetly. “I suppose I should, to make Leena’s hard work pay off.”
“Definitely.”
Cora stood up and held out her hand. “Come for a walk with me, Dade, we still have a few hours before dinner.”
He set down the drum he’d been tuning and grinned, taking her hand. “Don’t wait up for us, Mom.” He whispered to Leena on the way by.
“It’s wonderful, isn’t it? Everyone is relaxed and happy, as it should be.” Cora leaned against his shoulder as they walked through the trees.
He put his arm around her and hugged her to him. “Yeah, it’s good to see again.”
“Normalcy is never missed until you don’t have it,” she said softly.
“I don’t know if any of us are really normal, but yeah.” He let out a slow breath and smiled at her against his shoulder. “Coralee, I’d like to take you someplace nice when we get back.”
“Where?”
Dade shrugged. “Wherever you want, dinner, that you don’t have to make, a movie...”
She stopped and looked at him. “Dade Jones, are you asking me for a date?’
“It would seem I am.”
“Do you always sleep with women then ask for a date?”
He looked down at the ground and grinned. “Now you’re baiting me.”
She laughed. “Yes, unforgivably so.” She touched her hand to his cheek and nodded. “I would love to go out with you.”
“Oh good.” Then grinned at her. “I was actually afraid you’d say no.” He reached and ran his fingers along the edge of her sweatshirt. Watching the reaction in her eyes he pulled on it so she’d step closer. “I can’t seem to stop wanting to kiss you.” He whispered against her lips.
She ran her hands up his chest and lifted her face to his. “Don’t fight it.” His mouth covered hers as he pulled her tight against his hard body. As if she needed to be closer, she leaned in and deepened the kiss. The evidence of his wanting her, she felt through her jeans.
Her body was so soft molded to his. Her mouth, he’d never get enough of her mouth. It matched his every need. Kissing her harder, he bent his knees and pulled her up against him. His leg was between her thighs and he groaned against her mouth, feeling her soft body push back against his. His body screamed to continue but his mind told him to slow down. He didn’t want to rush this, he wanted to do this right.
Lifting his head, he hugged her into him and took a few breaths to calm. “We have to slow down, honey, or we’ll never get to that first date.”
Her fingers played in his hair as she looked up at him. “You make me not care about that right at this moment.”
He ran his hands up her rib cage lightly until his thumbs rested under her breasts. “I’m having a hard time remembering too, Coralee.” He brushed his lips over her mouth and across her cheek. “I’d like to try to do this right though, with you.” He whispered brushing his lips across her ear.
Cora sighed. “Feels right so far.” He bit her neck gently. She smiled. “I understand what you meant, and I can’t tell you how much it means that you think that, Dade.” His lips continued to brush over her neck.
He worked his way back to her mouth and kissed her until they were almost breathless again. Lifting his head, he smiled. “We need go find other people. Now.”
She smiled and ran her hands lightly down his chest. “It’s the last thing on my mind, so I’ll just take your word for it, this time.”
Dade pulled her under his shoulder and smiled when she wrapped her arms around him and hugged his waist as they walked back. He wanted to pick her up and spin her around, he was so happy to finally be close to her. But on the off chance she’d think he’d lost his mind, he controlled the urge.
They got back in time to see Chris and Steven racing beside each other with their fiancés on their back. Walking over to the porch they leaned against the rail and looked at Owen and Leena laughing. “Was an age discussion, wasn’t it?” Dade asked.
Leena nodded. “Steven just kept ribbing poor Chris, it was so funny.” She put her hand over her mouth and laughed again.
Dade leaned down closer to Cora. “Normalcy,” he whispered.
The ritual circle brought a peace and unity that had been missing in the last few. Everyone reveled and celebrated the season at hand, passing the many bottles of harvest wine around. Dade shook his head and smiled when a young blonde woman wandered her way into the drummers and offered him some. He was trying very hard to not repeat last year’s fire stumbling.
Smiling, he watched Cora dance past, she’d pause in front of him each time, moving suggestively to his drum. She’d been smiling all night and her eyes sparkled with happiness. He winked at her and had to smile as she danced her way through the drummers to come to him.
She leaned down and ran her hand through his hair then kissed him longingly on the mouth. He watched her eyes as she straightened up and danced away.
Steven leaned over closer. “You haven’t cheated and used your drum to get that once all night, did I miss a truce?”
Dade grinned at him. “Maybe it’s just time, bro.”
“Glad to hear it.” Steven grinned then turned back to watch Rachel pass the wine between the dancing women again.
Chris looked at Dade. “Hope they break soon, Kase drinks much more of that wine and I’ll have to carry her back in a bottle tonight.”
Dade lifted his eyebrows. “I’m sure it won’t affect your sex life much, councilor.”
“Hope not.” Chris muttered with a smirk.
Dade stopped and stood up to stretch. He’d just set his drum down when the little blonde came teetering in his direction. She stumbled over her own feet within his reach. He steadied her with his hand. “Careful there, the ground has been known to move without warning.”
She turned and grinned at him. “I knew that.” She looked around. “I’ve lost everyone, have you seen them?”
He smirked. “Afraid not.”
“I’ll go look in the cabin.” She took two steps then stopped and looked around.
He watched her stand there and look around. She had no clue which direction the cabins were in. “Need some directions?” He asked with a smile.
She shook her head and ran her hand through her hair. “M-maybe.”
She was practically spinning, just standing there. Placing a hand on her elbow he sighed. “Come on I’ll get you started in the right direction.” He glanced over to see Cora laughing with her head together with Jean and Gwen. “It’s this way.”
“You’re so nice drummer man.” She grinned up at him.
Dade shook his head and walked her slowly towards the darkened area to the left of the circle. “Thanks.” She stumbled a few more times and he caught her before she hit the ground. “Do you know your cabin number?”
She pouted for a moment. “Yes.” Then she began walking again bumping against him.
He smirked. “Can you tell me—your cabin number?”
“Oh!” She started laughing. “Why didn’t you say that? It’s seventeen.”
Nodding, he looked towards the cabins trying to figure out which way the numbers went. Seeing it he stopped and pointed. “Yours is right there.”
She leaned closer to his arm and nodded. “Yes, that’s it.”
Of course, he realized all the cabins were identical so recognizing it wasn’t saying much about her present state. She turned and bounced into him again. Reaching, he placed a hand on her shoulders to steady her and keep from hurting herself. “I’ll leave you here then.” He was about to turn when her arms wrapped around his neck and pulled his head down.
Pulling gently, trying to pull her arms from him he realized she had her hands clasped behind his neck. “I have to go.” He said trying to find a way to get her off him without upsetting her.
She smiled up at him and pulled on his head again. “Come drum for me drummer man.”
Dade shook his head knowing that the drumming she wanted would have nothing to do with any sort of instrument. There was a time, not too long ago, he’d have taken her up on the offer, but that time for him had passed. “Maybe some other time.”
He was trying to lower his head enough to pull her arms over when she grabbed the back of his head and started kissing him. Strong for such a drunk little thing, he thought for a second. He tried to pull his head back only to have her follow. Grasping her hips as gently as he could, he pushed her away from him gradually. He didn’t want to hurt her but he certainly didn’t want her suctioned to his mouth either.
She stepped back and almost tipped right over. Keeping his hold on her hips he steadied her until she was stable enough to let go.
“If you change your mind about that drumming, I’m in cabin sixteen.” She stumbled towards the cabins.
Dade stood there and very briefly wondered if he should correct her on the number or see if she reached the cabins. Getting close to her again wasn’t worth the risk, he turned to go back to the fire. No more than ten feet away stood Cora. Her face showed the shock and hurt she was feeling having seen them. “Coralee, honey…” He took two steps and stopped when she shook her head.
“Was that the changed man I just saw?” Her voice shook.
“Honey, it wasn’t what…”
“I don’t want to hear it, Dade, ever.” She turned and ran back to the fire.
“Shit!” He hung his head and stood there with his hands on his hips for a minute. His first thought was to run after her, but that would make her mad. His second thought was to go find the clingy blonde and drag her to Cora to explain her part in this. He gave up that idea too, figuring the blonde either wouldn’t remember or was already passed out. “Fuck!” He turned and walked quickly back towards the fire.
He returned only to see Cora wasn’t there. Steven stood behind the drummers and looked at him shaking his head. “That was short-lived.”
Dade held up his hand. “Save it. Where did she go?”
Steven nodded in the direction of the house. “I’ll try to keep the drummers going and give you some time.”
“Thanks,” he muttered and swung his drum strap over his shoulder.
Dade ran back to the yellow house. Setting his drum inside the door he stood and listened. It was silent. He sighed and walked back to the kitchen, it was empty. Glancing down the hall he realized the bathroom door was open.
Spinning he ran up the stairs. Her bedroom door was closed. He tapped on it. “Coralee, honey?” He waited. “Let me come in and explain. It wasn’t…” The door flew open.
“Explain?” She stood there with her face wet from crying, glaring at him. “Let me guess she was drunk, it wasn’t your fault.”
He looked at her red eyes and wet cheeks. “This one was.” He knew he’d claimed it too many times in the past and that made the chances of her believing him not good.
“They always are, Dade.” He stepped towards her so she placed her hand on his chest and pushed to stop him. “I was so stupid to believe you’d changed. So stupid,” she whispered again. “Well, I’m over it now.” She looked up at him and fresh tears fell. “I’m through waiting.”
He could barely speak watching her tears. “Cora…”
She shook her head. “Do you know what I’ve wasted the last ten years of my life doing?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “I spent it waiting for a man that I wanted with all my heart.” She took a shaky breath. “While I was waiting, he was trying out every female that threw themselves at him.” She put her hand over her mouth and took a ragged breath. “I’ve only ever wanted you, Dade, but you’re never going to stop your reckless ways.” She stepped closer and ran a shaking hand over his mouth. “I only wanted you.”
He looked down at the tears running down her face and her pale eyes red with them. He swallowed trying to find his voice. “Coralee, I didn’t know,” he rasped.
She stepped back and shook her head. “It doesn’t matter now.” She turned and closed the door quietly.
He stood there looking at the door unable to focus and find the words to make her understand. Ten years? She’d been waiting for him for ten years while he hopped into any willing woman’s bed.
Not knowing what else to do, he turned and went downstairs. Going to the kitchen he grabbed a bottle of mead from the table then walked to get his drum. Closing himself in his room he sat on the edge of the bed and began to drum quietly.
With each sound of his drum echoing through the house, she cried harder. It felt like a mourning deep inside of her, a final parting.