Stormy Passion

by Brenda Jernigan

  Brenna laughed as Geraldine propped her feet on the opposite chair and let out a long sigh. She left the cook with a hot cup of coffee and went back to the foyer to meet her sister.

  Lisa waited by the front door, holding the coats in her arms and peeking out the window. She turned around as Brenna approached. “Are you going skiing tomorrow?”

  “I thought I would,” Brenna answered as she took her gloves and coat.

  “Good.” Lisa smiled. “You don't ski much anymore.”

  “I know. But I promise we will have fun. Tomorrow after breakfast, I'm going to take the rest of the day off. I don't remember the last time I took a break.” Brenna slipped on her silver fox coat and buttoned the front. She had loved the fur from the first moment Taylor had given it to her. Frowning, Brenna thought maybe she shouldn't wear the coat, but it was the warmest thing she had so she brushed aside her doubts. Besides, he probably wouldn't remember the thing. After all, that had been four years ago, she thought as she pulled on her gloves.

  Moving out to the porch, she watched as her guests filed into the vehicles. Brenna waited to make sure everyone had a seat before she stepped up to the last sleigh.

  When she placed her foot on the step, a deep voice said, “Here grab my hand.”

  Brenna's head swung up, and all she could see were those damn blue eyes. Dressed in a beige cashmere coat and a white silk scarf that hung casually around his neck, Taylor leaned over and waited for her to take his hand. She had tried her best to stay away from him, but now she was touching him and remembering this morning when they had started to do more than just touch.

  Taylor wasn't smiling. As a matter of fact, he was frowning at her, which left Brenna wondering what she'd done this time. Was he remembering, too? As she held up her hand, she realized it wasn't a look she had seen before.

  Taylor's strong hand closed around her small wrist as he pulled her up into the sleigh. “Thank you,” she said as he returned to his place. Brenna turned and saw there was only one seat left ... directly across from him. With only one choice, she shrugged and took her seat, pulling the heavy lap robe over her legs.

  “Getty up,” the driver called to the team.

  The sleigh lunged forward and settled into a smooth pace. Brenna stared out across the snowy wonderland bathed in shades of silver and gray. A wisp of hair blew across her face and tickled her nose. Reaching up, she tucked the strand behind her ear. As the horses picked up speed, the bells jingled, causing Brenna to smile at the happy feeling she had inside. The icy air nipped her face, and she snuggled deeper into her fur.

  “This is fun, Brenna.” Lisa giggled. “Why haven't we done this before?”

  Brenna glanced at her sister. “Because Geraldine didn't think of it until this morning.”

  “Well, I'm glad she did,” Lisa whispered.

  “Me, too.”

  “Brenna, this is fantastic,” Carol shouted over the sounds of the horses' bells. Her chin just peeked out of her yellow wool scarf. “The cold air takes my breath away.” She snuggled closer to Taylor. “I'm so glad our car broke down and forced us to stay here. I feel like I'm in wonderland.” She looked up at him and smiled.

  Brenna wanted to laugh. She felt much like Alice in Wonderland, herself. That is, after Alice fell down the dark hole ... confused ... lost. It was hard sitting here watching the man Brenna loved with his arm casually draped around another woman. He smiled at something Carol said and Brenna's heart twisted. The happy feeling she'd felt a few minutes ago quickly evaporated. Why did Taylor have to appear now and churn up all those old sentiments she thought she'd buried?

  “I like your coat.” Taylor watched the many emotions that filtered across Brenna's face and for a brief second he saw sadness in her eyes. Of course, he'd been watching her ever since she sat down. Her eyes grew wide with surprise at his statement. She must have thought he'd forgotten the coat that put a big dent in his savings account. He smiled as he remembered his mother's remarks. She had been so angry when he'd given the fur to Brenna that for a while he'd wondered if his mother would cut him out of the will.

  “Thank you.”

  “It is beautiful,” Carol agreed. “I've always considered them, but I never could swing the price of a fur.”

  Brenna looked at Carol sheepishly. Taylor shouldn't have brought the subject up in front of his girlfriend. “The coat was a gift.”

  “Well, he must have loved you very much. If it was a he who gave it to you,” Carol added.

  “It--” Lisa opened and shut her mouth.

  Taylor knew what the child had been about to say. Boy, would that have livened up the conversation. Evidently, her sister had pinched her into silence.

  As if he willed her to do so, Brenna's gaze returned to him. The sadness he saw there touched him deeply as she murmured, “I thought so.”

  Oh, Brenna, what have we done to each other?

  Taylor's chest tightened. Brenna turned away from him and looked out at the lights of the decorated town. The silver fox fur seemed to caress her creamy chin, and the cold air had kissed her cheeks, leaving a soft, rosy glow. He longed to answer he loved you more than you know, but he quickly squelched the idea.

  Water under the bridge, Taylor reminded himself. All they had were memories. Brenna had made her choice when she left him. Perhaps she regretted the choice, but the fact still remained. She had left him.

  Now he had a wonderful woman sitting next to him. Reaching over, he took Carol’s hand in his and smiled at her before turning to watch the scenery. Yes, he had everything. So why did he have doubts about his engagement? He thought he’d put the pass behind him.

  Once downtown, the sleigh slid to a stop in front of the hardware store to wait for several cars to pass. All the stores were decorated in white lights which twinkled merrily as they passed. Even the trees dripping icicles along the sidewalks sparkled with festive radiance.

  “Brenna. Brenna.” A man called as he hurried over to the side of the vehicle. “I thought that was you,” he remarked. “How's my favorite girl?” he asked with a wink and a grin.

  Brenna smiled back and felt her cheeks grow warm with embarrassment at her friend's possessive comment. She had dated David a couple of times, but they were still just friends. He was one of the few men under eighty in Hollow Ridge, and nice looking with curly brown hair and dark brown eyes. “Hi, David. As you can see, I'm entertaining some of my guests.” She waved her gloved hand and in so doing caught a glimpse of Taylor's not-too-friendly eyes as he stared at David.

  David nodded to everyone. “And in a grand style, I see. Hope you folks have a good time at our festival.” He turned his attention back to Brenna. “I expect to see you tomorrow.” He winked again, then turned around and left.

  “See you,” Brenna called to him.

  The flakes of snow grew bigger and fluffier as the sleigh started moving and not a moment too soon for Taylor. Was that the SOB Brenna ran away with? If so, then why hadn't they gotten married? Again he had more questions than answers. But one day he'd get his answers, he thought moodily as he stared unseeing at the passing scenery.

  When they arrived home, the guests went to their rooms and Brenna helped Geraldine pack her things into the sleigh.

  Wind whipped around the house as Brenna went back inside. The mere sound made her shiver. Glancing out the window, she noticed two more inches of snow had accumulated on the porch rails.

  The house was quiet except for the howling wind and the sound of the grandfather clock that stood in the hallway, keeping its ever-faithful rhythm. Brenna smiled as she shrugged off her coat. This was her favorite part of the day, and a cup of hot chocolate in front of the fireplace was just what she needed. She wandered into the cozy den surrounded by bay window seats. Looking at the River Rock fireplace, Brenna saw a single piece of wood and dying embers. She frowned. The cocoa would have to wait until she fetched some kindling and wood.

  She grabbed her old coat and mittens and hurried out the back door. A
fter making two stacks of wood on the rear porch, she went back for another load. She couldn't help watching the huge flakes falling likes stars from the sky. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have someone to cuddle up with on a night like this instead of lugging in wood? She reached for a fat log. Bending at the knees, she struggled to get it into her arms. What would it be like to have a man do things like this for her? Brenna wondered as she started for the house. Unable to see over the log, she tripped over a shovel and tumbled head-first into the snow.

  When Taylor came down stairs he heard the wind whistling through a crack in the back door. The storm had turned into a small blizzard, and he was thankful to be inside. Too bad he couldn't sleep. He remembered the books that lined the shelves in the living room and decided he would try one. Moving over to the door, he wondered who had been in too big of a hurry to shut it properly.

  Taylor reached for the knob, but before he closed it, he saw Brenna through the window, struggling with a log as big as she was. He shrugged into his coat. He had no business getting involved with Brenna Fox. And she had no business doing that heavy kind of work, he swore to himself. Watch out, he wanted to call as he saw her stumble and fall into the snow.

  Taylor threw open the door and ran the short distance to Brenna. Reaching down, he yanked her up. A trickle of blood ran down her chin. He quickly scanned the rest of her body. Other than a small cut she seemed all right. Pulling out a handkerchief, he snapped, “Why in hell are you out in this weather?”

  “What in the hell do you think?” She retorted in cold sarcasm. “I'm working. The wood doesn't have legs. And it can't get to the house by itself.” She stopped herself, knowing she was taking her frustrations out on Taylor. She wasn't sure which upset her the most, the fact she was doing men's work or the fact that Taylor had come to her rescue.

  Taking the handkerchief from him, she said in a more gracious tone, “T--Thank you.” She held the cloth to her chin, wondering why he sounded grumpy when she was the one who had fallen. “I have to get enough wood inside for tonight and tomorrow. By morning, it will all be buried under the snow.”

  Taylor picked up the log she'd been carrying and escorted her to the back porch. “I'll get the rest of the wood. Go in the house. You don't need to be out in this cold wind.”

  Brenna stiffened, then pulled from his grip. “Look, Taylor, it's my inn. You can't tell me what to do. I'm a big girl and I can't let you work ... you're my guest.”

  Taylor looked at her quizzically. “Then you should do as your guest suggests and get inside.”

  “No.”

  He raised a brow slightly and said, “I insist.”

  The snowflakes were starting to accumulate in Taylor's hair. Brenna could see he was going to be stubborn, but then so could she. “You can help me with the wood if you'd like.”

  A lazy smile played upon his lips. “I see, you're still as hardheaded as ever.”

  “Afraid so,” Brenna said over her shoulder as she started back for more wood. “But you used to like me that way,” she teased, letting her guard down just a little.

  “I can't argue with that,” Taylor mumbled.

  After they had stacked several more bundles and covered the wood with plastic, they hurried back inside. Brenna stuffed her mittens in her pocket and took off her coat and hung it on a peg. “Thanks for the help,” she said, rubbing her cold hands together and stamping the snow from her feet. “How about a cup of hot chocolate?”

  “Sounds good.” Taylor hung his coat on the back of a chair before turning to her with a breath-taking smile. Her heart warmed. “I can't remember the last time I had cocoa.”

  Without thinking, Brenna reached up and brushed the snow from Taylor's blonde hair. Her hand froze on the way down. “I--I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that.”

  “I'm glad you did. I don't need pneumonia.” She saw the amusement in his sultry eyes and wondered what he thought.

  Confusion settled over Brenna as she realized Taylor's nearness still took her breath away after all these years. “I'll go make the hot chocolate. Should I fix Carol a cup?” Brenna needed Carol here to diffuse the heat simmering between them.

  “No.” He shook his head. “She's sound asleep after a day of skiing. She’s never skied before. That’s why I came down for a good book. I'll tell you what--while you fix the chocolate, I'll put a couple of logs on the fire.”

  “I'm afraid you'll have to stir it up with some fat-lighter. The fire has just about gone out.” Brenna reached for some of the oil-rich tinder and handed it to Taylor. Leaving the rest of the job in his capable hands, she hurried out to the kitchen.

  Brenna dawdled as she fixed the chocolate, trying to steal time. What could they talk about? They were strangers now.

  When she could postpone no longer, she took a deep breath, picked up the tray and shouldered her way through the swinging kitchen door.

  The fire roared, casting an orange glow over the room. The intimate surroundings did nothing to quell the heat pulsing through her veins.

  She handed Taylor a mug, then took her seat in one of the chairs facing the bay windows. They both sat in silence and watched the snow while drinking their hot chocolate. The wind blew the snow against the window sills and the pole lights outside cast a silvery glow on the trees.

  Brenna thought she'd feel tense sitting alone with Taylor, but to the contrary, she felt relaxed--almost like old times. Maybe she'd been silly to worry about nothing. There were so many things she wanted to ask him. What had life been like the last few years? Yet, she didn't want to break the peaceful mood. In the lingering silence, she watched Taylor from beneath her lashes. He seemed contented as he stared out the window. If anything he'd grown more distinguished, yet there was a hard edge about him which hadn't been there before. What was he thinking?

  “Thanks for your help tonight,” Brenna said, breaking the silence.

  Taylor blinked several times before turning his crystal blue eyes on her. “No problem. I really don't like to see you work so hard.”

  “Sometimes it can't be helped.” She shrugged. “Tell me what you've been doing. I heard you're working at the bank.”

  His brows arched in surprise. “How did you know that?”

  “I get the newspaper from home.”

  “I see.” For a minute, Taylor had thought maybe she'd returned to River Run without him knowing it, but the paper subscription explained everything. “You know it's strange, I've been a workaholic for the past few years, but since coming to this town, I've not thought about work at all. I was beginning to think I'd forgotten how to relax. It’s peaceful here. I can see why you like this place.”

  Brenna curled her feet up in the chair. “Sleepy Hollow does have a way of making you feel peaceful.” She took a sip of cocoa before adding, “You can't work all the time. It's not healthy.”

  His eyebrow raised at her advice. “You're a fine one to talk.”

  For over an hour, they chatted and watched the snow while indulging in cookies and hot chocolate. And, for a little while, all the hurt and pain was forgotten. They shoved the outside world away as two friends talked and shared of themselves as they could with no other.

  A log fell in the fireplace sending sparks shooting up the chimney. The noise jarred Brenna back to reality. She really hated to end this wonderful evening since it was the first time in a long while she’d felt like herself. But it was getting late.

  “I'd better put some wood on the fire and call it a night.” Brenna stood and held her hand out for Taylor's cup. “The festival starts tomorrow, and I promised Lisa a fun-filled day. And, I dare not break that promise.”

  “I'm glad to see Lisa is walking. What happened?”

  “It's a long story,” Brenna hedged. “I was lucky enough to find a doctor who specialized in hip replacements. The rest is simply a miracle.”

  Taylor came to his feet and handed her the mug. “I'll help you with the fire.”

  When she returned from the kitchen, Taylor had stirre
d up the coals and the crackling fire echoed around the quiet room.

  “You have a knack for that,” Brenna said from behind him as she watched Taylor shove the last log into the flames. She couldn't help noticing his fine physique.

  “Thanks. That should last through the night.” He stood up and brushed off his hands, chuckling softly as he replaced he fire screen. “It's been a long time since I've built a fire. I'm glad to see I haven't lost my touch. I don't know when I've had such a good time doing nothing.”

  “Perhaps the mountain life suits you.” Brenna didn't realize she had been standing so close to Taylor until he turned and they stood face to face.

  “Perhaps it does,” Taylor murmured in a husky voice.

  Brenna didn't move. Couldn't move. She knew she should run, but the passion in Taylor's eyes held her. He didn't try to hide any of his feelings, yet she was unsure what she saw in his eyes.

  “Brenna,” he whispered as he reached out and pulled her into his embrace.

  She didn't resist; instead she closed her eyes and tipped her face instinctively toward him. This was the same dream she'd had a hundred times before. She remembered his woodsy scent and the warmth of his body. All the things she had longed for, for so long. She naturally fitted against him in that old familiar way, and she relaxed--because a dream couldn't hurt her. Taylor would never hurt her.

  He placed a knuckle under her chin and tilted her face up. His touch was soft and gentle as he slid his fingers through her hair to cradle her head. She'd forgotten how Taylor could make her tremble with delight. A well-remembered chill ran up her spine, but still she held back. The years, if anything, had taught her caution.

  However, he didn't kiss her like she thought he would. She opened her eyes and found him staring at her in an odd sort of way, and she felt like a complete fool for being such a willing participant.

  Desire surged through Taylor and just when the thought of kissing her became overwhelming, he felt her muscles stiffen beneath his fingers. Before he lost what little pride he had, he took a step back away from Brenna. Distance. That's what he needed--distance.