WindSwept Narrows: #8 Hannah Taylor

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  Hannah clung to his shoulders, her breathing ragged and coated in moisture as the final eruptions finished with her. There was nothing in her mind for a short span of time but his touch, his kiss and the feel of him against her body. She heard him calling to her, low and filled with spending heat. Her body slowly melted against him, her knees clinging tightly to his sides until he tipped her over and went into the bathroom.

  Chapter Seven

  A small part of her mind was calling her to task.

  She had to talk to Frannie. She had to make a decision.

  When sober, he was sexually responsible. Their baby was a mistake. She just wasn’t sure she was strong enough to choose.

  Noah pulled a tee shirt over his head, sitting on the edge of the bed and tying his running shoes. He sat staring into the sleeping features, soft freckles dotting over her nose, a sweep of red fringe laced over her forehead and long, slender fingers that were curled around the ends of the blankets. It was still dark as he stepped outside, heading along the path that led to the beach for his morning run.

  Lili sat on the small stool swinging her feet and eating French toast.

  “What’re you looking for?” She stared at Hannah as she stood in the center of the large kitchen, all the cabinets open and trying to decide.

  “Just looking,” she answered absently, sighing and closing them quietly. “He doesn’t have spices. He doesn’t have…stuff…just basic stuff…”

  “Problem?” Noah came up behind Lili and lifted a cube of French toast from her plate. “Yum…”

  “We made extra. Where’d you go?” Lili asked. “One more, please, mama.”

  “Out running on the beach,” Noah poured a large mug of coffee and pulled up a stool next to Lili. Hannah cut up a slice of the egg dipped bread, sprinkled powdered sugar over top and added a little syrup before sliding it back to Lili. “Why were you scowling at my cabinets?” He asked, fixing his own plate and digging in hungrily.

  “No stuff,” Lili said through a large bite.

  “Stuff?” Noah repeated slowly, watching Hannah pace.

  “I…things…stuff...I had this recipe I wanted to make and…” her hands flew into the air.

  “Do we need to go to the store?” He tried slowly.

  “No…yes…I…”

  “Hannah…I need something a little more concrete than stuff to work with,” he said, lifting another slice of toast and spreading jam on it. He didn’t know he had jam in his fridge, he thought with a frown.

  “It’s just normal kitchen stuff…that normal kitchens should have…only you don’t…” she said in frustration.

  “Okay…do you have what you need in your kitchen?” Noah had been thinking his way through this on his run.

  “Well, yes, of course…”

  “Then we’ll drive over…and move your kitchen over here,” he said gently. “Along with a load of your clothing and Lili’s stuff for her room.”

  “Move…here…Noah,” Hannah shook her head slowly.

  “Live here?” Lili jumped in excitedly. “With you?”

  “Noah…Lili…” Hannah looked from one to the other, her breathing increased.

  “Hannah, did you eat yet?” Noah was up and around the counter, holding her shoulders tightly. “Slow down…breathe…close your mouth, Hannah…” he’d seen her eyes widen, her chest heaving and cursed softly when her eyes rolled back and she fell against him. “Damn it…Lili, stay there…” he lifted Hannah and took her to the sofa, returning for one of the protein shakes he’d tossed into the cart when they shopped yesterday.

  “What’s wrong with mama?” Lili scrambled down from the stool and ran to her side.

  “She’s forgetting to eat,” Noah answered simply, using the cold, rounded can to rub over her temples. It was almost ten thirty in the morning. She should have had something around seven. She groaned softly, lashes opening slowly but instantly aware of what had happened. Noah moved a pillow behind her. “Don’t move, Hannah,” he shook the can and opened it, wrapping her fingers around it with a firm order. “Drink that. All of it. Now.”

  “Noah…I…” but she nodded and took a drink, her other hand surrounded by two tiny palms. “I’m okay, Lili…did you finish eating?”

  “All gone,” she answered, her hand up on Hannah’s forehead like Noah had done. “You forgot to eat.”

  Hannah didn’t say anything, just took another long drink.

  “What time did you get up this morning?” Noah asked, working to remain detached and losing.

  “I showered just after you went for your run,” she answered quietly, watching him pace.

  “That was at six-forty-five, Hannah. Then what did you do?”

  “I…some homework…and arranging things in the kitchen and making breakfast…I played with Lili and we straightened her room and got her dressed and then…”

  “Why can’t you fit one of these shakes in there? The instant you get up and are in the kitchen,” he told her, the suggestion turning into an order. “You hung up two signs to remind me to call my mother, Hannah! Hang up a sign so you remember to at least drink one of those things if you aren’t hungry.”

  “Lili…how about if you go play in your room…please,” Hannah finished the shake and pushed her feet over the side to the floor. She was going to stand up when he moved to sit beside her, pulling her over his lap and holding her in place. “Noah…”

  “Move in with me, Hannah. You, me and Lili…and the chickens,” he needed to make her smile, for him, more than for her.

  “Oh, Noah…” Hannah let her head rest against his, a shudder running through her.

  “Honey, don’t cry…if you think I’m nuts when you pass out on me, you don’t want to see how nuts I get if you cry…” he exhaled slowly when a shaky little laugh came out. “I know where we can get some cartons. I’ll pack and haul stuff to your car and mine…then you’ll have stuff in your kitchen…a great Saturday morning activity…”

  “Noah…you don’t realize…living with a child and…”

  “I’m asking you, Hannah. I know what I’m getting myself into…I’m not a kid,” he said softly, air caught in his chest when she lifted her head and met his eyes, her nod slow. “Get Lili ready. We’ll go now and get back before the storm hits the area,” he kissed her. “You won’t be sorry…”

  “I made a sign!” Lili came out carrying a large piece of her drawing paper with three large letters in different colors and sizes. EAT.

  Noah’s arms tightened around Hannah as they laughed. He let go reluctantly, watching her closely as she wandered to the kitchen, taking Lili’s sign and laying it on the counter.

  “Get some shoes, kid, we’re going for a ride,” Noah ordered, going off to find a heavier shirt and his keys.

  “Where we goin’?” She asked as she ran down the hall in the opposite direction, returning with her jacket and shoes.

  Hannah pulled her shoes on and sat on the sofa, two hands pushing her hair back with a long sigh. She pulled Lili between her knees, staring at the tiny palms holding her fingers, just as she’d done since she was born.

  “Noah…asked us to live with him, Lili…here,” she watched the words register with the child and even then wondered if she truly understood. “No more apartment.”

  “It’s happy here,” Lili said simply, smiling up when Noah came from the bedroom with a jacket.

  “That sounds like a yes vote to me,” Noah said with a grin, reaching around and lifting her off the floor. “Shoes?” He quickly had her ready to go, both of them following Hannah from the house.

  “Can I watch a movie when we get home?” Lili asked from the backseat, reaching for one of her books and talking to herself as they drove.

  Hannah knew they didn’t have a lot of things. But she wasn’t sure how he managed to pack so quickly and empty the vital things in two hours. Lili’s room was emptied first, only the furniture that belonged to the unit left. Then he had her clothing neatly packed and hauled out while sh
e was still working on the kitchen. He had loaded her wagon first and filled his SUV with the kitchen items, never once complaining. They stopped on the way to the house so he could fill both vehicles with fuel, nodding to the chowder house next door.

  She was amazed at how much he made her laugh and how easy it was to make her stomp her foot at him all within the same hour. He turned her at the front door and shoved her toward the kitchen.

  “I’ll bring in stuff. You put it away, that’s why I got the muscles you like so much,” he teased, laughing at the blush that struck her cheeks. “I’ll bring in Lili’s stuff first and you girls can work on that while I get the rest. Won’t take long,” he promised.

  Lili was sitting on the sofa watching her movie when she heard the car door outside. She got up and wandered to the door, smiling because this door had glass and she could see without peeping out the door. A tiny thoughtful look filled her features as she used both hands and pulled the door open.

  “Well, hello there,” came a soft, feminine voice, brown eyes scanning the room behind the little girl.

  “I saw your picture on Noah’s desk,” Lili said with a smile.

  “That’s because most of the time, he’s a very good son,” was the chiding answer.

  “I heard that,” Noah came from Lili’s room. He hugged his mother, grinning at his father. “I was going to return the call.”

  “Mama hung a sign for him,” Lili said, giggling when she was tossed over his shoulder.

  “Come in and have a seat,” Noah lowered her to the sofa. “Want me to pause it for later, Lili?” She nodded and looked up at them. “This is Lili.”

  “She’s adorable, Noah,” Susan Madison held her palm out. “Pleased to meet you, Lili.”

  “What’s your name?” Lili shook hands politely, listening when Noah leaned over and whispered in her ear. She seemed to be considering what he said when they heard the crash from the other room. Lili and Noah took off running at the same time, the sound of voices reaching the couple waiting in the living area.

  “I told you to call me, Hannah!” Noah growled, taking the box she had been trying to lift and taking it to sit next to the front door.

  “And I told you I can manage!” She returned with a growl of her own. “Don’t think I can’t growl, mister!” Hannah came up abruptly, wide eyes going from one to the other. “Hello…”

  “Hello, Susan Madison,” she stood up and smiled at Hannah. “They always act like we’re helpless,” she said with a nod. “Don’t let him push you around.”

  “Hannah Taylor,” she returned, shaking her head. “It’s just summer toys for the garage, Noah.”

  “Blake Madison, pleased to meet you, Hannah,” Blake told her, the look on his sons face all the answer he needed to unasked questions. “Moving day?”

  “Partly finished,” Noah said, trying to glare at his mother. “I was honestly going to return your call,” he pulled one of the heavy dining chairs over and straddled it backwards.

  “I know, dear,” Susan teased. “I just felt the urge to visit my only son and find out what’s going on in his life,” she added sweetly, satisfied when he had the decency to look uncomfortable.

  “Noah says your name is grandmother,” Lili was still studying the idea, full lips pulled into a little frown. She looked from the coughing Hannah to the grin Noah was wearing.

  “Well…” Susan held out her palm, looking down at the tiny hand Lili placed in it. “I think Granma is probably easier,” she said with a wrinkled nose.

  “We came over to make sure you’d be there on Thursday, Noah,” Blake grinned at his wife. He looked over at Hannah. “If you don’t have anything planned, we have a big semi family dinner on Thanksgiving and shout at the football games on TV,” he told her with a chuckle.

  “This is a wonderful surprise,” Susan watched the little girl wander to the back and looked over at Hannah with a smile. “You know we have tons of questions, Hannah. My son has never lived with anyone before.”

  “Questions? About me?” Hannah gulped, glaring at Noah when he laughed. “I’m hoping he’s never lived with anyone because he’s picky, not because he’s intolerable.”

  “I’d wager it’s a mixture of both, Hannah,” Blake offered with a deep chuckle.

  “Back to Thanksgiving,” Susan said happily. “It’s one of the few days I get to see my son in something other than jeans. It’s a family and friends kind of thing and I’d really love it if you would all come over.”

  “We’d love to,” Hannah told her honestly.

  “Excellent! Well, I must shop for some things,” she announced, standing up. “Thursday…about one…”

  “We’ll see you then,” Hannah assured her, staring after them as Noah walked them out. She heard them talking in the driveway, soft laughter and then he was inside again, locking the door and putting the dining chair back.

  “You okay, Hannah?” Noah pulled her to her feet, his hands on her waist and holding her close. “I honestly…completely forgot about the family thing.”

  “You’re mother looks forward to it,” she said easily, sighing and enjoying the warmth in his arms. “Lili loves to wear dresses…”

  “A little over whelming for mama, though?”

  She moved to the kitchen, setting things out for some sandwiches while she tried organizing things. “Umm…a little…going from no family to…suddenly, I’m surrounded…”

  Chapter Eight

  Lili sat perched on the stool eating cereal and watching Noah. He wasn’t wearing a shirt and she was staring at his arm as he cut up fruit and fixed a large glass of chocolate soy milk on the tray.

  “What’s that?” She asked, pointing to his arm.

  Noah followed her gaze and turned his arm toward her, laughing at the wide eyes.

  “She’s beautiful,” Lili breathed softly. “Who painted her on you?”

  “Someone a long time ago,” he told her, helping her to the floor before they carried the tray to the bedroom.

  “Breakfast in pajamas is nice,” Lili decided, carefully climbing onto the big bed and sitting at the bottom. Hannah lay face down in the center, blankets pooled at her waist and tank top slightly crooked.

  “I think Sunday breakfasts will always be in pajamas,” Noah declared, setting the tray down and sliding to sit on his side of the bed, one finger out and tracing a line around one of her ears.

  Hannah groaned and lifted her head, peering through bangs at the clock.

  “It’s still dark outside…and it’s Sunday…aren’t you supposed to be chasing something in the streets?” She sighed, his deep laughter sending a funny little thrill through her.

  “We brought you breakfast in bed,” Lili announced, taking one of the apples and biting down.

  Hannah leaned up on her elbows, pushing her hair back. She met the amber eyes with a smile. “You’re spoiling me.”

  “Yep. I fully intend to…I even brought the paper…”

  “You know…” she said an hour later, all the food on the tray gone. “You’re very clever.”

  “I have delusions along those lines now and then,” he admitted with a laugh, glancing over at the child playing on the floor with some toys she’d brought into their room. “You’re staring.” He glanced down at his bare chest to see if he’d spilled something.

  “I’m trying to figure out how I got so lucky,” she said honestly, sitting in the center of the bed cross-legged, fingers idly turning the pages of one of the store ads.

  “Huh…go figure…here I’ve been wondering that same thing,” Noah lifted the stack of papers and dropped them to the floor, including the one she was reading through. He tugged on her palms until she was lying stretched along him. “You have no idea how very good this feels…” He laughed when she wiggled. “Not that, although I won’t deny having you in my arms is an amazing feeling…”

  “This…as in just a quiet Sunday morning with breakfast and you and me and Lili,” Hannah interpreted with a small nod. “I know�
�it’s good…it’s…”

  “Right,” he said simply.

  “We never discussed practical things, Noah,” Hannah said quietly, her head shaking at the honest confusion on his face. She moved carefully, lifting herself off him and sitting at his side, her hands up and framing his face for her kiss.

  “Like…who takes out the trash?” He supplied hopefully.

  “Alright…that’s part of it…how about money and…” She saw an immediate reaction in his eyes.

  “I invited you and Lili to be part of my life. You’re my responsibility,” he told her simply.

  “Noah, that’s…very…” she pulled her lower lip between her teeth.

  “Practical?”

  “I was going with old-fashioned,” she said carefully.

  “I’m an old-fashioned kind of guy, Hannah. I believe in taking care of my family, and you and Lili are my family,” he said honestly, frowning at the sudden watering eyes. “Hannah…are you going to cry…what’s wrong?”

  She brushed his hands aside and rubbed her eyes quickly. Hannah watched him reach to the side and lift Lili to the bed.

  “Can we play outside?” But she moved to lay next to Noah, his arm wrapping around the little body protectively. “This side is yours, mama,” she told her, patting Noah’s side gently.

  “A girl for each arm…what more could a guy need in life?” He winked, opening his arm and smiling when Hannah curled against him. “I think we can go outside for a while…dress warm and we’ll go find eggs,” he laughed when she moved fast, sliding off the bed and running down the hall. “Hey! Take your toys with you!” He called out, the adults watching the little body return and quickly gather her dolls in their case.

  “I think you’d better get dressed while I go supervise,” Hannah told him with a laugh, stopping when his palm touched her cheek.