“Charlie!” Jack calls again. “Get back here!”
I hold my hands out in front of me, blinking the rain out of my eyes. I move slow, getting drenched by the second. It’s dark and stormy, and it’s almost bear season in the mountains. The thought of a bear going after Charlie makes panic rise inside of me, making it hard to breathe.
I trip over something and fall, scraping my palms on the rough stone of the patio. Whatever I walked into falls to the ground with a clank. Thunder rumbles overhead again, quieter than the last.
Something big draws near and a wet nose presses against my cheek.
“Charlie?” I extend my hand and grab him by the collar.
“Nora?” Jack’s shadow is overhead. “What are you doing?” He helps me to my feet and ushers Charlie inside.
“I was going to help you look for Charlie. I thought he ran away, and I was scared.”
Jack closes the door behind me. We’re both wet from the rain and chilled from the wind.
“I love that dog,” I say, and look into Jack’s eyes. “Just like I love you.”
Jack’s eyes widen, and he stares at me, unblinking. “Are you sure? About me and not Charlie, I mean.”
I laugh. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I never stopped loving you, Jack. I’m scared of getting hurt again. But the thought of not even trying scares me even more.”
He looks at me, almost in disbelief, then pulls me into an embrace. We stand there, dripping wet, cold, and shivering, but in love.
“I promise you, Nora, I will love you every single day for the rest of my life. All I’ve ever wanted was to make you happy.”
Tears form in the corners of my eyes, and this time, I don’t try and force them away. “I want to make you happy, too.”
“You do. Without even doing anything, you do.” He kisses me, and I shiver. “Are you cold?”
“Yeah. Wet hair always makes me cold.”
“I’ll get dry clothes. Sit by the fire and stay warm.” We break apart and he calls Charlie upstairs with him so he can towel him off. I sit with my back to the fire, shaking water drops from my hair. I change into a white T-shirt and boxers and cuddle up with Jack on the couch.
“Tired?” he asks when I yawn.
“Yeah. It’s been an eventful day.”
“It has.”
I smooth back his damp hair. “I’ve never had sex twice in one day before. I didn’t realize it would be so exhausting. I’ve only been with you, remember?”
“Oh, I remember. I’m the luckiest guy in the world to be your first and now your last.”
“You are pretty lucky. Don’t ever forget it.”
His lips go to mine. “I won’t.”
Chapter 32
Jack
Nora is still nestled in my arms when I wake. The storm gave way to a clear sky, and bright light streams through the balcony doors. Charlie is at the foot of the bed, stretched out and taking up too much room. I stretch my legs out around him, and he groans when I disturb him.
The power came on at some point while we were sleeping, made evident by the time displayed on the satellite box under the TV on my dresser. It’s not yet eight AM, which is early by my standards. I’m not sure what time we went to bed last night, but I know it wasn’t all that late. I fell asleep quickly and slept soundly with Nora by my side.
She’s back in my life, and this time I’m not going to fuck up. There’s only so many times she can forgive me, and it was one too many the first time.
Maybe I am selfish.
Maybe the darkness if finally taking over. Or maybe I finally gave in to it.
Either way, I don’t care. I want Nora. Need her. Love her more than life itself. I thought she’d be better off without me, and I was wrong. I set her free and she came back.
Because she loves me too.
I carefully sit up so as not to wake her and slip out of bed and go downstairs to make coffee and let Charlie out. Nora wakes when I come back into the room, opening her eyes with a smile on her face.
“Morning.”
“Morning, babe.” I set the mugs of coffee on the dresser. “I thought we could drink it on the balcony.”
Her eyes go to the doors. “I’d like that.” She stretches and slowly gets out of bed. “I’m going to use the bathroom first.”
I dry off the chairs on the balcony and bring the coffee out. The storm brought some much-needed rain and brought the temperature back to normal.
“It’s beautiful out here in the morning.” Nora walks through the balcony doors.
“So are you.”
She feels her hair. “I’m in serious need of a hairbrush. And a shower.”
“We can shower after coffee. Do you want to get breakfast?”
“At Jimmy’s?”
I smile. “They have the best French toast.” The balcony is small, with room for only two chairs and one small, round side table. It works, and we talk and laugh, eyes on the horizon.
Somehow, we end up in bed again once we finish our coffee. Nora’s head is on my chest, and my hands explore her body, making sure I remember every curve. Charlie barks and the sound of a car on the gravel driveway echoes through the open balcony doors.
“Expecting company?” Nora sits up, looking outside.
“No.” I get up, striding to the open doors. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. It’s Alice.”
“Alice? What’s she doing here?”
“I have no idea. I’m guessing it’s about the chuppah I stupidly agreed to make for her wedding even though I’ve never made one before and I cannot stand her, or my cousin much for that matter.”
She laughs. “Why did you agree to do it?”
“It got me out of being part of the wedding party.”
“I’d probably agree to make one too.” Nora joins me at the balcony.
“You really thought I’d marry her?”
Nora gives me a guilty look. “I hoped not, but when she told Veronica she couldn’t wait to be part of the family, that’s what I thought.”
I shudder. “She’s not as much of a bitch as she used to be, but she’s still Alice Bloom.” I turn, taking Nora’s hand. I hear Alice’s car door shut. She’ll be ringing the doorbell in a few seconds.
“How did Alice meet your cousin? I thought all the other Harringtons lived in Reno.”
“They do. We take turns visiting each other for the holidays.”
Nora nods. “I remember.”
“The last time they were here, Jay and Alice met at a movie or something, I think.”
“Weird.”
“Yeah. At least she’s moving back to Reno with him after the wedding. I’ll only have to see her twice a year.” I go down the stairs, missing Nora’s arms around me. Charlie’s at the door, barking before Alice has a chance to knock. He’s not the biggest fan of hers, which is telling.
“Jack!” she squeals when I open the door. “How are things?” She takes a step in without being invited and notices Nora. “Oh, Nora. I, uh, wasn’t expecting you. Oh my God, did I wake you two up?”
“We were already up.” I shut the door behind Alice. “What are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t sleep last night during the storm. I was worried sick about the chuppah. How is it? Can I see it?”
“Sure. You could have called, you know.”
“I was in the area.”
“The area?” Nora questions.
“The lake.” Alice presses a smile. “Did you forget where things are around here in your absence?”
“Guess so. Good thing I have Jack to remind me, right?”
The chuppah is in the shed right off the back patio, and I haven’t worked on it much lately because of the heat.
“So,” Alice says to Nora. “Are you two like back together?”
Nora told me she loves me, but I’m still a bit nervous to hear her answer. Our lives are still in different places. We love each other, but is that enough? I listen hard while pretendin
g not to at the same time.
“Yes,” Nora says right away. “We are.”
“So, should I assume you’re bringing a plus one after all, Jack?”
I have no idea if Nora can come to the wedding. She has a life, hours away. She has an apartment and a job and wants to keep going to school. The tightening in my chest comes back. She was right to say things are complicated. We can’t profess our love and live happily ever after. We’re starting again from the ground up, and things take time.
“Yeah,” Nora answers for me. “It’s not too late, is it?”
“No. I don’t give the final head count until June first. I’m sure Veronica told you all about the wedding.”
“Uh, yeah,” Nora answers. I don’t have to say anything for Nora to know Alice thinks her wedding is the most important thing to happen in Dale Hollow history.
“Good! Then you know there are a few stipulations for the guests.”
Nora gives me a what the fuck look and I just roll my eyes. I slide open the door to the patio and let Charlie run out first.
“Don’t wear white, of course,” Alice continues as we walk to the shed. “Or ivory, or a really pale pink. The wedding colors are ice blue and pistachio, so it would be great if you avoided those too. I don’t want anyone to think you’re in the bridal party or anything. No diamond jewelry, and it’s a good thing you’re not engaged. I want my ring to be the showcase.” She looks at me and then Nora. “You two make a very attractive couple. Try not to out-cute us or anything. I might put you at separate tables to be sure!” She laughs, but she’s completely serious.
I open the shed and while Alice gushes over the chuppah, Nora and I hang back.
“Is she for real?” Nora whispers.
“She takes bridezilla to a whole new level,” I whisper back. “You need to hear all the shit she’s putting her bridesmaids through. I think the worst was telling her sister she had to lose ten pounds if she wants to be in the pictures, and fifteen if she wants to be maid of honor.”
“It’s sad I’m not surprised.”
Alice takes a few selfies under the chuppah and then comes back over. “It looks so good, Jack. Will you finish it in time?”
“Yes. Like I told you the last time you came over to ‘check on it,’ it’s almost done.”
“Are you having a traditional wedding?” Nora asks, sensing my irritation with Alice.
“No. Jay isn’t Jewish. The ceremony in non-denominational. My parents aren’t too happy about it, but whatever, right? When it’s love, you do what you got to do.”
Nora glances at me. “Yeah, you do.”
I call Charlie back into the house, moving to the front door so Alice will get the hint to leave.
“Are you coming to the bachelorette party, Nora?” she asks, pausing in the doorway. “It’s going to be so much fun and we’re going to get so wasted. And I’m pretty sure Veronica hired a stripper. I made sure to tell her I didn’t want one so she’d get one to surprise me.”
“I’m not sure. Going out like that really isn’t my thing.”
“Partying isn’t your thing?” Alice blinks rapidly, taking it as a personal insult. Then she smiles. “Well, if you change your mind, I’d love if you came. The more, the merrier to celebrate becoming Jack’s cousin-in-law, right?”
“Right.” Nora smiles back. “Have fun.”
“I will. Bye, guys!”
I hold Charlie back and shut the door.
“Well, I should probably tell your sister she needs to get a stripper ASAP.”
“Yeah, I don’t think she picked up on it. She’s been stressed over the stupid party for months. She still seeks Alice’s approval.” I shake my head. “Just a few more weeks and it’ll be over.”
Nora takes my hand, pulling me to her. “Do you have to work today?”
“I do. And I have the PTSD group this afternoon, which makes me think we should eat breakfast here to make the most of our time.”
We go upstairs to shower. Nora pulls the white T-shirt over her head and drops it to the floor, looking over her shoulder with a sexy-as-hell grin on her face. I grab her around the waist and toss her on my bed.
The shower can wait.
Chapter 33
Nora
I park in the driveway and take a minute to smooth out my hair. The walk of shame is foreign to me, and while I don’t really feel shame, coming home in yesterday’s clothes is a little uncomfortable. Doug’s car is gone, but Stephanie’s is here. Knowing the chance of coming in unnoticed and being able to get to my room to change before she sees me is minimal, I suck it up and walk inside.
Stephanie is in the kitchen, seeing me right away. It’s afternoon, and she’s sitting at the island counter eating a salad.
“Hey, hun.”
“Hey.” I take my shoes off and pull my phone from my purse before I hang it up.
“How was your night?”
“Really good. I mean, it was fine.” I make a face. “Is this weird?”
Stephanie laughs and sets her fork down. “You’re making it weirder than it has to be. You’re twenty-two, Nora, and have lived on your own for the last few years. I don’t need to know the nitty-gritty details, but it’s not weird. You’re an adult.”
I let out a sigh of relief. “Thanks.”
“That being said,” Stephanie goes on. Just when I thought I was off the hook… “What are you doing with Jack? Yesterday morning you said it was weird being around him and now you’re spending the night at his place?”
“I don’t really know.” Thirsty, I go to the cabinet and get a glass. “We talked about it a lot last night, actually. He told me he still loves me and that he’s always loved me.” I fill my glass with water and take a long drink. “He said he thought I’d be happier with someone else, someone who didn’t have PTSD and the hardships that come with it, and he’s missed me every day since.”
Stephanie waits for me to continue.
“And I told him I feel the same. As hard as I tried, I never really got over him.”
“I know you never did,” she says gently. “You and Jack were so close and bonded so tightly over the pain of your pasts. Doug and I were really worried about you for a while there. I knew it would be hard, but after a year, even though you tried to cover up your pain, I could still see it. You were still in love with him. And the other day when you saw him again for the first time, I could see it there too.”
“It is stupid?” I ask quietly.
“Is what stupid, honey?”
“To have loved him all those years.”
Her face softens. “No. You didn’t obsess, and you didn’t sit around moping. The heart wants what the heart wants, and you have very little control over it.”
Something Mimi used to say comes to mind, something I never fully understood until now. Hearts are wild beasts, Nora. The sooner you learn that the better. You can’t tame something wild. Doing so puts you in harm’s way, and neither will win in the end. Wild animals aren’t to be caged. They must run free. Find someone to run with you, darling. Not ahead, not behind, but next to you.
“I tried to forget about him. Becca set me up on countless dates. You know how they always went.” I finish the water and put my cup in the dishwasher. “It feels right being with Jack again. I know we’ve both grown and changed, but deep down we’re still the same.”
“I think you have your answer then.”
“I didn’t ask a question.”
Stephanie smiles. “Not out loud.” She picks up her fork and mixes her salad. “We always liked Jack. Until the breakup, he was good to you. He respected you, and it seems it’s getting harder and harder to find a good man who respects a smart, hardworking woman.”
“It is, and it’s like we’re going backward with things in that aspect. Women are doing more than ever, and I’m getting off topic again.”
“It’s easy to do.” She stabs her fork down on pieces of lettuce. “Are you sure this is more than a summer fling?”
“Make sure you’re happy and not seeking the comfort of what you used to know.”
The thought had briefly crossed my mind, that I was falling back into a habit because it was easy. Familiar. Safe. There’s nothing safe about Jack.
“He makes me happy now.”
“As long as you’re sure. Have you thought about where this is going to go?”
“Kind of. I told Jack I want to treat this like new for a while. We were apart for longer than we were together, after all.”
“What are your plans for the rest of the day?” Stephanie takes another bite of her salad.
“All I got planned so far is a shower, then going next door to tell Veronica she needs to find an emergency stripper for tomorrow night?”
“Emergency stripper?”
“I ran into Alice Bloom this morning, and she mentioned how excited she is to have a stripper at her bachelorette party because she knows Veronica got one due to her telling Veronica multiple times that she didn’t want one.”
Stephanie laughs. “If you need help browsing the image galleries of available male strippers, I’m willing to help.”
“I might send you pictures for final approval.”
“I’ll be of assistance.” She winks. “Would you like to invite Jack over for dinner tonight? And if you want to go back to his house after, you can. I’ll miss you, but I’m not too old to remember the feeling of getting back together.”
“You and Doug broke up?”
“A bunch of times. We were the Ross and Rachel of our friend group.”
“What made things stick?”
“We realized we’re better together.”
* * *
“It’s going to be fine.” I run my fingers through my wet hair, doing a shitty job of combing it, but getting enough tangles out to put my locks in a braid. “We’ll find something.”
Small town romance boxed set Page 60