He gave that heart-stopping grin, and it was all she could do not to laze in the brilliance of it. She snapped on her own seat belt as he pulled from the parking spot. Her thoughts skittered around as he meandered through town and pulled in by the curb outside the grill. Ake hurried around the front of the truck to open the door, and she hid a smile as he played the part of gallant Sir Walter Raleigh to assist his lady.
She exited and they walked tandem to Calvert’s Grill. Again, Ake opened the door for her, and she decided she could get used to being treated like a lady. They put in their order at the counter, and several patrons hailed him, offering condolences for the loss of his mother. His face grew so forlorn, that Stormi tugged him into the booth near the door and changed the subject.
“Since the funeral is tomorrow at two, we could head over to the courthouse at nine o’clock on the dot. That way we can get in and out and hurry over to the church.”
Ake nodded. The door burst open behind the tall back of Ake’s seat, but she pushed it from her thoughts. “Then we can—”
Hoge stutter stopped in front of their table with Joni nearly colliding into his back. He squared up. Joni, face flushed, shoved her hands into her pockets. The big, and obviously angry man, pointed a thick digit at her and thundered one word. “You.”
The fellow patrons’ conversations circulating around their booth came to a dead silence. Stormi was painfully aware of the stares of almost everyone in the place. Except the baby who screamed in the back section.
Ake slid from the booth and held out his big hands. “It’s all right, folks. Just a misunderstanding.”
A few folks nodded and most turned back to their business. Hoge, however, didn’t seem to latch on to Ake’s public reassurance.
“Married? You?”
Again, all talk ceased, and Joni yanked Hoge into the booth seat that Ake had just vacated, shushing him. Stormi wanted to bolt from the cushioned bench, but instead slid over, letting Ake take up the hot seat next to her.
Joni extended her arm and pressed against Hoge’s chest forcing him to lean back into the padded leather. “What my husband means is Avery Guttleman called and claimed you filled out a marriage certificate?”
Hoge’s face grew redder.
Ake nodded. “Yep. Tomorrow at nine.”
Two huge hands slapped the table. “On the day of your mother’s funeral? Are you a moron?”
The barked words caught everyone’s attention once more. Joni pulled a stiff smile and spat at her husband through gritted teeth. “Hoge, cut it out.”
A few quiet moments passed while the two people across the table huffed. Joni cleared her throat. “Okay. You want to get married.”
“No!” Hoge growled.
“Shhh.” Joni shot her husband a glare before turning an intense gaze on them. Stormi squirmed.
Joni drew a deep breath. “Don’t get married on the same day you bury your mother, Ake. A marriage should be a happy union with a happy start.”
“There will be no marriage,” Hoge thundered.
All attention again centered on them. Joni shoved her husband. “Get out, Hoge. Come on, Ake. We need to settle this outside.”
Stormi’s middle spun like a cotton candy maker, and nausea unsettled her stomach. Maybe Joni didn’t realize that outside there were less witnesses. As much as she hated garnering the attention of the customers of the grill, they could testify in court when Hoge ripped the limbs from her body. These reservations didn’t seem to bother Ake as he slid out of the booth and then waited for her to join him. Pressing her hand to her middle she acquiesced.
Outside, the wind had picked up, and Hoge paced like a bull infected with mad cow disease. Joni paced the edge of the building and stopped at the corner near the parking lot.
Hoge lunged at Ake and jabbed him with stiff fingers. “I forbid you to marry her.”
Ake shifted his weight from one foot to the other, drew Stormi close, and shot a glance at Joni.
The dark-haired woman rolled her eyes. “Hoge, really? Stop. You’ll just make things intolerable.”
“They already are intolerable,” he snarled and spun to face her.
Quick, Ake, let’s run for the get-away car.
Hoge and Joni faced one another with their own brand of glares. Ake dropped his arm and stepped between them.
“I understand what you’re saying, and you’re right, Joni. We’ll wait. But Hoge, don’t forbid this. I want your support.”
Hoge stared at him. “I can’t support you making the biggest mistake of your life.”
“No, I’m not, Hoge. I love her.”
Ake’s brother seared her with blue-eyed flames.
“Yes, Hoge. It’ll happen with or without you. What’s your choice?” Joni murmured.
Chapter Twenty
Hoge and Ake stood toe to toe. The elder swelled with disapproval while the younger, broader one stood rigid with gentle determination. At long last, Hoge blew out a loud rasp of air.
“Fine. But mark my words, Ake. There will come trouble.”
“Trouble is everywhere, big brother.”
The narrowing of Hoge’s eyes were the only indication he’d heard his brother’s wise words. Assessing the shorter man, he rumbled, “Don’t call me that.”
Joni laid her hand on Ake’s arm and then shot a glance at Stormi. “Maybe the week after would work for the wedding? Or the following month? Then maybe we can plan where—”
“The courthouse.” Why? Why had she just blurted in an atmosphere rife with stress and tension?
The look that crossed Joni’s face made Stormi want to take a couple steps backward. But she lifted her chin in defiance. The woman reined in her disappointment with a blink of an eye.
“Remember, Stormi. Ake is very much part of a loving church who will want to be part of this celebration.”
“Huh, celebration? More like a train wreck.” Hoge rolled his eyes.
Joni planted her elbow in her husband’s ribs and nodded slightly at Stormi. “Please keep the church family in mind. Please.”
Stormi nodded, a shiver of remorse spiraling to her toes.
Hoge stepped forward and pointed at his brother. “And don’t forget, you Dum—”
“I think that’s enough for now.” Joni sliced his sentence in half with a tight grimace of her features. Was it supposed to be a smile? “Let’s go, dear. We need to get back, and let Angus have a few hours free of your father.”
When Hoge didn’t move, Joni tugged on his thick sleeve. Stormi crossed her arms over her shivering body. Hoge continued to glare at them as Joni pulled him along. Just before they disappeared around the corner, he pointed at her. Stormi swallowed.
Ake turned and took her in his arms. She knew he had to feel the trembling of her body. Perhaps he’d take it for the cold in the air.
He pressed his lips against her ear, his beard a rough yet pleasing sensation against her chilled cheek. She closed her eyes and drank in the balm of his body wrapped around her.
“Change your mind yet?” His voice was low and husky.
“No.” She snuggled her face against his canvas coat.
After a moment he set her away from him. “I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”
She fastened her gaze on his dark, dark eyes, full of concern and void of guile. Was it possible to drown in a man’s eyes? To be so transfixed it was impossible to draw away or even want to? His hands came up to her cheeks, and he pressed his forehead against hers. For a moment, he closed his eyes and a shaft of loss entered her soul. Hoge’s rejection hurt him more than he let on.
She grabbed his collar and his eyes shot open. “It’s you that should change your mind. Hoge won’t give you a moment’s rest if you marry me.”
He stared into her eyes for just a moment and then brought his lips to hers. His gentle probing lit a rampage of fires within her in just a few seconds. When he opened those deep brown eyes, he gave a small grin. “Hoge who?”
A sigh escaped her. Pe
rhaps it was enough between the two of them. Still, she knew the profound weight of a non-supportive family. But he released her before she could chase that rabbit far. Then he slid his cold, big hand into hers and guided her back toward the entrance of the grill.
“Think our burgers are ready?”
Her stomach squeezed. Yuck. Food? “Probably.”
“Good.” He paused at the entrance and caressed the lock of hair from her eye. “It’s gonna be okay.”
She exhaled a great deal of tension and gave a small smile. “I hope you’re right.”
His cheek dented with the beginning of a smile. Then his features grew somber. “God blesses us when we do what’s right.”
A shiver of realization entered her when Ake stroked her cheek. God. Oh, yeah. Had she dropped her God filter? But the quiet confidence on her future husband’s face calmed her anxiety. Even if she veered off the right path, she was sure Ake would steer her back.
***
Ake led Pop back to his bedroom for the sixth time. At this rate, neither one of them would be awake for the funeral tomorrow. He helped the tottering man back into his bed and covered him up.
“Where’s Mom?”
“In heaven.”
“She coming back?”
Ake rubbed his father’s shoulder. “No. But she’s waiting for you.”
“Humph.”
Despite the emptiness inside him, a smile quirked at his mouth. Perhaps Pop realized that could be a long wait. A long painful wait.
“Tell her I miss her.” Pop mumbled.
The wall lit up as a distant car passed the corner down the road and drew Ake’s attention. Why were there brief moments when Pop seemed almost back to normal? He stretched his neck and prayed he and his brother might be able to see more of the “old Pop.”
“Now, get in bed. You boys are too big to sleep with us. Go on. Mom will come tuck you in shortly.” Pop snuggled into the pillow and drifted off to sleep.
For a long while Ake just stood and breathed, wishing he were ten years old again being sent to his room. With a long inhale, he turned at last and made his way back to the very place his father had sent him. He paused at the twin bed and scratched behind his ear. How he wished Stormi were here. Just to hold her close would comfort his soul.
He eased himself to the edge of the bed. She would be his soon enough. Facing Hoge through it all wouldn’t be easy. He reached up and yanked on his beard. Appeared there were several things that wouldn’t be easy in the days ahead.
Burying his mother topped the list right now. Life would not be the same. The woman was probably up in heaven defending his honor even now. He grinned. She never let him feel less than what God had made him to be. How he would miss her unwavering support.
Stormi was much like that. Never had he seen her so angry than when Hoge called him Dummy. He rubbed his beard, conscious he’d need to shave in the morning, while his thought centered on Stormi as his new staunch supporter. Funny how God filled the empty spots in one’s soul.
He reached over and clicked on the old cassette tape player, making sure the volume was low. His mother’s voice filled the room as she read the Beatitudes in Matthew five. She’d always recorded Scripture for him. Her old school method had weathered the years. It had been his “Bible” since he was a wee kid. A thick lump lodged in his throat, and a bit of moisture wet his eyes. She’d recorded this one several weeks back, and he’d never managed to find time to listen to it. Just another example of God’s care on his life.
The words his mother read latched onto his heart. He focused on the word comfort in verse four. His mind went over and over the verse until it became a prayer.
Then he raised his head. More moisture fought for space along his eyelids, and he squeezed his eyes shut to disperse it. He sure would miss his mother’s physical presence of reassurance and love. God’s love in flesh. He sighed and sank back into the mattress. How thankful he was for God’s comfort, for his mother’s voice, and for Stormi storming into his life at just the right moment.
***
Ake yanked at the coarse hairs on his chin and snipped another hank off. He assessed his face in the mirror—the bloodshot eyes, the jagged beard. A fresh sense of loss enveloped him. His mother had always liked his beard. Said it was the thickest, fullest mass of hair she’d ever encountered, even when he had been at the young age of sixteen. He shook off the thought and swished the scissors in the hairy bowlful of water in the bathroom sink.
Sure was a chore to remove it, and that was no lie. Even once he removed the stubborn hunks, he’d nearly have to scrape his skin from his face to get it down to smoothness. He rubbed a few strays away. In retrospect, maybe his mother would have been pleased for him to have left it. But ’twas spilled milk at this point.
Some thirty minutes later he splashed an alcohol-based aftershave on his jaw and sucked in air at the pain it brought. The joys of making one presentable in decent company. He quirked a grin and cleaned up the mess on the vanity. Joni had made sure he had a suit she’d borrowed from her brother. Maybe he’d get out and get one of his own by the time he and Stormi got married.
He swung into the hallway just as a knock sounded on the front door. Ahhh. Angus was right on time. He ambled down the hall, checking Pop still sorting through books at his bookcase, and continued on down to the living room.
“Morning, Ake.” Angus gave a comforting slap on his shoulder. “Fresh coating of snow. Just what your mom would have ordered.”
Ake let a small smile etch his face. “Yep. I think you’re right. Come on in. Sure glad you could come for a little bit while I finish getting ready. I gotta pick up Stormi. I’ll be back in about an hour.”
The man grinned, his thick wrinkled skin gathering around his eyes. “Glad to do it. You’re looking slick.”
“Pop, Angus is here.”
When no response came, Angus shrugged. “That’s okay, Ake. You head on out. We’ll be fine.”
Ake nodded and headed for the back door. “’Spect I’ll be back soon enough. He might not even realize I’m gone.”
An uncharacteristic cynical thread crossed Ake’s mind as he pulled the door shut. Pop might not even realize who he was. With a shrug, he hurried down the path to his house. Once inside, he lost no time shrugging on the white dress shirt and black suit. He stepped into the bathroom to adjust his tie. His face seemed foreign even to him without the heavy beard.
He swung through the door and pressed down the thought of the original plan of marrying Stormi this morning. As distasteful as having a wedding date coinciding with his mother’s funeral would seem, he couldn’t help but wish he were about to drive her to the courthouse. Carrying her through his door tonight would sure salve his despondency.
Mom’s car in the drive seemed skewed, but since he had to escort both Stormi and Pop to the funeral, it appeared to be the best choice. He grunted as he dipped his head into the low enclosure. He even missed the comfort of his truck today. With an inhale, he cleared his gloomy thoughts and started the four-door Chevy.
Once he’d parked in Stormi’s drive, though, his spirit took a lift. She swung from behind the building in a burgundy wool coat and black boots before he could even exit the car. Heavy contemplations laced with sadness took a back seat as he let his eyes take her in. Her hair looked freshly styled, the wedge of hair pointing straight at her left eye while the rest coifed in rebelliousness around her head in a runway sort of way. Just the way she walked, she commanded attention.
The flirty glance she threw him brought a smile to his face. Hot. Amazing that Stone Haven even had temperatures below freezing this winter with this woman living here. Yes, hot. And desirable. And dangerous. She tugged open the door, and he realized how rude he’d been just sitting there mouth agape, staring at her. He hadn’t even opened her door.
“Hi, Tiger.” She flashed a smile before her face turned serious. “Oh, my lands. You shaved it.”
He rubbed the naked chin skin. “Yeah, I—�
��
But she was on him, yanking away his hand and then staring. And staring some more.
“Did I miss something?”
She shook her head. “Just when I thought you couldn’t get any handsomer, Ake Pearson, you up the game. Wow.”
Her hands ran over the newly exposed skin, igniting emotions in him that a man ought not have on the day of his mother’s funeral. He brought his hands up to pull her from him.
“No, wait.” She leaned forward and pressed her face against the smooth skin. “Ummm. Nice.”
He inhaled the scent of her, heady swirling snatches of flowers and tangerines, and for a moment, he let himself relax and enjoy her body against his. Yes. This was comfort. Well, more than comfort, but it eased his sorrow, calmed the black bog of gloom in his gut.
She eased away and with a cocky grin pressed a hard kiss on his lips. Before he could respond, she flopped into her seat and fastened her seatbelt. She was the perfect storm. Never had he had such assurance how right she was for him. He could barely wait to make her his own.
Chapter Twenty-One
With the kind nature of his mother, the long line of guests arrived at two on the dot and stretched out into infinity through the church and down the stairs. Ake knew the line continued to snake around the basement of the church when he’d taken a walk earlier. Stormi stuck her head in occasionally but kept a distance most of the time, which disappointed Ake a bit. But he supposed introducing people to his future wife at the funeral wasn’t exactly good timing.
Pop did his share of wandering as well, never far without one of the family trailing him. When they’d arrived, his father had approached the casket and stood some ten minutes. Just staring. He’d finally patted her hand and shuffled off.
Ake peered down at the black shiny dress shoes, glad he didn’t have to wear them on a regular basis. At this rate, his smallest toe would pinch off by bedtime. His gaze caught Stormi peeking in from the back once more. He set his chin and excused himself from the family line of greeting. He needed a moment.
The Secret Storm Page 17
