If she stayed in White Rock, she had no choices. She and Luke wouldn’t be able to avoid each other. He’d be stranded too.
“Are you sure the only way we can get back is to be together?” she asked.
“I’m not sure of anything.” He took a deep breath. “But it makes the most sense.”
She was helpless against his pleading gaze. “I hope I don’t regret this. Okay. I’ll meet you tomorrow night.”
Luke stared her, his expression unreadable. “Thank you—”
She raised her hand, angry at her weakness for giving in, but feeling she had no option. “I’m just as anxious as you to have things back to normal.”
“I know.”
The look of relief on his face made Annie wonder if she agreed more out of a desire to help Luke or herself. Regardless, she’d given her word and she wouldn’t go back on it.
****
The next five days established a routine. Annie rose early to prepare breakfast. Afterward, her daily chores varied from laundry and general housework to tending the garden. Fortunately, Paul looked after the livestock, gathered the eggs, and milked the cow. The days were busy with little time to think about her predicament.
If it wasn’t for Elizabeth’s comments about scorching one of Paul’s shirts with the iron and a habit of reaching for the light switch every time she entered a dark room, she could almost believe she belonged in this century.
Even Luke’s actions added continuity to her existence.
To keep up the pretense of their dating, he arrived every day for lunch. In the evening, when Elizabeth retired, Annie joined him on a nightly stroll up the hillside behind the mill. They stayed on the hill until well after dusk, trying variations of the event that had triggered their original journey through time.
Luke had held a silver coin while he mimed carving her initials. When that didn’t work, he tried it again with two coins. He even tried using a gold coin he’d won in a poker game during his visit to Boise.
Annie wondered if more minerals would help and borrowed a pair of silver spoons from the kitchen. Once, they tried bumping heads, although Luke was afraid of aggravating her earlier injury, so they didn’t pursue that for long.
They stopped short of actually carving initials in the tree, knowing they would alter the history of the tree. Paul had to be the one to add his son’s initials.
Eventually, after each failed attempt, they’d relax with their backs to the tree talking quietly, reflecting on their daily activities, careful to keep the conversation from straying into personal areas.
In a way, getting to know Luke on an intellectual level made her eager to meet with him at the end of her day.
The more Annie listened to him talk about the progress on the schoolhouse, the more she recognized a man who cared deeply about contributing to his community. The attraction she’d felt for him in the beginning grew to a deep respect and admiration. If his aspirations had been similar in their own time, then the state lost a great asset when they left their own time.
After the daily reports ran dry, Annie would sit quietly beside Luke listening to the breeze moving through the leaves and the nocturnal sounds of the forest creatures.
Memories of the life she’d left behind would creep in during those quiet times. Normally, she didn’t dwell on regrets, but sometimes, when Paul had said something particularly profound, or when she happened upon Elizabeth practicing a lullaby while mending a shirt, nostalgia for her grandfather overwhelmed her.
As she’d grown older, Grandpa had tried to understand a teenage girl’s needs, but she knew she was a mystery to him. When they’d disagree on after-school activities, their arguments tended to escalate, never resolving anything. Ultimately he’d put his foot down. Annie either gave in or was grounded. Those were the times she hated him, hated her life.
Not long after she entered college, Grandpa’s health began to fail. She was relegated to the role of caregiver, driving him to doctor’s appointments, listening with only half an ear to the stories he told over and over. Stories she now wished she’d paid closer attention to.
At least she had something to think about through the long silences while she and Luke waited for an unexplained phenomenon to sweep them back to their own time.
Once it became obvious they weren’t going to transport to the future, Luke would walk Annie back to town. He’d escort her to the door and then ask to visit again tomorrow. The pretense was working. The townspeople thought he was courting her.
The reality was much different. True to his word, he never tried to kiss her again. Reluctantly, she accepted that Luke had no interest in her other than as a means of returning home.
Tonight, as Annie prepared for her nightly stroll, she knew the evening would be just like all the others. She and Luke had run out of things to try. She didn’t know why she was going out again.
Elizabeth hadn’t felt well and spent most of the day rocking in her chair. Doc Smyth had examined her earlier in the day and declared the mother-to-be simply needed bed rest.
Yet, Annie couldn’t shake the apprehension in her chest.
“I don’t think I should go out tonight,” Annie told Elizabeth as she helped her prepare for bed.
“Nonsense,” Elizabeth replied. “I’m going to lie here and read for a bit. You don’t want to disappoint Luke. I have a feeling something special is going to happen tonight.”
She sensed Elizabeth was fishing for more information about Luke’s intentions. After nearly a week of keeping a polite distance, Annie accepted Luke’s only purpose for seeing her was to return to his old life, not the romance Elizabeth anticipated.
Ironically, the fact that he’d backed away from their lovemaking only added to his attraction. He’d ignored every signal Annie intentionally gave to show she was still interested. She’d been left wanting and unfulfilled.
Unable to tell her matchmaker friend that Luke was only using her, she said, “Nothing will be different than any other night.” That was the truth. Annie doubted they’d ever return to their own time.
“I beg to differ. Luke is simply taking his time. He’s working up courage to ask for your hand.”
Annie laughed. If only Elizabeth knew what really happened on their walks. “I don’t think Luke lacks courage for anything.” Especially when it came to women.
“He must be interested in you, or he wouldn’t keep coming around.”
His only interest in her was a means to an end. “We’re just friends.”
“Paul and I were friends, too.”
“You and Paul have something very special,” Annie said. “I’m glad I had the chance to meet you.”
Tears gleamed in Elizabeth’s eyes. “Me too.” She wrapped Annie in a hug.
“I still think I should stay in tonight.” Annie kept an arm around Elizabeth as they walked to the bedroom. “I’ll sit with you a while. I could read to you so your eyes don’t strain in the dim lamplight.”
Elizabeth glanced at the oil lamp beside the bed a puzzled expression on her face. “The light is just fine.” She looked at Annie again. “And Luke is on his way. You can’t disappoint him.”
“I’m sure he’ll understand,” Annie said, grateful her slip about the old-fashioned lighting didn’t raise questions. She needed to guard her tongue better.
“I won’t be good company,” Elizabeth said. “I am tired and really do want to go to bed early. Besides, I’d feel badly if you missed your walk with Luke.”
Annie hesitated, worried about how pale Elizabeth looked. “I’m not sure…”
“I’ll be upset if you stay here. Please. Go.” Elizabeth gently pushed Annie toward the door. “For me?”
“Only for you,” Annie said. “But I won’t be late.”
After seeing Elizabeth settled for the night, Annie gathered her shawl and went out on the front porch to wait.
Last night’s storm, where they’d spent a hopeful hour getting soaked to the skin, had moved on. Like the first even
ing when she and Luke went to the hill, stars filled the black velvet sky. There was no light pollution to dilute the brilliance of the heavens. No matter what happened, she would never forget how the skies looked here.
“They’re breathtaking, aren’t they?” Luke said as he drew near the house.
“Yes.” Annie smiled. “I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of staring at them.” She walked down the steps and joined him.
“It won’t be as fun to stargaze once winter comes,” he said.
“That prospect alone is enough to hope we can return to our own time soon.” Annie shivered at the thought of White Rock in winter. “Maybe tonight will be the night. Elizabeth said she had a feeling something special might happen.” She didn’t mention that Elizabeth thought he’d propose. That notion was as unlikely as snow in July.
Yet, as they passed another couple walking the opposite direction, Luke took Annie’s hand and tucked it in his elbow. His familiar touch spread through her like wildfire. Her chest constricted with longing. His gesture was only for show and to dispel the dizziness that plagued them.
“At least it’s not raining,” he said. “Maybe something special will happen. We only need a little faith.”
His words eased her tension. “Careful, Mr. Maxwell, you’re beginning to sound like Pastor Thaddeus.” She relaxed into an easy banter, telling herself it was okay to enjoy his company. She did enjoy being with him. More than was good for her.
Luke smiled. “I have to admit the pastor sometimes makes me think about things greater than ourselves. Given what’s happened, I’ve come to believe there’s more beyond what our eyes and ears tell us.”
When they reached the hill, she tried to unlink her arm, but Luke held her hand as they climbed. She glanced down at his fingers entwined with hers. A shimmer of pleasure washed through her. Maybe Elizabeth was right.
On the hilltop, Luke gathered the lantern and the blanket from its hiding place before heading into the forest.
“What are we going to try tonight?” she asked.
“Lets just sit here for a bit,” he answered. Under the pine tree, he shook out the blanket, spread it on the ground and sat down. “I’m beginning to feel like we own this place.”
Annie chuckled. “You do.”
Luke glanced at her as she sat. “It’s good to hear you laugh. You don’t do that enough.”
“Honestly, there hasn’t been much to laugh about.” She sighed and leaned against the tree. “Although, I have to admit, I’m more content these last few days, than I’ve been in a long time.”
****
Luke glanced at Annie. The lamplight gleamed softly on her hair. She looked relaxed, in spite of everything that had happened. She looked more enticing than was good for his libido. He felt an ache somewhere in his chest that he didn’t want to explore.
“Why do you feel content?” he asked.
She shrugged. “I don’t know.” A rueful smile curved her lips and she lifted her hands for inspection. “My hands are raw from doing laundry. My knees are stiff from pulling weeds. And my back hurts from carrying baskets of wet clothes outside to hang-dry.”
“And yet there’s a glow about you I don’t recall from before,” he said.
She laughed. “I’m sure that’s sunburn. With no sunscreen, I’m going to look like a prune by the time I’m thirty.”
“Somehow, I doubt that,” he said, surprised at how hoarse his voice sounded.
Annie was unique. She may claim to be experienced, but there was an innocence about her. Something called for him to protect her.
He also recognized she had commitment written all over her. He didn’t want to hurt her. Experience from previous entanglements told him he should keep his distance. Yet, she drew him in like a moth to the flame. Tonight, he didn’t really care if he got burned.
She caught his gaze. An answering hunger filled her eyes.
He couldn’t look away. “Annie…”
The breeze stilled and the cricket song stopped as though the moment was frozen in time.
“I can’t pretend I don’t have these feelings,” she whispered. “Please…if you don’t kiss me—”
He didn’t need another invitation. Before he realized it, she was in his arms.
His mouth descended in a fevered kiss like a man dying of thirst. Heaven help him—he drank. And drank.
Her arms slid up his shoulders and around his neck, pulling him closer. Soft lips parted under his insistent tongue. She tasted of coffee and a flavor that was distinctly hers, urging him to take more. Her heat cocooned him in warmth and desire.
He felt the moment of her surrender all the way to his groin and if he didn’t withdraw now, he never would.
When his lips left hers to nibble the pulse on her neck, she whispered, “Please. Don’t stop.”
“If I don’t, there’s no turning back.”
“Then we won’t turn back.” She nipped his ear. “Please.”
Her plea was all he needed. He groaned and shifted their positions so they lay over the blanket. Propped on one elbow, he smiled into her eyes. “I’ve never met anyone like you. I don’t understand how you’ve bewitched me so thoroughly. When we’re together, I’m complete. When we’re apart, I count the hours until I can see you again.”
“I didn’t know,” she whispered. “I thought I was the only one who felt like that.”
He stroked a finger along her cheek and down her neck, entranced by the silkiness of her skin. Then he lowered his head and captured her mouth.
****
In the distance, an owl hooted. The leaves rustled in the breeze and crickets joined in the symphony.
Annie savored his kisses, returning them with an urgency she couldn’t explain. Blood raced through her veins. She didn’t want to go slow and take a chance Luke might change his mind. Her fingers quickly worked the buttons on his shirt and exposed his firm chest to the night air. Her hands skated over his shoulders—so broad and confident.
His muscles grew taut under her tentative touch. A second later, he tossed his shirt aside.
Empowered by his response, she slid her hands along his sides until her fingers found the band of his belt.
A moan rumbled in his throat. He reached for the buttons on her dress.
She didn’t ask herself why she wanted this so badly. Logic told her she couldn’t be falling in love, but logic wasn’t ruling her body right now. Raw need had taken hold and refused to let go.
Annie slipped her top down. This time, the material wouldn’t get in the way.
Luke’s urgency matched hers. Gripping the sides of her dress, he growled. “Lift your hips.”
She obeyed. A moment later, the dress landed in a heap on top of his shirt.
Luke covered her body with his, devouring her mouth with moist, needy kisses.
If she had any doubt that he wanted her, it vanished when a hard ridge pressed at the juncture of her legs. He was as ready as she was.
Her hands went to the button of his pants, but he stopped her. Planting a tender kiss at the corner of her mouth, he pulled away.
“Luke?”
“I don’t have any protection.”
Annie’s resolve wavered. There were consequences to their actions. Then she recalled a tidbit she’d read in the small print on her birth control. “It’s okay. I’ve been on the pill for over four years. Obviously, I’ve not taken it while I’m here, but I’m sure nothing will happen. Beside, it’s the wrong time of month for me.”
“Are you sure?”
She heard doubt in his voice but her insides throbbed with a mindless ache she couldn’t ignore. “Yes.”
“Good.” Stretching out an arm, he lowered the wick on the lantern until it gave off a soft golden glow. Then he quickly removed his rest of his clothes and dumped them on the pile. “That’s better,” he said, returning to her side and gave her his heart-stopping smile.
She squirmed under his appraising gaze, wishing she wore sexy lingerie.
“I had no idea how enticing old-fashioned underclothes could be.”
At the comment, she melted. She wanted him—needed him. Now.
He must have sensed her urgency, because he captured her wrist and pinned it over her head. His other hand traced fire over her skin and slipped beneath the lace on her chemise. His mouth trailed his fingers. With excruciatingly slowness, he nibbled at the exposed skin.
She whimpered at his measured pace and reached for him, eliciting a growl from the depths of his throat.
He picked up the tempo.
Dragging the chemise from her breasts to her waist, he also grasped her drawers. In a single movement, he tugged them over her legs and tossed them on the other clothes at the side of the blanket.
She arched into him as his bare chest slid over her breasts. Hard to soft. Rough on silk.
His hand caressed the inside of her thigh, signaling his intent.
She shivered in anticipation and opened for him.
Annie hadn’t lied when she’d said she wasn’t a virgin, but never had it felt like this.
Inch by deliberate inch, he filled her until seated into her very depths. For a moment, he held still and she quivered around him.
She stared into his face, afraid he’d find her inexperience disappointing, but his need only seemed to grow stronger.
His breathing grew quick and uneven as though he was using all his restraint to hold back.
He kissed the corner of her mouth. “Let go,” he whispered. “Don’t think. Feel. I won’t hurt you.” He drew back almost to the point of exit before penetrating deeper.
Pleasure exploded inside her. A mix of desperation and euphoria filled her limbs.
The nightly sing-song symphony of crickets accompanied the kaleidoscope of pleasure pulsing through her. Skin-to-skin, their seductive rhythm joined the forest melody.
The night, the forest, her troubles—all dissolved in the swirling colors behind closed eyes. Her hips moved to match each thrust. Harder, faster, until their sweat-slicked bodies created their own sweet night song.
Luke pushed against her core, nudging her to the edge.
A cry ripped from her throat. She arched into the growing crescendo. Her heart filled with more love than she thought possible. Then with a gasp, she shuddered as wave after wave plummeted through her.
Lightning Only Strikes Twice Page 14
