Storm

by Susan Fisher-Davis

  “They’d look good on you, darlin’.” Storm winked at her, and then nudged his horse. “Let’s go.”

  “I thought Claire and Jimmy were coming?”

  Storm shook his head. “Claire’s not feeling well. Just a cold, but she doesn’t need to be out in this weather. Jimmy’s staying back with her.”

  “Sweet,” he heard Chloe say with a nod. She was right.

  They rode up to a gate, which Storm unhooked the chain from, and then nodded for Chloe to go through first. Once she did, he followed, and closed the gate behind them. The sun felt good on his face, even while the air was crisp. He glanced down at Mandy to see her blowing her breath out to make puffs of air. She’d giggle each time making him smile. He kissed the top of her head.

  “I want a big tree, Daddy,” she told him.

  “Don’t you always?”

  “Bigger than last year.”

  “Amanda Jo, that tree was so big last year that I had trouble getting it into the house.” Storm wasn’t lying. He had to have three ranch hands help him get it into the house and help set it up. Once it was up, his men looked at him like he was crazy. It topped the twelve-foot ceiling and was so big around he had to cut it back. He shook his head. One day he’d have to learn to tell her no, on more than a few things.

  Mandy huffed. “Okay. Not as big then.”

  “Thank you for that.” Storm chuckled. He glanced back to Chloe. She was still doing fine. She was glancing around at the landscape. He didn’t blame her, the view was amazing, and he never got tired of it.

  The Big Horn Mountains rose in the distance. Snow covered the tops but the sky was clear. It looked like they were going to get a reprieve for a few days. Maybe the roads would be cleared soon and Chloe could get on her way. Did he want her to leave though? Thanksgiving was next week and she said that she’d make dinner. Weather reports predicted more snow coming in by then. Should he ask her to stay until after Thanksgiving? He reined his horse to a stop and waited until she moved up beside him.

  “Even if they clear the roads, will you still stay through Thanksgiving?” he asked.

  “Sure.” She smiled at him and his stomach tightened making him frown. As if suddenly realizing the implication of what he’d asked, he gave her a terse nod, and nudged his horse to get moving.

  WHAT THE HELL? Chloe frowned as he rode off acting all pissed. What was that about? He asked her if she’d stay and when she said she would he suddenly frowned like he regretted it, and rode off without another word. And they say women are hard to understand.

  She took a deep breath and felt the cold air fill her lungs. She had to be out of her mind to be out in this. She glanced around again and cold or not, she couldn’t get over the beauty of it. Pine trees lined the pasture on both sides and the trees were flocked with snow, weighing down the branches. The Big Horn Mountains rose gracefully in the distance against a beautiful, clear blue sky, and seemed to glisten with the sun shining down brightly. It was bitterly cold but in all honesty, she wouldn’t have missed this for the world. The chance to be with Storm and Mandy while they picked out a Christmas tree was something, she was sure she’d never forget. But seeing this beautiful pristine landscape was unforgettable.

  Her parents always hired someone to put up a tree and it was always a fake one. Chloe had never experienced a real tree until a few years ago when she visited Kendra during the holidays. The smell of pine made it seem more like Christmas. Chloe had never put a tree up for herself. After all, it was just her, so why bother. But now, doing this, she was seriously considering it this year. She never thought it would be so much fun to go out in biting cold weather to pick out a tree.

  She knew Storm did it for Mandy, but she would bet her life on it that he’d still do it when Mandy got to the age she didn’t want to go anymore. Chloe would love to tell Mandy never let that day come, that her daddy adored her, and she needed to spend as much time with him as she could. If only Chloe had a father who cared half as much for her as Storm did for Mandy. She frowned when she thought about her parents.

  Her mother had left another scathing message on her phone last night. This time, telling her they would be coming to get her to take her back to California. How in the world did they think they were going to do that? She was a grown woman and she didn’t have to do anything she didn’t want to do. Although, for years, she had let them tell her what to do at every turn. They’d drilled it into her head that she couldn’t survive without their money supporting her, and she’d believed it for so long. She credited her grandmother for changing that. She used to tell Chloe that she could make it on her own and soon, she began to believe it. Chloe was sure that was why Zellene had left her the restaurant and her home. She’d had faith in Chloe, even if Chloe didn’t always have it in herself. Lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t realized Storm had stopped, until she almost rode past him.

  “Chloe,” he said from beside her.

  She reined in Rosa and glanced over to him. “Sorry, I was lost in thought. Are we there?”

  Storm nodded as he continued to stare at her. “We’ll go through there on foot.” He pointed over to the trees.

  “All right.” Chloe dismounted without any trouble, and held on to the reins. “Where do I tie her?”

  “Just drop the reins. She won’t go anywhere if they’re touching the ground.”

  Chloe dropped the reins and watched as Storm lowered Mandy to the snow-covered ground then he dismounted, and pulled an axe and a bow saw from the saddlebag. He tugged his hat down lower and started trudging through the snow holding Mandy’s hand. Chloe took a deep breath and followed them. The snow was deep, almost to her knees but she trudged behind trying to keep up. She laughed when she saw Mandy trying to run through the snow.

  Chloe scooped up snow and formed a ball then threw it at Storm, hitting him in the back. She saw his shoulders hunch up then he slowly turned around.

  “Seriously?” he said with a mischievous grin and started to set his tools down.

  Chloe laughed and started to run but the snow was too deep causing her to fall face first into the snow. She could hear Storm laughing as he leaned down to help her up.

  “I guess running in snow this deep isn’t possible,” she said as she spat snow from her mouth.

  “Nope. I won’t even bother hitting you with a snowball now. The face-plant was fair karma.”

  “Gee, Bateman, thanks for that.” They both turned when they heard Mandy yell out that she’d found a tree.

  Storm chuckled. “Come on. Let’s go see what monstrosity Mandy has found. I refuse to get one like last year.”

  “What was wrong with it?”

  “It took four men to get it into the house, and it was so big it hit the ceiling and so wide, I had to chop it back. Waste of a good tree, but I did get a lot of firewood out of it.”

  Chloe laughed. “That’s the bad thing about a real tree. Cutting down a living tree.”

  “Yes, but we come back in the spring and plant another one.”

  “That’s great. What a wonderful idea. We need trees.”

  Storm was about to say something when Mandy yelled again. He grinned.

  “I think she’s getting impatient. Come on.” He reached for her gloved hand.

  She smiled and placed her hand in his. She couldn’t keep her eyes off him. Those dark, good looks were heart stopping. He’d appealed to her from the first time she saw him. Now, the stubble on his lower face, jaw, and neck was so sexy and those lips. She shivered. Oh, what those sensuous lips could do.

  “Are you cold?” he asked her.

  She tugged on his hand to stop him. He turned to look at her and raised a black brow in question.

  “Not really. I was just thinking about last night.”

  Storm groaned. “Not the time or the place, darlin’. Later, though.” He glanced around then kissed her quickly. She laughed.

  “Let’s go see this tree she’s picked out.” Chloe tugged on his hand.

  They fou
nd Mandy standing in front of a beautiful, tall tree. She jumped up and down in the snow.

  “This one, Daddy, this one!” She pointed to it.

  Chloe heard Storm sigh. “At least it’s not too big around,” he muttered.

  She laughed. “I think it’s beautiful. What kind is it?”

  “A Fraser fir. They have the best aroma too—in my opinion.”

  Chloe leaned forward and inhaled. The scent of pine was wonderful.

  “It smells so good.”

  “Well then...let me get it cut down. You two stay back. Keep an eye on her for me.” Chloe nodded and took Mandy’s hand.

  Chloe watched as Storm lay down on the cold, snow-covered ground and slid under the tree. The sound of the saw cutting through the wood echoed through the surrounding woods. She held on tight to Mandy’s hand but soon both of them started stomping their feet, and bouncing up and down on their toes. Damn! It was cold!

  “Hurry, Daddy. I’m cold.”

  “You’re the one who wanted to get a tree, so hush up,” Storm’s muffled voice came from under the tree.

  “Why couldn’t we have ridden in your truck?” Chloe muttered.

  “Where’s the fun in that?” Storm laughed.

  “Might not be as much fun but it would’ve been warmer.” Chloe’s teeth were chattering. Even though they had all dressed in layers nearly to the point of not being able to move, the air had a mean snap to it. She watched Storm slide out from under the tree, and stand. Snow covered him from head to toe. He wiped his gloved hands down his coat to brush it off and shook his head to knock the snow off his hat then moved to stand beside the tree.

  “Move behind me while I push it over.”

  Chloe led Mandy to stand behind him and they both watched as Storm put his gloved hands against the tree and pushed it. She heard the wood snap and watched as it fell to the ground. Storm used the ax to shape the cut end of the tree so it would fit more readily into a tree stand back home. Then he returned the ax and saw to his saddlebag, and came back with a long piece of rope. He tied the rope around the bulk of the tree, down over the base, and then dragged it to where the horses waited. She and Mandy followed him. He tied the rope to the saddle horn, and turned to look at them.

  “We can go home now. Come here, Mandy.”

  “Can I ride home with Chloe?”

  Storm looked at Chloe. “Sure, if it’s all right with her.”

  “Of course, it is.” She walked to Rosa, and mounted the horse so Storm could hand Mandy up to her.

  “You can lead the way since I have the tree,” Storm said.

  Chloe nodded and wrapped one arm around Mandy to keep her safe, and to try to keep her warmer. She watched Storm vault into his saddle and give her a nod to go ahead. She pulled the reins to turn Rosa and then nudged her. She was wishing she could just get the horse to run back to the house so they could all get warm, but she wasn’t that comfortable controlling the horse yet. When the gate came into view, she sighed with relief.

  “We’re almost home, Chloe.”

  “Yes, we are, Mandy Pandy. Almost there.”

  Chloe hoped she could still feel her feet once she got her boots off since this day was almost as cold as the night she decided to walk to Kendra’s home. Thank God, Storm had found her that night. What were you even thinking, Chloe? Apparently, she hadn’t been thinking at all. The only good thing that came out of that mishap was getting to know Mandy and of course, spending time with Storm. She shivered and it wasn’t from the cold this time. Just then, he rode up beside her.

  “Go into the barn. I’ll be in right after I untie the tree.”

  “All right.” Her teeth were chattering but she tried to hide it.

  Storm grinned at her. “Fun getting a tree, isn’t it?”

  “Oh yeah, a blast,” she muttered and turned Rosa toward the barn. As soon as Rosa entered the barn, a young man walked toward her.

  “Hello. Hi, Mandy,” he said as he smiled up at Chloe.

  “Hi. Can you take Mandy for me?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He reached up for Mandy and she went to him willingly. After Mandy was down and clear, Chloe dismounted and held tight to the reins.

  “Where’s Storm?” the man asked her, with a big grin, but not making any effort to look around for him.

  “Right here, Eli,” Storm said from behind them, making Eli flinch. Chloe hid a grin, feeling sorry for the young man having been caught flirting with her by the boss.

  Chloe turned to watch Storm striding into the barn leading Dream Catcher behind him. He was all cowboy and too sexy. He glanced at her then back to Eli and narrowed his eyes a bit. Was he jealous?

  If only!

  “Can you put the horses up, Eli? The girls are cold, and I could do with a hot shower.”

  “Sure I can, Storm.” Eli grinned, took the reins for each horse, and led them away.

  “Come on, let’s get in the house before you two turn into popsicles.” He winked at them. “I’ll get a fire going, and I think some hot cocoa is in order, don’t you?”

  “Sounds great! You don’t have to tell me twice.” Chloe picked Mandy up, who was hopping up and down clapping her hands, probably over the idea of cocoa. She quickly walked the path from the barn to the house. Behind her, she could hear Storm chuckling. She smiled. It was a good day, and she hoped the night would be even better.

  A SNOWSTORM MOVED IN the week of Thanksgiving just as predicted, bringing the entire town of Dry River to a halt. No one could go anywhere. Storm was sitting in the living room watching TV when the phone rang. He smiled when he saw his mom’s name on the screen.

  “Hi, Mom,” he answered.

  “Hi, honey. It doesn’t look like we’re going to be able to have Thanksgiving dinner as planned. Not this week, anyway.”

  “Yeah, I know. I’m sorry. I told Mandy it was doubtful. She was upset until I told her we decided to have it here. I have a turkey and the side dishes. Chloe will make it.”

  “She’s still there?” his mother asked with a surprised tone.

  Son of a bitch! Storm wanted to smack himself. “Uh, yeah. Her car is still buried—”

  “And you couldn’t drive her anywhere because...?”

  “It’s a long story, Mom.”

  Jaya laughed. “I bet it is.”

  “It’s not like that and besides you know I’m not interested in any long term relationships,” he said then turned when he heard a noise behind him. Chloe stood in the doorway, staring at him with a hurt look on her face. Shit! It felt like someone punched him in the gut when she spun on her heel, and walked down the hallway.

  “Can I talk to Mandy?”

  “Sure, Mom. Hold on.” Storm entered the kitchen to see Mandy sitting at the table, coloring in her new book. “Here, Mandy. Nana wants to talk to you.” After handing her the phone, he walked down the hallway, and knocked on Chloe’s door.

  She opened it almost immediately. “What is it, Storm?”

  He sighed and combed his fingers through his hair. “Chloe, you have to know this is just temporary. A casual thing.”

  “While I’m here, you mean? Then you’ll get me out of here and we’ll never speak of it again. Just as we never spoke of what happened between us two years ago. I can’t understand that. It’s so good between us and yes, I understand that you’re afraid of getting hurt again...but what about me, Storm? Don’t you care at all that I might be getting hurt here?”

  “Of course I care, I don’t want to hurt you but you knew going into this, that it was casual, nothing more and that it wouldn’t last. I’m not interested in having a relationship. I’ve been honest about that from the start.”

  “You have, I know, but I was hoping you’d change your mind. It’s never been as good as it is with you.”

  “I can’t tell you what you want to hear, Chloe—”

  “Daddy? Nana said to tell you bye and to call her on turkey day,” Mandy said from behind him. He hoped she hadn’t heard them talking so he turned to
her and smiled.

  “All right, baby girl. I will.” He took the phone from her and looked at Chloe. “I’m heading to the barn for a while. Please keep an eye on Mandy.”

  “Of course. It’s my job after all.” Chloe moved past him and took Mandy’s hand. They walked down the hallway leaving him standing there alone.

  Damn it. Storm knew better. He never should have let things go as far as they had. Perhaps his mother had a point about Chloe still being here. She was too much of a temptation and having her under his roof was slowly killing him.

  When Tracy left him, he’d become a broken man and consequently, he swore he’d never put his trust in another woman. She’d had him fooled. He had fallen hard for her and she’d played on that. He’d discovered that she’d only married him hoping to convince him to sell the ranch and travel the world. She’d only been interested in what his money could do for her. This ranch was his life and he’d refused to leave it—then or ever. The only way he’d ever leave was if he had to do it for Mandy’s wellbeing. He’d do anything for her but she was a healthy child and she loved the ranch as much as he did.

  Chloe seemed to like Dry River, but so had Tracy. He’d never forget the day he came in from the fields and heard Mandy screaming from her crib. He’d shouted for Tracy only to be met with silence as an answer. So he ran to Mandy’s room to find her soaking wet from her diaper and her little face red from crying. Storm picked her up, cleaned her up and changed her all the while soothing her the best he could then carried her to his bedroom to look for Tracy. She wasn’t anywhere to be found. Still carrying Mandy and talking soothingly to her, he went to the kitchen to make her a bottle. He couldn’t figure out where Tracy was. It was while he was putting the bottle in the microwave that he saw the note leaning against the coffee pot. He slowly reached for it, dreading what it would say.

  Storm,

  I can’t do this anymore. I hate the ranch! I didn’t even want to have a baby. She’s all yours. You will never hear from me again. Good luck in this godforsaken place. I found a man who wants to treat me like a queen, not a rancher’s wife. Don’t try to find me.