Blessings and Curses by Lynn Shurr

Author:Lynn Shurr
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary romance, Cajuns, Louisiana, love potions, undercover wildlife agents, game wardens, park rangers, traiteurs, Alaska
Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc.
Published: 2023-03-12T00:00:00+00:00

THE LANDRY FAMILY ARRIVED at Stone Haven Lodge in a four-wheel-drive vehicle Pete insisted on renting at the airport. “You know Dad or Uncle Mike would have come for us,” Adrienne asserted several times on the long trip into the mountains.

“Stoney, I learned one thing as an undercover wildlife agent—always have a reliable escape plan. The last time I saw your father and Uncle Mike, they threatened to do vile things to me if I ever made you unhappy.”

His experience with snow and mountain roads being limited, Pete drove slowly, anticipating every twist and turn. The rumble of the big engine put Fiver to sleep in his car seat.

“I’m not unhappy. You were right. There are advantages to having two children close together. We get all the mess out of the way at once. They’ll be great companions, and we’ve completed our family.” Adrienne studied the road. “Turn left at the mailbox with the cardinals painted on it. The lodge is at the end of the road.”

“Then why didn’t you call your family right away with the happy news?” Pete queried.

“I wanted it to be a surprise, a Christmas surprise,” she claimed.

“Like last time, right?” Pete drove more and more slowly the closer they got to the lodge, but inevitably, the road did come to an end.

As soon as the SUV was spotted by the two lanky teenage boys goofing around on the porch, Stone family members began pouring out of the rustic cabin. “Outnumbered,” muttered Pete, checking the lane behind him in the rearview mirror as if memorizing his escape route. He parked the car, helped Adrienne down, and began loading himself up with suitcases and baby paraphernalia.

Stoney wrapped Fiver in his blue blanket and lifted him from his seat. She moved through the crowd of outheld arms directly to the tall figure of Ned Stone standing at the back of the group. “Here he is Dad, your grandson.” She handed him the baby.

Her father took the child in his big hands, holding him out for study. He somberly regarded the fringe of straight black hair sticking out from under the silly cap with its big pompom, the narrow sapphire blue eyes looking into his own, the length of the flailing arms and legs.

“He looks like a Stone through and through, Adrienne. That’s good. Not a trace of his father.”

Fiver, who had been returning this stranger’s stare, was suddenly distracted by a flash of red to his right and the sound of silver bells. Grandma Sophie closed in for a chance to hold her great-grandson. She wore a crimson sweater with jingle bells ties. Her curly white hair fluffed out around her head, and her face filled with joy. When she stopped dying her hair back to its natural red over a decade ago, she’d vowed to wear colors she always avoided as a compensation for old age, and now she wore red with impunity. The winter sun glinted off her Christmas bells. Fiver wiggled in Sophie’s direction, held out his arms, and unleashed his smile.

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