Storm

by Susan Fisher-Davis

  “Fifty-pound bag of rolled oats, please.”

  Nodding, the clerk processed the order while Storm glanced around the store. It seemed like everyone was out, and about, today. He supposed they all had cabin fever. It was strange how it hadn’t affected him that way—this time. He’d enjoyed being with Mandy...and Chloe. Shaking that thought from his head, he stiffened when he saw Melinda Brooks strolling toward him with a smile on her face. Aww hell!

  “Hello, Storm,” she said in a husky voice as she ran her hand up his coat sleeve.

  Storm put his fingers to his hat. “Melinda.”

  “I thought you’d call me.”

  There you go thinking. “I don’t recall saying that.”

  “Come on, Storm. We’ve only gone out once but we had fun.”

  Storm clenched his jaw. That was another mistake on his part. Taking Melinda out. She’d been on him like white on rice, and he’d caved and had sex with her. What a mess that turned out to be. He couldn’t get out of there fast enough once it was over. She was boring in bed. He would have had more pleasure being by himself.

  “I’m sorry, Melinda, but I’m just not interested. You should move on,” he said in a low tone of voice so no one else would hear.

  “I don’t want to move on, Storm. I want you,” she exclaimed.

  Everyone in the store turned in their direction with smiles on their faces. Storm wanted to disappear. He pulled his phone out of his pocket figuring he’d fake a call if he had to get rid of her. It was then he saw the text from Sarah. It had come in quite some time ago. Shit! It came in while he was with Chloe. Had she seen it? Of course, she had. No wonder she was so short with him. Can things get any worse?

  “Now is not the time to discuss this. I’ve gotta get going.” Storm turned from her to pay the clerk, who had a grin on his face. It quickly disappeared when Storm glared at him then picked up his ticket and after nodding politely at Melinda, he practically ran out the door.

  The woman had been after him for years and the one time he’d given in, he’d regretted it immediately, and ever since. For some reason, she came across as some type of sex kitten but she sure didn’t show any claws in bed. Not that he was into the rough stuff, but he liked a woman who showed a little passion in bed. Like Chloe. Damn it! Of course, it would come back around to her.

  Storm muttered under his breath as he handed the ticket to one of the men at the dock and waited for his order. He looked up when a horn blew and grinned when he saw his friend, Lucas Taggart pulling into the lot. He watched as Lucas parked his truck, climbed out, and strode to him. They shook hands.

  “What’s going on, Lucas?”

  “Just need to get some oats.” He glanced behind Storm and laughed. “I see you did too.”

  Storm grinned. “I was in town so I thought I’d go ahead and get some. Hey, how about we start on Chloe’s apartment the weekend after New Year’s? I just looked at it and it’s rough but fixable.”

  “You just looked at it?”

  “Yes...when I brought Chloe back to town today.”

  “I see. Were you that anxious to get rid of her?” Lucas grinned.

  “She wanted to go but her car is still buried.” Storm shrugged. “I drove her in.”

  “You are seriously passing up a good opportunity, Storm. She’s a beautiful woman.”

  “Yeah, well, you all are beating a dead horse and I don’t think Emily would appreciate you talking about Chloe like that.”

  “Shit, Emily knows I love her. I really don’t get you though. I know Tracy did a number on you but Chloe’s not Tracy. Hell, no woman is and Chloe most of all. She’s had it bad for you for a long time. If you two got together, I’m sure...what’s that look for? Aww, hell. Did you and Chloe sleep together?”

  Storm glanced away then back. He lowered his voice to just above a growl. “None of your damn business.”

  Lucas burst out laughing. “That’s true, but you just answered my question.” He slapped Storm on the back. “Of course, if it was that bad, I understand why you don’t want her.”

  “It wasn’t...shit! Fuck you, Lucas.”

  Lucas shook his head. “You’re like a brother to me but you’re a fool for not going after what you so desperately want. Gotta get going. I’ll see you later.”

  Storm watched him walk away then turned to take the bag of feed and load it into the truck bed.

  “Who the hell said I wanted her?” he muttered under his breath. “Everyone’s got a fucking opinion regarding my love life or lack of one. And it’s no one’s business but mine.”

  Storm drove out of the parking lot and headed home. He didn’t want to be away from the ranch too long right now. There was work needing done and he worked just as hard as his men did. Since the weather was clearing for a few days, the first in quite a while, he’d let the horses out in the corrals for a few hours for fresh air and exercise.

  Arriving home, he pulled into his driveway and parked by the back door. After stepping out of the truck, he climbed the steps and stomped his boots to remove the snow. Before going inside, he glanced to the Big Horns to see them shrouded in snow. Well, so much for being clear for a few days, that reprieve didn’t last long. It was a good thing he’d gotten Chloe home when he did. Really? No, not really. He opened the door and entered the kitchen to see Mandy running to him. He crouched down and caught her to his chest.

  “What have I told you about running in the house, Amanda Jo Bateman?”

  “I forget,” she told him as she cupped his cheeks in her loving way.

  Storm couldn’t help but laugh. “I don’t think you have. Please don’t run in the house. I don’t want you to fall and hurt yourself.”

  “Daddy, when can we put the tree up?”

  “Now, if you want.”

  Genuinely excited as only a child could be, Mandy began hopping up and down, clapping her hands. “Yes, please.”

  Storm sighed and stood. He saw Claire standing in the doorway. “Can you watch her a few more minutes while I get Jimmy to help me bring the tree in?”

  “Of course.”

  Storm frowned. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes. Are you?”

  He gritted his teeth. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  Claire shrugged. “I have no idea. Come on, Mandy Pandy, let’s go color.”

  “Okay. Bye, Daddy.” Mandy ran off.

  Storm shook his head. What part of no running in the house didn’t she understand? He pulled out his phone to call Jimmy and saw the text from Sarah. He took a deep breath then deleted the text. After calling and asking Jimmy to meet him in the barn where he’d put the tree, he left the house and walked to the barn. When he entered the barn, he stifled a laugh. Jimmy stood beside the tree with his hands on his hips staring at it. He glanced over to Storm.

  “I’m amazed. How in the hell did you convince her to get a smaller one?”

  Storm chuckled. Small didn’t exactly fit the description of the ten-foot Fraser, but it was certainly smaller than last year’s.

  “I told her before we went to get it that she couldn’t get one as big as last year’s tree. I’m not sure she really understood the difference, but I think she actually did pretty good this year. It’s not as big around either. It will look great in front of the window.”

  “Claire and I are planning to go tomorrow, but we’re taking the truck.”

  Storm nodded. “Good idea. It was damn cold up there the day we rode up. Mandy and Chloe were turning blue. Besides, from the looks of the snow gathering on the mountain tops, bad weather might be moving in soon.”

  “Yeah, good thinking. You know, Mandy’s going to miss her too.”

  “You’ll see her when you go in to the restaurant.”

  “I wasn’t talking about me and Claire.”

  “Let it go, Jimmy. Christ, you people are more interested in my love life than I am.”

  “Someone needs to be. Come on...let’s get this into the house.” Jimmy picked the tree up by the top,
leaving Storm to grab the trunk.

  They carried the tree into the house and leaned it in the corner until Storm got the tree stand then set it up in front of the windows. The house filled instantly with the smell of fresh pine. Mandy stood beside it jumping up and down. Storm took his coat off and laid it on the recliner.

  “Get the dec...the deca...” She stopped and frowned up at Storm silently asking for the right word.

  “Decorations,” he said grinning.

  “Yeah, those.” Mandy grinned back. She’d learn soon enough.

  “I’ll be right back.” He looked at Claire. “As always, thank you for watching her. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Claire nodded, kissed Mandy’s cheek, put on her coat, and left with Jimmy. Storm walked down the hallway, pulled the attic door down from the ceiling, and lowered the ladder. He climbed up and then carried several boxes of decorations down. Mandy loved decorating the bottom while he took care of the top, until it was time for the placement of the angel at the very top then he held Mandy up for her to put it on. She’d been doing it since she was two and each year got better at it. If she placed it crooked, Storm never told her. He’d just adjust it after she went to bed.

  He carried the boxes to the living room and unpacked the lights. After stringing them around the tree, he opened the boxes containing the decorations and Mandy got to work on the lower branches within her reach—chatting non-stop the entire time.

  “Daddy, when can we go see Santa? I have to tell him what I want.”

  “How about this weekend?”

  “Okay. Do you think Chloe really will be here for Christmas?”

  “She said she would.” He didn’t want to discuss Chloe with anyone and especially not his daughter. The sooner Mandy forgot about Chloe, the better. The same with him. Once he finished working on her apartment, he’d never have to see her again—if he didn’t want to. That thought didn’t make him feel as good as it should, but he couldn’t get involved with her. There was just no future there.

  “Who are you kidding? You’re already involved,” he muttered.

  “What?” Mandy frowned up at him.

  “Nothing, sweetheart...just talking to myself.”

  “I hope Chloe comes out ’cause I don’t want her to be alone on Christmas.”

  “Chloe’s a big girl and has a lot of friends I’m sure she’ll be able to spend Christmas with.” He hoped so anyway. No one should spend Christmas alone. Her closest friends were all married now, so did she really have somewhere to go? He glanced at Mandy. “I’ll call to remind her.”

  Mandy smiled up at him and he knew he was doing the right thing. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and punched in Chloe’s number.

  “Hello?” she answered in a breathless voice.

  “Are you running?” Storm asked.

  Chloe laughed. “I never run when I can walk. No, I’m scraping the paint from the trim in the apartment. What’s up?”

  “Already? Well, you’re eager to get it going.”

  “Yep.”

  “Would...” He cleared his throat. Why did he feel like a nervous teen calling a girl for the first date? “I know you said you’d visit on Christmas but would you like to come here Christmas day and spend it with us, dinner and all?” Then he quickly added. “Mandy’s worried you’ll be alone.”

  “Not you, though?”

  “Sure—yeah. Of course.”

  Her soft laughter came across the phone. “Liar.”

  “Seriously, if you don’t have other plans, Chloe, we’d both love to have you join us.”

  “I don’t have plans. Kennie and Coop go to her parents for the day, so I’ve got nothing in the works. Will you need me to fix dinner?”

  Storm chuckled. “No, but thanks...my mom makes it. She and my stepdad get here early, and she cooks loads of food.”

  “Your mom?” She sounded hesitant suddenly.

  “You aren’t afraid of her, are you?” Storm grinned.

  “No, but what will she think of me being there?”

  “That I invited a friend. Don’t worry about it. She won’t give you the third degree, if that’s what you’re worried about, and she won’t bite either.”

  “Okay then, sure, I’d love to come but what if my car is still buried. How will I get there?”

  “Jimmy and I will check on your car in a few days, but there is more snow moving in. If we don’t have it out by then, I’ll come and get you.”

  “I’d like to get Mandy something. What do you think she’d like?”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “I know. I want to. She mentioned a baby doll. Actually, she mentioned a real brother or sister...but I’m afraid I can’t help her with that.” She laughed.

  “You never know.” He paused and there was a brief awkward moment of silence. “Get what you want. I’m sure she’ll love it if it’s from you. I’ll call you about your car.” He hung up. Why the hell did you say that? You never know. What the fuck is wrong with you?

  He mentally shook his head, put away his phone, smiled at Mandy, and set about helping her finish decorating the tree.

  CHLOE SMILED AS SHE put her phone back into her pocket. She knew she shouldn’t go spend Christmas at the ranch but any chance to spend time with Storm, she’d take it. Maybe she’d eventually wear him down. A girl could hope. A sudden knock on her door startled her out of her thoughts.

  “Who is it?” she called out. Who would know she was here? No one. For safety reasons, she’d have one of the guys put a peep-hole in the door.

  “Kendra and friends. Open up.”

  Chloe ran to the door and unlocked it then pulled it open. Kendra, Emily, Isabella, Megan, Patsy, Shelly, and Roni stood on the stoop. A simultaneous squeal sounded from the entire group then each one hugged her as they entered. Chloe pushed the door closed after the last one entered and turned to face them with a big smile.

  “I’m so happy to see you. I can’t believe you didn’t call me as soon as you got back,” Kendra scolded.

  “Well, getting back was kind of interrupted when I was rescued by a handsome man. I got stuck in the snow when I tried to walk to your house in the snow.”

  “What? Lucas said you were staying with Storm for a while,” Emily commented sounding confused.

  “Montgomery said the same thing,” Isabella added.

  “Yes, I was staying with Storm. He’s the handsome man who rescued me. I thought I was close enough to your house, Kennie, to make it but Storm said I was heading in the wrong direction. When he found me, I was passed out in the snow.” The woman all gasped. Chloe waved her hand. “I swerved to miss a deer and ended up in the ditch. I got out of the car, in heels and a wedding gown, no less, and started to walk. Thank God, Storm came along.”

  “You were in heels? Chloe, why would you even try to walk in those with that much snow?” Emily asked her.

  “I sat there for a while but no one came by, and I thought I was closer than I was. The gown was ruined but I don’t care. I didn’t pay for it and the thought of trying to change my clothes in the car was not appealing at all, although I really should have changed shoes, if nothing else.”

  “So...we assume since you were in your wedding dress that you ran out on your wedding...why? I mean, we know you weren’t happy about getting married, but what was the final straw?” Roni asked her.

  Chloe took a deep breath and told them what had happened. When she finished, they were all staring at her. All of a sudden, Kendra burst out laughing.

  “I love it. I bet your mother had a fit.”

  “Oh, that’s an understatement. You should hear the messages she’s left me. I haven’t talked to her yet, but David called to tell me his parents have accepted his decision and lifestyle. He’s so happy. If only my parents were so forgiving and understanding. I’ve been meaning to call Jennifer and Albert though, but still haven’t gotten around to it.”

  “Who are they?” Patsy Murphy asked her.

 
“Two people who always were better to me than my parents ever were—my parents’ chef and chauffeur. Albert was instrumental in my decision to do what I wanted not what my parents wanted for me. I miss them. I have to call them soon because I don’t want them to worry.”

  Megan laughed. “But it’s no problem worrying your parents?”

  “Oh, hell no!” Chloe laughed along with everyone else then stood. “So, what do you all think?” She waved her hands around the apartment.

  The women explored the apartment before returning to the living room.

  “I think it has excellent potential,” Shelly said with real optimism.

  “Kennie, can you take me one day to pick out paint?”

  “Sure, but is there something wrong with your car?”

  “It’s still buried in snow out by Storm’s place. If he can’t get it out, he’s going to pick me up Christmas day...what?” she asked when she saw them all staring at her with smirks on their faces.

  “Christmas day, huh?” Roni asked her with a surprised expression.

  “Yes. He called to ask me if I wanted to spend the day with him and Mandy. I was going to visit them sometime on Christmas day anyway, but hadn’t planned on the entire day. I promised Mandy.” She shrugged. “So I said yes. That reminds me...I need to get Mandy a baby doll.” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “Should I get Storm something?”

  “Just how close did you and Storm get while you were there? I mean, for him to ask you to spend the day there with the family...” Chloe knew Kendra wanted to know details so when Chloe blushed at her friend’s question, Kendra jumped on it. “Was it good?” she asked quietly.

  Chloe looked at the women and saw that all of them were eager for an answer. She laughed. “Fanfuckingtastic! But...it wasn’t the first time we’d been together.”

  “What?” the women all asked in unison.

  Chloe burst out laughing and looked at Kendra. “Remember the night at the Fireside when Storm and I both disappeared for some air?” Kendra nodded. “Well, air wasn’t the only thing we got while we were out there. We were in his truck.”

  Kendra swatted at her. “You bitch! You didn’t tell me that. In fact, you lied to me when I asked you if you’d seen him outside.”