by J. H. Croix
Several hours later, she took a last look around for the day. Aside from the table, she’d set up shelving along one wall to store her paints, brushes and supplies. On the other wall, she’d carefully organized her meager collection of unpainted furniture. The fire had burned up most of that, but she’d had enough to fill the back of her little truck from what had been stored away from her home. A smile bloomed when her eyes landed on the small project she’d completed this afternoon. She’d promised herself she’d try to finish one item, so she’d painted a pair of chairs and a small table for a garden. They were brightly colored and painted with swirling flowers, intended to be outside on a porch, or in a flower garden. She’d gone for a design based on fireweed and lupine after her visit last summer when those flowers were in bloom. At the moment, the set was sitting in the center of the room with the paint drying.
As she turned away, there was a soft knock on the door. “Come in!” she called out.
Risa poked her head around the door, her brown eyes bright and a warm smile spreading across her face. “Hey! Thought I’d pop in to see if you got everything situated. I meant to be more available to help, but the gallery kept me too busy.” She paused, her eyes landing on the decorative set. “Oh! It’s lovely!” She glanced back to Jessa. “I could sell that this afternoon if it was ready,” she said with a grin.
Jessa flushed, joy bubbling up inside. “You think?”
Risa put her hands on her hips. “You know your work is good! Of course I could sell it,” she said emphatically.
Jessa shrugged. “I try. I know it really hasn’t been that long since I’ve had a chance to paint, but it felt like forever. It made me doubt whether I could get back to it.”
Risa nodded. “Makes sense. Looks like you’re right back at it.” A bell chimed from downstairs. Risa turned back into the hall. “I need to get back down there. You’ve got a key, so just come and go as you please. Bye!”
At that, Risa jogged down the stairs leading to the gallery. Jessa picked up her purse and closed the door behind her as she made her way out. When she got outside, she took a deep breath, savoring the salty air, and looked around. Gulls circled above, and an eagle flew low across the water behind the gallery. Emotion welled inside of her. After her apartment building burned down, she’d felt so dejected and weary. Living on the edge of her budget had pushed her to a point of hopelessness when she realized she’d have to find a way to pull her art business together again on almost nothing. Risa’s offer to let her use the space here as her studio was such a gift, she felt overwhelmed. Possibility seemed possible again.
She jogged to her truck, tucked her purse inside and turned back for a walk on the beach. Marley kept telling her she should explore the beaches here, so she figured now was a perfect time. The wind gusted off the water, cool and refreshing. The tide was on its way back in, but tide pools were still visible along the damp sand in eddies near rocks and dips on the ground. She watched as a wave rolled up and caught a pink starfish in its tow, pulling it out into the ocean with it. The beach here was scattered with rocks, ranging in color from gray to green to orange to red. As she walked along, she saw a raft of otters, likely the same group she’d seen the other day. They floated together in the water, rising and falling with the soft roll of the waves.
Eli danced in the edges of her thoughts most of the day. The other night with him had been…so, so, so good. He was just plain good—nice, caring, funny, and sexy as hell. Just thinking about him and the other night send a hot flush racing through her. A chilly gust of wind soothed the rush of heat. She stopped on the beach and looked out over the bay. A glacier glittered on the far side, its translucent blue color alluring and magical. She finally turned back and retraced her path, watching as her footsteps from her walk out dissolved in the waves rolling over them as the tideline crept further up along the beach.
When she climbed into her truck, she realized she needed to get back to the lodge fast. She was scheduled to work tonight and had gotten so absorbed in her painting that she’d lost track of time. She pushed Blue to go as fast as she could on the way up the winding road to Last Frontier Lodge. When the brightly painted sign for the lodge came into view, she smiled. She raced inside and up to her suite to shower and change. While she’d come to learn she could dress far more casually than she’d expect to in a restaurant in Seattle, she couldn’t show up with paint spattered on her arms and face.
In record time, she pushed through the swinging door into the kitchen and glanced around for Harry. While Delia managed the restaurant overall, Harry was in charge of managing everything that happened out front. At the moment, Delia was stirring something on the stove and giving directions to one of the line cooks nearby. She caught Jessa’s eye and mouthed a hello.
“Jessa, Jessa! You’re here!” Harry greeted her with a grin, his brown eyes gleaming with an ever-present hint of mischief.
“Of course I’m here! Did you think I wouldn’t be?”
Harry glanced at the clock on the wall above the door into the restaurant. “You’re usually early, so I didn’t know if you forgot.”
She rolled her eyes and strode past him to pour a cup of coffee. “I didn’t forget. Hand over the specials list and I’ll go out front.”
She took a swallow of coffee and paused at his side. Harry chuckled and slipped a list out of his pocket. She snagged the list and made her way to the reception desk out front. Within minutes, she was busy bantering with customers, serving samples of wine and whirling between the reception desk and the restaurant. By the time she turned to sign to closed, her legs were starting to tire. The restaurant had finally started to empty with only a few customers lingering. She loved this time of evening when she could walk around and quietly clear off and tidy tables. She waved goodnight to the final batch of customers who made their way out into the chilly night and paused to look out over the mountains behind the lodge. Dusk in Alaska was a long, slow bow. The smudgy gray light cast shadows everywhere. The moon was rising to one side of the mountains through the lingering burst of color from the sun, which had set behind the mountains some time ago. She marveled at the late Alaskan evenings. It was close to eleven and only now was darkness taking hold.
“Thought I might find you here.”
Eli’s voice was low and reached right into her center. Her heart gave a swift kick and heat flooded her belly. She turned to find him leaning against the archway leading into the restaurant. He was just delicious. He wore a denim jacket that fell open to reveal a t-shirt that hugged his sculpted chest and abs. Even from across the room, her fingers itched to touch him. He was all heat, strength, and pure man.
“Hey,” she called as she turned and walked toward him. “I didn’t know you were stopping by.”
“Hope you don’t mind. Ryan went off to Jeff and Ben’s for the night again, so it’s just me and… Well, I guess I just drove up here hoping I might find you.”
She reached him and stopped right in front of him. “You found me,” she said softly, a giddiness rising inside.
He smiled and lifted a hand to stroke through her hair, his hand coming to rest in the curve of her neck. Her pulse shot forward and her breath hitched.
“I have to do a few things to finish…”
“No need to stay. Not much left to do.” Harry’s voice came from behind her.
She turned, and Eli’s hand followed her turn, sliding over her shoulder and down her back, coming to rest on the curve of her bottom. She could barely focus, but forced herself to pay attention to Harry. He stood by the door into the kitchen.
“You sure?”
Harry grinned and glanced around the restaurant. “I’m sure. There’s nothing left to do out here. I know you like to help in the kitchen, but it’s not necessary. Go,” he said firmly with a wave as he turned and exited the restaurant into the kitchen.
Eli’s hand caressed her bottom, and liquid heat swirled in her center. She turned back to face him. His dark green gaze locked onto hers
. For several beats, they simply stood there, the air heavy with the weight of their desire. In slow motion with her heart thundering in her ears, she watched as he dipped his head and brought his lips to hers. His kiss started soft and almost instantly morphed into fierce. He fit his mouth over hers, slid his hand into her hair and swept his tongue into her mouth. In seconds, she was on fire, heat suffusing her and need racing through her. A muffled clatter came from the kitchen, and Eli tore his lips away. She stood in his arms as he stroked a hand roughly through her hair. Their mingled gasps were loud in the empty restaurant.
In a stumbling rush, Jessa dragged Eli up the back stairs and down the hall to her suite. Once the door slammed shut behind them, they tore at each other’s clothes, leaving a trail from the door to the bed. When the back of her knees bumped against the mattress, she paused and looked over at Eli. He kicked out of his jeans, lifting them as he did to yank a condom out of the pocket. With his eyes on her, he made quick work of rolling the condom on and took a step to close the distance between them. He lifted a hand and traced from her shoulder, around the curve of her breast, into the dip of her waist and over the contour of her hip. Her breath came in shallow pants as she lifted her eyes to meet his. With their eyes locked together, he dropped a knee on the bed while hers buckled under the tremors running through her.
Heat blazed through her as he stretched out beside her, his hands and lips mapping her body. She was impatient and needy for him, dragging her hands down the corded muscles of his spine, her nails scoring his skin. He rolled atop her, his cock resting against her folds. His hands curled into hers and stretched them up above her head. She curled her legs around his hips, arching into him.
“Eli…”
He mumbled something against her neck, the motion of his lips sending hot shivers through her. She flexed, frantic to feel him inside of her. He rocked his hips against her, the feel of his hard cock sliding over her clit nearly sending her over the edge.
“Eli…now!”
At her raspy demand, he lifted his head from where he’d been teasing her to madness with his lips. With his dark green gaze locked onto her, he gave her what she asked. In a swift surge, he seated himself fully within her. Without pause, he began to move, cycling into and out of her channel. She strove to meet each stroke, flying higher and higher until she spun loose. Hot pleasure spiraled outward through her. Through her own cries, she felt Eli stiffen and shudder against her, growling her name against her neck when his head fell forward.
What felt like hours later, Jessa stood in the shower in her suite, the steaming water sluicing over her as her body still vibrated from the explosive climax she’d just experienced. Eli had once again brought her to peaks of pleasure she’d never even thought possible. His palm stroked down her back, his touch slippery under the water. She titled her head back, resting it against his shoulder. The connection between them stitched tighter.
She fell asleep in his arms again. There were no nightmares tonight.
19
“Please rise,” the court clerk announced in a calm, authoritative tone.
Eli stood in unison with Garrett. Ryan rose quickly a second behind them. Eli’s only experience in court had been a few times when he was young and his mother brought him along for hearings related to his father. He didn’t remember what he wore, but he did remember his father never bothered to clean up. Eli had insisted Ryan wear navy slacks and a button-down shirt today. When he’d realized he hadn’t thought ahead when he took Ryan shopping, Jessa had immediately volunteered to pick something up for Ryan on a shopping trip with Marley.
Eli himself wore matching navy slacks—double thanks to Jessa—and a button-down shirt. Garrett matched them with the addition of a suit jacket and tie. He was clearly at home in court, relaxed and confident. Eli hadn’t expected to feel nervous, but he did. Somehow, the formal setting brought home how much meaning this official hearing had. If all went as Garrett confidently claimed it would, they would be walking out shortly with Eli legally identified as Ryan’s guardian. Although Eli hadn’t even hesitated to do this, now that they were standing in front of a judge, the weight of what was happening was starting to sink in. He was about to assume legal responsibility for his younger brother. He couldn’t help but ponder the meaning of it. Beyond making things right for Ryan, he was getting a chance to do what he wished someone could’ve done for him. He could feel Ryan’s anxiety humming beside him.
They waited as the judge, a petite woman with dark hair flecked with white, entered the courtroom. After the clerk announced they could be seated, they collectively sat. The next few moments were remarkably dry. Garrett verbally reviewed the petition, which seemed a pointless formality, as it was quite clear the judge had reviewed everything thoroughly. She asked a few questions of Garrett and then turned her gaze to Eli and Ryan.
She addressed Eli first. “Mr. Brooks, as I understand it, you are fully prepared to serve as your brother’s guardian, correct?”
He started to stand, but the judge waved him back. “Yes, Your Honor,” he finally managed.
Eli’s heart pounded hard and fast as he waited. The judge looked down at the paperwork in front of her and then back up. “I’m familiar with Mr. Hamilton’s work, so I trust he’s thoroughly explained your responsibilities. Do you have any questions for me?”
“No, Your Honor.”
She nodded and looked to Ryan. “I’ve read your letter attached to the petition, but is there anything else you’d like to say before I make my ruling?”
Ryan shook his head, his hair falling over his eyes. He brushed it back nervously and swallowed.
The judge nodded and glanced between them before looking back to Ryan. “I’ve had a chance to read a letter sent by your father.”
A flash of anger rose in Eli. Garrett had called him last week to tell him his father had filed a written dispute of the guardianship petition. Eli had stopped by Garrett’s office to review a full two-pages of garbage written by his father. It was handwritten, which led Eli to believe his father hadn’t enlisted his mother to help. If he had, the letter would have been typed. The letter mainly consisted of denials and accused Eli of influencing his impressionable younger brother for financial gain.
The judge looked back to Eli before she spoke. “After reviewing the materials Mr. Hamilton submitted with the petition, I’m not inclined to consider your father a reliable historian about the events. My sole concern after review of all the materials is how you intend to support Ryan’s relationship with his mother. Have you considered that?”
Eli took a breath to steady himself and nodded. Garrett had prepared him for this question, but it didn’t change the slight emotional pang. He wasn’t doing any of this to put a wedge in Ryan’s relationship with their mother. If anything, he hoped giving Ryan the chance to be free from the influence of their father might actually prevent Ryan from resenting their mother the way Eli had when he was younger. Yet, it didn’t make it any easier when he thought of how his mother felt.
“Yes, Your Honor,” he finally replied. He paused for a breath, almost laughing at how many times he’d said ‘Your Honor.’ Garrett had politely instructed him on courtroom manners and even suggested he practice a few times for good measure. “I’ve spoken with our mother and plan to ensure Ryan visits her at least twice a year. I’m willing to support more, but I’m not willing to allow Ryan to stay there as long as our father is staying in the home.”
Garrett interjected. “Your Honor, if I may?”
She nodded and Garrett continued. “As I’ve noted in the petition, Mr. Brooks is willing to be legally bound to cover the expenses associated with visitation, including travel expenses for their mother to be flown here to visit Ryan monthly if she agrees.”
The judge nodded firmly. “I noted that. I’d like to have the record note the commitment to twice yearly visits at a minimum with the limitation of not staying at the family home.” She paused and looked to Ryan. “I’m assuming this is accept
able to you?”
Ryan nodded quickly. “I, um, Your Honor, I want to see my mom. I know if my father’s not around, Eli will let me visit more, so I’m okay with it.”
Another slow nod from the judge. Moments later, she verbally declared Eli to be Ryan’s legal guardian, read the orders for the record and signed the petition. Eli walked out of the courtroom at Ryan’s side, emotion tightening his chest and relief rushing through him. For a second, tears pushed at the back of his eyes, but he took in several gulps of air and pulled himself together. When they stepped into the waiting area and then through the doors outside, Garrett clapped him on the shoulder. “Done!”
Eli met Garrett’s eyes and took a deep breath, the tight feeling in his chest easing with the fresh air flowing into his lungs. “Thank you. That went just as smoothly as you predicted.”
Garrett’s gaze grew sober. “I don’t mislead clients. If you hadn’t had a good case, I wouldn’t have said so.”
Ryan stood beside them, his hands stuffed in his pockets. He looked between Eli and Garrett and swallowed. “Um, thanks,” he finally said. His eyes were bright with tears, and he turned and stared out over the parking lot.
Garrett caught Eli’s gaze and nodded. “He’s got one hell of a brother,” Garrett said softly.
They stood quietly for a moment until a moose happened to saunter into the parking lot on the far side. A second later, a calf followed its mother into the open.
“Suppose we should either get in our cars or wait inside,” Garrett said with a low laugh.
Eli glanced to the moose and her calf and the distance to his truck and Garrett’s car. The moose kept walking, her calf following, all legs and tentative steps. “Looks like they’re just passing through. Give ‘em a sec and they’ll get to the alder over there,” he said, gesturing to a cluster of alder on the far side of the parking lot.
His prediction proved true a moment later when the moose stopped and began to nibble on the alder, helpfully tugging a branch down for her calf to reach. They made their way to their vehicles. After waving goodbye to Garrett, Eli started his truck and glanced to Ryan. “How ya doin’?”