Out of the Shadow

by J. L. Paul

  “I’ve been waiting a long time to do that,” he said.

  “Me, too,” she said breathlessly.

  “Let’s go, princess,” he said as he started the engine.

  She sat back in her seat, grinning in anticipation. She couldn’t believe she’d have an entire weekend with him. She couldn’t wait for it to get started.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Cole held her hand as he steered his car through the light highway traffic, his heart finally at rest. He was pretty exhausted even though he’d slept ten hours the night before, but he wasn’t going to let a tiny thing like weariness interfere with his weekend with Ally.

  He gave her hand a squeeze and flashed a quick smile in her direction. She returned it, her face radiant with happiness. She scooted closer to wrap her free hand around his bicep before leaning over and kissing his cheek.

  “I’m so happy that you’re home,” she said, her light flowery scent wafting to his nose. “When are you ever going to tell me where we’re going?”

  He chuckled as he switched lanes. His exit was two miles away – they were drawing close.

  “I’ll tell you now,” he said with a shrug. “Jamie helped me find this little bed and breakfast place. It has some cottages and I rented us one for the weekend.”

  “Really?” she asked, squeezing his arm and bouncing in her seat.

  “Yep,” he said, his lips pulling away from his teeth in a large smile. “It’s supposed to be a really nice place.”

  “I can’t wait,” she said, resting her head on his shoulder.

  He exited the highway and found a two lane road lined with tall trees with leaves in an array of oranges, yellows, and browns. Wooden fences ran alongside the road, several of them containing grazing horses. The houses were sparse and the area so tranquil and quiet that Cole was impressed. He’d have to remember to mention it to Jamie next time he saw him.

  A wooden sign marked a long, dirt drive that led to the Weeping Willows Bed and Breakfast. Cole turned and slowed as the drive wound through the trees and curled around a languid lake, complete with a flock of Canadian geese plucking at the long grass the edged the lake.

  “This is beautiful, Cole,” Ally gasped, her eyes darting all around, trying to take in every single detail. “It’s perfect!”

  “Good,” he said as he parked and cupped her cheek. She kissed him and he had to pull his body away from her. “Let’s check in and then maybe we can take a walk and check the place out.”

  “Okay,” she said as she yanked on the door handle.

  He waited for her in front of the car and took her hand when she reached him. They climbed the creaky steps of the wraparound porch as she admired the handsome, Victorian house. He held the door for her and she gasped once she stepped inside.

  What had once been an elaborate family home had been transformed into a charming inn. A long desk sprawled across one wall and a free-standing, stone fireplace created another wall. Cole peered at it and could see that it went all the way through to the next room which seemed to be a sitting area.

  The hardwood floors were old and in terrible need of refinishing but they added character. And as they approached the desk, he noticed a pair of French doors that had been thrown open to reveal an intimate dining room.

  “Can I help you?” an elderly woman wearing a pair of bifocals and a welcoming smile asked. She moved behind the desk and consulted a computer. “Do you have reservations?”

  “Yes,” Cole said as he dropped Ally’s hand and yanked his wallet out of his back pocket. “Cole Crawford.”

  The woman punched the keyboard, her graying brows scrunched together as she watched the monitor. Finally, her smile returned as she reached under the desk and produced a set of keys. “Here you are.” She gave Cole an amount and handed him the keys as he handed her his credit card.

  She finished the transaction and fixed them with another smile, giving him a map. “The dining room opens at six in the morning and closes at nine every night,” she told them. She pointed to a display propped on the desk. “There are some brochures that list some of the things that go on around town.”

  “Thanks,” Cole said as Ally plucked one from the holder. He took her hand again and led her back to the car. He opened the map and found their cottage. “Let’s go see if the place is worth the hype.”

  Once again they followed the winding road behind the Victorian house, past a lap pool and a bright white gazebo sitting in the middle of a yellowed, dying garden. They found their cottage set back off the road near the lake. They got out of the car and Cole collected their bags while Ally gazed at the lake.

  “Take the key, Al,” he said as he shouldered their bags. She ran ahead to the low slung cottage with the slanted roof that looked like it belonged in a fairy tale. She opened the door and allowed him to pass.

  He dropped the bags and fumbled for her hand, yanking her to his chest. He kissed her then edged back, a half-grin on his face. “What do you think?”

  The cottage was small with a combination kitchen/living area. A fieldstone fireplace took up one wall and the window offered a view of the lake. The furniture was rustic as was the woven throw rug in front of the hearth.

  “It’s adorable,” she said as she pecked his cheek then wandered around, exploring. She opened a door and flipped a light switch. “Found the bathroom.”

  “That’s a good thing,” he quipped as he picked up the bags and opened the other door. He turned on the light and revealed a queen sized bed covered with a handmade quilt. A tall dresser sat opposite it with a hefty, round candle on top.

  He placed the bags on the bed and returned to the kitchenette area where Ally was opening cupboards and drawers.

  “Find anything good?” he asked as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

  “Bunch of dishes and stuff,” she said. “No food, though. Sucks for you.”

  “I’ll live,” he said. “Want to take a walk before dinner?”

  “Yes,” she said and turned in his arms. She rolled to her toes and he pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “Let’s go.”

  He took her hand and they left the cottage. They strolled around the grounds, eventually making their way to the gazebo. He brushed the leaves off the bench and they sat. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

  “Thank you for this, Cole,” she said, resting a hand on his thigh. “This is so perfect.”

  “You don’t have to thank me, Al,” he said. “I wanted to do this. And this is nice, especially after traveling all over the country.”

  They sat together, quietly, neither feeling the urge to speak. He loved it that way – loved that they didn’t always feel the need to fill in any silences. He liked being with her no matter what they did and times like this were extremely calming.

  “Do you want to go into town tonight, princess?” he asked.

  “Nope, let’s just eat in the dining room then hang out in the cottage,” she said. “And don’t call me that.”

  He kissed the top of her head and chuckled. “Let’s go clean up and grab some food.”

  ***

  After dinner, they walked back to the cottage and he built a roaring fire in the fireplace. She sat on the rug and snuggled into him. She couldn’t remember ever being so happy.

  He slid them down until they were lying on the floor, and wrapped her in his arms. He placed short kisses on her cheeks, her neck, and her lips. She lost herself in his eyes as she lifted a hand to his face. She could tell that he hadn’t taken the time to shave that morning as his stubble pricked her fingers. But she didn’t mind – she thought it made him look more rugged. And it got her heart all in a tizzy.

  “I love you, Cole,” she whispered.

  He kissed her slowly, his hands winding in her hair. Her pulse raced through her veins as her body melted into his and her temperature rose a couple degrees. He broke the kiss, his chest heaving as much as hers.

  “I love you, too,” he said. He kissed her again, quickly. He drew b
ack to look at her and wink. “Ready to retire for the night?”

  “Yes,” she said as he pushed to his feet and helped her up. He enveloped her in his arms and guided her to the bedroom. Her heart pounded as he shut the door behind them.

  ***

  She woke slowly the next morning, pressed firmly against him. The light filtering through the heavy curtains landed on his cheek and she touched it, just wanting to feel him. He shifted and mumbled, but stayed asleep. She smiled as she traced the fading circles under his eyes.

  She had noticed the weariness in his face when he’d picked her up from school and although it worried her, she was glad that at least they were together and perhaps she could take care of him that weekend – make sure he ate decently and got plenty of rest.

  She nestled her cheek against his chest and sighed as his hand came up and wrapped around her. His breath ruffled her hair as his heart thumped in her ear. She closed her eyes, content to stay as she was for the rest of the weekend.

  “You awake already, princess?” he mumbled in a scratchy voice.

  “Um hm,” she said.

  He rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head. “Want to get some breakfast?”

  She almost told him she’d rather not but remembered her vow to take care of him that weekend. She lifted her head, folded her arms on his chest, and rested her chin on her arms. “Sure. Do you want the shower first? I tend to take all the hot water.”

  His eyes were opened just mere slits as a slow smile crept across his lips. “Yeah, fine. Do you want to do breakfast here or in town?”

  “Let’s go to town,” she said. “I want to check it out.”

  He lifted his head to kiss her nose. “Fine. Let me up, beautiful, and I’ll get ready.”

  ***

  The little town was full of tourists and he’d felt the need to hide in his meek disguise. He donned his favorite baseball cap, turned backwards of course, and a dark pair of sunglasses. He dressed down in jeans and a hooded sweatshirt, doing his best to blend in, but most of the people strolling casually down the sidewalks, peering into the little shops, were older and most likely not fans.

  It was another beautiful, fall day. The sun was shining and no clouds marred the sky. The temperature was still a little warmer than normal, but not warm enough to leave jackets behind.

  He held her hand, ecstatic to be spending time with her, and listened as she chattered about school, her roommate, and her basketball workouts. She’d dressed down, too, and he thought she was absolutely gorgeous in jeans and a blue sweater, her ponytail bouncing from shoulder to shoulder.

  “I forgot to tell you something, Al,” he said as they stopped in front of a boutique so she could peek at the fall sweaters in the window.

  She glanced at him over her shoulder, her smile stealing his breath. The sun hit her head, highlighting the reddish brown strands that hid in her normally dark hair. “What did you forget to tell me?”

  He kissed her cheek. “RJ and I found a little house close to campus and we’re going to rent it for awhile.”

  Her eyes grew larger than dinner plates and out sparkled the sun. She slowly turned toward him and grabbed his other hand. “Really?” He nodded. She jumped up and threw her arms around his neck and squeezed. “That’s fantastic.”

  “I know,” he said, prying her fingers loose as a passing older couple smiled sweetly at them. “We’re moving in Monday.”

  “And I can come visit you whenever I want?” she asked.

  “Of course,” he said. “I’ll give you a key.”

  She hugged him again. “This has been the best weekend of my life.”

  He cupped her face. “It’s just going to get better.” Then he kissed her.

  ***

  That evening, they returned to the cottage, laden with shopping bags and cartons of Mexican food. He set the shopping bags near the door before exiting again to gather wood for the fireplace while she located plates and silverware.

  Once he had a fire started, he sat at the table and watched with a half smile as she dished out the food and brought him a plate. She made one for herself and joined him, her brows dipping over her eyes. She stared at him for a moment then checked the table.

  “Did I forget something?” she asked.

  “No, princess,” he said as he picked up his fork and plunged it into his rice. She continued to eye him as she cautiously dug into her food. He chuckled and set his fork down. “Honest, it’s nothing.”

  “Whatever you say,” she said as she shoved a forkful of refried beans in her mouth.

  He ducked over his plate, wishing he could share what he was feeling inside but not sure he’d be able to put it into words. He just liked what they were doing at that moment. He liked building the fire while she tended to the food. He liked watching her work in the kitchen after they’d spent the day together. Later, they’d sit in front of the fire and talk then go to bed. He’d wake up in the morning with her beside him. It was all so…domestic. And he wanted it for more than just a weekend. He wanted it to be like this every day.

  But he had to wait. He had to be patient. He didn’t want to rush things and besides, they still had a few bugs to work out. They’d had a fairly large argument and they hadn’t really settled things. He planned to talk to her about that later, after dinner. He wanted to fix things before he had to take off again for L.A.

  And he had to tell her about that, too.

  Once they finished eating, he helped her wash up the dishes then took her hand and led her to the fireplace. He sat on the floor, his back against the sofa, and pulled her down between his legs. His arms wound around her and he rested his chin on her shoulder.

  “Did you have fun today?” he asked.

  She leaned into him, smile on her face. “Yes,” she said. “Thank you so much, Cole. This has been perfect.”

  “I agree,” he said. “We’ll have to do this more often.”

  She nodded and snuggled into him. He held her tighter and kissed her neck. He wanted to talk – to discuss what had happened between them after the article had come out – and he also wanted to tell her about his impending trip to L.A. But he wasn’t willing to break the serene mood that was enveloping them. He just wanted to hold her and kiss her and just be with her.

  But, he couldn’t keep putting it off.

  He sighed and pressed a quick kiss to her temple. “Al, there’s a few things we should talk about.”

  She turned in his arms to face him. Her face had paled, lines appeared in her forehead, and he hated seeing them there. “What’s the matter, Cole?”

  He chucked her under the chin and winked. “Nothing, princess. I just wanted to talk about that argument we had. I’d hate for something like that to happen again.”

  She relaxed and laced her fingers through his, sending a thrill through him. It had been too long since they’d been together that every little touch felt like the first one.

  “Okay, let’s talk,” she said, tilting her head to smile. “Lay it on me.”

  He took a deep breath and stared at their entwined hands. “Well, I really didn’t mean to cause you so much trouble, Al. Honestly, I didn’t. I guess I didn’t think.”

  “I’ll deal with it, Cole,” she said. “I think I overreacted and I’m sorry. But I wish we would have discussed it beforehand.”