Hurricane

by Taige Crenshaw

  Julianne cleared her throat, then said, “When they sent me home, Rissa couldn’t come with me. I didn’t like it. But he assured me he would keep watch at night over her. That gave me some comfort. When I visited, I took Rissa and we spent the time in his room. Talked about everything and anything. I remember, one day, I went to his room and, seeing he had a visitor, I didn’t want to interrupt. But what the visitor said made me so sad. I went in. The man who was visiting was so kind to me. He seemed to know who I was, seems my saviour had told him all about me. When the visitor left, I told him I was sorry he couldn’t be a firefighter anymore. He shrugged it off and said he would be an investigator instead.”

  Keenan sat up. Realisation dawned.

  Julianne nodded. “Morgan was the man who saved me and Rissa. He was the first man who held Rissa that she bonded with. And the visitor was Tommy. Until the barbeque, I didn’t know those were the same men who I met eight years ago. The next day, after Morgan said he was going to be an investigator, I went to his hospital room with Rissa and he was gone. The nurse gave me a note he’d left. All it said was, ‘You all will weather any hurricane.’ I asked, but they wouldn’t give me his full name. Hospital policy. Even my sister said she couldn’t, because of the policy and at Morgan’s request. That day at the barbecue, I was shocked to see him. I confronted him about it. He tried to brush it off but I was having none of it. His explanation again humbled me. He didn’t want me to have any bad memories of what happened. And that was what him being around was.” Julianne made a rude noise. “I cleared him up about that notion. Took a bit for me to get him to have dinner and to agree to meet Rissa. I told her who he was. When they met, it was as if she knew him. The two of them are a handful together.” She laughed softly, then sobered. “I should have told you.”

  “No. I understand.” He did.

  It was shocking, the story she told. The fear, loss and pain she’d experienced during that time was so painful to hear. Now, hearing it, he understood why she had introduced Morgan to Rissa. And what she said had happened with Morgan in the hospital…it sounded just like Morgan. It cleared up why Morgan and Tommy had been so close-lipped when he had asked them about Julianne. He made a mental note to thank Morgan for saving Julianne and Rissa. Keenan chuckled silently. Morgan would be rude about it, but he was going to do it. Julianne’s words caught his attention

  “No. I should have let you get to know Rissa. At first, I convinced myself it was me protecting her. But I was afraid to let you in.” Julianne rubbed her braid and bit her lip, lowering her head. “I know what I did hurt you. I’m sorry. And I hope you can forgive me.”

  “Tell me the words again,” Keenan demanded.

  He slid closer to her. Julianne’s head rose, her golden eyes brimming with emotion.

  “I love you, Keenan,” she said, her musical lilt filling his senses.

  He pulled her into his arms, settling her in his lap. Keenan smiled. Julianne pursed her lips, then narrowed her eyes.

  “Tell me,” she demanded.

  “I love you, Julianne.” Keenan ran a finger down her nose.

  She held his finger and kissed it. Keenan pulled her in, kissing her tenderly. She moaned, pressing against him. Keenan rubbed her back but Julianne pulled away.

  “Wait. I want you to get to know Rissa.”

  “That’s okay. I can wait until you feel ready,” Keenan assured.

  “I’m ready. Way past ready. The two most important people in my life need to get together. Tomorrow night,” she said firmly.

  “Okay,” Keenan replied.

  Julianne moved to get up. He held her in place.

  “Where are you going? I need you right here.” Keenan kissed her.

  “Umm…in a minute. I need to show you something first.” She pulled out of his arms and stood.

  She picked up a small box from by the chair he hadn’t noticed before. Keenan glanced between her and the box. Julianne sat beside him. He put his arm over her shoulder. She placed the box on his lap.

  “I went through some of the things I have about Charles. I want to share my memories…of him…what we had…with you.” Julianne’s voice was soft.

  “You don’t have to do that,” Keenan said, running his hand along her shoulder.

  “I know. I want to. He’s part of what makes me who I am. And Rissa. My future needs to meet my past,” Julianne said.

  Keenan kissed the side of her face. “Okay. Tell me about Charles.”

  Julianne lifted the lid of the box and took out a picture. Keenan studied the two young kids.

  “I met Charles and Regina when I moved to Singleton. Regina and I were twelve. Charles was thirteen.”

  Keenan was startled. When she said childhood sweetheart, she had meant it. He knew she and Regina were close, but not that they had been friends for so long.

  “Regina and I became instant friends. Charles, on the other hand… Boy, did I hate his guts. He was an icky boy and loved to torment me. Eventually, Charles and I became friends. You know how they say girls mature faster than boys? Well, it’s true. By the time we became friends, I knew I was going to marry him some day. Told him, too. He scoffed, of course, and ran. I ran him down and jumped on him and sat on him.” She laughed.

  Keenan chuckled. “Even then you were a woman who knew what she wanted. And how to get it.”

  “I did. Charles, of course, didn’t like it one bit. Hell, I told my parents, too. They just humoured me, not believing me. No one did, except Regina. She and I used to plan how my and Charles’ wedding would be. And when Regina got married, how hers would take place. We spent hours playing weddings. Even though he denied we would ever wed, Charles would always be the groom to my bride in our games. He might have refused to face it, but I knew Charles was going to be my husband. Meeting him changed my life.” Julianne looked at Keenan, cocking her head to the side. “Just like I knew when I met you that you would change my life, too. And you have. I love you, Honey Boyfriend.” She winked.

  “You can get away with that when you say those words. I love you.” He kissed her.

  Julianne smiled. “Now, more about Charles and me. He…”

  Keenan listened and laughed at the pictures she showed him of Charles, Regina and herself. The pictures spanned their teenage years.

  “Who’s that?” Keenan pointed to the tall, gangly looking teenager who was in the current picture.

  “Spencer. That was the year he moved to Singleton. Boy, Reggie knew when she saw him that he was her husband. Poor Spencer didn’t know what to make of her. But I could see he liked her too. After this, we became the four musketeers. All for one and one for all.” She smiled, tracing the picture with her finger.

  “What’s going on with them?” Keenan asked.

  He remembered the hospital and Spencer’s stumble over saying wife. And from how closely the friends and Locke family interacted he hadn’t once seen Spencer, which he thought strange.

  “They’re having problems. I hope they work it out. It would be good to have them as part of our lives,” Julianne said.

  Keenan glanced at her, startled. She might have said she loved him, but he wasn’t expecting her to be thinking long term. At least not yet.

  “That’s enough for now.” He put the pictures back in the box, closing the lid. Keenan placed it on the side table. He stood, pulling her up with him. Nuzzling the side of her face, he whispered, “I’ve missed making you blush.”

  Julianne shuddered. “I’ve missed you.”

  Keenan lifted her into his arms. Julianne wrapped her legs around him. He kissed her, walking up the steps and to his bedroom. Laying her on the bed, he undressed her, then himself. Sheathing his erection, Keenan blanketed her body. In one thrust, they joined. The hitch of her breath and welcome of her body was like coming home. He stroked into her clenching pussy.

  “Keenan.” Her voice had deepened with her desire.

  With slow, measured thrusts, he moved inside her. Keenan watched as the colour of her ey
es deepened to that smoky gold. She clenched her teeth, arching under him. Her pussy tightened around him as she moved. Julianne’s breath feathered over his lips and he stroked into her body. Her frame had become as familiar to him as his own. He rolled his hips and she gave that sound—the one that signalled she was overcome with need.

  “Keenan,” she moaned.

  The breathlessness of her tone made him snap his hips to go deeper, but he didn’t move faster, keeping easy and lazy thrusts. Julianne slid her hands along his back moving them in an up and down motion. Goosebumps raised on his skin at the touch. In that moment, Keenan knew that even decades from now he’d never tire of her touch on his skin. Just like he loved to taste her skin, Julianne enjoyed touching and he’d come to anticipate her hands on his body as she explored him, driving him into a frenzy of passion.

  Julianne raised her legs to cradle his body. Keenan moved—each slide of them together resonated in his body and settled in his soul. This was their first time after admitting their love and Keenan wanted to make sure to claim her as his. Julianne’s eyes were filled with her love for him. Keenan’s throat clogged as he watched them.

  “Blush for me, Honey Love,” she whispered.

  The flush rose on his face and Keenan smiled at this woman who made him feel so much. The one who returned it and made him a much better man for it.

  Julianne, as if reading his mind, said, “I’m a better woman with you, Keenan. With you I am alive once again.”

  The tears he felt in his throat flowed from his eyes. Through a vision filled with water he watched her. Julianne’s own eyes were damp as tears slid out, wetting her cheek. Keenan lowered his lips and licked her tears. Julianne did the same on his face, her gentle swipes of her tongue making him feel strong yet cherished. He was humbled by this phenomenal woman who loved him enough to finally let him in. He thrust, slow and easy. Julianne countered his motions with the same slow rhythm. The intensity of their joining was on a deeper level. He kissed her, tasting the sounds she was making. Her familiar scent of honeysuckle and peaches enveloped him. Keenan groaned, rocking against her. She clenched around him, arching as she came, coating his cock. He shuddered, joining her in release before slumping over her. Julianne kissed the top of his head and Keenan sighed, resting against her.

  “Love you,” Julianne said sleepily.

  “Love you,” he said, slipping into sleep.

  Keenan wiped his hand on the side of his jeans. He took a deep breath and pressed the doorbell. Julianne opened the door.

  “Hey, Keenan.” She kissed him.

  “Julianne.” Keenan hugged her briefly.

  “No need to be nervous.”

  “What if she doesn’t like me?” He was nervous, and didn’t even try to hide it.

  “Rissa is like her mama. Impeccable taste. She’ll love you, and, if not, there’s always bribery. She’s fond of books.” Julianne smirked.

  “I’ll remember that.” Keenan couldn’t help but chuckle at her look. She was enjoying his unease and he didn’t mind one bit.

  “Go with her to the bookstore, and she’ll be your lifelong friend. We’ll take her to my sister’s bookstore sometime. She’s liking Christina Rossetti at the moment.”

  “We can do that.” Keenan smiled, pleased they were making future plans.

  Julianne making plans for the three of them made warm feelings fill him. Since Rissa was in the same class as his niece, he knew that she was in advanced studies. From the little interaction he’d had with her the day they’d rollerbladed, he knew she was smart. He made a mental note to brush up on his poetry. He enjoyed reading, too, but hadn’t read any poems in a while.

  Julianne led him into the living room. They stopped in the doorway. Rissa was sitting on the couch reading a book.

  “Rissa, he’s here.”

  Rissa glanced up and smiled. She jumped off the couch and ran to him. She stopped just before him.

  “Hi, Mr Callaghan,” Rissa said.

  Her smile was just like Julianne’s.

  “Hello, Rissa.” He put out his hand.

  Rissa glanced at it, then pulled her braid over her shoulder and played with the edge. She cocked her head to the side. Keenan stifled a smile. It was the same thing her mother did. He waited to see what she wanted to say. Rissa made a ‘come here’ gesture. Keenan crouched. Rissa reached out and ran a finger down his nose. Keenan steadied himself, almost losing his balance.

  “Mom said that you do that for people who are special to you. She said it was okay for me, too, since you’ll be special to us.” Rissa bit her lip.

  “Your mommy is right. And you both are very special to me.” Keenan smiled and moved his finger along her nose.

  Rissa giggled. Keenan stood. Julianne put her arm around his waist and he put his around hers.

  “So, are you ready for some bowling?” Keenan asked.

  “Yes. But I haven’t done it before. Will you show me how?” Rissa asked.

  “It will be my pleasure,” Keenan said.

  “Good. Let me put my book away.” Rissa ran back to the couch and grabbed her book.

  She left the room and Keenan glanced at Julianne. She cupped his cheek, and he kissed her.

  “Kissy face!” Rissa cried.

  Keenan pulled back. Julianne held him, kissing him again, then released him. She winked and turned to her daughter. Julianne bent down and kissed her on the cheek.

  “Now you’re part of the kissy face, too.”

  “Mom,” Rissa said, wrinkling her nose.

  Keenan laughed. They went to the door and got on their way.

  In the truck, Keenan said, “Your mom mentioned you like Christina Rossetti. I loved her poem Goblin Market. Have you ever read it?”

  “No. Mom says I’m not old enough to yet. Maybe, since I’m not allowed to read it, you can tell it to me.”

  At her statement Keenan thought of the poem and realised it was too mature for Rissa. He glanced at Julianne and noted she was looking at him with a slight smile on her face. Keenan waited for her cue on how to handle it. When she inclined her head he took that as meaning he should do as he chose. Having been around his own nieces, he knew how to reply.

  “Uh-huh… I know what you are trying to do.” He looked at her briefly in the rear-view mirror.

  “I don’t know what you mean,” Rissa said, the exact same words and with the same innocent look on her face he’d seen on Julianne’s, when she knew she’d been caught getting up to mischief.

  “You do know. Trying to get me in trouble by going against your mom.” Keenan met her gaze again then stated firmly. “That’s not cool.”

  “I’m sorry, Mr Callaghan.” Rissa’s look of contrition was also like her mom’s. “I’m sorry, Mom.”

  “It’s okay, baby.” Julianne turned to look at Rissa. “But you know what this means.”

  “Yes. Another year before I can read Goblin Market. At this rate I’ll be in college before I get to read it.” Rissa sighed.

  “You keep asking and know the rules when you do.” Julianne turned to Keenan and explained, “Since I won’t let her read it she’s been asking a few people if they know the poem since she started reading Rossetti. We have a deal—whenever she asks it’s another year until she can read it.”

  “What was the age you told her she could read it?”

  “Originally I told her next year, when she turns nine. What age is it now, Rissa?”

  “Seventeen.” Rissa sighed again. “I keep forgetting and asking about the poem.”

  “You didn’t forget. You’re like your mama and just plain impatient.” Julianne laughed.

  “Yeah…I am. It’s not nice you tricked me, Mom. You knew I would ask and the time would be more.”

  “I don’t know what you mean,” Julianne replied and her expression was innocent.

  He glanced at Rissa and saw her roll her eyes. “I say that too, with the same look, and you always tell me you’re not buying it.”

  “But you’re no
t me, Rissa. You won’t doubt your mama, would you?” Julianne fluttered her lashes at Rissa then turned to Keenan, a wide grin on her face.

  “Yes I would, Mom.” Rissa was adamant.

  “My kid is so smart. Keenan believes me. Tell her, Keenan.” Julianne gave him the ‘I’m not up to anything’ look.

  “With that expression on your face—nope, I’m with Rissa.” He exchanged a grin with Rissa.

  “Ganging up on me already. What’s this world coming too when a woman can’t convince her child and boyfriend she is innocent?”

  “That she needs to practice her innocent look.” Keenan chuckled.

  Julianne and Rissa joined him in the laughter then they all continued to banter back and forth. Soon Rissa asked him, “What other Rossetti poems have you read?”

  “I’ve read all her poems.” Keenan thought of them and picked one that would be appropriate for her age. “Have you read The Rainbow or Dream Land?”

  “I know both. They are wonderful, but Dream Land is sad. Do you know the words to Dream Land?”

  “I think I do. They go…”

  Keenan started to recite it. He stopped, not knowing it all. Rissa picked it up, saying the words. He was impressed. They talked about books they had read and quoted some of their favourite poems. Keenan could tell this was the start of a budding friendship and relationship with Julianne’s daughter.

  Julianne put her hands in her pockets. A smile curled her lips as she watched Keenan and Rissa talking as they walked before her. This early the southern end of Couric Park was empty. In about an hour, it would be filled with families and others getting ready to celebrate Labor Day at the Nicolas Amusement Park. The shops on Vinmont Boulevard would also be open and busy as there were many other events being held in Couric Park.

  She glanced at the time. They still had thirty minutes before they would have to head out to go to Locke Estate One for the last day of the Locke family gathering. The three-day event, which had started on Saturday, had been even better this year. She glanced up at Keenan, who was still walking slightly ahead with Rissa. It was because of him that it was so special. Rissa had turned out to be a natural at her first bowling experience. They’d had a quiet night in on Saturday, just laughing, talking and cooking. Keenan had spent the night. She’d discussed it with Rissa beforehand, and she was fine with him staying over.