Stormy Passion

by Brenda Jernigan

  Brenna looked carefully at a worn spot on the carpet. “Vivian knew I couldn't afford Lisa's surgery, so she bribed me big time to get out and stay out of your life,” Brenna spat the vile words from her mouth. “I had to think of Lisa. She had no one. I needed to get Lisa away from her past.” Brenna's fingers bit into the back of the chair. She hoped he'd understand how desperate and confused she'd been.

  She stared at him now. “If I ever contacted you in any way, I would have to pay all the money back,” her voice trailed off with the shame she felt at having to stoop so low just to survive. “And,” Brenna took a deep breath, “Your mother was right. You could never have had the successful career that you have now if I had stayed. There are times when I wonder if insanity runs in my family. I still have no answers to the tragedy.” Finally her shoulder slumped. “Maybe I'm crazy, too.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with you, Brenna.”

  “But how do you know? I never thought there was anything wrong with my father, but normal people do not murder their families.”

  Something flitted through Taylor’s eyes. “I think you need to sit down and read this.” He shoved a folded letter in her hands.

  Brenna began to read. The words jump out at her. Her mother had slept with Taylor's father. She couldn't believe it. Her mother. She wasn't that kind of person. Had her father found out? Completely dumbfounded she couldn't find the words to express her thoughts.

  “I had a hard time believing it myself,” he said, reassuring her. “So don't feel bad.”

  “My mother wasn't a bad person, Taylor.” Brenna shook the note at him. “Even though this letter says differently.”

  “People make mistakes. My father was a good person, too. But don't you see the answer to your unanswered questions. Your father must have been drunk and somehow he found out about the affair.” Taylor lowered his voice, “You know the rest. None of it had anything to do with you. And you're not crazy.”

  “I'm not too sure about that. I think you're still better off without me and my past.”

  Taylor uttered an oath, but his actions didn't match his words as he reached out and gently took her by the arms. “Didn't you think that I would have been more than happy to take care of my half-sister? I've always loved Lisa. And I didn't give a damn about the gossip.”

  “But you didn't know Lisa was your sister. Just think how this will add to the gossip.”

  “I don't care.”

  Brenna breathed a sigh of relief. “We must always keep it our secret. I want Lisa to have fond memories of my parents. Promise me.”

  “I promise.”

  His fingers tightened, and Brenna dared to look up at his stormy, blue eyes as he said, “Did it ever occur to you that you ripped my heart out the day you left me?”

  She searched his face trying to see how he felt and found no clues. “I guess we're even,” Brenna managed to say through her tears. “You walked out on me, too. I probably should congratulate you. I heard Carol was pregnant.”

  “Who told you that?”

  “Your mother supplied the information with much delight.”

  “Carol isn't pregnant,” he said with very little emotion.

  “But you left without so much as a word.”

  Taylor flinched. “I know. But it wasn't on purpose, Brenna.” She saw sorrow on his face or was it regret? Finally, he said. “My mother died and everything else became a blur.”

  Brenna drew in a deep, sharp breath and reached out instinctively. “I had no idea.” She knew the hurt Taylor must be feeling. As she placed her hand on Taylor's chest, she whispered, “Y--Your mother. She's dead?” Brenna couldn't believe what he'd just said. No matter how hateful the woman had been, she had never wanted her dead. Brenna's shoulders slumped. Suddenly, all her anger evaporated, leaving her drained.

  Taylor nodded and she saw the pain in his eyes as he told her. “Mother had a heart attack. But before she died she told me she was sorry for everything.” He drew Brenna into his arms and held her, but he didn't say anything. He just held her. A few minutes later he said, “I didn't know what she meant then, but once I found the contract, I knew. Somewhere in her confused mind, she thought she was protecting me instead of hurting me.”

  “I'm so sorry.” Brenna sobbed, feeling Taylor's hurt and pain along with her own. She tightened her arms around his waist. “I've screwed up your life. I've screwed up my life. And all because I was trying to do the right thing. I wouldn't blame you if you hated me.”

  Taylor eased her back and tilted her chin up. Taking his thumbs, he wiped away the tears under her eyes. “Hate you?” He smiled. “I've never loved anyone more in my life.”

  Those were the simple three words she'd long to hear for so long. He loved her. She felt her heart swell with tenderness. “What about Carol?”

  “Carol knows I love you.” He cradled Brenna's head on his chest his fingers tangled in her hair. “It seems she wasn't ready to get married either, and you also did a lot of talking in your sleep while you were in the hospital.”

  Brenna pulled back. “Oh, God.”

  Taylor smiled. “But Carol did make me promise her one thing.”

  “What's that?”

  “That she could be one of your bridesmaids.”

  Brenna stiffened in his arms. She moved away, and looked at him. “Are you saying what I think you're saying?”

  “If you think I'm telling you I love you and intend to marry you, then yes, you're thinking correctly.” He smiled and the love shone in his eyes. This time there were no misunderstandings between them.

  That's why it was so hard for Brenna to say, “B--But I can't marry you.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Taylor's expression abruptly changed for the worse. “What?” he roared.

  Brenna took a few steps back and turned from him. “I--I can't go back. I know you said the past doesn't matter. I--I can't live in River Run. I'm sorry, Taylor, but I won't put Lisa through the pain. And I know you can't live up here. After all, you have a business to run. You have a big future. And I don't fit in.” She looked into his surprised blue eyes. “I do love you. God knows I love you! I just don't see any way we can have a future together. Perhaps, you shouldn't have come.”

  “Don't,” Taylor warned, then turned and walked away. “Get your coat,” he said, stopping at the chair to retrieve his silk scarf and overcoat.

  “Why?”

  He moved his shoulders in a shrug of anger, then said, “For once just do as I say.” His face tightened.

  A little uncertain of what she was doing, Brenna ignore her practical side and got her coat. Taylor stood at the door and opened it as soon as she had bundled up. He didn't bother to take her hand instead he led the way to his car, stopping to open the passenger's door for her.

  Taylor didn't utter another word as they drove downtown. She couldn't imagine what he was doing or what he was thinking. He certainly seemed angry. Perhaps, he was going to take her to the nearest mountain cliff and shove her off. And as miserable as she felt right now, that would be a relief. From the way he was frowning, she was sure she'd given him a headache. They would drive each other crazy if they stayed together.

  A hundred ideas ran through her mind as she tried to figure what he was up too. She didn't have to think much longer because Taylor whipped his car into the parking lot of the new bank, which, of course, was closed.

  Was he going to buy her off like his mother? Was his opinion of her so low? “Why are we here?” Brenna asked as he opened her car door. “The bank isn't going to open for another two weeks, so you're wasting your time by stopping here,” she chattered nervously. He paid her no attention at all, taking her arm, he escorted her up the snowy walkway to the front door.

  “Talk to me, damn it!” Brenna all but shouted. Still he said nothing.

  “See, the door is locked.” She just couldn't stop her constant babbling. Why wouldn't he talk to her? “They haven't even put up the name of the bank ye--” Her voice trailed
off as Taylor slipped a key in the lock and smugly swung the door open.

  “I--I don't understand.” Brenna watched as Taylor closed the door and turned on the lights. “But you said--”

  The interior of the bank was impressive in royal blue and rich burgundies. She only had a moment to look before Taylor took her hand and pulled her over to stand in front of the vault. There displayed across the front in big, gold letters were the words Rothschild Savings and Loan.

  “This is your bank?” Brenna’s mouth fell open as she turned to him.

  “Yes, it is.”

  “But, you said--I don't understand. Why here? It's so far from your home.”

  “Because this town needs a bank. You said so yourself. It's a growing little town.”

  She looked up at him, feeling very shy and apprehensive. Had he been planning this the whole time ... the whole time her imagine had been running wild, thinking the worse about him. “Is that the only reason?”

  “Let me see ...” Taylor rubbed his chin, thoughtfully. “I believe there was one more reason. What could it be?” He looked up at the ceiling in contemplation. “Oh, I remember. I had some crazy notion that once I married you, I would be working here. But since you turned me down, I guess I'll have to find somebody else to run the bank for me.”

  The butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she shyly said, “Ask me again?”

  “Ask what again?” Taylor acted as if he had no earthly idea what she was talking about, but a small smile gave him away.

  Brenna punched him in the shoulder and said sweetly, “Please.”

  He took her hand in his. His skin was warm ... his touch exhilarating. His other hand took her chin and tilted it toward him. “Brenna Fox will you marry me?”

  “Yes, Taylor. I'll marry you tomorrow and the day after, and the day after that,” she said laughing and crying all at the same time. She fell into his strong arms. Arms that would protect her forever. His mouth claimed hers while his arms drew her tightly against him. He trailed kisses to her ear, whispering just how much he cared. Shivers snaked down her spine as his hand clamped the back of her head while his lips claimed her mouth in mind-searing kiss. She moaned and moved against him, loving the way he felt against her. His hands moved under her hips, and then up the small of her back.

  Passion spread through Taylor's body like wildfire when his lips brushed back and forth against hers. Brenna's sweet mouth was like heaven. Everything felt so right that the past few weeks ebbed away leaving him feeling completely contented ... something he hadn't experienced in a long, long time. If he'd only known about the past, he could have saved them all a lot of heartache.

  Taylor was stunned at the intensity of the emotion this one woman could stir in him. He would never want anyone else. And when her lips parted, he felt like a king who had been given a kingdom. She was heaven and earth to him, and he wanted to give her each and every star. Brenna Fox was everything that mattered.

  Brenna's prayers had finally been answered. Taylor was here. He was hers.

  “I love you,” he whispered.

  God, his mouth moved with such expertise and caring. His hands knew all the right places to touch, and his strong arms promised no one would ever hurt her again. As his hands shifted to her backside, she knew there would never be any boredom in her future. She also knew they had better stop before they got carried away and made love on the bank floor. They would have all the time in the future.

  Reluctantly, Taylor raised his head. “Promise me one thing.”

  “What's that?” she whispered with her arms still draped around his neck.

  “That in the future you won't make any major decisions unless you consult me first.” He smiled and those incredible blue eyes told her all she needed to know.

  This time she'd made the right choice.