Still the One

by Michelle Major

  Chapter Thirteen

  Ethan stepped into the stream of hot water and plunged his head under the spray. Dirt and grime slipped away, but nothing could wash off the outright terror of watching the shelter he’d helped build burn before his eyes.

  The door to the bathroom opened and he pulled his head out of the water.

  “Ethan? Is it okay if I wait in here?” Lainey’s voice was hesitant. “The house feels too quiet.”

  “Sure.” He opened the shower door just an inch. She’d changed into a pair of pink-and-yellow polka-dot boxers and matching sleeveless pajama shirt.

  “There’s room in here for two,” he said, then cursed himself. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her off.

  To his surprise, she answered with a small, “Okay.”

  His eyes widened.

  “I keep thinking of you and Pita, of the noise from the animals trapped in the building. I changed clothes, brushed my hair. The smoke smell is worse than before.”

  Ethan wiped his face clear of water and looked at her more closely. Her shoulders shook in an obvious attempt to control her emotions.

  “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” She tried to laugh but it came out as a moan. She bent forward. “I can’t...stop...crying,” she said between sobs.

  He threw wide the shower door and hauled her in, pressing her head into his neck. His back took the brunt of the shower spray to protect her from the streaming water. He whispered words of comfort against the top of her head, using a strength he didn’t know he possessed to assure her that everything would be okay.

  That he would keep her safe.

  Always.

  It wasn’t a promise he could keep. But he’d say anything to calm her, to stop her tears.

  When she’d told him about losing the baby, she hadn’t cried. She’d looked more miserable than he could imagine, but her eyes had remained dry. He’d had to walk away so he wouldn’t break down in front of her, but she’d remained calm.

  They may have stayed together for a few minutes or a half hour. At one point, Ethan reached behind him to adjust the hot water knob. Otherwise, he simply held her, offering his strength and support—hoping this time it would be enough to see her through.

  Eventually her body went still, but Ethan didn’t move. Not until he felt her head tip. He looked down and saw her eyes focused on an area just below his shoulder.

  “You’re hurt.” Her green eyes transformed to smoky gray.

  “A couple of scratches. No big deal.”

  Pressing her soft mouth to his injury, her fingers spread through the hair on his chest.

  His eyes drifted shut as a groan escaped his lips.

  Her head rose. “Did I hurt you?”

  “That feels...”

  She trailed more kisses along his chest and the base of his neck.

  “...real good,” he finished.

  “Ethan?” Her voice hummed along his throat.

  “Mmm,” was all he could manage.

  “I’m wearing my pajamas in the shower.” She smiled. She looked so beautiful and sexy, water beading on her face and hair.

  “I can help you with that.” His hands moved to the front of her and fumbled with the fabric-covered buttons, peeling her shirt off.

  When she lifted her hands to her breasts, he pulled them away. “You are incredible.”

  “You, too,” she whispered. Her fingers laced through his wet hair, pushing it off his face. She met his gaze, her eyes heavy with desire. “I want you to know I’m yours.”

  His lungs expanded so fast it made him dizzy. He knew she meant at this moment. But he hadn’t realized until now that those were the words he’d been waiting to hear for the past ten years. Maybe his whole life.

  Leaning forward, he kissed her. “First things first,” he murmured and picked up a bottle of shampoo.

  She made a face and held out her hand. “I still smell like smoke, don’t I?”

  Instead of handing it to her, he poured the thick, pink liquid into his own palm. “Every single inch of you smells and tastes exactly right.” He rubbed his hands together then combed his fingers through her curls.

  She groaned with pleasure as he massaged his hands against her scalp. The smell of strawberries and honey filled the small space. Lainey closed her eyes and swayed a little as she tipped back her head to rinse out the shampoo.

  She turned her head. “I need you,” she said against his mouth, her voice hoarse. She spun and pressed into him, wound her arms around his neck so she could bring him closer. “Now.”

  In seconds, they were out of the shower and into her bed. They stayed together for hours until every part of Lainey tingled. As she drifted toward sleep, Ethan pulled her closer to him, the heat from his body keeping her warm in the cool of the quiet house as he dropped a kiss on the top of her head.

  She sighed and snuggled tighter, feeling more at home in his arms than she had any place else in the world.

  The next thing Lainey knew, bright sunlight spilled into the room. She blinked several times, and her eyes focused on Ethan. He was only inches away, staring into her eyes with a quiet intensity that made her heart squeeze.

  “Morning,” he whispered, one side of his mouth pulling up into a crooked grin.

  “Did you sleep?” With her free hand, she tugged on the sheet that covered her from the waist down.

  “Some.” He drew her hand to his lips, kissing each fingertip. “It was more fun to stay awake and watch you.”

  “That doesn’t sound interesting.” She yanked on the sheet again.

  “Sleeping, snoring, hogging all the covers...” He grabbed the edge of the sheet and flipped it to the bottom of the bed. “Everything you do fascinates me.”

  “Hey,” she protested. “It’s cold in here.”

  He rolled on top of her, his body giving off more heat than a furnace.

  She wriggled her hips then laughed when he moaned. “Shouldn’t we get to the clinic?”

  “It’s early,” he said with a hoarse gasp. “We have just enough time.”

  “For what?” Her hands ran down the corded muscles of his back.

  “Let me show you,” he answered and covered her mouth with his.

  * * *

  Ethan glanced at Lainey every thirty seconds on the way to the clinic until she begged him to stop.

  “Do you think it’s a sign?” she asked.

  “Of what?”

  “I wasn’t meant to come back.”

  “It was a terrible accident. End of story.”

  He saw her swallow and wished he could convince her. The way Ethan saw it, last night had been a sign that he’d been a bigger idiot than he knew ten years ago. Watching the flames consume the shelter, he’d realized the building didn’t matter. The animals had been safe and Lainey was by his side.

  He’d let her go too easily that day at the church. Let his pride get in the way of going after her, of convincing her they belonged together. Last night he’d realized if he took care of what was really important in his life, he could handle the other stuff no matter how bad things got.

  He pulled down the long driveway leading to the clinic. Cars were parked in the grass on either side. A steady stream of people walked toward the property, stepping off the road to let his truck pass.

  Lainey sucked in a breath. “Oh, no.”

  Several men waved to him. “What are they doing here?” he muttered.

  “I wanted to keep this quiet,” Lainey said miserably. “Figure out how to fix it before Mama found out.”

  After parking, he went around to Lainey’s side and slipped his fingers into hers.

  “Don’t do that,” she said, tugging her hand back. “It’ll just give them more to gossip about.”

>   He didn’t release her. “Let them talk.”

  His gaze was drawn to the shelter building. It was hard to imagine heat and flames engulfing it last night. The stale scent of smoke still clung to the air.

  In the back of his mind, Ethan could hear the deafening noise of the building crashing in around him. He forced himself to tune in to the sounds of the morning. Tires crunching over gravel, birds from the surrounding forest.

  “They’re going to think I’m taking advantage of you.” Lainey’s eyes were wide and vulnerable.

  “I’m a big boy.”

  One side of her mouth curved up. “Don’t I know it,” she muttered.

  He laughed and pressed his lips to hers, not caring if the whole town watched.

  “We’re all right,” she whispered when he pulled back.

  “Oh, yeah,” he answered. He walked toward the crowd, ignoring the raised eyebrows and stares several people leveled at him.

  “Harlan.” He approached the fire chief. “What the hell is going on? This place is a three-ring circus.”

  “Ain’t that the truth.” Harlan jerked his head toward the clinic. Ethan and Lainey followed him. “It sure isn’t making my job easier.”

  Ethan ran one hand through his hair and muttered a string of curses. “I’ve got a solution for that. This is private property—my property.” He whirled and started down the porch steps.

  “Wait.” Lainey’s hand on his arm stilled him. She turned to Harlan. “What have you found?”

  Harlan shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. “Nothing’s official yet.”

  Ethan stepped onto the porch, using his size to tower over the short, balding fire chief. “These people are here because of what you’re not telling us.”

  Harlan rested his hands on his wide hips and pushed back off his heels. “As best we can tell, it started in one of the back rooms. Maybe arson.”

  “How?” Lainey asked.

  “A lamp tipped onto a pile of newspapers.”

  “My studio,” Lainey whispered.

  Harlan’s tone was all business. “We’re still working to determine the sequence of events. But...”

  Rage exploded inside Ethan like a cannon. “But what, Harlan? What are you trying to say?”

  “You think I did it on purpose.” Lainey’s voice was achingly quiet and devoid of emotion.

  “I think it was a careless mistake.” Harlan heaved a weary sigh. “But I’ve heard mumblings from certain individuals.” His eyes settled on Lainey again. “People who’ve been around for a while—who remember you leaving.”

  Ethan was numb with disbelief. He stood in shock as Lainey walked to the edge of the porch, her back to him, arms ramrod straight at her side.

  He focused on Harlan and spoke through clenched teeth. “That is the biggest load of bull I’ve ever heard and you know it.”

  Harlan shrugged. “It’s no secret she didn’t want to come back. This kind of trouble could derail the event, make it easier for her to leave town again.”

  Ethan gripped the porch railing. “Lainey put her life on hold to help her mother. She’s dealt with more garbage from people around here than anyone deserves. Even if she didn’t want to come back, you know she’d never do anything to hurt the animals at the shelter.” He shook his head, frustration and anger radiating through every pore.

  Harlan held both palms up. “Don’t shoot the messenger.”

  “I’m going after anyone I hear talking smack on her.” Ethan pushed one finger into Harlan’s meaty chest. “Why don’t you send that message around?”

  “Fine.” Harlan waved his hand toward the crowd in the parking lot. “What are you going to do about them?”

  Ethan took a breath and ran his hands through his hair. “Give me a minute.”

  With a last look at Lainey, Harlan nodded and walked down the steps toward the shelter.

  Lainey turned slowly when Harlan was out of earshot. Her eyes were bright.

  “I’m sorry—”

  “Were you serious?” she interrupted.

  “Hell, yeah. I’ll get rid of them all.” He’d single-handedly throw every person in this town off the property.

  “No.” She waved one hand in front of her face. “I mean what you said to Harlan about me. You believe I’m telling the truth?”

  “Of course.”

  “There isn’t a hint of doubt in your mind?” She took a step closer, her eyes searching his. “Maybe,” she suggested, “I unconsciously want to sabotage the event.”

  “That’s ridiculous.” He didn’t understand why she was talking crazy but a small voice inside him said it was a test. One he had to pass. “It doesn’t matter what anyone says. I know it. I know you.”

  She launched herself toward him, twining her arms around his neck. “You believe me,” she whispered.

  Suddenly he was transported back to a Sunday afternoon ten years ago. She’d told him she was pregnant and he’d felt like an avalanche had landed on top of him. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t get his bearings in the maelstrom of shock and disbelief.

  He hadn’t thought she’d done it on purpose. Not until Julia had suggested it at dinner later that night when they’d told their parents.

  She’d accused Lainey of trapping him. He’d seen the question in her parents’ eyes. For an instant, he’d allowed himself to wonder. She’d looked at him in that moment and he realized now what his doubt had done to her.

  He cradled her cheeks between his palms. “I should never have doubted you.”

  She swallowed hard, and he knew she understood he wasn’t talking about today. “It’s okay.”

  “No, it isn’t.” He placed a soft kiss on her mouth. “I’m sorry. I’ll spend as long as you’ll let me making it up to you.”

  He kissed her again. “Let me get rid of these people.”

  “No.” She pulled away from him. “I need everyone together in front of the shelter.”

  “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

  “I have to try to make them understand. Give me a minute to splash cold water on my face.”

  He studied her but nodded.

  Kissing him one last time, she walked into the clinic.

  With a deep breath he turned toward the parking lot. “Okay, folks,” he shouted. “Listen up...”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Lainey dug her fingernails into her palms as she walked across the driveway toward the shelter. Maybe the biting pain would help her ignore her pounding heart.

  Her mind circled around her last minutes in the office yesterday. She’d turned off the light before leaving, hadn’t she? Of course she wanted the event to be a success, no matter the feelings this town brought to the surface in her. She clung to her beliefs as she faced the crowd.

  Whispers and murmurs skittered through the group as people spotted her. A volunteer from the shelter reached out as she passed, so numb she barely felt the embrace.

  She moved to the front of the large group where Ethan stood with Harlan and Sam Callahan.

  The police chief had found her in the clinic just after she’d come out of the bathroom, letting her know the fire had officially been ruled an accident.

  “I don’t know how the rumors spread so quickly,” Sam had said.

  “Welcome to life in a small town,” she’d answered. Sam had moved from Brooklyn last year, so Lainey knew he still hadn’t entirely grasped what life in a community the size of Brevia would mean.

  Lainey understood it like the back of her hand. For most of her life, she’d tried to make herself into the kind of girl this town wanted her to be. She’d spent the next chunk running from those arbitrary expectations and her complete failure to meet them.

  Today was different. Today she’d move forwa
rd on her own terms.

  Ethan offered an encouraging smile. “What do you need?”

  “I’m good.” She tried to return his smile but had a hard time making her lips move. She wanted to relieve some of the palpable tension that hung in the air like heavy fog. “You’ve...uh...got my butt, right?”

  Harlan coughed and Sam turned away as Ethan’s eyes widened.

  Heat flushed her cheeks. “What?”

  His grin spread. “Usually it goes, ‘you’ve got my back.’”

  She cringed. “Oops.” She felt like a fool but found it easier to smile back at him. “Here goes everything.”

  She kept her eyes trained on the few friendly faces she spotted.

  “Thank you,” she began on a squeak then cleared her throat. Although she assumed many in the crowd were here to publically condemn her for any part she played in this tragedy, she was determined to hold her head high. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me,” she said, her voice ringing out in the sudden quiet, “how much it would mean to my mother to see all of you here today ready to help rebuild what she created.”

  She saw a couple of older women murmur to one another but continued, “The shelter suffered a terrible tragedy last night. Fire broke out in the room where I’ve been photographing the animals.” She paused for a breath. “For any part I’ve played in this horrible accident, I’m deeply sorry.”

  She struggled to remain in control of her emotions. “Miraculously, none of the animals were seriously injured. Something for which Ethan and I—and everyone at the clinic and shelter—will always be grateful.” She dabbed her fingers under her eyes. “Several people have suggested the adoption event may not go forward. I’m here to tell you now more than ever, we need to work together to find good homes for our animals.”

  Confidence blossomed inside her as a number of people nodded. “It will to take time and energy to rebuild, but we’re going to keep at it until every single rescue pet has been adopted. My father founded this clinic and my mother has devoted her life to making it a success. I’ll give every ounce of my blood, sweat and tears to right this situation. However you feel about me, I hope I can count on each one of you to support my father’s memory and my mother’s life’s work and help us move forward. I know that’s what they both would want.”