Stormstruck Excerpt
Nell dabbed at her eyes, and Luke helped her to rise. Then, one-by-one, they all approached, took a rose, and silently dropped it down onto the casket.
After the last rose had been placed, Nell turned to them and spoke. “Thank you for coming. Having you here made saying this final goodbye more bearable. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you all again in the next couple of days.”
With goodbyes all around, the others got into their vehicles and left. She turned to look one more time at the grave and then reached for Luke. He took her hand. “I’ll make some coffee when we get to the house while you change into something comfortable.”
She sighed. “That sounds wonderful.”
It wasn’t far to the ranch house, and as he helped her out of the truck, she said, “I’m so glad you’re here, Luke.”
“I am too. Thanks for allowing me to stay.”
They walked up the porch steps and, after unlocking the door, she headed for her bedroom. His chest tightened at the sound of her heels tapping on the hardwood floor. He’d always loved that sound. To him it was sexy, bringing to mind long, curved, bare legs and pretty little feet.
He banished the thought as he walked toward the kitchen. He was there to comfort Nell and nothing else. She wanted company so she wouldn’t be alone with her grief, and that’s what he’d provide.
He slid a pod into the coffee machine and closed the lid. The soft whir filled the kitchen, steady and ordinary. The smell of coffee grounded him in a way nothing else had all day. He thought about how Nell took it, with cream and sugar, and whether this caffeine was too late in the day—anything but how aware he was of her moving down the hall. Desire was still there, quiet and contained, but caring for her came first. He wrapped his hands around the mug as the machine clicked off, breathing easier than he had in hours. He would be there for Nell. They’d relax, watch their movie, and when she got hungry again, they’d eat. And he’d stay however late she wanted him to.
After making a second cup black for himself, he headed into the living room and sat on the leather sofa, putting the coffee mugs on the table in front of it.
Nell came in wearing a T-shirt and a pair of soft gray joggers.
“You look much more comfortable,” he commented.
She smiled and took a seat next to him. “I am, believe me.”
He noticed that her face looked blotchy. Had she just been crying? He handed her the coffee he’d made.
She took a sip and smiled. “You always make my coffee perfectly. Not too sweet. Just like I like it.”
“I’ll have to remember how I do it then.”
He picked up his mug and took a sip. “If you want to talk, I’m a good listener.”
Tears formed in her eyes and her mouth crumpled. “I don’t think I can. I just want to be here with you tonight and not think about my granddad.”
He reached for her hand. “That’s what we’ll do then.”
He picked up the remote and quickly found the movie menu on one of the streaming services. Then he handed it to her. “Find something you like.”
She nodded and started slowly scrolling. Eventually, she clicked on a romantic comedy, saying, “This should perk us up.”
He smiled. “Looks like it. I haven’t seen it before. Have you?”
“Yes, and I love it. There’re several places where I actually laugh out loud.”
“That’s exactly what we need.” He settled against the back of the couch and stretched out his legs, crossing his boots.
She seemed to relax as well as the movie started. In a moment, her hand stole across the small space between them, and she touched his fingers.
He glanced at her and then gently clasped her hand.
She sighed softly, a tiny smile curving her lips.
His heart swelled with yearning and a need to protect her. And something else. The old want that was always there grew and filled his chest.
He fought it. Nell needed a friend now. Someone she could lean on without strings. And he would be that man. He tried to concentrate on the movie, but he’d lost the thread.
Nell chuckled and glanced at him.
He smiled and nodded as if he’d gotten the silliness on-screen.
That was the way it went for the next hour and a half because he couldn’t focus on anything but her. With sidelong glances and his acute hearing, he monitored her well-being, and she seemed to improve. The movie had been a good idea.
When it was over, she looked at him and smiled. “That was great. I just love that movie. Did you like it?”
“It was great.” He fudged the truth since he hadn’t really paid attention. “Why don’t we see what Lola made for dinner?”
“Good idea. I think I could eat now.”
He helped her up, and they headed for the kitchen. With his hand at her lower back, he could feel the slight sway of her body as she walked, and it aroused him. He gritted his teeth, determined to master his reaction.
Nell opened the fridge. “Yum, fried chicken and mashed potatoes. There’s gravy and braised brussels sprouts too.” She took some containers out and put them on the table.
He retrieved a couple more and then set out two plates. “I found an apple pie. Lola’s made us a feast.”
Nell had only picked at her food at the reception, but now she filled her plate with what seemed like a good appetite. After heating their food in the microwave, they sat down to eat.
He took a bite of chicken and rolled his eyes. “God, I love Lola’s cooking. You’re a lucky woman, Nell.”
She smiled. “Don’t I know it. These mashed potatoes are killer.”
They both ate well, and seeing her eat her fill lessened his worry. They rinsed their dishes and put them in the dishwasher before leaving the kitchen.
“Would you like me to stay a while longer, or are you ready for some time to yourself?” he asked as they entered the living room again.
She bit her lip for a second or two before replying. “Honestly, I’m worried I won’t sleep tonight.” Then she grimaced. “I’ve taken up too much of your time though, I’m sure.”
He reached out and touched her arm. “I’m glad I could be here with you, Nell. You don’t have to worry on that account. And I’m happy to stay.”
She sighed in relief. “I’d like that then.” She walked over to the couch and sat down, patting the place next to her.
He joined her, and she leaned against his shoulder. “I’ve never felt lonely in this house, even when Granddad was gone off somewhere. Now I feel incredibly alone.”
“I can’t imagine what this is like for you. You’ve had so much loss in your life. I can only assure you that I’ll be here for you. And I’m just a little way down the ranch drive. You can come to my place anytime, day or night, if you’re feeling all alone. I’ll put the coffee on or make hot chocolate if it’s late. That’s what I drink when I wake up and can’t sleep.”
She clasped his hand, squeezing it tightly. “Thanks, Luke. I might do that. This is a big old house to be in all by myself.” Then she said, “I was never bothered by being alone back in Boston. It’s just here, where I’ve always had Granddad, that it’s so awful.”
“I can see why that would be,” he said. “Maybe by being really busy during the day, you’ll be sleepy come bedtime, and it won’t be so hard when you go to bed.”
She sighed. “I hope you’re right.” Then she turned his hand over and looked at his palm. “Are these calluses from roping?”
“Probably. There’s also shoveling, working with pipe fencing panels, and all sorts of other things too.”
She ran her fingertips lightly over his palm, causing a shiver of desire to run through him. He clenched his fist, fighting for control. How else was he supposed to react, though, to the only woman he’d been truly drawn to in ten long years?
“I wish you didn’t have to leave at all,” she whispered. “I feel so comfortable, so safe, with you here.”
“Are you scared to be in this house by yourself?” His pulse had picked up. Did she feel threatened here on the ranch?
She shook her head. “Not scared. No. Just totally alone. Like I’m surrounded by silence and space, and I’m in the middle of that all by myself.”
“Aw, honey, I’m so sorry.” He put his arm around her and hugged her close. “Everyone on this ranch is your family now. And Lola and I live here so, even at night, you’re not alone. If you hear strange noises, or if you’re just feeling lonely, call me. I’ll come over and we’ll sit here on this couch and talk it out or just hang out until you feel better. Okay?”
She sighed. “I can’t believe I’m feeling this way. I’m a professional, independent woman, and I’ve never felt like this in my life. Well, except when I first moved away for college, but I was just a kid then, barely eighteen.”
“Tom was your only real family, your anchor, and losing him tilted your world on its axis. Of course you’re feeling at a loss. It’ll pass and, knowing you, pretty quickly.”
“I’m sure you’re right. Thanks, that makes me feel better.” She seemed to relax; he wanted to kiss the crown of her head but restrained himself. Holding her felt amazing, though. He’d imagined this so many times, but the reality was so much better.
They stayed cuddled against each other for the longest time. When her eyes had been closed for at least ten minutes and her breathing had become slow and even, he worried that she’d fallen asleep. She needed to be in bed where she could truly relax. He cupped her face in his palm and said quietly, “Nell? Honey, why don’t you get up and go to bed? You’re tired and I know you’ll be able to sleep.”
Her eyes slowly opened but took a moment to focus on his face. She licked her lips and yawned, “Sorry. I fell asleep.”
He smiled and helped her to rise. She seemed a bit wobbly, so he walked with his arm around her to her room.
She turned just inside the door and smiled. “Thanks for tonight, Luke.” Then she hugged him tightly for a long moment.
He put his arms around her, memorizing the way her body felt as she clung to him. “You’re welcome anytime, Nell,” he breathed. Then he stepped back and shut her bedroom door. He left the lights on in the house in case she got up in the night but locked the door after himself. As he climbed into his truck, he glanced back at the house, noting that the light was off in her bedroom. He hoped she would fall quickly back to sleep.
He wasn’t so sure that he’d have that same pleasure. He’d be thinking about holding her, how sweet she’d felt in his arms, how amazing it had been spending the evening with her. He’d dreamed of a night like this, and now it had happened. God, how could he refrain from reacting to her with nights like this in his future? Because he was sure that Nell would call on him again.