by Donna Alward
That curiosity had his feet moving forward, stopping in the foyer for a light jacket. The storm was sending warm, moist air over the region, but he wasn’t overly worried about any power outages. There was a huge generator wired in to his electrical panel, and he’d already told Raelynn and Dan to come to the main house if everything went dark.
Right now he wanted to know what Brooklyn was planning to do with that tractor.
When he started the downhill grade to her house, he saw exactly what she was doing. She and Dan had hooked a boat trailer to the tractor and right now Brooklyn was backing it to the water. The tide was in, so the ground held firm against the weight of the tires. Once the trailer was in the water, she locked the brake and hopped down, leaving the tractor running and giving Dan instructions.
Cole knew he should help, but he was fascinated watching her work.
She walked down the dock and unmoored her boat, guiding it expertly onto the trailer. When it was secured, she motioned to Dan to put the tractor in gear and pull them out. Dan released the brake and touched the throttle.
The tractor strained against the weight, but bit by bit pulled the trailer forward until they were on the firm lane leading to the boat shed. Once they got there, she got the boat into the shed and unhooked the first trailer. Brooklyn swung the tractor around, backing it up to get the second trailer.
This time Cole approached, seeing as the second trailer was for his boat, and not her responsibility. Besides, he wanted to help. All his life this sort of thing had been for the “help” to do, but he wasn’t above a little hands-on labor.
“Hello,” he called out, and when Dan and Brooklyn turned around, he lifted a hand in a wave.
“Oh, hey!” Brooklyn called back to him, while Marvin heard his voice and made dizzying circles around Cole’s legs.
“Marvin, take it easy, dude,” Cole said, but laughed and gave the dog a good rub. “I see he also likes the tractor.”
“We don’t use it much in the summer. Unless a tree goes down or something, or we have to move the boats.” She shoved her hands in her jacket pocket. “Ernest had a boat, too. Hence the two trailers.”
“Well, let me help this time, since it’s my boat.”
“Sure. Dan’s got his boots on. I’ll back up the tractor, you can pilot it in, and Dan can help secure it. Easy-peasy.”
Marvin hopped back up in his spot of honor and they worked as a team. It took no time at all to get the boat on the trailer. The boat was heavier than hers, though, and took a little more work on the part of the tractor to get it up top to the shed. To Cole’s surprise, she backed the trailer in expertly, so both boats were protected from the elements.
To say he was impressed was an understatement.
Together they shut the boathouse doors and she killed the tractor engine. “Would you two like a cup of coffee or something?”
Dan looked like he wanted to say yes, but reluctantly shook his head. “I told Raelynn I’d be back up to do some hurricane prep. We still have to move the patio furniture and stuff inside.”
Cole appreciated it but didn’t want to begrudge the guy a simple drink. “There’s time, Dan. No need to rush back.”
“Seriously,” Brooklyn said, “a pot takes five minutes to brew. And because you both helped, the boat thing went pretty fast.”
“All right then. If you do, Cole.”
“Sure.”
Cole watched as Dan chatted to Brooklyn and Marvin trotted behind them. Dan was a friendly guy and so easygoing. He and Brooklyn were relaxed, like old friends. He thought back to his dinner party and how sometimes Brooklyn looked a little awkward or uncomfortable. He wasn’t usually so aware of their differences in lifestyle, but watching her drive the tractor and laughing with Dan, he realized that in many ways they were as different as the sun and moon.
“Cole, you coming?” she called back.
“Yep. Be right there.”
Marvin stood before him, tennis ball in his mouth. The moment Cole made eye contact with the dog, the tennis ball was dropped at his feet. Cole chuckled and picked it up, then threw it into the grass. He did this twice before Brooklyn came back, a cup of coffee in her hands. “Here, stop playing with the dog and have a coffee.”
He smiled up at her. “But he asked so nicely.”
She snorted. “He always does.”
He went to take the mug from her and their fingers touched. The contact sparked a memory of that night under the stars, and how they’d touched each other, gently and carefully, and he knew staying was the wrong move. But he couldn’t leave now, not with Dan coming out onto the front porch with his own cup. Cole would have to remain polite and no more. Otherwise he was going to find himself in a place he couldn’t get out of.
They all sat on the front porch and sipped their coffee, talking about the forecast and what they might expect. None of them were strangers to hurricanes; the storms often made their way up the East Coast. But this was the first time Cole would be on a tiny island in the ocean and not comfortable in the family mansion or an elite boarding school. Maybe they weren’t far from the mainland, but once the storm came in, there would be no getting off the island until it passed. It was a different sort of feeling, being at the mercy of Mother Nature.
“The storm’s still a cat two,” Dan said. “That’ll cause some serious damage.”
“And depending on when it hits, the storm surge could really be devastating.” Brooklyn frowned. “Cole, is your friend Branson ready? His place is lovely, but so close to the shore. The cliffs aren’t very high, either.”
“You know it?”
She smiled. “Everyone knows that property. The lighthouse was a legendary make-out spot in high school.”
Dan laughed and Cole was left wondering if she’d ever gone to the lighthouse for that sort of activity. But he wasn’t going to ask. He didn’t need that picture in his brain if she confirmed it.
“I hope so. Jeremy, too. We’re all right in the path.”
Silence fell for a few moments, and he noticed the wind had an eerie sound to it. “It feels weird.”
Brooklyn smiled a little. “The wind? Yeah. The waves are gonna pick up really soon. By tomorrow night we’ll be in the thick of it. But you wait. Before it hits? There’ll be tons of surfers out catching the swell.” She shook her head. “That’s not for me. Last time we had a storm this big, power was out on the mainland for five days. I guess I’m chill about it once I’m prepared, but I don’t see it as something to play with.”
Cole looked over at her and saw lines of worry near her eyes. “You know if it looks bad, you can come out to the house and wait it out with us. Marvin, too.”
“Oh, we’ll be fine. Not our first rodeo.”
He knew she would be. She was one of the most independent, capable women he’d ever met. “Of course you will. But you’re welcome just the same.”
“Thank you.”
He downed what was left in his cup and stood. “Well, thanks for the coffee, but I should probably be getting back. I’ve been working with the New York office today, and I have a call at four that I need to prep for.”
“I’ll head back with you, and take the tractor,” Dan agreed. “But you can ride shotgun if you want to, boss.”
Brooklyn laughed and snorted, and Cole couldn’t stop the smile that spread over his face. She was so darned artless.
“I’ll walk. And see you there.” He met Brooklyn’s gaze. “Thank you for moving my boat. Please be careful during the storm, okay?”
Her smile slipped and she nodded. “I will. You do the same. And we can check in when it’s over.”
“The invitation still stands. You and Marvin are welcome any time.”
She nodded.
He tried not to think about her down here all alone if things got scary. She was a big girl and could take care of herself.
<
br /> But damned if he didn’t want to. Why did he keep having that impulse?
CHAPTER EIGHT
HURRICANE PAULA ROARED into Nova Scotia as a strong category one. Before it ever made official landfall, power was out all over the south shore. Brooklyn stared out the window at the wind and rain. It wasn’t raining heavily yet; this was just one of the outer bands getting started. But this was gearing up to be a doozy, and for the first time ever she was nervous about being here at the house.
It was only four o’clock and still daylight, but soon darkness would fall as the worst of the storm wreaked havoc on her island. Marvin sat at her knee, never moving. He was a loyal companion, always at her side at any sign of trouble. She patted his head and rubbed his ears. And thought of Cole and Dan and Raelynn, up at the house, hopefully safe and cozy.
There was a large crack and a whoosh and she jumped up and ran to the window. One of the trees in her front yard had broken off, tilting awkwardly into the lane. She looked down at Marvin again. The sound had startled him and now he was panting. Good heavens, this was just the prelude. And as much as she loved the little house, she realized she really didn’t want to be alone right now. Not when there was company to be had.
“Come on, Marvin.” She went to grab his leash and filled a zipped baggie with kibble. Then she took her waterproof pack and put the kibble and a change of clothes inside, along with her toothbrush. There were three people at the house and he had extended the offer, after all. Things would be fine until morning, and then she’d come down and run the generator as cleanup began.
She pulled on her raincoat and boots, fastening the hood of her jacket around her chin with the Velcro closing. With Marvin’s leash tight in her hand, she locked the door with the other hand and tested it, then kept her eye on the handful of trees nearby, just in case they too succumbed to the wind. A gust buffeted her and she staggered, but then she gripped the leash and started toward the other end of the island. Marvin squinted against the driving rain but trotted along beside her.
To her right she could see the coastline, and the wild spray that filled the air as the big waves crashed onto the rocks.
Paula was far more dangerous than her name sounded.
By the time they got to Cole’s, Marvin was soaking wet and she was breathless from fighting the wind. She knocked on the front door, suddenly wondering if this was an awful idea. Marvin was going to be wet and probably make a mess; she’d be dripping everywhere. A nasty gust of wind slammed into them both and she hunched forward. What if he hadn’t heard her knock?
She just raised her hand to knock again when the door opened, and Cole stood there in the breach. His mouth was open in surprise as he took in what she was sure had to be a bedraggled sight—one woman in a canary yellow raincoat and a very wet dog with his tail not quite between his legs, but definitely in a displeased position. Another gust of wind sent a wash of rain over them and partly into Cole’s foyer. “You’d better come in, before you blow away.”
She stepped inside and let him close the door, but didn’t move inside. “I’m soaking wet, I’m afraid. And going to drip over your foyer.”
“That’s what towels are for. Hang on.”
He disappeared for a moment, then came back with two fluffy towels. He took Marvin’s leash while she removed her raincoat and boots, and then used a towel to blot her face and arms. She was just about to reach for Marvin when he started an all-over body shudder and shook, spraying water all over the foyer and Cole’s clean pants.
“Oh, Marvin!” Brooklyn let out a huge sigh. “I’m sorry, Cole. What a mess.”
Again, he laughed. “It’s water. It won’t hurt anything.” He took Marvin’s towel and started rubbing it over the dog’s back and down his legs. “Yeah, you like that, don’t you?” Marvin wore a blissful doggy expression and Brooklyn rolled her eyes. That creature loved anything to do with pats, scratches or rubs. He didn’t even mind when Cole lifted his feet and dried off each pad.
“Is it okay that we’re here? With the power out and all, and then a tree came down in front of the house, and I just thought...”
“You thought what?” He stood, holding the towel in his hands, watching her intently.
Heat rushed into her cheeks. “The worst of the storm is set to be after dark. It just felt...a little lonely. I mean, there are lots of times when I’ve weathered storms alone because there’s no one here. But you are here, and Raelynn and Dan, and—”
“You don’t have to explain. I told you that you were welcome to join us and I meant it. There’s lots of room, we’ve got power thanks to the generator, and we’ll be cozy as anything.”
“I’ll try to make sure Marvin behaves himself.”
In response, Cole reached down and unclipped Marvin’s leash. “Don’t be silly. He’s a great dog. Come on, Marvin. Let’s get a treat.”
At the word “treat,” the dog’s ears perked up and he followed closely on Cole’s heels as Cole started down the hall toward the kitchen.
“He doesn’t really eat people food,” she cautioned. The last thing she needed was for Marvin to have some sort of gastro episode in the middle of the storm.
“How about some cheese? Or some carrots?”
Brooklyn followed the duo into the kitchen. “I suppose a little would be all right. I did bring kibble with me.”
“Perfect. Let me find a bowl for water.”
He dug around in the cupboards until he found a stainless steel mixing bowl, which he filled with water and put on the floor. Then he went into the fridge and grabbed a platter. It contained cubed cheese, meats and had a bunch of green grapes in the center. “Hungry?”
She’d eaten lunch but it had been a simple grilled cheese. “I wouldn’t mind a few grapes.”
“Great. Make yourself at home.” He took three cubes of cheese and went over to Marvin. “Marvin, sit.”
Marvin’s butt hit the tile floor.
Cole turned to Brooklyn with a wide smile that made him look ridiculously boyish. “I didn’t think he’d really do it.”
“Ask him to shake a paw, and offer your non-cheese hand.”
He turned back, leaned over. “Marvin, shake a paw.” He held out his hand, and Marvin lifted his paw and placed it on Cole’s palm.
“Good boy! Have a piece of cheese.” Cole fed him the cube of cheddar. Marvin took it delicately, and once more Brooklyn marveled at the wide smile on Cole’s face. He really did love dogs. It was a crying shame that he was in his thirties and had never had one. Marvin added so much to her life.
“There’s a fire on in the fireplace. Why don’t you bring your grapes and come in? Do you want a coffee? Brandy or cognac?”
She’d forgotten that she was moving into the lap of luxury by coming to Cole’s. “I wouldn’t say no to coffee, but show me where the stuff is. I can make it. You don’t have to wait on me.”
“Don’t be silly. I know how to run a coffee maker.”
He did, too. Before long there were two steaming mugs. He even steamed milk for hers and poured the froth in, making a rich, aromatic latte. “See?”
She wasn’t used to fancy coffee. But she certainly wasn’t going to say no. “Thanks. That smells great.”
She followed him to the living room. Even though the storm raged outside, and she could see it through the windows, there was warm light from a tall lamp and the flicker of the gas fireplace. It threw some heat and Brooklyn picked a chair near the fire, settling into it with a sigh. It was so incredibly comfortable she nearly sighed again. Cole sat on the sofa opposite her and lifted his mug to taste his coffee.
Marvin went up to the fireplace, stared at the flames for a moment, and then turned around twice before flopping down in front of it.
Brooklyn laughed and looked over at Cole. “That’s it. He’s made himself at home for the duration.”
“Good,” Cole d
ecreed. “And how about you?”
She smiled faintly. Cole looked delectable in his slightly damp trousers and thick-knit sweater. “I’m getting there. But I feel a little odd being here. It’s a gorgeous house, Cole. I keep feeling I’ll break something expensive.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll buy another.” He flashed her his grin and she smiled in return, but only for a moment.
“Yes, but you see, that just highlights how different our lives are.”
He shrugged. “Does it matter? I mean, it’s only money.”
She stared down in her cup for a moment before looking up and meeting his gaze again. “The people who generally say that are the ones who have lots of it,” she countered. “At one point, my family owned this whole island. They had to sell most of it for financial reasons. For a lot of people, money means freedom. Freedom to choose what sort of life they’ll have. The less money, the more limited the choices.”
“I realize that.” His voice had softened. “I just meant that I want you to be comfortable and not worry about how much something here costs.”
“I know that. It just...got my hackles up a bit.” She gave a little laugh. “Pride. I still have some, apparently.”
“You sure do.” He drank more of his coffee. “Why don’t you sit over here with me? The heat from the fire will still reach you, and it feels weird talking to you way over there.”
The room was very large and it did seem as if there was a lot of space between them. She probably shouldn’t, but she got up and moved over to the sofa, sitting at the other end and tucking her feet up beneath her. “Better?”
“Much.” His soft eyes met hers. “I’m very glad you’re here, Brooklyn.”
A gust of wind rattled the window and they both looked over. The window was streaked with rain and the beach grasses were waving furiously.
“It seems so strange being inside with power while that’s going on out there,” she remarked.