Freedom in the Smokies Read online

  Dedication

  Thanks to all my fans who have enjoyed this series. Your support means the world to me. And to my editor, Christa, who turned this last book into a gem.

  Prologue

  Kaitlyn Winston squeezed her tiny frame into the darkest corner of the musty pantry, curling into a tight ball against the rough plaster. She cringed, her body shaking from head to toe, as her grandmother’s deep voice penetrated every wall in the house, making the mansion seem to quiver under her directives.

  “I will not have such insolence under my roof!” she screamed. Insolence was the woman’s favorite word.

  Kaitlyn wrapped her arms around the ball of fur in her lap, her beloved dog, Max. The dog was smart. He kept completely quiet and wiggled himself into the corner with his mistress, seeming to possess the same amount of fear as Kaitlyn when it came to her grandmother.

  Margaret Winston, matriarch of the family. The woman permitted not one ounce of disobedience from anyone.

  Kaitlyn could picture the staff standing around the kitchen, heads bowed low, hands gripped behind their backs. She’d seen this scenario numerous times over the last two weeks since she’d arrived at Winston Hall.

  “Where is she now?” her grandmother boomed across the kitchen. “Surely she can’t have gotten too far. I saw her not five minutes ago in the hall. The child needs to attend her studies. The tutor will be here any minute.”

  Kaitlyn ducked her head between her knees and squeezed Max tighter. Please don’t let her find me…

  Kaitlyn’s only saving grace was knowing the staff secretly adored her. Whenever her grandmother wasn’t around, they smiled. They all slipped her little treats and a few even hugged her on occasion. Their eyes were filled with sadness and pity over her plight, but at least she had allies.

  “And what is that horrible smell?” Heavy feet stomped around the kitchen while Kaitlyn held her breath. She did not want to be found. She wouldn’t be the only person who would get in trouble if she were discovered.

  Max scrunched against Kaitlyn’s legs, panting. She buried her face in his fur.

  “Did that mutt come inside again? I told you people to make sure he stayed in the barn. Dogs are not allowed in my home!” The woman never spoke below a roar. “If I find that mongrel inside this house, I’ll have him shot. Do you hear me?”

  What will I do without Max? The dog was the only living creature she had left in the world. She couldn’t imagine life without him.

  Kaitlyn vowed to find someone in the barn to look after him. It would be tough at first, not having him in her bed and by her side all day, but at least maybe she could save his life.

  “Well, why are you all just standing there? Find that damn girl and get her to the library this instant.” With a loud huff, her grandmother stomped from the room.

  Kaitlyn brushed tears from her cheeks, set Max down on the floor and crawled on all fours alongside him from the darkness. The door squeaked open, and a warm hand reached to lift her up. Before she raised her head to squint into the bright room, Kaitlyn saw the scuff marks on her Mary Janes and the scrapes across her knees from her shuffle across the rough tile. New tears dampened her cheeks. She couldn’t take being yelled at by her grandmother again this morning.

  “Child. There, there, now. Don’t worry. Milly will make it all better.” The sweet, plump, gray-haired woman knelt beside Kaitlyn, produced a damp cloth from thin air, and proceeded to gently wipe the sting from Kaitlyn’s knees before rubbing the material against her shoes until they shone almost as good as new. When she finished, she patted Max on the head where he stood at Kaitlyn’s ankles. “We’ll take him out to the barn while you begin your studies.”

  Milly stood. Kaitlyn wrapped her arms around the woman’s pudgy center and buried her face in the soft white apron. Kaitlyn hiccupped twice, her lip quivering.

  Why did her mother have to die? Why couldn’t she have waited until it stopped raining so she wouldn’t have skidded off that cliff? Kaitlyn had been forced to leave her beloved Smokey Mountains and sent to Winston Hall.

  In her ten years, Kaitlyn had never once been to visit her grandmother. And now she knew why.

  Kaitlyn reluctantly dragged herself to the library where she was to meet her tutor for the first time. She had no idea why her grandmother insisted on the tutor. She’d much rather attend the local elementary school with all the other children and at least meet some new friends. Grandmother probably didn’t want Kaitlyn to have friends.

  As she rounded the corner, she found herself facing her angry grandmother, her lips pinched together in such a thin line they nearly disappeared. Her brow furrowed so tightly, Kaitlyn wondered if the creases between her eyes had become permanent.

  “Now you listen here, missy.” Margaret put her hands on her hips and stared down her nose at Kaitlyn as she approached. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but this is my house, and as long as you live under my roof, you’ll abide by my rules. Do you hear me?”

  Kaitlyn startled as the woman’s voice rose with each syllable.

  “I’m speaking to you, child. What are you, deaf?”

  Kaitlyn shook her head, but her mouth couldn’t utter a single word.

  “I’ll expect you to be up each morning at six o’clock sharp. There’s an alarm clock in your room. You’ll bathe, dress, eat and present yourself to Mr. Granger each morning by seven. I won’t tolerate any insolence.” There was that word again. Kaitlyn barely knew what it meant, but she gathered more evidence each passing hour by the context clues.

  “Yes, ma’am,” she mumbled.

  If nothing else, she’d learned how to address the witch over the last fourteen days. Any time she spoke out of turn, she’d been given a lecture about having been raised by animals. It seemed a horrid thing to say, considering her grandmother’s only daughter had raised Kaitlyn, but apparently her mother had been correct when she’d told Kaitlyn there was no love lost between the two.

  A throat clearing across the library had Kaitlyn turning her head. She hadn’t spotted the slender, tall man by the window. He must be the tutor.

  He walked toward Kaitlyn, his head high. His goatee twitched on his chin as he opened his mouth. His gaze was pinned on Kaitlyn. Although he appeared stern and rigid, his eyes told a different story. They were kind. Concerned.

  He must pity her, but he definitely wasn’t like Grandmother. Kaitlyn vowed to make a friend of him. For the next eight years, she’d be with the man day in and day out, learning her “lessons” as Grandmother called them. She had no other options, so she might as well make this relationship one she could tolerate. “I’ll take it from here, Margaret. Don’t worry. I’m sure the child is sharp as a tack. After all, it’s in her genes.” He smiled at Kaitlyn, a twinkle in his eye. Her grandmother couldn’t see his expression, because he’d already stepped beyond the woman’s view.

  “Fine. Well, I hope you have better luck with this one than you ever had with Maggie. That child was a hellion from day one. Please turn this one into a proper lady, will you?”

  “I will.” That was all he said before Grandmother trudged from the room, mumbling to herself on her way toward the door, which she shut behind her with a resounding snick.

  Kaitlyn jumped when Mr. Granger cleared his throat, dragging her attention back to him. This man had also been her mother’s instructor as a child. He didn’t look that old. He must’ve been very young when he’d first become her grandmother’s employee.

  “Your mother was a wonderful woman,” he began. He turned from Kaitlyn and took a seat on the wing-backed chair in the middle of the room. “Please, sit. We might as well get to know one another before we start with lessons.” He smiled, but then sobered. “I’m terribly sorry
for your loss. It must be hard.”

  Kaitlyn didn’t move. She exhaled and tried to regain her wits, recalling what her mother had told her about her tutor. She decided she could trust this man.

  “My mama said nice things about you…often,” she muttered.

  Mr. Granger smiled again. “Well, that’s a relief. I’m sure you and I will get along just fine.” He motioned to the chair across from him and continued. “Please, have a seat. I don’t bite. I promise.”

  And that was how the third week in California began. After fourteen days of living in tortured grief alone, she had a friend, even if he was old enough to be her father. As soon as her lessons were over that afternoon, she nearly ran to the barn. With renewed vigor, she vowed to make several more friends before the day was out.

  She smiled as she entered the stable and paused to take a long whiff of the scent unique to a barn full of horses.

  A man crossed the room and stopped in front of her. He put his hands on his hips and a grin shot across his face from ear to ear. This had to be George. She only knew his first name, but from her mother’s description, this was the man who’d taught her mother to ride. This lanky stable hand would teach Kaitlyn everything she craved to know about life on a farm.

  “Been wondering when you’d show up.” He stuck out a hand and took hers firmly in a shake. “I’m George. Have you ever ridden a horse?”

  Kaitlyn shook her head vigorously. “No, but I sure want to.”

  A low bark dragged her attention to the ball of fur that had squeezed between George’s legs. “This here your pup, miss?”

  Kaitlyn nodded and crouched down to hug her beloved pet. “His name is Max.”

  “Well, he’s a fine one, he is. I reckon he’ll love it here on the farm. I’ve been chasing the little rascal all over. He’s been into all sorts of mischief already.”

  Kaitlyn gasped and glanced up at George. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Oh, don’t you worry yourself none. He’s just been getting the lay of the land, that’s all.” George grinned. “Max and I are going to be close friends.”

  “I hope he won’t cause you any trouble. Grandmother insists he not be in the house. I’ve never actually been separated from him since I got him when I was eight. I was hoping…”

  “Well, you don’t need to hope any more. He’ll be fine. And you can visit him any time you want. I’ll take good care of him.”

  No longer caring about soiling her clothes, Kaitlyn plopped down on the dirt floor and hugged her dog against her chest. “We’re going to be okay, Max. You’ll see.”

  For the first time in two weeks, she actually believed it might be possible. She just might live to adulthood…

  Chapter One

  Twelve years later.

  Micah Durham pulled in front of the house and stared at the unfamiliar little car parked in the driveway. He squinted against the glare. Who would buy a car that neon green color?

  The Durhams didn’t typically get many visitors, so he was curious. He’d been gone for two days, meeting with a potential horse buyer. But neither of his brothers or their mates had informed him of a guest when he’d spoken to them.

  With a grunt, Micah climbed from the cab of his truck and reached toward his feet to stretch his back. His legs were tight and his calves ached. He was only thirty-one for heaven’s sake. It annoyed him that his body rebelled against so many hours spent driving.

  When he straightened, Micah once again glanced at the four-door. He shook his head and walked toward the house. Maybe Juliana or Brianna had made a friend in his absence and had a guest.

  Not likely. For one thing, neither of his sisters-in-law left the farm very often. It was spring. Everyone was busy. Plus, with the threat of a vampire lurking in the area, the women rarely went anywhere unattended.

  Micah climbed the steps to the front door and entered the house. He was glad to be home. After the horrible hotel bed he’d slept on last night, he was anxious to sleep in his own bed tonight.

  “Anyone home?” He shouted the words, chuckling to himself.

  All four of them were home. Everyone’s vehicles were out front, in addition to the appalling green Hyundai Accent that marginally passed for a car. He’d never owned anything besides a truck in his life. Just imagining the size of person who could fit behind the wheel of such a tiny car… Whoever it was had to be a woman. No man would be caught dead owning such a thing.

  “In here.” Juliana’s voice traveled from the kitchen.

  Micah glanced to the left. He could see her behind the island. The entire front of the house was a giant great room with the kitchen and dining area attached.

  He loved this house—which they all referred to as a cabin—as much today as the day he and his two brothers had designed it. Each of them had their own wing jutting off the main living space in a perfect configuration that afforded them privacy while staying connected. That had been long before the women had come along. When Sergius, Jaxon and Micah had worked on the blueprints for this cabin eleven years ago, they’d believed they could avoid mating and remain bachelors for life. Riiight.

  They’d been wrong. Micah was the only one left standing. After watching his brothers succumb to the wiles of their females, he had no doubt his days were numbered. Especially if he kept going out into the world as the face of the family business.

  Yep. The more people he met, the greater his risk of finding a mate. It was a mixed angst. On the one hand, he longed for the relationships his brothers had with their mates. On the other hand, he didn’t look forward to the obvious stress of worrying about a mate’s safety and well-being. He wasn’t ready, but Sergius and Jaxon hadn’t been either. Fate had a way.

  “How’d it go?” Juliana asked.

  Micah smiled at Sergius’s mate. Sure, he liked to pretend his brothers’ mates were actually witches sent to lure them with evil spells. But, truth be told, he envied both brothers. They couldn’t have picked better mates if they’d had a choice. And honestly, the women hadn’t been the ones to “lure” anybody. If anything, they’d both needed a bit of coaxing.

  Not surprising since the women were both human. It was difficult to explain the ways of wolf shifters to a human, and even more challenging when that human was your mate.

  “Fine. I think we have ourselves another buyer.” He wandered toward the kitchen area.

  “Great.” Her face lit up with a broad smile. Too broad.

  “Why are you in such a good mood?” He narrowed his gaze on Juliana. She wasn’t his mate, but still, he knew a diversionary tactic when he saw one. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to see something was going on.

  “Me? No reason.” She ducked her head and resumed chopping something on the island.

  The car.

  “Whose god-awful vehicle is that?” He nodded toward the front of the house.

  “Oh, that. It’s Kaitlyn’s. Isn’t it cute?”

  “Cute?” He shook his head. Did she really find that color attractive? “No. It’s the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen. Who’s Kaitlyn?”

  “No one told you?” She batted her lashes at him, tipping her head to one side. “She’s our new horse trainer. She’s wonderful. You’re going to love her.” Juliana turned, opened the refrigerator and leaned into the cool space. She was avoiding his gaze.

  “Employee? Are you kidding? I thought we’d agreed not to hire anyone right now. Vampire? Remember? Not safe? And a woman?”

  Juliana headed toward the counter, kicking the fridge closed behind her. She had a bundle of carrots and celery.

  Huh. She’d actually been in there for a reason.

  She shot Micah a quick glance before she started chopping. “Yeah, well, things changed.”

  “Things? In the last forty hours you guys managed to kill McKinney and interview prospective horse trainers?” Micah planted his hands on the island and leaned forward.

  The squeak of the screen door had him jerking his head to the right as his brother Sergius entered
the house.

  “What the fuck?” Micah crossed his arms and glared at his brother.

  “Hey to you too. Welcome home.” Sergius nodded and dropped his hat on the counter by the back door.

  “Would you care to explain the decision the four of you made in my absence of only two days?”

  “Calm down, little bro. It snuck up on us. It wasn’t as though we deliberately planned anything behind your back.”

  “Really? ’Cause it sure looks that way to me. We agreed not to hire anyone until there was no longer any threat of imminent death. I know we need the help, but is it worth the risk?” He scowled. His family must’ve been taken over by aliens during his absence.

  Sergius laughed and shook his head as he leaned against the counter. “Yeah, well…wait until you meet Kaitlyn.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Did the woman have some sort of superhuman quality? Micah froze. He tipped his head back and inhaled deeply. Nope. Nothing. This Kaitlyn wasn’t a wolf shifter. The house was filled with the scents of the people he already knew with the new addition of a faint scent of floral perfume, expensive perfume he didn’t recall smelling before.

  “You’ll see for yourself soon enough. In fact, why don’t you head down to the barn now if you’re so curious? I believe a few minutes with Kaitlyn will change your attitude about our decision.”

  “What aren’t you telling me?” Micah approached his brother. He wanted to shake the man for being so evasive.

  “Let’s just say Kaitlyn is…formidable. I think that’s the right word. Her determination made it difficult to deny her. We’re lucky to have her.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Look, Kaitlyn saw our old ad in the local paper. She didn’t call first and set up an appointment. She showed up. She wouldn’t let a simple “no” deter her, and frankly we need her. She’s perfect for the job and willing to accept the fact she’ll be underpaid for her qualifications. She has a degree in veterinary science, an impressive resume and more experience than anyone her age I’ve ever met.