My Forever June

by Deanna Kinney

  “What? And go where?”

  Another boom of thunder rocked the house causing me to squeal and jump. “Now, June! We need to go!”

  I hesitated a moment longer and then grabbed my purse and pulled my door shut behind me. Tucker took my hand and guided me through the yard. The wind was fierce as we dodged small flying debris, and I paused at a trashcan rolling toward me. Tucker pulled me out of the way, and we made it safely to his truck. He helped me into the passenger side and then ran around the car to his door. I took a moment to study my house. The shutters were taking a beating. I hoped my little house held up under the storm. I’m sure it had endured worse in the past. It seemed sturdy enough, but still I was worried.

  Tucker jumped into the car and cranked the engine.

  I gasped and threw my hand over my mouth. “Tucker! I forgot Felix!”

  His eyes went wide. “June, we have to go! I’m sure he’ll be okay.”

  I reached for the doorknob and Tucker stopped me. “I’ll go.”

  I nodded in surrender, but he was already running toward the house. I chewed on my fingernails while I waited. It seemed like it took forever before Tucker finally appeared running from the house to the truck.

  He jumped inside and placed the drenched and unhappy cat in my arms. He jerked the truck into gear and sped away.

  Chapter Eleven

  June

  The storm wasn’t quite as intense when we reached Wilmington and the apartment building Tucker lived in. The rain had just begun to fall as we exited the truck and made our way through the parking lot and into the building.

  “This is a nice building,” I said.

  “Thanks. My dad built it.”

  I was totally impressed. Maybe Tucker got his rent for free.

  Felix was restless and squirmy as we entered the elevator. Tucker hit button 6, and we began to slowly move upward.

  As we stepped inside his apartment, I couldn’t help but take a curious look around. It was immaculate. It was unnerving how everything looked squeaky clean. Felix jumped out of my hands and disappeared around the corner.

  Shrugging, I said, “Sorry about Felix, but I know I would have worried sick about him being in the cottage alone during the storm.”

  He approached me then, stopping just inches away and touched his hand gently to my cheek. “It’s okay, June. I know how much he means to you. It’s no big deal. Now, relax and make yourself at home.”

  He stepped away, and I touched my hand to his arm to stop him. I gazed up into his beautiful gray eyes. “Thank you for coming for me. That was very thoughtful of you.”

  He seemed mesmerized by me as he stared intently into my eyes. “I couldn’t stop myself. I don’t know why, but I had to make sure you were safe.”

  My gaze intensified to match his. “I know why, because you’re a good guy. This world needs more men like you.”

  He smiled and glanced down at his shoes. “Thanks,” was all he said in reply. But it was enough.

  I pulled my hand away and noticed blood. I looked myself over, but it wasn’t me. Then I spotted a trail of blood on Tucker’s arm.

  “Tucker, you’re bleeding.”

  He glanced down at his arm. “Well, will you look at that. I guess Felix didn’t like how fast I snatched him up back at your house.”

  “Felix scratched you?”

  He shrugged. “It’s no big deal.”

  “Come with me.” I took his hand and led him into the bathroom. It was an easy room to find since the apartment was small. I opened the bottom cabinet and spotted the peroxide and cotton balls, just where they should be. The scratch wasn’t very deep and didn’t take long to clean. I put a few Band-Aids over it to finish.

  Afterwards, Tucker looked over my handiwork. “Hmm, I’m impressed. Maybe you should’ve been a nurse.”

  I laughed at that. “Nah, I get squeamish at the sight of blood,” I teased.

  Tucker loaned me a t-shirt and sweats to sleep in and, just like the gentlemen he was, took the sofa and let me have his bed. I pulled the cover back and instantly noticed how tight and clean the sheets were, as if someone had just washed them and made the bed. I giggled to myself. I couldn’t remember the last time I even made my bed let alone washed my sheets. Maybe I should consider doing that…nah.

  I had a hard time sleeping at first as the storm raged all around us. I worried about Darling and hoped the little cottage was holding up. But more than this, it was hard to sleep knowing Tucker was just in the other room. The chemistry between us was so strong I could almost feel it through the walls.

  I rolled around a few times but kept getting tangled in the oversized sweatpants, so I pulled them off and dropped them on the floor next to me. I had to admit that the crisp sheets felt pretty good against my bare legs.

  I soon began to reflect on how gallant Tucker had been as he burst on the scene to rescue me from the storm. I smiled thinking of how he rushed back into that storm to get Felix, a cat I knew he disliked, and who could blame him. The ornery feline had made it difficult for Tucker to get anywhere near me. I instantly wondered how that would play out. As I reflected, my mind slowly and dreamily began to drift off to sleep.

  When I woke in the morning, the storm had passed and all was quiet. I pulled the covers back and thought again about how nice the clean sheets had actually felt and reconsidered my earlier idea of washing my own sheets. It was then that I noticed a big lump in the bed. I pulled the covers back further and spotted Felix, still damp and curled up in the bed. I didn’t think Tucker would be too happy to discover that, so I snatched him out and placed him on the floor. He didn’t seem very happy, but then again he never did.

  I suddenly smelled something delicious and pulled on the sweat pants and followed my nose to the kitchen.

  Chapter Twelve

  Tucker

  I had just flipped the pancakes when I heard June clear her throat behind me. I spun to see her standing in the doorway of the kitchen. Her hair was everywhere and my t-shirt and sweat pants swallowed her small frame almost completely. I was totally enchanted. My mind suddenly went back to the night before when I tiptoed into the bedroom to make sure she wasn’t scared during the storm. She was sound asleep, but as I turned to leave, lightning flashed, sending light through the room, and I spotted the sweat pants I had loaned her balled up on the floor. I quietly left the room but unfortunately didn’t sleep a wink the rest of the night.

  I realized I was staring with a goofy expression and quickly corrected myself. “Good morning. Did you sleep all right?”

  She yawned and scratched her head.

  I love it when she does that.

  “Actually, I did, thanks.” It was then that her eyes finally focused on the ‘to go’ coffee cups on the kitchen table. “Please tell me that is what I think it is,” she said, joy radiating on her sleepy face.

  I snickered at her. “Yes it is. I went out before you woke to get us some; pumpkin spice latte, right?”

  “Oh, Tucker. You have made my day,” she said in awe as she took a seat and began adding the sugar I had set out for her.

  I was enthralled. It was like watching a child open the present you labored over getting them. And I wasn’t disappointed in her reaction as she took her first sip. Her eyes almost rolled into the back of her head.

  “Pancakes to go with that coffee?” I asked, setting a plate loaded with hot pancakes in front of her.

  “Are you for real? A girl could get used to this, you know.”

  I smirked. “That’s what I’m hoping for.”

  She gazed up at me then and took my hand in hers. “Thank you. And not just for this, but for coming for me. I know I thanked you last night, but it really means a lot to me.”

  I squeezed her delicate hand. “You don’t have to thank me, June. Like I said last night, I had to make sure you were safe.”

  She nodded and picked up a pancake from the top of the pile and took a dainty bite. “Ohhh, this is delicious.”

 
“Thanks. I like to cook. How ‘bout you? Do you cook?”

  She shook her head and took a sip of coffee to wash down her bite. “No, not really. I mean I baked some when I lived at home, but I never really enjoyed it very much. Maybe it was because my mom made me do it. I baked a few times when I was visiting my aunt Tess. That was fun, but I haven’t really cooked very much. I mean, it’s only me.”

  “True. Maybe I’ll cook supper for you sometime.” Then I stammered. “I mean, if you like, of course.”

  “I’d like that,” she responded. “I’d like that very much.”

  The damage didn’t look too bad as I pulled my truck into her driveway. A few of the shutters were hanging loose and her trashcan was upside down with trash scattered about. But it could’ve been much worse. Further up the coast, some houses were destroyed by the strong-force winds.

  June was relieved that the interior of her little home, which she had told me her aunt had named, Darling, had been spared from any damage. I made a quick call into work to arrange for someone to come and fix the minor repairs to the outside. I would’ve done it myself, but I knew my dad wouldn’t like it. June, of course, was very grateful.

  After a quick kiss to her cheek, I headed home to shower for work.

  I walked through the bedroom to get my clothes for work and noticed the unmade bed. I knew my time was short but decided to make the bed anyway. As I pulled the covers up, I had a strong urge to smell my pillow. I wonder if it smells like her. I buried my face in the pillow and inhaled. Ahh, yes, the fragrance of jasmine mixed with the smell of the tropics. Her hair was damp as she slept and it intensified the allure. I was sure I would never wash my pillowcase, or at least not for a while.

  As I put the pillow back into place, my nose was suddenly filled with a new smell, this one unpleasant. I pulled the covers back further and sniffed. Yuck! It was undeniable…wet cat! I sighed as I quickly stripped the bed and went to shove the sheets into the wash, with the exception of one very special pillowcase.

  Chapter Thirteen

  June

  I spent most of the day cleaning and picking up the trash in the yard. A lot of my neighbors were doing the same. The area was filled with the sounds of hammers banging. I was very grateful for the young gentleman Tucker had sent to repair my shutters. And after a few short hours, the house was back to its usual charming self. Felix, however, was distraught by the event and was hiding under my bed and stayed there all day.

  I decided to wash my sheets, and it wasn’t as painful as I had remembered from living at home. Maybe it was because I didn’t have a nagging woman barking over my shoulder the entire time. I know it sounds like I really dislike my mother, and maybe that is true to a small degree, but I do truly love her…a little.

  Tucker called to check on how things were going and if I was pleased with the work the young guy, Nelson was doing. I assured him I was and thanked him again. He then asked me if I wanted to have dinner with his parents on Saturday night. I stammered and reluctantly agreed. He was thrilled and hung up the call with a chuckle. I was so in trouble. This guy was totally getting into my skin, and it scared me a little. I guess I had just gotten so content with living alone, and with all of my self-inflicted quirks, I didn’t really think I was good for anybody just yet. I had some things to work out. But this relationship just hit me square in the face. I guess this was a relationship. What else would you call it? I knew, from what Tucker had told me, that his parents were wealthy and picky about the girls he dated, and I was nervous at the idea of meeting them. Would they like me? Or would I have to win them over? And did I even I want to? Well, I would have to wait until Saturday to see.

  The two days passed a little too quickly for my comfort, and the time to prep for my dinner with Tucker’s parents had come. I jumped into the shower and then paced in front of my closet as I labored over what to wear. Another fifteen minutes passed before I finally decided on a black and white polka dot dress, with a yellow belt and matching yellow flip-flops with big yellow flowers across the top of them. My toenails were still blue. Should I repaint them? I decided I didn’t really have the time and then began studying my hair. This would be a bigger problem for me. You see my hair was really long and straight, so I usually pulled it up on top of my head, but I didn’t think that would work for this night. After a few minutes of playing with it, I finally decided to braid it down one side, leaving a few wispy pieces to frame my face. I added light make-up and a pair of my chunky earrings to finish off the look. I appraised myself in the mirror and had to admit that I looked pretty good. And I got confirmation, minutes later, when I opened the door to a bug-eyed Tucker with a silly grin covering his adorable face. It almost looked like he was salivating. I couldn’t help but laugh.

  “You look very handsome,” I said, studying his white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearm and his fitted blue-jeans and dark shoes. His hair was soft looking and windblown due to the beach wind.

  “And you look…umm, you look amazing.” He leaned down then, and after a quick peek over my shoulder, I’m sure to see if Felix was close, he gave me a gentle kiss to the cheek.

  Tucker’s parents’ house was beautiful, and huge. I felt the nervousness creeping in as Tucker opened my car door and took my hand.

  “Don’t be nervous. It’ll be fine.”

  I smiled to reassure him, but I was still a mess inside.

  I took a deep breath, put on a happy face, and walked hand in hand with Tucker to the door. Having his strong hand wrapped around mine instantly eased some of my anxiety.

  The first thing that I noticed when I stepped inside was the wonderful aroma of supper. Now I knew where Tucker got his gift of cooking.

  We strolled into the kitchen, our hands still intertwined, and Tucker’s mom turned. “Oh, Tucker, you’re here. I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “Hey, Mom.” He kissed her on her cheek and then turned to me, his expression filling with pride. “Mom, this is June Russell.”

  I held out my hand and she took it warmly. “Hello, June. I’m Alice. It’s nice to meet you. I hope you’re hungry.”

  Her smile was warm, but I felt a hesitation that I couldn’t quiet explain. It’s like she was holding herself back from being too warm…or something.

  “It’s so nice to meet you too, Alice. You have a lovely home and the food smells wonderful.” I knew I said the right thing because her face relaxed and her eyes sparkled slightly.

  “Thank you. Now you two take a seat at the table and once Jim gets down here we’ll start.” So we did as she requested.

  I could see where Tucker got his looks from. His father, Jim, was an attractive man, tall with thick, dark hair and a nice smile. He seemed to be more genuine than Alice. I hadn’t yet figured out what her problem was. She either didn’t like me, or she didn’t want to like me, one or the other.

  As we ate, they asked me questions about my life and childhood. Everything seemed to be going fine, but when I shared about my Aunt Tess, the friction from Alice intensified. I began to wonder if she had known my aunt. I was going to ask her when Jim asked me a question.

  “So, June, do you like living on Oak Island? Or are the tourists an irritation?”

  “Oh, no they’re not an irritation for me at all. I love living on the beach. Maybe it has something to do with having such great memories as a child here, but I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

  Tucker took hold of my hand under the table. I felt like I was back in high school again. And to be honest, it felt really nice.

  We said our goodbyes, and I put my arm through Tucker’s as he walked me to my side of the truck.

  Our drive to Darling was quiet, but nice. Even though the dinner hadn’t been a total success, nothing bad had happened either, but I sensed something had changed between Tucker and myself. It was unspoken, but we had somehow officially become a couple. It wasn’t anything that was said but more of just a feeling…a very strong feeling. Maybe
it was just the gesture of meeting his parents that changed everything, or maybe it was the intimacy of getting a glimpse into his life, his past that endeared me to him even more than I already was. But something had definitely changed. And I sensed that tonight I was finally going to get that kiss that I was desperately looking forward to.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Tucker

  My hands were sweating as I pulled the truck to a stop in her driveway. Tonight was the night I was finally going to get that kiss, and no cat, possessed or not, was gonna get in the way this time. It had been over three weeks since I first laid eyes on June Russell, and I had wanted to kiss her then. I knew I couldn’t wait much longer. I couldn’t explain it, but something had suddenly changed, as if a light switch had been turned on and our feelings were allowed to be real. Somehow I knew that this was the night for that first kiss. I had never remembered being so nervous over a first kiss before. Maybe it was because I never felt this way for any other girl before…ever.

  I turned off the ignition and glanced over at her. She was watching me and a warm smile danced on her glowing face. “Well,” I finally said, “I think the dinner went well.”

  She nodded slightly. “Yeah, but I don’t think your parents liked me all that much. Did I say something wrong?”

  I took her delicate hand in mine and rubbed it with my thumb. It was so soft and warm. “No, not at all. They just have a ridiculous standard. They think you have to be rich and snooty, like them, to make me happy.”

  She laughed then and the lovely sound filled the small space like her wind chimes blowing in the summer breeze.

  “That’s never going to happen, you know,” she said through her laughter.

  Suddenly, I was laughing along with her. “God, I hope not.” Then we were both laughing in full force, much like that day we first met.