Storm's Interlude

by Vonnie Davis

  Either way, I feel like the moth and Storm the all-consuming candle.

  Never one to kid herself once the truth had become painfully clear, Rachel had accepted she’d fallen in love with Storm Blackhawk.

  Chapter Ten

  Sunny pulled panties from her dresser, raving about how great she felt after her massage. She was heading for a shower when Noella carried in a basket of clean laundry.

  “I had to remind Master Storm to put a hat on little Sawyer before taking him for a ride. It’s good to see that child riding with his uncle. Reminds me of when your poppa took Master Storm on rides. Goodness, but he hadn’t started walking yet.”

  Sunny stopped, her hand on the doorknob to the bathroom. “I remember Daddy taking me riding on the range. He made everything an adventure. He’d have adored my little cowboy.” She opened the door and entered her bathroom.

  Rachel began dismantling the portable massage table. “Sawyer is such a cute kid.”

  Noella placed clean items in Sunny’s dresser. “Little Sawyer has his mother’s disposition. Her illness has been hard on him.” She turned from the dresser. “Usually Miss Sunny spends the morning reading or gazing out her windows, but you had her in the pool playing with her child. I worry she’ll overdo, but I say nothing.” She turned large, anxiety-filled eyes on Rachel.

  “I’ve only been here for a few weeks, but I’ve already learned you are the heartbeat of this house.” She gauged the housekeeper’s reaction before continuing. “I’m going to need your help.”

  Noella stopped, her arms full of clean towels. “Help doing what?”

  “To fight cancer, a patient has to be as healthy and strong and happy as possible. That’s why I have Sunny doing exercises, spending time outdoors and eating certain foods. She needs to laugh and dance. To hear music. The more she enjoys life, the more she’ll fight to keep it.”

  “Sí, but she must not overdo.”

  “She’ll still take naps, but since she’ll be tired from her increased activity, the quality of her rest will be improved. Too much sleep is not good for anyone. It makes them lethargic. My job is to get Sunny strong enough to undergo another round of chemo. She’s still weak from the first round, even though it ended months ago.”

  “She got so sick.” The housekeeper sat on Sunny’s bed and crossed herself. “She was like a shadow, my Sunny. And the throwing up. My heart hurt so bad, but I say nothing.”

  “Thank God she had you to help her. Most women don’t have anyone to rely on the way Sunny relies on you. Their husbands go off to work day after day, and they spend the day alone—sick and scared.”

  “Sí. I’ve always taken care of Miss Sunny and Master Storm. And now, little Sawyer.”

  “Storm isn’t happy I’m here. He thinks I’ll do Sunny more harm than good. We’ve already had several arguments over my treatment plan.”

  “With Storm there are always arguments. He’s an extremely passionate man when it comes to those he loves and for this ranch. He feels too deeply, that one. He thinks his job in life is to protect whoever he cares for.” She ran a hand over the bed’s coverlet. “He got very upset the morning he thought you were sick.”

  “I think you misunderstood. He wasn’t upset over my fainting. He was accusing me of flirting with Ben.”

  Noella tilted her head. “Ben’s a good-looking man. He enjoys charming the women, from what I hear.”

  “I’m here to help Sunny, not to find romance.” Would she ever allow herself to find romance again? There were beginnings of a romance here, but not with Ben, with a man she felt powerless to resist. Could she ever respond to another man—someone other than Storm? Would any man measure up to the one with the midnight eyes and dazzling dimples? She suspected her heart would always yearn for him.

  The housekeeper stood and approached Rachel, patting her cheek. “You say you’re not hunting for romance, but maybe it find you. Sí?”

  Rachel shook her head. Why would any woman be interested in Ben when there was Storm? Granted, the man she’d spoken to briefly seemed nice enough, but he didn’t appeal to her. She almost wished he did; then maybe she could get over Storm Blackhawk.

  Everyone was seated at the table when Rachel joined them for lunch. Jackson was there, sitting next to Sunny. “Hi, Jackson. Nice to see you again. Sorry I’m late, everyone. I was on the phone with Dr. Frey. He was giving me the results of your labs from yesterday, Sunny. For now, things are stable and that’s very good. I want to impress upon you how good that is.”

  Sunny’s face brightened. “Remission?”

  Rachel didn’t want to disappoint her, nor did she want to mislead her, giving her false hope. “Not yet. But, with the levels of leukemic cells in your blood and bone marrow staying consistent for a month, we’re seeing a stabilizing effect. Granted, the numbers are still high. The good news is they’re not increasing. You know how pleased he was you’d gained eight pounds. He raved about much better you looked.”

  Storm laid his hand over Rachel’s. Pain warred with hope in his features. “You…do you and the doctor consider this a good thing?”

  She nodded. “Yes. With our doing everything we can to make your sister stronger—healthy eating, exercise, sun, and positive emotional reinforcement—this stabilization levels the playing field for a span of time. A span of time for Sunny to get stronger, so she can undergo the second series of chemo. I’m feeling very good about this.”

  He sat back, closed his eyes, and nodded in silence. Rachel tried to ignore her body’s reaction to his thumb making small circles over her knuckles as he held onto her hand like a lifeline.

  Tears glistened in Sunny’s eyes. “Hope,” she whispered, her chin quivering.

  Jackson drew Sunny into his arms. He kissed her forehead. “Everything good begins with hope, sugar.”

  Noella crossed herself, her lips moving, and then blotted her eyes with the hem of her apron. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Miss Sunny wasn’t sick anymore?”

  “I not sick,” Sawyer chimed in, obviously not quite sure what was happening.

  Rachel opened her eyes wide. “No, you’re strong. Show me your muscles.” She held up her arm and flexed it. The child mirrored her actions, and everyone laughed. “I bet you could be Superman.”

  He shook his head, grinning with a mouth full of peanut butter and jelly sandwich. “I need a cape.”

  “I’ll make you one,” Rachel promised.

  His eyes got big. “You will?”

  “Sure. I’ll even put a big ‘S’ on the back for Superman Sawyer.” The boy giggled, and Rachel realized she was falling deeper in love with the impish child every day.

  Rachel poured oil and vinegar on her salad. “Suddenly, I feel ravenous.”

  “We should celebrate.” Storm was grinning. A jovial air had permeated the kitchen.

  “No booze.” Jackson held his hand up in a stop gesture. “I promised Noella I’d slow down, and I have. Been gettin’ drunk on love lately.” He gazed at Sunny and winked. She beamed a smile.

  Storm glanced at Noella, who was giving him a warning look. “No, I was thinking of that apple pie I smelled when Sawyer and I got back from our ride. I say we live dangerously and have it for lunch, not dinner.”

  “Wif ice cream!” The child’s smile was wide, his sweet enthusiasm infectious.

  Noella laughed. “Sí, my darling boy. With ice cream. Your Unkie Storm has a good idea. Now eat all your lunch so you can have the special dessert.”

  Storm turned to Rachel. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think of your diabetes. Can you have pie and ice cream?”

  She shook her head. “I’d love it, believe me, but I shouldn’t have more than a bite.”

  “I’ll share a bite with you. You’re part of the reason we’re celebrating, after all. Besides, no one makes apple pie like our Noella. She uses apples grown here in her orchard.” He turned to his sister. “How are you feeling? Not too tired, I hope.”

  “Are you kidding? For the first time in months
, I feel alive. Rachel and I potted some plants after breakfast. Healing herbs, she calls them. I swam. Got some sun. Had a marvelous massage. You should have Rachel give you one.” She smiled at her brother, and Rachel could have sworn there was a tinge of mischievousness in her patient’s eyes. “Rachel has fabulous hands. Bet she could do wonders with your body.”

  Storm had just taken a drink of iced tea. He choked.

  “Goodness!” Sunny teased, spearing a cherry tomato with her fork and holding it in front of her mouth. “Was it something I said?”

  The pie à la mode was served. When Storm laid his arm across the back of Rachel’s chair and brought a spoonful of the dessert to her mouth, she held up one finger. “Okay, but one bite is all I can eat.” She closed her eyes and opened her mouth. The sweetness of sugar, the tartness of apples, cinnamon, nutmeg and the cold of ice cream landed on her tongue. It had been ages since she’d indulged. The tastes mingled and melted.

  She savored, swallowed and moaned. “Heaven. That was so good it made my toes curl.” She slowly opened her eyes and stared into the piercing gaze of midnight eyes. Storm was watching her as if he were measuring and mentally recording every nuance of her reaction. “Why…why are you staring at me like that?”

  His gaze never left hers as he extended a long finger and swiped a chunk of apple from her lower lip. “I’ve never seen anyone enjoy something so much.” He held up his finger. “Here, you missed a piece of apple.”

  Rachel coiled her hand around his wrist and brought his finger to her mouth. She sucked the fruit from his finger, twirling her tongue around his skin. Storm’s eyes swept shut, and he groaned. For a brief second, she enjoyed the sensual power her mouth exacted over him.

  His cell rang and he swore under his breath. He snatched it from his belt and checked the display before answering. “The woman just won’t give up.” He held the phone to his ear. “Okay, Pilar. What is it now?” His gaze slid to Rachel. “An art exhibition? Tonight?” He sighed and closed his eyes. “No, I don’t remember promising to be your escort. We no longer date. Ask someone else to take you. We’re finished.” He turned his fork over and over while the woman on the other end of the phone talked.

  Rachel stood and gathered her plates. Reality check: there was another woman in his life. A woman who wasn’t going away without a fight. The bitch was obviously obsessed with Storm.

  “Of course I’m a man of my word, Pilar.” By the tone of Storm’s voice he was getting angry. “Don’t start crying. What time do you want me there? You got it.” Storm slapped the phone on the table.

  Noella pushed Rachel away from the sink. “Go sit down. I’ll load the dishwasher.” When Rachel shook her head, the housekeeper placed her hands on the younger woman’s shoulders, whispering a command as she turned her around. “Don’t give up on him. He cares for you.” Noella turned her eyes to Storm. “Will you be here for dinner tonight?”

  “Yeah. I’ll be heading out soon afterward, though.” He watched Rachel sit next to him and regarded her closely. “You okay, mouse?”

  She wanted to kick him. To call him vile names for toying with her as if her feelings were inconsequential. She was a woman, caring, intelligent and educated. Damn him for touching and kissing her. Damn herself for loving it.

  Her hands were fisted in her lap. He laid his hand over them. “I’m sorry.”

  Pilar’s call was the end of a dream. A dream she wasn’t aware she’d had until now. She fought tears. She fought humiliation and she fought anger—anger at him and herself.

  “Look at me.” His command was gentle.

  She lifted her head and turned hardened eyes on him. She was struggling, trying to hang on to resolve and anger. “I think you’re kidding yourself if you think your relationship with Pilar is over. She still has control over you and your emotions.”

  He removed his hand from hers and appeared to be struggling with a response. Then he turned his attention to his sister. “Sunny, are you napping this afternoon? Or does Nurse Rachel have plans for you to go mountain climbing instead?”

  Sarcasm. Rachel could handle his sarcasm. “Actually, cowboy, I was saving that for tomorrow.” She took a perverse pleasure in seeing the muscle in his jaw bunch. “Do you always grind your back molars like that? With your temperament, your jaw must ache by the end of the day.”

  Storm shot Sunny and Jackson a dark look when they laughed. “Nurse Rachel, you’ll find I am the most amenable of men.”

  She lifted her phone, tapped the calendar app, and poised her index finger above the keyboard. “What day of the month does that usually occur? I’ll be sure to mark it on my calendar.”

  “Oh, Master Storm, she gonna be good for you. You take yourself too seriously, but I say nothing.”

  “Yes, we all know how you say nothing around here, Momma Noella.” He stood and cleared his place setting, taking his dirty things to the sink. “You push us around with that flour-covered fist of yours. The minute we think about stepping out of line, you threaten to stop cooking.”

  He walked to Sunny and leaned over, kissing her bald head. “Sleep well, sister.” The depth of affection in his voice and eyes nearly took Rachel’s breath away. How would it feel to be loved and adored by this man? She’d never know.

  Sunny reached back and patted Storm’s hand where it rested on her thin shoulder. “Have a good afternoon, brother.”

  Storm laid his large hands on his nephew’s shoulders. “Drink the rest of your milk, partner, and it’s off to bed with you.” Sawyer quickly complied, favoring his uncle with a milk mustache. Storm scooped the boy from his booster seat and held him close. “Mmm...milk mustache!” Sawyer started to squeal and giggle as Storm carried him out of the kitchen. “Me kiss milk mustaches...” The uncle made loud kissing noises amid the delighted squeals of the child.

  “If you want to see the softer side of Storm,” Noella said, “watch him with that little boy. He adores his nephew. So much so he was willing to marry a woman he didn’t really love, but I say nothing.” She gathered the remaining dirty dishes and carried them to the sink.

  “What does she mean?” Rachel looked at Sunny.

  “Before you ladies tear apart Storm’s love life, I have to get back to town.” Jackson took Sunny’s chin in his hand, turning her face to his. “How would you and Sawyer like to go to the movies with me tomorrow night? That new animated flick is playin’.” He kissed Sunny’s cheek. “I’ll buy you popcorn, little girl.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

  Sunny’s face glowed with a faint blush. “Make it a large, Mr. Policeman, and I’ll even let you hold my hand during the scary parts.” She batted her eyes. “I know how you hate violence.”

  Jackson stood, laughing. He hugged Noella in farewell and waved to Rachel before he left. As soon as the door closed, he opened it again, popping his head back in. “You won’t forget our date, now, will you?”

  Sunny laughed and blew him a kiss. After the door clicked shut again, she sighed. “That man has always known how to touch my heart.” She turned to Rachel. “You asked what Noella meant by Storm marrying a woman he doesn’t love. It’s a long story...a divorce story...a cancer story.” Sunny opened her pill box and dumped her midday dosage into her hand. She placed them in her mouth and washed them down with water. Rachel waited.

  “You see, I have a consuming fear of Sawyer’s dad trying to gain custody of my son and his trust fund after I die.” She sat back and sighed. “Storm and I went to our lawyer and had custody papers drawn up. Went through all the legal steps to make him guardian when the time comes.”

  Noella snorted. “Then Pilar started telling Storm things. Started saying how if they were married, he’d stand a better chance of keeping little Sawyer.”

  Rachel looked from Noella to Sunny. “He fell for that?”

  “Yes, he fell for it.” Noella poured herself a cup of coffee. “He loves that little boy more than his own life, and Pilar knows that. She’s an opportunist, that one.” Noella sipped her coffee an
d smiled. “But you are not.”

  “Me?” Rachel pointed to herself. “What do I have to do with any of this?”

  “I see how he looks at you. I saw the look of terror on his face when you passed out that morning. I also saw you two out by the pool earlier.” Noella waved her hand in front of her face as if it were a fan. “The heat of his gaze. The way he kissed you, his feelings tender and true. He touched you. No? And you melted. Sí? I see wonderful possibilities, but I say nothing.”

  “Whatever heat you saw was his temper. I don’t get involved with men who are in relationships.” She looked at Sunny’s raised eyebrow. “Okay, I try not to get involved. Obviously I’ve been a little lax in that department lately.” She stood and carried bowls and platters to the sink. “Besides, I have rotten luck with men. Thanks for lunch. It was great. Your apple pie…” She brought her fingertips together and touched them to her mouth, making a smacking sound. “Superb!”

  Noella’s smile was pure delight. “You’re very welcome, little one.”

  “‘Little one.’ My father used to call me that.” She hugged Noella. “Thanks for calling forth a sweet memory.”

  The housekeeper smiled and patted Rachel’s hand. “From now on I call you little one. Sí?”

  “I’d love it.” Rachel turned to her patient. “Sunny, let’s take a short walk before your nap. Just one trip around the house.”

  Sunny followed Rachel outside, and the two started strolling through the yard. “What Noella said was right, you know. My brother’s definitely interested in you. You keep him on his toes. He needs that. He must have been attracted to you at first sight to kiss you out on Longhorn Road. You mustn’t forget that first kiss.”

  No, Rachel would never forget that kiss as long as she lived. How could one forget that firestorm of feelings he ignited? The things that man did in the space of one kiss. She took a ragged breath and pretended to admire Noella’s flowerbeds.