Wounded at the Lake

by Mitzi Pool Bridges

  But she wondered if he ever loosened up.

  Shorty said he had a lot of money. Maybe it was more of a burden than a blessing. That would explain a lot. It also explained why he offered to pay her for baking for him. She refused, taking only enough to cover the ingredients.

  He’d seemed overwhelmed by what he called her generosity.

  It wasn’t necessarily generosity on her part, but a way to stay busy and not think.

  Even now, surrounded by the laughing, joking friends, she couldn’t help but wonder who Lori really was. She looked at their familiar faces around the table and tears threatened. Her gaze settled on Coop. He was looking at her. She couldn’t take her gaze off him.

  Want hurdled through her.

  Looking away, she pretended to eat.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Christmas Eve was a gloriously beautiful day. Though still cold, with a few mounds of snow hugging the house, Lori couldn’t help but smile. It felt like Christmas.

  The kitchen held the scent of the holiday, which went right along with the tree, the Santas, and the dozens of other Christmas decorations in the house. Coop was in and out of the kitchen, snatching a cup of coffee, a cookie, or both as he told them how cold it was. Each time he came in her heartbeat quickened. She wanted to take him to bed and keep him warm forever.

  Lori put a tray with four small loaf pans of apple cake in the oven and set the timer. She’d make another four and give them away as gifts. There would be a larger one for the dessert table, which was slowly filling up.

  It would take most of the day to finish baking.

  Shorty was right in there with her, doing prep work for the big day. A pot of soup simmered on the back burner. “How did you do this by yourself all these years? Neither of us has stopped and we’re not close to finished.”

  Shorty laughed. “Every year it takes a little longer. Though I love to cook, I’m more than happy you’re here to take over dessert duty.”

  “If there’s anything left. Every time one of the guys walk in they grab something to go with their coffee.”

  “Nature of the beast. They wouldn’t be boys if they didn’t.”

  While the cakes were baking, Lori went for the trifle bowl.

  “What are you making now?”

  “I thought Coop might like a double chocolate trifle. What do you think?”

  Shorty chuckled. “You spoil him. Actually, you spoil all of us.”

  “Not so. I enjoy baking. Do we have enough sweets? Or should I make a couple of pies?”

  Shorty stopped chopping veggies long enough to look at the dessert table. “Let’s see. You have the apple cake to go in the oven, dozens of cookies, the trifle you’re mixing now, and the luscious strawberry cake cooling on the counter. I think it’s enough. But what’s Christmas without a pecan pie?”

  “You’re right. I’ll whip up a couple when I finish the trifle.”

  Shorty put a hand on Lori’s arm. “What did I ever do without you?”

  Lori smiled. “What would have happened to me without all of you?”

  “I think we came out way ahead,” Shorty exclaimed with a twinkle in her eye.

  “Seriously, Shorty. All of you have been wonderful. I’ll find a way to pay you back for the gift you helped me purchase. And I want you to know I’ll never forget you. Ever.” Or Coop. The thought of him not being in her life was an open sore.

  The door slammed open, then shut. Thor looked up from his perch under the table, then laid his head back down.

  “I can smell the goodies all the way to my house,” Dirk grinned.

  “Cookies only,” Shorty warned. “If you touch anything else I’ll sic Thor on you.”

  The timer went off. Lori took out the tray and set it on the counter to cool. “If you can wait a few minutes, you can have one of my apple cakes. You’ll get another tomorrow.”

  He walked over and kissed her on the cheek. “My kind of woman.”

  “I don’t think so.” Coop had walked in so quietly they didn’t know he was there. Now he stood glaring at his brother.

  Thor crawled out from under the table and went to Coop.

  Both women stopped what they were doing. “Coop…?”

  He ignored his grandmother.

  Dirk went to get a handful of cookies. “Just a friendly thank-you kiss, Bro.”

  Coop turned on Lori. “You’ve ruined him. Just like Shorty, you give in to his sugar craving.”

  “He can’t help it, Coop,” Shorty exclaimed. “He was born with it. You know what your gramps always said, ‘what’s born in the genes can’t be changed.’ Remember?”

  Coop visibly relaxed. Lori put in another tray of loaf pans and set the timer once more. “We’re busy, Coop; would you like another cup of coffee and something to go with it?”

  “I’m good. I’ll be in my office for a while.”

  “The soup is not quite done and we don’t have time to fix anything; you boys will be on your own for lunch.”

  “How does pizza sound?” Coop suggested.

  Around a mouthful of cookie, Dirk answered, “Good. Who makes the run?”

  “Why don’t both of you go?” Shorty suggested. “Get enough for everyone. Remember, Matt will be here.”

  “Be sure you bring enough cookies to make the round trip,” Coop teased as they went out the door.

  Thor went back to his place under the table.

  Shorty looked at Lori. “The two of you are in love, aren’t you?”

  Tears came. And this time, Lori couldn’t stop them. “I don’t know about Coop, but I know how I feel. I’m so conflicted, Shorty. From the glimpse of my life I see every so often, I don’t like who I was. How do I know how Coop will feel once he realizes I’m not who he thinks I am? I shouldn’t feel this way, but I can’t help it.”

  Shorty took Lori in her arms and let her cry. “It’s going to work out. You’ll see. Personally, nothing would please me more than to have you as a permanent member of the family.”

  Which made Lori bawl louder.

  Thor’s ears pricked up and he was by her side in an instant. The timer went off. Lori grabbed a paper towel and wiped her face. “I’m sorry, Shorty. Today is not a day to feel sorry for oneself.” She took out the tray and put in the Bundt pan that held the apple cake. “I’ll wash my face. Whatever you do, don’t tell Coop I had a meltdown.”

  By the time the guys walked in with two extra-large pizzas, Lori had herself under control, the trifle was in the fridge, and two pecan pies waited their turn in the oven.

  The kitchen was a mess. But it didn’t bother her like it once had. The fear that she’d be punished if she didn’t get right on it and make everything pristine wasn’t there.

  Her previous life must have been hell.

  ****

  Coop had watched Lori all day. She worked so well with Shorty it was as if they had been doing so for years. He marveled at the number of sweets on the dessert table. Little wonder Dirk wouldn’t go home.

  Sometimes, like at Christmas, it was the same as when they were kids gathered around the tree waiting for Santa.

  Back then he’d had a long list of things he wanted. This year, he had one wish. And he didn’t think it would come true. He wanted Lori in his life. Knowing she had a life somewhere else was more than bothersome; the fact that no one had reported her missing, more so.

  So he watched and waited, but the waiting was wearing on him. Lori was in his thoughts every day, all day.

  What would he do if she left them? Left him?

  Dirk let out a whoop when his team scored. Matt’s arms flew into the air in triumph.

  Neither of his brothers decorated for the holiday. Their excuse was: why go to so much trouble when we’re at the homestead? They had a point. Why bother?

  But having Dirk underfoot most of the day and Matt here now was distracting him from watching Lori. Coop didn’t want that distraction.

  Lori put the soup pot into the cabinet and turned to Shorty. “You�
��ve been working all day. I’ll finish up here.”

  “Nonsense. I’m fine. You did most of the work.”

  Coop came to his feet. Both women had been cooking since sunup and it was getting late. “What else needs to be done?”

  “Nothing,” Lori said. “After I mop the kitchen we’re through for the day.”

  Coop went to get the mop and bucket. “Both of you get lost. I’ll take care of the floors.”

  “I won’t argue with such a gift, will you?” Shorty looked at Lori who shook her head.

  Wiping her hand on a towel, Lori told the guys goodnight and headed for her room. Shorty did the same. Coop saw the droop of Shorty’s shoulders, the tired look in her eyes. He should have helped sooner. But his thoughts had been tied up with Lori and nothing else crept in.

  He was an idiot.

  He kissed Shorty on the cheek. “You wore yourself out today. Get some rest.”

  She disappeared down the hall and to her room.

  Coop went to work, but when he heard water run in Lori’s shower, he got lost in the memory of her gorgeous body, the feel of her skin, how she felt under his hands, and how he wanted her.

  He finished as fast as he could and went to turn off the TV. “Lights out.”

  “The game isn’t over,” Dirk complained.

  “Watch it at your house.” Coop wanted quiet. Then he could think of Lori without the interference of his brothers and a cheering crowd in the background.

  He went to the door and saw Dirk head for the dessert table. “Don’t even think about it.”

  Dirk held up his half-eaten apple cake. “Just getting my cake.” His hand whipped over to the cookie tray. “And a few more cookies.”

  Coop and Matt laughed. “He’ll never change.”

  “Nope. But that won’t stop us from razzing him.”

  Matt slapped Coop on the back. “Tomorrow.”

  “Church at eight.”

  “How could I forget?”

  Years ago, Shorty had insisted they stop going to midnight Mass as she was too tired after cooking all day. So the tradition had changed. It fit their lifestyle easily. They would exercise the dogs when they got back from early Mass.

  Coop opened the door and Thor scooted out. He was back in less than a minute. “Too cold for you? You’re going to turn into a sissy if you stay in the house all the time.”

  Coop vowed to take him to the field in the morning and keep him penned like the other dogs. He couldn’t afford for the military to turn this dog down. Even if it hurt to see him go, they needed the money. Maybe it would make up for their losses at their PI firm.

  After locking up, he went to the den and turned out the lights. The Christmas tree blinked holiday cheer throughout the room, but Coop’s spirits were down, not up as they usually were for the holiday. The thought that Lori might leave hung heavy despite the cheerful surroundings.

  As had been the custom since they were kids, the Christmas tree would stay lit all night so Santa could see. Or so he’d believed when he was five.

  At thirty-five, Coop wondered if he believed in anything. He had two cases, three counting Lori’s, that were going nowhere no matter how hard he and his colleagues worked.

  He refused to dwell on them now. And realized he couldn’t wait to see Lori’s and Shorty’s face when they opened his gifts to them.

  With a smile, he went to his room, took a shower, and went to bed.

  The house was so still his thoughts screamed in his head. Lori. How would he handle his life if he couldn’t see her every day?

  He pounded the pillow and turned over just as his door opened.

  His body grew quiet, his heartbeat slowed. Thor would warn them if an intruder was in the house, so it wasn’t a stranger. Still, every nerve tensed. He was SEAL-ready.

  “Coop?”

  Lori’s soft voice made his heart beat a tattoo in his chest. He turned over to see her outline from the moonlight filtering in from his window. “What is it, Lori? Can’t you sleep?”

  She shut the door and came closer. Coop found it hard to breathe. The sweet smell of soap and strawberries hit him as she inched closer. He didn’t move. Didn’t dare.

  “I wanted to talk to you.”

  “Talk?” Really? They could have talked earlier. Why now?

  “Yes.” She was beside the bed now. He could reach out and pull her to him. Didn’t. Talk about tense. His body was one long stretched-out nerve. Didn’t she know what she did to him? Didn’t she know he wanted her? No matter how much she trusted him, right now she wasn’t safe.

  “May I sit down?”

  No. “I think you should go to your room. We can talk tomorrow.”

  “Please. Just for a minute.”

  How could he resist the sweet yearning in her voice? Or was he misinterpreting? “Can’t it wait?”

  “No.”

  He inched over. “Then sit and tell me what’s troubling you.” He had to force the words past his throat when she sat down. The feel of her hip against his, even in those ridiculous too-short sweats, made him so hard he couldn’t think straight.

  “What did you want to tell me?” It better be short and sweet or he was going to grab her and make mad, passionate love.

  “I…I wanted another night with you.”

  He must be dreaming.

  “Do you know what you’re doing?”

  She leaned over and kissed his lips. Want leaped through him like the flash of an RPG. Be still, he urged his body.

  “I want you Coop. I don’t know what will happen after my tests. But if you want me to leave now, I will.”

  “I’m not an idiot.” He took her shoulders and pulled her to him. The kiss ignited a fire only Lori could put out.

  She gave that chuckle he’d loved since the first day when he’d brought her here from the lake. “I don’t know my past or my future, but right now I know I want you.”

  Her T-shirt disappeared and she stepped out of her sweats. His breath hitched. Her body glowed in the moonlight. She was more beautiful than ever. His hand reached for her delectable breasts as she sank to the bed and leaned over for another kiss.

  Her moan of pleasure when he made his way slowly over every sweet curve, and lingered over her breasts sent rivers of desire pulsing through him. He took his time. Each caress, each kiss, made him dizzy with want. He kissed her breasts and her eager response had him kissing them over and over again. “I never knew what I was missing,” he muttered, as he took her lips in a kiss he would remember the rest of his life. Sensual. Sweet. Precious. He never wanted it to end.

  Putting his arms around her waist, he lifted her on top of him. When she straddled him, his gasp of pleasure made her giggle. “Like that?” She rocked back and forth. Tempting. Challenging.

  His hands traced her body. “You’re perfect.”

  She did the same to his. Kissed every tat on his shoulders, down his arm. Licked his lips before she kissed them until he thought he was going to die from pure pleasure. “I can say the same about you.”

  He pulled her down until their bodies were sandwiched together breast to breast—hip to hip. “I think about you all the time. Seeing you and not touching or kissing is driving me crazy.”

  She wiggled until he made her stop. “Don’t…or you’ll be sorry.”

  “Never.”

  She sat up and guided him into position. “I don’t know about you, but I can’t take it another minute. I. Want. You. Now.”

  Then they were rocking together in a rhythm that moved his soul. He never wanted this to end. Never wanted them to end.

  He held onto her hips, guided her up and down until he thought he couldn’t take another second. Slowed. Panted. Started again.

  She rode him like there was no tomorrow. As if this would never be again.

  He took until he couldn’t take another thrust and felt an explosion greater than the one that almost took his leg.

  Lori rose and fell once more and screamed into his mouth.

&n
bsp; He held her tight. He’d never felt anything like this. Ever.

  And he didn’t think Lori had either.

  He lifted her head from his chest, swiped her hair from her face, and kissed her deeply.

  All of a sudden he was so frightened he couldn’t think.

  Was this Lori’s goodbye?

  Would she leave the minute her memory returned and go on to a better life than he could provide?

  He held her closer. She snuggled deeper. Right where she belonged.

  He couldn’t give her up. Wouldn’t.

  But it wasn’t his choice. Just like tonight, it was Lori’s.

  And he didn’t have a fucking clue whether she would want to stay or go, once she remembered her other life.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Something nudged her shoulder. Lori leaped out of bed, her heart trip-hammering in her chest. When she saw Coop smiling at her, she took a deep breath, and sank back to bed, realizing for the first time she was stark naked.

  “What frightened you?”

  She pulled the sheet up and wrapped herself in it before putting her head in her hands. “I don’t know.” She looked at this man she loved. He was strong, but kind. There was another man, one who had physical strength, but was anything but kind. Was he part of her past? She knew he was, and she wanted no part of him. “What time is it?”

  “Six-thirty. I thought you’d like to go to your room and take a shower before church.”

  “I don’t have anything to wear to church. I’ll stay and get dinner started.”

  “You’ll have to argue with Shorty about that.”

  She stood, gathered her clothes, and went to the door. “Thanks, Coop.”

  “For what?”

  “Everything.” He’d given her everything and she didn’t know how she’d live without him. The man from her past—the one she couldn’t remember, would keep them apart. This she knew. And it broke her heart.

  As she left Coop staring after her, her throat clogged with tears. She didn’t see Shorty in the hall and didn’t expect to. Thor, however, gave her an accusing glance when she went to her room. Though Coop wanted Thor to stay with the other dogs, he’d relented and let her bring a happy Thor to the house.