We dont really have tornadoes in Seattle, he said.
Spring is usually the worst, she said. But a few years ago, we had a tornado in October. It tore the roof off a barn not far from here. She snuggled up against him. I think I watched The Wizard of Oz too many times when I was a kid. Between the tornado and the flying monkeys, I couldnt sleep for days.
Dermot wrapped his arms around her. You dont have to be scared, he said. Ill protect you.
You cant protect me from tornadoes. She sighed softly. What about you? Arent you afraid of anything?
Nothing. Im made of steel, he teased. They call me Superman back in Seattle.
Rachel wove her fingers through his. Tell me.
Dermot hesitated for a long moment. Theyd been so intimate, and yet neither one of them had confessed their deepest fears. Theyd both carefully avoided revealing too much. Maybe it was time. Im Im afraid that if I love something too much, Ill lose it.
So you never fall in love? she asked.
He shook his head. I try very hard not to.
Interesting, she said.
Thats your reply? Interesting?
She snuggled closer. It doesnt surprise me, considering what happened with your parents. Especially at such a young age. Im surprised youre as normal as you are.
What about you?
I think loss is something farm kids deal with at an \ age. We see the circle of life all the time. Animals that we love die. We cry and then move on. That doesnt mean it becomes any easier, but its understood?
What scares you, Rachel? Besides tornadoes? He waited for her answer, wondering what shed say. Dermot had never met a woman as strong as Rachel Howe, as stubborn or determined.
Im afraid that Ill be alone. Ill be like Eddie, regretting all the mistakes I made in life, wondering how things might have been different. She drew a ragged breath. Im happy, dont get me wrong. But Im afraid that, someday, Ill wake up and it will be too late.
That will never happen, Dermot said. He wanted to say more, to tell her how much she meant to him, to make her understand that if he could ever love anyone it would be her.
Dermot could imagine a future with her, a life that included more happiness than hed ever had in the past. He had never had a serious relationship. Thered been dating relationships, and sexual relationships, but none of them ventured into the realm of emotional.
Yet, when he was with Rachel, he didnt want to be anywhere else. If he were honest, he was almost afraid to leave her, afraid that what they had found together might suddenly evaporate. At this point in every other relationship, he was usually looking for a way out. But with Rachel, he was still trying to figure a way in.
Neither one of them had any expectations, beyond hard work and constant companionship. And when there was a promise of more, he accepted their relationship for what it wasfor as long as it lasted.
Was that why he was so confused? Without a point of reference, he had no way of judging what they shared together. Was this love? Friendship? Or just sexual desire being satisfied? Suddenly, it was important to put a name to it.
A clap of thunder shook the house and Rachel jumped, groaning softly. Dermot took her hand in his. Come on.
No, Im not going to bed until this is over.
This will help. I promise.
Reluctantly, she followed him into the kitchen. He opened the door and rain-damp wind buffeted them both. The sky was a riot of light, each flash illuminating the huge clouds. The air was full of electricity.
Im not going out there, she said.
Were just going to stand on the porch. If it gets really bad, well come back in. I promise. Trust me, Rachel.
He held out his hand and she reluctantly stepped outside. Dermot wrapped his arms around her waist. Now, we just have to wait for the next big flash of lightning and The sky split open and he yanked her into a long, deep kiss. He continued through the thunder crack, distracting her with his lips and his tongue.
When it was over, Dermot stepped back. Wait for it.
What are you doing?
Youll see. Youll never The lightning flashed and he kissed her again, the thunder calling an end to the kiss. From now on, whenever youre in the middle of a storm, youll think of kissing me. You wont be able to help yourself.
Youre crazy, she said.
Another bolt of lightning flashed in the sky and she barely noticed. See, Dermot said, its working.
She turned and walked along the porch railing, staring out into the storm as if the answers were all there. It is beautiful, she finally said, the wind whipping at her hair. Powerful. Exciting. She paused. And dangerous. Kind of like you.
Im not dangerous, Rachel.
You are, she insisted. You have no idea. You make me need you. The more time I spend with you, the more I cant do without you.
Thats usually the way it is, Dermot said. Whats wrong with that?
Because I feel completely safe with you, too. I dont understand how that can be. I dont know why I feel this way. Ill never be able to forget you.
Then dont. Dont forget a single moment.
The wind shifted suddenly and Rachel glanced over at him. Its coming now. You can smell it.
In a matter of seconds the storm had whipped itself into a fury. The rain was driven sideways and the maples around the house rocked and bent to the breaking point. A limb snapped and fell near the end of the porch and debris blew across the yard. In the distance, he heard the goats bleating from the barn.
We better get back inside, he said.
Rachel shook her head. No. I want to face this fear. You were right.
I might have been wrong. Dermot grabbed her hand and dragged her to the door, pushing her back into the kitchen. He peered out the window, stunned to see that the wind was blowing even harder. Maybe we should go in the cellar.
He opened the door and flipped on the light and followed Rachel to the bottom of the steps. They sat down on the last one. A few seconds later, the stairwell went dark.
Theres a flashlight at the top of the stairs, she said. Ill get it.
No, stay here, he said, holding tight to her hand.
Are you afraid?
Yeah, Im kind of creeped out. I saw that movie Twister. Im just waiting for the house to disintegrate around us. Are the goats going to be all right?
Yes, she said, her voice coming out of the dark. Theyll go in the barn. The stone foundation is strong. Theyll huddle up in a corner.
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, the two of them listening to the storm raging outside. And when it was over, they climbed the stairs and walked outside to survey the damage from the porch.
Small branches and clumps of maple leaves were scattered over the yard but all the buildings were still standing, their roofs intact. The cushions from the wicker chairs on the porch had disappeared and one of the hanging pots had fallen into the garden, but that was the limit of the damage.
He turned her to face him and kissed her softly. That was kind of scary, he admitted.
He turned her to face him and kissed her softly. That was kind of scary, he admitted.
I told you. Flying monkeys all over again. She drew a deep breath of the cool air. Smell the ozone? Its from the lightning.
Dermot slipped his arm around her shoulders and they walked back inside. A breeze now drifted through the screen door, taking the humidity out of the air. The storm was a reflection of their relationship, he mused. All the wild, crazy emotions one minute and the beautiful calm the next.
And yet, there was a danger there. He couldnt predict the weather and he didnt know exactly what was lurking just beyond the horizonfair weather or the storm of the century?
7
THE TWO TEENAGE BOYS stood in the yard, staring at their mothers car as it pulled out onto the road and drove off. Rachel held her breath, trying to think of something to say that might erase the fearful expressions from their faces.
She hadnt seen her nephews in six or seven years and she barely recognized them. Trevor, the eldest, was nearly sixteen, and as tall as Dermot, well over six feet. Taylor was a year younger and appeared to be the more sensitive of the pair, tears swimming in his eyes as he tried to be brave.
Rachel glanced over at Dermot. Hed been a teenage boy at one time. Maybe he knew what to say. The last thing she wanted to do was cause them more emotional upset. She drew a deep breath and pasted a smile on her face. Why dont I show you your room. You can get settled and then Ill make you something to eat. Are you hungry?
Trevor shook his head. No. We ate lunch on the road.
IIm kinda hungry, Taylor said.
No, Trevor whispered. Were not hungry. Its all right. We can wait until dinner.
Come on, then, she said.
Trevor picked up the single suitcase theyd brought along and then hitched his backpack onto his other shoulder. Taylor had a backpack of his own.
Im going to check the goats, Dermot said. We could really use your help in the barn, guys. If youre up for it, why dont you change and come out after youve had something to eat.
Okay, Trevor said. He put his arm around Taylors shoulders as they climbed the porch steps.
Rachel held the screen door open for them. When they reached the top of the stairs, she pointed to the room across the hall from her bedroom. I hope you dont mind sharing. Its the only room with two beds.
Trevor stood in the doorway, taking in the surroundings. Its good, he said.
Good, Taylor repeated. Do you have Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi? No, Rachel said. Theres a cable hookup in the kitchen. Thats usually where I work. Youre welcome to use my computer to write to your friends or go online.
We brought our own laptops, Taylor said. I can hook up Wi-Fi if you want. I brought along my router and modem if you have broadband.
All right, Rachel said with a smile. That would be really nice. You sound like you know what youre doing with computers.
Taylor returned her smile. Im pretty good at computers. I built my own CPU. I couldnt bring it along, though.
So are you going to do your school work on your computer? Rachel asked.
We stopped at the school and mom enrolled us, Trevor said. Didnt she tell you?
Rachel shook her head. Jane had been so distraught that shed barely said a word. She was doing all she could to keep from breaking down and Rachel could do nothing but reassure her that shed take good care of the boys. Thats good. Its Friday. We could go to the football game tonight. Maybe youd have a chance to meet some of the kids? Trevor gave Taylor an uneasy look and Rachel quickly shook her head. Maybe its best to just get to know the farm first. Why dont you unpack and then come down when youre ready?
She walked out of the bedroom and hurried down the stairs. Dermot was pacing the porch as she stepped outside. I have no idea what Im doing. They seem so fragile and terrified. I dont know what to say.
Just leave them alone for now, he said. Let them lean on each other. Their whole world has been turned upside down. They dont know who to trust.
Rachel grabbed his hand and held it to her heart. Im so glad youre here.
Dermot pulled her toward him and kissed her forehead. Why dont you make them something to eat. Even though they say theyre not hungry, boys that age will always eat if you put something in front of them. Im going to go work on replacing that window in the milk house that got broken in the storm. He kissed her again, this time on the mouth, his tongue teasing at hers. What are we going to do about this? he murmured.
Ill meet you right here, after theyve gone to bed. Ill bring the wine. You bring yourself.
Its a date.
He walked down the steps and Rachel smiled to herself. There had been so much going on at the farm lately that shed forgotten hed be leaving in another week. If she had the power to stop time, shed turn off all the clocks at this very moment.
She was happy and hopeful and only a bit worried about the decisions shed have to make about her future. And she was falling in love with Dermot Quinn. Rachel giggled, then spun around and went in to gather things to make sandwiches. It was apparent that Dermot was just as smitten as she was. And she had to believe that once he left, hed realize the depth of his feeling for her.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, she reminded herself.
Rachel was counting on that. Their relationship was like dream, a fantasy come true. And though they both lived in the real world, the passion they shared was something very special. Would a life with Dermot ever be normal? Would their desire for each other fade over time?
A shiver prickled her skin. Just the thought of him touching her caused an instant reaction. Rachel arranged sliced ham on whole-wheat bread. Shed have to ask if the boys liked mayo or mustard. Potato chips. She grabbed a bag that Dermot had brought home from the grocery store, then set the cookie jar on the table and peeked inside to see that it was well stocked with the chocolate chip cookies shed made a few days before.
Rachel walked to the stairs, but stopped herself from calling to Trevor and Taylor. Shed follow Dermots advice when it came to the boys. Hed been exactly where they were years ago. He knew what they were going through.
She grabbed her sketchbook and sat down at the kitchen table, then turned to the illustration shed been working on. Beavers. Rachel smiled. With their funny teeth and flat tails, they made for a humorous image, one that would find its way onto a greeting card sometime next year.
What are you drawing?
Rachel glanced up to find Trevor standing in the doorway of the kitchen. She held out the sketchbook. Beavers, she said. I mostly draw animals. Ive been working on squirrels, too.
Wow, he murmured. These are good.
Do you like to draw?
He nodded. I mostly draw robots and alien creatures.
Id like to see your drawings, she said.
He shrugged. I left them at home.
Rachel pushed back from the table and crossed to the desk at the far end of the kitchen. She grabbed a fresh sketchbook and her box of colored pencils, then returned to the table. Here, she said. Take these.