She opened her eyes, finding him less than a few feet from her, and her breath caught in her throat. For a moment she felt as if she was floating in the air, her only anchor being Gage. Then his touch left her, and she felt her breath release in a rush.
“Are you up to coming down for the steak dinner?” he asked.
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m so tired still,” she said honestly.
He hesitated, then cupped her chin in the warmth of his fingers. “You aren’t hungry?”
She was, but not starved. “Maybe I can get something later,” she said. “I’d only put a damper on the party by falling asleep at the table if I go down now.”
He chuckled softly. “Okay, just take it easy. When you’re hungry, Alma can bring something up for you.”
“Thank you,” she said, then remembered. “The press conference? Did you do it yet?”
He nodded. “It’s done. Hopefully it worked.”
He didn’t sound convinced, but she didn’t have the energy to question him any further. “Good. At least Moses got back safely.”
For some reason that brought a full smile from Gage. “Oh, he survived all right.” Then he added, “He rode back on Willie G.’s motorcycle, at, according to Moses, a hundred miles an hour.”
“Oh, wow,” she said, imagining the doctor on the back of the huge motorcycle that Willie G. rode around town. “He never mentioned it to me when he came up here earlier.”
“I think he was still in shock,” Gage said, still grinning. Then he looked at his watch, “Well, I guess I better get down there and grab some steak before it’s all gone.”
“Good idea,” she said softly.
Before he went out, he looked back at Merry for a long moment. “Rest,” was all he said before going out and closing the door.
Merry laid there feeling alone. Pressing her hand to a low growl in her stomach, she almost wished she’d gone down with Gage for the celebration dinner. Instead, she was there by herself. Alone. She glanced to her side at the house phone, but didn’t pick it up. She’d have to search to find the numbers she needed.
She closed her eyes, feeling tension in her neck and shoulders starting to flare. She thought about laying on the grass, blowing bubbles into the sky, counting each one as it rose into the clear blue above the meadow. Then from nowhere, she was in a tiny plane with a handsome, dark-haired man, laying by her side, holding his hand, feeling each breath he took.
She sat up quickly, buried her face in her hands and muttered about how stupid she was being. The professional side of her knew that it really wasn’t stupid to be feeling things she knew she shouldn’t about Gage. It was an impossible situation; not just opposites attracting, but total incompatibles attracting. There was no middle ground for them to meet on. But that didn’t stop her from hoping there could be.
She knew about strange alliances being formed under duress of survival. That’s what it was, she thought, but that didn’t make it any less real for her. She already missed him, even before she left this house. Even before he left Wolf Lake again. She missed him.
The door opened without any warning, and Gage came in, carrying a large tray in his hands. “I got to thinking...the whole dinner from the bet, it was for both of us. Me to gloat at winning and you to be duly chastised for being so wrong.”
He got to the bed and put the tray on the nightstand. “So, I brought the dinner up here for you, so I can sit and gloat and you can watch me gloat.”
Turning from her, he crossed to the armoire near the bathroom and opened the upper doors. “Mom said she left a lap tray up here, and...aha!” There was a rustling noise, then Gage was back with the tray. He pulled the legs down and put it on Merry’s lap where she sat amid the pillows. “Willie G. cooked the steaks, and I have to say, he’s a genius when it comes to good, plain cooking. He’s also a talker, a big talker.”
She’d knew Willie G. was a storyteller, mostly about the past, the history of the town and the reservation near it. “He sure is entertaining.”
“And opinionated,” he added as he removed the cover off the tray. “Very opinionated.”
His tone told her that there was more to his Willie G. encounter downstairs than just storytelling. “Sounds as if he irritated you just a bit,” she murmured as she watched him transfer a plate of food to her lap tray.
He cast her a sideways glance before reaching for cutlery and a napkin for her. As he laid down the fork and steak knife by her plate, he murmured, “Smart lady.” He picked up the other plate he’d brought with him, and made room for it on the nightstand. He crossed, grabbed a chair sitting by the armoire and brought it back to the side of the bed. He finally sat and said, “There. That’s better.”
“What did he say?” Merry asked, watching him cut a chunk of steak and then spear it with his fork.
He was quiet as he chewed, then took a sip from a small glass of water that had a lemon wedge in it. Swallowing, he shrugged. “Let me put it this way, he’s a man whose mind is made up about many things.”
She’d heard about Willie’s dissatisfaction about controversial changes around town, including the project Gage had come to bid on. “Oh, he hates the idea of the development, doesn’t he?”
“He makes you look like a wimp.”
“A wimp?”
“Yes, a wimp.” He ate more steak and motioned her to eat up.
“I’ve never been called that before,” she conceded with a smile, ignoring the food that he was obviously enjoying.
He stopped for a moment, meeting her gaze. “I can say you are definitely not a wimp, not after what you survived.”
“But I don’t want to go up against Willie G., huh?”
“No. He’s one of those guys who would have chained himself to a tree to save it from being cut down.”
She chuckled at that. “No wonder you brought the food up for me. A tactical retreat.”
“Partly,” he said and motioned to her food again. “Eat while it’s hot.”
She did as he requested, and soon realized that the potato casserole was every bit as good as the succulent meat. But her appetite failed her after just a few bites. Gage was watching her as she laid down her fork. His food was more than half gone.
“You don’t like it?” Gage asked. “That kind of takes the punch out of my victory if you don’t enjoy the meal.”
“It’s great food and I like it very much, but I realized I’m not really hungry,” she murmured, sinking back into the pillows. Then a question came to her. “You said you left to get away from Willie G....partly. What was the rest of your reason for leaving and bringing up my dinner?”
She saw him hesitate, then he laid his knife and fork across the top of his plate, and sat forward in his chair. His dark eyes were level with hers. “I know I said I came up to gloat about my win, but it’s not true.” She heard him take a breath before he dropped a bombshell on her. “I came up because I missed you.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
GAGE HEARD HIS own words and recognized the pure truth in them. He had felt like a fish out of water eating downstairs while she’d been up here alone. Hearing Willie G. make his case, reminded Gage about Merry’s passion about the same subject. She’d been gone twenty years at least, but she loved Wolf Lake and the residents, especially her kids.
He didn’t begin to understand that bond with her and the children, but maybe it happened between the caregiver and the ones in need. He didn’t know, but he knew that she loved those kids, and the town. He watched her, the widening of her eyes as he made his statement, then the way she dropped her gaze to her barely touched meal.
“There was no one to make a bet with down there?” she asked in a low voice.
“No, Willie’s always up for a bet or two, and Jack’s been known to do a bit on that front.”
He decided t
o make a joke of his words, to take the depth, he knew had been in the confession, out of them.
She didn’t respond to him until he reached to get the tray and lift it off her lap.
“It’s odd, isn’t it?” she said so softly he almost didn’t hear her.
“What’s that?” he asked as he put the tray down on the floor by the nightstand.
“You and me, meeting like that, then crashing and surviving. I wouldn’t have believed it if someone had told me that would all happen within a matter of hours.”
He sat back down, touching the edge of the comforter with his fingertips. He knew the feeling. Out of nowhere, his life had been altered. “Yeah, me too.”
“But miracles happen,” she said. “You know, I don’t remember too many miracles in my life...and then in one day, there was the first, then another, then another.” She spread her hands on her thighs, and stared down at them.
He hadn’t thought about miracles much in his own life, but now that he stopped to consider it, the landing could qualify for a miracle of sorts, he guessed. The trees could have torn the plane to pieces, but hadn’t. They could have frozen to death. They didn’t. And the second storm that he knew was going to come at any time, would have buried them. But it had stalled, and they’d been rescued. He’d concede a miracle or two in that mix.
“I’m not going to fly again,” she said out of the blue. “I figure, you get a reprieve one time, but it’s pushing it to do the same again and expect the same result.” She hesitated, color touching her cheeks. “I mean, after I make good on the bet, then never ever again.”
“Where is this all coming from?”
She rubbed the flats of her hands up and down on the denim covering her thighs. “I don’t know. Just thinking, and then you said—” She cut her words off with a fluttery shrug of her slender shoulders. Green eyes turned to him, shadowed by lush dark lashes. “How long are you going to be here?”
“At this house?”
“Wolf Lake.”
“I’d guess a week at the most—that should provide sufficient time for meetings and going over the proposed site to get ideas for a bid.”
She closed her eyes for a moment, then pushed toward him as if to get up off the bed. “I need to get changed for bed,” she said, as she dangled her legs over the side.
He quickly shoved his chair back and stood. Then he held out a hand to her. “Come on.”
She took his offered support, gently eased her up to her feet, then on impulse, he kept pulling her until she was in his arms. “You’re right about miracles,” he whispered. “They don’t happen very often.” He rested his chin on her hair and closed his eyes. He savored the feeling of her face pressed into his shoulder, and the way her body molded to his, before reluctantly letting her go. “Tomorrow you can talk to the kids, or if things work out, we’ll get you back to town.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, then ducked past him and went to the bathroom door.
“Sweet dreams,” he called after her, watching her pause before entering the small room. But she didn’t look back, instead she stepped into the bathroom and closed the door after her.
Gage stood there for a long time just staring at the door, then he heard water start to run and he turned, picked up the tray with the leftovers, and headed out of the bedroom. Closing the door behind him, he turned to head downstairs, walking away from his foolish notions as he went.
Before he got to the head of the stairs, his mother was coming toward him.
“Here, let me take that,” she said, lifting the tray from his hands.
“Is Willie still down there?”
“Oh, yes, he’s been talking your dad’s ear off.” She frowned up at him. “He didn’t upset you, did he?”
More like ticked him off, he thought wryly. “No, he didn’t. I’m just too tired to go over the same ground again and again with him.” He bent to kiss his mother on the cheek. “Thanks for the great meal. Now, I’m going to bed.”
“Good night,” she said as he headed down the hallway to his room.
He’d showered and climbed into bed just before Moses came in with a summary knock that he didn’t bother to wait to have answered. “You ran like a chicken,” he said, grinning as he came near the bed.
Gage sat up. “Call me a chicken, but I couldn’t take that anymore.”
“Willie sure came down on you, didn’t he?”
“I sort of expected him to be on the ‘don’t do it,’ side of the debate, but figured with him spending most of his time at his restaurant, he wouldn’t be around here or the Rez enough to really get into it.”
Moses almost snorted a laugh. “He’s involved up to his neck with everything around here.”
Gage studied his friend. “How about you? Do you have an issue with what is going to be done?”
Moses shrugged. “I don’t necessarily like it, but it’s business, and to be honest, Wolf Lake needs some funds for infrastructure stability. It could be a positive thing.”
“You really believe that?” he asked. “Your whole life has been in this town.”
“Yours, too,” he countered. “And if you’re good with it, and other good folks around here are, too, I think it’s worth giving it the benefit of the doubt. At least until there’s something concrete to vote on.”
“And when they solidify a deal, with whoever wins the bid, you’re going to back it?”
“I will until I see something that lets me know that it will be harmful.”
Gage wished Merry could be so sensible about the whole deal. “Merry just hates it,” he confided.
“I gathered that out the first time she spoke to me about it.” Moses smiled. “She’s a smart lady, and passionate about whatever she gets involved with.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” he murmured.
“You should see her around the kids at the center. They’re the center of her world, no pun intended.”
“Well, I sure hope to see her in action there soon,” he said, and meant every word.
“Well, better wish me luck. I’m about to take my life in my hands and head back with Willie. I just wanted to touch base with you and see how you’re feeling.”
“Tired,” he said honestly, “but I’ll be fine by tomorrow. I’ve got to get ready for the meetings with the council elders and the mayor, et al.”
Moses hesitated, then turned and went to the door. He swung back around before opening it. “Pain, do you need anything for pain? Or how about the wound...do I need to look at it again, check for any infection? I can go down and get my bag and—”
“No thanks...I’m fine,” Gage said with a grin. “Now, quit making excuses not to jump on that bike and roar out of here. You’re such a chicken.”
“That’s why we’re such good friends,” Moses said. He gave a brief wave and then left, closing the door behind him.
“Smart and passionate,” Gage echoed Moses’ words about Merry. That was a nice combination, all rolled up in one beautiful lady. “Very nice indeed,” he thought, still smiling at the idea when he finally fell asleep.
* * *
MERRY WOKE TO wind and the noise of something hitting the windows. She blinked, pushed herself up and was shocked to see grayness outside, along with snow hitting the window panes. Pushing her tangled hair back from her face, she glanced at the clock by the bed. Ten-fifteen! She must have slept for twelve hours at least.
Scrambling out of bed, she padded barefoot to the bathroom and fifteen minutes later, she was dressed in a red cowl necked sweater and her last pair of clean jeans. Stepping out into the hallway, she stopped, heard voices in the distance from the lower floor, a door closing, then quiet. She headed for the staircase and went down.
Following soft sounds of something being brushed, she found herself in an expansive kitche
n, lined with beautifully crafted cabinets, stone countertops and what looked like restaurant sized appliances. Lark Carson was sweeping the tiled floor, but stopped to look up when Merry came into the room.
She smiled broadly. “Oh, my dear, you look wonderful this morning!” Gage’s mom put the broom aside and came over to Merry, making a show of studying her. “And how are you feeling?”
“Like a whole new person. It’s amazing what a good night’s rest can do.”
“Oh yes, this is a good day!” she exclaimed. “You have a bounce in your step, and everyone is safe and sound. I am very thankful.” Then, unexpectedly, she got on her tiptoes to kiss Merry’s cheek. “Very thankful.”
“Yes,” Merry agreed as she looked around at the almost empty space. “Where is Gage?”
“Gone,” Lark said. “What do you want for breakfast? Eggs and bacon, cereal, some fruit?”
“Thanks, but nothing right now.” She glanced at the windows that showed the heavily falling snow. “I was hoping I could get a ride into town by now. I never expected another storm.”
“Of course you can, as soon as someone comes back. Herbert left to see a friend, and Jack went back to town last night.” She frowned slightly. “He took this whole thing very hard,” she confided, then looked at Merry with a smile. “Moses and Willie G. left last night, and Gage was gone at sunrise, before the snow started.” She frowned again. “I don’t know what’s going on with this snow. It’s February, for heaven’s sake, and it’s snowing and cold.”
“I don’t remember a lot of snow when I lived here,” Merry said. “But one year, there was quite a bit and we actually got snowed in for a whole day. I was maybe four or so.”
“I remember that huge blizzard like it was yesterday. Threw the whole town into a tizzy!” She brushed a hand over her dark hair twisted into a low knot at her neck. “If you don’t want breakfast, how about some coffee or tea?”
“Tea sounds good,” Merry said.
Lark got busy putting a kettle on the eight burner stove, then sat with Merry at a huge glass table in a breakfast room to one side of the kitchen. Multiple windows overlooked the back of the ranch and everything was gradually turning white under an angry sky.
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