One Snowbound Weekend...

by Christy Lockhart

  This was the way it should have been, the way it might have been, if only she hadn’t left him….

  “Where are you going?”

  His voice, hoarse and sexy, sent a skitter up her spine. “I’m not going anywhere,” she said softly. “I was just stretching.”

  “Good,” he said with a half smile.

  She didn’t think he’d even woken up all the way, but that didn’t stop him from placing a hand on the small of her back and bringing her back against him. There was a time she imagined being with him like this always.

  After their lovemaking, Shane had carried her to bed and folded her protectively in his arms. He’d promised to keep her warm, saying she didn’t need her nightclothes.

  Beneath the down comforter, she’d snuggled against him, bare skin to bare skin, one of her palms resting on his chest, her head in that tender spot between his shoulder and arm.

  He’d fallen asleep almost instantly and had never released his hold on her. She, on the other hand, hadn’t even closed her eyes.

  She wondered what she was doing here, wondered why she’d agreed to come home with him, wondered why she’d surrendered so completely to him.

  Shane spelled danger in capital letters. It had taken her a long time to get over him, and opening herself like this would only make it more difficult to leave town forever.

  He moved, and she felt him against her, hard again.

  “Keep still,” he muttered. “Unless…”

  “Unless?” she asked breathlessly.

  And he showed her…

  Angie didn’t get a lot more sleep the rest of the night, but she wasn’t complaining.

  The next morning the phone rang. He placed a gentle kiss on her nose before picking up the receiver.

  While he was on the phone, she dressed and went into the kitchen, finding eggs and milk in the refrigerator.

  She hummed while she assembled ingredients on the counter. There was something homey about being in his kitchen, wearing one of his shirts over her jeans, the muffled sound of his rich baritone from the other room, the warmth of the heat whispering from the vents, the scent of brewing coffee, the sight of Hardhat with his head cocked to one side expectantly. She liked the feeling of comfort and welcome.

  She heard his quiet approach on bare feet.

  “Hungry?” she asked, pouring egg batter into a heated skillet.

  Shane came up behind her and gently drew her back against him. He nuzzled her neck. “Yeah.”

  “I’m talking about breakfast.”

  “So was I.”

  “I’ll bet,” she said, wriggling in his arms so that she could look at him. “So what kind of eggs were you talking about?”

  “Eggs?”

  “Breakfast, remember?”

  “Okay, okay,” he admitted. With his hands on her shoulders, he nudged her a bit closer to him. “So I wasn’t talking about food.”

  “Didn’t think so,” she said, feeling the proof that he wasn’t interested in eggs, or the toast and coffee she’d put on. She reached up to stroke his shadowed cheek, and she familiarly rested her finger in the cleft of his chin. He’d become so important to her in such a short time. How was that possible? “But the omelette will burn if you keep this up.”

  “Does it matter?”

  “No. But the smoke detector might ruin the mood.”

  “I’ll settle for a kiss, for now.”

  But it wasn’t just any kiss…it was a joining that made her knees weaken.

  “That’ll hold me,” he said.

  She could barely think.

  While he poured coffee, she served the omelette…nearly dropping the spatula when he stroked her spine.

  “This is wonderful,” he said when they were sitting across from each other at the intimately small table. Their knees brushed, and he raised his brow. A warmth flooded through her, making her hot.

  She wanted to be immune to Shane, and, just as certainly, she wasn’t.

  “Where did you learn to cook?”

  She tried to focus on the mundane, rather than the effect he was having over her. It was powerful and seductive, and she knew she had to fight it.

  She was falling for Shane again and that was the one thing she dared not do. A relationship with her ex-husband was impossible. He didn’t trust her, wouldn’t trust her and she had her own life. So why couldn’t she seem to help herself?

  “Cooking was one of my escapes. We had a wonderful housekeeper who cooked our meals. When Jack wasn’t home, I spent time in the kitchen with Carmen. She taught me everything I know. I make a wonderful chicken enchilada dish.”

  “You’ll have to make it for me.”

  For the first time, he hinted at a future, and her stomach tightened. She pushed part of her omelette around her plate. A future was impossible. She had a separate life—a life she liked—and didn’t intend to give it up.

  She wondered why that thought wasn’t as appealing as it had been even a week ago.

  “That was Sarah on the phone earlier,” he said quietly.

  She wasn’t surprised he didn’t let her talk to his sister, but the hurt was still there, a reminder he didn’t intend to share his life with her.

  “She said she’s coming home for a while.”

  “Oh?” She put down her fork, trying not to let it clatter.

  “I said you two could talk. She said she’d rather say hello in person.”

  Her pulse completely missed its next beat. “You offered?”

  “Yeah. I figured she needed to know you’d be here.”

  She looked at Shane. Her heart in her throat she asked, “Do you want me to leave?”

  “No.”

  “Are you sure?”

  He put down his own utensils and looked at her unflinchingly. “You need a place to stay.”

  Simple as that. Regardless, she wanted to see Sarah and appreciated his small offer of trust. “Thank you.”

  For a second, expectancy pulsed. “You’re welcome,” he said sincerely. Her heart missed a beat. Then he stood and grabbed his plate. “She’s got a surprise. Last time she had a surprise, she’d bought me a power tool.”

  “That was nice.” Angie’s mind raced as she struggled to keep up.

  “And she brought me the bill.”

  Angie laughed and joined him at the sink. “Let me guess, you told her thanks.”

  “She had good intentions.”

  “You made Sarah a great older brother.” She placed her fingers on his arm. “I knew you would.”

  “I tried.”

  “It’s the best we can all do.” Softly she added, “It’s all I ever did.”

  Together they cleaned the kitchen, and Angie was lost in her thoughts.

  She wondered if she’d made all the right choices in her life. She’d spent a couple of years avoiding men, convinced they were all like Jack and her father. Even Shane wanted to tell her what to do, but it was different, somehow. Being with him here didn’t seem like the shackle she feared it would be.

  This morning, she’d slowly awakened and realized she liked the protective feel of his arms around her. Drying dishes that he rinsed, working in partnership, she wondered if being alone was as wonderful as she’d been telling herself it was.

  “Sarah should be here this afternoon. I figure we can come home early.” He glanced at the clock. “And we’ve got an hour before we need to be at work.”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  He leaned over and whispered.

  His breath tickled her ear; the suggestion tightened her tummy. “Really?” she asked.

  “Unless you have a better idea?”

  She didn’t.

  Eleven

  “You’re engaged?” Shane demanded of his sister.

  Angie wrapped her arms around herself, seeing fire flash in Shane’s darkened eyes.

  Sarah, on the other hand, was oblivious. She extended her hand toward Angie and turned her ring finger so the diamond caught the light. “Isn’
t the ring beautiful?”

  “It’s—”

  Shane interrupted her answer with a scowl and sharp shake of his head. Angie’s heart sank. Sarah’s excitement was palpable, and Angie all too well remembered feeling the same way herself, five long and lonely years ago.

  “Oh, I’m so glad you’re here, Angie. It’s awesome to get to see you and to have you share this with us.”

  Sarah threw her arms around Angie and squeezed tight. Over the younger woman’s shoulders, Angie saw Shane fold his arms across his chest. His eyebrows had furrowed into a straight line. She shivered, remembering the same expression when he realized she’d gotten her memory back.

  When Sarah had called the other day, he’d made it clear that he didn’t want Angie to be part of their lives. Standing here, in Shane’s house, she was never more conscious of being an outsider, and she’d never wanted to be an insider more.

  Sarah released Angie and spun around. “You’re going to love Mondo, Shane. He’s just the coolest.”

  “Mondo?”

  “Oh, that’s just his biker name. His real name is Kevin.”

  “His biker name?” Shane asked, his voice deadly quiet.

  “Oh, he rides a motorcycle. Wait till you get a load of it. It’s like really cool.”

  “Sit down, Sarah.”

  Sarah blinked and looked to Angie for reassurance. Angie exhaled and gave Sarah a quick smile.

  “I said sit down.”

  Her smile fell. “What do you want to know?”

  “Where did you meet this boy?”

  “He’s a man, not a boy.”

  “And where did you meet him?” Shane repeated.

  A band tightened around Angie’s heart. This conversation was so familiar. Her father had badgered her and she’d been helpless to fight him. She’d been devastated when she saw her father wasn’t happy for her, destroyed when she realized he would stop at nothing to make sure she didn’t stay with Shane.

  “When is this marriage planned? After graduation?”

  “Now.”

  “Now?” he echoed.

  “That’s why I’m here. I wanted to tell you and, you know, invite you to the wedding, if you want to go. We’re going to Vegas. Then we’re going to spend the next few months traveling around the country on his bike.”

  “Over my dead body.”

  Angie’s pulse slowed and she sank onto the edge of a chair near the fireplace. The past was repeating itself. The players were different, but the story was the same, the words nearly identical. He had to see… “Shane—”

  He cut her a warning glance but said nothing.

  “You don’t want to go to my wedding?” Sarah asked, her lower lip trembling.

  “There isn’t going to be a wedding.”

  Sarah’s chin tipped defiantly. “Oh, yes, there is.”

  “I forbid it.”

  “Forbid it?” She jumped up. “You forbid it?”

  Angie saw an ominous ticking in his temple. From experience, she could read it. Shane had a short leash on his temper, and it was threatening to unravel. “You need to finish your education.”

  “I’m dropping out.”

  Silence shuddered. “You’re too young to get married.”

  “That’s rich, Shane. How old were you when you and Angie got married?”

  “My marriage isn’t the issue.”

  “Of course it isn’t. Do as I say, not as I do. Is that right, big brother? Well I’ll tell you what. I don’t need your permission to get married. I’m an adult.”

  “You’re a kid.”

  Tears trembled on Sarah’s lashes. Angie couldn’t sit still another moment. She moved across the room to where Shane stood and gently touched his shoulder.

  He rounded on her. “This is between me and my sister.”

  “I know. But—”

  Sarah, tears now spilling, said, “Don’t bother, Angie. He’s being a jerk and I don’t have to listen to him.”

  “Sarah—” Shane said with a low growl.

  “I’m out of here.” She pivoted and stormed toward the door. “Have a good life, big brother.”

  “Where the hell do you think you’re going?”

  “Away. Away from you, away from this backward town.”

  Angie saw pain sketch across his eyes, leaving a trail of darkness in the deep green color.

  There was resolve in the set of his shoulders, weariness in his voice, when he said, “If you leave, don’t come back.”

  Angie gasped and grabbed Shane’s arm. Tears stung her own eyes. “You don’t mean it. Tell her you don’t mean it.”

  Sarah paused, her hand on the front doorknob, and looked over her shoulder. “I hoped you’d be happy for me. I packed up all my stuff and brought it home in my car. I was hoping to leave everything here while we traveled. I was counting on you. Dumb, huh?”

  Angie read the haunted look in the younger woman’s eyes. She desperately wanted to be reassured, desperately wanted love. Angie had been there herself, knew how Sarah felt.

  “Damn it, Shane.” Angie shook his arm. “Don’t do this to your sister,” she insisted. “She’s all you’ve got left.”

  “Women always leave. Why the hell would I think she’d be any different?”

  Her stomach plummeted. Shane wasn’t going to stop his sister from leaving. In fact, he was shoving her away. His jaw was tight and he’d already hardened his heart against any more hurt, the exact same way he’d closed her off.

  Angie squeezed her eyes shut.

  “Have a good life. Mondo’s waiting in town.” Sarah slammed the door behind her.

  Hardhat tipped his head to one side, then crossed to Shane, nuzzling his hand with a soft whimper.

  Shane just stood there, pain obviously holding him immobile.

  Angie knew there was no way she could stand back and watch Shane’s anguish cost him his sister.

  At a run, she chased after Sarah. Even though she nearly lost her balance on a patch of ice, Angie hurried through the snow, finally catching Sarah at her car.

  “Wait,” Angie said, positioning herself so Sarah couldn’t slam the door closed.

  “What’s the point?”

  In Sarah’s eyes, Angie saw a reflection of herself several years ago, a young woman who knew what she wanted, torn between the two men she loved. She ached for Sarah, ached for her own losses. “Running won’t solve anything. I promise you. I’ve learned that the hard way.”

  “Shane doesn’t care about anything but having his own way. He’s always been like this. You know that. He likes telling everyone what to do. Shane always knows best. At least that’s what he thinks. Jerk.”

  “He isn’t a jerk, Sarah. He loves you.”

  “I heard the two of you fight a few times. You didn’t like him telling you what to do, either. Isn’t that why you left?”

  Angie rubbed her arms, trying to stay warm in the frosty bite of mountain air. “No. I left because my father didn’t give me a choice. My father wanted me to marry his business associate. He threatened to ruin Shane and make sure you and Shane were separated. I couldn’t let that happen.”

  “And what did Shane say? Didn’t he tell you to stay, that he could fix everything?”

  “I never told him.”

  “Why not? Because he would have told you what to do, right? Man, he thinks he’s always right.” Sarah swiped at her tears and started the car engine.

  “Listen to me,” Angie implored. “Shane only wants what’s best for you.”

  “Like your father wanted what was best for you? As if you didn’t know what you wanted? Well, I’m not you. I’m not going to be pushed around by any guy. Me and Mondo are going to have a great life.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  She set her chin stubbornly. “Positive.”

  Angie could remember herself, so young, so sure. Now she had more questions than answers…. “Where are you going to live?”

  “We’re going to travel.”

  �
��And after that?”

  “We’ll find someplace.”

  “Does Mondo have a house? An apartment?”

  “We’ll get one later.”

  “So he doesn’t have a job?”

  “We’ll earn enough to get by.”

  The night time cold gnawed on Angie’s earlobes, but this was too important for her to give up. Softly she asked, “Is this the kind of life you really want for yourself? Do you really want to cut yourself off from Shane, to ignore his birthday and holidays, to pretend you didn’t have all those wonderful years together?”

  And she thought of her own sacrifice, walking away so that Shane and his sister would have the chance to be a family. She couldn’t stand to see that thrown away.

  “He doesn’t care about me, only that I live up to his rules. As long as he’s the boss and I say yes sir, no sir, everything’s fine.”

  “Is that really true?” Angie’s breath hung on the air. “Do you really not want to see your brother again, after all the years you two were alone? Think about it, Sarah, please. Shane loves you.”

  She dropped her head onto the steering wheel. “He has a funny way of showing it.”

  “He’s not perfect, but he’s doing the best he can. Don’t go, Sarah, at least not until the two of you have a chance to talk.”

  “And what if he won’t listen?”

  “At least you will have tried. Do this for yourself, if not for your brother. Don’t cut yourself off, Sarah.” Quietly, she spoke from her own pain. “You can’t undo the past and change things.”

  “He told me to leave.”

  “And he didn’t mean it. Try. Please try.”

  Sarah looked up at Angie. “Will you talk to him?”

  “I’ll ask him to hear you out.”

  “Okay.” Her face tear-stained, Sarah nodded. “Mondo and I will be at the Chuckwagon Diner, if Shane wants to come and find us.”

  Angie sighed and gave a little smile, showing a belief she didn’t feel. Shane wasn’t likely to listen to her—she’d seen the resolve in the set of his lips. He loved his sister; of that Angie had no doubt. But he didn’t have much faith in women, and he rightly blamed part of that on her. Still, she had to try….