When Love Comes

by J. H. Croix

  Downstairs, she found Luke in the kitchen with a bottle of beer in hand. He nodded toward the woodstove in the living room. “You might want to start a fire. It’s chilly and damp.”

  She followed his gaze. “Good plan. Want to start one while I figure out what we can have for dinner?” Her parents passed through her mind when she gestured toward the firewood, neatly stacked in the small, decorative cast-iron wood rack by the woodstove. She’d never asked Frank if he’d stacked the wood there. As she watched Luke start to lift pieces of wood from the rack into the woodstove, she wondered if her parents had left them there or not. She gave a quick shake of her head and turned away, walking into the pantry.

  Within a half hour, the fire in the woodstove was cranking along, the heat slowly dissipating the damp chill in the air. Hannah had pulled together a salad and gotten chicken stew with dumplings simmering on the stove. In the meantime, she handed Luke a box of crackers and some cheese to slice, so they had something to nibble on while they waited for the stew. She didn’t want to wait too long to eat, but the weather called for comfort food, and chicken stew with dumplings was a childhood favorite. It was a southern carryover from her mother. She couldn’t help but think of her mother as she made the stew and dumplings. She carefully spooned the dumpling batter into the stew and smiled for a moment when she recalled her mother making a game during her childhood of counting how long the dumplings would sink before they bounced to the top.

  She looked over at Luke to catch him slipping Jessie a piece of cheese.

  “Hey! I saw that. Jessie’s a good beggar, but I try to limit it. If I fed her everything she wanted, she’d hardly be able to walk soon.”

  His smile was sheepish. “You caught me. I promise that was the first piece. I’m a softie. So tell me what you’re thinking about work.”

  She reached to slide her wineglass over and took a sip. “Well, I figure I’ll need to do some of whatever comes along while I see if I can snag a job at one of the local environmental organizations, or maybe through the state at Fish and Game. You’ve been here long enough to guess how that goes. It’s all about timing. I’ll need to be patient, but I also like variety. A few different jobs here and there will keep me afloat while I put my feelers out. In the meantime, I’m flexible.”

  Hannah thought about Susie’s comment that she go on some day fishing trips with Luke and his brothers. She didn’t have the nerve just yet to ask and then bit her lip when Luke spoke.

  “Susie mentioned you used to do fishing trips with your parents. Sometimes we could use extra help on our day trips. If you want, I can let you know when. We don’t expect phenomenal fishing skills. Just helps to have someone who knows the ropes on the boat and can help the customers.” He held her gaze across the counter.

  She had grown accustomed to the sparks that danced along her nerves when she was around him, but it made it hard to focus sometimes. She let her eyes fall and then looked back. “Well, if you guys need help, just give me a call. I probably need a day’s notice. On that thought, though, let me make sure I still have all the gear I’d need.”

  “You don’t need fishing gear, if that’s what you mean.”

  “But I need to make sure I have the right clothes, like my heavy-duty rain gear and gloves. It’s around the house—I just have to make sure it’s where I think it is. Haven’t used anything but my waders since I got back. I’m guessing nothing you guys have would fit me.”

  Luke’s dimples winked at her with his quick smile. “No, definitely not. Well, let me know when you think we could line you up. Usually it’s Jared and me who handle those trips. Every so often, Nathan comes along.”

  Hannah experienced a flash of uneasiness. She found herself wishing they’d need help soon and often, as that would give her excuses to be around Luke. And that elicited the restlessness that had prodded her into her impulsive adventures with indifferent men whose common denominators were good looks and a taste for risk. While she couldn’t say that Luke was indifferent, he got checks for good looks and a taste for risk from what she’d heard.

  “Definitely call if you need an extra hand,” she said, surprising herself. She wondered if she was walking into a foolish mess by letting the chemistry between them make her lose hold on the self-control she’d reclaimed after her parents died. She didn’t need to make a fool of herself over Luke. She couldn’t let herself end up in a space where that restless feeling led her back down an impulsive path.

  The dumplings simmered to the top of the stewpot. Hannah distracted herself with getting the stew ladled into bowls. After serving Luke, she tugged a stool to where she stood and sat facing him across the counter. Savoring every bite, she tried to remember the last time she’d made this and realized it had probably been before she moved away. Luke plowed through his first bowl before she finished.

  “Want more?” She waved him toward the stove. “Help yourself.” She watched while he ladled more stew. His muscles flexed through the cotton jersey shirt he wore. She knew what attracted her to him, but wondered what he saw in her. She didn’t feel unattractive necessarily, but tended to think she didn’t stand out. She thought again of Susie reminding her of her younger self. While she may have been more daring back then, giving in to intimacy had always been hard for her. After what happened with Damon, she’d decided it wasn’t worth it.

  Luke sat back down and immediately began eating again. He caught her watching him. “Did I forget to mention that I was starving? When you offered dinner, I was relieved I didn’t have to go home and figure out what to eat.”

  “You gave me a ride in the rain, the least I could do was offer you dinner.”

  She stood and carried her bowl over to the sink. “So do you have any other major fishing trips scheduled for the summer?”

  “Not sure yet. We’re thinking about one more. We’ll be busy straight through September with guiding trips. Then we break for the winter. Nathan keeps hounding Jared and me to consider crab fishing, but I’m not up for that. Damn cold and risky. If you luck out, payoff’s great. Not worth it for me though. I like to be on land when the snow flies.” He shrugged. “We keep telling Nathan if he wants to try it, sign on with another crew for the winter. He’s not a fan of planning, so not likely. Snowplowing carries us through winter and works for me.”

  Luke set his spoon down and looked into the empty bowl. “I think I’ve finally had enough. You make a mean chicken stew.” He stood and carried his dishes to the sink. “Should I rinse these and put them in the dishwasher?”

  “Go ahead. Let’s head closer to the woodstove.” Hannah walked into the living room. Jessie padded quietly behind her and curled up on the rug near the woodstove. Hannah opened the woodstove and added a log to the fire. Latching the door shut, she picked up the wineglass she’d set on the floor and turned as she stood up, only to run right into Luke. Wine sloshed over the edge of the glass onto his shirt.

  “Sorry! I didn’t hear you coming. Let me get something to clean off your shirt.” She hurried back toward the kitchen with Luke following.

  “Don’t worry about it,” he said.

  She grabbed a paper towel and started to blot at his shirt. Luke’s hands came up and curled around hers. They were warm and steady. She went still and looked up into his green eyes. Her stomach fluttered and her breath became shallow. He released one of her hands and used his free hand to pull the paper towel from her hand and quickly wipe his shirt. He kept a gentle grip on her other hand and didn’t move away. Without a word, he pulled her close with one arm, leaned forward, and kissed her. It had been three weeks too many since she’d kissed him, and frightening as it was, it felt like coming home. The persistent worries she had about him evaporated in the heat of their kiss.

  He let go of her other hand and cupped her face. Their kiss deepened, and she stepped as close as she could, her body straining toward him. They were flush together. She felt his erection low against her belly and liquid heat building inside of her. In seconds, she felt w
ild inside. She couldn’t get close enough or kiss him deeply enough. Their tongues were slick against each other. He broke their kiss and brought his lips down along her jaw and neck. Shivers rushed through her, his lips leaving a trail of nerves afire. He turned her against the counter, slipped his hands under her bottom, and pulled her against him. She gasped as she felt his erection rub between her legs.

  He kept his hands on her bottom and lifted her slowly up onto the edge of the counter. Their breathing was loud and ragged. Hannah’s knees fell open; Luke stepped between them. He leaned back for a second and slid his hands under her shirt. As his hands moved up against her body, he pushed her shirt slowly up and over her head. In another moment, her bra fell to the floor. Her hands moving with a sureness she didn’t feel, she tore the buttons on his shirt open and gave a sigh of relief at the feel of his chest against her breasts. The feeling was so piercingly good, she could hardly think. They remained locked against each other, Hannah seated on the counter, while Luke’s hands roamed over her back and slipped around to her breasts. His touch was featherlight and sure. He cupped one of her breasts and brushed his fingertips back and forth across her nipple. She gasped, only to feel his hand come to a stop and to find him pulling back to look at her. The green of his eyes darkened. He held her gaze with a heated look and slowly brought his head down. His lips closed over her nipple just as he unzipped her jeans and slid a finger past the elastic of her panties, directly into the slick space between her legs.

  A deep thrust of his finger and suction just on the edge of pain on her nipple, and she climaxed in a burst of heat. He didn’t stop, although he slipped his finger out and caressed her. She felt ripples rise and fall, aftershocks from her climax. Luke lifted his head and looked at her again. Hannah had to work to keep her eyes focused.

  “That’s it. Either we stop now or soon it will be impossible to stop.” He paused for a breath. “Though I would if you asked.”

  She sat there, her legs dangling around his hips. Her breasts were bare and brushed against his chest. She felt his fingers lingering in her wet heat and his erection against her thigh. She wanted him inside her so bad, she couldn’t think straight. For once, she didn’t try. She reached to cup his cheek with one hand. “I’m not asking you to stop,” she said. She curled her hand around his neck and tugged his lips back to hers. With her other hand, she unbuttoned his jeans and started to slide his zipper down. She paused and pulled back. “Wait.”

  He leaned back and looked down. “I have protection if that’s what you were about to ask.”

  “That’s what I was about to ask. I won’t ask if you were planning on this, though,” Hannah replied.

  He stared at her for a long moment. “Maybe wishful thinking, but planning, no.” He leaned forward and captured her lips again.

  Hannah resumed sliding his zipper down and slid her hand against his erection. She held still for a moment and then reached past his boxers and caressed him. He was warm and hard in her hand, pulsing velvet skin. Luke went from lazily fingering her to tearing at her jeans. What was left of their clothes came off in a stumbling rush. Next thing she knew, she was bare-naked, and he was lifting her back onto the counter. She took in his muscled body in a quick glance before her head fell back as he kissed along her neck. She heard him tearing at the condom package and reached to help. Her breath came in gushes as he maneuvered into her. She felt the broad head of his shaft slowly ease into her. Her body resisted for a second. She hadn’t had sex in over two years, and her body wasn’t used to it. She was tight, but the relief of feeling him slide inside was immense. He paused for a moment and then thrust his hips, stroking deep into her. She felt her muscles clench and release. He pulled back and slid with ease into her slick warmth.

  “Oh my God. You feel so good,” he choked out.

  “Don’t stop. Whatever you do, don’t stop.” Hannah brought her knees up and wrapped her legs around his waist. Luke began to move slowly, gradually shifting to a faster pace. As he moved in and out, heat built inside of her, bringing the fire higher and higher. He brought a hand down between their bodies and rubbed just above where they joined. She gasped as another piercing sweet climax rushed through her. He curled both hands around her hips and thrust deep into her. The back of her head hit the cabinet behind her. He threw his head back and came inside her. Lingering pulses ran through her, as he shuddered against her. He lifted his head forward and brought his forehead to hers. They stayed like that for several moments. Their breathing slowed. She felt boneless. Her legs lost their grip and dangled beside his hips. His arms came around her and held her close. His heart beat against her breasts.

  Luke finally pulled back. He took a long look at her, seeming to search her eyes for something. He started to speak and then paused. Finally he said, “I think we need a shower.”

  Hannah didn’t think that was what he meant to say, but she didn’t press. “Follow me,” she said.

  The rest of the night passed seamlessly. They showered together and fell into bed. At some point, Hannah heard Jessie pad softly into the bedroom and curl up on the floor. Luke was spooned behind her, one arm curled loosely around her.

  Chapter 15

  “Toss me that line,” Luke called to Jared.

  Hannah heard Jared curse and turned to see the mooring line heading in Luke’s direction. Jared shook his hand quickly and noticed her glance. “Caught my thumb on the edge of the boat there—no biggie, just a nick,” he said.

  They had been out for a day of fishing in the bay. The group of customers was from Oregon, a couple and the husband’s father and uncle. After a rather speedy morning of reaching everyone’s halibut quota, Jared had suggested stopping for lunch in Halibut Cove, a tiny, secluded coastal village across the bay from Homer, a small community at the tip of the Kenai Peninsula and farther south than Diamond Creek. Halibut Cove was off the road system and could only be reached by boat or plane. In the summer, it was an artist enclave. The Saltry restaurant and the town’s art gallery were popular destinations for tourists and local Alaskans. They had just finished lunch and were readying the boat to head back toward Diamond Creek.

  Hannah had been out fishing with Luke and his brothers several times over the past few weeks. Aside from the time with Luke, it had further brought her back into the life she’d loved so much before she’d left for graduate school. The brothers handled all the boat work while she was there to help customers with their equipment and getting fish into the boat. Seated on a bench in the center of the boat, she watched the shoreline of Halibut Cove recede as the boat pulled away. The docks gradually became smaller in the distance. She took a breath, taking in the salty scent of the ocean with a hint of spruce from the trees that towered along the shoreline. As they got farther out, she faced forward in the boat and looked ahead at the skyline. It was early afternoon now with the sun high and bright in a clear sky. She felt relaxed and tired.

  Luke held the steering wheel comfortably in his hands. He must have sensed her looking at him because he turned, catching her gaze. His eyes locked onto hers, and heat sparked between them. She was flustered by the flare of intensity and looked away. Since the first night he’d spent with her, she was finding it hard to keep any perspective. Part of her wanted him with her as much as possible, while another part of her wanted to push away. For now, lust was winning out over her lingering wariness. He wasn’t at her place every night, but every few nights, and she couldn’t keep her hands off him. They’d yet to have sex in bed because the attraction between them took over. She found herself thinking the kitchen table was a much better place for sex than a bed, not to mention the living room couch or the floor.

  When he wasn’t with her, the doubts took over. She hadn’t experienced this much chemistry before. She’d thought her feelings for Damon had been strong, but they paled in comparison. That alarmed her because she didn’t want to want more than the superficial flings she’d had the last few years. She’d promised herself after her parents died that
she wouldn’t keep living in a way that would have disappointed them the way she had when she’d been running wild. Luke had an almost magnetic pull on her. She couldn’t seem to talk herself out of whatever she was walking into. She wanted to find a way to walk the tightrope of not getting in too deep and not making the kind of mistake that would have distressed her parents.

  Soft waves rocked the water with enough breeze to stir up the surface in a lazy way. Gulls called as they flew past the boat, likely headed toward Gull Island, a rock outcropping in Kachemak Bay where gulls, puffins, and other birds gathered in large numbers. Hannah turned for a last look back at Gull Island with the boat quickly pulling away. Birds swirled and called around the small island. Facing forward, she felt the momentum of the boat churning toward Diamond Creek. Just as in her life, the past receding into the distance with the future unfurling in front. She only wished she could see ahead in her life the way she could in the water. Mount Augustine stood high in the distance, small clouds arrayed about its peak.

  Just over an hour later, Hannah was busy helping the family load their fish in large plastic bins to transport to the Fish Factory to be cleaned, gutted, filleted, and flash frozen in short order. Some visitors chose to do the preparation for flash freezing themselves. Much pride lived among the fishing crowd regarding how well one could gut, clean, and fillet a fish. The docks in the harbor had cleaning stations every few feet for this purpose.

  Just as she finished up and was returning to the parking lot with Luke and his brothers, her phone rang. Susie’s number flashed on the screen.

  “Hey there,” she said as she answered.