Spirit of the Northwoods

By Auria Jourdain

Struggling to fit in at her new school, junior Shannon Colfax finds herself entangled in a feud with popular football jock Brent Duray after he bullies her autistic twin brother, Shane. After an unlikely savior comes to her rescue—Brent's best friend, Cody Williams—the jock and his entourage devise an immediate retaliation plan: Duray promises to leave Shane alone if Shannon and Cody survive the infamous Paulding Light Challenge and spend the night in a haunted forest on Halloween night. Desperate for vindication, they take the dare.But are the local legends truly paranormal, or are they dealing with something more sinister?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Auria Jourdain
• Release date: Jul 31, 2017
• ISBN: 9781518678165

Auria Jourdain

History buff, Francophile, and hopeless romantic-- the perfect mixture for writing romance! I have fond childhood memories of reading on quiet afternoons. I loved the "happily ever after" sweet teen romances, but I quickly plunged into the world of historical romance--my get-away-from-real-life transporter. Add in a degree in Political Studies with six years of French--twenty years later, I found a new career. With three published works, I'm still trying to decide which sub-genre is my favorite. I started with historical romances, and two of the six, Pure of Heart and Pure Temptation, are now published. My first YA novel, Spirit of the Northwoods, was released in April of 2016 for my 17 year old autistic son during Autism Awareness month, hoping to spread familiarity about the daily struggles that an autistic person endures. Silence the Northwoods, the first book of my Romantic Suspense trilogy, will be released on January 21, 2017. A spin-off of Spirit of the Northwoods, it has many of the same secondary characters, but it’s strictly for adults. I have a New Adult novel I’m working on for NaNaWriMo 2016, and I’d love to try my hand at a sweet romance YA series in the future. I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with my husband of 21 years and my four children. I spend the long winters plotting and scheming my next book, and in the mild summers, my family and I spend every waking moment we can hiking and kayaking the Northwoods. Living fifteen miles from the shores of Lake Superior, my muse is often piqued by the awe-inspiring beauty that surrounds me. I live where I play, and I can't imagine a more fitting place for me!

Book preview

Chapter One

ASHWOOD, MICHIGAN, Upper Peninsula

Has everybody read chapter three? The test is next week, people.

Stifling a yawn, Shannon Colfax gazed out the dirty arched windows of Ashwood Community High School. It was the sixth hour of the day, and Government was her least favorite subject. She could care less about politicians or what they did in Washington. To make it worse, Mr. Garretson was whiny and long-winded. Twirling one of her long, brown curls around her finger, she caught the eye of her friend, Christa Evanson, shaking her head with a smirk. Would it ever end?

After enduring another fifteen minutes of the mind-numbing lecture, the bell finally rang, and she gathered up her things. When Christa joined her in the hall, she groaned. Thank God that’s over. I’m glad this class is only a semester long. Too bad it’s mandatory.

The red-haired girl nodded in agreement. "What in the h-e-l-l are we ever gonna use this for, hey?"

Her friend’s local accent tickled her ears, and Shannon smiled. The people in the U.P. had a distinct intonation, and she loved it. I have no idea.

Just three months ago, she and her twin brother had moved with their mother from a small town in Illinois to Ashwood, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula. Her mom was an Emergency Room physician, and the opportunity to raise her brother and her in a small town was appealing.

Whatever that meant. For Shannon, it meant leaving everything that she had known and loved behind to start a new life in a strange place.

The first month, she’d spent most of her time sulking in her room. But after their first day of school, her outlook changed. She’d met Christa in her Chorus class, and the friendly girl immediately invited Shannon into her little group of friends. The girls had accepted her right away. Since then, she’d spent weekends going to the movies or hanging out at the local diner with her friends to do homework. Despite wanting to prove her mother wrong, Ashwood was slowly starting to feel like home.

Shannon and Christa turned the corner and walked down the hallway. She loved this old building. The whole thing was basically a square and very easy to navigate. It was so different from her old school where all her classes were in different buildings like a college campus. Not only that, in Illinois, she’d had to tote every book from class to class because her locker was in a separate building from most of her advanced courses. In this K-12 center, the high school lectures were held on the third floor. She could stop at her locker and still get to her classes with time to spare.

The deafening din of students filled the hallway as everyone moved to their final class of the day. Christa walked Shannon to the doorway of her English class, and Shannon waved. I’ll see you after school.

Sounds good. Christa raised her eyebrow. Are we going to the football game together tonight?

Shannon sighed. I can’t. Mom’s working, and Mrs. Bearpaw doesn’t like to drive after dark.

Christa wrinkled her nose. Lucky you. I gotta take pictures for the yearbook. I wish you could go with me. It’s more fun mocking the cheerleaders showing off for their boyfriends with you by my side.

Shanna! Hi, Shanna.

The booming sound of her twin’s voice echoed down the corridor, and she turned around. A broad smile spread across Shane’s face, and she waited for them, happy to see his brother fitting in. For years, they’d gone to separate schools because her brother needed individual therapy for his autism. But when they moved, he was integrated into a regular classroom. Now she got to see him every day. Hey, Shane. Hi, Mrs. Petrosky.

He’s in a quite a state today. Mrs. Petrosky gave Shane a weary look. Your mother must be working.

Shannon nodded, patting her brother on the back. Mom has twenty-four hours on, but Mrs. Bearpaw is home if you need to call her.

Mrs. Petrosky brushed her graying hair from her temples with a smile. That isn’t necessary. We worked everything out, didn’t we, Shane?

As her brother plopped his hand down on his aide’s shoulder, she smiled. Even his roughest days here were better than the school he moved from. The older woman had been a blessing as Shane transitioned from Illinois to Michigan. Their move to the Northwoods had been a difficult adjustment for him, despite their mother’s efforts to research the area schools thoroughly to find the best fit for him. Luckily, Shane had adapted well to Mrs. Petrosky, even though they had their days.

Their mom’s new job was demanding, and when she was on call, Shane’s days were always difficult. He loved their live-in housekeeper, Mary Bearpaw, but he was overly attached to their mother. It was one of the reasons their father left. That’s the excuse he’d given their mother. Shannon narrowed her eyes and pushed the disturbing thought aside. At least it’s Friday.

The aide tucked her hair behind her ears. That’s true, hey? One more hour. Come along, Shane. Shannon waved as they walked in the opposite direction.

Bye, Shanna. Shane yelled again, looking at the ground as he waved.

Bye, Shanna.

The hair on the back of her neck rose in anger. She whipped around with clenched fists, ready to battle the idiot that dared mock her twin. Brent Duray. Figures.

She gritted her teeth and glared at the arrogant football star sauntering toward her with his cheerleader girlfriend in tow. The petite blonde with blown-out hair and a toothpick waist, Kaylee Peattie, held Brent’s muscular arm, her thin lips curling upward in a sneer. Not five seconds later, Duray’s entourage stood by his side, most of them senior football players and their girlfriends.

Shannon crossed her arms. She honestly didn’t care if the entire Russian army was at Brent’s heels. Nobody teased her twin and got away with it.

Christa draped an arm over her shoulder. Don’t listen to Duray, girl. He’s always been an idiot.

She gave her friend a thankful smile. She could always count on Christa to have her back.

The blond, muscular jock sneered. "Yeah, Shanna, I ain’t good enough to talk to you, your mom being a doctor and all."

Shannon clenched her teeth, throwing the jerk a menacing growl. Since day one, she and Duray had been at odds. It started when she’d overheard the senior linebacker making fun of her brother in the cafeteria. She immediately stood up for Shane and told Brent off in front of the whole fourth-period lunch. Apparently, nobody but her had ever had the courage to stand up to him because his father was some bigwig lawyer in town. Since then, he’d made it a daily priority to get under her skin.

Leave them alone, Duray.

Who was that? Shannon on her tiptoes to see who had come to her rescue, but she couldn’t see a thing. Being short had always been a curse. I can’t see! Who said that?

Cody Williams! Bouncing on her toes, Christa tugged on her arm.

Lifting her brow, Shannon shifted from one foot to the other as a sudden warmth spread through her. By far, Cody was the nicest guy at Ashwood High. She didn’t know much about the senior except that he was a good student and his dad was the sheriff. Her mother had mentioned him after she’d worked a case with the sheriff at the hospital. Apparently, his mother had died when he was in grade school. Christa said a lot of the kids didn’t want to hang with him because his father was the county sheriff. Unfortunately, she had the same problem with her mother being a doctor.

Cody pushed his way to the front of the crowd, and Brent scowled, immediately taking his irritation out on his friend. Shut up, Williams.

Don’t be stupid, Brent. You want them to suspend you from another game? We can’t afford a loss because you can’t control your temper, dude.

Shannon sighed. Unfortunately, Cody was also Brent’s best friend. And he was right. The jock had been reprimanded once already for bullying. He had to sit out two games—including the homecoming championship—for harassing a kid in his gym class.

The crowd in the hall was becoming restless, and several students called out to see why everyone had stopped. At that moment, Mrs. Marcus, the AP English teacher, stepped into the hallway. Removing her glasses from her pinched nose, she folded her arms and glared at the football player sternly.

Are you having issues, Mr. Duray?

At the older woman’s reprimand, Brent cursed under his breath, piercing Cody with a sharp stare. Whatever, Williams. Shaking his head, he stepped around Mrs. Marcus and strolled down the hall.

Sighing in relief, Shannon gave the teacher an appreciative grin and waved to Christa. Text me. Let me know what happens tonight.

As the crowd moved on, she caught Cody’s gaze and smiled her thanks. Brushing his sandy blonde hair from his brilliant blue eyes, he nodded and gave her a lopsided grin.

Biting her lip, she looked away, heat racing through her body. Gah, he was so cute. Even a geeky girl like her could take her nose out of her book and ogle a boy like Cody. With a quick glance back, she tried to get another glimpse. His girlfriend, Maddie Ackerman, glared at her. Linking her arm through his, Maddie ushered him quickly down the hall.

Shannon huffed a sigh. That’s what I get for being the smart girl.

Unloading her books at her assigned desk, she sat in her chair and pulled her literature book out of her backpack as the bell rang. As Mrs. Marcus began her lecture, she couldn’t focus on anything but Cody Williams. Her stomach did a little flip, and she raked her fingers through her curls.

She hadn’t talked to him much outside of class, but he’d put Duray in his place...sort of. Brent’s ego was legendary on and off the field. Not much seemed to phase that butt munch.

But she loved that Cody stood up for her and Shane. At the very least, she’d gotten a tiny bit of vindication for her brother.

Chapter Two

WHEN THE FINAL BELL of the day rang, a mass of students filled the halls, anxious to start their weekend. Shannon sat on a bench near the exit of the school with her literature book in hand, waiting for Shane. Every day, they walked home together and chatted. Actually, she talked while he listened. It was the same routine they’d followed since the start of school.

Shane could only say a few words...hi, goodbye, and mom. And he’d always called her Shanna. Despite what people believed, Shane wasn’t cognitively impaired. A few years ago, their mother had bought him a tablet specifically made to help non-verbal people talk with others. It was rather new technology and difficult to maneuver at first. However, Shane picked it up quickly, and they’d discovered he was more aware of things going on around him than they thought. In fact, he was more intelligent than her in a lot of ways. He was certainly a genius when it came to computers. This year, Shane was taking a few advanced classes, and he often had to help her with algebra.

Hey there.

Glancing up in surprise, Shannon met Cody Williams’ brilliant pools of blue. A slight smile curved at his lips, and her pulse raced. Good lord, he had the most beautiful eyes she’d ever seen. That was the first thing she’d remembered the day she met him. He’d introduced himself during their advanced algebra class, and she could hardly get a word out, losing herself in the turquoise depths of his gaze. He was always brushing his sandy blonde hair off his forehead, which only brought her attention back his eyes.

He stifled a smile, and a small dimple puckered in his left cheek. Clearing her throat, she put her book aside and squirmed uncomfortably. It wouldn’t be good to get hung up on a guy that already had a girlfriend. Hi, Cody. Thanks for sticking up for my brother today.

Removing his backpack, he sat next to her on the bench. I’m sorry Brent’s acting like such a loser. Guy’s got real problems.

She shook her head, finally meeting his eyes. I’m used to it. I’ve been dealing with idiots like that since Shane and I started school.

Yeah, well, just because his dad’s a fancy lawyer, he thinks he can treat others like crap. I wish someone would put him in his place.

Like you did today? She smiled.

Nah, that wasn’t anything. I’ve known Duray for years, so he doesn’t take anything I say seriously. In the awkward silence, Cody ran his hands through his hair again. So, um, what is it with your brother? He’s retarded?

A flash of anger swept through her, and she gave him a frosty look. No, not at all. With a frustrated sigh, she stood. She was so sick of ignorant people. Sometimes she’d explain Shane’s condition, hoping to spread a little knowledge about autism. But after Duray’s assholery, she wasn’t in the mood. She thought since Cody had come to her rescue, he’d be different. He’s no better than Duray.

Shane and his aide waved in the distance. Gathering her backpack, she muttered, I’ll see you later. She hurried down the hall, leaving Cody to stare after her.

Wait!

Walking faster, she refused to acknowledge the desperate plea in his husky voice. Wiping her eyes with her sleeve, she sucked in a lungful of air, praying she wouldn’t cry. There was a reason she kept her nose in the books. Even the cute ones were jerks.

Case in point.

When she reached Shane and Mrs. Petrosky, she glanced back, but Cody wasn’t there. Swallowing hard, she dropped her shoulders. So much for my hero. She smiled at her brother. Hey, bud. You ready?

Shane’s intense gaze pierced through her as he gave her a short nod. After years of therapy, he had been taught to look people in the eye, and to most, it didn’t feel natural. If it were anybody else, it might make her feel uncomfortable, too, but she didn’t think anything of it anymore. He was who he was. That was good enough for her.

Saying a quick goodbye to Mrs. Petrosky, they walked down the hall and out the main doors. As they headed toward home in silence, she couldn’t help but think about the difficulties her brother faced in everyday life. True, he never seemed affected by the rude comments or teasing. The bullies had been her biggest challenge.

She stared at him and tried to see him as others did. His short, dark hair and thin build didn’t particularly set him apart from any other boy his age. His head was perhaps a little bigger than most, but that was merely genetics. He resembled their dad. He loved video games, and except for his inability to talk, he wasn’t any different than other teenage boys. She shook her head, her chin trembling as sadness hollowed her out.

It’s not fair.

Shane stopped. As she caught up with him, he took the tablet hanging by a strap around his shoulder, he opened his speech app and typed furiously.

You’re too quiet. What is the matter?

The sharp, robotic voice her twin had chosen to represent himself reverberated in her ears.

She gripped the strap of her backpack tighter and blinked the tears from her eyes. Nothing.

Come on, Shanna, tell me.

She rolled her eyes and wiped the wetness from her cheeks with her sleeve. What in the freak was wrong with her today? She couldn’t get her damn emotions under control. Can’t you change that voice? I hate it.

He tilted his head, typing diligently yet again. When he returned his attention to her, his signature half smile lit up his face.

Is that better? Now, tell me what is going on, dear sister. You cannot lie to me.

She burst out laughing. He’d changed his new voice to a British male. He always knew how to make her feel better. Placing her hand on his shoulder, she urged him to keep walking. I’m all right, little brother. We’d better get home. Mrs. Bearpaw will be wondering where we are. On days their mom worked, they usually had to walk home because Mrs. Bearpaw wasn’t comfortable driving around town.

Pulling her jacket tighter, she shivered. The crisp autumn wind had kicked up, though Shane hadn’t seemed to notice. He still lumbered along at his trademark snail’s pace. She never walked ahead of him. She didn’t want him to feel bad. That’s probably why she spent most of her time filling the long walk with mundane conversation. So, are you and Thomas getting along?

He nodded and typed. Yes. But he likes model cars, and that’s all he wants to talk about. I hate model cars.

Do you talk to him about video games? Teasing him, she nudged him with her elbow. Her brother’s obsession with online games had caused more than one argument in their household. Their mother had limited him to two hours of play time after school.

He nodded.

Yes, but he plays them too. I hate cars.

You can’t talk to your friends about the computer all the time, Shane. You gotta let others have a chance to tell you what they like. Dipping his brow, he arched his left eyebrow, staring at her as if to say you’re crazy, woman. She stifled a laugh. Mom would say the same thing.

When they turned into the gas station parking lot on the corner, the blaring of a car horn from behind them took them by surprise. A black Ford Ranger pulled up next to Shane, and he typed.

Who is that?

The driver rolled the truck window down, and Shannon froze. Cody Williams gazed at her, his brilliant eyes searing right through her. Jutting her chin out, she squared her shoulders. What do you want, Williams?

Raking his fingers through his hair, he leaned against the half-open window. Where are you heading? You want a lift?

No thanks, we can walk. She pulled on her brother’s coat sleeve to guide him toward the sidewalk

He broke away with a quick nod and jumped in the extended cab of Cody’s truck. She glowered at her mutinous twin. He hated walking, and he’d jump onto the devil’s horse if it meant saving himself the mile-long walk home.

With a heavy sigh, she rolled her eyes and opened the passenger side door. Snapping the seatbelt in place, she muttered, Thanks. We live near the college.

Cody nodded and flicked his signal light before pulling out into traffic. Glancing in his rearview mirror, he smiled at Shane. Hey, I’m Cody Williams.

Turning his attention to Cody, Shane pierced him with his hazel eyes and then typed quickly. Cheerio, Cody, thanks for the ride.

His signature finger wiggle followed.

As Cody laughed, she slapped her forehead and moaned. Sorry. He likes anything and everything British.

They drove in an awkward silence, and Cody finally cleared his throat. So, are you going to the game tonight?

She cocked her head with a frown. No. Where’s Maddie? Don’t you usually drive her home?

Pursing his lips, he tapped his thumbs against the steering wheel and stared at the road. Big game tonight. The cheerleaders have to be there until it’s over.

She fiddled with one of her earrings. Were the rumors about Cody and his longtime girlfriend true?  She’d heard they weren’t getting along. Shifting against the seat, she glanced out the window nervously  before crossing her ankles. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. Maddie was one of the popular cheerleaders and a very jealous girl. So far, Shannon had stayed on her good side, but she was treading into dangerous territory by even accepting a ride from Cody.

Nope. Not gonna go there.

She twirled one of her ringlet curls around her finger. Think the football team will win tonight?

Cody barked a laugh. Hell no. Washburn’s the best in the division. There’s no way we’ll beat them.

Are you going?

Cody gave her a lopsided grin. Nah, my dad and I are going out to dinner together tonight. It’s just the two of us, and he works a lot. It’s our special thing we do.

That’s nice. She shoved her hands in her coat pocket and bit her lip. What was it like to have family dinners without siblings and a mother? Her mom and dad might not be together, but she could still pick up the phone and call her father if she needed to hear his voice. Not that I need him that often.

Are we getting close? Cody interrupted her thoughts.

As they passed Harlow Road, she nodded. Our drive is to the right, just past the hardware store.

When he turned and maneuvered the long driveway, he lifted an eyebrow. Wow, I didn’t realize there were houses up here. Following the winding road, they turned the bend, and the two-story Cape Cod house ascended from the mountain in all its glory. Sitting on four acres, the white giant dwarfed the nearby homes. Skylights dotted its many pitched roofs, and the house had a nearly one-hundred eighty-degree view of Silvercap Mountain, the local ski hill just across the way. Her room faced north, and she’d even been able to see the Auroras.

"Holy crap. You live here?" His eyes widened as he stared out the window.

Heat crept up her neck, and she brushed her hand across her cheek with a nervous laugh. It isn’t ours. We rent it. It was the only thing mom could find at such short notice. The seven-car garage is a little much. I mean, who has seven cars, right?

Cody pulled to a stop near the door. Un-freaking-believable. He turned around in his seat and gaped, apparently attempting to get a full view of the house.

Shane jumped out of the truck without haste and strode into the house. Shaking her head at her brother’s lack of manners, she gathered her backpack and opened the

door. Sorry. My brother isn’t much of a talker.

Shannon, wait. Cody rested his hand on her arm.

The hot pulse of his fingers whispered against her skin, and her breath caught as her heart pounded furiously. Ugh, why did her body have to fail her now? Sixteen years without noticing a guy, and today, her hormones had decided to mutiny? Not smart, especially with this one. She leaned against the door.

Listen, I’m sorry about what I said about your brother. I didn’t mean to offend you.

Ducking her head, she lifted her shoulder in a shrug. Don’t worry about it. It’s just been one of those days, and I didn’t feel like explaining my brother’s condition. Thanks for sticking up for him, though. And thanks again for the ride home.

Climbing out of the truck, she gave Cody a shy nod. As he drove off, her gaze