Storm's Interlude

by Vonnie Davis

  “I just closed those.” Storm wanted to irritate her. She sure as hell was irritating him.

  She put her hands on her hips and shot him a defiant look. “And I just opened them. Sunlight is good for your sister. It helps elevate the mood.”

  He took a long drink of water. “By the looks of her face, she’s had enough sun for one day.”

  Rachel walked over to examine Sunny’s skin. “Yes, I see what you mean. I should have insisted she put on sunscreen. I won’t let that mistake happen again.”

  “It better be the only mistake you make with my sister.” He didn’t like her cavalier attitude. Sunny needed protection from everything. Time to show Nurse Rachel who was running things around here. He set his empty glass on the tray, walked to the windows and closed the drapes. “Sunny needs the room dark so she can fall asleep.”

  He could read in Rachel’s facial expression she wanted to tell him what she thought. Her eyes narrowed. That sensual mouth of hers was pinched. Her arms crossed under those full breasts, and one foot tapped in obvious annoyance. Why, he could swear steam was coming out of her ears. That fact pleased him greatly. Lordy, but she was a beauty with her cheeks flushed in high anger.

  If glares could kill, he’d be stretched out on a marble slab at Van Snoot’s Funeral Parlor. Rachel snatched her shopping bags, turned and stormed out of the room, her pointy chin angled high and that tight skirt switching and sliding so sensually over her hips, he wanted to groan.

  “Why, brother, I think she turns you on.” Sunny smiled as if she’d just uncovered some confidential information.

  Chapter Five

  Noella’s promise of Mexican brown rice and chicken was the only thing prompting Rachel to get ready for dinner. Since the housekeeper was making it especially for her, she couldn’t very well stay locked in her room or drive an hour for some pizza. No, she’d have to suffer through a meal with that overbearing, dogmatic, insufferable Storm Blackhawk. Until five days ago, he’d been engaged. No doubt he’d kissed her last night on the rebound.

  Good Lord how she’d like to pop him in the jaw—and she abhorred violence.

  Had the cowboy Romeo kissed every woman he’d come in contact with the last few days? Was he trying out women for a temporary replacement for the ex-fiancé? The jerk. She slammed her hairbrush on the dresser and sprayed on perfume. One word out of his mouth, and she was going to slug him.

  Storm and the man she’d seen earlier turned from a large window overlooking Noella’s rose gardens when Rachel entered the dining room. She was nearly bowled over by the combined power of their testosterone. Coming back from her run this morning, she’d seen the pair talking next to the police cruiser. She’d chosen to ignore them. Now, observing them up close, the pair seemed formidable, as if they felt they could handle anything or anyone.

  Storm’s eyes swept over her red silky blouse and tight black skirt. When his eyes landed on her new red strappy heels with ties that wrapped around her ankles and crisscrossed up to her calves, his eyebrows shot upward. “Well, don’t you look lovely tonight?” She hadn’t been expecting that, nor was she prepared for his smile and winking dimples to fluster her.

  He looked handsome and virile in a black golfing shirt and tan khakis. It was an outfit that would have gone unnoticed on any other man. However, his build, his muscles, his power of movement made it eye-catching. His shoulder-length hair, combed straight back from his wide forehead, glistened blacker than his shirt. Dark eyes bore into hers as he lifted a glass of amber liquid to his lips.

  “Thank you.” She cleared her throat, hoping her voice didn’t sound too breathless, too interested, which, of course, she wasn’t.

  Storm winked, almost as if he’d read her mind—the scoundrel. “I’d like you to meet Jackson Cole. We’ve been best friends since we were riding tricycles. Jackson, this is Sunny’s nurse, Rachel Dennison.”

  Jackson stepped toward her and extended his hand. His smile didn’t reach his eyes, and for that reason she sensed sadness about him. Although he was slightly shorter and thinner than Storm, he gave one the impression of an old watch wound too tight, as though he kept his power tightly leashed. His blond hair was cut in a short military style. So this was the chief of police. Bet the crime level stayed low in this county.

  “I’m honored to meet you, Miss Dennison, especially since you’re here to help Sunny.”

  “Call me Rachel, please.”

  “I’d be honored, ma’am.” Jackson’s handshake was warm and firm. “You took Sunny to the oncologist today. What did he say? How’s she doing?”

  “I’m still alive and kicking.” They all turned to watch Sunny enter, wearing the aqua pantsuit she’d bought earlier at the mall. She’d taken extra pains with her appearance, wearing large dangling aqua earrings, makeup and the fake eyelashes Rachel had talked her into buying. A white lace scarf was artfully tied around her bald head. “I heard you were coming to dinner. My, if you aren’t a sight for sore eyes, you handsome rascal, you.” She winked, and he offered a smile that reached his eyes.

  Almost as if they were the only two people in the room, he went to Sunny and cupped her face with his hands. His eyes searched hers, speaking silent volumes of affection before he kissed her forehead. Then he enveloped her in his arms. His eyes closed and he breathed her name.

  The scene was so painfully poignant, tears filled Rachel’s eyes. Storm placed a hand on the small of her back, and she gazed up at him. “How long has he loved her?” she whispered.

  “Since we were riding tricycles.” He wiped her falling tear with the pad of his thumb. “You’re very gentle-hearted, aren’t you?” His voice was deep, sensual. Her stomach fluttered.

  He was standing so close to her, his male scent eliciting a very female response. For the briefest of moments, she wanted to lean into him, which was not a good thing. Hadn’t she promised herself not to get entangled with a man again? She glanced at the embracing couple, choosing to ignore Storm’s question. “Then, why...”

  “Life gets complicated. People make bad choices and pain happens.” He studied his sister and then focused dark eyes on Rachel. “I take it the fake eyelashes were your idea.”

  By the tone of his voice, he wasn’t being critical. She’d been prepared to handle critical and rude and overbearing, but not his gentleness. Rachel searched his face. Warmth shone from his eyes and, for the first time, she noticed wrinkles at their corners, no doubt from spending so much time in the hot Texas sun. She fought the urge to reach up to smooth them with a touch.

  “Yes. The better a woman feels about her appearance, the stronger she feels. For cancer patients, feeling strong about anything gives them an added boost. In time, her hair and eyelashes will grow back. This is just a stop-gap measure until then.”

  He glanced at his sister again. “I see.”

  “Happiness makes us stronger. I talked her into buying some clothes that fit, too. Wearing clothes that hang on you is only a constant reminder you’re sick. Better to feel pretty and alive, don’t you think?”

  Storm studied Rachel for several beats. “You focus heavily on the emotional side of the patient, don’t you?”

  “Aren’t we ruled by our emotions?” She certainly was, especially at that moment, with the heat from his warm hand pressing into the small of her back. The smell of his cologne wafted over her, and his dark eyes regarded her intently.

  He smiled and leaned over so his mouth was near her ear. “Great shoes, by the way.”

  She chuckled and looked in the opposite direction, hoping he wouldn’t see her blush. “Sunny called them ‘ho-red.’ We laughed so hard when the shoe salesman fumbled, trying to tie the laces around my ankles and calves.”

  Storm glanced at her shoes again. She could have sworn she heard him mutter, “Lucky bastard.”

  Sawyer ran into the dining room from the kitchen. “Unkie Jackson!”

  Jackson released Sunny and stooped to scoop the boy into his arms. “Hey, tiger.”

  “
Mommy got me a ’mote contwol caw and two new books.”

  “Wow! You hit the mother lode!”

  Noella carried in a salad bowl. “Oh, Miss Sunny, you look so pretty tonight.”

  “She looks beautiful.” Jackson wrapped his arm around Sunny’s waist, holding Sawyer in his other arm. How perfect the three of them looked together. Rachel had never played matchmaker before, but if Sunny had the attentions of a handsome man, what a boost that would be for her emotionally. Now, how could she bring these two together?

  “You’re smiling, and I swear it’s positively dangerous.” Storm’s remark, next to her ear, feathered her hair. His hand swept up her back a few inches. A shudder went through her. His eyes narrowed and darkened at her response. Lord, but he was perilous to a woman’s self-control.

  Rachel stepped away from Storm’s overwhelming presence. “Need some help carrying in the food, Noella?”

  “Help is always appreciated. We’re having Mexican brown rice and chicken tonight, especially for Rachel.” Noella breezed through the kitchen door and Rachel followed.

  Dinner was a festive occasion. Sunny was buoyed by Jackson’s presence. Jackson could barely take his eyes off her. Several times he brought an empty fork to his mouth and never once seemed to notice he’d taken a bite of nothing. Storm was polite and genial, a side of him Rachel found charming. Bubbly Sawyer, king of the booster seat, entertained everyone.

  Rachel took a sip of water. “The three of you seem close.”

  Jackson smiled and nodded. “We’re the Texan version of the three musketeers. Have been since the first grade.”

  “Jackson practically lived here during the summers. He and Storm picked on me terribly. Me, the weak little female.” Sunny’s eyes twinkled.

  Noella shook her head and chuckled. “I say nothing.”

  “Now, sister, you lie. I remember garter snakes in our beds. Worms in the toes of our sneakers. And salt in the Kool-Aid.”

  Jackson nodded. “I recall how she cut the back seam of my swimming trunks the day of a big pool party. I had no clue I was baring it all for the rest of the kids.”

  Rachel laughed. This was a new side of her patient. A good side. A strong side. Now all she had to do was resurrect the ornery girl who’d done these things.

  Sunny’s face turned wistful. “A party. We haven’t had a party in so long. Not since my diagnosis.”

  “I think a party is an excellent idea. If I recall from your medical records, you have a birthday in a couple months or so.” Rachel swung her eyes to Storm. “Why don’t we plan a small party for the two of you to celebrate? Food, music, dancing, swimming.”

  “A Texas barbeque for our thirtieth birthday.” Sunny looked at Storm. “Wouldn’t that be fun?”

  Storm’s eyebrows furrowed in obvious concern when he looked at Rachel. “You don’t think it would be too tiring for Sunny?”

  “I think it would be great for her to be around family and friends. She’ll be stronger by then. I’ll see to it.” If she had her way, Sunny would be much stronger, maybe even a few pounds heavier.

  “Still, all the excitement of the preparations and…”

  “Storm, please. A party!” Sunny pleaded with her eyes as well as her words.”My life’s been on hold for so long. I want to feel alive again.”

  “Sí, Master Storm. If Miss Sunny wants a party, she should have one. I think we should ask Pepe and his band to come play.” Noella snapped her fingers over her head. “We could wear pretty clothes and dance. Oh, I’ll let my hair down, sí?”

  Storm raised his hands in surrender. “All right, I give in. I can’t fight three determined women at once. No man’s that strong.”

  Rachel held a spoonful of chocolate mousse in front of her lips. “Gee, not only is the man handsome, but he’s smart, too.” She quickly dropped her eyes and shoved the dreamy dessert into her mouth, if for no other reason than to keep her mouth from prattling on again. Great! Why had she said he was handsome? Maybe he hadn’t picked up on it. Please let his mind be elsewhere.

  “Well, well,” Sunny purred. Rachel shot her patient a look universally understood by females, silently screaming drop it, please!

  “You know we could always use a fourth musketeer, Rachel,” Jackson said. She pivoted her blushing face on Jackson. He winked at her, causing her to blush more.

  “Can I wear a mask, Unkie Jack? I wanna be a musket-ear, too.” Everyone’s gaze landed on little Sawyer. Laughter filled the dining room; the child’s lips and teeth were covered in chocolate mousse.

  ****

  After dinner, Jackson, Rachel and Storm went outside to the patio to enjoy their coffee while Sunny gave Sawyer his bath. Rachel stretched out on a chaise lounge, obviously enjoying the easy banter between the two men.

  Pistol waddled over and, after making three attempts to get his tubby tummy off the ground, jumped onto the foot of the chaise. He licked Rachel’s ankles, and for the first time in his life, Storm wished he were a dog.

  Rachel laughed, a deeply lush, sensual laugh that stirred him. He closed his eyes for an instant as the memory of that dream flooded back. The blue-eyed woman laughing in the dream had touched him, not just physically, but all the way to the depths of his soul. He opened his eyes and watched her scratch behind Pistol’s ears. The dog rolled over, giving her access to his belly. When the dog groaned, so did Storm.

  Realizing he needed a diversion from staring at Rachel, Storm stood to light the citronella candles and tiki torches. The sunset beyond the stables momentarily drew his attention. It was his favorite kind—bright reds and oranges with streaks of purple. There was nothing like a Texas sunset with the sky so close and so large even a man born and bred here was made speechless by its grandeur. He loved it here, where his soul dwelled.

  “Where are you from, Rachel?” Jackson slapped at a gnat. Storm regarded his best friend. He was a cool one, Jackson was. He knew very well where Rachel was from, having done a thorough background check on her.

  “Yazoo City, Mississippi, known as the gateway to the Delta. Although I’m looking for a new home base.”

  Jackson leaned forward, his hands dangling between his knees. “Yeah? How come?”

  She lifted a shoulder. “I just feel it’s time to move on. My dad is gone now, and his estate is finally settled. My folks were divorced. Mom lives in Las Vegas with her new husband.”

  “So, you thinking of moving there?”

  Rachel shook her head. “No, my stepdad’s not one of my favorite people. He’s a mover and a shaker, very self-centered. Although being nearer to Mom would be nice. I’m a small-town girl in my heart. Six lanes of traffic snarls and garish lights aren’t my style.”

  Jackson reached for his coffee. “I know what you mean. Rosefire is plenty big enough for me. Good place to raise a family.”

  “Do you have children?” Maybe he was divorced like Sunny.

  “Never been married, so there are no children I know of. I have dreams of kids, though, and a great love for a certain three-year-old.”

  “I see.”

  Storm looked at Rachel. “How long ago did your dad die, if you don’t mind my asking?”

  “A little over a year ago. Car accident.” She turned a woebegone expression on him.

  “Losing a parent is tough. I’m sorry for your loss. Sunny and I mourned greatly when Dad died. We leaned heavily on each other.” He jerked his head toward Jackson. “And we had Jackson and Mama Noella. Soon we had little Sawyer to help us. Did you have someone to help you through the grieving process? Family?”

  “Some friends.” She looked down at her clasped hands. “Also a friend who turned out not to be a friend.” She pushed her hair back. “If that makes any sense.”

  “I see.” Although he really didn’t. Was there some mystery there? “What about family?”

  She shook her head. “No. My older brother, my only brother, was killed in Iraq. Drew’s death changed my parents. Dad turned into a bit of an anti-war activist, making speech
es about it at the dinner table every night. Mom was so heartbroken she turned into a person I didn’t recognize, for a while. She left us six months later to ‘find herself.’ I’d just graduated from high school and chose to stay with Dad. He and I were very close, and I miss him terribly.” She looked at Storm, and a measure of pain and understanding passed between them. Both had been left behind by a mother who valued freedom more than family obligations. Both had cherished their fathers.

  Storm ran a hand through his hair. “Are you and your mom close now?”

  Rachel nodded. “We’re getting there. We went through a rough spell for a while. I was angry. Felt she’d turned her back on us when we needed her. As I matured, I realized she was merely coping with her grief over losing Drew. She just chose to grieve in a destructive way, but she’s doing better. We’re doing better—she and I. Mom has many regrets, but she has to live with them.”

  “Living with regrets can be tough. It’s good the two of you have reconciled. I’m sorry to hear about your brother. We’ve lost a lot of good men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan.” Storm gulped a few sips of coffee. “Lives have been changed forever. I’m sure losing your brother was a hard thing for your family to endure.”

  “For sure.” She swiped at a falling tear and drew a ragged breath. “Drew and I were close. He was a very protective older brother. Much like you are with Sunny. First Drew, then Mom, for a while, and now Dad. My coping mechanisms are rather beaten and dented. I simply fell apart when Dad died so suddenly in that car crash.”

  “I’m sorry, Rachel. Loss, no matter the form it takes when comes into our lives, takes something away from us. Not just the person we’ve lost, but a part of us, too. A piece of our souls. I miss my dad, too. He was a good man. Taught me a lot about life and this ranch.”

  “Sunny holds your dad in high regard, too.” Rachel turned her attention to Jackson as if she couldn’t bear to continue their vein of conversation. “Sunny looked great this evening, didn’t she?”