Flirting Under a Full Moon (25 page)

A horrible grinding and a pop were followed by a male scream. The mugger sank to his knees. Fortunately the gun fell to the ground, and before they could grapple for it, Brandee jumped out of the car and snatched it up. She held the weapon with two shaking hands and pointed it at the mugger.

The guy was breathing hard but managed to laugh and say, “It ain’t loaded, so you can drop it, bitch.”

“I don’t know…” Brandee said. “Maybe I should put it down so I can call the police.”

“Keep the gun pointed at him.”
Nick growled.
“I’m going to let go, and he’ll probably run.”

So
you
want
to
let
him
get
away?

“For now.”

Oookay.
Brandee waited until Nick let go, and as predicted, the guy took off. What she didn’t expect was that Nick would run after him.

“Crap,” she muttered, as she watched the chase.
He
just
wanted
to
get
the
guy
away
from
me.
They disappeared down a side street. She hoped the mugger didn’t have another gun or a knife stashed somewhere.
Nick? Come back. He’s not worth it.

Either he was too far away to communicate or too busy with his pursuit—regardless, he didn’t answer her. Brandee got back into her car, locked the door, rolled up the window, and prayed for the best.

***

After he paid the cab driver and walked Brandee to his front door, Nick said, “This was quite a night.”

Brandee let out a breath in a whoosh. “You can say that again.” She waited until they were inside Nick’s stairwell and then whispered, “So, even though you could have sniffed him out as a wolf, you had to let him get away?”

“I couldn’t take the chance of anyone seeing me, sweetheart. If someone had been looking out their window or walking around the corner, I’d have exposed our existence, and I’d be in deep shit again.”

“What do you mean by ‘again’? And shouldn’t we go inside instead of talking out here in the hall?”

“It’s fine. My neighbor uses a different staircase. Remember that conversation I was having out in the alley with a middle-aged-looking woman?”

“Oh, that time the woman you called ‘mother’ bitched you out?”

“Exactly.” He gently rubbed Brandee’s arms. “She wanted to send me to Mount Vesuvius for revealing myself to you. It’s absolutely crucial that you keep my secret—that you keep the secret for
all
paranormals. You’ll be in danger of a fast trip to Timbuktu if she thinks you revealed our existence to another human.”

“Timbuktu? She could do that?”

“She certainly could.”

Brandee tipped her head. “So she’s paranormal too. Why did you call her ‘mother’ if she’s not your mother?”

He smiled. “Are you sure you want another secret to keep?”

She rolled her eyes. “Why not? Lay it on me.”

“That was Mother Nature.”

Brandee gasped and her mouth hung open as if her jaw hinge suddenly let go. When she snapped her mouth shut, her teeth clicked. At last she gathered herself and whispered, “I met Mother Nature?”

“You did, and you
don’t
want to see her again—at least not in person.”

A voice from the top of the stairwell said, “Too late, asshole.”

Both of them gazed up the stairs to where a woman in a long white robe stood. Brandee recognized her as the same woman who had been at the bar before, but wearing an eighties vintage outfit. The “mother” who’d confronted him in the alley.

Nick slapped a hand over his eyes. “Oh no. What did I do wrong now?”

Mother Nature descended the stairs until she stood only two steps above them. “This time I’m not here because you did something wrong. I’m here because you did something right.”

Nick dropped his hand. “You’re kiddin’.”

“No, I’m not. And I’ve been thinking about what you had asked me the last time we met.”

“Wait.” Nick paused as if recalling the conversation. “You mean when I asked if there was a way you could make Brandee as long-lived as I am?”

Brandee gazed from Nick to the woman and back again.
Is
this
conversation
really
happening? In
Nick’s stairwell?

“Let’s go inside where we can sit down and discuss this further,” Mother Nature suggested. Without waiting for them to agree or disagree, she ascended the stairs so gracefully, she appeared to float.

Nick grasped Brandee’s hand and followed the white-robed woman upstairs. He dug the door keys out of his pocket, but before he could use them, the door opened of its own accord.

Freaky.

Mother Nature led the parade inside and sat on one of the armchairs. Nick closed the door behind them and sat on the couch next to Brandee. He took her hand and tucked it around his arm at the elbow, then he covered her hand with his.

“Hang on to me, sweetheart. If
either
of
us
is
sent
anywhere, maybe we’ll go together.”

Focusing on Mother Nature, he said, “I don’t know whether I should introduce you two formally or not. I don’t want to slip up again.”

Mother Nature smiled. “Smart. It’s all right since I’m right here, but let me do it.” She gazed at Brandee. “I’m Gaia. You may call me Mother Nature or Goddess. I think Gaia is a little informal, but that’s my name.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Goddess,” Brandee said.

Mother Nature raised her eyes toward the ceiling. “At last. Someone who shows me a little respect.”

Nick gave Brandee’s hand a squeeze and smiled at her.

“Now, as I was saying,” Gaia continued. “Ever since the Industrial Revolution, I’ve been thinking about adding a couple of new muses. With all the inventions and advanced technology, the usual nine really can’t handle it all.”

Brandee had to clarify for herself what the woman was talking about. “Do you mean the nine muses, as in the muse of poetry, the muse of dance…like that?”

“Yes, Brandee. Exactly like that. My muses are lesser goddesses who have traditionally been immortal. Each takes care of a different area of the arts and sciences. In a nutshell, there’s Clio whose area is history; Urania takes care of astronomy; Melpomene, tragedy; Thalia, comedy; Terpsichore, dance; Calliope, epic poetry; Erato, love poetry; Polyhymnia, songs to the gods; and Euterpe, lyric poetry.”

“Wow. There’s a lot in the poetry field.”

“No kidding, and poetry has really fallen out of fashion, so they’re kind of useless.” Mother Nature rose and paced with her hands clasped behind her back. “I tried reassigning them to things like steam-powered engines and other inventions as they came along, but now with high-tech advances, they’re having a hard time handling it all. I often catch them grumbling about the good old days.”

And
this
affects
me, how?

She whirled on Brandee, who immediately shut off her thought.
Nick, can she hear what goes on in our heads
?

“I don’t know, sweetheart. Maybe we’d better think about kittens and puppies just in case.”

Mother Nature smiled, but that didn’t comfort Brandee.

“So, you see, dear, I could use your help. I understand you have a background in photography.”

“Oh.” Brandee sat up straight. “Yes, Goddess, I do.”

“Great. I want you to be my muse of still and motion photography.”

“Digital or traditional?”

Mother Nature raised one eyebrow. “All of it. I’m going to give you some limited powers, and you’d better be prepared to use them.”

“Gaia, wait,” Nick interjected. “I need to ask a question.”

She let out a deep sigh. “Yes, Nick. I’ll extend her life span.”

“Awesome!”

“Wait.” Brandee rose. “I’m not sure I want to be immortal. I-I don’t want to outlive Nick any more than he wants to outlive me.”

Mother Nature crossed her arms, and Nick rose quickly. He clasped Brandee in a protective embrace.

“She has abandonment issues,” he said defensively.

“Hmmm…” Gaia began pacing again. When she stopped, she faced them squarely. “I’ll grant you limited immortality.”

What
the
heck
does
that
entail?

“I’ll let you live as long as your husband, and when he passes into pure energy, you will too.” She waved a dismissive hand. “By that time, there’s sure to be some kind of
newer
technology, and I’ll need another young one to pick up the slack, so it’ll all work out.”

Nick tipped up Brandee’s chin so she could see his eyes. They danced with excitement. “How about it, sweetheart? I don’t think we could ask for anything more.”

She had to mull this over. “It sounds like a big responsibility. To tell you the truth, all I wanted was a little gallery where I could showcase my own work and that of other up-and-coming photographers.”

Mother Nature shrugged. “You can have that. You’ll need a base of operations anyway.”

Brandee’s heart leaped. Her own gallery. Nick. A long and fruitful life. What more could she possibly want?

“Is there some kind of on-the-job training that comes with this muse gig?”

“Of course. Hold on a minute.” Mother Nature turned her back and called out, “Erato, Come!”

A beautiful younger woman appeared out of nowhere. She was wearing jeans and a clingy red sweater over an impressive rack.

“You called, Gaia?”

“Yes, I did. I want you to take this young lady under your wing. Teach her how to be a muse. She’ll be taking care of everything in the area of technical photography, all still and moving images.”

“Everything on film?”

“And digital images, too,” Gaia added.

Erato slapped a hand over her heart. “Thank you, Goddess.
Finally.
We can use the extra help keeping those idiot war correspondents alive.”

“I knew you’d be pleased.”

Brandee held up her index finger. “Just one thing…”

Mother Nature’s eyes narrowed.

“Nick and I just got engaged.” She bravely forged on and hoped for the best. “I don’t want to leave him and go traipsing all over the world.”

Erato clapped. “Oh, fab. I love a good love story.” She spoke behind her hand, as if hiding her words from Mother Nature. “I’m the muse of erotic poetry. I can teach you some things for your wedding night.”

Nick laughed. “I think we’ve got that area covered, but thanks for offering.”

Gaia smiled at Brandee. “You won’t have to
traipse
anywhere anymore. Simply think about where you want to go and snap your fingers.”

Brandee’s eyes widened. “You mean I have supernatural powers now?”

“Try it and see.”

“Can Nick come with me?”

Mother Nature shrugged. “That’s up to you. Simply think about the two of you in a new place. Just be sure no one sees you as you come and go.”

“How do I do that?”

“I’ll teach you,” Erato said.

Brandee faced Nick and held both of his hands. “How do you feel about this, honey? Do you want me to take the job?”

“It’s your decision, sweetheart. I’ll support you no matter what you decide.”

Gaia nodded. “You’re a good man, Nicholas Wolfensen. I always knew you’d be an asset if you could just keep your paranormal trap shut.”

“An asset? Do you have a job for me too?”

“Not at the moment, but if I ever need a private investigator, I’ll know where to find one.”

“You can count on my help anytime, Goddess. And thank you.”

“For?”

“For making Brandee’s and my dreams come true.”

“Oh, that.” She waved away the compliment as if it were nothing. “Come, Erato. Let’s give your new sister and her fiancé some privacy.”

Mother Nature vanished.

Erato took a step closer. “I’ll check in with you tomorrow, Brandee, muse of film and digital images.”

“Wow. That’s a mouthful of a title,” Nick said.

“When should I find my gallery? And how will I pay for it? Oh, my promotion. I have so many questions!”

Erato took her free hand and patted it. “We’ll work it all out tomorrow. Meanwhile, get a good night’s rest and practice for your honeymoon.”

“Aren’t those things kind of mutually exclusive?”

Erato smiled. “I’ll give you some stamina tips.”

“Thank you.” Before Brandee could say another word, Erato winked and was gone.

Nick enveloped Brandee in a huge hug. “This turned out to be an even more memorable evening than I thought possible.”

“No kidding. It sounds like we won’t have to worry about airfare when it comes to our honeymoon, and I guess we could have our pick of places to go.”

“Are you still thinking about a long engagement?”

Brandee tipped her head and tapped her lower lip. “Not so much. Let me talk to Erato tomorrow. I have the feeling she’ll have some pre-wedding advice.”

Nick lifted her off the floor with a whoop and lowered her just enough to kiss her. “I love you, Brandee Wolfensen.”

Brandee threw her arms around his neck. “And I love you, Nick Hanson. That’s another thing we can work out tomorrow,” she said, and they both laughed.

“Good, because right now my mind is on other things.” He scooped her up into his arms, and she held onto his neck as he carried her up the stairs to their bedroom.

The bell hanging above the gallery door tinkled, and Brandee looked up to see Nick walking through it. She ran around the cash register and leaped into his arms. He caught her so easily she might as well have been a basketball. The image reminded her of what her stomach would look like in eight months. She couldn’t wait to tell him.

“Hi, sweetheart.”

“Hey, lover.”

They shared a quick kiss.

As Nick set her on her feet, he asked, “Can you get away for lunch?”

“I’d love to, but I probably shouldn’t. I had to put the ‘Back in Five Minutes’ sign in the window twice this morning.”

“Are your muse duties really keeping you that busy?”

“Yeah, but I got a few awesome shots while saving some fool trying to video his hike on Mount Everest. You should have seen him, hanging on to his tent pole and waving in the wind like a flag.”

Nick laughed. “I can’t wait to see the pics. Did you use digital or thirty-five millimeter film this time?”

Brandee strolled to her desk and pulled out the chair next to it, inviting Nick to sit down with her. “I used the thirty-five, but in the future, I think I’ll go exclusively digital. We’re going to need the small bedroom.”

Nick raised his brows. “Oh? Are we having guests?”

She flashed him a sly smile. “Sort of. He or she will be staying for about eighteen years.”

Nick’s mouth opened, but in a rare moment of speechlessness, no words came out. At last he cleared his throat and asked, “Are you telling me what I think you’re telling me?”

She grinned and nodded.

He shot to his feet and grabbed her around the waist. Lifting her high over his head, he looked up at her and cried, “Oh, my, hallelujah!” Then, as if suddenly remembering her “delicate condition,” he lowered her gently until her feet touched the floor and enveloped her in a tender hug.

Brandee snuggled against his chest. “I know you wanted children, but do you mind that it happened so soon?”

“I don’t mind a bit. That’s why I told you to throw away your birth control pills.”

“And you don’t care if our kids aren’t wolves like you?”

“Hell, no. I’m glad they won’t be. Thank goodness your muse buddies were able to answer that question for us.” He stroked her long hair over her back. “Why don’t I go get lunch and bring it here? I don’t want you skipping meals.”

“I’ll get it,” she said.

“If you’re planning on pickles and ice cream, I’d rather get my own.”

Brandee set a hand on her hip and gave him a look that she hoped would tell him where he could stick his pickle. “I’ll be right back.”

In the blink of an eye, or more accurately the snap of a finger, she was home. In record time, she had made a giant sandwich for Nick and a much smaller one for herself. She put them on the bamboo tray Kurt gave them as a wedding present and snapped her fingers, taking her back to the gallery. Nick was looking at his watch.

“So, how long was I gone?”

“Three and a half.”

“What? There’s no way I took three and a half whole minutes.”

Nick shook his head. “Not minutes. Seconds.”

“Seriously?”

“You should probably try to slow down a bit. You don’t want to give the baby whiplash.”

“Oh, my wonderful husband, I hope you’re not going to treat me like I’m some kind of fragile vase. I’m semi-immortal now, like you.”

“But is the baby?”

“I asked Erato and she said she’s not sure. This is kind of a whole new situation. She suggested I see the midwife the muses go to. I think her name is Hestia.”

Nick picked up his sandwich. “I’ll never get used to all those Greek names. How do you keep them straight?”

Brandee handed him a napkin. “It helps to meet them and put names to faces. I’ve only met a few and most of them are muses.”

“The only one I met besides Gaia was Apollo,” Nick said.

“You’re lucky. He sounds like one of the nice ones. I understand some gods are downright selfish or cranky.”

“And the gods think the goddesses are the cranky ones.”

She chuckled. “They sound pretty human, don’t they?”

“Shhh…don’t let them catch you saying that.”

“Do you think they’d send us to Outer Mongolia?”

“As long as we go together, it’s okay if they do.”