Country Storm

by Cheyenne McCray

  “What can I do to help?” she asked as she stood, just as he reached into the fridge for fresh vegetables.

  “You can slice the peppers and I’ll take care of the onion.” He gave her a cutting board and knife with a red bell pepper and a yellow one.

  He liked how comfortable it felt with Rae in his kitchen, as natural as if they’d done this a hundred times.

  “What were you like in school?” Rae cut off the top of the red bell pepper and removed the seeds. “Were you always the good kid in class?”

  Bear laughed. “With my brothers, there was no chance of not getting into trouble.”

  “Yeah?” She cocked her head. “What kind of trouble did you get into?”

  “What didn’t we do?” He grinned as he thought about it. “One time, Brady and I got a hold of a roll of toilet paper and wrote on it, ‘Help! I’m trapped in a toilet paper factory!’ We managed to get it into the teachers’ restroom. One of my better ideas, if I do say so myself.”

  Rae grinned. “Somehow I can’t see you as a prankster.”

  “You’d be surprised.” He winked at her. “I instigated our pranking a few times myself. Once, we took all of the TP from the janitor’s closet and hid it in an empty classroom. That was Brady’s idea.”

  Smiling, she shook her head as she cut up the second pepper. “Okay, what else did you hooligans do?”

  “We went into the lunchroom when the staff was gone and put faces on all of the eggs with a black marker—my idea.” Bear grinned at the memory. “Another time we went back into the lunchroom and put sugar in the saltshakers and salt in the sugar jars, something Brady decided we should do. We got caught before we could leave.”

  “So, you have an ornery side.” She met his gaze and smiled. “Who’d have thought?”

  “Our parents,” Bear said. “They could tell you stories and probably will.”

  Rae didn’t respond and focused on the zucchini she was now cutting up.

  The realization hit him that he’d just sounded like he assumed she would be meeting his mom and dad and he didn’t know what else to say.

  After a pause, he cleared his throat as he tried to recover. “Grandma and Grandpa tell plenty of stories about Dad that lets anyone know where we got it from.”

  “What about your sisters?” Rae finished slicing the squash. “Did they get into trouble?”

  “Bailey and Leeann did.” Bear put the sliced onion onto a large stoneware baking platter and added the peppers and zucchini that Rae had cut up. “Jill was what we called a goody-two-shoes. But really she was too busy doing well in school and reading library books to get into trouble like the rest of us.”

  “Why don’t I set the table?” she said when she finished with the peppers.

  He told her where to find everything. She put plates, forks, and napkins on the placemats on the table in the kitchen nook.

  Bear reached into the fridge and brought out two foil-wrapped packages of sliced buttered potatoes along with a package of steaks and set it all on the counter. “How do you like your steak?”

  “Medium.” She watched as he put the steaks onto a tray, along with grilling utensils.

  “The stoneware is kind of heavy.” He picked up the vegetable-laden stoneware platter and the foil packages of potatoes.

  “I can get the tray.” She grasped it and followed Bear outside.

  The air smelled of burning mesquite wood and smoke rose into the air. He placed the stoneware baking platter beside the foil packs on a shelf in the grill then took the tray from Rae and set it on a sideboard.

  He stirred the veggies on the stoneware as they grilled. “Did you and your sister get into any mischief while you were growing up?”

  “Quite a few times after our parents died and we went to live with Grandmother.” She watched him as she spoke. “Not so much pranks, but things like skipping class and writing notes supposedly from our grandmother. On some occasions we got caught and others we got away with it.”

  Bear set the grilling fork on the tray. “That’s not so bad.”

  “Yeah, but the times Grandmother found out we got it worse than teenagers should.” She leaned her hip against the sideboard and crossed her arms. “We continued to do it anyway. I guess that was our way of rebelling against her.”

  Bear thought about it. He hadn’t done much rebelling, just got into mischief with his brothers.

  They talked as Bear grilled their dinner. When it was finished, they carried the food back into the house. They filled their plates, grabbed their drinks, and sat at the table.

  “I suppose I should have fixed a salad,” he said as he took his seat. “It’s something I should do more of.”

  “That’s just rabbit food.” Rae smiled as she picked up her fork and knife. “This is perfect.”

  He chuckled and cut into his steak.

  “Wonderful.” Rae had an expression of pleasure on her face as she chewed a bite of her steak. She tried the veggies and the foil-wrapped potatoes and pronounced everything perfect.

  “Glad you like it.” He smiled and continued to eat his rare steak and veggies.

  Bear shared more stories about his youth, which Rae seemed to genuinely enjoy. She held back in regard to her own past, but he understood it considering what she’d told him about her grandmother, as well as her parents’ deaths.

  “Are you planning on staying with your cousin for a while?” he asked as he worked on his second helping of grilled vegetables.

  Rae shrugged. “I’m not sure.”

  “What made you decide to leave the real estate business?”

  She stilled, as if his question upset her, but recovered. “I needed a change in my life.”

  “Are you planning to continue to bartend, or do you have your eyes set on something else?”

  “I haven’t decided.” She stared at her plate as she toyed with her potatoes. “You never know what can happen in life to change your perfectly laid plans.”

  He tried to hide a frown of concern and drank the rest of his third iced tea. His question had somehow upset her. Best change the subject.

  “We have a 4th of July festival coming up not too long from now.” He used his napkin and set it down. “Are you planning on going?”

  “I saw signs for it at the library.” She met his gaze. “By the sound of it, planning starts early, and it looks like it’s kind of a big deal around here.”

  “It is.” He nodded. “Everyone gets into the celebration.”

  She cocked her head to the side. “What goes on during the festival?”

  “Main street is closed off and the street has vendors selling pulled-pork sandwiches, hamburgers, candy apples, ice cream, and homemade fudge.” He could almost taste it now. “We have a parade, of course. Then there’s a pie eating contest and a hotdog eating contest. We have some games, too, like knocking down milk bottles with baseballs and go-cart races.” He grinned. “And they always set up a dunk tank. People line up to try and dunk the mayor. At night there’s fantastic fireworks.”

  “That all sounds like fun.” She smiled. “I’ll plan on going.”

  “Would you like to go with me?” He studied her as he hoped he wasn’t pushing her. “I can show you all the best parts of the festival.”

  She played with the end of her ponytail, wrapping it around her finger. “I think that sounds like a lot of fun, Bear. Sure, I’d love to.”

  “Great.” He felt so dang good, like he could take on anything. He pushed away his empty plate. She’d finished her meal while he’d had seconds. “Ready for red velvet?”

  “That will be a perfect way to top off a wonderful meal.” She smiled. “I’ll get the plates and forks, since I know where they are.”

  “I have vanilla ice cream to go with it, so how about spoons and bowls?” he said.

  “Awesome,” she said.

  Rae stood and Bear got to his feet. He carried the dirty plates and fork to the sink and set them beside it. Rae retrieved the bowls and spoons and
carried them to the table.

  He got out the ice cream and handed it to Rae before he reached into a drawer for a cake server and an ice cream spatula. He took the cake out of the pink box and carried it all to the table. Bear sliced the cake while Rae served the ice cream.

  Maggie and Katie showed up and sat at the foot of the table.

  Bear pointed to them. “They love anything made from milk. I’m afraid I spoil them a little. Sometimes I give them each a teaspoonful.” He spoke directly to them. “This is not one of those times. Go on, girls.”

  They both mewed, but Bear returned his attention to Rae and the cats retreated under the table. One of them wound around his legs and he could feel the cat’s purr. Probably Maggie—she had the biggest purr of the two of them.

  “Oh, my God.” Rae sighed with pleasure after her first bite of the rich, red cake. “Best red velvet cake, ever, after my mom’s. A real red velvet cake like how I remember Mom’s Southern recipe. Not a chocolate cake with red food coloring like you get at the store.”

  He couldn’t help but grin at her enjoyment. When she was who he thought was the true, genuine, happy Rea, she had a sweet, openness about her. When she was guarded, he wasn’t sure he’d really be able to get to know the real Rae.

  Down beneath it all, he was certain he could see that person dying to stay out.

  He wanted to talk with her about the things she was holding inside. He wanted to listen as she shared whatever it was that bothered her. But he’d only known her for a couple of days, and he knew it was far too soon for her to feel comfortable opening up to him.

  Rae set her spoon in her bowl after eating every bit of her cake and ice cream. She met Bear’s gaze. “I’ll help you clean up.”

  He could have told her he’d take care of it, but she’d be leaving soon enough, and he wanted to keep her here as long as she was willing to stay. And, if she was anything like the members of his family, she liked to pitch in after enjoying a good meal.

  He wiped down the island and counters with a wet cloth. Then, he handed her a drying towel as he filled the sink with soapy water. “I’ll wash. You dry and set everything on the island, and I’ll put it away.”

  She gave a nod. “Deal.”

  He rinsed remnants of food off the plates and bowls before putting them in the soapy water. He washed a plate and rinsed off the soap. “Do you miss snow? I imagine you got some when you lived in Albuquerque.”

  “I do miss it, some.” She dried the plate he’d washed and rinsed. “If I remember correctly, we got about ten inches a year, although at most it would snow maybe three inches in a month.” Her expression told him she was enjoying a memory. “Carrie and I would build snow forts and have snowball fights when we had a good snow.”

  “Did you make snow angels?” He handed her another washed and rinsed plate. “Go sled riding?”

  She dried the dish. “It really depended on how good a snow we got since it’s high desert there.” With a smile, she went on. “Our mom liked to make snow angels with us, and our dad would take us higher in elevation to do a little sled riding.” She sighed. “I miss those times.”

  “I bet you do.” He cleaned a glass and rinsed it. “Our parents took us up to higher elevations and let us play in the snow sometimes. I think they liked to wear us out as much as possible.”

  Rae laughed. “I don’t doubt it with five boys and two girls.” She shook her head. “I can’t imagine having a family that big.”

  “Don’t knock it til you try it.” He winked and she smiled.

  He put the grilling tools into the soapy water and started cleaning them. “What did you like about living in Lake Havasu City?”

  “It has it’s good points.” She grasped the clean grilling fork he handed her. “Parts of it, like a lot of cities, are really nice while others not so much. The weather can be great from late fall to early spring, but so hot other parts of the year.”

  “What about the people?” he asked.

  She shrugged. “Generally laid back compared to bigger cities. Although, for the last couple of years I sold pricier real estate and I would come across some of the most uptight people I’d ever met. I didn’t feel that way when I sold less expensive properties.”

  “Most folks around here are laid back.” He thought about Mrs. Clawson. “But there are some who are wound a little tighter than others.”

  When they’d finished washing and drying the dishes and had put them away, Bear said, “Would you like a wine cooler or a beer? I don’t have any bottles of wine right now.”

  “I—” She hesitated several seconds, clearly debating. Finally, she said, “I’d like to, but it’s getting late. I need to get back to Marlee’s.”

  Disappointed, he glanced at the time on the microwave before returning his gaze to hers. “I didn’t realize it’s almost nine.”

  “My witching hour tonight.” She smiled.

  Bear retrieved her purse from the coatrack and walked her outside to her car. The night had cooled, the breeze sliding over his skin and causing loose strands of Rae’s hair to get in her face. He wanted to brush them away but didn’t. He’d probably already pushed things plenty far today.

  Rae stood by her car door, and he found it hard to believe they’d just done this last night, only it was at Mickey’s. Here they were, this time at his home.

  She tipped her head and met his gaze. “I had a wonderful time today. I enjoyed our coffee, then coming out here and meeting all of your critters. It was a wonderful dinner, too.”

  “I’m glad you agreed to both.” His voice came out huskier than he’d intended. “It’s been a real good day.”

  She smiled. “It has.”

  Moonlight highlighted her fair skin, making her look like a beautiful doll. Damn, he wanted to kiss her.

  Before he could think twice about it, he lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers.

  He raised his head, afraid this time he really had pushed things too far.

  But she was staring at him with eyes that told him she’d wanted more than just that simple, light kiss.

  He moved toward her again, slowly, and she didn’t move. When his lips met hers, she gave a soft sigh into his mouth.

  His gut tightened and he grasped her slender shoulders as he moved his mouth over hers. It was a long, sweet, slow kiss, like nothing he’d ever experienced before.

  When he raised his head, he wondered if he’d ever be able to catch his breath. Before he could press his luck, he said, “Good night, Rae.”

  “Good night,” she said softly. “Call me tomorrow.”

  He gave a nod. “I will.”

  She stepped back and he opened her car door. In moments she was sitting in the closed car, her window down. “Good night, Bear,” she said again before backing up and heading down the road.

  Bear blew out his breath. That was one hell of a woman, and somehow, he wanted to make this special woman his.

  Chapter 7

  Rae’s gut felt lined with lead as she made the drive to Lake Havasu City to meet with her lawyer. Her mind churned over her upcoming appointment, which kept her mind occupied, and not in a good way.

  Thoughts of her day with Bear made her smile, especially the memory of his kiss.

  But then she deflated.

  She hadn’t answered her phone on Sunday. She kept it shut off completely, not wanting to see a call coming from him because she knew she’d answer it.

  That she hadn’t wanted to talk with him yet made no sense after the terrific day she’d spent with him on Saturday. Or maybe it did. Maybe she just needed to figure herself out before she could make a big mistake she’d regret—like falling for a cowboy when she had no intention of sticking around King Creek.

  This morning she’d listened to a message he’d left, telling her he’d had a great day and that he’d like to see her again this week. Considering what she had to do today, she was not in a place mentally where she could call him back. Not yet.

  She forced her
thoughts away from him only to focus back on the trial and what she’d done. What she’d had to do.

  By the time she sat in front of her attorney, Luther Deming, she thought she was going to be sick all over his luxurious carpet.

  The slender but fit man seated himself behind his big glass-topped desk. He had a kind, paternal air when he spoke with her on a personal level. “How are you doing, Rae?”

  She knew he was probably just asking to set her at ease, but with him she didn’t feel that way. It was like he really cared how she things were with her.

  Rae mustered up a smile. “As well as can be expected, I guess.”

  He held a pen between the fingers of both hands. “Are you enjoying King Creek?”

  She shrugged. “It’s a nice little town. It’s good to be away from here, where the locals don’t know anything about me.”

  Luther gestured to her. “The new hairstyle and color do give you a different look.”

  She touched her hair. “I was thinking about cutting it shorter.” She shifted in her chair. “Sorry, I know you’ve got more to be concerned about than how I look.”

  He studied her. “We do need to get you ready for trial.” He looked at a yellow notepad on his desk before meeting her gaze again. “Prosecution is going to attempt to prove you encouraged Mr. Johnston to go to the houseboat when you left the bar. The prosecutor believes she can prove this.”

  A cold chill crept over Rae’s skin. “I never—I did not ask that man to join me there.” Her voice came out harsher than she’d intended.

  “I believe you.” Luther kept his gaze steady. “However, you need to be aware of the angle she’s taking.”

  “He followed me without my knowledge.” Tears stung the back of Rae’s eyes, but she managed to hold them back. Things kept getting worse and worse. “How can the prosecutor prove otherwise?”

  Luther set the pen down. “She has a witness.”

  Rae’s eyes widened and her skin grew colder. “How? It never happened.”

  “One of Mr. Johnston’s acquaintances is going to testify that he overheard you inviting Mr. Johnston to the houseboat.”

  “That’s not possible.” Rae shook her head violently. “I told Larry Johnston to get out of my face and I left the bar.”